Bound by Fate

PROLOGUE

"Excuse me, you must be Na Minji."

I look up from the book I'd only just been immersed in to find the epitome of female perfection glaring at me from above. She doesn't bother to ask if she can join me, and one look at her face is enough for me to determine that I have no intention of politely offering.

Everything about her screams petty an jealous.

"And you are?"

Placing my book down upon the cafe's table, I take a nonchalant sip of my cappuccino. I'm on break, and the last thing I want is to deal with a pissy customer.

Too bad the universe doesn't seem to care.

"I'm someone who knows a tramp when I see one." She snarls. "I saw you at Jimimie's house. And I know for a fact that he and his housemates visit you here often."

Jeez, stalker much?

But then, I recall her face, and realize exactly what this is about.

"Ever heard of the pot that called the kettle black?" I snort derisively. "Cuz that saying would almost fit, if I were actually sleeping with any of them. I remember Yoongi showing your ass to the door once Jimin was done with you, and not very kindly either."

She bristles, clearly offended.

"Excuse me?"

"If you can't take it sweetheart, you shouldn't dish it."

"Jiminie and I are dating, " she scowls, red lips twisting as if she'd stepped in dog shit. "And I don't appreciate you hanging about all the time. It's disrespectful."

That scowl only deepens as I begin to laugh uproariously.

"Oh, " I exclaim, wiping at the moisture that's begun gathering in the corners of my eyes, "that's the funniest thing I've ever heard, really. You should be a comedian, if you aren't already. Jimin doesn't date, you know?"

If looks could kill...

"I've been his friend for five years, " I add, smiling in full blown amusement. "And not once has ever slept with the same woman twice. But then again, that's why you're here pestering me, isn't it?"

"You shouldn't open that horrendous mouth of yours when you don't know what you're talking about, " she snaps, face nearly as red as her lips and designer pumps.

"You're not the first to try to corner and intimidate me like this, " I retort casually. "Let me guess, you tried to come back at some point or another, only to have the door pretty much slammed in your face. But Jimin probably didn't give you his cellphone number, and being the desperate bitch that you are you followed him here. Obviously, seeing as you're delusional and suffering with an inferiority complex, you saw my face and thought you could push me around out of pure jealousy. Sound about right?"

"Why, I never-"

"Fuck off, " I smile kindly, a direct contrast to my harsh words.

She gasps as if I'd just stabbed someone, and I have to admit, the longer she hangs around the more I'd like to.

The bell on the door dings, signalling the arrival of another customer. Though, once I turn my face I quickly realize that it's only Jeonguk.

"Yo, Minji! You almost done with your shift?"

I stand lazily, tucking the book away in my apron pocket before turning to face him.

"I literally just got on break, " I reveal. "It's probably gonna be another few hours before I get off."

"But there isn't even any customers, " he whines, "and Jin says he's making pizza from scratch!"

Well that changes things, and drastically.

Ignoring the way bitchface continues to glower, I pad to the back of the store where I know my boss is busy with inventory.

"Hey, Jon, can I clock out early?"

He doesn't even bother to look up from his counting, resorting simply to shooing me away with his hands.

"Go ahead, " he mumbles, "it isn't like we're busy anyway."

I smile, and thank him before punching out, and heading for the front of the shop.

To my surprise, Jimin's stalker is gone, leaving only a smirking Jeonguk in her place.

"I'm guessing it wasn't a sudden change of heart that made her flee, " I snort.

"Maybe, " he chuckles, "maybe not."

"I can handle myself, you know. But thanks anyway."

His expression grows somber.

"I hate it that shit like this happens to you, " he admits. "Especially given how you feel about Jimin."

I sigh. And here I was, doing my damnedest not to think about that.

"It isn't like he does it to hurt me, " I concede, "after all, he doesn't even know."

A look of hurt and a dash of guilt flashes in Jeonguk's ebony eyes, though it's gone nearly as quick as it'd come.

"I'm pretty sure he does know, " he argues. "But you're right. He doesn't do it to hurt you. I just wish he'd quit messing around with the obsessive types."

I snort derisively, "yeah, but then who would inflate his ego?"

Jeonguk merely shakes his head in response.

The walk back to the house that Jimin shares with our mutual friends is silent, for the most part. Neither Jeonguk, nor myself, are in a particularly talkative mood. I can't speak for him, but on my end, my thoughts turn to Jimin.

Despite how nonchalantly I'd blown his latest mistake off, I can't deny that it stings. Constantly witnessing his casual flings has left me in a pretty sour mood lately, so I'm honestly surprised the guys even want me around tonight. But hey, in my defense, I've been crushing on the guy for nearly as long as I've known him.

And five years of this shit is a lot to take.