Adorkable [j.woo] | COMPLETE

10

Her house wasn't cold, wasn't dirty, it was warm and clean. The smell of lemon danced on the air. Ruining the serenity Jiwoo ran through the house to the thermostat. "Shit how long has this been on!" She turned the heating off immediately, "guess it'll have to stay off tonight..." she murmured to herself. "Joker!" She called through the house. "Joker!" She called one more time. A ringing chimed faintly in the distance as a small black and white cat ran up to greet her. "Hi baby." She murmured, picking up the cat and and kissing its head. "I can't believe he did all of this for me..." Jiwoo murmured. Nevertheless she didn't have the time to be sentimental, she still had more work to do.

«—»

"You called for me." Taehyung said as his father opened the door to the family's house.

His father nodded, "come in." Taehyung followed his father deeper into his old home.

"Oh Taehyung, dear!" His mother cried, running up to hug her son.

"Hi mother." He murmured, hugging her tightly, burying his face into the crook of her neck.

She held her sons face in her hands, "how have you been!? You aren't starving are you!?"

The boy smiled, "I'm fine. Ashton is helping me out." He sighed, "I just don't see how with the job I have I'll be able to pay father back any time soon."

His mom nodded her head slowly. "He won't exile you forever. As long as you show that you can live responsibly, he'll eventually let you use family money again." She smiled, "you could come home."

Taehyung thought of his cozy and quiet penthouse. "I might continue living alone..." he murmured.

His mother frowned, "it's not what I'd hoped for you..." her features softened, "but if it's what you want, and you visit often I don't see why not."

"Taehyung!" His fathers voice bellowed through the halls.

Taehyung fought the urge to roll his eyes, "coming." He replied. Saying goodbye to his mother he followed the high ceilings of the hallways to his fathers office. Once at the office he followed suit, sitting down in the chair across from the desk as he always did.

"You have two months. In that time I would like to see you back here for a check up. You will come to dinner. The dress code is formal. I will add the date to your calendar..." he sighed, "I would say bring a girlfriend but.... I'd rather not have a stripper in my house." His father muttered, leaning back in his chair idly.

His hands were in fists in his lap as Taehyung replied, "thank you for your incredible faith in me... but I'll be declining."

His fathers eyes were daggers on him as he replied, "it wasn't an offer. It's a requirement. Do me a favor and quit being a let down."

"Is that all?" Taehyung asked aggressively.

His father nodded, pointing to the door.

«—»

Knock knock!

Jiwoo's head snapped up from her assortment of books. She exchanged a look with Joker before frowning. "Don't look at me." But the cat continued staring.

Knock! Knock!

The person was practically pounding on the door. Jiwoo huffed a breath of reluctance as she got up. "Coming!" She called as she headed to the door.

Opening it she saw a tall boyish figure standing not far from the doorway, back turned. It looked like they were leaving. The figure turned and it was.... Taehyung.

He turned around slowly, "oh I was leaving... I figured you weren't here." He murmured. He seemed broken. There was no cocky tone in his voice, he wasn't holding himself so arrogantly. He looked completely and utterly destroyed. So mundane.

Jiwoo smiled sympathetically. "Well, here I am." She wrapped her cardigan around her bare arms and legs as she braved out, barefoot, into the cold autumn night. "What's up?"

Taehyung paused realizing he'd never gotten this far in his mind. He just came here, no excuse thought out ahead of time. "Uh... the- the project. I figured you could use some help?" He murmured.

Letting the competition slide Jiwoo nodded her head, "come on in."

AN: Sorry this took so long! I was really stuck after the first paragraph but I think my brain is back on track now.