After the destruction of my laptop yesterday, I spent the entire night going over my many backups and recreating everything I had prepared. Thankfully, because I was so neurotic, I had 90% of my presentation backed up in three different outlets. The other 10% I knew by heart due to the numerous times I had gone over them. It took most of the night to put it all together using my crappy old computer that I thankfully never threw away.
Jin was extremely apologetic. My anger towards him had been pretty evident; however, it didn't last long. Seeing the color drain from his face at knowing what happened to my laptop, I couldn't stay angry. Well, for too long. I was definitely short with him as I gathered everything up, insisting I needed to hurry home to salvage as much as I could.
Jin's face only turned horrified when he discovered I had a big presentation the next day. He followed me all the way to the front lobby, begging me to tell him how he could help. Even Taehyung had mentioned they had an IT team that might be able to help. However, he seemed to forget that it was after hours and most of their staff had left for the day.
I tried to ignore Jin's sad, puppy face. His emotions didn't matter at the moment—my career did. I informed him for the final time I didn't need his help and rushed home.
Once I was alone, I turned off my phone, knowing my cousin and sister weren't going to stop pestering me.
I managed to finish everything a little after midnight and took the next three hours further prepping. I usually left for work at 7 in the morning, so after a quick shower, I slept.
However, I missed my alarm and ended up waking up well after 9AM. My presentation was at 10:30AM. It took 30 minutes to get to work and I would need another 30 minutes to physically set everything up.
At lightning speed I got ready and triple checked I brought all the materials I needed.
I was so late, I rushed past security after swapping my keycard onto the keypad with a half-assed greeting. The guards I usually chatted with were calling out to me, but I couldn't stop. I felt so rude doing it, but I had to hurry and set up my presentation.
As I arrived at my area, my team and I kicked it into high gear. I very quickly gave out orders, seeing I was the manager for this presentation. I threw the stuff I didn't need onto my desk, only taking my computer and coffee with me.
Having no time to do my daily morning routine where I would sit down at my desk and get organized, my team hustled into the conference room.
Because I was so neurotic and I had prepared so much, I managed to get through the presentation splendidly. My boss' proud face informed me my team had done a great job. It was a wonderful feeling that I honestly forgot the horrific event that had occurred the day before.
Around noon, I finally headed to my cubicle with a sandwich in hand. Normally, I had lunch at the café with my coworkers, but I needed to get through emails I missed this morning.
As I set down my food, something caught my eye. It was a white box with a bow and note attached to it.
Confused by this, I took hold of the envelope and opened it to read the message inside:
For the 1,000,000th time, I am incredibly sorry for my stupidity yesterday. I will personally apologize to your boss for anything you may have lost in that computer. Please, allow me the opportunity to make it up to you. Here is a replacement for the one I destroyed. To reach me, you know who to ask. Once again, I'm incredibly sorry.
There was no signature on the card, but there didn't need to be; I knew who it was from.
I set down the card and opened the box. Inside was the latest model of a computer I really wanted. The destroyed laptop was not by any means old or of bad quality. But it definitely wasn't the best out there. I struggled a few times with it, but never to the point that it never got the job done. However, that didn't mean it was my first choice. I always wanted a higher quality computer, but couldn't afford it.
This sweet gesture of Jin really tugged at my heartstrings.
Setting aside the new laptop, I went to check on my emails. As much as I wanted to explore my new toy, I needed to keep in mind I was at work. Tomorrow was Friday, so I had all weekend to play.
I was so engulfed with work that I completely missed the many messages coming from my cousin. It wasn't until after I clocked out and got to the front lobby that I noticed.
One of the security said my name just as I clicked 'Call' on my cousin's name.
"There was someone looking for you, miss!" the security called out as I continued to walk.
I didn't hear him clearly because right at that moment, my cousin answered the call. "I'm sorry, sir! It's been quite the day! I'll talk to you tomorrow!" I made a mental note to bring him breakfast tomorrow morning to make up for my rude behavior today. I gave a quick bow and rushed out.
"What happened?" I asked my cousin.
"Is there a way you're able to come to my work?" she sounded so rushed.
"Is something wrong?" I asked, worried.
"I really need help taking some stuff home and I'm here until late. Are you free?"
There was an internal struggle. Going to my cousin's work meant that there was a probability of bumping into Jin. And I just didn't know if I was mentally prepared for that. I hadn't acted very well after the incident yesterday. It had been an honest mistake and I handled it poorly. Then there was the fact that he had bought me a new computer. It was more than compensated for my destroyed one.
However, I knew I had to suck it up. My cousin needed help and I needed to brush aside whatever feelings I had. "Yeah," I answered my cousin. "I can be there in 30 minutes."
"Ok. I might be held back a little while longer, but I'll see if you can hang out in the café for a bit while you wait for me."
I hung up on my cousin and headed to her.
I ended up needing to wait for my cousin for over an hour. I didn't mind; I had my new toy to keep me entertained.
Right as the program I used for work finished installing, I took notice of the message my cousin had sent me a few minutes ago. She gave me directions on how to get to her.
Gathering my things, I made my way to where she was. Once getting to her floor, I informed her I arrived.
COUSIN: Go to the very last room at the end of the hall.
Getting to the last room, I opened the door. Upon entering, I found an empty room—save the desk and chairs and a tall, handsome guy.
Right at the center of the room, Jin immediately bowed at my presence, greeting me in the politest form.
I was a goddamn sucker for manners, so my knees almost buckled. I brushed aside the stupid butterflies in my stomach and greeted him back in the same form.
He stood straight up, the perfect posture only accenting his beautiful features. His chin looked more chiseled, his shoulders looked sharper, his Adam's apple was more prominent, and his height was lengthened. How the hell did he look so masculine as well as beautiful? What the actual fuck?
His gorgeous looks only made me feel a bit insecure about myself. I was glad I looked more presentable than yesterday. Because of my presentation at work, I actually looked good-looking. I would even say "pretty" since I had a good amount of makeup on.
The gorgeous man began to speak, "How did the presentation go?" His voice was a little shaky and his face was a bit off-colored.
Giving a small smile, I gave a confident answer, "Very well. Couldn't have gone better."
"Really?" he asked, his face softening.
I nodded, my smile widening. "My boss wants to meet with me tomorrow. I'm confident I'll be getting that promotion."
His lips gave a wide smile, making his cheeks rise, and his eyes became endearing slits. I could still see plenty of his brown eyes as they twinkled at me. "It makes me happy hearing that. I also want to thank you for coming. Sorry, I had you wait over an hour, but I just finished with work. And I apologize for using your cousin to get you here."
Now it made sense. He and my cousin had planned for this. I had to admit that I wasn't upset with my cousin at all. Being in the presence of such a creature, I couldn't be angry.
"I asked your cousin if she could convince you to get here. I would have preferred to come to you, but I didn't have access to your department. I tried. When I arrived, I noticed that there was security and the only way to enter was through using a key card—which I don't have. And security, obviously, wouldn't let me in without one."
"You went to my work?" I asked, taken aback.
"Did you not get the laptop?" he asked, looking just as lost as I felt.
"I did, but I figured you mailed it there."
He shook his head. "Oh, I tried to mail it to you but I couldn't overnight it and I didn't have your physical floor or cubicle number. The only way to get it to you was to hand-deliver it to you at work. I waited in the lobby for thirty minutes, but you didn't come. So, I decided to chance it and gave it to security. They said they would give it to a coworker so they could place it at your desk. I don't think he recognized me—he was older—and informed me he knew you and would make sure it got to your desk. I had an early meeting, so I couldn't stay long."
The security man who had been trying to get my attention first thing in the morning and right as I left the front lobby immediately came to mind. He was the one I had been rude to all day. Knowing he had been involved in getting Jin's gift to me only made me want to get breakfast for him for an entire month.
"I received it and I thank you very much for it," I said, giving him another bow of gratitude. Then, I swallowed my pride and apologized for my rude behavior.
"Oh, you were not rude at all," Jin said instantly, walking a little closer to me. "You had every right to be upset."
"Maybe, but that doesn't excuse the looks I know I must have given you. My sister and cousin have made comments about I can have an icy look when I get upset," I said, keeping my head down in shame.
There was a light chuckle that came out of him. "It definitely sent a chill down my spine when you looked at me like that, but I couldn't help but see how cute it was."
I looked up, finding his brown, sparkling eyes, and frowned. "Cute?"
There was a light blush on his cheeks as our eyes met. He looked down, appearing slightly shy. "You were definitely scary, but, yes, definitely cute."
I didn't know how to respond, being taken aback.
I wasn't clueless. It was pretty evident through his actions that Jin had taken a liking to me. What was so confusing was why that was. Don't get me wrong, I didn't suffer from low-self esteem. I knew my worth. I knew I was pretty awesome. My personality and skills more than made up for my physical appearance. However, I had never had a guy that looked like him be interested in me. It was certainly throwing me off.
Jin let out a shaky breath. "I was wondering if you would allow me to make it up to you."
"Well, you more than have," I said. "That computer is of higher quality and higher priced than my last one."
He looked to be struggling with something. "I was hoping of doing a little more than that..."
My heart began to quicken because I think I knew where this was going. God, I hope I was wrong.
"Maybe taking you to dinner?" he gave me one of his soft smiles.
Shit. There was no way I could do this. Going out on a date with a damn Ken doll would surely affect my self-esteem. There was no way I was doing that to myself. "There's really no need," I insisted. "The computer, again, is more than enough. Thank you."
There was a shift in Jin's demeanor. He stood a little straighter and one of his eyes half closed in a flirty type of way. His damn lip even lifted up to half a smirk as he took a few more steps to me; we were now only about a foot away from each other.
I wanted nothing more than to take several steps back to create a wider gap between us. My damn feet were stuck like glue, though. Even my breath was caught in my chest again. Fuck, I was screwed.
"How about a dinner as a congratulations for the new position at your job?" he asked, his voice low and buttery.
"I haven't been given it yet. Maybe I won't." My voice was incredibly shaky, it was embarrassing.
Judging by how his smile was widening, he was enjoying my physical reaction. I had a strong feeling he was going to use it to his advantage. "Well, if you don't then I would like to take you out to dinner as another apology. The computer was to replace your old one. If you don't get the promotion, then that's my fault. I need to righten my mistakes. The least I can do if you don't get that position is take you on several, long dates to make up for it."
"So, if I get it then it'll only be one date?" I asked with hope. I was positive about getting the promotion and I think my brain could handle one date.
He let out a scoff that sounded sexy as fuck. "No, if you get the promotion, then we need several, long dinners to celebrate."
He was getting closer, his face still was at a respectable distance, but his entire essence was wrapping around mine. Shit, shit, shit!
"Hyung, there you are," came a voice from behind us.
It was like someone had shaken me awake. My body turned around to find a young, tall, and cute-looking guy standing by the door.
He was way too young, but I bet plenty who were about a decade younger than me would find him completely appealing. He probably had plenty of young girls at his feet.
His eyes met mine and he gave a sweet smile. He gave me a polite greeting. "Hello. My name is Jungkook."
I gave a greeting back and introduced myself.
Jungkook's round eyes turned to Jin. "We gotta go. Vans are waiting."
Jin nodded. "Right." He turned to me, his smile returning. "Do you want me to send a car to your home or work?" he asked, confidently.
"You really don't have to," I said, hoping I was still able to get out of it.
"But I want to," he said with finality. "So, your place or work?"
I didn't know what to answer with. My head was screaming at me to reject him, but my damn mouth wasn't listening.
"That's alright. I'll send you a car to your home. That way you have time to get ready." He took out his phone and did something in it. Quickly after, he put his phone away. "Be ready at 8. Nothing fancy. We can keep it casual." With a half-smile and a wink, he turned away and walked to the door, where Jungkook was.
Jungkook looked incredibly entertained, a wide smile on him and a small giggle coming out of him. "Is this her?" I'm not sure if he realized his volume.
Jin waved at him, signaling him to shut up as he pushed him out of the room.
Jungkook let out another giggle and left with Jin.
After a long moment of not moving, my body finally reacted. I took out my phone, more than ready to call my cousin to yell at her.
However, as soon as I looked at my phone, I noticed a message from an unknown contact that I received just a moment ago.
UNKNOWN: Save my number. I'll message you when the car is waiting for you outside your place.
How in the hell?!
I rushed to the door and looked down the hall. Jin and Jungkook were several doors down, talking and laughing amongst themselves.
"How did you get my number?" I called out, flabbergasted as I held onto my cell phone. There was no way my cousin would have given it to him...right? Did she also give him my home address?!
But he didn't look back. He continued to walk with confidence.
Jungkook turned to me, took a look at my phone, and let out a laugh. He gave Jin a pat on the shoulder. "Smooth."
Even from where I was standing, I could tell Jin had a wide smile on his face.
I wasn't the type to get swooned so easily. And I had never said yes to a date with a guy I didn't even know. But somehow, this World Wide Handsome fellow was pulling me in and even this kid, Jungkook, could see it.
And I hated him.
Hated him for his charms.
