Re-Boot

Ch. 10; Love Rival

"Oppa, has the event organizer contacted you?" Yeri asked Jimin after their second meeting with the upper management ended, discussing the progress of company's birthday celebration.

"Not yet," Jimin answered while busily checking his phone for the said message, "It shall be today, though. Just like what they promised before."

Yeri nodded and pulled her phone out of her small pouch. "I'm going to check the food with the catering supplier after this. I guess I can't tag you along with me."

"Unfortunately, yes. But you can ask other crew to assist you."

"Yeah? Like who? Almost everyone is busy with their task and monthly report." Yeri sighed, "It's alright, and I can go by myself."

"Yah, your body is too small to handle many things." Jimin shoved Yeri's shoulder softly. "I'll go to your meeting place as soon as I finish with the EO. How about that?"

Yeri nodded, feeling grateful for having such an awesome subordinate. "Sounds like a plan to me."

But that gratefulness, really... only lasted until two hours later. Honestly, she didn't know whether to feel grateful or vengeful towards that cheeky Park, when she spotted a familiar black SUV in front of the catering's building, with a familiar man-in-black attire leaning against its front door. All the dark color kind of took her off guard. Because you know, it glowed the man's presence to several another level. Yeri's self-preference then broke into two contradictive ways. One that fully praised whoever invented the black color as it goes perfectly with the man's aura, while the other cursed them, because black on that man really created an unnecessary frailty within her heart.

Not that she didn't like it, however, she still needed several closures before finally taking off whatever this last barrier between her and Jungkook. Somehow, Yeri knew Jungkook got the same idea as her. That was why she didn't feel even an ounce of anxiety during this whatever step she took with him. It feels like an adult relationship she had longed for. She was willing to wait.

Gladly, he was too.

"You look tired." Her wandering thought cut abruptly by Jungkook's voice. She didn't even realize Jungkook has already stood in front of her, playfully scrutinizing her daze behavior, dumbly guessing it was all because of fatigueness.

Yeri cleared her throat to hide her embarrassment, "A little, yeah. Don't worry about it."

The male frowned upon hearing her answer, "It doesn't seem like it," he pensively commented, "Have you eat, yet?"

Another question that caught her off guard. Time like this – the end of the first semester which unfortunately came with Company's 25 years celebration – was the period where she should schedule a diet plan. So busy, Yeri didn't even have a decent time to eat. Well, she did have her bread this morning. Did it count as a meal?

"Um, bread this morning, yes."

"Anything else?"

"As far as I remember, no." Yeri watched as the male's frown got deeper, "Besides, who need foods with the existences of coffee?"

"You know what, Kim Yerim? You're not on your right mind because the lack of carbohydrate within your system."

"Wha – "Yeri didn't even has a chance to say a word.

"Now, stop talking. Let me drive you to the nearest place for aiding starvation." Jungkook looked so serious it brought Yeri's smile on her lips. Jungkook took Yeri's bag then grabbed her wrist, guiding her to the passenger's seat.

"Can't I laugh?" Yeri teased.

Jungkook stopped in front of the passenger's door, "Well that's a contradictive situation, it can reduce your energy. In the same time your laughter also boast my energy as well. So, you can laugh while I'm driving." Yeri smiled at his answer, shaking her head in amusement. "Just please try to control your laughter a little. I don't want people think that I'm driving with a mad woman beside me."

There she lost it. She threw her head back in laughter. Jungkook really want to life at the moment. Seeing the girl that have a half of his heart –still – looked so radiant. Eyes creating half-mood shape, a cute gummy smile that gave his heart an acute tachycardia, voice that was so good to hear it made him want to laugh with her.

He really had it bad and Jungkook didn't find himself complaining.

~***~

Well, to be frankly honest, he did sometimes complain about the situation. Because you know, their relationship – if it can labeled as one – placed on a grey-zone – if that phrased even exist – where it gets awkward easily. Act a little more possessive? You can be called petty. Being ignorant? You might also lose her. Extra patience was a must. While many people were agreed that he was one patience guy, Jungkook always found himself exhausted whenever he has to deal with this one certain subject. Love competitor, as Jimin once said. Despite the calm façade which heavily contradicted with his inner thought.

Like this freshly one event of Kim Yerim being admitted to the hospital due to her gastritis. It shouldn't be a much problem, because the operation procedure went well – yes, turned out that it wasn't just a simple gastric problem, but gastrointestinal perforation – so he could just take her a visit during his free time, accompanying her during the recovery.

The problem lied beneath the timeline that followed before. Or specifically, the person that accompanied Yerim to the hospital the first time. It was during the final rehearsal of the company's birthday when Jimin hurriedly ran to Heechul, telling him the unfortunate event. Then, he also dropped the news on their group chat that Yerim is currently in the hospital. Jungkook frowned, silently recalling their conversation last night. Yes the chat indeed ended when she said she has a stomachache. But Jungkook didn't think it would be as severe as this.

When the rehearsal ended, the source in the hospital said Yerim has regain her consciousness so it was already okay if they want to visit her. Jimin didn't tell the group who was with her now, though. Jungkook didn't have a time to ask him either because Kim Junmyeon had asked him to accompany Seokjin to visit one of the company's contractor as soon as their finished the rehearsal. It didn't stop Jungkook to catch Jimin's odd stare, although he hadn't think much of it, really. Not until he made it to Yerim's hospital ward.

Not far from the closed door, stood Lee Taeyong with another man, supposedly his manager. They were talking about his delayed schedule because of his emergency matter last night. Apparently that timeline was also when Yerim had been admitted to the hospital.

Jungkook was no fool to put two and two together and felt his resolution wither the moment his eyes meet Taeyeong's. Nonetheless, he bowed in acknowledgement towards the latter before pushing the door open. Half of their group were inside the room. He seemed to catch Kim Taehyung's presence too, but his eyes landed directly to the small woman in the middle. Their gaze met. There she was laying on the hospital bed, face as pale as the sheet, eyes as dull as the color of the curtain, but still the prettiest amongst all.

"Yerim, you looked... shining, shimmering, splendid." Jungkook teased, greeting her with his stoic face.

Yerim seemed to catch his intention when she rolls her eyes playfully, "Am I not always?"

Jungkook smiled as a response. Oh, she always was, always is.

~***~

I'm still here dear fellas! hope you like it.