virtuous deception || pjm (editing)

xxii

HYEJIN

I left Noah in the care of my parents for the day. It's a strange place, so my parents can show him the area. I collected the keys for the apartment and went to go and buy some things to stock the fridge with. I wasn't really in the mood to be protector and tour guide all day, as much as I love him. And anyway, it would be good time for him and my parents to really bond, get to know each other.

As I walked back towards my new home, I noticed a quaint little café. It seemed familiar but I couldn't put my finger on why. I decided to buy a hot chocolate for myself and some authentic hot chocolate mix for Noah later. He loves hot chocolate as much as I do. The ahjussi looked at me with kind eyes and said it's been long since she'd seen me. I must've come here a lot before. Perhaps they changed the sign or the décor. I had awful memory.

The café wasn't far from my apartment nor where I would be doing some work for a few months. My company recently partnered with a Korean company and they needed someone to go there to discuss business and since I was the only fluent Korean speaker, I was chosen to go. It guaranteed a 22.5% pay rise, which meant I could move out of my tiny house on the outer edge of the city, on the wrong side of the tracks, and buy my dream house only 30 minutes away from where I lived back in England. It was 3 bedrooms with a lounge and private study. It had a beautiful old fashion kitchen and an annex where I could have guests stay. The best part, a massive garden with a pond at the end. I imagined it one day being filled with children's playthings while I watched on from the kitchen where I'd be cooking. It would be my perfect little family.

I came home to find the house dark and things in there that weren't before. I turned on the lights and suddenly,

"surprise!"

"omg, guys!" I squealed.

"Noona! Jungkook and Ji-Hyun yelled at me, running into hug me. One by one everyone came up to hug me. A girl sat on the edge smiling.

"Nice to meet you Hyejin, my name is Yura. I'm Jeongguk's girlfriend." Jeongguk came immediately and snaked his arm on to his girlfriend's waist.

"AWW, look at my Jeonggukie all grown up. I had a feeling you'd end up with Taehyung but perhaps I was getting the wrong idea." He looked wide eyed, pathetic strained sounds escaping his throat in bewilderment. I looked to his girlfriend and we both started laughing hysterically. "I'm just kidding gguk, calm down. Treat her well, she seems like a nice one." 

"o-oh" he chuckled nervously, scratching his head whilst a rose tint bloomed upon his cheeks. "yeah, right. I will, I promise."

They brought me a welcome back cake and treated me as if it was my birthday, it felt like it. After a few hours of music and eating Jin's fabulous food there was a knock at the door. My mum stood there with Noah by her side. Noah walked in, said hello to everyone and went straight for the mattress in the bedroom

"Oh, honey he was a delight today. He must still be jetlagged. I see you have company."

"Yeah just some old friends." My mum cocked an eyebrow. "No Jimin, don't worry."

"Okay, well I'll love you and leave you." She said kissing my cheek and waving goodbye.

Everyone was silent and stared at me. Hoseok, Chae-Young and Ji-Hyun looked at the floor in nervousness and Yura stood there not understanding what the silence was for.

"Um, why is everyone acting weird?" Yura smiled at me before looking at her boyfriend weirdly, hitting his shoulder.

"Because, Hyejin needs to explain... well him!" Namjoon said, his voice breaking.

"His name is Noah not him!" I rolled my eyes and sat on the couch before explaining some stuff.

"So that's why you don't want Jimin here." Taehyung and Yoongi said in unison.

"Yeah."

"Wow, and I thought my life was messed up." Yura said causing us all to laugh.

next day

JIMIN

Last night all the guys bailed on me. Hoseok said Chae-Young had some emergency, Jungkook was going to watch Yura's dance schools performance before taking her on a date, Namjoon had some show to watch with his family, Jin wanted to improve his cooking to prove Gordan Ramsey wrong, Taehyung was going to buy ice cream which he didn't want to share and Yoongi was practising being a rock for the next life.

Oh, and Ji-Hyun had to go visit an old friend?

Something was going on and I didn't like it. To calm myself down I had a shower and got ready for work. I picked up my cologne from my mantle, which laid next to a picture of Hyejin. It's the same kind from 5 years ago. I still missed her. But she made it clear she wasn't coming back. I even went back to brown hair because she liked it. Perhaps I should dye it. I need to move on already.

Today I had a meeting at the new building for my new company partnership. I had to meet with a woman named Miss. Lee. Sounded interesting. Apparently, she is fluent in 3 languages, which is always a good trait.

On the way to work I went to my favourite café and got hot chocolate. I realised I didn't have much time so I rushed out of the café with my drink. I opened the door and turned the corner. My shoulder bashed into someone else's, causing me to spill it down my shirt. It soaked through the fabric and caused the skin of my chest and abdomen to tingle from the heat.

" I am so sorry." A voice stuttered. I looked up and I felt 21 all over again.

***

Well, I have no clue who it could be... any guesses? I seriously have no clue.