CHAPTER 4

Han Jumin's status as the heir of a prestige company made it impossible for him to go anywhere without bodyguards. Being almost kidnapped a few times when he was a child had become a weather-like story like him. Since then, he relied on his bodyguards when it comes to his safety. They were all so competent that no one had ever lay a hand on him, let alone hurting him.

But now, not even for the whole day his bodyguard was not around to protect him and now, Han Jumin got himself kicked by a girl on the street.

"Jumin, are you okay?" While also eyeing Hae Soo who made her way across the street with a scary determination and hurt knees, Rika was also worried about Jumin's 'mental state' in thi situation as he still clutched his victimized calf which made the woman could not see his face well.

How humiliating would it be for someone who was not close with women when he was kicked violently by a random woman like he was an assaulter?

Still, Jumin would never give up.

Rika flinched as the man suddenly stood up straight like a robot. It felt like he was not kicked in the first place. "Wait, are you..."

"I apologize, Rika. I believe her knees injured pretty bad so..." while still looking at the limping girl not far from them, Rika suddenly could see a strange determination in his eyes whenever he wanted to started a cat project, as opposed to Hae Soo's fierce determination to go to C&R building. "If she collapses again in five seconds, I will use plan B."

"What Plan B?"

Jumin was right and he meant his words. As soon as Hae Soo's legs gave up again, this was the first time Rika could see how a director who always spent his time at his desk or sitting while drinking wine moved so fast. He was similar to a robot that suddenly powered up after Jaehee changing the battery.

"Hey, Jumin! Han Jumin!" Rika knew Jumin was 'crazy' sometimes but...

Did he really have to be that determined? Why would his perfectionism got the better of him right now?

"Wait, what are you doing!?" As expected from a girl who dared to kick Jumin, Hae Soo yelled right away as Jumin suddenly held her shoulder with his poker face before lifting her.

Seeing how aggressive Hae Soo reacted to Jumin holding her like a princess, Rika could feel that she was not an ordinary girl because...

She never saw any girl rejected Jumin's help. She never saw any girl not falling for Jumin's good look and claiming that the man was their love at the first sight.

But, Hae Soo... she did exactly the opposite of the two situations that Rika had never seen before. She rejected his help and she did not even spare a glance at how cool Jumin looked.

"I am sorry, Miss. I am a type of person who cannot leave things unsettled. You need to go to the hospital."

"What the heck!? Are you crazy!? Why are you acting like you are driving an ambulance!? Let me go!" Being lifted suddenly by a stranger was one thing but it was horrifying when the man's big hand held her bare thighs casually.

"Jumin, are you sure?" The speechless Rika could not help but ask. Her green eyes sized up at this ridiculous sight of Jumin holding a random girl.

"Let's go, Rika," while holding Hae Soo who was still struggling to escape from his iron grip, he gestured Rika to open the car door.

"Are you serious, Jumin? Are you really not out of your mind?"

"Of course not. Why are you talking like I am kidnapping a girl?"

"You do look like one, to be honest!" Out of frustration, both Rika and Hae Soo screamed at him but as expected, Jumin did not flinch.

"Let me go!" Hae Soo even punched Jumin's shoulder but later surprised at how firm it was.

"Just let her go, Han Jumin. What kind of a director are you... 'kidnapping' a girl in broad daylight..."

Han... Han Jumin?

Someone finally crossed Hae Soo's mind.

"I repeat, I wasn't kidnapping. I am just rescuing her."

As in... THAT Han Jumin?

"Miss, are... are you okay? Why are you suddenly quiet?" Rika said, which also made Jumin glance at the shocked girl in his arms.

"I know right. You look like you regained your memory or something..."

"C & R project director, Han Jumin?" To make it worse, Hae Soo said the name out loud, right in the man's ears.

When he turned to meet her black eyes, their face was so close but there was another thing that made her want to curse herself at that moment.

Especially when she realized that nothing and nobody could ever beat this man's smug face.

"Yes? Are you calling me?"

"Where's... Jumin?" V asked, eyeing Rika who for some reason wandered around the ward instead of sitting next to his bed.

He was worried about the woman for the whole day. She did not pick up his calls. They fought again last night without a resolution after that since she left their shared apartment in the early morning.

But, it seemed to him that she was not in a perfect condition to talk.

He wondered, what did she and Jumin talk about?

"He sent someone to get treatment for her knees. We accidentally hit a girl on our way here. She already had bad knees injuries."

"Knees injuries? Could it be... does she have black hair and wear business attire?" V's usually calm voice got higher as the girl who saved him crossed his mind.

That immediately caught Rika's interest, causing the woman to make her way to his side. The closer she got, the more V realized that he missed her warmth when they just dated each other.

Including a cliched line like 'are you okay, V?'.

"Yes but how do you know her?"

"Well, she is... she's the one who saved me but I haven't had a chance to thank her yet. She rushed outside after her treatment and I got worried..."

He was just being honest but Rika thought he was being ridiculous. Arms crossed over her chest, snickering eyes and a smirk from her; he could tell what all of them concealed.

"Tell that to yourself. What are you thinking, throwing yourself under the bus like that until a stranger had to come to your rescue?" Her voice was sharp enough and she knew it. She knew it could hurt V so much. "Don't tell me... You want to commit suicide because you're bored with me?"

Here it goes; their current routine. Rika would never fail to do it even V was currently hospitalized and needed her care.

"No, Rika. That's not what I intended to do..."

"I see. You're rambling about how you want to be my sun, my light like you're a super invicible human but in reality, you're just the same like others. You hate the devil in me. You are frustrated that the devil in me doesn't want to leave me."

"Rika, please... Why you did you go to that direction again?"

"Because it's always like that! You look jaded whenever you talk to me. It's that because now you think living with me is like a chore, V?"

Now, people would misunderstand that Rika was the one who should be hospitalized and not him.

"Rika, please listen! That's not the reason why I met the accident!" Suffering from the pain was endurable when he had the unstable Rika with him. He held her arm tightly as she grabbed her bag and ready to get up.

"V, let me go!"

"I saw you were heading to C & R. That's why I was rushing and almost met the accident. Whatever you're struggling with, please let only me know. No need to drag others as well."

"By others... do you mean Jumin? You're scared if he finds out how messed-up I am? He's your friend, V. And also mine. What makes you so afraid? Do you think I am scary as well, huh!? Is that what you have in your mind?"

"Stop it, Rika!"

"What's the meaning of this?" To hear another loud voice other than theirs was unexpected and almost caused them to lose their breath.

They both were afraid that other people would know the truth behind their 'perfect and ideal relationship'. They turned, meeting eyes with Yoosung and ZEN who also wore dumbfounded expressions.

"Is everything okay?" ZEN asked, red eyes wandered between the supposed to be sweet couple of RFA.

"Yes, everything is okay," V said, praying that neither of them could hear panic in his voice.

"Why are you holding her like that?" The skeptical Yoosung could not help but look daggers at how the flabbergasted V held Rika's arm tightly.

V immediately released Rika. For a moment, no one said anything. The curious stares from Yoosung and ZEN suffocated them but both of them were too emotional to justify their suspicious situation.

It was quiet until Rika cleared her throat and suppressed the vile emotions that she still had for V.

"It's nothing. I slipped and V managed to catch me."

"Really?" Yoosung supplied which he received a jab in his waist from ZEN. The dynamic in RFA was predictable because it was always the same. Aside from his interaction with Jumin, ZEN hated unnecessary argument and tended to save the situation while Yoosung loved to tackle a problem head-on. He hated secrets and apologies without explaination.

"Come on, Yoosung. They already said nothing happened. Why would you ask again like a detective?" ZEN stepped forward, leaving the stiff Yoosung who was still standing near the door. "Then, are you really okay, Rika?"

"I am fine, ZEN. You guys can talk with V. I have to go to the restroom."

"Okay, sure," Yoosung said, eyeing Rika who made her way outside. She looked calm but there was something strange about her. He was sure about it.

Should he interrogate V after this?

"What happened exactly? I don't think you are the type to be that careless that you have to throw yourself straight to the road," When Yoosung unwillingly had his attention back to the ward, ZEN was asking V which sent the photographer to smile awkwardly.

What's with the smile, seriously?

"Did you suddenly go crazy that you even wanted to take pictures of moments before death or something?"

"Yoosung..."

"No, it's okay, ZEN. I got that he's just worried," refusing to see or cause fight between the younger members of RFA, V held ZEN's shoulder. With ZEN's strenght and temper, it was possible that Yoosung would be hospitalized as well because of his snarky comments. "I just lost in my thoughts when the accident happened."

"You and your deep thoughts... seriously, I think we need the trust fund kid here to lecture you even of course, I don't want to see him," ZEN said, rolling his eyes at the thought that Jumin might show up anytime. "But, yeah, at least your injury is not that serious. Your body just suffered from a shock, right?"

"Yeah, fortunately," V said, absent-mindedly stroked his bruised elbow. "But... the girl who saved me was not as fortunate," V said. He barely could recall the girl. He knew she had long black hair and had a soothing voice. Fair skin, formal attire...

"Where is she? Have you met her?" ZEN asked.

"The nurse told me that the girl left as soon as she had done with her treatment. She said she had something to do and just wish me luck," V explained. "I really want to meet her, though."

"Is she beautiful?" ZEN asked playfully which sent V to chuckle.

"Oh, come on, ZEN... you and your hormons..."

"Hey, Kim Yoosung. Since when you take seriously what I say? When I lectured you to eat vegetables..."

"My ears. I got to decide what to pick and listen."

"Geez..."

"There, there, you two. I won't mind if this is my house. You can bicker all you want but this is hospital. It might not be good since ZEN is a celebrity..." As expected, V's remark would gain two polar opposite reaction; ZEN's smug face and Yoosung rolling his eyes.

"Geez, you and your sickening popularity. Don't you think you should go back now? If Jumin sees you..."

"So what? You're afraid that he will ruin my life just like how he stole Seven's car? Like I will let it happen!"

"Well, since he met Rika today, he might cool down and regret it maybe," V suggested. "For sure, Rika would talk it out with Jumin. She won't let any crisis in RFA last long."

No one knew that V was so relieved as finally the snarky Yoosung curved in a wide smile. Putting aside his pessimistic side, the youngest member in RFA was a source of joy for them. When he and Seven were around, they could make anyone laugh.

"Yeah, as expected from Rika! She will solve it right away and that what makes her amazing."

The boy's words made V's heart ache deeper but the only choice he had right now was to smile; no matter how miserable he felt.

"Yes, she is."

For a win-win situation since Jumin offered to pay the second treatment of Hae Soo's injury, he asked her to wait in a VIP room for a while.

He suddenly asked so since after staring carefully at the girl, his mind was being convenient to him.

Have I ever met this girl somewhere?

He stared at her intently.

Where is it? Is it the resume...

"Assistant Kang?" Without wasting more seconds, he called his assistant.

"Yes, Mr. Han?" Beneath the calm and machine-like voice, Jumin never knew that it contained a desperate wish that he would never add more cat projects to the list.

"What's the name of the candidate who I put in the ban list? Can you give me her name?"

As Jaehee spoke, Jumin turned to the girl who was still fidgeting in her seat. From his view as a man who stood next to the door like an agent or stalker, unlike her gangster-esque behavior on the road, she was now a nervous wreck. She did not say anything to him other than 'thank you' and 'I am sorry'.

Was it all because she was one of candidates for the job vacancy in RFA? Or was it because she just realized that he was THE Han Jumin, thanks to Rika who mentioned his full name?

Where was the girl who easily snapped and kicked him, again?

"I see. Okay, I hang up now," as he ended the call, Jumin headed to the girl carefully. His every step echoed in the room and he could spot how stiff she became. She did not even bother to look at him.

"Miss Min Hae Soo?"

"Yes?" She turned spontanously. Yet, as soon as her black eyes met another pair with the same color but higher level of curiosity, she immediately questioned herself.

Wait... does he know my name because he just spoke to the doctor or...

"So, you're really Min Hae Soo, 24 years old, a graduate in Physical Education from K University. To be precise, you're the candidate who has spammed us with calls so that you could reschedule the interview."

Hae Soo suddenly felt that she was amazing for not being fainted after Jumin listed down her details that was impossible to be informed by any doctor. She wanted to hide such facts from Jumin but now...

The man knew that her name was Min Hae Soo. The man knew that she was the annoying candidate who did not only spam calls for his department but also the same girl who yelled at him and kicked his calf on the street.

What an embarrassing first impression. Typical candidates would boost their resume and eloquence but what did she do, again?

Ah, she just showed him her skills in surviving harrassments from men such as yelling and being violent when words were not enough.

The worst luck ever... just what I had done to deserve this...

Why would I kick someone who happened to be...

"Ah, it's the worst luck ever for me. Why am I so stupid? Why did I kick HIM out of people? Why? Why?"

She could hear a very deep voice trying to be feminine, echoed closer to her. She was positive that she was alone so the sudden and cheeky remark from him shocked her. That Han Jumin who she kicked hard had his calf examined just now so it gave her space and time to ponder on how unfortunate she was on that day.

There was no way she could leave immediately after what happened between them. Sure, she was ashamed because she got her knees treated twice on the same day by the same doctor but she still used her remaining common sense to call it truce with that Han Jumin.

But now, when the man was just around her, she felt occupied. She really needed to run to the wide soccer pitch in her neighbourhood so that she could shout out of frustration, embarrassment and anger.

But, for now she repressed the energy and feeling. She glanced at his calf before noticing that it was pointless since he wore the full business attire that covered his whole body including his calf.

But, in his case, he could see her plastered knees since she took off her torn stockings. As she caught where his black eyes stared at, her hands immediately covered her knees.

"I am sorry," she said, almost like whispering to the table in front of her given her eyes were glued to it. She did not even dare to lift her head when Jumin took a seat opposite her. "I don't have anything to say other than I am sorry. I was desperate for the interview that I ended up hurting you."

I am going to die here, Ae Ra. Help me! What kind of 'plot twist' is this? Now I am going to lose the job even without attending the interview!

"You're really desparate to get the job but at the same time, you saved a stranger. Amazing."

Unlike his initially icy tone, his deep voice was much reassuring. It encouraged Hae Soo to meet his eyes but the calmness she felt was short. His eyes looked expressionless, dead...

For sure, it gave her chill all of sudden.

"Is there something wrong? I am complimenting you but you didn't say anything."

"I am quiet because I don't have anything to say," despite how fast-paced and firm her voice was, Hae Soo's eyes gave away how nervous and guilty she felt inside.

"May I say that you're baffled as well? I only know you less than an hour but I can write down today summary of your day. It's hectic and amusing, am I right?"

Why is he talking a lot and not about V at all? I want to call it a day and go home already!

Screw Ae Ra's complain later on once she found out that I wanted to run away from that Great Han Jumin!

"It's hectic but it's never amusing. Everything went wrong."

"Do you regret with what happened?"

What does this man want, seriously?

She was tired physically and mentally. She could not see another hope for her as soon as she called Chairman Han's office to inform her situation. Her future for reschedule did not seem to have any.

'Maybe this was the time to say goodbye to C&R' was what her dramatic side told her.

"Thank you for paying my medical bill. Nothing can be changed if I do regret but thank you for your care," she said, nodding at his direction before standing up. "And I am sorry spamming calls at your office and kicking you. I was desperate and pathetic."

Much to her surprise, her response sent the man to leave his seat and move closer to her.

"Wait, we're not finished yet..."

"Seriously, what now..." Her temper almost got the better of her before her almost-to-disappear conscience reminded her of how Jumin was supposed to be her interviewer. "Sorry. I just... blurted out."

Much to her second surprise, Jumin chuckled at her reaction.

"Your temper is scarier than I thought. You're quite fierce," Jumin said while nodding. "But I don't feel that kind of impression from your CV, apparently. I guess Assistant Kang is right. I am not always good at judging people, no matter how countless people I met during the interview."

"I am more surprised that you remember me. I bet you have met a lot of candidates."

"No, don't misunderstand me. It's not like you're special. I happened to have a good memory. It's a bless and curse, I must say. I end up remembering something pointless such as your CV..."

"I never said that I am special..." she was about to snap again before their eyes met which sent her the message who he was supposed to be. She was done with how those perverts from her past claimed that she was arrogant when she rejected them so she did not need more false claims attacked her. "This is no good. I will leave first. You have paid my medical bill, your friend is safe, I could not postpone the interview and talking with you made me emotional. So, please excuse me. Thank you for everything."

"The interview is your last chance to show the best of you but you lost it because you saved my friend. That's one of the reasons why you're quite frustrated and tended to snap, is it?"

What the hell is wrong with this man!?

"I don't think it's your business to interpret what I feel right now. You know nothing about me."

"Yes, you're right. That's why I am pre-interviewing you right now."

"What?" That made her legs almost lose the balance. Her hand clutched the edge of the table tightly, expressing how she could not believe what her ears served her. In the midst of this unexpected situation, Hae Soo made sure that she fully registered how Jumin looked like in her mind.

So that she would not repeat the same mistake in the future; did not care enough to recognize the important figures for any company that she would apply to.

Black hair, tall... maybe around 15 cm taller than me, black eyes...

"I am trying to say that I want to apologize for having a bad judgement about you. I put you in a ban list without hesitation because I thought you'll be the same like other candidates."

And his voice... very authoritative? Warm but can be intimidating at times.

"That's okay. I can understand that much from your position. A busy person like you will not have time to entertain every single one of the candidates."

"And now, I am entertaining you since you're late from saving my friend. I can't let you go home with empty hands."

Hae Soo could feel like there was something invisible stabbing her chest as soon as she understood where Jumin came from.

"Then, are you saying that if V is not your friend, you aren't going to entertain me?" Her voice was slow but heavy with disappointment.

But, as she could see from the way Jumin insisted to bring her back to the hospital, Jumin would not stop here. Not yet.

"I can see that you snapped again."

"When it comes to something serious like this, I need to be clear. I don't like something unfair and shady."

"Are you saying that what I am doing right now is unfair, Miss Min? I just want to thank you for saving my friend and as an appreciation, please allow me to reschedule the interview..."

"I am sorry but that's not going to happen," her soothing voice suddenly turned a bit cold which honestly, caught Jumin by surprise. "I am in a ban list since one hour ago, right?"

What is this girl thinking?

"We can just lift it..."

"Just because I saved your friend? That easy?"

Now when the girl was so brave to stare into his eyes with dissatisfaction, Jumin admitted that that he felt complicated.

"I never thought that this would be your response. Normally, people will scream in joy..."

"Of course you never thought of it. We just know each other suddenly since less than an hour ago," her quick and sharp response reminded Jumin of a certain client who was so picky. "I believe that our talk here is over so I will meet V and Rika for a while before going home. Thank you so much for your care."

Seriously? She really doesn't want a second interview?

"Are you really sure you do not want to reschedule the interview?" His question made her stop. She already opened the door wide but she never turned to look at him.

"No, that's fine, Mr. Han."

"This is the last chance and you still don't want it? What a waste."

Thanks to his icy and sarcastic tone, she turned to face him. Her knees rebelled for the sudden movement but she endured it, just for the 'great' Han Jumin.

"Look, Mr. Han Jumin."

"Yes, Miss Min Hae Soo."

"If you're going to remove me from the ban list and suddenly have time to reschedule the interview just because of V, I am afraid I have to decline your kind offer. I have passed all C&R tests with my own efforts and I am planning to do so everytime I apply for a job. I know I am a pathetic loser. I know I am so poor but I don't want to get a free pass like this. If I really didn't deserve your time for the interview, let it be. It's fair for me because of my mistake and it doesn't have anything to do with whom I rescued. It's unfair for other candidates who also worked hard to pass all the requirements and might be more qualified for your time than me. I am so sick of unfair treatment, to be honest. Now, excuse me."

With those words that felt like lectures from his university days, Hae Soo slowly left the room without any single glance to his direction after that.

She did not have any idea how her sternness made Jumin stiff on his spot. His brain calmly processed every single word from the girl.

So fierce. Unlike others, she's the one who rejected my offer.