Author's Note: This begins during the Christmas DLC and was intended to be brief, but then I wanted to explore alternative stories with characters I've created, and those ideas lead to this being longer than intended. Now it will start with the Christmas DLC and then follow closely with Zen's route.
Ji-an pulled her long, loose, raven curls back and tied them behind her head. She placed her hands on her hips and looked around the small apartment, "Alright…where to begin?" Picking up the box of decorations Seven had sent her, she let her eyes scan the apartment and tried to find its Christmas potential. "Hmmm…well some lights for sure," she mumbled to herself, setting the box down on the table and opening it. She dug through all the new strings of lights and decorations. "How did he manage to find all this last minute? That man is a wizard." She started opening a box of Christmas tree shaped lights when her phone lit up. A smile spread across her face at the name that was shown on the screen, and her heart skipped a beat or two. She tapped the button to answer before bringing the phone to her ear. "Hello Zenny."
The silver haired actor groaned, "Don't be so cute right now. I want to stay angry."
Ji-an giggled, "Sorry Sweetheart. I guess you're still having a hard time with this aren't you?"
"Yeah," Zen confessed after a brief pause, "I guess I just don't understand why the party is in the C&R name instead of the RFA's? Jumin's behind this I'm sure of it! But of course, he's not saying anything other than V asked for this and I don't know that I believe…"
"Sweetheart?" Her voice managed to soothe the anger in Zen but didn't put the fire out completely. She loved his fiery passion. How intensely he cared about things. It was one of her favorite qualities of the handsome thespian. Ji-an could only hope Zen would show the same intensity in the way he felt about her. "I know you're angry, but Jumin's never lied to you before, has he?"
Zen growled again, "No," he answered, begrudged.
"Then we don't have a reason not to believe him now. V is always full of secrets. We both know that."
He hated her voice of reason. She couldn't just let him be angry at the trust fund kid? "Yeah, we do," he grumbled like a child.
"So…maybe we can focus on the other thing Seven said then?" She sat down in the chair at the table and crossed her legs.
Zen's own heart skipped now and whatever anger was still lingering inside him was washed away. "You mean…when he said you could maybe go to the event? If he can secure your safety."
"Yeah," Ji-an answered softly. The idea of seeing Zen in person was both exciting and never wrecking. The pair had done quite a bit of flirting in the messenger and over the phone, but to see him in person was a whole new ballgame. "I think I'm a little jittery at the thought of meeting you in person."
A nervous laugh escaped Zen's throat, "Yeah. Me too actually." There was a brief silence before he spoke again, "What if I'm not what you're hoping for?"
"You?" she chuckled; a bit surprised by that. "I've seen your face a number of times and Jaehee has sent me several clips from your performances. I have a feeling you are every bit of what I imagine you are."
"You imagine me?" Zen couldn't hide the smile in his voice.
"I…well that's…" Ji-an's face flushed and she found it difficult to find the words. "That's not what…"
Zen laughed and it helped put her at ease a bit, "It's ok. I'm only teasing."
"But what if I'm not what you're hoping for?" Ji-an asked quickly, like ripping off a band aid. "What if you don't like my hair? Or my face? Or the color of my eyes? Or…"
"Hey," it was Zen's voice that calmed Ji-an this time. Firm enough to get her attention, but compassionate. He really was something else. "What if I really like the woman I've been talking to? What if my biggest fear is that when I finally have you…I'm not going to want to let you go?"
Ji-an's face was burning with her blush and she took only a moment to answer him, "Then don't."
"Ok," Zen's words came quickly and were spoken directly from his racing heart, "I'll hold on and…no. No! No! But if you're saying that…no!" He argued with himself out loud. His head and heart waging war on each other and giving birth to indecision. He wanted to hold onto her…to take her home. To let the beast out of its cage and claim her…but it was far too soon for that. What kind of man would he be if he took her home on the first night? "You can't say things like that when we see each other in person ok? It's dangerous."
"Dangerous how?" Ji-an's voice teased him. Egging him on. Stirring up the yearning that was inside him.
"You know how," Zen growled, "And if you don't, you don't need to know." He was quiet again for a moment, "Promise me…you'll be careful when we meet tomorrow. Ok?"
The pleading in his voice made her heart heavy. How could she say 'no' when he was trying so hard to be a gentleman. Not only that, but he was right. Despite how eagerly she wanted to know what it felt like to be held by him, they needed to take their time. "I promise you Sweetheart."
He was relieved to hear that. "Thank you, my Princess."
Somehow Ji-an's face managed to grow even warmer when he called her that, "So what are you doing today?" she asked, gracefully changing the subject.
"I've got practice today," Zen answered, but his tone was drenched in disappointment.
"You don't sound too thrilled with that." Ji-an set her phone on speaker and placed it on the table as she stood again and dug through her box of Christmas cheer.
"Spending Christmas working isn't my first choice," he confessed, his voice heavy.
"I don't imagine it is. Oh…but poor Jaehee," Ji-an sighed. "Did Jumin really need to put her in charge of this whole thing?" Her eyes flew open when she realized she had just opened a can of worms and she spoke quickly, hoping to shove them back in before things got out of hand. "Wait! Let's not talk about that yeah?"
Much to her relief, Zen started laughing. "Did you just backtrack so I didn't lose my temper over that Jerk again?"
"I did…so…did it work?" Ji-an's head slowly tilted to her side as she pulled a brightly colored plastic egg out of the box. She chuckled a bit and thought to herself, Seven, you prankster, that's the wrong holiday.
He laughed again, "Yes and no. I'm still angry, but I won't start complaining about him again for your sake." His voice softened, "It's really sweet that you're concerned for Jaehee though."
"Well, I'm still hoping she and I can be friends despite getting such a rocky start," Ji-an confessed, tossing the plastic egg back into the box. She didn't have many friends…not since she left the entertainment industry anyway. An injured ballerina that could no longer perform was a constant reminder to those in show business of just how fragile their lives in the spotlight were. No one really wanted to have a round of drinks with the physical representation of such a depressing reality.
"Ah, just give her a little time. She'll come around. She's just really cautious," Zen assured her. Still completely and hopelessly oblivious to Jaehee's real feelings toward him.
Ji-an was not though.
"Yeah…I'm sure she'll come around," her attempt to sound positive failing miserable and proving why she opted to be a ballerina and not an actress.
But Zen didn't pick up on her tone and continued. "Do you have a dream Christmas? Like something you've always wanted to do?"
"Mmmm…not really no," Ji-an confessed. "I always spent Christmas with my family. Like…everyone," she chuckled. "Family, extended family, friends. There were at least fifty people at every holiday dinner. We had them in my parent's home every year because they had a huge backyard area." Her voice softened a bit, "After Mom and Dad passed it stopped though. We tried a couple of times it just always felt…empty without them. I guess."
"So how have you been spending your holidays since then?"
Ji-an opened her mouth to speak, but hesitated. She wanted to say something positive…but…there was nothing. "Alone…" she confessed finally. "Everyone started having their own families and own traditions and I didn't feel much like a belonged with any of them. I tried to spend it with friends but that didn't feel…genuine. It felt like any other time I spent with my friends."
Zen was quiet a moment as he considered this, "Every year I have wanted to spend Christmas with someone special. I always end up spending it alone too though."
"You've never found someone special? I find that hard to believe," Ji-an gently teased.
"Heh…well I mean…I've had offers sure. None of them felt…what was it you said…genuine? I didn't want to waste my Christmas dream. When it comes true, I want it to come true with the perfect person." There was a brief pause as he considered his next words, "I hope it will come true with you…Ji-an."
She considered this, "Zen?"
"Yes?" he answered tentatively.
"I hope so too."
JAEHEE KANG HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
Jaehee Kang: Mr. Han! There you are!
Jumin Han: You were looking for me?
Jaehee Kang: Yes! You haven't been answering your phone.
Jaehee Kang: Your father called and said you haven't been answering his calls either.
Ji-an: Soooo…Jaehee has to answer when you call…but you get to avoid her calls?
Jumin Han: Precisely.
Ji-an: That feels a bit one sided.
Jumin Han: The paychecks are also issued from only one side.
Jaehee Kang: Thank you for your support, Ji-an. But Mr. Han does have a point.
ZEN HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
ZEN: Ji-an! You're here!
Ji-an: ZEN!
ZEN: *WINK*
Jaehee Kang: Hello Zen…
Jumin Han: Yes Zen, we are here also...
ZEN: Hello Jaehee. How's the event going?
Jaehee Kang: It's been chaotic, but we're managing. Yoosung is doing a very good job actually. I'm quite surprised. And relieved honestly. He's making this whole process much easier on me.
ZEN: I'm happy to hear that. I understand how difficult it is to work on Christmas.
ZEN: *SAD*
Jumin Han: How are things with you Jumin?
Jumin Han: Not so well.
Jumin Han: What seems to be the problem my talented and handsome friend?
ZEN: What….what are you doing?
Jumin Han: You've refused to greet me so I'm improvising a conversation with you.
ZEN: Handsome and talented friend? I would never say those things to you!
ZEN: Also! I DON'T CARE how you're doing! Look what you're putting Jaehee through on the holiday!
ZEN: *ANGRY*
Jumin Han: It's my improvisation. I elected to make improvements to the character that is Zen.
ZEN: YOU'RE TRYING TO IMPROVE ON ME!?
Jumin Han: *SMILE*
Jaehee Kang: You cannot improve on perfection Mr. Han.
ZEN: YOU SHOULD TRY TO IMPROVE YOURSELF!
ZEN: *ANGRY*
Jumin Han: If what Assistant Kang just said it true…
Jumin Han: It would seem I cannot improve on myself.
Ji-an: I need a drink.
Jaehee Kang: I need several…
Jaehee Kang: Before this gets anymore out of hand…
Ji-an: OH THAT'S RIGHT!
Ji-an: Weren't you looking for Jumin?
Jaehee Kang: I was. Thank you Ji-an.
Jaehee Kang: *SMILE*
Jaehee Kang: Your father asked that I remind you of your last-minute lunch date this afternoon Mr. Han.
ZEN: Jumin has a date?
ZEN: Is the world ending?
Jumin Han: It isn't a date, and I haven't forgotten.
Ji-an: If it isn't a date then what is it?
Jumin Han: *SIGH*
Jumin Han: Two businessmen from the states are visiting Korea. They are hoping to expand their father's business. Apparently, the father had visited my own on a few occasions and my father was interested in investing. That man passed away before they could ever finalize anything.
Jumin Han: He wants to make a good impression on the two new CEO's, so he's set me up to have lunch with their sister.
ZEN: So you're going on a date with the sister for the soul purpose of securing a deal?
Jumin Han: There is no guarantee that I will secure any deal during the lunch, however, there is the possibility that I can improve the chances of a deal being made. The sister accompanied her father on his trips to Korea and my own father has met her a couple of times.
ZEN: Still! It's creepy that you're planning to wine and dine this woman for business purposes!
Jumin Han: She holds a great deal of influence with the company. My father said that the former CEO would rely heavily on her when making business decisions. He isn't familiar with the current CEOs, so he feels the best way to broker a deal is to reach the sister.
ZEN: It feels dirty!
Ji-an: It kind of does honestly.
Jumin Han: There is nothing inappropriate and it is something I've done before.
Jaehee Kang: Sadly, he's right. Mr. Han has gone on a number of "dates" with the daughters of potential investors and business partners. He's the handsome and wealthy son of the CEO of one of Korea's largest companies.
Jaehee Kang: He's perfected the art of charming these women. Making them feel good about themselves. Making them fall for him.
ZEN: You must be a better actor than me.
Ji-an: I would agree…we've all met you. Surely you don't win them over by being yourself.
Jumin Han: It wouldn't take a talented actor. My looks and wealth have them swooning before we even get our menus. From there it's all the same. Telling them how beautiful they are. Making them feel like the only woman in the room.
ZEN: Making them feel like you actually give a shit about them?
Jumin Han: Precisely.
Jumin Han: Then when it's time to make a deal, they remember how they felt in my company, and it greatly influences the decision.
Ji-an: Soo…
Ji-an: It is as dirty as it sounds?
Jumin Han: If that is how you wish to see it. I'm merely doing business.
ZEN: At least I can say I'm never curious why you're single.
Jumin Han: You are single as well.
ZEN: *ANGRY*
ZEN: It's because I'm busy working!
Jumin Han: Hmmm….
Jumin Han: And I'm single because love has no meaning to me. Except the love I feel for Elizabeth 3rd.
Ji-an: And after the deals are made? Then what?
Jumin Han: What else is there?
ZEN: Do you just…drop these women?
Jumin Han: I've no more reason to stay in touch with them.
ZEN: *ANGRY*
Jaehee Kang: Mr. Han. Driver Kim just messaged me. He's waiting outside your house.
Jumin Han: Then I will go there now.
Jumin Han: Excuse me first.
JUMIN HAN HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
ZEN: I CAN'T BELIEVE HIM!
Jaehee Kang: *SIGH*
Jaehee Kang: I don't see why this surprises you. Mr. Han's life is always business. His looks and wealth are just another tool for him to use to improve C&R.
Ji-an: That's…quite sad actually.
ZEN: *SIGH*
ZEN: You're on his side now Ji-an?
Ji-an: I mean…is his father not using his own son as a tool for C&R by setting him up on these "dates"?
Ji-an: And then of course there's his father's unhealthy relationships. It doesn't sound like Jumin would really even know what to do if he did find a woman who actually cared for him.
ZEN: *SIGH*
ZEN: You're too kind Ji-an. But there's no way Jumin would be able to actually win over any woman who isn't his cat…
"Excuse me? Jumin Han?"
The voice that came from above him was soft and tentative. He'd been waiting at the table for only five minutes, making sure as always, to show up a bit early. It gave him a chance to pull himself together and prepare for the act he was about to put on. Most of the women he'd been on these "dates" with though, were late, this was the first time one showed up early and he didn't have the usual amount of time to prepare. What he had would have to be enough. He put on his most charming smile and stood, adjusting his suit jacket as he turned to greet his newest assignment.
What he saw gave him pause.
Every woman he'd met for one of these "dates" had been the same up to this point. A bubbly and excited personality that tapered off sometime in the middle of lunch and revealed them to be shallow and vain. Long extensions in absurd and far from natural colors. Contacts that left a film on their eyes and hid the true hue of their irises. Eyes that were difficult enough to see behind the bushy and exaggerated lashes glued to their lids. The body their money bought them exposed by the low cut of that season's newest fashion. Their skin often abnormally colored and blotchy from their desperation to keep a false tan even in the cold months. The way they looked…the way they acted…they were walking lies.
But not her.
What little make up she wore accentuated already beautiful features instead of altering them. Her deep brown eyes shone like pools of dark honey under the light of the chandelier that hung over their table. Her long brunette hair, naturally streaked with red, pulled up on top of her head and exposed a pair of adorable ears, pink with a kiss from the cold just outside. Whatever season her dress was from, it hugged her curves but showed very little. Hiding the most delicate parts of her body, saving them for the eyes of only her and her lover.
"Miss Carlisle," he greeted her with a slight bow. "Please join me." He motioned to the chair across the table from him as the maître d' rushed over to pull it out for her.
She smiled at him, and he felt an uneasiness in his stomach. Not something like a sickness, but… excitement?
No, that was foolish. Perhaps it was merely hunger he was feeling. After all, he'd not eaten yet that day. But when she smiled at the maître d' and that young man gave her a smile of his own, Jumin couldn't help but wonder if he was feeling that same uneasiness in his stomach. Was it a spell she'd put on them both?
Finally, he sat down in his own seat and when the maître d' walked away and her eyes were free to find him again, Jumin realized he'd not taken his own off her.
"Were you waiting long?" she asked, her voice like a melody. A song he would like to play on repeat.
"No, I was only here a few minutes. I ordered us some wine so that it would be ready when you arrived." As if on cue a waiter approached their table with a bottle of wine nestled in the ice of a silver bucket and set it down. The waitress that followed on his heels handed them both a menu before the pair disappeared back to the kitchen. "It's white. Your brother's told my father you are pescatarian. Is that correct?"
She smiled softly at him, "Yes…that's correct," she hesitated and picked up her menu.
"So white will go well with fish if that is what you're considering." He picked up his own menu and watched her closely. She was tense, her smile not as genuine as it was when it first pulled him in. "Have I done something wrong Miss Carlisle?"
She lifted her brown eyes from the menu and peered across the table at him. Slowly she set it down, "Keiko…please," she insisted.
Jumin set his own menu down, letting her have his full attention. "Keiko," he agreed with a nod.
"May I be completely honest with you?"
"Please do," Jumin insisted, shifting in his seat, curious to know what it was she was going to say. She was so different from the other women he'd been on these lunches with. Or at least she appeared that way. Would the next words shatter his whole perception of her? Would she reveal herself to be just like them?
Before she could continue the maître d' returned and offered to pour her a glass of wine. "Not just yet…thank you," she said gently with that same soft smile as before.
Jumin was certain with the way the maître d' held onto Keiko's gaze and his face slowly showed a light shade of pink…he was feeling the butterflies too.
And Jumin didn't care to see this man enjoying his date's smile in the same way he did. So, when he turned to Jumin to offer to pour his glass, the CEO in-line was happy to dismiss him with the wave of his hand.
Keiko's eyes were back on Jumin again and the words she spoke to him surprised him. Not because they were shallow. Not because they were offensive.
They surprised him because they were honest.
With the same gentleness she treated the staff with she said, "I…don't really want to be here."