Running In Circles // pjm.

Please Interrupt

"Tara, hello" called out Park Jimin, "what are you doing here?"

"Oh, hey," I said, glancing back and forth, "I just- got done with some work here, so..."

He glanced at Jae and back at me. "Oh, walk with me, then." He said, motioning for me to join him.

I turned to Jae and waved weakly before walking out, "see you around, I guess."

I didn't look at Jimin and he gingerly placed his hand on my lower back, leading me out. As soon as we stepped out of the room, I turned to him and shoved my hands in my back pocket, "what's up?"

He reached around my body and took my wrist in his palm, pulling my hand out of my pocket and leading me away from the open door.

He stopped once we were far enough and turned to me abruptly. He wore a plain white shirt with baggy shorts and a black beanie. Delicious, as always.

"what are you doing here?" he asked, folding his hands on his chest.

"I just told you. I had work at the office." I mimicked his gesture.

"I got that. What are you doing here? Talking to him?" he asked.

"What?" I was confused.

"My question had only one meaning, Tara, don't be obtuse."

"Firstly, it's not your business. Secondly, I just ran into him. I didn't even know he works here. But you obviously knew, and you didn't tell me when I asked last night."

"I had other things on my mind," he practically snarled, "what were you two talking about?"

"He apologized. That's all. I was in a hurry to get home."

"Let's go, then. I'll walk you to your car." He said, motioning me forward.

"Oh- that's not necessary."
"I know. Let's go."

I decided it was in my best interest to not argue to save time and went along. His hand resumed its position on my lower back and he ushered me into the elevator. I made it a point to not look at him as the temperature in the cramped space rose a few degrees. Why couldn't anyone else be in this elevator right fucking now?

"Fuck." I muttered and kept my eyes on my shoes.

He chuckled, "Language, doll. But I know."

Can the floor swallow me up just about now?

My breath hitched as the elevator dropped lower. He hadn't taken his hand off and I was pretty sure a hole was burned into my back by now. I reached around, wrapped my hand around his wrist and pulled his hand off my back.

"I know my way around the building, thank you very much." I said, making the mistake of looking up at him. His eyes were light and a mischievous smile played on his lips.

"I sure do hope so, so you can stay off the money floor." he said and looked straight ahead at the door.

"Jesus... I had work up there. Besides, what's your problem? We were just talking anyway." I shook my head.

"You didn't seem too enthused over talking to him last night." His jaw hardened. What is he playing at?

"Whatever. It's not your problem anyway." I said and the elevator door pinged. I stepped out and he grabbed my hand the instant he did, too.

"Except it is." He said and began walking, seizing my hand in his.

We hold hands now?

"I know my way around the parking lot too, you know." I said, wanting to take my hand back but also wanting to leave it in his. Dear Lord, save me.

He glanced back, brows raised with a smile on his face, "you've been here 10 months, can't be too careful."

I looked down, hiding the warmth on my cheeks. Turned out I needed him to take me to my car after all.

He stopped moving abruptly and my front crashed into his back thanks to my temporary blindness. He turned around and didn't attempt to move away, and my hand in his kept me from moving, too. I kept my eyes on a little spot on his t shirt, trying to ignore his breath on my scalp.

"We should talk." He said.

"We're talking now." I stated.

He propped his index finger under my chin and lifted my face to meet his eyes.

"We're not talking about the right things." He said.

I shrugged, "Okay, well, what do you think of climate change and Nile River's deterioration?"

He smirked and narrowed his eyes, "get in the car and try not to crash. I think I messed something up in you last night."

I blushed and he let my hand go, crossing his arms on his chest. I stuck my tongue out at him and rushed around to the driver's side and he threw his head back, laughing. I sat in the car and turbulently pulled out of the parking spot, speeding out of the lot. I peeked fleetingly at the rearview mirror at a shrinking Park Jimin, mentally thanking him for getting me out of the glorious interruption by Jae that put me 7 minutes behind schedule.

I entered the house to find Mia groaning to herself while sipping coffee in the kitchen.

"Morning, princess." I said and she groaned louder.

"I need to chill. I feel like my head is going to explode." She said, plopping down on the stool.

"It probably will. Go back to bed, I'll bring you water and breakfast." I said, prying away the cup of coffee from her hand and setting it on the table.

"Um," she said, shaking her head, "why are you being so nice? Have I transcended into a parallel universe?"

I cringed, "don't make it weird, bitch. I've just been there and definitely done that. Now go back to bed before I change my mind and throw you out."

She stood up slowly and shakily made her way into the bedroom. I drank the cup of coffee she left behind and got to an otherwise uneventful breakfast-making.