"Did he reciprocate?" Jin asked, leaning against the counter as they began closing up. Areum didn't look up; she just shook her head, a heavy sigh escaping her.

It had been forty-eight hours since she'd hit 'Interested' on Jungkook's profile. He would have seen the notification by now. But... nothing. Silence.

The app was a cruel gatekeeper: no mutual interest, no conversation. It was a digital standoff, and Areum was losing.

"Have you stalked him yet? Tell me you have. I have complete faith in your investigative skills," Jin said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Areum couldn't help but chuckle—Jin was a dork, but she loved him.

"Of course I have," she admitted, unlocking her phone. "I went through some of his videos."

"And how is he? Is he interesting?" Jin ran to her with excitement in his voice. Areum chuckled, opening her phone and searching through one of the videos that she liked.

Jin practically scurried over, nearly tripping on his own feet. "And? Is he worth the wait?"

Areum pulled up her favourite clip. "Look at this."

Jin stared at the screen for two seconds before gasping. "Okay, wow. He is hot."

"Right?" Areum laughed. He wasn't just handsome; he was twenty-eight—the perfect age. No massive gaps, no generational hurdles. Just... potential. 

"Wait, is he cooking something? He can cook, darling! And he's funny?" Jin grabbed her arm. "Send me the link. I'm going to watch every video he's ever posted. I'm already in love with him."

Areum's smile flickered. A familiar, sharp prick of possessiveness tightened in her chest. "Don't forget you're my best friend," she said, her voice dropping a half-octave. She hated sharing. Even with Jin. Especially with Jin. 

"Yeah, yeah. Anyway, you can finish up here. I'm leaving early to go binge-watch your future husband," Jin teased, taking off his apron. He didn't actually mean to leave her with the grunt work; he just wanted to see her reaction. But Areum didn't snap back. She was staring at her phone, frozen.

"Are you watching porn?" Jin deadpanned.

"He messaged." The words came out in a breathless rush.

Jin didn't hesitate—he snatched the phone right out of her hand. "You go, girl! He swiped back! Look, I'll close up. Go home. Talk to him. Be charming!" He gave her a playful shove toward the door.

"If you say so," she said with a wink, finally breaking her trance.

She walked home at a leisurely pace, forcing her feet to stay steady even though her heart was drumming a frantic rhythm against her ribs. She wasn't going to reply immediately. She wasn't desperate. She was a woman with a plan. But the second the front door of her house clicked shut behind her, the composure vanished. She dove for her phone while lying on her stomach on her bed and responded to the message.

_______________________

Their chats are coming up in the next chapters. Are you looking forward to it?

How do you think Jungkook is in this book?