𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒

IV

"So, Rosé, my dear, you simply must tell me how you two darlings met-I'm sure it's quite the story, knowing this one…" Mino jerked his head towards Jimin, who was beginning to look quite cross at this whole affair, and winked at her with his one visible eye playfully.

Rosé felt a droplet of sweat form under her chin. We probably should have discussed this beforehand-

Well, I guess it's my turn to dictate the terms for once-

Inwardly enjoying a smile at Jimin's expense, she spoke, mind racing to form coherent sentences and string them along into a plausible story. "Well, Mino-if you must know-it's not a particularly interesting story…"

Jimin clenched his fists together in his lap, paling slightly as Rosé bought herself time-damn-he's going to realize something's up if she doesn't pull some believable bullshit together-

She cleared her throat and gripped the napkin tightly in one hand, feeling Mino's eye boring into hers. "Well, I'm a graduate student in music studies at the Musical Institute in London, but my family lives here in Seoul-we moved here from Sydney when I was just a little girl, you see-and, well, I'd decided to fly home during my break to see my family-my two brothers and sister, that is-instead of traveling with classmates or working on my thesis-I'm slightly behind on that front-" she allowed herself a girlish giggle of self-deprecation- "and, well, I decided to take a trip to the museum here in the city to see, perhaps, if I could find an area in which I wanted to focus my research, and-well-his driver nearly ran me down-"

Mino clapped his hands together and released a melodic peal of laughter, leaning back and patting Jimin on the shoulder in an almost parental way. "Oh, Rosé-do go on-"

Jimin bit his tongue hard, fighting the urge to retort something caustic in defense of Mark; as Rosé's eyes met his own, she subtly raised an eyebrow, lips curling into a smirk. "Well, as you can imagine, Jimin here was slightly mortified over the whole thing, seeing as how he only hires the best to work for him, you know, and, well, he decided to be a gentleman, for once-" winking at Jimin, who gritted his teeth and smiled back at her, nails digging into his palms- "and decided to buy me lunch as an apology." She looked back at Mino and lowered her voice conspiratorially. "So-we got to talking, and he offered to give me a ride home, and, well…" she trailed off, allowing Mino to imply what he might- "the rest is history."

As the waiter returned with the wine, temporarily distracting Mino, Jimin finally blinked as the muscles in his back unclenched.
Well done Rosé. Well done.

Take a sip of wine. Smile. Laugh. Allow Jimin to order. Listen. Watch. Smile. Take a bite of food. Interject when appropriate. Look at Jimin. He's looking at me- Take another bite of food. Accept when Mino offers to share. Laugh. Look at Jimin. Smile. Take a sip of wine. He's still looking- And so on...

"You two were holding out on me-why, I assumed you two lovers would be playing a merciless game of footsie beneath the table!"Mino grinned brightly at her as the trio made their way to the hotel foyer.

Rosé gave the white-haired man a crooked smile. "Ah, well, we refrained for your benefit, Mino-after all, we are headed home now..."

Another laugh from Mino. "Ah, I do like you, Rosé. I hope our paths cross again soon." He leaned in and kissed her quickly, once on each cheek, before shaking Jimin's hand.