Red and Violent ✔️

Chapter 8: The Aftertaste

You were still on the plane when the episode aired. You were too terrified to open. You don't want to risk getting let down while you're flying. Flights make you nervous already you don't want to breakdown in front of everyone. Jungkook was still next to you. He was holding his phone to text his parents. You were low-key scanning his face while unintentionally smiling. He suddenly locked his phone so you had to look away quickly.

"You're not so good at being subtle, Kae." He said. You looked at him. "I know you're probably nervous right now." He said soothingly. "Can I hold your hand?" He asked with puppy eyes. You sighed and took your hand out for him to hold. He held them with both hands. "You're going to do perfect. I know it because I've seen your work." He smiled, "I watched your work religiously before I actually knew you were to come and work with us."

You were in shock. So your eyes widened. "Really?" You've always known that you've got people who really appreciated your work. You're well-known in your feild, yes, but most of your most critically acclaimed works you were as an indie director and producer who wasn't affiliated with such major companies that you could reach that far.

Jungkook nodded. "I also read your blogs."

That's when you freaked out. Those blogs were back when you were a student and you've written about random shit about your university experience. That was too underground for anyone to reach. Specially if they're not invested. Your face went red.  You wished that you could eject your chair out of the plane and disappear from existence. You've written that first time you explored your sexuality on that blog. It was way too descriptive as much as you remember.

"Oh, fuck." You cursed then held your mouth with the hand that Jungkook wasn't holding.

He laughed out loud. "You can curse, Kae." He said casually, "this is not a kid's show." He shook his head. "Anyways, Let's make a deal." You nodded at his words. "You open the V Live app in 24 hours to check the stats. While doing that everyone of us will be with you with celebratory drinks." He assured you.

"Deal!" You said while nodding. He loosened his grip on your hands so you let go because yours started to get sweaty. "How did you reach those blogs, Jungkook?" You asked curiously.

"Remember when you were working on What's wrong with secretary Kim?"

"I do."

"Well, Seo Joon hyung is Taehyung's friend and he was hanging out with us one day and he happened to talk about you being relatively new in the korean scene, yet, so good; like you've been doing it for years." He explained, "the conversation lead to us talking about your work in general and he seemed to be an huge advocate of your work." You remember how your relationship with Seo Joon was nice and comfortable. You weren't close, however. He never said anything of that sort to you because you never got to personally converse.

"That day I felt curious and just started watching everything. I got hooked! One movie after the other, one show after the other and I fell down this rabbit hole." He smiled nervously and scrunched his nose and looked away. "You can consider me a big fan." He looked back at you with his beautiful smile. You giggled.

You lost the ability to form sentences. You lost the ability to think for a moment. Your motherboard was overrun with heat and you malfunctioned for that very moment.

"Anyways there was this interesting blog that I read," he added sneakily and teasingly with a lower, deeper tone. "So descriptive!" He raised his eyebrows.

You knew which one he was talking about. Your heart sank.

'Damn it!' You cursed under your breath when he continued to play with his eyebrows subtly, yet, teasingly.

"You're a pervert, Jungkook." You mimicked that very tone he was talking with.

"Well, the way I see it, it's art." He winked jokingly.

You kind of get why he's so forward and familiar now. It's true what they say about parasocial interactions; you being a fan of someone and following their work kind of gets you closer to them in a way. The realization kind of eased the tension.

"Well, let me rephrase the deal." He said after a while of silence. "Let me take you out for dinner and then you check the stats."

Your heart skipped a beat and your stomach made a loud sound, you got embarrassed and covered your tummy as a way to shut it up but failed. The sound filled the silence between you.

"Let me ask for some food. You sound hungry." He giggled. "What do you want to have?"

You were too embarrassed to say that you want apple pie. Whenever you're nervous you eat anything sweet. "P-pie" you hesitated but managed to get it out, eventually.

"Well, let me get us two." He said as he asked for the stewardess.

You were still lost. This is happening too— too fast. Your brain can't process. 'There's no logical explanation that can stop you from saying yes, Cathy. You're not risking anything. If it didn't work out, this tour is just 4 months long. Your contract ends then. You'd be out of it before you know it. Plus, it'd be good to get back to the dating scene after this long. I mean, look at him, Cathy! LOOK AT HIM!'

"Well, okay, deal." You answered after a while when you realized he was waiting for your answer.

Jungkook got a text. "Oh, this is Hobi, he must want me. I'll be right back!" He said and took off to where Hobi was seated. He left you alone with your music for some time.

Jungkook was welcomed with a smile from Hoseok. "Tell me you did it, playboy!"

"First, don't call me that. I genuinely like her." He said seriously. He then smiled sneakily like a teenage girl who's about to dish about her first kiss. "We're going out tomorrow!" He said as he sat down. "I can't actually believe she said yes. Look at her, Hobi!" He subverted his gaze at you and Hoseok did as well.

"She is pretty." Hoseok admitted.

"Pretty is an understatement. She's just so —" he trailed, failing at describing how he sees you.

"You're sure into her, Kookie."

"It's just, I haven't been so close with someone who's this established. She's worked with A-list Hollywood celebrities and on award winning movies. Yet, she's getting nervous because of our Run episode. It's ridiculous!" He said, "it's just so intriguing to get to know someone like her. It's like finally meeting your favorite artist." He was sitting restlessly.

"Plus, she's an older woman." Jimin popped in and winked at Jungkook. He was implying your experience not only in the work field.

"Jimin! You scared me!" Hoseok shouted.

"Well, that part is intriguing, too." Jungkook replied with a smirk.

"Tomorrow." He breathed as it all went silent and he melted into his chair. That's what was dominating his thoughts. The thought of you and him.