I've been getting and better at my job. I have systems for organizing the information and have even gotten good at hiding my Rolex. I wish I could show it off to everyone, but that runs the massive risk of people asking how I can afford it. I may have decent financial standings from my family, but we don't live in that much luxury...
However, while I may be good at communication with the Bangtan members, there's one person who is the worst at it. And his name is Min Yoongi. I've been trying to ask him some questions about a few reports him and Seokjin have sent in. They don't match up even though Jin swears he and him compared to make sure everything was accurate. I've been texting Yoongi all day and he refuses to respond.
During lunch break, I go into a bathroom that is rarely used and try to call him. Of course, nothing. "Yoongi! I've tried texting and calling you all day and nothing! Stop avoiding me and just respond, it's not that hard! No wonder Seokjin's in charge of communication."
I angrily leave the message on his phone and leave the bathroom in a hurry to get down to my friends. I take out some food I brought, nothing special, and they give me a sad look. "What?" I ask.
"Where do you go off to during the day like that?"
"The bathroom..." I say, as if it's the only option. Which, as far as they need to know, is the only option.
"You just seem really stressed recently, especially today. Is there someone in your life that's being mean to you? You can tell us Hyemi," one of them says cutely.
I shake my head, "No, there's no boy. Just, hard with family stuff and school."
They stop talking after that, avoiding the Dasan conversation. As much as my friends love me, they hate talking about the tragedy. I can read it on their faces, they judge me for being related to him and for how he died. No one likes talking about suicides, especially drug related ones. One of them changes the topic to something more cheerful, a festival she's going to in an old village with her family, and we all latch onto that, ignoring the aura of awkwardness that was caused about mentioning Dasan. I try my best to keep up in the conversation, but all I can think about is trying to get a hold of Yoongi. I would have called Jimin and had him give the phone to Yoongi, but Jimin's on vacation. Where, beats me, he's always off doing something fun and luxury like. Damn rich people. And illegally rich people at that.
When the day ends, not even as much as a read from Yoongi. It makes my blood boil, because I know he's seeing these messages, he's just being an ass and not responding. It's not that he's not social, he can be, he just is avoidant and exclusive. Makes my life harder, and me more annoyed personally. When I arrive at Bangtan's HQ today, I look around for him, keeping my eyes peeled as I go to Namjoon's office. Each step I take makes me more and more annoyed by this lack of Yoongi around here. It's a simple conversation really, three questions at max, why does he have to make everything so difficult?!
"Are you alright?" Namjoon asks when I walk in, standing there fuming.
"I get that Yoongi's busy, but he could also not be a total fucking asshole and respond to my texts. It's just a couple questions, I even left him a message and nothing! I would have had Jimin give him the phone, but he's not around right now. Like, does Yoongi hold some grudge against me or something and that's why he's making my job so hard? Cause if that's the situation, he's a fucking dick for doing that. I'm already busy with school as it is, this inconvenience is starting to show with my friends and that's just adding to the stress. Who does he think he is?!" I shout and collapse into a chair, fuming and pouting at the same time. Namjoon watches, in awe. I give him a look like, what-the-hell-is-so-amazing-about-me-swearing-and-cursing-out-your-friend?
"You're really determined to get your work done."
"Well yeah," I say looking away at the wall, working on getting my emotions in balance. I feel a bit embarrassed for acting like that, so rash and out of context.
"It's really impressive."
"Thanks," I sigh.
"Want to go to dinner?"
I snap my head at him like what-the-hell? "I just got a Rolex, that's a bit soon for another payment..."
"So what, you're stressed and deserve something for working so hard. Also I feel bad for you, Yoongi isn't always that great at communication. Especially when it's important, it's like he knows. I've had my own stressful moments with him, believe me," Namjoon chuckles. "So, what do you say?"
"What's the catch," not believing he's being so generous to me so quickly.
"Well, maybe a catch of the day if we go for seafood, but there's this nice Italian place I've been wanting to go to recently," Namjoon laughs at his own joke. I smile and giggle along, amused by his ability to be silly. For some reason, he's never struck me as someone to make childish jokes like that.
"Sure, why not?" I shrug. I let my parents know I'm hanging out with some friends to work on a project and won't be home until late, but I'll keep them updated if necessary.
Namjoon leads me down to the street level and into a weird place I haven't been yet. Inside, is a luxury car and it's got a person standing by it. Namjoon nods and a pair of keys is tossed to him. He opens the door for me and I slide in. The interior is like in a movie, all black and suave, beautiful and classy, like a multimillion dollar character. Namjoon gets in and revs the engine. It purrs and Namjoon smiles as he takes off. We take a bunch of back roads but still go quickly before we merge into a neighborhood area and slow down. He takes me to an Italian place downtown that looks like it was built for only the most elite Korean executives and CEOs and high end idols and models and actors. I feel dressed down inside, but Namjoon just ushers me in anyway and we get seated almost right away.
I can help but look around in awe of the place and who I'm surrounded by. I feel small compared to the business people and beautiful men and women around me. Some people look like they're on edge, some totally relaxed, some look like they're analyzing the people they are with and some look like their trying to go home with them. I duck into the menu and try to find something to eat, but it's all expensive. I wonder what he'll think of what I get, or is he really just being kind and taking me for dinner, no catch. He did say that was the case.
"I've got my eye on the Seafood Risotto. What looks good to you Hyemi?" He asks, peering over at me with a hint of sparkle to his eyes.
"Ummm..." I ponder, still looking.
"Get something you like, anything," he says, letting his smile be shown. I feel so fancy, being treated so kindly and like...Well, like a Queen.
"I like the sound of the Mozarella Ravioli," I finally decide.
"Sounds delicious."
He calls the waiter over and he takes the order and leaves us with our drinks. I wonder if Namjoon will try to...
"How has your family been?" He interrupts my thought. I look up and see the concern and genuine care in his expression.
"What?"
"How have your parents been holding up?"
"Oh...Well, Eomma's in pain, rightfully so...Appa is ashamed that his son killed himself. To add insult to injury, it was because of drugs and he used them. Eomma cries a lot and has been depressed. Appa is angry and never home. They're a mess but try not to show it," I tell him, my voice soft and weak, trying not to dive too deep into my emotions.
"And how have you been? What are you thinking about the situation?"
"Besides the fact that my friends secretly reject me now?" I look up. Namjoon nods. "I want to avenge my brother."
"So kill me?" Namjoon almost laughs. I can sense though, that he prays that isn't the case. It's not.
"No," I shake my head. "Not anymore. I want to do what he would have done with his life. What he wanted growing up."
"What was that?" Namjoon leans into the table, captivated by me and my stories.
"He wanted to be a success," I smile, remembering my brother when he was young, lively, around. "He wanted to be rich and honorable. He wanted to make our parents smile when the spoke of him. He wanted to make a name for himself and have a family. He wanted to live in the luxury he dreamed of and he wanted to take care of our family..."
Namjoon looks at me with a twinkle in his eye, entranced by how I speak of Dasan. He may have died to the world, but his memory is alive and burning inside of my heart.
"What changed your mind?"
"I thought about what my original plan was and killing you isn't smart, or practical even. So now, I jut want to do what's right in my mind."
"So being in a gang is what's right?" He chuckles at the idea.
"No. It's just a decent gig," I smile, taking a sip of my drink. "I'm here, aren't I?" I gesture to the restaurant.
Namjoon smiles while he takes a sip of his, looking at me with admiration in his gaze. "Well, I was just asking because I care."
"Oh?" I ask. "Why?" It seems like he cares, not in the loving way, just with respect and for work purposes.
"Well, for one, you know where my gang's headquarters are and you used to deteste me, so there's that potential looming threat." That makes me giggle a bit. "But also," he pauses, "Because you're pretty very hardworking. I value you."
I look at him and take back what I thought a moment ago. Maybe he does have an interest in me. That'd be a twist if I've ever seen one. "I'm flattered."
Our meal comes while we look into each other's eyes and break while we are served. I look at the meal and feel like a royal princess the way I'm being treated. The waiter wishes us a good meal before leaving us to it. I take a bite and it's a delicious mix of flavor and magnificence. I make a sound that conveys my review and Namjoon laughs.
"That good huh?"
"Yes, thank you," I say, taking more in. We eat, speaking briefly, more or less enjoying the food. The silence isn't uncomfortable, it feels right. I steal a couple glances at him and realize how beautiful he is all over again. I think back to the day the force team dragged me and I was thrown to the floor and then I met Namjoon. He was so scary but I still noticed him. His features, his expressions, his natural beauty...Is it normal to feel these ways about a drug lord, gang leader, a dangerous man. Is Namjoon really even a dangerous man?
"Do you want to get dessert?" Namjoon asks as I finish my meal. I think but shake my head. I don't want to get sick. "Understandable," he nods, totally not caring. He waves the server over and requests the tab. We are escorted to the front with the server and Namjoon pays with a gracious tip and then leads me out with a hand on my back lightly.
"Would you like to come to my house?"