Serendipity

5- You?

Just as I shook Jimin's hands, I felt another pair of heavy hands on my shoulders.
Startled, I jumped to see who it was yanking Jimin's hands along with mine.

Embarrassed at my reaction, I let go of Jimin.

"Joon? What are you doing here?" Now I was shocked too. What was NamJoon doing at my place of work?

NamJoon had a huge smile stuck on his face. Surprisingly, this is the first time since I met him, that Jimin's smile has been replaced by a grimace. Well, I also wanted to scowl at Joon too for jumping on me so suddenly but I have another problem to deal with now. Why is he here?

"Hi Poem! Long time no see?" NamJoon grinned. Oh what wouldn't I give to slap that smug face.

"I am sorry Jimin, could I take a short break right now if you don't mind? My shift would get over in-"

"Go ahead. I don't mind." Jimin replied curtly and stalked off towards the front of the store.

I am taken a bit by surprise. He didn't have to be so rude. Its not like that I am slacking from my job. I just had another 15 minutes left to clock out here. Well well well, managers will be managers at the end of the day. You'd be a fool to consider them your friend.

I shrug the thoughts away and get to deal with the problem on hand. Kim NamJoon, my arch nemesis from college.

"It would be better if we talk outside NamJoon. I don't want to cause a scene here."

"And what makes you think we will cause a scene here? We can be civil if one of us tries a bit. That one being you, I hope you do understand." Said NamJoon.

Oh I forget to tell you, NamJoon has some issue with his DNA. Instead of polynucleotides, they are a helix of just conceit and stupidity. A tough combination to deal with.

"Shut up Joon. Unless you want to buy something from the store, I suggest get outside." I say glancing nervously towards Jimin. He is busy stabbing the keyboard. His face deep in concentration. Looks like the keys would fall off today. I don't want to push him into annoyance any further and get my overtime cancelled. I really need that extra money and his first day as my manager has so far been a disaster.

"What? You are worried about him? I could easily take him out if I wanted to."

What a moron! He might be older but I can see that Jimin is quite well built now that I compare the two of them.

"Not that I would lay a finger on him. Don't want anyone to side with you. That would destroy my big scheme of things. It would be better if I get him to turn against you and get you fired from here as well." Drooled on the snake.

Having had enough, I started walking out towards the store exit swiftly, letting him continue his insane monologue alone.

I waved goodbye at Jimin but he didn't notice me. As soon as I was about to open the swing door, something strong tugged at my arm swinging me madly and making me turn around.

What the—-!!!!! And I see The horrible NamJoon grabbing my arm looking as if he might just pull it out of the sockets.

Jimin's head snapped up from the computer so fast that I could swear I heard a soft cracking sound.

"Listen up you sicko. Let go of my arm otherwise I will beat the shit out of you without thinking twice this time." I am seething with rage now. This toxic man thinks he owns the world and can treat anyone the way he wants.

"Oh really? Have you forgotten what happened last time?" NamJoon hissed horribly.

Just then, Jimin strode and grabbed his arms, edging himself between the two of us.

"Let her go and I will not press charges of assault. Hold her for even a second more, I will deal with you in your own way, no questions asked." Said Jimin. Sweet and smiling Jimin was now red in the face with anger. My Manager is a good guy! Thank God! Hopefully, I will not be losing this job because of Kim NamJoon. Hopefully.

NamJoon was taken aback. He let go of my hand.
"Hey man! Didn't mean for it to happen inside the store. No need to get anyone else involved. I will be on my way. See you later Poem. Looks like we need to work on our problem again."
With another one of his infamous dimpled grin, he struts out of the store.

But I am rooted on my spot. What do you tell your new boss when a spectacular personal drama unfolds infront of him? How do you deal with the embarrassment? How do you explain that you are not at fault? How do you save yourself from getting fired?

I could feel pools of moisture collecting in my eyes. I am sick of this happening again and again. I have tried dealing with that moron my way but apparently that was never enough. I just wish I was a guy. I would have solved this problem WWE style. One choke-slam and NamJoon's moronic grin would be wiped off his face. Because violence is the only thing that works on such pigs.

I turn to my side to face Jimin. I will try to make him understand that this won't happen ever again. I am just thankful there were no customers to see this. I would have written up my own resignation if that had happened.

Jimin's face is back to his usual self. No more red with anger, just concern and kindness in his eyes.

"Hey! That's okay. Take tomorrow off if you want. Do you want me to walk you to your car?"

What? No questions asked? I want to thank him but I am sure My tears will spill if I say another word. To be clear, they are tears of frustration and helplessness. Frustration because i have been dealing with NamJoon for the past year now with no success and helplessness because I cannot sucker-punch him in his face to make my problems go away.

I just nod my head. I'll thank him later on. I need to clear my head and get some rest. I hate emotional drama.

I see Milo through the glass door, coming back from his break. Jimin swings the door open and I keep walking. Meanwhile he whispers something to Milo that my ears couldn't catch.

He is beside me now and we are walking towards the elevator to reach the parking lot. We walk in silence, him matching his strides so that I don't fall behind.

"You can drive right? Or do you want me to drop you home?"

I am feeling much better, now that some of my anger has ebbed away. I clear my throat and shake my head.

"Please, I don't want to bother you anymore. You have already helped me a lot today. I cannot impose myself upon you any further."

"You are not imposing. And we are friends. That's what friends do, help each other out." He stated simply, his smile is back now.

Looks like I was mistaken. Your manager can be your friend too. I smile at him too unable to help myself.

"That was good timing on my part then. Had I not shaken your hand for friendship, we could have become sworn enemies."

Jimin chuckles lightly. "You are pretty dramatic."
That, I am I agree.
I laugh out loud.

"That's my car. Thank you Jimin. And I will come to work tomorrow. This isn't something that I cannot handle."

Mechanically, I turn towards him and peck him lightly on his cheeks.

And I instantly freeze. I ain't any lesser of a fool. We may have started being friends but he is still my boss. I cannot treat him like a close friend so instantly.

Jimin is red again but not with anger this time. He looks flustered and I am even more mortified.

I quickly fish out my car keys and jump inside my Honda.

This has been a long day. Jimin waves a half-hearted goodbye and I sped out of the lot. I see him walking back towards the elevator from my rear-view mirror. His hand is tousling his already messy hair.

I finally let out a laugh and hit the accelerator.
I put on some music and speed through the city towards home.

It has been a long day.