Substitute Soulmate

Third's the Charm

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Alone at the kitchen table after clearing dishes, he couldn't stop comparing the tiny smiles from Namjoo to the brilliantly smiling Namjoo in the pictures he'd seen. What kind of spell had taken that brilliance from her? What made Namjoo want to build that distance between them? It seemed he was the only one who couldn't get close to her.

Mina had said something yesterday that caught his attention. That he wasn't whom?

Sehun thought about the lost and confused Namjoo that had looked at him the previous night, as if he were someone else. The more he knew her the more curious he was.

The following morning, he waited for Namjoo in the parking lot. Today she didn't walk around him but right up to him.

"Do you have time today?" Namjoo got right to the point.

"Depends when." He tried to be coy.

"Lunch?"

"Sure."

"Then...lunch it is," she held his eyes. As they separated for work he wondered if her mood today had turned around from yesterday's. Whatever it was, they were having lunch and he had some things he wanted to ask.

At twelve he went to Namjoo's office and waited around her empty office hoping she was being held up somewhere. When she didn't turn up he went downstairs thinking she'd gone before him. The cafeteria was densely populated with smells of food that caused his stomach to turn and grumble. From where he stood at a pole adjacent to the open room he searched for Namjoo in case they missed each other. The company was big in size after all and there were plenty of people always walking back and forth. Sometimes articles of clothing even looked identical.

He frowned when he caught an arm in the air moving to and fro. Squinting his eyes some more he recognized a head full of faded red hair. Namjoo was a natural brown and didn't seem like someone interested in changing hair colors. Curious, Sehun stepped forth soon to recognize the young woman from Namjoo's apartment.

"Hi," Mina greeted.

Confused, he looked around wondering if perhaps Namjoo was also here. "What are you doing here?"

She tapped the table where a tray of food was. "I got you lunch since I already had a sandwich on the way."

Sehun eyed the food before slowly lowering himself, "But where's Namjoo?"

"I don't know," she shrugged.

Something was off but Sehun couldn't quite figure it out yet.

"I hope you like what's on the menu," she said, "there's not much of a variety here which sucks. Considering how big the company is the food should be better quality wise. Don't you think?"

"It's not that bad," he said digging in.

Mina grinned, "As expected, a man with an appetite is attractive."

He stopped chewing and glanced up at her from the tray. "Are you here to meet Namjoo?"

"No."

Settling his arms onto the table he straightened his back, "Is there a reason why you're here?"

"Namjoo said I could come at lunch," Mina innocently said. "Oh, and, I want to apologize for how I acted toward you. I know it was rude, but it was in the spur of the moment and you surprised me."

"No, it's all right."

"Namjoo's never invited anyone but family over, so I was shocked," Mina explained. "You won't hold anything against me?"