A/N: I have work done on all three of my MM fics, I'm just very full of ideas and keep bouncing between them. I hope you're all enjoying. :)
Jaehee Kang: It's been 2 weeks since the party and he's not logged in once.
707: He's not answering my calls either.
707: I got my baby back though!
707: *RAISES GLASSES*
ZEN: That was fast
707: Yeah! He paid cash for all the repairs and was moved to the head of the line at the auto shop!
707: *CHEERS*
ZEN: So do you forgive him for wrecking it in the first place?
707: He had it filled with premium gas before dropping it off!
707: I can forgive him!
707: *RAISES GLASSES*
ZEN: He didn't drop it off himself did he?
707: No! He sent a driver to bring it to me.
707: Driver Kim! He's awesome! We talked about cars for twenty minutes!
Jaehee Kang: Still…
Jaehee Kang: I've spoken to a few people at the office and it looks like the cat hotel project is really taking off.
707: He should be thanking you.
707: And off the record…me
707: But mostly you.
ZEN: We all know why he won't.
Jaehee Kang: I just hope he is ok. With V disappearing and me quitting…he's been through a lot.
Jaehee Kang: I'm afraid he might be lonely.
Jaehee Kang: It's a feeling I wouldn't wish on anyone. Not even him.
KEIKO HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
ZEN: He has the furball.
Jaehee Kang: I still worry for him.
707: KEIKO!
Keiko: Are we talking about Jumin?
Jaehee Kang: Hello Keiko.
Jaehee Kang: *SMILE*
Jaehee Kang: Yes. I'm worried about him since he hasn't come here since the party.
Keiko: He's still not answering your calls?
Jaehee Kang: Mine or anyone else's from what I understand.
ZEN: I don't call him.
Jaehee Kang: Well then…mine and Luciel's anyway.
707: Harsh Zen.
ZEN: *SHRUG*
707: He answers yours though right Keiko?
Keiko: I haven't called him recently, but I spoke to him a few days ago. He was drinking and didn't say much.
ZEN: Of course he answers Keiko's calls.
ZEN: He's probably still hoping she'll work for him.
707: Maybe someone should stop by his house?
Jaehee Kang: It cannot be me. I don't think it will help anything.
ZEN: It won't be me.
ZEN: Because I don't want to.
707: It wouldn't help if it were you anyway.
ZEN: True
Keiko: I'll do it.
ZEN: NO
Jaehee Kang: NO
707: Maybe
707: *SHRUG*
Jaehee Kang: NO
Zen: NO
YOOSUNG* HAS ENTERED THE CHATROOM
Jaehee Kang: YOOSUNG!
ZEN: YOOSUNG!
Yoosung*: *BLUSH*
Yoosung*: Everyone looks so happy to see me.
ZEN: He can go!
ZEN: He's the only one who hasn't pissed that jerk off yet.
Yoosung*: *CONFUSED*
Yoosung*: Go where?
707: Get dressed.
707: I'm leaving now to pick you up.
707: I'm NOT taking my favorite babe car though!
707: In case this goes south.
707 HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
Yoosung*: *CONFUSED*
Yoosung*: I'm already dressed.
Yoosung*: What's happening?
2 HOURS LATER
Yoosung*: *ANGRY*
Yoosung*: YOU DIDN'T TELL ME I WAS GOING TO JUMIN'S!
Jaehee Kang: Did you see him?
Jaehee Kang: Does he look ok?
707: He asked Yoosung to be his assistant and when he said no…
Yoosung*: HE HAD SECURITY ESCORT ME OUT!
Yoosung*: *ANGRY*
707: I hate to say this buuuuuuuut…
707: *SHRUGS*
Jaehee Kang: I'm still not sure it's wise.
ZEN: NO
707: Maybe Keiko should go
ZEN: Is this thing working?
ZEN: NO
ZEN: NO
ZEN: NO
Jaehee Kang: *SIGH*
Jaehee Kang: She did offer to go.
ZEN: No Jaehee! Not you too!
ZEN: *SAD*
Yoosung*: WAIT!
Yoosung*: Keiko offered to go but you all sent ME!?
Yoosung*: *ANGRY*
ZEN: It was a better option.
Yoosung*: *ANGRY*
707: I just dropped Yoosung off. I'll go pick up Keiko.
ZEN: *SIGH*
Jaehee Kang: I will call her and let her know you're on your way.
JAEHEE KANG HAS LEFT THE CHATROOM
ZEN: What if he kidnaps her and locks her in a cage?
ZEN: He's seriously unhinged right now.
ZEN: He could do it!
Yoosung*: BUT YOU WEREN'T WORRIED ABOUT ME!?
Jumin sat at the table on his balcony. A glass of set on the table in front of him as he read through the newspaper in his hands. Chief of Security Titan Cho, a fit, middle-aged man who'd been working for Jumin's family a long time, carefully stepped out onto the balcony.
Since the incident with the car two weeks before, everyone had been walking on eggshells around C&R's Director. Not sure what might set him off again or what he would do when it happened. Security had been increased by order of his father and Titan volunteered to stay closest to the seemingly unstable Jumin. He had moments of extreme irritability and was snippier than usual. Or he'd move quietly through the office building like a ghost, giving cold chills to everyone he passed.
"Sir?" Titan spoke softly and waited for Jumin to react, but Jumin didn't even acknowledge him. "There is someone else from the RFA here to see you. Should I send them away as well?"
"Yes," Jumin answered sharply, not looking from his paper. He was still irritated from his visit from Yoosung.
Titan sighed and nodded once, "Yes Sir." He touched his earpiece and turned to go back inside, "Please tell Ms. Carlisle that Mr. Han is not taking visitors at this time."
Jumin's eyes flew open wide, and he quickly put his paper down, "Wait!"
Startled by his boss's outburst, Titan quickly spun around. "Sir?"
Jumin stood and casually buttoned the bottom of his jacket, "I will see Keiko. Please send her up."
Titan stared at him for a moment, still overcoming the shock he had a moment ago when Jumin shouted. "Uh…yes Sir." He couldn't help the small smile on his lips as he pushed the button on his earpiece again. "He's changed his mind. Send her up."
"This way Ma'am," Titan motioned into the penthouse as he held the door for her.
Keiko nodded, "Thank you Sir."
"Of course." Titan gave a slight bow and looked at Jumin who stood in front of the balcony door. "Should I stay Sir?"
Jumin's eyes moved over Keiko. Her long brown hair with its natural red highlights pulled up into a messy bun behind her head. She was petite and easily stood at eye level with his chin. Jumin moved his eyes from her to Titan, "I'm sure Keiko doesn't mean me any harm. Thank you, Chief of Security Cho."
Titan nodded once at him before letting himself out, closing the door behind him.
"Are you here to tell me you've changed your mind and decided to accept the offer to be my assistant?" Jumin asked dryly.
She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, "If I say no, are you going to have security see me out?"
He stared at her for a moment, then his eyes moved to the door. "No. I just dismissed him. I don't want to have to call him back."
"Good, because I'm here to talk to you."
"So was Yoosung," he reminded her. He walked to the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the counter, "Join me." He went back out to the balcony.
Keiko started across the room and looked around her, taking in the penthouse. It was nice. She enjoyed the modern feel, despite having a more rustic taste herself. However, her stomach dropped at the size of it. She couldn't imagine how it must feel to live in a place this size alone. Her eyes moved to the picture windows, and she watched Jumin just on the other side, pouring a glass of wine. He was a man who had or could have anything in the world he wanted and for the first time…she pitied him.
As she stepped out the door, he moved to hand her the glass, "None for me, thank you." She declined, putting her hands up.
"I insist. It's a good vintage and it's almost gone." He held the glass out again, "Or, would you rather I drink alone?"
She narrowed her deep brown eyes at him. Well played. "Fine, but just one." She relented and took the glass before taking a seat in the chair he motioned to.
"Thank you, for your advice the night of the party." Jumin made his way around the table and took a seat in his own chair.
"Of course." Keiko sipped the wine and her eyes widened. Good was quite an understatement. It was phenomenal.
Jumin smirked from behind his own glass as he watched her reaction, "I told you."
She shot him a look, "Yeah yeah." She leaned back in the chair and looked out over the view. She loved the city and couldn't be happier that she left the states and returned to her home country. Seeing it from this high up though, it was even more beautiful than she could imagine.
He watched her taking in the view from his penthouse and was filled with pride. After a moment he realized he was staring, and he forced his eyes away from her and back to the view from the balcony. "I called him after the party and told him I'm here for him if he needs me, though I don't know what good that will do. I've not heard from him since then."
"What you've done for him is more than enough. If he decides to come back, he'll know that he has you. That you'll always be here for him. And that he's not alone," she glanced at him as she took another sip and watched him wince at the word.
Her heart sank for him again. Because V was choosing the be alone…Jumin wasn't. And he didn't have anyone.
"I hope that will be enough," he replied. Her heart may have been sinking for him, but his was heavy with the loss of his friend.
"You could take care of the RFA in his absence. You know…since he's asked you to and all," Keiko suggested with a shrug.
He rolled his eyes, understanding now the reason for her visit. "When another event is being planned and I am required to participate, I will be there."
"We were talking about having another party sooner rather than later. Some of us are thinking of doing another Christmas event. Jaehee and I weren't present for the last one and could really use your…"
"Money?" Jumin cut her off, "My connections? Perhaps you need my bodyguards? What is it I can provide to the RFA? What are they in need of?"
"You," she answered pointedly, a bit irritated with his interruption and insinuation. "We are all worried about you. You're not in a good place, we know that. With V gone and Jaehee leaving your company…"
He shot her a look, "And who's fault was that?"
"Yours," she snipped, scooting forward to the edge of her seat. How dare he suggest it was hers. "You worked her too hard. You didn't allow her to have any personal time." He put up a hand to stop her and her face scrunched in anger, "Don't give me that! You can't just cut me off! I don't work for you!"
Jumin chuckled and it only made her more furious. His eyes moved over the redness in her cheeks. "You're cute when you're angry Keiko."
She frowned and leaned back in her seat again, "And you're drunk."
He shrugged, "A little." He glanced at her again as she angerly sipped her wine and looked out over the city. "When I'm stressed about work…I add more work. I add projects that I enjoy to relieve the stress I'm feeling. It's what I've always done. Assis…Jaehee," he corrected himself, "Always gave the most favorable results with little guidance. I understand I took advantage of her."
Keiko softened a bit and glanced at him, "I suppose…it makes sense. I don't agree with your treatment of Jaehee, and I believe your actions were appalling…but…I also believe that you may not have truly been aware of the damage you were doing." She finished her glass and set it on the table. He moved to pour her another and she quickly declined, "Really I'm good."
He poured it anyway before emptying the bottle into his own glass. "You're concerned that I'm drunk, so if you help me finish the bottle, that's less I'll consume. Besides, red wine is your favorite."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously, "How did you know that?"
"You mentioned it once in the chatroom." He set back in his chair again and picked up his glass. "You'll order your food to match the wine of your choosing, instead of matching the wine to your food. I found that interesting."
Keiko slowly picked up her wine and watched him as he stared out over the city and spoke of her interests. "You remember that?"
"I remember most things," he answered before sipping his wine. "Especially things I find interesting. And…I find you interesting Keiko."
Slowly she narrowed her eyes, trying to figure him out. "Oh, I get it. You're trying to butter me up. You're trying to charm your way into getting me to be your assistant."
"I'm not…but if I was…would it be working?" He didn't look at her, just smirked as he sipped his wine.
"Hmmm…how many bottles of this wine is included in the contract?"
His head shot over in her direction and his smirk became a frown when he saw her sinister smile behind her glass. "You're teasing me."
"You started it." She turned to look at the view again.
The pair sat in silence a long time and watched together as the sun started dipping down behind the C&R building in the distance. "I'll make a deal with you," Jumin said finally.
"Hmm?" Keiko's head lolled to the side as she absently answered him. Her eyes were still on the sunset.
"I will return to the RFA. If you will do for me what you've done for Jaehee."
Her eyebrows furrowed, "What I did for Jaehee?"
She glanced over to see his eyes were on the sunset, but he was clearly a million miles away. "You helped her…what was it Zen said…find herself?"
"Mm…. Jaehee did that all on her own. I merely encouraged her," she argued.
"Either way. Show me what that's like. To find something that relieves my stress aside from work. To find what it is I truly enjoy. Help me…find myself…as it were."
Keiko considered this, "That is a big ask, but I think we can negotiate." He raised an eyebrow and looked at her, she had his attention. "Jaehee looks up to you and says that she's learned a lot from you. So, you must return to the RFA and help Jaehee, and I as we get our business started."
"Mm…" he sneered and looked out over the city again, reaching for his glass of wine. Disappointed to find it was empty. "That doesn't sound like a fair deal."
"I'm open to a counteroffer."
Jumin considered this a moment but decided not to push it. Honestly, the idea of spending time with anyone was appealing. Especially if that someone was Keiko. "No, this will suffice."
Satisfied with herself, Keiko sat back in her chair again. "Good. Then Saturday morning we're visiting three potential locations. Will you join us?"
"Perhaps," he answered. "I bought this building from my father two years ago because it's close to my private garden. I visit there every other weekend. If I visit locations with you and Jaehee this coming Saturday morning, then you will accompany me to my garden that afternoon," he offered.
Keiko had to chuckle, "Are we going to be negotiating everything moving forward?"
Jumin shrugged, "It would be easier if you just agreed to my terms, but you have the right to counter at any time."
"Hmmm…ok than," she chuckled again, "I will visit the garden with you in the afternoon if you allow me to buy you dinner that evening."
He glanced at her, "I will allow you to accompany me to dinner…but I will pay. And we'll dine at the new French restaurant in the city."
"You'll pay? And what will you have in return?"
"Just your company." He turned in his chair to face her and offered his hand. "Do we have a deal, Ms. Carlisle?"
She was skeptical, but firmly took his hand and shook it once. "We have a deal Mr. Han."