"Bitch you have such long toned legs, why the fuck do you hide them with those ugly ass trousers", Alison scoffed at her best friend.

"I like the look, come on Alison. This is a good fit. That's how I have been dressing for years now"

"Those trousers look like they belong in the men's section. And that blazer makes you look like an HR lady who is going to interview Jungkook for a job. Not to mention those big ass eye glasses"

"HEY! I have vision problems, what do you want me to do!? Not see? Ram into walls? Get run over by a car?", Chaerin yelled back.

"Girl wear contacts you are ridiculous. Its a fucking date. AT NOBU. You are not dressing like this. It is a Friday night and you are guaranteed to run into a few celebrities. You have to up your game!"

Chaerin sighed taking one more look at the mirror. She thought it looked good but now that she looked at it, her outfit did scream HR lady who organises birthday parties for employees. "What do I do then?"

"Girl, I don't have a two room closet just so my best friend can pathetically look in the mirror and mumble what do I do?", Alison stood up. "Let's get going. I am about to glam you up baby doll. I know just the Miu Miu dress to put you in. Oh wait! I just got a new bodycon from David Koma and that just might be the one. Oh no! THE DIOR! THE GOLDEN DIOR ONE!"

"None of those booby dresses", Chaerin warned.

"NoNE oF THe BObbY dRESSes", Alison mocked. "Shut up. I am gonna give you a dress that's gonna be all boobs. Jungkook opens the door, BAM BOOBS. He sits opposite you, BAM BOOBS. He opens the door for you, BAM BOOBS. Today is let your titty shine day and we are gonna give that bunny boy multiple boners"

"ALISON!", Chaerin yelled exasperated. "You are such a creep. Don't say shit like this"

"Oh honey not will I say shit, but he's going to do some freaky shit with you today", Alison smirked and Chaerin gulped at her friend's words.

———•••———

"I don't even look like myself", Chaerin nervously spoke.

"Chin up doll and be confident. You look like you have been signed by the biggest modeling agency in the world. Like you sit beside Ana Wintour at the Dior front row. Like the visual of a top Kpop GG. So own it"

"But, this is so....Ali... this is so"

"Sexy? Yes it is. You are a grown woman who has boobs. Its not like that's a secret. And stop stretching the dress like this. Your will loosen it up. Also, I applied tanned lotion on your legs and look at how they glow!"

Chaerin looked in the mirror. She had to give it to Alison. She did look good. Taking a step back she admired herself once more in the mirror.

"Yes bitch, I can see the realization on your face. You look like a goddess. So let's get it yeah?"

"Thanks Ali, I don't know what I'd do without you", Chaerin smiled. "Just like I don't know what I'd do without you", the other replied latching her arms around the former's waist as she gave her a hug.

Chaerin hugged back, internally laughing at how small Alison looked when the former was wearing heels. "I know you are giggling because of my height", an angry face looked up to her and Chaerin bust into a full chuckle.

"Isn't that what I have been teasing you for years now? Remember that time in gym class we were made to stand height wise and you were first and I, last? Which reminds me, you know what's coming next month, don't you Ali?"

"Our 22nd anniversary", the woman screamed. "We celebrate 22 years of being best friends. 22 years since our mom's put us in the same crib and we held our hands", with that she picked up a photo-frame which had captured this scene and showed it to Chaerin.

The latter smiled as she ran a hand over the glass. "Can't believe its been this long Ali. I have never heard of anyone having the time span as us"

"Chim and Tae", Alison replied. "They celebrated 22 years last year"

"Yeah but they met when they were 4 and they are older to us. So by the time we are their age, we would celebrate 26 years"

"Ooohhhh", Alison formed her lips in an 'O'.

"Sometimes its hard to believe you went to one of the premier universities in America. Intellectually you are still stuck in grade 5"

"HEY!", a backslap came Chaerin's way who just laughed, happy at having roasted her best friend.

"Now, now. Let's go downstairs. Jungkook will be coming to pick me up soon"

———•••———

"I still can't believe you called me", a woman said as she smoked. Taehyung stayed silent, lighting his own cigarette as he sat facing the high windows of his penthouse in New York.

"Me neither", he replied taking a drag, his mind awfully preoccupied with something else.

"What could be the reason for wanting to hook up with an old flame?", the woman chuckled tapping her cigarette and adjusting the blanket that threatened to slip off her chest. "Trying to get over someone?"

Taehyung didn't say anything as he continued to look outside the window.

"What was her name?", the blonde Asian woman named Jessica asked, a tenderness in her voice. "Your first love? Chaerin right? Do you still love Chaerin?"

Taehyung gulped looking down, unable to answer. He felt a hand on his back as he turned to see Jessica sit beside him.

"I am sorry Jess", he spoke. "I wasn't the best boyfriend to you, was I?"

"Its debatable", the woman laughed. "There have been things that hurt me but there have been things you did for me that no one ever could. Knowing how my other exes treated me, you were an angel. Given the impression I had in university. Everyone thought I was a straight up whore just because I owned up to my sexuality. You treated me like a person. You didn't judge me and that to me, is the biggest thing. But, it is painful knowing I never really had your heart. Though I appreciated you were honest to me about it"

Taehyung nodded as a smile perched on his face. "I tried forgetting her. Forgetting what I felt for her by replacing her with someone. But the space she had could never be taken over. Even in other women, I saw her and I didn't want to take any woman's heart when I couldn't fully give her mine"

"Still baffles me why you haven't told her your true feelings", Jessica replied. "I urged you back then too. To go and say it to her face"

He leaned back as he faced the ceiling. Jessica followed and soon the both of them were looking at the stars through the glass ceiling.

"Because I am afraid that she'll refuse me" 

"Hasn't she already refused you a number of times?"

"She has refused me playfully because I always asked her out playfully. Like I was teasing, like I was messing around. I never mustered the courage to seriously tell her my feelings. Because if she said no to my true emotions, I don't know how I would take that"

"One sided love sucks, doesn't it", Jessica replied looking to the side at Taehyung, ironically.

"It does. But you know the most powerful thing about it? That no one can take away what I feel. She may choose not to love me but I still have all my feelings"

Jessica smiled as she went back to looking at the ceiling, knowing somewhere this was true for her as well.

———•••———

Jungkook couldn't say anything. He gulped as he looked at the woman walking towards his car. She looked nothing like he had seen before. He glanced at the passerbys that also stopped to take a glance at Chaerin. She looked straight off the runway it seemed. At this point, Jungkook wondered if a peasant like him was even worthy of taking this Queen out. His mind went into shut down mode.

Literally.

Jungkook.exe had stopped working.

"Jungkook"

"Jungkook"

"Uh-yeah"

"Hi"

"Hi—Hi", he immediately composed himself as he stepped forward and took her in a hug. "Wow", was the only word that followed.

"Is this all right for Nobu?", she asked unsure looking down at her dress.

"Are you kidding me?", he spoke with his mouth gaping. "You look gorgeous. The restaurant's about to abandon all it's important guests just so they can serve you"

Chaerin blushed and smiled. "You look dapper yourself. Love the leather jacket. And I think this is the first time I am seeing those tattoos. You always wear cuffed shirts so its hidden"

Jungkook smiled his bunny one as he nodded. "Allow me", he spoke opening the car door for her. Chaerin sat in as he closed the door before getting into the driver's seat as they drove to the restaurant.

When Jungkook and Chaerin arrived at NOBU, all eyes were on them. Literally. The duo could literally feel eyes glancing at them, heads turning and the staff getting attentive. Everyone was intrigued to know who this stylish looking duo with godly visuals was.

"Shall we?", Jungkook extended his hand. Chaerin smiled as she wrapped her hand around his as they walked into the restaurant.

"Wow this place is gorgeous", she gasped as she looked around before being ushered by Jungkook to a private dining space at the back.

"Oh! are we not eating at the front? Did you book this?", Chaerin asked.

"Yes I did, I don't like the bustling and the chattering in regular spaces. I always book the private space"

"Look I don't know much about fine dining but I know a bit here and there because Alison has expensive tastes and she is always taking me places. This private room is tough to get. And you know its expensive also. Why would you—you book this? I don't think there was a need"

Jungkook smiled. "I only wanted the best for this date. In the two hours that we will spend here, I don't want to get distracted by anything irrelevant. I want to listen to your voice only. Pay attention to your face. So I eliminated anything else that might distract me from the beautiful lady I am on a date with"

Chaerin was out of words as she turned cherry red. The man giggled as the woman in front of him turned absolutely shy. "Jimin warned me you were dangerous but he forgot to mention how dangerous"

Jungkook burst into a laugh as he relaxed into his chair. "Oh babe, I have a lot of tricks up my sleeves and a penchant for letting the ladies know what I am honestly feeling. So you better brace yourself"

"Wow you are a smooth talker. And to think you didn't even talk to me the first time we met. I clearly remember wanting to indulge in conversation but you just kept nodding and smiling, answering in bits and pieces"

"If I am interested in someone, I get conscious and shy the first time I meet them. Once the ice melts, I am confident enough to get into my element", Jungkook replied. "I noticed you the moment I approached the table. And when I realised the only seat was the one beside you, my mind went blank. I am sorry I looked like I had no interest in you but I was merely taking my time to admire you"

Chaerin wanted to say something but a knock on their dining room caught their attention. The door slid open and two servers walked in with plates. They gently placed them before the duo, adding their compliments for a good meal before stepped out again.

"Oh! The food is already here", she said surprised. "But we never placed the order", she whispered to him.

"Oh I did. Three days before our date. I nagged your cousin until he wrecked his brains to tell me what you liked. And then the restaurant designed this menu. So here's your favourite sushi for appetiser. Next will be the cream udon you like, then the steak with pepper and butter exactly how you prefer, followed by a spicy fried rice which I hear is your soul food and a hazelnut nutella cake which I quote 'you can kill for' as said by your brother dearest"

Chaerin was speechless. How did this man right here know all this so well? Did he really put so much effort into a first date? Was this all true? Or was she hallucinating?

"Is this what a good date is supposed to be like", she chuckled but Jungkook noticed a hint of sadness behind. "Wow, I have no words. I still can't believe you did this all for me"

"Why do you say that?" suddenly the mood was damp. "I was unhappy I couldn't do everything I hoped to do for you. I felt nervous thinking that you probably must have gone on such splendid first dates, mine would fall flat"

"Oh Jungkook you undermine yourself and overestimate me. That thing about splendid dates is hardly true"

Jungook raised an eyebrow. "Pardon me for being intrusive and feel free to not answer this but did the men you date before not do this for you?"

"Man", Chaerin corrected. "I have only dated one man. And he has been the only one I have been on dinner dates with"

"Tell me about your ex", Jungkook blurted it out so fast, even he was surprised. "Oh—um sorry I don't mean to be intrusive"

Chaerin chuckled. "That's all right. I can talk about it. Its been a long time since we broke up. I dated a guy named Jason Yoo. He was Alison's friend. We met at her birthday party in Seoul. He was Asian American like me and studied in the same international school as me and Alison. We began dating when we were 17. He came to LA with me. In a different college but still the same city. Initially it was great. We would be together all the time, explore the city, eat everywhere, have fun. Eventually it started fading out. He hated that I was this career oriented. That I wouldn't go to parties with him all the time. He came from a wealthy family too so all he wanted to do was party and travel which wasn't honestly me. Soon we began drifting apart. He didn't want to spend time with me. He began gaslighting me. He'd blame me for the relationship falling apart when I was the only one making any efforts to keep it alive. He began standing me up on plans. Eventually forgot anniversaries and then my birthday. Alison kept a dinner for me on my 20th and he never showed up. I got worried and went back to check on his apartment and saw him kissing a random girl. On my birthday that motherfucker cheated on me. So I broke it up. It left a sour taste in my mouth with the whole dating thing and he is probably the reason why I was so averse to it. So, that is that"

"Oh my god", Jungkook shook his head. "I can go beat him up, I swear to god"

Chaerin chuckled. "That won't be necessary at all. Karma did its job. His family went bankrupt and lost all their wealth. He also doesn't have a degree because he spent all his time partying. So, now he has no choice but to work three part time jobs to support himself. One at a cafe, one at a fast food chain and then the third one in a construction company. Sometimes if I feel like messing with him, I go to the cafe he works at and order water with whipped cream and send it back because it doesn't taste good just to see him get pissed"

Jungkook burst into a laugh at the last part. "Please that is so funny"

"What about you?", the woman asked. "Tell me about the women you have dated"

"Oh someone's curious", he smirked. "I have been in a relationship with four women and I have no count on the dates I have been on"

After hearing this, Chaerin was taken aback a bit. She immediately composed her face which showed a hint of worry, a hint of 'am I just a number on his date list then?'. Jungkook sensed it and he stepped in to explain himself.

"Hey! Hey, no. I know what you are thinking. And that's absolutely not how this is. I don't play around or date for fun. I have been on numerous dates and they have usually all been blind ones set up by mutuals or from dating apps. After the first dinner, I'd realise we aren't compatible and politely tell them that this wouldn't work. So its all made very clear. And our set up is nothing like those dates. So don't think what you are thinking", he playfully warned.

"Yes, yes I am sorry. I wasn't. Let's continue"

"So yeah four relationships. First one was when I was 15. From 15 to 17 I dated a classmate. Ended with her cheating on one of my best friends. Second one was from 18 to 19, we broke up because I was moving away and she didn't want to have a long distance. Third one was 19 to 22. My longest. We met in college, fell in love, moved in together but eventually realized we had very different goals. She did not want to settle, marry or start a family sometime in the future. Those were important things for me. So we broke up. Last one was quite brief. Six months. When I turned 23. I dated a friend I had known for years. Figured we were best off staying friends and that we had no real chemistry"

Chaerin took a bite of the udon she had been served as she nodded. "Quite an active dating life you have had. Would you have probably settled with the one you dated in college if she was down to settle and get married?"

"Not going to lie, I probably would have. My parents liked her too. They knew her parents from their business circle. Everything was aligned for us except she wasn't on board"

"That makes sense", Chaerin replied, trying her best to mask the slight disappointment laced in her voice.

"But you know how they say that what happens, happens for a reason. I know the kind of problems it would have led to if she half heartedly agreed to marrying me. And I wouldn't be here, would I? if I got married? So I am glad it didn't work out. I met someone who is much smarter, more beautiful and a wonderful kind human instead"

Chaerin blushed and looked down, picking up a sushi to put in her mouth along with wasabi to avoid having to face the man with her heated face. In a haste she picked up so much wasabi, she didn't even notice.

"Hey isn't that too much wasabi—", Jungkook asked out of concern.

It was. Chaerin's mouth flared up in heat and nose burned as she tried chewing that sushi down but now she couldn't act up. She had to pretend to be okay or else she'd come across as a loser. "No I am good, its not too much", she lied to act tough.

Jungkook burst into chuckles seeing the woman putting up a brave front when in reality her entire system was breaking down because of that potent green thing.

"Its all right, you can accept that it hurts. You will not look weak", with that he stood up with a small dish of vinegar he had ordered for his soup and walked up to her. "I know this is disgusting but I want you to down the vinegar in one shot. It will"

"Fucking hell", Chaerin gasped as the effect got worse, snatching the dish from his hand and downing it in one go like it was water. A few seconds later she calmed down, looking at Jungkook, hoping she hadn't screwed this date up.

"How are you this smart yet so clumsy at the same time?", he asked looking at her intently. "God doesn't gift a person with everything you see", the woman retorted.

Jungkook smiled as he sat back in his chair. The rest of the date went well. At the end of it, they thanked everyone as they left the restaurant to head back. Jungkook drove up to Chaerin's apartment as he parked the car and both of them got out.

"I hope you had fun", Jungkook smiled, hands in his pocket as he leaned at the door. "I tried my best but I am sorry if it didn't pan out how you imagined"

"Are you kidding me Jungkook? I loved every bit of it. It was surreal to be honest. Also, I am not difficult to impress. All gestures make me happy. You buy me a subway sandwich and I'll be skipping my way home with a blush. Alison doesn't like it though. She says my standards are in hell and the devil is doing limbo with it", with that she paused to chuckle. "No wonder why I dated Jason. But you know what, I don't want to be treated expensively or like a queen or whatever. I enjoy the simple things of life. It doesn't have to be extravagant"

"Unfortunately I have been raised to treat the women in my life as Queens so there is nothing I can do. You like it or not, you are only getting the best from me. I don't do bare minimum. I put my heart, soul and everything into it", Jungkook playfully smirked.

"Then I hope you let me treat you this well too", Chaerin replied. "I may not have the resources to pull off private dining in Nobu but what I do have is a gift to cook heart warming and soul soothing food. So why don't you Jeon Jungkook let me make you to a wonderful Korean home made meal at my apartment next week. You asked me on the first date, now let me take charge for the second"

"I don't even have the capacity to eat a spoonful of rice after this heavy dinner but if you make me a meal, I'll gobble it all down right now. I don't want to be shameless but next week is too far away"

Chaerin laughed, her eyes turning into crescents, something both her and Jimin inherited from their mothers. "I have to go with Alison somewhere tomorrow so how about the day after"

"Still far away but I'll accept it", Jungkook pouted.

"All right then, I think I'll head in now. Thank you so much for the wonderful meal, this was one of the best days of my life", with that she proceeded to give Jungkook a hug.

"Thank you for agreeing to this date, I cannot wait to see you again", Jungkook parted. "Go on, I'll wait till you safely reach home"

Chaerin walked a few steps as she headed towards her home. Something happened, making her stop as she turned back. Jungkook bobbed his head to ask what was wrong. The woman said nothing as she strutted towards him. The man relaxed his position as the woman walked towards him. Next second, Chaerin's hand clasped over his collar as she propelled him ahead. "Can't believe you did not even kiss me", she angrily hissed. "Aren't all first dates supposed to at least have a kiss?"

Jungkook was taken aback for a second. Of course he wanted to kiss her. But he also wanter to respect Chaerin and not do anything that would make the woman feel uncomfortable or awry of his intentions. He would have patiently waited months if he had to before he could touch her so when she initiated this intimacy, he was surprised.

"Woman, you have no idea", he whispered before putting his arm around her waist and pulling her closer. Next second his lips latched onto her as he pushed his body towards her. Chaerin closed her eyes as Jungkook's hands grabbed her face.

In the distance a wide eyed Taehyung stood as he looked at this unfold. After Jessica encouraged him to go see her, he had found the first flight from to LA. Holding her favorite box of chocolates that he knew Chaerin absolutely loved, he had waited for the woman. A knot formed in his throat as he took a step back. A single tear rolled down his cheeks as he placed the box on her mail box attached to a wall nearby before turning around and leaving the premise.

In the silence as two hearts beat in excitement and affection, the silent sound of one breaking was heard.