Maya blinked against the sunlight that hit her face, grumbling a little as she curled up into a ball on her floor bed hoping she would be transported back to the sweet dreams of her past. To say she never dreamt of it was a life, but it had been some time since she had a dream with vivid. The yearning only fueled her ambitions to not stand still as she tossed her blanket aside and started on her daily morning routine.

I slept in later than usual...I did promise Zen that I would try and jogging with him last night. I didn't even realize how late it would get though. She frowned at the face of her clock while brushing her teeth. "First things first, I need to land some sort of job to keep up my living here. Yoosung said that maybe I should apply to the cafe not too far from here." She mumbled aloud as she sorted out her outfit for the day: an off the shoulder striped top with dark skinny jeans. "Though how do I exactly go about getting the job when I don't really have a resume?" She sighed as she recalled the conversation at dinner about a week ago.


Zen had caught her leaving the building just as he. They had not really exchanged any contact information, but that did not seem necessary in her mind since he lived just below her.

"Good evening," she smiled as she waited for the model to catch up to her. "Going out for dinner or are you off to rehearsals again?" She asked, noting he was not in his infamous black tracksuit. "I feel like this is the first time I'm seeing you in normal clothes since we first met." She teased.

"Don't say that, it makes me sound like I don't dress up at all! You just catch me at the wrong times!" He rubbed the back of his neck as his cheeks flushed a little at the comment. "I'm actually grabbing dinner with a friend, it was the only way to get him out of the house." He let out a heavy sigh. "To think I'm having dinner with a guy instead of a lovely date."

"Aren't you married to your career right now?" She raised a brow at his complaint, amused by how he was so quick to bounce around from emotion to emotion so earnestly, it was the exact opposite of Jumin who was always pragmatic about things. Though only I know he's actually very caring underneath it all.

"Why don't you join us Maya? You're not doing anything right?" She shook her head at the question. "He's been wanting to meet you too. He thinks I had someone digitally create you or something, I swear that boy." He shook his head. "He won't mind if you join if that's what you're worried about."

"If it won't be a bother but… shouldn't you ask him first?"

"Hm, true. Hold on one sec," he quickly fished out his phone and dialed his friend. It was not long before he was off the phone and leading the way to a quaint little family restaurant. As soon as they entered an bubbly blonde young man shouted out Zen's name and waved them over. The moment his lavender eyes landed on Maya, he was floored.

"Oh my-you're really real! You're not some computer program thought up by Zen and Seven to trick me?!" He gaped, carefully looking her over a bit before looking around the facility. Leaning in close, she took a slight step back as he narrowed his eyes at her. "You...you aren't...you're not actually Seven in another costume...are you?"

"Seven? Costume?" She repeated the words a little nervously as Zen stepped up.

"Dude, you're freaking her out. She's a real girl, I swear. Call Seven right now if you don't believe me. She lives in the apartment above mine." He scolded the younger man as he knocked him upside the head before looking to Maya. "Sorry about him, he's not a weirdo or anything."

"Of course I'm not! I don't go hitting people!" He sniffled a little as he rubbed the spot, scowling at Zen before bowing apologetically to Maya. "I'm sorry, we have a friend who loves to play pranks on me a little too much."

"No, it's fine! I hope you can take my word for it that I'm not...Seven, I think you said his name was? That's a very unique name to give someone." They all finally took their seats, looking through the menu to pu in their orders when the waitress comes.

"Sorry for being so rude earlier, my name is Yoosung Kim. I'm a university student right now. It's nice to meet you." Yoosung bowed his head as he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's not a problem, you friend sounds like a fun handful. My name is Maya and I only just recently moved here from the countryside." She admitted, bowing her head in return.

"You're really graceful," Yoosung suddenly blurted out. "I noticed, since you came in, you're really graceful and super pretty! Not trying to be awkward or anything, I was just saying!"

"That's totally awkward," Zen shook his head at this while she just smiled and thanked him for the compliment. "That aside, I never really got around to ask you but what made you move from there to the city?"

"Mm, I'm looking for someone." She thoughtfully answered, figuring that it was a good enough answer that would not lead to anything suspicious if she said schooling or something to that effect.

"Looking for someone? Is it a relative? Sibling? Oh, maybe a lover?" Yoosung's eyes lit up once more at the prospect of such a dramatically storyline.

"Y-you could say he is someone very important to me." She mumbled, her cheeks a bit warm as she tried to explain as vaguely as possible. She had no idea if Jumin was married in this life, the thought of it heart wrenching but it had happened before. "I'm hoping to find him soon so that we can talk. It's been a long time since we last met." She cleared her throat a little, sipping her water to occupy herself as the two stared at her.

"So a lover, you've got the looks that says love is involved." Zen grinned as Yoosung sighed and sat back.

"Man, I wish I had someone as pretty as you looking for me. I'd be beside myself!" He smiled as he slowly drifted away into his own dream land until Zen rudely brought him back with a shattering reminder that playing video games all day that nearly impossible. The two bickered a little, picking on one another in a friendly manner that Maya simply watched unfold in front of her. The fact they had friends who were so close was a beautiful thing.

"Whoever it is, I hope you find him soon. He's an idiot for not realizing sooner and a bigger one if he hasn't been waiting for you." Zen said matter-of-factly, Yoosung agreeing with the sentiment.

"You really think so?" She simply smiled as the two eagerly nodded their heads. "Thank you, your words are really encouraging. I hope to be able to meet him soon. For now though, I'm actually thinking of looking for a job to help with expenses since I really don't know how long I'll be staying here."

"Oh, why not apply at a local cafe or something? You'll obviously want time to go looking for Mr. Mystery-Lover so a part-time or a flexible schedule would be great!" Yoosung offered. "You can apply in store to the one that's opening nearby...I saw a sign that said you should inquire within." He quickly fished out his phone and opened up a picture he had taken. "I was thinking of applying there...maybe we both can and we can work together!"

"That sounds like fun, it would be great that I would know at least someone there!" She grinned, looking at the information. She quickly took the information down in her phone and thanked him once more. "I don't really have much of a resume to give them...my small town isn't really well known. Would that be an issue?"

"In places like those you should be fine I think. As long as you prove yourself competent and stuff like that they'll be happy to have you on board."


Is it really that easy though? She looked at her reflection in the bathroom mirror as she braided her hair and fluffed up her bangs a little before applying some eyeliner and gloss. She never bought much in the way of makeup, always afraid that if she became too noticeable it would cause more trouble. I wonder...what sort of woman he likes this time around. Though he doesn't really change much, he does have little tweaks here and there that go with the era we're in. "Ah, there I go thinking about him again! I need to focus, you need to get a job and start getting settled in!" She reprimanded her reflection before grabbing her bag and pulling on a pair of sneakers and heading out. She had not expected to walk into someone as she stepped out of the building.


The moment Seven had given him the information he needed, Jumin had Jaehee cancel all of his afternoon appointments while dialing for driver Kim to ready the car. She tried to stop him as he pocketed the mall jewelry box and left his office. He heard her pleas to not do this and the logic that work was priority, normally he would agree to such logic but right now logic did not matter to him. Time was being wasted with him just walking down the hall to the elevator.

"At least let me know where you're going sir." She sighed in defeat, Jumin turning to look at her with a look that had her and everyone who was looking frozen in shock. The elevator doors shut and Jaehee blinked a few times, examining her glasses a bit to make sure they were not tricking her in some way. No, that smile was genuinely on her usually sober-faced employer's face. A smile that was the definition of happiness and relief. "There's no meeting I'd rather rush to than this one." He said it with such a smile...what sort of meeting is this? Is he going to propose to his cat?! He wouldn't really do that...right? She frowned at the thought recalling the jewelry box. "Would he?"

Driver Kim was ready and waiting, closing the door and heading to the address he was given without question. He made sure to head there as safely and as quickly as he could as he noted how impatient Jumin looked. It was an odd nervousness he had not yet seen with his young employer and it was a little refreshing, as if new life was given to his boss.

Another red light? He sighed, tapping his fingers against his knee as he crossed and re-crossed his legs. This is fate merely toying with me now. How cruel. He chuckled to himself, pulling up the picture Yoosung had posted of the dinner with Zen and Maya. There was no doubt in his mind now that she was the one. She was his one and only.Now that I think about it, the first we met she fell in front of my horse...to think history would repeat. He pulled the small box out of his pocket.

"We've arrived sir," Kim spoke up. "It's the building to our right." Jumin turned to look as Kim stepped out of the car to open the door for him. Thank him, Jumin stepped out onto the front sidewalk. He frowned at the state of the building, it was hardly a place for her to be.

I'll have to correct this immediately. He thought simply, pocketing the box and adjusting his shirt cuffs before walking up to the front door. Before he could open it, someone inside had and walked right into him.

"Oh, I'm so sorry." The voice of the purest angel spoke to him and all he could do was smile and embrace her. His heart swelled to sizes he never thought possible, making his chest constrict with such bittersweet pain as he drank in everything about the woman he now held. The words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat, a first and not a last for him.

"E-excuse me?!" Maya quickly jerked her head up to see none other than the man from the many magazines she had bought. "J-Jumin Han?!' She stuttered out, her throat drying as tears threatened to spill from her eyes. She suddenly was not sure how to breath, before her in the flesh was him who she had been trying her hardest to meet. She was not entirely sure how, but she was not about to question a gift such as this. Unsure if she was seeing things again, she rubbed her eyes and pinched her own cheek to make sure this was all real.

"Yes, my love I am really here." He smiled warmly at her, cupping the cheek she pinched in his hand. "It seems this time, you've taken the efforts to come find me...or at least I would like to think that is what you are doing in a place like this. For that, I'm flattered and ecstatic...but why haven't you come to see me yet?" He questioned in his usual researching fashion, making Maya laugh as she threw her arms around him.

"Yes, I've come to you this time. I couldn't just keep waiting and because my darling, if I waltzed into your company lobby demanding your audience I would've been kicked right out and you know that! "

"That is very true, it would have been deemed quite suspicious." He agreed. "We should speak more elsewhere, here is not exactly safe. I must say I'm not entirely pleased with your living accomodations." He admitted as the led her back to the car. Sitting close to her, they tightly held hands as Jumin instructed the driver to take them to his home. "Ah, before I forget, this is yours." He fished out the box, opening it for her to see the earring.

"Oh, you have it?! How?! I was so worried I lost it!" She gasped at the sight of it, carefully picking up the earring with shaky fingers before pulling out the case in her purse that held it's match and necklace. "I'm so glad I didn't…."

"You had fallen in front of my car the day you had all that luggage. Assistant Kang had picked up the earring before returning to the car. That very day you had met with Zen and as much as disapprove of his stubbornness, I am grateful you found someone how is adamant on protecting women. The fact that you were so close and yet so far...it was punishment far worse than death." He mumbled, brushing some of her hair behind her ears.

"I didn't even realize you knew one another. I would've asked him in a heartbeat to meet you." She smiled at his gentle touch, carefully removing the earrings she had on to put on the pair she now had completed once again. Before she could, the small pieces were taken from her and his larger fingers were suddenly touching her ear.

"Please, allow me." He whispered and she mutely nodded, her cheeks red at how close he was to her. She really was there with him and he had her missing earring, it all just seemed too good to be true. "And your other ear?" He extended his hand for the other earring to which she happily complied, turning for him. With him so close, she was unable to contain herself and cupped his face in her hands as she pressed her lips to his. Pulling away, she smiled with cheeks that would make any pink diamond pale in comparison in his mind. With a light chuckle, he cupped the back of her head as he pulled her back into an even deeper kiss. Jumin Han and Maya were now whole again and they would do everything to stay this way. A silent promise to one another, they kissed a few more times before he slipped the necklace on around her neck. They sat in blissful silence with her head on his shoulder and his arm around her, their other hands entwined on his lap as they enjoyed the ride to his place that he intended to make theirs as soon as he could have her moved in.

Resting her head on his shoulder, the two sat in peaceful silence in the back of the car. Maya smiled to herself as she laced and unlaced their fingers in various ways, the feel of his warm palm filled her with such happiness she was still skeptical of all this being true. Though she wished to speak with him more, he had expressed they should wait until they were in the security of his home. He wanted to make certain nothing would take her away from him now that he had her at his side. Antsy for more reassurance, he squeezed his hand around her hand to stop her. He knew she would simply repeat what she had been doing, but right now he needed to just hold her. Not caring what anyone would say or how they might react, he needed her.

Maya glanced up at Jumin as his fingers tightened around hers, squeezing his hand back as she noted the slight crease in his brows. Leaning up, she cupped his cheek and pressed her lips to the small fold.

"If something is bothering you, I'm here for you." She whispered, raking her nails against his scalp as she combed some of his hair back. "I know you can't always talk about it, but just know I'm here." The warmth in her honey gold eyes melted the cold fear that was gripping his heart, pulling out a small smile of his own as he gently grabbed the hand that played with his hair to kiss the palm of it. Her heart jumped into her throat at the sight of the slight upward curl of his lips. It was hardly anything special, she had seen him smile a countless number of times. And yet, here she was giddy and tongue-tied.

Your smile is so unfair, all of you is so unfair. She forced herself to frown at him. You know I won't be able to argue if you do things like this.

"It's nothing like that, I assure you. To be honest, you being here is all I need for it to be better. I still can't believe you're here with me." Releasing her hand, he slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. Her cheeks slowly grew redder as she felt his well maintained physique press up against her softer one. Every moment made her even more aware of him and her desire to be even closer still.

No, no, no! Don't think like that! You can't just, I mean yes you technically can since it's not exactly our first time-but that's not the point! What am I!? Some repressed spinster?! This is so embarrassing! To hide her thoughts she hid her face against his chest, taking in the scent of his cologne and the hint of wine. I wonder, am I the only one who's so frazzled? Daring to take a peek, she tilted her head slightly up only to see he had been watching her this entire time.

Jumin thanked the heavens he was able to show such self-restraint because right now every ounce of it was being tested by her. He wanted nothing more than to feel her beneath him, crying out his name, and repeatedly make her his once more for all the times they were forced to be apart once again. He wanted to remind her that he only ever thought of her and there was no change to the amount of love he held for her.

No, that's a lie...I love her more every single time I see her again. He gripped tight at the chains of his self-control as she peered up at him through her lashes. Oh how delectable she looked now. There was no way she was not doing this on purpose as something within him started to stirr. His grey eyes narrowed as he observed every little detail of her face that he could see, memorizing it once more and etching it all into his heart. His fingertips lightly brushed the tips of her lashes as his warm breath fanned over her. His heart beat like a steady drum as he leaned down closer still, pressing his lips to her forehead in a reverent kiss. The smile that blossomed on her lips from his attention made the struggle to control worth it as he leaned back into the leather seating. Resting her head on his shoulder, she hummed a soft tune as his combed his fingers through her silken locks.

Pulling up in front of a very fancy looking building, Maya followed Jumin out of the car into the building. She squeezed his hand a little as her nerves got the best of her. It seemed that not matter the lifetime, she was always afraid of ruining something expensive. Though he had stated many times how silly it was for her to be so on edge, he found the trait of hers endearing. It always gave him the excuse to hold her close and help her feel more at ease and secure. Squeezing her hand back, he nodded to the staff that greeted him as they made their way through the lobby and up to one of the higher apartments.

She had watched in silent awe as he professionally handled everything with such ease and grace. It was no shock to her that he was able to compose himself so well, but she never grew tired of watching him. It was always a sight for her to see and she never wanted to miss a chance. Stepping into the elevator, she stared at the numbered buttons, curious of what each floor contained. As if reading her mind, Jumin pointed to the numbers and slowly explained to her the various amenities there were for the residence.

"There's a full mall?! Inside of here?! This building must be huge! There's so much inside, you'd never have to step outside if you have the money to pay for everything." She gaped in wide-eyed awe as he pressed the button for the floor where he lived. "Would I be able to see it some time? I mean, if it's alright if I do. I don't live here though, would I be allowed to?" She pointed to herself as she turned to look at him.

"Of course you could." Jumin smiled warmly at her. "Speaking of living here...would you be against living here with me? Normally I'm against a man and a woman living together before marriage, however I want you to be safe and within my reach."

"Us? Living together here?" Her eyes widen once again as the backs of his fingers brushed against her cheek. "A-are you sure? I mean, you said you're not approving of living together like this...wouldn't that cause trouble for you?" She frowned, clearly not wanting to cause him any trouble.

"Why not? I vowed to be with you forever have I not?" He smiled, taking a hold of her left and kissing the base of her ring finger. "You are the only woman I wish to live with and I have no intention of letting anyone steal you away from you. You should know by now I'm quite irrational when it comes to you."

"No one could steal me away from you." She sheepishly responded, lacing their fingers together. "However, I don't think it's wise to simply move into your life out of nowhere. People are always looking at you, I've seen all the magazines you're in." She pointed out as the elevator came to a stop. "I would love to live with you, but I think it's best if it's done in a way that isn't so suspicious or startling to others. I don't want to cause you any trouble."

"You would never be trouble to me my love." Keeping a hold of her hand, he adjusted it before leading her into his apartment where she was left speechless once more at the grandeur that was revealed to her. Taking her shoes off at the door, she carefully stepped onto the cool tile as she looked around at the quality furniture and fixtures. Jumin watched in amusement as she walked while turning in a circle, tugging at his cuffs as he carefully followed behind. I think this is certainly a moment to celebrate, some wine would be good. As he walked towards his cabinet to retrieve a bottle, he is startled by the sudden scream she let out. The shrill sound of it sent panic shooting through his body, just narrowly missing dropping the bottle as he ran towards the scream.