Accidentally Assisting

Chapter 28 - This is a mess, isn't it?

UNEDITED

When we finally arrive at the Seoul Incheon airport after 24 hours of long travel, I'm extremely relieved. Finally home! So much has happened during the tour that I feel like I've been gone for a decade. The recent incidents with an ambiguous Jungkook have left me uncertain and confused, and I need a break to clear my head.

Since we're arriving in Seoul in the morning, I'm going to brunch at my parent's place. Eun's also invited. I cannot wait to finally hug the people dearest to me.

Once I've helped Jungkook get his way around the fans and into the van coming to pick us up, I let out a loud sigh and text my parents on my phone, informing them I'll be there soon.

Jungkook watches me do so before he asks: "Any plans for today?" He's given me the day off since he's resting today as well.

"Huh?" I look up. "Yes. I'm going brunching at my parent's place right away."

Jungkook and I haven't been alone since the evening we almost kissed. Either way, I've decided to just pretend nothing happened between us since it will most likely never occur again anyway. We were both tipsy and I most definitely must have read the signs wrong.

"Why didn't you tell the driver then? He can drop you off on the way."

"Well, you know where my parents live. Completely the other way. We'll be stuck in traffic and you'll lose time."

My boss annoyedly clicks his tongue at that. "So what was your plan? Driving all the way to our place and then taking the subway to the other end of Seoul? Nonsense, Rosie. We're dropping you off there."

I open my mouth to decline the offer – Jungkook's as exhausted as I am and I don't want him to lose time- , but as expected, Jungkook doesn't wait for any confirmation and just tells the driver about the change of address, so I just dumbly close my mouth again.

"That was unnecessary, oppa," I mutter, "but thank you."

"You're welcome," he yawns. "It's nice that you can see your family. We'll be busy with the comeback starting from tomorrow, so you should enjoy your free time as much as possible."

"Do you ever miss yours?", I ask him, ignoring his mention of the comeback and all the stress we'll have to deal with, again. The more time I spend with Jungkook, the more it makes me worried about him, too. He might pretend like he's always fine, but even Jungkook needs a break from time to time. And he hasn't gotten one in months, maybe even years.

The young man just shrugs at my question. "Yes. But I've lived without my family for seven years now. I'm used to it. Speaking of," he says, now fully turning around in his seat to face me, "what's your conclusion of the tour? Was it as bad as you thought it would be me?"

"No..." I answer with a shy smile. "You guys are kind of nice."

"Kind of nice?" He playfully raises his eyebrows at me. "That's all you have to say?"

"If you're trying to another compliment out of me, it's not going to work, so give it up, oppa."

The sole sound of his quiet laugh at that makes butterfly appear in my stomach. Also, why is he the only person on earth to look breath-taking after a long-haul flight?

Geez, Rose. Why can't you just turn it off? I need to stop thinking this way about my boss, or else I'll just grow insane.

"Either way, I'm proud of you, Rose. See how useless all of those self-doubts of yours there? You're the adequate person for this job. Once again, I was right and you were wrong."