The restaurant was full and Jin kept looking at his watch, hoping that he wasn’t late. He could hear his mother in the back of his mind yelling at him for making a young lady wait. As the line moved and Jin was up talking with host, his eye caught a familiar golden-brown hair. She turned around and both locked eyes before she quickly turned away.
“What was your name again sir?” the hostess asked Jin pulling him away from his trance.
“Seokjin, Kim Seokjin.”
“Alright follow me, I assume your date will be coming shortly?” she asked leading Jin to his table. The closer he came to the woman with golden-brown hair, his heart began to race. Jin didn’t know the reason why besides the slight spark that he felt earlier that day. She looked up at him, eyes full of hope and worry locked with his. Though, when he walked past, she looked away with defeat written on her face.
“Mr. Kim?” the hostess asked pulling him away once again.
“Sorry?” He asked not sure what he was sorry for.
“Your date, will they be coming here shortly?”
“Yes, I believe so.” Jin replied and with that was handed a menu to glance at while he waited.Occasionally, Jin would look up from the menu and look at her. He believed, more like remembered, that her name was Mi Sun. The looked at her face was annoyance and impatience. She must have been waiting for thirty minutes and her date hadn’t arrived. He watched as her left hand clenched into a fist. Her knuckles turned white the tighter she squeezed.
His attention was soon turned away from Mi Sun to his date who arrived a few minutes after him. She apologized over and over on how sorry she was being late. Jin told her that she wasn’t late, but on time since he just arrived shortly before her. While his date spoke with him, at the corner of Jin’s eye a man walked in and sat a crossed from Mi Sun. The annoyance on Mi Sun’s face left being replaced with a tolerant expression. Jin felt like he was imposing, so he looked away and answered a question that his date asked him.
“So, what do you do in your free time?” Jin’s date asked him.
“I read occasionally, and I cook.” Jin answered grabbing his glass of water in front of him. “What about you?” he asked after placing his glass down.
“Oh, I work so much that I don’t have the spare time to go and do something. I had to make time to come here tonight. My aunt was insistent that came. She thinks that I will be an unmarried woman when she dies. In truth, I just want to get my career going before I settle down.” she explained.
Jin just nodded as his attention was grabbed by Mi Sun, as she stood up, leaving the man who was still sitting there. Something happened and Jin unknowingly why, wanted to know what happened. Before he knew what, he was doing, he apologized to his date and went after Mi Sun.
Jin stopped at the hostess and handed her cash to pay for his dates dinner. Along with telling the hostess to tell his date that he was sorry for walking out on her. When Jin walked out, he looked to his right and his left looking for her. Spotting her on his left, Jin walked as fast as he could to catch up to her. He kept his distance from her as she walked. Mi Sun kept walking, past the parking lot where her car was located, past a crosswalk, only to stop at a park with swings.
Jin walked up to her, so he didn’t feel like a stalker. Her left hand was in a fist again, and without thinking, Jin placed his hand over hers. Her left hand relaxed and was slightly opened revealing marks from her fingernails. Mi Sun relaxed and felt safe as Jin’s hands rubbed her wrist. Looking up at him, she froze.Jin didn’t acknowledge her stare, as he grabbed her wrist, and walked her back to where her car was located. Mi Sun just followed him and let him dig into her bag for her keys.
Opening the passenger side, Jin helped Mi Sun in the car before he walked over to the driver side. He didn’t start the car right away, they just sat there for a good 15 minutes before Jin started the car and drove. He didn’t know where she lived, so he drove around Seoul without uttering a word.Mi Sun looked out the window irritated, defeated, and overall just pissed off at everything. Her hands were in fists again, digging into the palm of her hands.
At a red light, Jin looked over at her to see if Mi Sun was ok. However, her hands clenched and the detached look on her face told Jin that she wasn’t. Repeating what he did at the park, Jin placed his hand over hers once more. Just like before, her hands relaxed, only this time, Mi Sun held onto his hand.
“I apologize for ruining your date tonight.” Mi Sun said when the light turned green and the car began to move again.
“No need to apologize. I was on a blind date and I was ready to leave any ways.” Jin replied to her question. Though in the back of his head he was going to get an ear full of why he left before the date started.
Mi Sun wasn’t buying it, but let it pass. They continued to drive around, until they settled at the Han River. Jin parked the car and they sat there. With their hands inner linked, Jin watched Mi Sun as she traced his hand and drew circles on the top of his hand.
“The date that I was on, really wasn’t a date. My mother set me up on a date for the end of a business deal. The man that I was with, of course, showed up late, and the reason why I left abruptly, was what he said.” Mi Sun blurted out clenching her fist again, only this time she was gripping his hand.
“So, in the end we didn’t have the best night.” He stated with a small chuckle. Mi Sun chuckled with him releasing the grip she had on his hand. The blood rushed back in his hand, but he ignored it as she went back to drawing circles once again. When an hour went by, Mi Sun offered him a ride back to his car. Jin confessed that he didn’t have his car with him. He explained that the youngest member of seven men living in one place, was moving in and that they needed Jin’s car to move his things in. Without moving, neither Jin or Mi Sun moved, their hands still intertwined, minutes passed and Jin let go of her hand and got out of the car. Mi Sun was confused on what he was doing, ignoring the feeling of how well his hand fit in hers.
Jin opened the passenger door and held out his hand, the one that held hers a few minutes ago. Mi Sun looked at him confused and felt odd by the fact that he was just standing there with the door opened and his hand stretched out. Ultimately, she reached out and took his hand. Closing the car door, Jin lead her to the trail by the Han River.They walked the trail and all that Mi Sun could think was how safe she felt. Her mother was nonexistent, and for once Mi Sun was herself.
Without thinking of her actions, Mi Sun leaned into his warmth while looking up at the stars. Jin’s heart raced as they walked as he was thinking that if Mi Sun wasn’t his boss, he would think that this was a date. Deep down he knew that he was just giving her comfort somehow on the long walk by the river. They both stopped, and Mi Sun linked her arm with his placing her head on his shoulder.She felt at peace and she allowed her thoughts of liking the man that she was finding comfort in. Though when the thought of her mother, Mi Sun abruptly let go of his hand and arm. Jin closed his eyes waiting for her to yell at him.
“Um thank you for giving some company. I should head out, I could offer you a ride home.” Mi Sun stated.
“No, it's fine. Where I live isn’t far from here, and two of my roommates are here.” Jin said looking over, spotting Jimin and Taehyung down a little way from him and Mi Sun.“Oh, ok then. I’ll just be on my way.” Mi Sun walked past him only to be stopped when he stood in front of her.
“Let me walk you to the car. We walked a long way and I would feel better knowing that you made it to your car safely.” Jin spoke as he looked down at her.Mi Sun didn’t say anything and walked around him to where car was parked. Jin took it as a yes and walked behind her. No one spoke as they walked, and Mi Sun was feeling the sense of comfort radiate off him and the thoughts she had earlier threatened to emerge.
“Um, thank you once again. I ah don’t want Ji Su to find out, so if you could…” she trailed off thinking of a way to explain to him that what happened tonight could be swept under the rug.
“Keep it to myself?” Jin finished the unspoken question. Mi Sun just nodded and then got into her car. Jin sighed as he walked back to where Jimin and Taehyung were still at. When the two of them spotted Jin, they walked over and bombarded him with questions. Jin just told the two young ones that what they saw was nothing and that they should forget about it. Though, as much as Jin wanted to, he couldn’t forget how comfortable he was with her.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Paris Boutique was days away from the grand opening day. As usual, Ji Su was in her office working away on new designs while finishing others. Mi Sun had the job of training the new hired staff. Jin, had many things to get in order while being trained. Both Mi Sun and Jin, avoided each other, well more on the lines of Mi Sun was avoiding him. Jin ignored how she was acting and did his job. Ji Su when she took a break every now and then, would notice how the two would act. Jin would go over to Mi Sun to ask questions and if Jin brushed against her without realizing that he is doing so, Mi Sun would stiffen up.
Ji Su thought how odd it was that Mi Sun would react that way. One day at lunch, Ji Su asked Mi Sun what was up with Jin and her. Mi Sun would just say it was nothing, though Ji Su would think otherwise.After what happened a week ago, Jin did what he was asked, to forget about what happened that night.
Though deep down Jin didn’t think he should hide it as it wasn’t shameful. All they did was keep each other company and held hands. Nothing else happened. On the other hand, Mi Sun was freaking out within. At night she couldn’t help but think what would happen if things between her and Jin worked out, but then she would go into the negative of what would come out the relationship that would never happen. There were some nights that she would lay awake thinking that her mother would find out and do what she did to Mi Sun’s last relationship. Thinking of it made her nauseated. As the week went there was only two days left before the opening.
The girls were never home as they were burning the midnight oil to make sure everything was perfect. The day before the opening, the day was like any other day. The girls were in their office working when they heard voices in the front of the store. Ji Su go up hearing a familiar voice as she walked up to the front of the shop. Ji Su spotted her grandmother socializing with Jin, more on the lines of flirting with him. “Grans, what are you doing here?” Ji Su asked when she stepped in front of her grandmother.
“It’s lunch time and since I haven’t seen you or Mi Sun, I thought I could stop by and have lunch with my girls.” Ji Su’s heart ached and warmed with what her grandmother said. Ji Su watched as her grandmother looked up at Jin.
“Young man, are you sure you don’t want to join?” Ji Su’s eyes closed knowing all to well what her Grans was doing.
“I’m sure Mrs. Kim. I already have plans with my friends who work across the street.” Jin turned down the offer once more before saying farewell to the elderly lady and walked out.
“Such a shame. He is like a prince, so handsome and kind.” Ji Su’s grandmother murmured.
“Grans whatever you are thinking don’t. You’ll get in trouble for meddling and cause more trouble then needed.” Ji Su hooked her arm with her grandmothers and walked to Mi Sun’s office.
“I just want you two to be happy. You know I won’t be here forever to take care the both of you. I know that you will be well taken care of, but what of Mi Sun? I sure as hell won’t have her mother determine that child’s future.” Grans grumbled entering Mi Sun’s office. Mi Sun looked away from an email when Ji Su and Grans entered. Something about Ji Su’s grandmother had the power to brighten anyone’s day. Pushing away from her desk, Mi Sun walked over and hugged Grans.
“What are you doing her Grans?” Mi Sun asked leading the elderly woman to a chair and taking the bags she was caring.
“I brought lunch and I wanted to see me girls.” Grans said helping Mi Sun and Ji Su unload the bags filled with traditional Korean food. The aroma of the food filled the room and the girls dug in. Grans sat back watching her granddaughter and Mi Sun devour the food before them.
Occasionally, the girls would stop eating to share with Grans that the shop would be up and ready in time. New designs that Ji Su was working on were going to be another hit. Grans felt warm inside knowing that her girls were starting to live their dream. The thoughts of telling the girls that it was time for them to move into their own place broke her heart.
“I think its time for you two to move out.” Grans stated as the girls stopped mid bite. “But grans who will take care of you?” Ji Su asked putting the bite she was about to take back in the container before her.
“My dear I have been taking care of myself since your grandfather died, may his soul rest in peace, but you are grown, and you have a boyfriend.” Grans looked at Ji Su as she explained that she would be fine.
“Grans is right Ji Su, we are college graduates, business owners, and it is time for us to find our own place. A place for us to call home.” Mi Sun said while eating.
Ji Su just stayed quiet and didn’t share or speak of the topic. It was easy for Mi Sun to think of this as a good thing. She practically lived on her own for years before meeting Ji Su. For Ji Su, she just worried about her grandmother since she was the only one that she was close with.
Putting her chopsticks down, Ji Su told Mi Sun and Grans that she had more work to do. Mi Sun continued to eat while Grans cleaned up after Ji Su. The two women stay in silence and there was something else that Grans wanted to say.
“Grans what else is there that you didn’t want to say?” Mi Sun took her last bite before helping Grans clean up.
“Your mother called. She was in a lovely mood when she told me that you left that wonderful date she set up for you.” Mi Sun’s hand froze, and her gaze locked with grans. “Don’t worry I told her that you are your own person. I laughed when she told me that I had no business in her family affairs. I told her it became my business when you started living with me.”
“Grans -”
“No child, your mother had no right to treat you the way she did.” Grans interrupted Mi Sun. “You need to stand up to her and not obey her. I know every child must listen to his or her mother but with you, you don’t have to. Not with this life.” Grans stood up and took the bags that was now filled with the remnants of lunch. Mi Sun walked her out, Grans steeling a glance at Ji Su’s now closed office door.
“My grandbaby didn’t have a parent to bond with and when she had the chance things went south. She’ll have a harder time wanting to leave me.” Grans sighed and walked out while telling Mi Sun that the bags were light no need to help. Giving up Mi Sun walked and waited with her until the bus arrived, and then walked back to the shop.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
That night, Mi Sun shut down her computer, grabbed her bag and jacket before turning off her desk light. The grad opening was all set for tomorrow and there wasn’t much to do besides setting tables for food and drink. Closing her door, Mi Sun looked to see that Ji Su had hers opened.
She walked over and knocked on the door before she entered. She wanted to talk to Ji Su about what Grans said, but to her surprise, Ji Su was asleep on her desk. Letting out a chuckle, Mi Sun walked over to her friend to shake her awake.
With a grumble and a slur of words, Ji Su stood up and told Mi Sun she would met her in the car. Leaving Mi Sun to clean up and shut down everything. Sometimes, Mi Sun felt like Ji Su was a child and she was the mother cleaning up or taking care of her. Double checking, she had everything of Ji Su’s, Mi Sun walked to the back door where her car was located, passing Jin’s office. To her astonishment, he was still there. She thought he had left already.
As if he knew she was there, Jin looked up from what he was working to see her. He took in on what she was wearing and how beautiful she looked. All the weeks leading to the grand opening, Jin hadn’t seen much of her, but when he did he couldn’t help, but stare like a lovesick boy.
“I thought you left already.” Mi Sun stated feeling an unforce pull her into his office.
“I got caught up with some forms and was making sure that the carters would be here tomorrow.” Jin said giving her a smile. Mi Sun felt heat spread throughout her face, down to her neck.
“Well I’ll be leaving. Just make sure you lock everything up.” Mi Sun stutter, struggling with what words to say. Alarms in her mind were blaring to tell to walk away, but her feet stayed in place as Jin stood up and was now in front of her.
“You look beautiful by the way.” He stated looking down at her while she was looking up him.
“That was random.” Her voice horsed.
“Well you are and in fact I want to tell you that every day. However, I can’t without anyone questioning about my actions.” Jin confessed, taking a step closer to her. “Thank you.” Mi Sun shallowed noticing their distance, a breaths distance away. “I should go.” She whispered willing her feet to move back in a healthy distance away, failing in the process as her body rebelled against the order.
“I want to kiss you.” He confessed.
“I’m your boss.”
“Only when were on the clock.”Mi Sun licked her lips and Jin took that as a yes and leaned down taking her face in his right hand. Mi Sun didn’t push him away when their lips met.
Hey fam i am still alive and here. Been so busy with my muilitple jobs that i havent had the time to sit and write. As usual if you want to be tagged let me know in the comments below. Also for thoses who followed Talking Body if you like to still be on the tagged list for this story let me know.
(Let me know if you want you want to be tagged)
