"She was raised well— by her parents,"

Jungkook

THE MORNING ATMOSPHERE WAS as amazing as always; even it was cold because of the winter season, at least I could still enjoying the breathtaking view of the city of Seoul. Despite wanting to go to Korea because it's the city of where the famous idols live, I understand why most of people want to come here. Korea is blessed with such a beautiful scenery, atmosphere and great people. Even those who don't have any crushes or feelings towards Korean artists are crazy to go here.

Hyerin had prepared my favourite latte as the both of us were enjoying the food she made for us. Yes, us. I had gotten more comfortable and secretly loved the way where I could confidently use the word us with her. Like, 'Is this food for us?' or 'I bought this for us.'

Back then, I wasn't used of being friends with anyone, especially girls. But now, I realised that having a friend from different gender isn't a problem. It actually makes you feel more loved and secured because they won't judge you. Not all girls are bad like what I used to think.

Wise girls with intelligence are still exist and I was glad that I found one. While sipping on my half hot latte, I looked at Hyerin who was stirring her cup and asked, "I wonder how are you so strong to go through all those moments that hurt you."

It randomly crossed my mind. I wanted to know. I am a successful person who technically have everything I need but I wasn't sure that if I was in her place, I could survive. She had told me the whole story about her life when we were at the park. From her childhood, to her parents incident and to her aunty. Her aunt was such a terrible person for treating her that way. It's upsetting to know that a person like her actually exist in this world.

We spent hours at the park talking about each others lives. I felt so save to tell her about my story, including my past. I had never felt so save while talking to someone except for my family members and Chan. On the other hand, Hyerin looked at me with a confused look. "I'm not sure if I understand what you're trying to say." She let out a soft chuckle.

I shrugged, acting like I wasn't sure. "I don't know, I just wonder how did you survive those moments? Why are you so strong? Not all people could go through such mean and rough situation like you did. Some of them might end up committing suicide." I stated a fact.

I was expecting her to be confused again or maybe said that she didn't know how she did that. But instead, she looked so calm and chilled as if the thing I asked wasn't difficult at all. She smiled.

She breathed before answering. " I'm the girl who is always there when they need someone to talk to. I'm also the girl who had to face many issues alone but will still do anything to make someone happy." She stared down at her cup of latte.

"This version of me wasn't built overnight like those scenes in movies. This is pain, insecurities, abuse, experience and depression that I had to go through just to get to this level I am now. I changed from a weak little girl to a strong independent woman who can live by herself without anyone's help. I took years to become this version of me, slowly and painfully. Sometimes brutally but I did it and I am proud of myself." She spoke.

I kept listening to her wise words.

"I am slowly learning that even if I react, it doesn't change anything. It won't make anyone suddenly love me or respect me. It won't change their minds. Sometimes it's just better to let it be, let people go, don't fight for closure and don't have to give explanations. Don't chase for answers and don't expect people to understand you. I'm slowly learning that life is better to be lived when you don't center it on what's happening around you but instead, you should center it on what's happening inside you. I have to work on myself for my inner peace and that's what I'm doing until now."

"And the reason why I'm being strong is because— a strong woman raised me." She was talking about her late mom. "I chose to be the woman I'd look up to. Not only a random woman who only knows how to flirt with their beauty. Beauty isn't everything. Everyone is beautiful the way they are. The matter is just, only chosen person can see that."

I nodded my head in agreement.

"Behind every independent woman is a little broken girl who had to learn how to get back up and to never depend on anyone. I do realized that my aunt didn't love me. She only took care of me because she didn't want people to say she's a bad sister."

"So the only thing I could do when no one was loving me was to love myself. Loving yourself isn't vanity. It's sanity. And that's how I survived." She finally finished with her motivating story.

WOW was the only word I could say. She really survived. It opened my heart that— just because they seem to be happy, having no problems or have a lot of friends, they don't have problems. They just hide those problems behind their smiles.

Her words and story had inspired me and I felt like I was a brand new person. I had no others word to say. "You deserve everything in this world. You didn't deserve to suffer like that. I pity you but glad that you survived. "

Her genuine smile had me drooling before I heard her saying, "Yeah. I survived."

Author

The moment they were enjoying each other's drink while admiring the morning view, Hyerin noticed Jungkook's red fist and it seemed like he injured himself but the truth was, the injury was normal for him because he plays boxing every morning but Hyerin didn't know about that.

With concern in her voice, she slowly held his hand and caressed the injured part gently. "What happened to you?" She asked, her touch was soft and smooth.

Jungkook looked down at his hand before turning away because of the embarrassment he was feeling. Her touch had him shut up and lost his words. "It's something normal for me, trust me it's nothing to worry about." He smiled but didn't pull his hand away from her.

It was hard for her to process what he had said because she didn't know anything. "What do you mean? Normal?" She asked in disbelief and looked at his hand with some wounds and bruises on it. "You're literally having a serious injury. Don't take it slightly." She stated sternly.

Jungkook loved the fact that Hyerin was being caring towards him. He smiled then looked at her. "Don't worry, though, it's just—"

"Did you practice for the fight?"

She cut him off and said the truth that Jungkook thought she didn't know. Hyerin knew that Jungkook was going to have a little fight with Kim Wonu at the court. For Jungkook, it was nothing to worry about since he's used to the sport. It was the thing he loves to do since he was 12.

But he was distracted by the person who told her about it when he never says anything to her about it. Not even a word. "Who told you?" He asked.

If you still remember, it was Chan who spilled the tea to Hyerin, thinking that nothing to worry about since Hyerin is a nice girl and Jungkook trusts her. She sighed, "Chan."

Jungkook blinked his eyes but didn't ask anything more. "So you knew?" He added.

"Yeah," she nodded, "But don't you think that this fight is just a waste of time and it might harm you? What if the guy is stronger than you? It can cause a lot of injuries, have you think about the consequences?" She shot him with a myriad of questions, reminding him of his mom.

But the truth was; she was feeling worried. She didn't want Jungkook to harm himself just for the stupid fight between him and Kim Wonu. For her, Kim Wonu might have a bad intention to Jungkook since they're opponents.

He sighed before casually patting her head. "What are you worrying about? Me?" He low-key tried to joke around but flirting at the same time. "It's just a small fight, though. Nothing to worry about. Besides, Chan will be there to watch us. Don't worry." He smiled.

Even though Jungkook had comforted her with those words, she still had the uneasy feelings towards Kim Wonu. In her opinion, Kim Wonu won't requested a fight with him for nothing. She was afraid that he might have his own trick.

On the other hand, Jungkook was aware of that too. He was concern of the fact that Kim Wonu might do something to harm him so he has his own strategy to make sure of his safety. He ain't stupid since he's used to this kind of situation.

"I hope you know what you're doing," Hyerin adviced him.

"Absolutely," Jungkook winked playfully.

"Anyways, I came here yesterday because I want to give you your sweater back," Hyerin said and opened her backpack where she kept his sweater. She handed it to Jungkook, "Here, thank you for lending it to me." She smiled.

He frowned at first but took it anyways and looked at it for a few seconds. Why didn't she just keep it? He asked himself.

"Sure, welcome." He smiled and as always, he usually don't show people the exact emotion he was feeling. Instead of asking Hyerin to just keep the sweater to herself, he took it from her and acted like he didn't feel anything. "Anyways, how's your car now? Does it work again?" He asked about her car.

She had a good mood before he asked about her car. But suddenly, her mood went upside down as she heaved a deep sigh. "Well, the mechanic told me that— the car is too old so they can do nothing about it. It's just— its time to finally retire. It has been working for me and my family for years." She smiled but with pain behind her smile.

Jungkook didn't like to earn that kind of expression from her. "Then how can you come to work?" He asked while looking into her eyes.

Hyerin didn't know how to answer his question because the truth is; she didn't even know how would she come to work when she had no transportation. "Well, um— I have a friend named Ally. She has a car. Maybe she can give me a ride sometimes." She answered calmly to look less suspicious so that Jungkook won't know that she was actually lying.

"But what if she can't?"

"She can and she will. Don't worry." She cut him off from trying to overthink.

He sighed. "But what if she can't? That's the main highlight here," he scoffed at her.

With that sentence being said, she had no idea of how to respond so she had to tell the truth. "Then I'm taking the bus. Problem solved." She asserted.

"A bus? Psst," he scoffed, "There's no way I will let you to take a bus to come here." He shook his head.

"Starting tomorrow, I'll ask Chan to pick you up from your house everyday. " He stated.

Hyerin wasn't expecting that at all. "But that's unnecessary. I can just—"

He sighed deeply and put his index finger on his own lips. "No buts, I'm the boss here. Orders only come from me. Get it?"

Jungkook think that she was supposed to stay quiet and just agree with him. But instead, she stood up from her seat before saying, "But I can just take a bus here. I'm your employee, remember that. Stop treating me like your friend. You pay my salary every month. I can't take advantage on you." She marked.

He knew that Hyerin dislikes and never wants to take advantage on him. He noticed that. And he, himself, didn't even know why do he was so concern towards her. Like, everything she does— matters to him. He didn't want her to take a bus to work because he was worried of her safety. Sometimes, all he wanted her to do was only to stay by his side and do eye contact with him for hours.

Her eyes, her soul and her personality mean a lot to him. But he was so naive to understand that. He was lack of knowledge about love. He didn't realize that he was slowly falling for her.

He felt that. He knew he felt something. But the thing he didn't know was; it was what we call love.

"Don't tell me what to do. I'll ask Chan to pick you up tomorrow. Just listen to me." He said before walking into the kitchen.

Chan

I literally heard their whole conversation since I was standing behind the big wall because I was on my way to grab a glass of water until I suddenly heard that Jungkook offered a transportation for Hyerin. He planned to ask me to pick her up everyday at her house for work which I don't mind at all since I love going around early in the morning.

It could be a new routine for me. For the first few minutes, I heard that Hyerin was complaining about Jungkook being too nice to her when all she was, was only an employee to him. She felt guilty if Jungkook keeps treating her this way. She also mentioned that she didn't want to take advantage on him.

It was normal to hear something like that from Hyerin because both of us know that she's not that kind of a girl who loves to take advantage on people. But the thing that was distracting me was; the way Jungkook kept insisting on to offer her the transportation to work.

It depicted that he cares about her. I knew it. I could hear it from his voice. That surprised me because Jungkook usually doesn't act like that. I've been noticing that he acts differently whenever he's with her and I've started to think that he, by some reasons— have a feelings for her but I couldn't confirm it yet. So I've to observe the both of them to make a conclusion.

It would surely be extremely surprising if he really has feelings for Hyerin.

The next following day

10:15 a.m.

Jungkook was being in the comfort zone where he didn't have to be all focused on his work. Instead, he got to zone out for awhile while thinking of the moment where Hyerin made fun of his bunny face yesterday.

He kept giggling to himself while staring out the window. Finally, he found his comfort zone. Soft chuckles filled the room and he find himself couldn't stop laughing whenever he thinks about her.

He felt happy. Extremely happy that he forgot that he was at office. It was actually kinda advantageous for him that he could finally lessen the pressure and stress he had at the office. He used to get so stressed over works but now, everything changed.

The girl named Hyerin had taught him to chill. Occasionally, we have to chill even though in difficult times. It won't change anything if we keep stressing out. Jungkook was lost in his thoughts for awhile, until Jimin suddenly barged into his office without any warnings.

It had been awhile since Jimin made his appearance in front of Jungkook although they're working in the same building. "Ssup, kook." He greeted him and as he usually does, he welcomed himself by sitting in front of him.

"What are you doing? Day dreaming?" Jimin tried to annoy him and yes, Jungkook was annoyed just by hearing his breath.

He rolled his eyes at Jimin. "What do you want? Can't you just let me breathe for a second?" He complained about how Jimin loved to barge into his office. But Jimin would never take his words seriously.

"Just breathe, I won't bother you." He shrugged and spinned the chair in front of Jungkook. "Your chair is so much comfortable compared to mine. Where can I get this?" He randomly asked.

"If you don't have anything important to ask, can you just leave?" Jungkook scoffed. Jimin was distracting him from having a nice day dream.

"Well," Jimin cleared his throat then stopped spinning the chair. This time, he looked more serious that he was and it made Jungkook to think that he had something to discuss about the company or something related. But instead, the thing he said next had him shocked and surprised. "I want to ask you about the barista girl, Hyerin, isn't it?"

His heart raced so fast after Jimin said her name because he could sense something was going on. "I think that— she's a great girl. I want to ask her out tomorrow."

That's it.

Jungkook's heart broke a little without anyone knowing.

"Could you please— give me her number?" Jimin asked, cluelessly as he thought he could get a chance to ask her out.

With his heart breaking a little, Jungkook inhaled for some air before answering him. "No."