Crimson Park

Chapter 5

It was the Tuesday after the Euchre game. Taesub and Joohyuk were still out of town for a few more days, but Jungkook, as promised - no matter how cold you were to him or how far a distance you held him at - hung around you like a bee to honey (although to his face you told him it was more like a fly to shit.) But the truth you hid from yourself and him was that you didn't mind his constant companionship and were ultimately glad he stuck around – even despite the apprehensive atmosphere that seemed to form around you both when you were together. Behind your visage of strict professionalism, you felt a lingering effect of your encounter in the hall with Jungkook – and you knew he felt it too. Something shifted between you that night, and it didn't dissipate - even after he stayed up until 5 AM waiting for your hookup to leave.

"I need you to make another delivery for me today," you reached for a drawer in your desk and pulled out a large manilla envelope.

Jungkook tossed his work aside as he sat to attention.

"It's downtown. I need you to be discreet. Go in casual clothing. Take a taxi, please, and make sure no one sees you."

"I can't leave you."

You rolled your eyes, hard. "Jungkook, you'll be an hour max, and I'm just going to be here in the literal panic room - and I'm a grown woman with a gun. I'll survive."

"You call that thing in your desk a gun?"

"Well, I can point it at you and pull the trigger if you have any doubts."

He narrowed his eyes at you, but his lips twisted in amusement. He looked back to the envelope in his hands and eyed it with cautious curiosity. "Should I know what's in here?"

"No. Just make sure it gets there today. We usually deal with Silvie. She'll be working."

"And if she isn't there?"

"She will be there."

"Okay," he nodded. "Don't get attacked or something while I'm gone or else Joohyuk will have me hanged when he gets back."

"That's an intriguing thought," you threatened, but it only made Jungkook's grin widen.

That afternoon, he returned and took his place at his desk. His demeanour was significantly different from the morning. Instead of sighing and shuffling deep in thought, or his eyes flitting up to look at you as they did on occasion, or the airwave being assaulted by his mindless chatter, he came back with a sense of precision – and a sense of coldness. You noticed the shift at once. Despite your own resting chilled attitude, Jungkook had tried tirelessly to wear you down and bring a cheeriness and brightness to the room – but presently that was gone.

Perhaps you should have been happy. Now, there was no need to hide smiles and pretend as if you were indifferent to his presence. But you couldn't help but feel unease at this new behaviour. You found yourself wondering what it was that had him so bothered.

Three days passed like this. There were no "good morning" smiles, and he didn't talk your ear off during lunch. He sat firm and with purpose at his desk barely acknowledging you were even there, and despite your best efforts, his coldness was affecting you. Finally, you broke.

"What's the problem?" you asked him. You said it as if you were scolding a child.

"What do you mean?" he didn't even look up at you.

"You know what I mean, Jungkook. Don't play games with me."

He shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not playing any games."

You felt your face flush in anger. Obviously, he had something to say but he was going to make you work for it. Who did he think he was dealing with?

"Fine," you concluded curtly.