Surrender Me // BTS & KTH 21+

03

"So how do you know Mr. Kim?" I asked casually. I was at a restaurant with Jung Hoseok on the date I'd promised him. He was currently not-so-subtly admiring my toned legs, which were shown off by my way-too-short purple cocktail dress and silver stilettos. I purposefully uncrossed my legs only to cross them again, and I swore a bit of drool started dripping out of his mouth before he coughed into a napkin and met my eyes.

"Taehyung? We've known each other since we were kids," he said, still sputtering a bit.

"Interesting. Did you grow up in the same neighborhood or something?"

"Sort of. We went to the same middle school, then became friends, and stayed that way throughout high school. We lost touch for a couple years, then started hanging out again."

"Funny how that happens," I murmured, taking a bite of my entree. Hoseok had gone all out for tonight, looking scrumptious in a cerulean blue jacket covering a bright red shirt. The shirt was tucked into black slacks, and he'd gelled his hair a bit causing it to cascade in waves down his forehead. His skin glowed under the soft chandelier light, but his smile still remained his brightest feature.

"So what brings you to Seoul?" he asked.

"My job," I replied. "Bangtan Enterprises was looking for an executive assistant, and I was apparently qualified enough."

"So that's it? Just a new job?" Hoseok grinned at me. "C'mon, people don't just leave their hometowns for a career change."

I sighed. "Well, to be honest, I did need a change of scenery. Both my parents are out of the picture, and I didn't want to stay there because..."

I trailed off, not sure how much I should tell him. "Because?" Hoseok asked pointedly.

"Because I just got out of a bad relationship."

He clapped his hands together, his brown eyes gleaming. "I knew it."

I chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Turns out I was unknowingly sharing him with another woman the last six months of our relationship."

Hoseok covered one of my hands with his, giving me a pitiful look. "I'm so sorry." He sounded genuine, but I knew better.

I gave him a smile. "It's okay. So right now, I'm just looking for something casual. Nothing long-term or deep."

"Fine by me," he said, squeezing my fingers.

The conversation turned to work after a while, Hoseok mentioning he owned his own company. I asked what his company did. "We make things like computers and other tech using recycled materials to sell at a discount to third-world countries," he replied.

"That sounds amazing," I said, forcing my voice to sound awestruck.

"Yeah. I kind of had a hard life as a kid, so I try to help the world become a better place in any way I can."

When he wasn't looking, I shook my head in disbelief. Was this guy for real? I knew exactly what was going down behind the doors of this so-called company he owned, and it was probably producing tech other than computers. Tech that Hoseok probably sold to criminals who used it to hurt people. Tech he used to selfishly steal for himself.

Hoseok paid the hefty check and we left the restaurant. There was a slight chill in the crisp September air, but he sweetly lent me his jacket while we walked toward my apartment. His phone beeped, and he pulled it out and smiled. "Hey," he said, taking my hand once more and squeezing it. "How would you feel about extending this date a bit?"

I gave him a smile, fluttering my lashes as I looked up at him. "I'd be alright with that."

"Great. We're not really dressed for it, but one of my friends is having a party at his place... wanna crash it?"