CHAPTER 20: Plagued Thoughts

WOOYOUNG
•••

I found myself sitting in a restaurant with a person who I couldn't believe was in front of me: San.

Not only did he offer to pay for just a simple meal, one where I knew I could manage to eat with some ease due to the uncertainty of my stomach, but he took me to a restaurant that seemed to hold a more larger meaning than he seemed to let on. It didn't help that the owners took assumption of the two of us being in a relationship, but the fact that despite the multiple attempts of trying to push the thought of us out of my mind, I couldn't quite help but wonder if he had brought another person here as well, one who could have been more than just an endearing friend.

Whatever the answer is, it's none of my business...

I had more pressing matters at hand to figure out, the main one being securing a job. All of my attempts of submitting applications for work were futile, as the only one to respond other than the diner was the retail store. Therefore, the interview tomorrow was literally my last resort to secure a part-time job. Otherwise, my schooling could become jeopardized.

"Woo...I have to leave in about 15 minutes." San said quietly, waking me from my thoughts.

Glancing at him for a moment, I gazed down at my empty bowl of ramen and noticed that my dumplings had been untouched. With a soft sigh, I nodded with a smile. "Let me take these to go and then you can drop me back off to the dorms, okay?"

He nodded with a grin before signaling for Suki to come back over to table. "Can we get a box to-go please?"

"Sure, and uh, don't worry about the bill. It's on the house!" Suki grinned. "Let me get that box and you're all set."

With a playful eyebrow raise, I looked at San with a smirk. "Well, looks like your connections scored us a free meal."

"This doesn't count as a meal then. I made a promise to pay for a meal with you, and I intend to keep that promise." San said sternly.

A blush grew on my cheeks before I brushed it off. "Of course, just another excuse to take care of me..."

That elicited a smirk in response from him as he leaned back into the booth chair and crossed his arms. "If that's what you want to call it, then sure."

Before I could respond, Suki came back over quickly and handed me the box. "Here you go! By the way, um..."

The look on her face cause a sense of uneasiness to come over me. "...Is everything alright?"

Suki smiled nervously and nodded. "Oh yes, yes! I just...um...does your mom work at Seoul National University Hospital by any chance? You just look somewhat familiar..."

"Actually, she does. She works in the Pediatric department. How did you...-"

"I've seen her a few times before and when I saw you, I couldn't quite place where I've seen the resemblance from." She grinned eagerly. "She works with my younger brother, who is an intern there. That's all!"

San chuckled. "Well, wow....Small world."

The two of us stood up and I granted her a smile. "Can I have your brother's name? I'll let my mother know to look after him."

Suki's grin grew even bigger before giving me a quick bow. "His name is Sung-hoon! Thank you!"

"Aish..." I smiled, gesturing for her to lift her head. "There's no need for all that. Don't worry."

"Sorry....Well then, I hope to see you guys again soon! Thanks again!" She waved us off before making her way back to serve other tables.

We both walked out toward San's car to head back to campus, but a gnawing feeling overcame me. Not realizing from before, I felt a sense of comfort while spending time with him and didn't want us to go our separate ways once we made it back. However, I kept myself from dwelling on the feeling, as I could assume that the phone call he received prior was an important one.

Stepping inside the car, San glanced over at me with a small smile as he started up the engine. "Once I drop you back off, I'll head to finish up the final arrangements for the funeral."

"Are you sure you're fine doing that all alone? I know you and your father may not have been close, but it's still a funeral and all..."

"I'm sure." He patted my head reassuringly. "It won't take long, and I'll be back before you even realize."

I scoffed, rolling my eyes before focusing my attention outside the window. "You make it seem as if I can't be alone without you. I'll finally have the room to myself without your annoying ass."

All I could hear was a chuckle before he pulled out of the parking lot and started our drive back to the dormitory.

•••

I watched as San drove me right in front of the building, my heart suddenly growing heavier at the sight. Whether I wanted to admit it or not, I found myself having a small sense of attachment to the male next to me.

Goddamn it Woo, get it together...

San cleared his throat, gathering me from my thoughts. "We're here..."

"Oh-uh. Right."

Opening the door to leave, I suddenly felt a hand hold onto my shoulder. Turning my head, I noticed San leaning close to my face with a smirk on his face. "Thank you for going to eat with me..."

Fighting back a blush, I playfully rolled my eyes. "Who am I to deny a meal? But, you're welcome. Now go, don't be late for your meeting."

With that, I stepped out of the car and shut the door, watching as he sped out of the lot without hesitation. A small smile grew on my face, but as soon as I turned around, I noticed Mingi and Yunho standing behind me with a look of amusement on their faces. "Holy shit, you two scared me!"

Yunho raised an eyebrow at me with a playful smile. "Why is that? Did we catch you doing something you wasn't supposed to be doing?"

"Of course not....What are you talking about?"

"Well..." Mingi started, a smirk growing on his lips. "Of all the years I've known San, not once did he ever let anyone in his car. Yet, here we are, seeing you step out as if it was the most normal thing in the world."

With a nervous scoff, I brushed off the warm feeling growing in my chest at the realization. "First of all, it's nothing normal about it. Second of all, you two make it seem like it's an anomaly or something."

"Anyway..." I laughed hesitantly, quickly making my way past them toward the building without allowing them any chance of further questioning. "I'm heading up to my room. Nice seeing you two!"

Yunho nodded with a bright smile. "Of course, see you later!"

"Bye, Wooyoung! Be sure to let me know if you're now the new exclusive passenger with San next time!" Mingi snickered, earning a playful shove and scowl from Yunho in return.

Once inside the building, I let out a breath I didn't even realize I was holding as I continued my journey back to my room, my thoughts running rampant in my mind. However, that was soon interrupted by the sound of Felix's voice calling out to me as I waited for the elevator. "Woo?"

"Felix?"

He jogged over to me with a smile, before slowly looking at me with slight concern. "Hey, are you okay?"

I nodded, watching as the elevator doors opened. "Yeah, just heading to my room..."

The two of us stepped inside together and pressed our floor buttons. Once the doors closed and began its ascent, the blonde male spoke up. "Do you mind if I joined you? Even if it's for a little bit?"

"Sure. Just don't judge me for my side of the room." I teased.

"I highly doubt your side of the room is anything but greatness."

A giggle escaped me as we reached my floor, the two of us stepping out in stride together towards my door. With a quick unlock, I opened the door and gestured for him to enter first. "Welcome to San and my room."

Felix snickered, kicking off his shoes before taking in the entirety of the room. "You introduced it as if you two are sharing a house or something...I take it that you're a fan of BTS?"

"Shut up..." I faintly blushed. "And of course I am! They are the best."

The male rolled his eyes playfully before taking a seat at my desk. "Your side is rather bright and colorful, while San's side is..."

"Basically an emo kid on steroids?" I finished his sentence teasingly. "You can be honest."

"You said it, not me." Felix laughed. "It's kind of funny to see the stark contrast, though. It's almost like a rabbit living with the big, bad wolf."

"That's some analogy you got there..."

"I mean, it's somewhat similar to my shared room with Hyunjin. My side is full of technology and gaming stuff, while his is full of artwork and photographs."

My eyebrow raised in a tease. "...You're into gaming?"

"Don't sound so surprised." He deadpanned. Both of us giggled, and I could feel myself slipping into a sense of comfort, one that I needed to feel after the sudden encounter with the other two males before.

Felix decided to spark up a new topic of conversation. "How is it living with San? When I first met you two, it seemed as though it was a match-made in hell. Although now, it kind of looks like you two are getting along?"

"I guess we are doing better than before...he's just not all that bad as he tries to portray himself to be. However, he's still an asshole." I mumbled quietly. "Definitely an asshole..."

"A good looking asshole, huh?" He smirked playfully.

"Yes...I mean, no!" I groaned. "He's not all that."

That elicited a chuckle from the male. "Woo, it's fine to admit he's handsome. There's no denying that. Just because you admit it, doesn't mean you like him or want to fuck him."

I gasped. "Where the hell did the sunshine Felix I used to know go? I think that's the first time I've ever heard you swear?"

"That just means you have a lot to learn about me." He grinned. "Seriously though, he's attractive. I'm surprised you two haven't done anything yet, especially with the tension you two clearly displayed on the first day."

A faint blush grew on my cheeks in remembrance, one I noticed he caught on instantly. With a jaw drop, he looked at me with surprise in his eyes before whisper-shouting in excitement. "No fucking way... you two did do something!"

"No we didn't!"

"You're a terrible liar, mate. Spill it."

I sighed. "It's nothing...it was a one-time thing and that's it."

Felix smirked. "That's what they all say, and based on how red your face is, I know you truly don't mean that. It also means that you did more than what I'm thinking."

"Why are you so interested in this?" I whined. "Don't you have a boyfriend?"

"I do, and we both can admit that San is handsome. Doesn't mean that we ever wanted to do something...unlike someone I now know..."

"Felix...."

The blonde male giggled. "Alright, alright, I'll stop teasing. I pretty much got my answer anyway. How was it, on a scale of one to ten? I promise this stays between us."

The blush on my face deepened as I took a moment to recall everything that happened that night. With a soft whisper, I answered. "A ten..."

"Holy shit! No wonder you two are much more caring towards each other!"

Rolling my eyes, I collapsed on my bed and groaned. "Like I said, it was a one-time thing and it's never happening again. I made that quite clear with him."

Felix snorted. "Based on how I see things, I doubt that's going to last long. Anyway, moving on from this, are you ready for your interview tomorrow?"

Finally...a new topic...

Sitting up in my bed, I nodded. "I need to be ready. This is the only other interview offer I've gotten since applying, and I need to get this."

"Do you know what you're going to wear?"

"I mean...it said to dress casual so I figured it wouldn't be too hard to find an outfit."

Felix gasped, standing up from the desk chair and making his way over to my closet. "That basically means dress impressive, Woo. Come on, let's look for something stunning without making you look like you're trying too hard."

"Since when were you the fashion police?" I giggled, hopping off my bed to join him in search.

"Since forever, and now, I'm your fairy godfather at your service." He grinned. "Now, let's get you sorted out, shall we?"