virtuous deception || pjm (editing)

vii

HYEJIN

Something wasn't right. Since the gala, a week ago, Jimin has been different. He'd leave the house just after me, hardly be in the office due to a crazy number of meetings, and return back late. He was never home for dinner nor did I see him eat any meals. And on top of it all, he was constantly pushing back his hair, which I learnt either meant he was frustrated or angry or both.

It was Saturday night, about 8.00 when he got back home. He came in, on the phone before hanging up and pushing his hair back. Exasperation was heavy on his breath and there was a tense air around him.

"What's wrong?" I called from the kitchen, turning my head to face him. He turned to me, trying to force a faint smile.

"Nothing's wrong." He lied.

"Obviously something is wrong." He frowned at me. "You're pushing your hair back." He frowned again. "You push your hair back when you're frustrated or angry. Now sit down." I said, putting plates and cutlery on to the table.

"I'm fine. And why do I have to sit down." He questioned, removing his jacket and moving towards the table.

"I made dinner. I haven't seen you eat all week so I'm being a good house guest and keeping you somewhat healthy."

"I already ate." He said as his stomach grumbled. Flicking his eyes between the plate and I, his expression became guilty.

"Obviously not. Sit down." I insisted. He rolled his eyes, slightly smiling before taking a seat as I brought side dishes and some meat to the table.

"Thank you Hyejin, I will eat well." He said, smiling before digging into his food, causing me to smile too. After our meal we both crashed on the sofa's, stuffed to the brim with food. After a few minutes, I remembered all the dishes and got up to do them.

Jimin's POV:

It felt nice having someone there caring for you. I hadn't even thought she'd notice my missing meals or apparent habit of pushing back my hair when I'm mad. No one had cared for me like this since I was a teenager. Mother and Father had always been on business trips before the divorce so only the maid, Rose, had ever batted me an eyelid. Yet since I had left home, I'd turned a blind eye to my health, eating meals when it suited me. Because no one bothered to notice my ill health. Because no one had cared.

"Hyejin?"

"mmm hmm" she mumbled, obviously out of it. I waited for a second, seeing if she'd be more responsive when suddenly she bolted up and went back to the kitchen. I heard the water run and I guessed she was doing the dishes. I hopped over the sofa over to where she was.

"I'll do them. You cooked."

"It's fine, go sit down." She fought.

"Seriously I'll do them." I raised my eyebrows and she nodded, taking a seat from the island and sitting next to me.

"Were you going to ask something?"

"Yeah, I kind of need you to do another favour?"

"Another acting job?" I heard the slight tinge of sarcasm in her voice.

"Yeah. My mum called yesterday, saying she wants to see us. But like at her house in Busan." I turned around to face her. "We'd stay for like 1-2 nights. We just need to seem like a couple."

"Okay." She shrugged, seeming unfazed.

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, you've done me favours, so I'll do you favours." She smiled. My heart sped up again. Do I like her or something? No, she works for me. That'd be weird. But does she like me back?

"Thanks, Hyejin." I said with a smile.

"Stop acting all cute and sappy." She got up, moving towards the sink.

"Who said I'm acting." I chuckled. Suddenly I felt a splash of water down my shirt. I wiped my face of droplets to see Hyejin giggling. I splashed water towards her before she set off running. Quickly, I ran after her, determined not to lose her.

Narrative POV:

Hyejin dashed up the stairs and into her room, holding the door closed. Jimin followed seconds later, checking each room. He could hear heavy breaths behind Hyejin's closed door, trying to fill her body with the oxygen it had been deprived of. He waited before opening the door and checking around. Hyejin attempted to run past him but his arms quickly snaked around her waist and he swung her back into the room.

Something caught Hyejin's foot, causing her to stumble and tumble forwards. She expected a hard landing but was met by a soft landing and a groan from Jimin. She opened her eyes, seeing Jimin underneath her and her bed underneath him. Their gazes locked for a second and both their heartbeats increased while they lay, panting. Hyejin froze. What the hell is he doing to me, why is my heart racing? Jimin felt it too. He had a slight urge to kiss her before she pushed herself off of him, blushing beet red. Jimin was slightly blushed too. He quickly got up and left the room in awkward silence, bowing before entering the hallway.

Hyejin shut the door behind him before collapsing into the door, as did Jimin on the other side.

Do I like him?

Do I like her?

***

Short chapter, I'm sorry.  And to everyone anticipating Playing by the Rules, right now I am writing loads of chapters for it so soon I can just give you guys an update every two or three days.

So yeah!
Love y'all

-Evie