Empathy | jay. park [completed]

o n e

God, it was 2 in the morning and my inconsiderate neighbor decided to throw a house party, inviting every fucking person in Hongdae. I didn't want to be the type to tell them to turn the music down, but it was an apartment block for goodness sake.

This guy had moved in a few months ago, and from the second I caught a glimpse of him I knew he was going to be trouble. He is covered in tattoos, along his arms and up to his neck and sported a cheeky nose ring. He is also quite popular among the ladies, bringing home some dim-witted barbie home almost every week was his trait. He is one of the hottest artists in Hongdae at the moment apparently, but that didn't cancel out that he was an intolerable jerk.

I tossed in my bed and placed my pillow over my head as the loud music echoed throughout my room. This happened every weekend. I had to deal with his endless parties until dawn, or until the landlord decided to shut him down. But that wasn't as often as I had hoped. He had every damn person in this apartment block around his finger, he could do whatever he pleased.

Not being able to take it anymore I jumped out of bed not bothering that I was in my sleepwear and banged on his door. I had spent most of my day working on one of my designs and all I wanted to do was to fucking sleep.

Was that too much to ask for?

"Jaebum!" I yelled and banged on the door several times before it finally swung open.

There he was, in his usual tank top and ripped jeans, showing off his tattooed covered body. As soon as his eyes met mine he rolled them lazily and leaned against his door frame.

"What do you want ? and you know I go by Jay, not Jaebum" he sighed and folded his arms across his chest.

This was a classic interpretation of him being the intolerable jerk that he was. I hated people who were full of themselves and looked down on us introverts.

"Do you think you could turn it down a little ? some of us are trying to sleep" I asked sternly.

"I don't see anyone else complaining" he shrugged, grinning down at me. He loved to get on my nerves. It's been his hobby since he moved here.

I sucked in a deep breath and rubbed my temple. I was not a violent person but punching his smug face right now seemed like the best option. I peered behind him and noticed a few scantily dressed girls running around, paying no mind to the men who gawked at their semi nude bodies.

"You can join in if you want" he smirked.

"I'd rather kill myself thank you"

"Just being a good neighbor"

"As if" I pursed my lips and took a step back. I suddenly collided into something and the sudden contact caused me to jump in fear. A little old woman stood there and a few books were scattered across the floor, which im guessing was my doing.

"oh my God im so sorry" I exclaimed and reached down for the books.

"First you bully me now you bump into this sweet lady" Jay tutted and crouched down to gather the remaining books.

"Dont you have whores to see to ?" I muttered and pulled the books out of his hand.

"If you want to be one of them, just ask" he grinned and bowed towards the old woman who looked at us curiously, "sorry we have not met, im Jay, Jay Park."

The woman nodded and turned to me, waiting for an introduction too I suppose. I bowed politely and tried to ignore Jay's presence beside me.

"Im (y/n), it's nice to meet you. Are you new around here?" I asked politely, still wondering why Jay was sticking around.

"yes im on the thirteenth floor" she bowed her head slightly, "could you perhaps help me take my books to my apartment ?"

"Sure thing ma'am" Jay smiled and grabbed half of the books from me.

I didn't even bother to argue with him and ended up trailing behind the two of them as we entered the elevator and rode up to the thirteenth floor. I had no idea people still lived on this floor, considering most of the apartments on that floor were very old and dusty. The landlord refused to refurnish it, so it was fairly vacant.

As we walked I noticed how odd the woman dressed. Nothing matched, the style was quite outdated and she seemed to have an unusual amount of jewellery on. She reminded me of a gypsy, even her presence was extremely mysterious and whimsical.

"Ah here we are" she gleamed and pulled out her keys. We stood in silence as she unlocked her door and the wood creaked as she pushed it open. Just being here started to give me the creeps.

"Well here you are" I smiled nervously and handed her the books.

"Come in, Come in!" she demanded and pulled both Jay and I into her shabby apartment. The amount of dust that circulated tickled my nose and honestly I wanted to leave, but I didn't want to be rude. She switched on her light and made us sit at a small table located in the middle of the room.

"Please have a cup of tea, I want to thank you for being so generous" she smiled and began laying out the table with fine china.

"I cant stay too long" I said, trying to sound as polite as I could, "I have to go to work tomorrow."

"Oh this wont take long sweetheart" she chuckled and poured out two cups of tea.

"Yeah sweetheart" Jay cooed.

"Shut the hell up" I muttered under my breath.

"Make me" he mocked. I raised my arm to nudge him in his side but the peculiar woman's gaze was settled on Jay and I.

"How long have you two been dating?" she smiled and rested her wrinkled hands on the table.

Jay and I both choked on our tea at her sudden question, immediately staring at each other in disgust.

"We are not a couple, we're not even friends actually" I explained which seemed quite amusing to the woman.

"Oh I see, well maybe having him in your life will make all your wishes come true" she mused, I honestly didn't know what this woman was on about at this point. Me and Jay?

I would have a better relationship with a brick wall.

"She's not my type sorry" Jay sighed and sipped his tea casually, "Oh and im way out of her league."

I couldn't believe that Jay believes all the shit that came out of his mouth. This is why we, polar opposites would never be on a common ground. I had common sense, a passion for seeing the world for what it truly was and Jay, well all he saw was himself.

"If you ma'am could make my wishes come true then I wish he would stay out of my life" I muttered.

"Ditto" he agreed.

"Oh you kids" she giggled and clapped her hands together, "drink up your tea now and I wish you both a wonderful night." The old woman smiled as her eyes still drifted curiously between Jay and I as we finished our tea. The walk back to our apartment was silent, and I could honestly say that had been the most strange encounter of my life.