^^ AUTHOR ^^

Jungkook immediately backed away from her and mentally gave himself a punch. He left for the closet, shaking his head while opening a drawer that kept some of his clothes. He picked a pair of sweats, glancing at the sleeping beauty before exiting her room and proceeding to the other room to take a shower and sleep.

The next day, Jungkook's eyes flew open as he remembered to check on her. Even in his sleep, he worried for her. He forced himself up and paced at her door, gently opening and sticking his head inside. He entered with soft steps, making sure not to wake Shanshan up.

"Aigoo." He sighed as he looked down at her, who was sleeping peacefully. "You must be so tired."

He saw the time on her clock. It was almost 8, and he was feeling hungry. "We hadn't eaten anything last night. Shanshan would probably wake up feeling hungry."

He let the woman sleep more as he walked out of the bedroom, thinking of a recipe to cook for breakfast. Arriving at the kitchen, he opened the fridge, only to be surprised that it was empty.

"Since when did she start living with only delivery foods? No matter how busy she is, she should at least cook her own meal once."

Ding dong.

Jungkook blinked at the sound. He closed the fridge before pacing towards the door. "Who is it?"

He swung it open, only to be greeted by his best friend's assistant carrying bunches of flowers and gifts.

"Let me in," Minho grunted as he struggled to carry them.

Jungkook immediately stepped back to let him enter while he watched, speechless. "What are those?"

"Birthday gifts for Shanshan," the older answered as he dropped all of them on the couch, eyeing the way to Shanshan's bedroom. "They're taking a lot of space in the office, so I decided to bring them here."

"Ah," Jungkook talked as he walked behind him.

"Where is she?"

Jungkook's face showed concern as he talked. "She is still asleep. She fainted last night."

"What?!" Minho turned to him. "Is- is she okay?"

Jungkook nodded. "I was trying to persuade her to go to the hospital, but she insisted not to go."

Minho exhaled. "Of course, she doesn't want to let you know too."

"I'm worried, hyung. It was the first time I saw my best friend like that."

"Not just you. I've seen her suffering and troubling me for almost two months."

"Ahhh," Jungkook groaned, sitting on the couch and opening a box of gifts.

"Hey, are you allowed to open that?" Minho warned him.

"Of course. I'm her best friend. Hmm... this person is thoughtful enough to give her something like this." Jungkook lifted a small porcelain vase and showed it to him. "I'm envious that I didn't buy anything for her birthday."

Minho just ignored him, knowing that Jungkook would get scolded by Shanshan if she found out that he messed with her things. Minho looked towards her bedroom once again. He just made an excuse to come here and check on her. She was supposed to be at work, but her absence made him troubled, making him worry that something might have happened to her. Now that he learned she fainted last night, he became even more worried.

"Hyung, have you eaten breakfast yet? I'm planning to order food." Jungkook said as he stood to pick his phone on top of the shelf.

"I'm good. Just order something for you and Miss Lee."

"Why do you keep calling Shanshan formally?" The other asked curiously. "I mean, I know she's your boss, but you're also friends."

Minho smiled. "Yes. And I'm older than her too. I just want to keep reminding myself that I still have to respect her and stay grateful for giving me a job."

"Makes sense..." Jungkook nodded before calling on his phone.

Minho stood there, closing his hands tight inside his coat's pockets. He was thinking of telling his doubts about Shanshan to the younger, but he also feared that it may cause something terrible between the artist and Shanshan, for she kept it from him.

He nervously sighed as Jungkook finished ordering. "Should I tell him?" He stepped towards him but suddenly, he heard Shanshan's voice.

"JK. I'm hungry."

The two men turned to see Shanshan yawning at the door and wearing a loose shirt and shorts.

"Miss Lee, are you okay?" Min Ho asked, approaching her.

"Of course, I feel better now," she said with a smile. "I had a good rest."

Min Ho knew it was a lie, but he pretended to smile back and believe her. "I'm glad to hear that. Everyone at the gallery is worried for you."

"Ahh, I'm fiiinne. Why are you here?"

"He came to bring your stuff," Jungkook answered, pointing at the couch filled with colorful flowers and gifts.

"Oh, you even troubled yourself with that. Anyway, thank you." She said, approaching them.

"I'm- I'm going back to work."

"Sure, I'll catch up later."

"NO!" Jungkook and Min Ho answered at the same time.

She froze on her spot, her confused eyes looking back and forth between the two.

"You- you should stay at home and take proper rest!" Minho stated. "Jungkook said you fainted last night."

"You're supposed to spend a day with me," Jungkook added. "How can you do that when I took a day off for you?"

"Jungkook, she needs to stay at home. No trips and heavy activities." Minho reminded him.

"Got it," the younger man answered.

While they talked, Shanshan was deciding between spending time with JK and going to work. Since her gallery started growing, she needed to be there with Minho and help him. But now that her best friend was here, she might as well take a day off for him. "O- okay. I'll just stay. Sorry."

"Good." Min Ho mumbled before glancing at Jungkook. "Watch over her." He started to walk away.

Jungkook followed his eyes on him until he disappeared behind the door, then threw a glare at Shanshan, who was already busy opening her gifts. "Until when are you going to stop wearing my clothes?" He pointed at the shirt she was currently wearing.

"Until I die." His best friend answered without looking at him, making him frown. She doesn't know that the memory of her pale and unconscious body kept him up the whole night.

He sighed as he joined her on the couch. "You scared me last night. I thought- I thought-"

"I was dead?" Shanshan lifted an eyebrow at him.

He nodded. "Because you were cold and pale like frozen," Jungkook answered with a horrified face.

Shanshan chuckled. "What if I really died last night?"

"Tch. Then no one's going to steal my clothes again." He simply answered before going to the door as the doorbell rang.

He came back with two bags of food in his hands and went straight to the kitchen. "If you're hungry, follow me."

Shanshan immediately dropped the gift she was opening and followed behind him. Jungkook was silent while opening the pack of food and offering Shanshan the other one. He helped her transfer the food on a plate while Shanshan gulped with a gleam in her eyes. "Hunger woke me up."

Jungkook went to the chair across her and started eating too.

"I miss emeoni's homecooked dishes. I wish we could visit your parents before the new year. By the way, when are you going to film the Winter Package? You asked me to go with you on your three-day shooting, and now I am thinking that I can go. Just make sure that the schedule is next month, not next year."

Just then, Shanshan noticed his silence and decided to ask.

"Why am I the only one talking?"

Jungkook paused before putting down his spoon and giving her a dreadful look. "I was thinking... what if you really died last night?"

That question alone made both of them go silent as they locked eyes. Shanshan felt her heart throbbing as JK stared at her deeper.

"And if I died last night?"

"Then I would regret not spending a lot of time with you," he answered, making his eyes furrow with sadness. "My greatest fear is losing you," the man confessed. "When you left ten years ago, I almost went insane. How much more if you die?"

Shanshan felt her chest tighten by his words. Her face softened with concern and sadness, almost wanting to cry. "If I die, I want to be in your arms."

"Just like last night."

Jungkook lifted his eyebrow, making Shanshan think that she just made an awkward statement. She faked a laugh, trying to make it look like she was joking, but he avoided her gaze and looked down on his food, continuing to eat and trying to forget the bitter emotion he was feeling.

^^. . ^^

^^ what is Shanshan hiding? ^^