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Song Recommendation: Alibi by Sevdaliza, Pabllo Vittar & Yseult

Just like countless times before, Jimin pushed open the café door, the soft ding of the bell cutting through the cozy hum of conversation. His hood was pulled low over his head, shadowing the mischievous gleam in his eyes as they instinctively locked onto the serving counter. There she was—the familiar stranger who had become an inexplicable pull in his daily routine.

He told himself it wasn't love at first sight—those clichés made him scoff—but there was something about her that kept drawing him back. Was it the drinks? Maybe. But more than that, it was the way her expression soured the second she noticed him. The way her shoulders stiffened and her lips pressed into a hard line as if his presence alone ruined her entire day.

This is not how women reacted to him they swooned over his beauty, falling over themselves to win his attention, but not her. No, she made a face like he'd handed her something rotten every time he walked through those doors, and somehow, he found it utterly addicting. Jimin couldn't quite put his finger on it—maybe it was the challenge, or maybe it was the kind of attention only she could give. Either way, he wasn't planning to stop coming back anytime soon.

It made him feel all giddy inside to push her buttons, and he made sure to do it every time, damn the way she aggressively bit her lip holding herself back from cussing out just made his stomach tingle, almost with so much unholy thoughts altogether.

Jimin couldn't suppress the amused smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. Her reaction, so different from what he was used to, intrigued him more than he cared to admit. The fact that she refused to bow down to his presence—didn't flutter, didn't flatter—only made her more of that burn of alcohol he found himself craving to taste.

And so, here he was again, standing at the counter, poor Jungkook unwillingly dragged along for the ride. Jimin had waved him off with a casual "Go find us a table," but Jungkook wasn't fooled. He knew exactly why they were here, his sharp eyes flicking between the counter girl and his friend as he perched at a table nearby. His lips pressed into a flat line as if he had something to say but chose instead to observe. Jimin was too focused on her, though, already lost in whatever it was about her that kept pulling him back.

Jimin leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, his lips twitching into a scowl as he watched her attend to the elderly customer before him. "Here you go, ma'am. Enjoy your drink, and enjoy the cookies, they are new on the menu!" she said, adding two cookies alongside it. Her smile was genuine, radiant even, as she looked at the woman.

Jimin's brow furrowed. "Well, what do you know? She can smile" he mused, sarcasm biting at his thoughts.

"Such a lovely young lady," the old woman said with a kind smile, resting her hand softly over Maria's. "Thank you, dear. You're so thoughtful."

The blond head couldn't hold back a scoff, his sharp exhale loud enough to make the barista glance at him briefly.

"Seriously? For her, it's sunshine and rainbows. For me? A hurricane on a bad day," Jimin muttered under his breath, shaking his head. "Maybe I should bring a wig and glasses next time. Apparently, that's what it takes to get her to smile."

"Can I place an order too?" Jimin drawled, his voice dripping with casual charm as a smirk tugged at his plump lips. He pushed back his hood, revealing the sharp lines of his face. His earrings swung lightly, catching the light as they brushed his sculpted jawline. His hair was swept back, revealing his flawless forehead—a look that could send most girls into cardiac arrest.

But Maria?

Her expression twisted into one of pure disdain, lips pressing into a thin line and brows knitting together in visible annoyance. The utter lack of awe—no, the blatant unimpressed energy radiating from her—had Jimin biting back a laugh.

"Oh, really?" he murmured under his breath, his smirk growing. She's something else.

The irritated girl leaned on the counter, arms crossed, staring at him like he was the most bothersome customer she'd ever encountered.

Jimin couldn't help himself; he leaned closer, his eyes glinting with mischief. What makes her tick? Why does she hate me so much when the rest of the world practically falls at my feet?

The challenge she unknowingly presented was irresistible, and Jimin had no intention of backing down anytime soon.

"Why are you here?"

Jimin chuckled softly, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Obviously, for some good coffee. Or should I say, for the best coffee?"

She quirked an unimpressed brow, the corners of her mouth twitching as if she debated a sarcastic retort. "We're out of coffee."

A bemused laugh escaped the blond head, and he gestured lazily toward the grinding machine in the back. "That so? Because unless my ears are lying to me, I hear someone grinding it as we speak."

Maria didn't skip a beat, her expression deadpan. "Maybe it's for the atmosphere. A little background noise to set the mood. Either way, you're out of luck."

Jimin tilted his head, feigning a look of hurt. "So cruel. Maybe I should try the place next door?"

Her lips curled into a sly smirk. "They've got better coffee, fewer distractions, and a way better playlist."

Leaning forward just slightly, Jimin rested his forearms on the counter, his voice dipping low. "See, that's the thing, though. What if I don't want better coffee? What if I'm exactly where I need to be?"

Her eyes narrowed. "Then maybe you're lost, because this isn't the place for flirty speeches."

He leaned back with a grin, crossing his arms casually. "Flirty? Oh, sweetheart, if I were flirting, you'd know. But I guess now I'm curious... Is that what you want?"

Maria rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle she didn't tip over. "What I want is for you to stop wasting my time. Now, do you want something or not?"

Jimin's smirk deepened, and he tapped the counter lightly with his knuckles. "I do, but I get the feeling it's not on the menu."

She let out a scoff, grabbing a cup. "Black coffee. No sugar. Just like your humor."

"Perfect," He quipped, his grin as infuriating as ever. "Just like you."

The former slammed the cup down on the counter with more force than necessary, coffee splashing over the edge slightly. Her expression was the picture of restraint, though the fire in her eyes betrayed her growing annoyance. Jimin eased more leaning over the counter with no intentions of moving from there. The queue of standing people behind him continued to stretch.

"Anything else, or is the one-liner special enough for today?" she bit out.

The blond head chuckled, unbothered by her irritation. In fact, it only seemed to amuse him further. "I don't know, babygirl. Is there a dessert you'd recommend? Something sweet... but with a bit of bite?"

She rolled her eyes so hard Jimin almost worried they might get stuck. Almost. "Yeah. It's called leave. Comes with a side of don't come back."

He laughed openly at that, shaking his head in mock surrender. "You're funny. I like that."

"And I don't care" she snapped, grabbing a rag to wipe the counter. "You've got your coffee. Drink it, and go bother someone else."

"Hey move already! Are you going to take all day?" Someone from the waiting crowd shot, to which Jimin glanced back and he looked like he could murder them then and there. Casually he rose a finger towards the other barista who stepped forth not wanting a fight in the cafe and started attending to the people. Maria sighed pushing the cup towards the blond head wishing he would leave already.

Jimin picked up the cup but made no move to leave. Instead, he leaned casually against the counter, sipping the coffee as his dark eyes studied her. "You know, Maria, you're not like the others."

"Oh, here we go," she muttered, tossing the rag aside. "Let me guess. I'm 'different,' 'intriguing,' and 'not like the other girls.' You think that's going to work on me?"

He smirked, lowering the cup. "It's not a line if it's true."

She stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then, with a sigh, she leaned on the counter, mirroring his stance. "Look, I don't know what your deal is, but whatever game you're playing? I'm not interested."

"Who said it's a game?" he asked softly.

Maria blinked, caught off guard for a split second, she sank back in the ice. "Your reputation, for starters. That and the fact you think waltzing in here every day to annoy me counts as 'charming.'"

Jimin chuckled, finishing his coffee. "Maybe I just enjoy your company."

"Maybe you should find a hobby" she shot back, grabbing his empty cup.

"Maybe I already have" he murmured, his voice low enough to make her pause for a fraction of a second.

She froze for just a beat before masking it with a scoff. "You're really laying it on thick today, aren't you? What's next? You're going to tell me you've been dreaming about me?"

Jimin tilted his head, an amused glint sparking in his dark eyes. "Would you believe me if I said yes?"

"Not for a second" she fired back, crossing her arms.

"Smart girl" he teased, leaning slightly closer across the counter, just enough to invade her space. "But you'd be wrong. You have crossed my mind a few times."

She raised a sceptical brow, her lips curling into a humourless smile. "Oh really? Was it before or after you decided to annoy me with your daily visits and second hand flirt lines?"

"Before" he said smoothly, his smirk never dropping. "Something about you just sticks, you know? It's refreshing."

"Refreshing?" she repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. "Like iced coffee on a hot day, or refreshing like a mosquito buzzing in your ear?"

Jimin laughed hard at that, a genuine sound that softened his sharp features. "I'll let you decide which one I am."

She leaned closer now, narrowing her eyes. "You think this is funny, don't you? Showing up here, making my day twice as long?"

"Not funny" Jimin corrected, resting his chin in his hand as if he were completely at ease. "Amusing. You're amusing, Maria. Especially how your mouth goes sore by just seeing me"

"Oh, please, you must be sick to feel amused by something like that, go get laid already you look like a lonely guy" she groaned, spinning on her heel to start wiping down the already-clean counter behind her. "And the flirt lines, save that for someone who cares."

"But I do" he countered, his voice soft enough to stop her mid-motion.

She turned her head just slightly, catching the serious expression on his face out of the corner of her eye. It wasn't the usual playful, teasing Jimin. It was... unsettling.

"Why?" she asked after a moment, her voice quieter than she intended.

"Why not?" he replied, the playful lilt returning, though his gaze stayed locked on hers.

Maria huffed, breaking eye contact as she resumed her cleaning. "You're impossible, you know that?"

"And yet, here I am" he said, leaning back against the counter like he had all the time in the world. "Still trying to figure you out."

"Well, don't hurt yourself" she muttered under her breath, refusing to meet his eyes again.

"I wouldn't dream of it" he quipped, watching her every movement with a mix of amusement and intrigue. He didn't want to leave just yet, and judging by the way she kept glancing at the clock, it was obvious her shift was 'bout to be over. As soon as the hand of the clock touched the number 12, she pulled the apron away and stepped away from the counter, Jimin watched her walk past the machine and step out from behind the counters, she was in a haste to leave the place.

Was it because of him? Oh, the tingles it left in his stomach, the way he wanted to decrease the distances between them just so he could watch her annoyed gaze from close and maybe just maybe feel the warmth of that lip she abused so sinfully.

The ding of the door pulled him out of his thoughts and Jimin rushed after the girl who had left the space.

"Hey" he called out.

She didn't stop.

"Maria" he called again, a little louder this time.

The slight hesitation in her step made him smile. She wasn't as immune to him as she liked to pretend. She finally slowed down, her back still to him, her shoulders stiff. Without turning around, she spoke in a clipped tone, "What do you want?"

The blond head caught up with her, stepping into her path, his gaze locking onto her with an intensity that made her pause. The cool evening air seemed to thicken around them, the distance between them narrowing as he moved closer.

"I want to know why you run away every time I get close"

She let out a breath that bordered on a laugh but wasn't quite one. "You think I run away from you?" she asked, finally turning to face him.

Jimin stepped forward, just enough to make her step back. "Don't you?"

Her eyes flickered with something unreadable before she crossed her arms, leaning back against the nearest lamppost, her posture bold but her lips pressed into a thin line. "Maybe I just don't like people trying to get under my skin" she said, her voice calm but her eyes betraying her, sparking with an unspoken challenge.

"You're not good at hiding it," Jimin observed, letting his gaze travel over her, watching the subtle tension in her posture. It was there, hidden beneath the cold edge she worked so hard to keep. Her deflection didn't fool him. He could see it—her interest. She's playing hard to get, but she's intrigued.

He let his lips curl into a slow, teasing smirk. "You're interested. Whether you want to admit it or not, there's something about me you can't ignore."

Jimin saw the flicker in her eyes—the way she couldn't look away, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

"I don't have time for your games, Jimin."

Oh, but she does.

His voice dropped an octave, huskier now, filled with a promise of something more dangerous. "Fuck~ say it again."

He stepped in closer, the space between them shrinking a bit too fast, he moved too close, way closer and watched with satisfaction as she stumbled back, her throat visibly tightening under the weight of his gaze. He could feel her heartbeat before he even touched her.

Her ice-cold attitude—so calm, so indifferent—wavered. Her pulse picked up, her lips parted slightly as though she was struggling to control her breath. He could practically taste the heat building between them, the way her body fought to stay cold while every inch of her screamed warmer.

The intensity of his gaze made her uneasy, but it wasn't just that. It was the slow burn of desire he let slip between his words, the tension thick in the air like electricity. She couldn't pretend it wasn't there.

"Wh-what?" Her voice cracked, betraying her, just for a second.

"My name."

Her pupils dilated, her chest rising and falling faster now. The rebelliousness in her tone didn't match the tremor in her body. He could feel it—her resolve was crumbling under his attention.

"Look" Maria snapped, her voice strained, desperate to keep control. "I'm not one of those girls who will fall for whatever lines you throw my way."

Her words hit him like a challenge. And Jimin's smirk grew, knowing exactly how far he could push her. He took a step closer, the heat from his body pressing against hers, his breath brushing against her ear as he leaned in just enough for her to feel his presence.

Her cold exterior? He could see it cracking—just the slightest shift in her guard—and it only fueled him more.

He whispered softly, barely audible "You're already falling, Maria. You just don't want to admit it."

The words hung in the air, and her breath faltered for a split second. That was all he needed to know. She's playing. But I'm winning.

He inched closer, his voice lowering even more. "You won't. And that's what intrigues me. Maybe I just like the way you fight back."

"You really think you can handle me?" She spoke startled sinking back.

Jimin chuckled softly, the sound rich with confidence. "I think I'll enjoy finding out."

She didn't respond, but there it was—the flicker in her eyes. Confusion? Curiosity? Maybe both. It was a crack, just the slightest chink in her icy armor, and he caught it. Her gaze lingered for a moment, but she quickly turned away, walking toward the street corner without a glance back.

He stood there for a second, watching her retreat. There was something about the way she held herself, like she was unaffected. And that was "The issue" for Park Jimin, no one gets to stay unaffected around him. The smirk on his lips only deepened.

She's more interesting than I thought.

This wasn't over—not by a long shot.

"See you tomorrow, Maria" he called out, his voice smooth, laced with that same playful confidence.

From a distance, he could barely make out the groan that escaped her lips. Her frustration, the way she muttered under her breath, was music to his ears—even if he couldn't make out the words.

But then, her muttering turned into a soft, annoyed sound that slipped through the air, and it left him laughing aloud, his amusement spilling over.

She's so damn easy to read. And yet... so damn impossible to get.

He didn't need to hear her exact words to know that she was trying to brush him off, trying to pretend he didn't get under her skin. But he knew better. He saw it in the way she walked, in the way her shoulders tensed and her steps faltered—she was drawn to him, no matter how much she hated to admit it.

And that? That only made him want her more.