I wasn't really surprised that I fell asleep before Jumin returned from dinner with his father. A nap was just what I wanted after the two-hour long travel, a greasy meal, and a strong glass of wine. I had only meant to take a short recharging rest before Jumin came home in case he wanted to talk before turning in for the night, but when I finally opened my eyes, the sun was shining brightly, eclipsed by the thick curtain covering the window. As I opened them, pinning them back and letting the room fill with light, I stretched my hands high over my head, expecting the pop in my shoulders that normally happened after a night compressed into the corner of the bed, but it didn't happen. That bed had been the most comfortable thing I'd ever had the privilege to sleep in, and the blanket was so silky and heavy that I doubted I moved even a muscle all night.

It was a little after seven in the morning, and the sweet aroma of strawberries danced around the room tantalizing my curiosity. When I opened the door, I could hear the sizzling of a frying pan on high heat and Jumin muttering something to himself in the kitchen.

All I had to do was take four steps from the door to see the back of his head, his hair was combed and shining under the fluorescent light while I could feel the tangles in my own. It took me a moment to realize that my bangs were defying gravity, and as I quickly flattened them with my hands, and shook my head to let the long strands fall behind my back, Jumin turned his head to check something on the tablet resting on the counter. I caught his half-smile as he caught sight of me in the corner of his eye, turning until I was in full view.

"Good morning, M.C.," he said. "Did you sleep well?" I nodded, taking a hesitant step forward. "I came in around eleven," He continued. "You were already asleep and when I passed by your door, Elizabeth the third was sitting outside, almost like she was standing guard. I'm glad she seems to have taken to you."

"That's so sweet." I replied. I glanced down when I felt something soft and fluffy at my ankles, Elizabeth was weaving around my feet, sitting down in front of me and glancing at her food bowl. It was empty, and if In remembered Jaehee's tutorial, she was to get breakfast at eight. I glanced up at Jumin who was busy admiring her, and I hoped he'd understand the question I was trying to convey with my eyes.

"You can feed her," He said. "It's optimal for her to eat by or before eight AM, but always after 7 AM. I leave the apartment at exactly eight o'clock every day, and I prefer to feed her myself," he explained. "Half a cup." He nodded as I scooped up the amount. The measuring cup was shiny and black, it seemed to be the same quality as the ones I was used to, but I doubted Jumin bought his from a dollar store like I had.

"I assume you've noticed my affinity for monochrome, I find it relaxing after a long day. But since you are a guest here for some time, feel free to personalize your room, anything to make you more comfortable."

"Thanks, Jumin." I replied.

"Have a seat," he ordered. "I'm almost finished with a batch of pancakes." I obeyed, sitting on the chair he flicked his head toward. There was a stemmed glass with orange juice in front of me, and I gratefully took a sip, eager for something cold and sweet to wake me up, but I almost recoiled, stopping myself before I reacted too hastily. There was a fresh sting of alcohol mixed in, and I recognized it as champagne, similar to the blend we served at the party the other evening.

"Do you like the mimosa?" He asked, setting a plate before me. "A good mimosa requires such a delicate balance of champagne to orange juice. It's such a good complement to a weekend breakfast; if I do say so myself." He sat down across from me, slicing up one of the pancakes on his plate and seemed to wait until I did the same. I took another careful sip of the morning cocktail, noticing the extra flavor that the champagne added. It was sweeter than normal, but not nearly as acidic. I nodded, lowering my head back down to the plate in front of me. We took our first bites together, and I finally had the idea to ask him about his vacation.

"I will be staying at one of C&R's privately owned hotels, full amenities and right along an island in Okinawa," he said. "I plan to be gone for a week." Jumin didn't say more, even though social construct dictates him to ask if that was okay with me since he didn't give me an estimated time when I agreed, he also knew there was nothing else for me to do. I nodded.

"I hope you enjoy yourself," I replied. "This is just for relaxation, right?" I asked.

"Yes," He smiled. "But if anyone of father's colleagues recognize me, I won't hesitate to speak with them on behalf of our SoKo branch."
I had to admit I was amazed by how easy it was to talk to Jumin. When I first met him he seemed so stiff and robotic, the air always felt a bit colder when he entered a chatroom and I always tried to be polite, and it was rare for us to be alone in conversation. The version of Jumin outside of the app was much warmer and he easily made me smile, and as he let his arm fall to his side and his hand absentmindedly stroked Elizabeth as she swiveled around his reach, I couldn't begin to wonder why I let his online persona scare me so much.

He made pleasant conversation during breakfast and poured me a second mimosa once my first was gone. I had to remind myself how troublesome it was that it was so smooth. I had to remind myself that only two and a half glasses of champagne left me with a hangover and foggy flashbacks of the night before. I sipped it slowly, keeping my mind focused on the pleasant company and the delicious pancakes. Jumin told me a little bit more about the beach in Okinawa, unintentionally seducing me with the details of the amenities and view of the crystal clear ocean.

It could have gone on all day, but an alarm from Jumin's phone jolted both of us as he hurried to turn it off.

"That's my cue to leave," he said politely. "It's been a pleasure talking to you, M.C." He smiled.

"Enjoy your trip, Jumin," I said. "Let us know when you arrive safely, alright?"

"I will." He bowed his head shallowly, flashing my one more kind smile and picking up his coat from the coat stand by the door, kneeling down to gracefully pet Elizabeth once more.

"Take good care of my princess," He murmured. "I have complete trust in you, M.C."

"I will." I replied, standing up to watch him go.


The door closed behind him, a click of finality rang through the air and I glanced down at the snowy-white beauty who sat to lick her shoulders clean.

"It's just you and me now, Elizabeth." I said out loud. I shook my head, feeling dumb for talking to her like she could hear me, and except for the slightest flick of her ears, she showed no sign of even listening to me. She was fine now, but I couldn't help to wonder how she'd be tonight when her precious master didn't return. She was used to having the apartment to herself during the day, but now this strange new person was sitting in his chair, sipping his wine, and smelling completely different than what she was used to. While she seemed to have acclimated to me well enough, I knew it would be a real test tonight when Master Jumin didn't feed her dinner.

I didn't know what I was expecting in terms of things to do while I was here, but I did know that at least Jumin had a television, and a vast expensive one at that. There were several remotes sitting on the glass coffee table, with one even labeled 'television'. I picked it up, clicking the power button and found that Jumin was last watching the news channel. I changed the channel before it could become stiflingly boring, my first time watching television in fifteen days, and it was not about to be the morning news. I settled for a cooking show, watching the steak slivers and peppers saute in the pan made me consider what I would do for lunch. As promised, Jumin did leave a sleek black credit card on the dining room table beside my plate of pancakes this morning, along with a simple looking card that had my name on it, and evidence of some copper chip. It looked similar to the one that Jaehee wore on her lanyard, and I realized it was my own personal key card. Any room they could access, I could now too. Not to mention the mile-long list of phone numbers stuck to the refrigerator all penned in Jumin's small boxy list included a Michelin-star chef, his nutritionist his personal trainer, the "laundry team", and then six numbers for different people in charge of Elizabeth's care.

It seemed like a bit too much, but I knew Jumin Han was anything but subtle. If he was going to leave a luxury behind for me, he would try to leave them all.

He never knew the concept of low-maintenance women.

While I listened to the host of the show, mixing up a lentil salad and pouring a glass of wine to set her elegant table, I picked up my phone, checking for emails, and responding to a few notes of gratitude from the party guests the other night. As I clicked it closed, I heard the usual ding of a chatroom opening up, and I was eager to continue my day by talking to a friend. I opened the app, and clicked on the notice, seeing Zen and Yoosung's faces lit up my heart as I entered.


~M.C. has entered the chat~

ZEN: Good morning, M.C.^^

Yoosung: M.C. You're here!

Yoosung: How is Jumin's apartment?

ZEN: I can't believe you're actually staying there;;

ZEN: Did he tell you how long he'd be gone?

M.C.: Good morning guys

M.C.: The apartment is nice

M.C.: Elizabeth 3rd seems to like me well enough.

ZEN: Man, even without that jerk, I'm still hearing about the furball

M.C.: I won't bring her up in conversation often…

ZEN: I didn't mean it like that

ZEN: I know you actually respect my allergy, M.C.

M.C.: You know, it was the first time I was really alone with Jumin and Jaehee.

Yoosung: How was it?

Yoosung: I know Jumin can be a little scary in the chat room.

M.C.: He was actually very nice, he even made me breakfast.

ZEN: He didn't try anything, right?

ZEN: I know that dude is about as romantic as a brick,

ZEN: But he's still a man

Yoosung: And all men are wolves, right Zen…?

ZEN: Exactly!

Yoosung: I'm not a wolf…

ZEN: Yoosung, imagine M.C. in your mind.

Yoosung: why?;;

ZEN: Do it.

Yoosung: Okay…

M.C.: That's enough guys;;

Yoosung: She's right T-T

Yoosung: I think the only wolf here is you, Zen…

M.C.: No need to worry Zenny

M.C.: Jumin wasn't even at the apartment last night, he had dinner with his father.

M.C.: Jaehee stayed with me and we had a nice dinner and watched a video from your theater, in fact ^^

ZEN: Really?

ZEN: Oh no, which one?

M.C.: It looked like a backstage tour, someone made you choke on water…

ZEN: Oh No…

Yoosung: What?

ZEN: One of the cast members brought in his video camera and was filming us during our break. ;;;

I raised my eyebrow reading Zen's messages. It was all too clear that he was embarrassed, and his reaction was almost funnier than the video itself.

M.C.: Well, it made Jaehee smile. I think she even laughed.

Yoosung: You know, I hope Jaehee gets to smile a lot more while Jumin's on vacation

Yoosung: She always seems happy when he's on a business trip.

M.C.: Jumin did say he wasn't going to do anything with the company while he was gone.

ZEN: Our sweet Jaehee gets a vacation as well!

ZEN: Even though she's still working;;

M.C.: She did say she'd check in on me if I wanted her to.

M.C.: It might be nice to have some company, but I don't want to disturb her.

ZEN: I wish I could go see you there.

M.C.: It's too bad you're allergic to the whole reason I'm here.

Yoosung: I'm not though ^^

Yoosung sent up his cute emoji with a bright smile and a peppy little message, and with his face fresh in my mind from the party, and the reminder of how warm his crushing hug was, I couldn't help the feeling of security that oozed from the phone in my hand, up to my heart. While I didn't see Yoosung being the one to protect me from a threat the way Seven, Zen, or even Judo black belt Jaehee could, I couldn't deny that he made me feel safe.

Yoosung: If you ever get scared there by yourself, just call me up M.C. ^^

ZEN: I don't think I have to remind you how badass M.C. is, Yoosung;;

Yoosung: I know she's tough, but even the strongest people get scared.

ZEN: M.C. stayed in an apartment with a bomb since she joined the organization.

Yoosung: I know;;; But…

M.C.: Yoosung's right, Zen

M.C.: I mean I know I stayed there and didn't complain, but tbh

M.C.: I was so scared I couldn't even put it into words...

ZEN: I'm sorry…

ZEN: I shouldn't have brought it up, that was low of me.

M.C.: It's okay.

I clutched the phone close to my chest as it pinged with each message that went up while I couldn't see it. I didn't want to look right away, I didn't want to be reminded of that nightmare. Only one week ago, I had to sit idly by while a bomb ticked away below my feet. If I left, I would have been blown to smithereens, if anyone came to comfort me, we'd both die, along with all the people below my fourteen story unit. Seven heavily relied on my calm submission, and it dipped into the other chat rooms too. Everyone marveled over how calm I was being, how rational I was; not knowing I was crying almost every second, and calculating each and every step I took in the apartment

There were several messages between the two of them, Yoosung basically saying "way to go, asshole!" followed by them both realizing I wasn't responding, and then filling the chatroom with my name, both my nickname and my real name.

Yoosung: M.C. Are you okay?

Yoosung: Are you still there?

ZEN: Mia, I'm sorry. Please say something, Jagi?

I opened the keyboard, letting my fingers fly over the letters, pressing send before the words even finished popping up on my text box, it all sent in a few seconds, and I waited for their responses, knowing I had just stopped a disaster.

M.C.: I'm not angry.

M.C.: Don't worry guys,

M.C.: I know if I get scared, or something bad happens, I have a bunch of friends who would be by my side in a flash.

M.C.: I really appreciate you all.

In spite of myself, I sent up a flurry of keyboard symbol hearts, more less-than-threes than I bothered counting out. I really did appreciate everyone on RFA, I especially appreciated how easy it was to smooth over conflict.

Zen and Yoosung both sent up smiling emojis, and I followed suit sending up a bare one made of just keyboard symbols.

Yoosung: We appreciate you too, M.C.!

Yoosung: Don't forget, if you get lonely or something goes wrong, it's Superman Yoosung to the rescue!

ZEN: Oh I've gotta go, They're calling me back to the stage. Talk to you guys later.

~ZEN has left the chat~

M.C.: Talk to you later lovely Zen.

M.C.: Thank you Yoosung. I'm glad to know I can count on you!

Yoosung: Have a good Saturday, M.C.

Yoosung: I'm going to go into a raid soon, I want to make myself something to eat first.

Yoosung: Let's talk later, okay?

M.C.: You've got it!

~Yoosung has left the chat~


I also exited after them, tossing my phone to the side and returning my attention to the television. I hadn't even realized the cooking show ended, and now I was witnessing the summary of the morning news, an announcer told me to tune into the channel in fifteen minutes for an update on the highest grossing gossip story in the country. As the subject of such scandal appeared on the screen, I stared at her. Min Che, the fashion designer and the former heiress to her family's company. Former, because she skipped town and eloped with her much wealthier boyfriend; at least that was the word circulating. I wondered briefly if Seven was watching the same update. I sent him a text telling him to put on the news station while he was working, knowing he was very closely following the story.

While I couldn't deny that she was beautiful with her shining red hair and angelic blue eyes, I also couldn't care less about the trending gossip surrounding her. Just as I was about to turn the TV off and go check on Elizabeth, the next frame caught me off guard.

"Today's update will feature all the juicy details on the strange business between Min Che's fashion line and the strange dealings with C&R International." The reporter said. I watched in slight horror and fascination as Jumin's face appeared beside hers, both quickly being replaced by a shot of what appeared to be the two of them sitting across from each other in a coffee picture was not the best quality and very obviously taken from across the street.

Without taking my eyes off the television, I picked up my phone, flicking my sight down just long enough to open the text messages between me and Seven, and blindly sent him one more message, this time sending a more forceful suggestion to tune into the news.

I felt the phone vibrate in my hands, startling me into looking down at it.

707: I'm already tuned in, no need to get impatient.

707: I guess our resident cat mom didn't tell you about his little affair with the lady of the century.

707: But it's not my place to say. When he calls to check on his precious girl, ask him about it…

I figured I wouldn't bother him anymore. I turned off the TV, not caring about whatever the celebrity gossip had to say, and scanned the room for Elizabeth. I spotted her sitting at the top of the short leather perch by the kitchen, eyes closed, dozing off in a strange loaf position with her paws tucked under her. I stood up, listening to the deep purrs resonating from her little body, and reached down to pet her, her purr was cut off as she opened her eyes, letting out just the smallest chuff before rolling to her side, exposing her fluffy belly and raising her paws over her head.

I smiled at her persistence, remembering her attempts to catch my hand the other night.

"Now, where does Jumin keep the cat toys, you can't tell me he doesn't have like a million and one things for you to play with here." I said out loud, picking up the key card from its place at the table and opening doors just to see what I'd find.

When all the closets produced nothing of interests, there were two doors left for me to check. Both of them belonging to Jumin.

I knew my key card wouldn't open his bedroom, but I remembered seeing a bin of toys in his office by the door. The door opened without a moment of hesitation, and I realized that Elizabeth knew that sound. With the tender sound of her paws hitting the floor, I listened to the tinkling of the bell on her collar as she bounded across the room, weaving herself around my ankles and entering the room where she promptly flopped to her side in the center and rolled over, glancing at me after a few seconds.

From the strength of Jumin's expensive cologne on my own senses, I knew this room must overwhelmingly smell like him to a creature with the heightened senses of a cat.

When I found what I was looking for, I picked up a stick that connected to a sparkling ball and some feathers by a thin white string, flouncing it in front of Elizabeth until she realized I was taunting her with it. I watched as she quickly rolled to her feet, crouching low and swishing her tail along with her eyes as they followed the flying mass of color and sparkles. I couldn't help the giggle that escaped me as her fluffy little butt wiggled in the air and she pounced, landing heavily on the end of the toy and grasping it like a fish to a hook. When I tried to lure her out of the office with it, letting it slide across the ground to the door, she made it clear that we were to only play in that room. While the door remained open, I sat in the chair facing Jumin's desk, and shook the toy around, feeling that there was no better way to spend an afternoon.