What's Wrong With Assistant Kang?

23. Mr. Han's Confession

"Get me out of here!" Jumin remembered shouting out as a young child, "Help! Let me out! Mother! Mother...!" He was crying desperately while banging on the door blocking him from escaping from this locked, dark small room.

Nobody listened to his cries.

Jumin woke up with a start, cold sweat covering his forehead as he breathed heavily. Elizabeth the 3rd quickly approached him, clearly worried from her owner's frightened state. It was a nightmare again, Jumin realized as he leaned down to pet Elizabeth and calm his nerves.

The white cat purred in response, happy to get the man's attention. Jumin smiled slightly and gently took his cat between his arms, feeling the need of some kind of comfort.

These nightmares had been haunting him for years... Once he made a memory, it would never disappear, as much as he wished for it.

--

Jaehee was finished getting ready for another day of work, punctual as always. She took a swift sip of her black coffee and strode away before suddenly getting a text message.

"Come downstairs. I'm waiting for you," it mysteriously read.

She was more than confused until she read the name of the sender: Jumin Han. No, actually, now she was even more confused. She rushed to the window and opened the blinds to see the raven-haired man looking at her with a smile while leaning on his lavish car, his phone in one hand.

Jaehee nervously smiled back before practically flying down the stairs. "Mr. Han! What are you doing here?!" she asked when she finally reached him.

"I'll give you a ride to work," he told her, beaming.

"Eh- W-what?" she muttered. Her expression suddenly became worried. "...Where's Driver Kim?"

"I told him to rest today," Jumin said like it was nothing, "I'll drive."

"Oh, God, no..." Jaehee said with a low voice with utter fear. "Mr. Han. You can't drive."

"I'm not that terrible," he said with creased eyebrows, "I got some driving advice from V."

The assistant's eyes narrowed with doubt, but she ended up sighing and walking towards the vehicle. Surprising her, Jumin politely opened the car door for her. "Careful with your head," he considerately waited for her to get in before closing the door and sitting in the driver's seat, Jaehee next to him.

Jaehee nervously squirmed inside the car seat, avoiding Jumin's close gaze while, for some reason, he kept staring at her with this happy, uncharacteristic smile. "Have you had breakfast yet?" he inquired, while searching for something in the backseat.

"Um, no..." Jaehee admitted, glancing at him bashfully.

"Well, I brought some food for you," he said, as he held a huge basket in front of her. "I don't want you skipping meals, Assistant Kang."

"O-Oh, thank you," Jaehee managed to squeak out from the surprise. Was this even Jumin Han anymore?! She took out the food with awe. It all looked extremely expensive and elegant. "What is this?" she questioned with squinted eyes.

"Oh, nothing, just creme fraiche, mini brioche, Balik salmon and some Swiss chocolate truffles," he said with the most blank of faces, confused Jaehee had never tasted something like this before. "There's also orange juice, if you wish."

Jaehee choked on nothing while staring at him with eyes as wide as plates. This darn breakfast was literally worth thrice her salary! She almost didn't want to eat it. Almost. She started munching on the fluffy bread and Jumin smiled with satisfaction before turning on the car.