The Artist and His Muse

Chapter 12

Jungkook trudged into the dorm.  His entire body was rebelling against any more movement. 

"How was the exhibition," said Jimin from the couch. He stood up and walked over to where Jungkook was leaning on the back of the other couch.  He felt Jungkook should have stayed home today but of course he had refused.

"It was great," Jungkook said, his voice sounding weary.  "Hyung, could I bother you to get me a glass of water please?"

"Sure thing," Jimin rushed to the kitchen and returned with a glass of water.  He handed it to the now seated maknae and sat down nearby.  "Are you doing ok?"

"Yeah.  I'm just super tired."  He dumped some pills out of the paper packets Yeon Ah had given him.  Swallowing them down with the water, he sighed and leaned his head against he back of the couch.

"How did Yeon Ah do today?"

"She did great."  He sighed and looked over to Jimin.  "She's on a date right now.  I even encouraged her to go.  I smiled and let her leave with that slime ball.  Hyung," his voice sounded like it was about to break, "tell me I did the right thing.  Tell me I did good, please?"  His eyes were filling with tears but none fell. 

"Jungkookah," Jimin said softly, tousling the younger man's hair.  "You did well." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"How's your food?" 

Yeon Ah smiled at the man across from her.  He had been the perfect gentleman tonight.  Holding doors for her, pulling out her chair, he even ordered her food.  She would have preferred to do that part on her own but she knew he meant well. 

She took a quick sip of her water and then spoke.  "It's delicious.  Thank you so much for bringing me here," she smiled.

"Only the best for you," he grinned.  "So was your exhibition a success today?"

"Well, we still have tomorrow so after that we will sit down and assess our successes and failures."

"We?"

"Ah, my assistant and I," she smiled nervously, taking another bite of her steak.

"I get a bad feeling about your assistant.  I'm not trying to stick my nose where it doesn't belong and obviously you've known him longer than I, but I just get a weird vibe from him." He shook his head as he cut another piece of steak.

"Is that so?  I've never felt unsafe around him." 

"Just be careful, ok?  I worry about you here in this huge city all by yourself."  She could sense he was genuinely concerned for her.

"I'm quite alright.  You don't have to worry.  I can take care of myself." She smiled bravely and held her knife up as if to emphasize her point.

He laughed and leaned back in his chair.  "I have no doubt you could take care of yourself.  But it's okay to let someone else worry about you once in a while, Yeon Ah," he said, his eyes softening.

"Thanks for caring, but we barely know each other," Yeon Ah said softly.

"But I intend to get to know you better.  You're beautiful.  You're sweet.  Your father is one of the most honorable and nicest men I've ever met besides my own father. I wish you would give me a chance to get closer to you, Yeon Ah.  I have to confess something.  I saw you hugging your assistant tonight."  His voice became low and sad sounding.

Yeon Ah's eyes shot up to look at his downcast face.  She wasn't sure what to say so she just remained silent.

"I can tell you weren't expecting to hear me say that," he laughed quietly.  "Well, I was standing outside the window and I happened to see it.  I know it didn't last long so I can only think that maybe you just did it because you were excited about something or maybe it was him, I don't know.  Either way I felt really jealous.  I wished it could have been me you were hugging.  I've seen how you look at him.  I don't know how you feel about him, but I wish you would look at me like that.  I know we've only had two dates but I have spent a lot of time with your father and he talks about you non stop.  Like, seriously, he talks about you all the time," he laughed and looked up at her.