♡ | Chapter 3

"Smoked bread."

"Lisa, you can go have lunch now and do the rest afterwards."

I was pulled out of my reverie as the Manager spoke.

"Alright, Manager Sejin." I rubbed my sore eyes and stretched my arms out.

Being an assistant manager took a lot of work. Even though it was only my second day at work, Manager Sejin wasn't cutting me any slack.

Grabbing my purse, I left the office and got into the elevator.

Hopefully I could have lunch with Kyu Won if she's free.

Seconds before the doors shut, two guys got in and surrounded me.

When I looked up at their faces, one of them grinned and said, "we're going up."

~¤~

They were waiting for us in the tv room.

Even though it was designed as a relaxation spot, they had managed to make it look like an interrogation room just by the way the seats were placed. Once my kidnappers; J-Hope and Jimin, joined them, they sat in a semi circle of bean bag chairs.

There was a dining room chair placed facing them which was obviously for me, the offender.

I had no choice but to take my seat.

"I'll get straight to the point," Namjoon spoke. "About yesterday-"

"-I saw nothing." I interjected.

Jungkook stared hard at me while the others exchanged glances.

"That's just not gonna cut it. What you saw wasn't exactly black and white."

I felt slightly confused.

"What do you mean?"

"It's more complicated than that. But, as Manager Sejin said, we'll be seeing you around a lot so you'll have to get in on stuff. You might see a lot of weird things, but I advice you it's best to ignore them and not let them out. If you know what I mean." He said with a pointed look.

Was he trying to tell me not to gossip about it? Of course I wouldn't tell anyone. Did they think I was that stupid? I even signed a nondisclosure agreement before joining.

I felt insulted.

"Look, gossiping about it never crossed my mind. I might be just out of college and you might think I'm not mature enough to be your assistant manager. But I am a person who puts my career above anything else. I know what my job expects of me. And I won't make any mistakes to risk my career." By the time I said the last word my voice had gone from soft and polite to loud and stern.

Jimin watched the exchange attentively while J-Hope seemed like he wasn't sure whom to look at; his eyes kept shifting from me, Namjoon, to Jungkook, and then finally rested on Jin with a shrug.

"Sorry to be quick to judge. But I'm sure you know we can't really trust anyone we just met..."

"Well, you can trust me. I wouldn't do anything that would risk my career."

"It's-"

"-Okay, now that's solved!" J-Hope cheerfully interrupted whatever Namjoon was about to say.

Jin got up on cue, smacking his thighs with his palms, "Come on. Have lunch with us."

"Oh no, it's fine. I was on my way to the cafeteria."

"Come on! An Army would never say no to Jin's cooking." Jimin teased.

"That's right." Jin bragged with a wink.

Jimin placed his arm at my back and ushered me forward.

"She can leave if she wants." Jungkook said with a glare.

He clearly wasn't happy that I was invited.

V wrapped his arms around Jungkook's torso and dragged him away whining, "I'm starving. Let's go eat!"

As we shuffled towards the dining table, Namjoon whispered in my ear, "Stay away from the Smoked bread."

~¤~

"You're scary when you're angry." J-hope said while stuffing himself with yet another sushi roll.

"Sorry about that. I get a little touchy when it comes to work," I apologized.

"Ah that's okay we're cool." He chuckled.

Meanwhile, Jimin tried to pluck a chicken wing out of Jungkook's plate only to have it pulled away and gave an amusedly offended look when he saw Jungkook, then, let V pick food out of his plate.

I couldn't help but internally gush at how adorable they were.

"Hey guys! Who wants to try my smoked bread?" Jin came in with a tray of buns.

"Uh no! I'm full." Taehyung immediately rejected while Suga continued eating as if he hadn't noticed Jin come.

"Your smoked bread is horrible." Jungkook stated blatantly, to which Jimin high-fived him and burst out laughing.

"Hey, stop it!" Jin scolded, trying to look serious.

"Let Lisa try one." Jungkook said with a mischievous smirk.

"I don't think I can eat more...maybe some other time?" I tried to ward him off.

"But it'll go to waste!" Jin pouted, looking like a sad puppy.

"Uh..."

"Pleeeease!"

"Oh alright."

He put one bun on my plate and then went around serving the others too, despite their protests.

I tentatively took a bite from my bun as the others watched for my reaction.

Jin might be a good cook, but bread was so not his fort.

I put on a fake smile and gave it a thumbs up.

"Boys, I have an announcement." Manager Sejin's entry distracted me from the sour taste of Jins bread. "Oh great, Lisa's here too." He said, after noticing me.

"Well, pack your bags for a four day trip to the Gyeongpo beach house. Lisa, you too. Our Chile concert is in March. Thought the guys deserved some time for themselves before it."

"Aweeeesome!!" J-Hope started doing the shuffle. The others cheered and high-fived.

I was excited too. Going on vacation meant I'll have more time to get used to my job without the stress of being thrown into the bigger responsibilities at the start itself.

"Manager Sejin! Wanna try some of my smoked bread?" Jin offered excitedly.

The manager subtly looked at Suga for approval and Suga grimaced.

"Um...no, thanks Jin. I already had too much to eat. Share it with Hoseok. He loves bread."

J-Hope gave out a comically horrified look and ran away, prompting us to laugh.

AN

Sorry about the rather long chapter. This was initially two seperate chapters but decided to merge them and increase the pace.
I'm still not very satisfied with this chapter though...it seems rather boring :(