♡ | Chapter 12

"eh, you fate-manipulator..."

Jin and I came back to the beach house at around 2 pm. We walked in to Jungkook and V, sprawled on the couch, sharing a bowl of popcorn.

"The viral couple is home after breaking millions of hearts." V joked.

"How was the shopping date?" Jungkook mocked.

Jin huffed but answered, "it was fun."

"We're happy that you've finally got a girlfriend considering how old you are now." Jungkook taunted him further.

"Where's Jimin?" Jin ignored him and asked.

"Hobi's sick. Jimin's giving him company." V replied.

"Oh? Did he take meds?"

"Yup."

"I'll go check on him."

"Okay, mom." Jungkook and V said together, and then high-fived, celebrating their sync.

My phone started ringing. I suspected it would be Manager Sejin and I was right.

"Manager Sejin." I answered.

"Lisa, I suppose you know why I'm calling."

"Yes, sir." I scratched the back of my neck and looked towards the couch.

V was starring at the tv, oblivious, while Jungkook's eyes were on me.

I turned away and walked out to the balcony while Manager Sejin spoke.

"The gossip has gone viral. Of course Jin's popularity has taken a step forward for the moment. But if the news persists, then it would bring him two steps back. I'm sure you wouldn't have made the mistake of hooking up with the boys, but I'd like you to confirm it."

I felt my cheeks heat up at the incredulity of that thought.

"There's nothing like that sir, I assure you. We just went to get groceries. But I'll be more careful here after."

"Right. My plate's already full so I don't want another mess up to deal with. People don't know that you're my assistant yet. Until they get used to seeing you around,  the risk remains."

"Yes, Sir. I understand. I'm sorry."

"Good." With that he hung up.

I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

No more mistakes Lisa.

I thought of going to my room and doing my work but then remembered that it was time for the boys training.

"Guys, your trainer will be here in a bit." I notified the duo on the couch and went upstairs to call the rest.

Namjoon was already on his way to the dance studio in the basement. He offered a smile and continued past me.

I knocked on J-Hope's door and a muffled voice called me in.

J-Hope was laying on the bed with the sheets up to his chin. Jimin lay next to him while Jin fussed over J-Hope.

"Guys, training." I interrupted.

"Hobi's sick..." Jin sounded worried.

"It's not that bad." Jimin informed.

"I'm dying!" J-Hope moaned.

"Aye you punk!" Jimin smacked his face with a pillow.

"Alright. I'll take care of him. Off you go." I shooed Jin out of the room and Jimin followed.

Once I returned, J-Hope seemed to be fast asleep.

I placed my hand over his forehead to check his temperature. He wasn't having fever.

I ruffled his hair.

Kid.

His sleep face looked adorable. But I knew he was only pretending by the hint of a smile that was on his lips.

Since he was adamant on feigning sleep, I stood up to leave and catch up with my work.

"Don't go." He whined.

"Is there anything you want?" I asked him with a chuckle.

"Hot chocolate." He whimpered.

~¤~

I picked the mug of hot chocolate off the counter and turned around, smacking into a person who was standing behind me. Half of the steaming contents spilled onto the said persons t-shirt, rendering me open mouthedly speechless.

"Shit!" The guy cursed and stripped his shirt off in one go, displaying his oh-so-familiar naked torso.

"I know you hate me, but trying to burn this flawless skin? Now that's too harsh."

"What-" My voice came out in a high-pitched squeak.

Eyes on his face Lisa! Don't let yourself get distracted by that body he is obviously displaying to make you feel bothered. That sneaky bastard is sexy and he knows it.

This is exactly why I hate him!

Oh really? The she devil in my conscious mocking drawled.

Piss off.

Clearing my throat, I tried once again in a tone of blatant disinterest, "what are you doing here?"

"What if I said that I came here to see you?" He said with a grin.

"You'd be lying." I stated and pursed my lips in distaste.

"Damn." He punched the air in pretence disappointment.

I narrowed my eyes at him and spoke sternly, "tell me what you're doing here before I call security."

He placed both hands on the counter and towered over me. The close proximity had me raising my head to meet his eyes since he was foot taller than me.

Oh how I wish I was taller so I could look down on this prick!

"I thought you would have figured it out by now." He said and brought his head even closer to mine, making me feel flustered as hell.

"Back off..." Even to my own ears that sounded like an insincere request.

"You don't want me to." He said with a self-satisfied smirk.

Arrogant bastard.

I placed my hands on his chest and pushed him hard.

Not that it did any good. He didn't budge a millimetre.

"Like what you feel?" He asked, by emphasizing on what exactly he was talking about by pushing himself further onto my palms.

"N-"

My denial was interrupted by the sound of a throat clearing.

My head jerked towards the sound and I noticed Jungkook standing at the threshold of the room with a questioning look on his face.

Realizing what it might look like to him, I tried to get away from Yeon Ji.

Yes, Yeon Ji. This person was barging back into my life, with no warning whatsoever, like an earthquake.

He didn't seem the least bit bothered though cuz he stood the same way he was standing earlier, with his arms caging me between himself and the counter.

"Yeon Ji, get off!"

My frown was countered with an impish grin.

"If you say so." He moved his arms away and bowed mockingly.

I pushed past him and was about to exit with a dramatically flawless flip of my hair, when he said, "hey, you forgot your hot chocolate!"

Groaning internally, I turned around, grabbed the mug out of his hands and ran.

The sound of his oh-so-familiar laughter that followed was honestly too much to bear.

Obviously that Mr. Kang just had to be this Kang eh, you fate-manipulator?