Ara sat silently, glancing outside the window. They didn't exchange words and now she was getting bored. How could someone enjoy long drives without conversing or playing music?

Ara enjoyed talking and listening to the songs all the time. Music was the only thing that kept her alive when she was getting bored or feeling dead. And here, the man hated both it seemed.

She shifted her attention to Jungkook and stared at him. His side profile appeared too attractive for his own good. Because of his youthful appearance and exceptionally sharp jawline, Ara surmised that he was in his mid-twenties.

Even when there was no music playing, his fingers continued to tap the steering wheel, which led Ara to judge him. She had observed people doing this, but only when their favorite song was playing. Why won't he turn on the music?

"Can you stop staring?" Ara was startled when Jungkook spoke in his stern voice. He gave her a quick glance and noticed that she was staring directly into his eyes with her mouth open.

Her lips looked like a fish especially when they were parted, making him let out a chuckle at his thoughts. He was figuratively comparing his girlfriend's lips to fish. Such a turn-off! Did I mention the word "rental"?

"Why the hell are you laughing?" She inquired, glaring at him.

Jungkook shook his head playfully and turned his focus to the road. Usually, he would take a driver. But since it was a party, he decided to drive the car tonight. Plus, it was pretty far. Why should he make the poor man wait for almost two hours?

"Do I look like a clown to you?"

"You are! I can't say you're pretty." Jungkook retorted and glanced at her face again.

Okay, he had to admit that she was really pretty. Her face was quite small, now that he was focusing so intently on her. Her eyes were big and when she stared at him, her eyes appeared innocent. Her lips were wide-heart shaped and they looked perfect with the red lip tint applied to them. Even her nose was so small and boopable; her whole face was too cute and innocent.

Compared to the foul mouth she had which made her appear bitchy, surprisingly she had put on very little makeup to make her look decent and not like someone who would seduce rich guys. She even didn't do anything to her long brunette hair, except than keeping it open. In short, she looked like a doll with that innocent face and wavy hair left open.

It was funny how she got a cute face with a sexy figure. This was one trait similar to the CEO she sat beside.

Ara noticed him staring at her for around 10 seconds and it made her gulp, feeling uncomfortable. She put a strand of her hair behind her ear and averted her gaze at the road.

"I think you should focus on driving since you can't really see the beauty on my face. Not your fault though. You must not have seen a pretty girl like me before."

Jungkook rolled his eyes at the overconfident girl and decided to focus on driving instead of retorting. He couldn't even believe himself staring at the strange girl for such a long time.

Ara peeked a glance at him once and then looked at her lap. She began playing with her fingers, contemplating whether she should speak what she wanted to.

"Umm..." She again looked up at him and when she noticed him raising his brow while driving, she continued. "Why don't we introduce each other? I don't even know your name and if I have to pretend to be your girlfriend even if it is for two hours, I need to know that."

Jungkook nodded his head. He must indeed let her know a few things about him. If someone, or worse, Mr. Choi tried to talk with his "rental" girlfriend who had to pretend as if she were a genuine one and if she didn't know anything about him, things wouldn't end well.

"My name is Jeon Jungkook, CEO of Jeon Enterprises. We are going to attend a party hosted by Mister Choi." Ara nodded her head, trying to remember all the important details Jungkook was filling in her brain.

"I want you to keep a few things in mind. Mister Choi is not a good man. He has tried to spread rumors about my personal life because I wasn't seen with girls till now. So you must stay away—"

"What type of rumors?" Ara cut him because of curiosity, looking at him with wide eyes.

"It doesn't concern you." He quickly retorted.

"It does. Are you saying or shall I reveal to this Mister Choi of yours that I'm getting paid to be your girlfriend?" Ana raised a brow while tilting her head, making Jungkook sigh.

"I never took a girl with me to these parties so he tried to spread rumors that I'm gay. Happy?"

"Woah! Sounds like a bitch. You could have responded to him. Or maybe kissed a girl in front of him to clear those rumors." Ara suggested, nodding her head with a proud smile. She felt proud of the brilliant ideas she was giving.

"Sure! So that a new rumor spreads. Thanks!" Jungkook let out, sarcastically. "Anyways, I feel that is all you need to know as of now."

"Who is Mister Kim that you want to meet?" She asked, not really listening to Jungkook's words.

"That is none of your business." He spoke firmly.

"Are you saying?"

Jungkook gave a signal and halted the car. He was getting annoyed right now by the continuous interrogation. "Can't you keep your curiosity under control?" Ara shook her head making him close his eyes and rub his temples.

"Mister Kim Namjoon! He is the CEO of Kim Enterprises. I need to work with their company and he isn't ready to even hold a meeting." He informed, glancing at Ara. She nodded her head, mouthing "o."

"I don't really need to attend this party. But convincing Mister Kim is important and these parties are the only place where I can meet him. That is the reason why I have to take you, to put an end to all the rumors, so he believes me and agrees to do a meeting." Jungkook couldn't believe he was sounding soft right now as if he was talking to his best friend and not someone who he was meeting the first time.

"Don't worry! I won't do anything stupid." Ara smiled widely, assuring Jungkook.

"You can introduce yourself while I start driving. It's gonna take fifteen minutes more." Ara agreed and they hit the road again.

"So, my name is Ara. I'm twenty-five years old. I—"

"Wait- you're that young?" Jungkook cut her words, shock clearly evident in his voice as his eyes widened.

"Yes! I assume you must be around my age too, right?"

There she started, again with her questions.

"Girl, I'm thirty-three. Don't you know anything about me?" He glanced at her, unable to believe when she shook her head.

"I can't believe someone doesn't know me."

"Why? Are you an idol or something? I don't see why someone should know you." Ara shrugged, earning judgemental looks from Jungkook. "What? I really don't know you. It's not a crime."

"Whatever! What's your last name though?"

"Why are you so curious?"

Jungkook quickly raised his brow as if he was telling her that she was in no place to ask this question when she had been interrogating him some time back.

"Kang Ara!" She let out in a low voice.

There was a long pause after that. Surprisingly, it was comfortable this time.

"Jungkook-ssi, I just wanted to remind you that please don't forget the rules." She spoke nervously, making Jungkook nod his head.

"Since when are you doing this? Rental girlfriend thing!?" Jungkook inquired, making Ara look outside the window. The question made her pity her fate. She opened the window as soon as her breaths quickened.

Jungkook was about to yell at her for opening the windows suddenly, but when he glanced at the girl breathing heavily, he didn't say a word. Her hands were shivering, making him feel bad for her. 

He somehow understood that his question got a bit personal. "Do you want me to stop the car?" He inquired softly, not understanding what else he should ask or do. 

Ara quickly shook her head. "Can we not talk about my job? I'm not comfortable." She spoke, now pouring her attention on Jungkook.

Her eyes glistened with tears which made him feel something weird. He nodded and focused on driving.

"If you're concerned about me being a gold digger, please rest assured. I'm not sleeping around with people for money. This is legal and I'm just trying to feed myself. So I hope you quit being disgusted." Ara made her point clear, wiping a drop of tear on her cheek.

Jungkook just nodded and didn't utter a word. He began reflecting upon his actions now. If such a normal question could make her so vulnerable, he wasn't supposed to judge her. Maybe she didn't want to do this but she had to. Who knows what past she was keeping away from her present?

Jungkook turned off the air conditioner and opened the window from his side too. Maybe he could enjoy this for once, even if he never did this. 

____________________

Our boy has already begun changing his habits. We can see his change of heart here.

Anyways, what do you think is gonna happen now?

Are you enjoying the book? 

I'm planning to make this a short story because I need to finish writing Undisclosed Secrets too. Let us see how the story progresses.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share this book with your ARMY friends.