Stay With Me - A JiKook Love Story

10 - the other party

Tuesday is relatively a slow day for Beyond the Sound.  Jungkook noticed that Jimin was not behind the bar.  Namjoon-hyung was there but not doing anything except watch the new band, he had his arms crossed over his chest.  Hoseok-hyung was chatting with the guard.  Where was Jimin?

He nonchalantly went to the bar and asked Namjoon, "Why are you alone there, hyung?"

Namjoon smiled and said, "He's at the staff room taking a call." jerking his head towards the area.

Jubgkook was flustered, "Ah hyung! It's not that!"

"Whatever you say." Namjoon said unconvinced.

"I'll go check.", Junggkook slowly backed out, blushing.

He hated himself for eavesdropping, but he can't help himself.  He just wants to know how his Jimin is doing since the other is not really opening up about anything more to him.  Sure they talk, but about the guys, the club, everyday stuff, details that he already knows and mundane matters.

He stood by the door, listening once again to Jimin's side of the conversation.

I'll see you when you get back from Busan.

Hmm, so that will be this Saturday.  I'm due at work by 6:00PM, so we can meet before then. Around 4:30PM?  There's a cafe beside the bar. I'll send you the address.

Yes, be careful.  Send my love to your parents.

I'll visit them one day.

Sure.  I know.

I love you, too.

Bye.

Jungkook wished he didn't listen in to Jimin's phonecall.  Now his chest feels heavy.  He went back to the main hall, with trudging feet and head hung low.

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Jimin was wondering why Jungkook seemed off.  They usually walk together to and from the club.  But these past couple of days, Jimin feels like he makes up excuses to go ahead or later than him.  He does not even hang out by the bar that often anymore.  If he's not on stage, Jungkook stays in the staff room playing on his phone.

Jimin would've talked to him about it if he was not too busy with work.  Maybe this weekend, he'll find time to discuss things with Jungkook.

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By 4:00PM that Saturday, Jimin was already dressed for work.

"I'll be meeting a friend and will go to the club afterwards." he said to Jungkook.

Jungkook just managed a weak nod.

Jimin wanted to say or do something to snap Jungkook out of this mood but he doesn't know what.  Maybe later, he thought.  He has more pressing matters to attend to.

Jungkook resisted the urge to follow Jimin.  He knows it's wrong and if Jimin finds out, he might take it the wrong way and might jeopardize the only things he has left with Jimin, their friendship.

However, he decided that he will go to the club early.  Just so he can hang out there or maybe practice or something.  He's not at all curious as to who Jimin was meeting. Nope.  He was justifying this to himself.

It was almost 6:00PM when he arrived in front of Beyond the Sound and he can clearly see Jimin inside the cafe, but cannot see the person he's with.  Jimin was smiling. Jungkook only saw this smile a few times, when Jimin was truly happy.

Suddenly, Jimin stood up.  Jungkook froze on the spot.  Oh no! He's coming out. What do I do? He was panicking.

His heart dropped to his stomach when Jimin went out.  His companion was gorgeous, with a slim build, and a sophisticated taste in fashion.  They were laughing, looking at each other and holding hands.

Jimin saw him, "Jungkook-ah!". He was waving at him, beckoning him to come over.

His curiosity won over his jealousy.  Jungkook went over, all the while looking at them with Jimin putting his arms around the other's waist and burrowing his face in his companion's hair!  Wasn't this the same Jimin whose arms were hanging on to his neck less than two weeks ago?  Wasn't that face nuzzling his neck that day?  Jungkook was confused, hurt and mad!

"Jungkook-ah, this is Erika." gesturing to the pretty girl beside him.  "Erika, Jungkook." he continued, putting his head against the girl's.

Erika stuck out her hand, "I've heard a lot about you, Jungkook! So nice to meet you."

"Oh, really?" Jungkook shook her hand briefly, his tone bordering on rude.

"We should all get together another day!" she gushed.

"We'll do that." Jimin said, hugging Erika closer.

Jungkook has too many questions, too many emotions, he felt like blowing up. "I'll go ahead... might need to practice." Jungkook said to Jimin.

Jimin held him back, "Let's go together. Erika was just leaving."

"I miss you already!" Erika exclaimed, hugging (more like hanging onto) Jimin.

"I'll see you as soon as I can." Jimin was smiling (stupidly) at her.

Erika smiled back, "I love you!"

"And I love you. Always!" Jimin answered.

And to Jungkook's horror, Jimin gave her a peck on the lips!  What the?!

Erika turned to Jungkook, "We'll get to know each other better another time. For now, please take care of my Jimin for me." And then she walked off hailing a taxi.

Jungkook would've stormed off if not for Jimin holding his arm. But once Jungkook remembered the kiss Jimin gave Erika, a new wave of anger went through him.  He shook Jimin's hand off and walked quickly towards the club with Jimin trying to catch up.

Their hyungs were surprised to see an angry Jungkook followed by an amused Jimin.

Jimin understood Jungkook's anger, but he's just so happy with his meeting with Erika and he is dying to tell Jungkook about it.  He followed him to the staff room where Jungkook paced for a few moments (maybe trying to cool off) and finally plopping onto the sofa.

"I... I... I don't know what to say!" Jungkook finally blurted out.  "What was that?! Who was that?!" he was seething.  "You know I like you, why did you have to parade her in front of me? Her!" Jungkook was accusatory, frustrated and so hurt.

Jimin smiled, "You met her.  She's Erika, the girl I was going to marry."