Re-Boot

Ch. 11; Paper-white Daffodils

Kim Yerim always loved sunset. Like you know, nothing in this life is certain unless when the sun goes up and down. Taking that she wasn't a particularly morning person, sunset became one of her favorite timelines. It was just relaxing, the way orange color wrapped up the sky so warmly. The kind of farewell that left the spectators with longing. Lee Taeyong seemed to know this very well too. Judging from the room he had chose for her to stay after the surgery that had a very nice view of the sun leaving the sky of Seoul. One of the female nurses passed that information giddily, asking if the famous celebrity was her boyfriend while couldn't stop gushing about his attentiveness even though Yeri repeatedly answered that they weren't a couple.

They weren't a couple. She chuckled mirthlessly.

Her focus that once stay to watched the sunset now moved in vast to that one certain subject. They had known each other for more than a year already. Started when her company wants to make him as brand ambassador for their newest product. She ought to meet him in his agency and for some reason, they were bound to happen. Supposedly bound to happen. Lee Taeyong wasn't as snobby as Yeri thought he would be. He was in fact a little too shy for a person whose face was plastered almost at every corner of Gangnam. He was awkwardly cocky it became adorable.

The exchanged phone number continue to the texting stage, move along till they're close enough to hang out with each other. She even had a close relationship with Taeyong's older sister, THE Lee Jieun. An A list celebrity, her girl-crush, that had made Yeri's mouth agape upon meeting her. Apparently, Taeyong knew her idol despite Yeri herself never told him specifically about that. Just after more than hundreds time she always sung to Good Day and Bbi-Bbi-Bbi, Taeyong pick up the clue and decided to bring his sister to one of their dinner. While Taeyong was lucky his guess was right, Yeri was lucky she didn't choke on her wagyu steak when Lee Jieun so suddenly sat in front of her.

Taeyong was attentive, one of several traits she liked from the celebrity. He had this cold and distant aura, yet it all seemingly vanished whenever they talked. He was a perfectionist in his work, yet it all disappear every time they spent their time together. He was caring, clumsy, humble, and nonchalant. Just the perfect amount of a perfect boyfriend material for Yeri.

The feeling was mutual.

But when the celebrity itself was such a fun person to be with, Yeri couldn't say the same for their fans. Lee Taeyong was one of the hottest stars in this generation, imagine how wild his fans could get if they know about her relation to him. No matter how compatible the fate had made them, that one matter was the only thing she couldn't compromise with. Yeri hate drama and absolutely refused to be a raw meat for his fans to grill.

Lee Taeyong knew it all. But as much as he wants to be with her, he loved his current life very much. Yeri was very aware of that.

Shame.

Her line of focus then fell onto the bouquet of paperwhite daffodil on the bedside table. Her mind was pulled back to two days ago when everyone from her inner circle gathered here inside her ward. Jungkook was there too. Though a little late than others, nevertheless he was here. Still in dark blue office suit, hair a little bit messy from running she would guess, hand carrying this unusual bouquet of white flower.

When almost every bouquet she received was roses or chryssants or sunflowers, Jungkook's stood up the most. It had become her favorite. Hell, even if Jungkook gave her a bouquet of Rafflesia Arnoldi, she was still like it.

Yeri chuckled at her ridiculous thought. Of course, he couldn't. First, it was illegal to bring such a big and smelly flower during flight. Second, she didn't even know where to buy it.

She didn't understand the language of flower, so all the while she thought the reason why Jungkook bought such unusual flower either because it was the very first thing he saw or it was the last flower in stock. But what her mother had said to her during her visit yesterday morning was intriguing. She had asked her who was giving her the bouquet, whether he was good looking or not, whether she has a sort of feeling for him.

She quoted, in Chinese culture, paperwhite daffodil means good fortune and new beginning. Was he wish for a good fortune during her recuperation or a good fortune for their new beginning? A question that had left Yeri dumbfounded. Was he really want a new beginning for them? Was it the perfect time yet?

Jungkook. Jeon Jungkook.

Never ever crossed her mind that the highest power would give Yeri another chance to meet him. Her serious crush - yes, she finally admits that after dozens bickering with Taehyung - during university. An apple to many students' eyes, a pride to many lecturers. He was a whole complete package you know. Good looking, good physique, good grade, good fortune... It was easy to fall for him, though the aforementioned man didn't seem to notice at all.

All the odds that had been with him during university followed even until now, in the work field. Jungkook's business plan was often visionary, always with certain steps to achieve it. Reliable whenever other branches need guidance in problems. A very satisfying worker one if Yeri could add. Marry that fact with his personality that was cool-headed, calm, and collected. No wonder in such a short span his career could grow so nicely. He was Kim Junmyeon's favorite, despite his senior Assistant, Kim Seokjin, was also a good one. Heck even Heechul himself praised Jungkook. Mind you, Heechul was a narcisstic boss. If he wasn't praised himself, he would only praise his subordinate. So, for him praising someone outside his behalf during one of company's inter-division meeting, was considered an achievement for that person.

He was a capable worker and the company would need his help during the hectic period of one of the important events the company had held.

That was the exact answer for the gank's question - Jimin boldly said it out loud to satisfy everyone's curiosity. The question that hadn't been answered when their subject of discussion appeared all too sudden, bringing this beautiful white flower with him.

That was why she opted to ask Taeyong to bring her to the hospital, who happened to stand outside her front door to give her favorite YSL sweater back and not him, despite them being in a casually flirty conversation on KTalk at that very same time.

She didn't want to make him worry nor sorry for not being able to accompany her when the office calls.

Yeri's mind then fell further into why, when, how could she fall for him once again, after all the determined speech she gave herself about forgetting that one bunny-looking man. It might because she hasn't completely making peace with her past. Like how he got her flustered when he gave her food whenever she was cranky because it was one of the ways to lift her mood.

Or the way he carried himself that full of charm and confidence. Like he knew that he was talented and good at what he's doing.

Or the adulthood that has been intensifying all the glory Jungkook's got since university. Like he was looking very good in working suit it should be illegal.

In conclusion, it was easy to fall for a soul like Jeon Jungkook. Fortunately, the feeling was mutual. Unfortunately, those qualities had caught another female's attention too. Yeri wasn't the type that gets jealous easily and Jungkook hadn't strike her as a playboy himself. But that man could be overly kind and women tended to catch wrong signals.

In other words, Yeri has to prepare herself for what may come in the future if they chose to cross that thin line -thinnest one- between lover and friend.

Lover. That thought made her smile.

~***~

Hope you guys always safe and healthy during this difficult times. Stay at home and don't forget to wash your hands, alright!