You Don't Own Me | 18+

Chapter 27

“The Detective you're going to meet is no other than Jungkook.”

Her body freezes on the spot.

He carries on. “Yes. My dear brother. He's been lying on your face this whole time and teasing you. He's making fun of you—”

Her head turns around in a snap. “Thank you for spoiling the fun.” His face hardens and a small curl appears on her lips before she walks out of the room.

Taehyung curses out loudly and messes his hair up in a fit of ferment. He can't fathom the reason why he is getting mad all of a sudden. It is literally not his business to step on whatever she does or whoever she wants to meet. But the idea of her seeing his brother keeps nettling his mind.

He finally has the love of his life back in his arms and is doing pretty well for the business and all yet he can't seem to feel enraptured. His mind has been on the race for awhile and he has no idea what causes that grievous agitation.

***

Jisoo gets in the taxi and breathes in and out heavily, digesting the fact that Jeon Jungkook is, indeed, her brother's savior and the one she is going to pay gratitude to. How come the world is too small? Out of all the people, Jeon Jungkook is the one she has to say ‘thank you’?

She remembers what she said to him at the hospital. She thought he was stalking her like a creep but it turns out he is a detective who has been on various missions and at the hospital to check on the victims of crimes. Not only did he bring justice for her brother, he also took good care of him for the past month.

The indescribable emotions that he caused inside her chest is somehow overwhelming. She knows he is flirting with her just for the fun of it and to anger Taehyung. Yet she finds herself seeking his presence at the mansion. There is something about Jungkook that makes him a complete opposite of Taehyung. 

And that is, he is straightforward. He has a sharp tongue and a very curt mindset. He doesn't hide his perceptions and says it directly without holding back. Jisoo does not have a time to think of what kind of man she is attracted to since she's born. However, she knows one thing for sure which she finds admirable in a person.

It is their good deeds. Not their looks nor their backgrounds. Actions define one’s personality. Not their words. Jisoo doesn't indulge in the flattery words as she is well aware of how they are used under different circumstances.

Jungkook may have said so many disparaging and offensive words, but his actions have saved her more than once. 

As she steps out of the taxi, she prepares herself to meet the man as if this is the first time she's going to see him. The hotel restaurant he booked is already a show for her to see and she rolls her eyes at his pretentiousness.

A waiter comes to ask her and she says her name. But he seems to not know it. She's so sure Mrs. Bae told her to say who she was to the waiter. “Um, I'm sorry but I don't think the name Kim Jisoo is on the list. Maybe there must be a misunderstanding?”

She frowns and curses the asshole in her head. He did that on purpose, didn't he? Trying to embarrass her. A thought comes in her mind. She doesn't know it's even true but she gives it a try anyway.

“What about…little thief?”

The waiter smiles and nods. “This way, Miss.” He immediately escorts her to the restaurant.

Jisoo clenches her fists tight and follows after him.

‘That bastard!’

***

When she arrives at the guided table and finds him sitting alone with his signature jacket and dark jeans. She glares at him as soon as his eyes land on her.

Pulling the chair, she plops down on it. “I told you to not call me like that.”

Jungkook smirks. “Your reaction tells me you already know who I am. I feel so sad. I thought I was about to give you a grand reveal. Tell me, is that my dear brother who ruined it?”

Her eyes widened. “How did you know?”

He shrugs. “Who am I?” He then leans forward, playful glint in his eyes. “Anyway, where's my reward?”

“For what?”

“For everything?”

“What do you want then?”

“Ouch.” He hits his chest with a scrunch on his face. “Not even ‘thank you’ from you, little thief? How can you be so heartless?”

“How's Jin? Is he doing okay? Did he face any bullies at school for his look? Did he say anything about me? What about his school?” Her tone turns serious.

“What answer do you want first?”

“Jungkook.” She warns him.

His hands raise in the air like a surrender. “Okay. He's doing fine. Like really fine. Nope. No more bullies on his way after that gang. Bunch of hooligans. Their parents really failed them. And he's doing really good at school. And sadly no. He didn't say anything about you.”

He watches her reaction with a cheeky grin. The anticipation on her face drops as she releases a deep sigh. 

“Little thief, do you really think that kid is going to live with sole resentment for the rest of his life? No. You're his only family so of course he's slowly warming up to accept you back. And by the way, I play a big role in it. You better thank me well. I didn't waste my time and money for nothing, you know.”

The reassurance coming from none other than Jeon Jungkook is something peculiar and not Jisoo is familiar with. Her body leans back on the chair, as her eyes rake over him up and down in a deep pondering. That's it? That's how it takes her to get attracted?

The cocky man he is, of course, he is fully aware of her attraction towards him. Every woman does. In her case, she takes more time than others. But once you hit someone's sore spot, you can already get them under your skin as you like. For her to melt, it is to win over her weakness, in other word, her only brother. As a Detective himself, he can read people's nature naturally and takes advantage of it for his job.

Even though he feels an ounce of pity for her, he can't help it if she's starting to like him or having the idea of him being in love with her.

“Do you want to have a drink?” 

With a wry smile, she casts her eyelashes down. She has tasted alcohol only once in her entire life. And being locked up inside Kim mansion, she is weirdly craving to get lost in the drink and forget about her problems for a few moments.

Jungkook grasps her response and raises his hand to call the waiter, his eyes do not leave her face, not for a split second.