Everybody Wants to Rule the World

06

Trigger Warning(s): none in the chapter, but the song is (kind-of) explicit?? i mean, it's censored, but the words are written out in the video, soooo maybe don't listen to the song if you dislike explicit lyrics.

Shut Up by Christina Aguilera

~ Emira's Point of View ~

2:03 AM, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2028. BANYAN TREE SHANGHAI ON THE BUND, CHINA.

"Okay, listen." Mere moments after we entered the elevator, he jabbed his finger into my shoulder, compelling me to whirl around and glare at him. "If we are going to coexist, there are several ground rules you need to abide by. One, you stay out of my business, and I'll stay out of yours. Is that clear?"

I floundered for a response. "B-but... you just..."

"I know what I did – you really thought that wasn't a show? God, Shakira, if she thought we were going to be miserable together, she would've continued to hassle us 'till morning. Now repeat after me: 'I will stay out of Jimin's–"

"No! I'm perfectly able to stay out of your hair without swearing to it. And since when do you get to lay the ground rules?"

"Since you barged in on my room."

"Since I–"

"Listen up, Waka Waka. Ground rule number two, you stay out of my business; and number three, you stay out of my business. Clear?"

"Those were all the same," I noted sourly.

"What an acute observation for an idiot who can't even book a room right."

"Okay, literally, what is your problem? You want me to stay out of your business? Fine! I would be more than happy to do so! If I didn't have to spend another minute with you, my life would be that much better."

The elevator doors opened just as I was finishing my last sentence. A tired-looking businessman peered worriedly over the edge of his coffee cup at our tense stances. I appeared to be moments from hurling my right fist at Jimin's perfectly-sloped nose, and Jimin was bending over me, as if his stature alone could impose dominance.

But, of course, upon noticing the new witness to our conversation, Jimin morphed his expression into one of pure charisma and ushered me out of the elevator, clutching my upper arms so hard that I couldn't even struggle. But the second the businessman disappeared into the elevator and Jimin loosened his grip, I yanked my arms away and scowled.

"You don't need to lead me. I know where to go."

"Oh, really? Then why are you going the wrong way?"

"I'm not..." When I noticed that the numbers on the doors were growing progressively farther from 613, I stopped in my tracks and turned in the opposite direction, keeping my head high even though I could hear Jimin snickering. "You know, I'm not any happier about this than you are. We should at least try to be civil."

"I am being civil."

I tried not to laugh too hard. "If that's your impression of civility, I don't want to know what it looks like when you're being rude."

"Says the one talking about civility."

"I'm just trying to help us coexist, for God's sake!" I jammed the key much harder than was necessary into the lock of Room 613, and this time, the sight of the private dipping pool held far less excitement. Even the luxurious bed looked more like a dumpster now that I knew I might have to share it with Jimin.