Matchmaker: BOOK I [Y/N X KAI]

✨ Chapter 33 ✨

I'm about to sit down and have my own lunch when I notice Nini slip off toward the bar, which makes no sense because the waiters are bringing drinks right to the tables.

I take a seat at first but for some reason, worry for him constantly bugs inside of me. So at last, I give up and follow after him, to check after him. I know it's crazy but I just need to know if he's doing fine.

I find him sitting on one of the tools, shaking his head in a repitive motion. It's obvious that he's worrying about something.

"Nini? Is everything okay?" I ask as I approach him, and I realize a second later that I just addressed him in his nickname which I used when I first met him, and we were, um, in a different type of relationship.

Crap, this is awkward. I don’t think he'd appreciate this type of unprofessionalism but if I say Jongin now, it'd be awkward. I close my eyes, flinching hard in fear and embarrassment. Let's just hope he didn't even notice what I said.

He looks up from the bar, signature sour look on his face. And he doesn’t kill me as I expected him to.

He nods, "Yes, everything's fine. I just need to get some work done."

I walk over and see he's holding a legal pad. He's written Bridal Shower Toast For Aria at the top of the page. Good start.

"Work, huh? I thought you said that you weren’t going to worry about work today because you've got an important event going on here," I smile.

He sighs and holds up the pad, like I haven’t already seen it.

"Look, I don't make a habit of procrastinating, but I've been having to put out more fires than usual at work lately, so here we are," he confesses.

In simple words, he's fired too many employees lately that he has to work so much that he didn't even manage time to write a toast for his sister's bridal shower. But he's not going to say this so simply, obviously.

Pay for firing me, Kim Jongin.

"Woah, it seems like I dodged a bullet, then," I say grinning.

Nini starts to..chuckle? Really?

"Hey! Did I just make you laugh?" I ask in surprise.

"I guess so. That's actually pretty funny," he says, wearing the most heart-warming smile I've seen in many days. Wow, he's really so beautiful..

"But seriously, are you saying that things have been a mess without me?" I wiggle my eyebrows putting on a playful smirk.

"Technically..yes..that..is true," he mumbles.

Oh my goodness, is the tough guy Kim Jongin getting nervous here?

"Correlation, however. It doesn’t imply accusation," he says in a serious tone now, but I can swear I saw him hiding a smile.

I'll get you one day, Kim Jongin. Just you wait.

"I'm sorry to hear about it anyways," I say sympathetically.

"You are?" he asks in surprise.

"Why? Shouldn’t I be?" I question.

"I thought you hated working at Concept Events," he shrugs.

I nod, "That I do. But that doesn’t mean I hate you too. I mean, technically, yes, I do. Correlation, however. It doesn’t imply accusation."

He starts laughing out loud and I feel like I've finally achieved something today. He's so damn precious when he smiles! I can't help but stare. His smooth hair, broad shoulders, golden skintone, and that billion dollars smile - he's so fucking perfect.

"In any case, I'm going to need you to leave me alone for a little while. So I can attempt to write a half-decent toast for her," he says.

"Sure thing, but don't worry so much. I'm pretty sure it'll just be fine. Your toast at Chanyeol's was pretty great," I assure him.

"My toast at Chanyeol's wedding was written over several drafts with the help of a professional copyrighter and your unprepared speech was still better than mine," he mutters under his breath.

"Really? You liked it that much?" I ask.

"You've a way with words and presence in front of a crowd, both of which I struggle with," he says.

I shake my head, "Nope. That's absolutely not true. I'm very bad at preparing or listing out things to say. I just try to be as authentically myself as possible. I try to express what I really feel instead of trying to make it sound like an art because I don't have that in me. Unlike you, I don't think alot before I speak. If you really like my ways, I'd say make it seem like you're telling a story, not making a speech."

"You make it sound so easy.." he lets out a tired sigh.

"I don't suppose you’d be willing to help me write the rest of the toast?" he says with sad eyes.

"You actually want my help? Like for real?" I ask in disbelief.

Is it opposite day today?

He nods, "Like I said, toast writing is clearly one of your stronger suits, and I'm not too egoish to ask if it means Aria will like the toast."

"You really love your sister, don't you?" I smile.

"Of course I do. You've met her, how could anyone not love her?" he smiles.

"Well in that case, I'll help you write the best bridal shower toast ever!" I promise him.

"You will?" he says in surprise, like he expected a clear rejection on his face. I laugh mentally.

"Of course, why not? The waiters are handling the food. So I believe that I've got some time in my hand. I think I can do it in that time" I say.

He nods, "Very well then. Let's see..how to begin this.." he looks down at the piece of paper frowning thoughtfully.

"That's always the hardest part, isn’t it?" I say.

"Well, since you're such an expert, tell me what do you think?" he asks curiously.

✨ To Be Continued ✨