Unique Friend

~18~

~18~

"Finally," is the exact word that comes from Namjoon as Taehyung and Karina walk into the Black Swan holding hands.

Taehyung grins triumphantly in response while Karina can only stare, dumbfounded.

She had protested that morning when Taehyung had insisted on both walking her to work and holding her hand. Since they had been working together planning his art event, Karina knew Namjoon would think nothing of her and Taehyung arriving together the last couple of weeks. But now that the event is over, she hadn't been too sure what her boss would think of her arriving for her shift holding hands with one of his friends. This reaction was not one that she had even considered a possibility.

"Wait. What do you mean, "finally"?" she demands, glaring from one handsome grinning Korean face to the other. "Namjoon. Did you set us up?"

Namjoon immediately turns serious at the accusation. "Karina, you know I would never do something like that!"

"Joon, I'm sorry, I know you wouldn't....but, then why did you just say that?"

Namjoon merely shrugs. "I just know Taehyung well enough to recognize when he's into someone,and I know you well enough to know that you will be good to him," he replies matter-of-factly.

"Speaking of, you guys never did tell me how it is you know each other," Karina says, looking from one to the other. She can't help but notice the almost imperceptible glance they give one another.

"Sure we did," Taehyung says, giving her hand a squeeze. "We worked together back in Korea."

"And speaking of work," Namjoon says, somewhat quickly, "Karina, I need to talk to you about a couple of things please."

Karina gets the impression both guys are a little too eager to change the topic, but not wanting to make it a big deal she replies, "Sure Joon. Just let me go and put my stuff in my locker and clock in."

"No problem. I'll be in the back booth when you're ready. Marlie is in today too so she can cover while we talk." Namjoon says with a wave as he heads to the back of the cafe.

Karina turns to Taehyung to say goodbye. "Ok, I've got a meeting with my boss, apparently," she says with a chuckle. "See you later?

"I'll meet you here when you get off at three o'clock," he replies with a smile, bringing her hand he is still holding up to his lips and giving it a small peck.

Just then, the bell over the door chimes and Karina sees Marlie entering, giving them a wide-eyed stare at Taehyung's display of affection, making Karina blush with shyness and a sense of impending doom.

Taehyung on the other hand, sees nothing amiss as he lets go of Karina's hand and turns to leave. "Oh. Hi, Marlie," he greets her politely when he notices her standing in the doorway. "See you after work," he says warmly to Karina with a big smile before exiting the cafe.

Not at all prepared to answer questions about her and Taehyung, Karina quickly makes her escape to the staff room, calling over her shoulder to Marlie. "Namjoon wants to see me."

*******

"Assistant Manager?" Karina repeats in surprise at what Namjoon had just told her.

"Well, maybe not quite so formally, but in a sense, yes," Namoon clarifies before continuing. "Seeing how successful Taehyung's art show was made me see the potential in focusing more on events. So, I was hoping you would be willing to sort of step in as somewhat of an assistant manager in running the everyday stuff here for me, while I focus more on networking to get us more art events. Just for the rest of the summer before your semester at college starts, and then only to the capacity that you feel able during school, if at all."

Karin is surprised, but flattered. She knows she is more than capable of what he asks, and she can see the benefit to his plan to expand on what Black Swan does. She is proud to realize just how highly Namjoon thinks of her.

"Namjoon I am flattered that you would think of me for this. And, as it turns out, my course load this semester is much lighter than last year, so I should be able to continue with it in the fall if you need me to."

"That's excellent, Karina, thank you. I would also expect you to be in charge of the other staff, if you're comfortable?"

Karina shrugs at this. All of the staff are fairly responsible, Namjoon being quite discerning of his hires. "That shouldn't be a problem, everyone here knows what is expected of them and work well together."

Namjoon nods in response, "I had hoped you'd be ok with that. And I will also be giving you a small raise, since you are taking on more responsibility, and more hours. And I won't hear any arguments," he concludes, holding up a hand to forestall her protests just as she was taking breath to argue this last point, causing them both to laugh.

"Alright Joonie. But just know that I would have done it anyway," she smiles at him.

"Thank you, Karina. And now I will leave you to it, I have a few errands and meetings to attend," he says as he gets up to leave. "Oh, and I am happy for you and Taehyung," he adds over his shoulder, making her blush.

Marlie doesn't waste any time in confronting Karina as soon as Namjoon leaves.

"So, dating the boss's former bandmate, and now assistant manager, huh?," she says in a teasing manner that is borderline rude.

Karina is completely taken aback by her attitude and statement. "Excuse me? What are you implying? And, did you say 'bandmate'?"

Marlie openly sneers at her, "Yes, bandmate. Don't you even know who you're dating!?"

When Karina stares at her blankly and gives a small shake of her head, Marlie scoffs. She seems to be loving how uncomfortable she is obviously making Karina.

"They didn't tell you!? Well, I guess Namjoon did say they wanted a fresh start," she continues. "Kim Namjoon and Kim Taehyung, your boyfriend I'm assuming by the way he said goodbye earlier, were a part of a boy band with five other guys in South Korea, called BTS. They were pretty popular, and rich, but had to do mandatory military service, so they broke up and went their separate ways. I can't believe you didn't know." she finishes with an eye roll. "I tried to snag Taehyung for myself, but I guess you had the advantage, being his "roommate" and all...." She trails off as customers enter the cafe, leaving Karina speechless.