Chapter 1 - Oddity - Jumin POV

I.

The first time Han Jumin met Gutierrez Ran, also known as Hwang Ran, she had just started as one of his father's employees. She had then ended up becoming part of Jumin's personal bodyguards when he came back from his schooling. She was an oddity being the only woman part of the security team. That alone raised his suspicions that she was, in fact, trying to get her claws into the Han family fortune. Either through his father or through him.

Imagine to his inner surprise when she practically ignored him right after meeting him. This continued day after day. He found himself unconsciously taking note of her reactions towards him. She wasn't overtly rude, because she bowed and greeted him as expected of her, but she wasn't overly friendly like the women that seemed to surround his father.

He never really looked twice at women nor too closely at them. Jumin respected his father greatly, but his father's propensity for frequent dalliances with so many women he could do without. This one though, he did take note of. She didn't care about her appearance other than being tidy and neat. There was no product on her face nor in her long red hair it was simply tied in a low pony tail.

He found himself talking to her one day when he happened upon her.

"It is rare to find a woman in your line of work."

She did not immediately reply, it took her a few moments before she seemed to look around herself before looking up at him.

"Ah. Sorry..." She bowed to him slightly in apology.

She hesitated before replying in English, "I do not know Korean."

Ah. So that was why. She's a foreigner. Still an oddity nevertheless.

Jumin reassured her, "That is alright. I am fluent in English."

She seemed to brighten up at that. "Really? That's amazing! You're the first person I've managed to talk to in English here at C&R! I've tried to find someone around the offices and building, but it doesn't seem that anyone really knows it very well. I had thought that they would since C&R is an international company. I did some research before applying for the company and I was starting to think that I got the wrong information…"

Jumin sighed internally, it looks like he would have to find someone to look into it. The bodyguards were mostly either stationed in the lobby or in the upper-level offices. If she were looking into those offices, the personnel there should have been more than proficient in English.

"Thank you, for informing me of this. I will be sure to have someone correct this issue among our personnel."

"Oh. It's no problem. Actually, I was trying to find someone to help me practice and correct my Korean. I don't know anyone other than Young Moon, but he doesn't have much time since he's either always with the other bodyguards or with the Chairman. The other bodyguards don't like me much…"

He gave her a questioning glance.

"They don't appreciate a girl joining their boy's club. Especially a girl that doesn't even speak their native language and seems to have only gotten their job because their superior likes them."

There was a pause before she continued. "Earlier in Korean, it was what you were curious about."

Jumin gave a curt nod at her reply, "Yes. I'm surprised you understood."

She smiled at his comment. "It was more of an educated guess than anything… Actually… Since we seem to get along so well and happen to work in the same building, would you mind if we become acquaintances? I really want to improve my Korean quickly. What better way is there than to use it frequently knowing there is someone knowledgeable enough to correct me when I'm wrong."

Not friends? Just acquaintances? He replied to her in Korean. "Yes. I accept to being your friend."

She gave him small laugh and smile, "Thank you, Please take care of me."

She gave a slight bow as she stuck out her hand, "Gutierrez Ran."

There was a slight pause before he shook her hand, "Han Jumin."

Before he could inquire, she answered for him. "In case you were wondering about my name. Gutierrez is my married name. Hoang is my maiden name, though I use the Korean spelling to simplify things at work. It helps to make people feel more at ease considering how uncomfortable they must be at the fact that I'm a female bodyguard."

"A wise choice. It seems despite our advances there is still a large difference in gender equality here especially when it comes to the workforce. I, myself, have been under the impression that women only focused on their appeal to men for a good marriage to ensure their future. Yet I have now been surprised to find a married woman to be working in a profession that is not only unglamorous, but considered masculine."

"Oh, that's awesome. I'm glad I could change your views on my gender even if just a bit. It's understandable, since Asia in general, tend to be traditional when it comes to these type of topics, especially the older generation. All that really matters is that we keep an open mind to change and continue to improve."

He could agree with that sentiment. It would seem he has made an unlikely friend on the oddity that is Gutierrez Ran.

His leisure time had been spent chatting with her and he had to return to his office. However, he gave her his business card containing his work cellular number as a point of contact. He agreed to be her friend, but she was still essentially a stranger that just works for him.


II.

A week after meeting her, he realized how intelligent she was by how quickly she grasped the Korean spoken language through their frequent short calls. By the third week, she had his personal number.

Unfortunately, despite all her intelligence and easy grasp in speaking the language she was easily frustrated and seemed hopeless reading and writing it.

He had even asked once if she was willing to replace his current assistant. He had recalled their conversation over the phone that night.

"That sounds so tempting. I was studying business since middle school until I started college, but my parents didn't approve so I didn't push the issue. I don't think my lack of reading and writing in Korean makes me qualified for the job though. If anything it will annoy me at how inefficient I'm being. If I want to do something I want to do it well and efficiently. I'd rather you find someone more qualified for the job. If I do it I'd need a transcriber and time to study reading and writing. It's simply not cost effective." Ran explained.

He had slightly chuckled at that, "I'm the employer. Shouldn't I be the one to worry about how cost effective it is to hire my own employees?"

"Well, you're my only best friend so it's my job to look out for you even if it's myself." She replied back teasingly.

He was her best friend? Since when? They haven't even known each other personally for even a month. The only friend Jumin had before her was V. He didn't have any other friendships to make a comparison of progress.

He asked a bit surprised. "I'm your only best friend?"

Ran's voice sounded light as she explained her reasoning to him. "At least to me you are. You're the only person in my life right now that I know will pick up the phone when I call. Someone I can depend on in that way. You don't talk on the phone as often as we have and not be best friends."

"We haven't even known each other for a month." Jumin stated flatly.

"Time is relative. Also, you totally need to watch Doctor Who by the way. I need more Whovians on my side." She added cheekily.

At the time he had been surprised at her revelation that he was her only best friend. He didn't think too much on his phone calls with her. It was to pass the time throughout the day and on sleepless nights it was better than to simply drink wine alone. He had enjoyed their talks now that he thought more on it.

His circle of importance only held his father and V. He never really thought that he felt loneliness, but now there was another person that had added themselves into his circle. Unknowingly, but all the same. It was pleasant and not unwelcome at all.

He also needed to look up this Doctor Who she kept speaking of.