【Ｒ Ｅ Ｔ Ｉ Ｃ Ｅ Ｎ Ｔ】

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25th October 2019

Aeri

"To be honest, I thought it would be her hand that was badly injured but they got her face. I saw her bleeding hand that day and almost thought that she was stabbed in that place. Hobi hyung attended aid to her hand first but gladly, it wasn't wounded that bad," Jimin Oppa spoke while I stood against the pillar, holding a cup of hot espresso and a glass of milk in my hands.

"Yoongi hyung told me about it. Now let's not talk about it, alright?" Jungkook spoke and I heaved out a sigh. For once, I wish I could box their ears and prove to them that I will do fine when exposed to violence.

"Who was injured? Any mishaps in the work?" I asked them and they looked petrified, probably not expecting me to eavesdrop on their conversation. Offering them their respective drinks, I helped myself on the couch beside Jungkook who just started to come out of his gobsmacked state

"Just some issue that Jimin hyung's girlfriend is dealing with. I am sure you wouldn't be interested," he muttered, patting my head and taking a sip of his warm beverage. He was sure of everything about me. 

Well! Well! That was totally a preconception 

And I am exhausted to convince him

"How did you perform in your exams? I heard from Soobin that your mind was preoccupied about something and you screwed your internals," Jimin Oppa questioned, arching his brow while tapping the side of the ceramic mug. His cold aura and firm gaze reflected his puissance and tranquillity at the same time.

Perhaps, that's one of the reasons he was known for being canny and perceptive. He was a reticent being and I noticed it ages ago, the very first-time Soobin introduced me to V Oppa and Jimin Oppa. It was just as odd as having a rainbow on a winter night when my jackass of a brother befriended older guys from another school when he couldn't even earn a handshake from his own classmates.  But then, as time passed by, the two of them became closer, beyond my expectations, and sometimes, turned a bit overprotective as well.

"Slipping in your own world again? What's the matter? Do you need any help? Are you stressed out with the academics or do you want to meet a doctor? You don't have to be embarrassed about it," Jungkook offered his assistance and I swallowed air, trying my best to battle my nervousness.

From the time I was harassed by a group of men, I started being over-conscious of myself and panicked over small issues. Exams felt like the sword used to chop the people's heads off to offer them as a sacrifice.  

Even the slightest attention from the students in my university made me hysterical. I was overwrought with the dreadful memory flashing in my mind every time I tried to relax, plaguing my peace of mind. The scene of men trying to touch me everywhere while I was crying in helplessness harrowed my conscience to a greater extent. I wasn't weak but the incident carried many side-effects with it.

"Aeri, you zoned out again. I have no option but to appoint a doctor who can take a look into your condition. Go to the therapy for a day and if you don't like it, we could think of another way. Don't keep it under your hat," Jimin Oppa suggested, placing the emptied mug on the table and I nodded. If Jimin Oppa wanted me to go for it, I have no objection to it. All I knew was his mind always runs on the right track.

"Mind sharing something? At, least a teeny tiny bit?" Jungkook asked, wrapping his arm over my shoulders and caressing the edges of the right one. I let out a soft smile indicating that I was fine but he simpered, pinching my nose making a weird jungle noise.

"It could be either of these two options. You are very bad at lying or I am very good at discerning the truth," he winked, retrieving his arm from my shoulders and I clicked my tongue in frustration. No lie could convince them and I wonder how they could read through me and my thoughts as if they were trained to study minds and body language.

I wished it was something very shallow to flip away from my thoughts but their actions implied at a much deeper sea. I couldn't help but mull over the subtle eeriness their personalities grace me with, all the time as if trying to tiptoe on the carpet of shattered glass pieces but still wrapping it up with no blood on their legs.

I know the comparison seemed tangled and intricate but that was the exact representation to indent their persona

 I looked at Jimin Oppa whose eyes shadowed seriousness, examining my fidgeting posture and I stood up abruptly, slicing away their opportunity from commencing an uncomfortable questionnaire. My eyes clashed with Jungkook's black doe ones as if trying to gauge the reason for my swift movement.

Tugging the hem of my ruffled skirt, I took two quick breaths to have a hang of my composure. My motive was to divert them from getting overly concerned and turning into fierce Orangutans so, I need to stop myself from being on the edge of the flame.

"Do you like some Nachos? I can even make the fire ramen for you if you want," I asked, combating against a bundle of nerves, trying my best to sound calm and normal. They weren't idiots, I knew but that shouldn't be the reason I could act like one. 

"I just had it at your eonnie's house so I am full. And don't even bother about Jungkook because he ate more than six large servings unless you want him admitted in the hospital for a heavily bloated stomach," Jimin Oppa jested and I chuckled. Jungkook glanced at me for a moment and then threw a dainty smile at me.

"I haven't eaten anything since morning. Also, I don't have a girlfriend who would constantly keep checking on me to take my meals," this idiot snorted as he stood up and I jabbed my elbow into his stomach lightly, for bringing up a lame excuse.

"He isn't reckless about his health like you, stupid. And why do you need a girlfriend to remind you of your meals? What are you? Five?" I sassed at the brawny man who looked quite offended at my reply. Puckering his lips into a very cute pout, he lowered his brows to dramatically express his hurt.

Gosh! Those lips are just so kissable

Stop doing that, idiot

"Yes, I am.  For you, my dear best friend. Now, stop scolding me like a mom, or else I will keep whining until your ears get doomed," he ruffled my hair, displaying his bunny smile while I shoved his hand away in annoyance.

Freindzoned again

Everyone who sees us would definitely catch me having hots for the man in front of me. We were friends from childhood and my mother loved him a lot that we had countless sleepovers, the nights passing away with sharing our dreams and ultimate bucket lists that even included robbing a banana milk factory and growing a unicorn.

We weren't much of kids when we first met, but two like-minded people who tended to dream without limits. He was a shy one at first, silent yet intriguing, hesitant to accept both food and friendship but eventually, he showed his colors, the vibrant ones specifically.

Jungkook was a person transformed from his past, his actions said. He was grateful for whatever he was given and never asked for more. The more I looked at him, the more the desire to know him grew, the more my fantasies perked up. 

He was a weird mix of polarities, vague at most of the times and deep at the most unpredicted moments. He was hard to read and oddly bizarre, stoking up my evil temptation and luring me into the bewitching desires of exploring him.

Both physically and emotionally

His keen black eyes held the most intense stares but deep within them, I knew there was turbulent chaos. He was a mysterious mess that I so wanted to be tangled with, unleash a new and complex space of life. I knew I fell into a deeper abyss, in his vast and profound charm, the unfathomable cavity of inexistent escape when there was no stoplight to my inclination and hankering.

I can resist everything but the temptation

The emphatic hiss of the cold water poured on flaming hot metal, lucidity and surrealism in a dead heat, was the exact resemblance to my heart in his vicinity. His flaws and scars, for a reason, escalated his perfection, much to my inner defiance's despair.

"Stop staring," he nudged my elbow and I turned away, not wanting to make it obvious that I wanted to jump into the nearest pool in embarrassment. I didn't dare to look at his for I knew he would be tossing a playful smirk at me in complacence. The sound of Jimin Oppa clearing his throat helped me gain confidence to bring up another topic, this time just to avoid any further fluster.

"Wait! I was about to talk about this to you, Jimin Oppa. I told to Jungkook he was just as useless as my brother," I mocked the pouty being in front of me, but didn't give any attention to him or his lips. I turned to Jimin Oppa who gaze turned keen and serious, expecting me to continue. He was not a man of words.

"I had this friend of mine who went missing on the midnight of 16th September. She was a nice and calm girl and she knew none in Seoul so, I couldn't even lay suspicions on someone. I told this stupid to do something but he did nothing except for filing a police complaint. As if that was something I couldn't do. Max could do better than cops," I muttered, letting out an exasperated grunt while Jungkook chortled.

Come on, I was being serious

Hannah is my responsibility

"By the way, she goes by the name Hannah Cooper," I informed, mentally scolding myself for not revealing the important part. I noticed Jimin Oppa being calm as if subtly expressing that he clearly comprehended what I spoke a few seconds ago.

"Who is Max?" He asked and I facepalmed myself for being a dumbass. Who do I keep spilling few things that they don't have an idea about? But then, they must be knowing, right? Soobin spends most of his time with Max and even took him out for a sleepover at his friend's house. 

"He is the best golden retriever I have ever seen. That punk, Soobin took him out on a walk this morning and didn't step into the house till now. I don't know what kind of shenanigans he is performing with the poor soul but then, as long he brings Max home, safe and in one piece, it's fine," I ranted, vexed up at my brother's alienic antics lately.

What does he do the whole day with the poor dog?

I just hope he doesn't teach Max any of his habits 

Or else, his peaceful Kennel would turn into a five-star brothel

"Oh! Soobin's turning into a human, ......gladly, I guess?" Jimin Oppa muttered and I nodded, with a tiny titter at the end.

"Which room did she stay? Can I inspect it for once?" he asked and I looked at Jungkook, perplexed. I wasn't sure if I could let him. I didn't inform them that her belongings were gone. I wasn't even planning to as they would conclude that she left without a second thought. Jungkook never raised a question about it so Soobin never informed then, which implies he was least concerned. 

Jimin Oppa never assumed things, his thoughts weren't shallow but then, he wasn't aware of her, to spend his brains and time on her. He could just shrug it away like the other two. He was just too busy with his work that I didn't raise this issue to him till now but I was getting too stressed lately.

I went frenzy when I found out Hannah never returned and her belongings went missing. I tried to think of many possibilities, even went to the convenience store she headed to that night with the cops to retrieve the CCTV footage but she never went there. Soobin didn't even give his pinky finger to help, forget about a hand. But there's no giving up.

I just need a hint

And I could use one from them

For that, I guess I need to disclose everything

"Well!... I need to tell you another thing about the issue. She was gone with her belongings. I know this seems weird and is nothing like being kidnapped or murdered but she could never leave her dog. Max is her only family. She must have been silenced and helpless," I disclosed the whole thing.

"It's alright. There are cases like that. Let me inspect her room now," he replied and my heart leaped in joy. He was meticulous and far-sighted, favoring the cons of my brave action. I remained subtle over my elevated joy while Jungkook quirked a brow, probably bothered over me hiding the whole scene.

"The one beside near the storeroom. Come along," I spoke, ignoring Jungkook's disappointed gaze and strode ahead but took a sharp halt in a quick row when Jimin Oppa called my name.

"Aeri, the one on the right or left?" he asked

"Right," I answered and he nodded.

"Why don't you stay with Jungkook while I pore over her room? You know, I don't usually like people around when I work on something," he explained and I nodded quickly. Without speaking another word, he sauntered his steps towards the room.

"And here I thought you were honest with me. The amount of betrayal," Jungkook complained, cornering his eyes, hinting a smirk ahead as if he was reminding me that he didn't forget my lie. Through his lines, I was more distracted at him looking as delicious as the sizzling hot brownie with ice-cream on top, chilled and hot, slaying in the best combination. I swear if anyone observed me at the moment, they would mistake me for a mate-starving hawk.

"I never trusted your brains over Jimin Oppa's," I retorted, showcasing a scornful smile, and walked ahead, to stay in control and keep my hormones locked up in a stronger cage. But then, they are no less than a crazy ape as he was not helping in maintaining a safe distance either.

"Forget about that. I did what I can, to help you. Perhaps, Jimin hyung could be of better help. Now, tell me, is that incident still bothering you?" he asked and my throat dried as if a sudden warm blow of air coursed through it. I didn't want to talk about it. That day unleashed many fears of mine and many other feelings that wretched my mind into shambles.

"I don't want to talk about it, Jungkook," I told him and he stayed silent. He parted his lips to speak something but then sealed them again, probably in contemplation. To lighten the mood, I was about to ask about Soobin but then, the sound of Minions hysterical cackles distracted me.

What the hell?

Who changed my ringtone to this one?

Ugh!

That Soobin should find his way to his grave soon

Jungkook burst into fits of laughter at my awkward face and I was so ready to spend all my pocket money on Soobin's funeral. I pulled the phone from my pocket and a familiar stiffness crept through my body on seeing the caller ID. 

Kevin

"Let me take this call," I excused myself but didn't ignore the slight frown that was plastered on Jungkook's face. I walked out, making sure that Jungkook was nowhere close enough to hear my voice.

"I told you not to call me during these hours. What part of the message didn't you understand?" I whisper yelled, reminding myself to not raise my voice with the two vigilant men present inside my house.

"You expect me to be silent when my best friend's gone missing and God knows if she's alive or not. You had one thing to do, keep her safe and you pretty well failed in it," he yelled on the other side and I clenched my fists. I knew Kevin was hot under the collar ever since he knew Hannah was missing but I was trying my best. Why does he talk like I was the one who set the trap?

"I am trying and we both know she is still alive. Hannah reached out to you a few days ago and you were the one who said she is not dumb. So, please don't throw the blame on me. Instead, encourage me for being a best friend," I retaliated and heard a grunt on the other side.

"I am scared, Aeri. She is in danger and the whole missing issue. From the last call, I only know she was confined with a gang or a group of people and is not finding a way to escape. I wish I could come to Seoul and find her but I have other important works here," he spoke, with a calmer tone and I understood why he was being desperate. 

"Didn't you try hacking their location?" I asked as I know his secret hobby of hacking into the most advanced security systems. He never failed and was never caught. Of course, he never tried breaching into the government portals with all due respect to his ethics and morals.

"It's weird. There's no such location in Korea. Fuck's sake, they were already prepared for that and it was Street 69 and Door no #420. Ridiculous, right?" he grumbled and I wished I could chuckle but the situation is just too serious so I had to swallow it down.

"I am trying but give me more time, Kevin. I assure you nothing will happen to her, that's my promise," I muttered and didn't hear anything on the other side. Did he get muted? I cleared my throat loudly just so he could reply and gladly, it worked. 

"Fine, sorry for yelling at your earlier. Let's do our best in finding her," he spoke and I smiled. He didn't intend to be harsh at me and I was glad he apologized or else I would have not answered his next calls. Well, self-respect should never be at bay. I was thankful to my parents for teaching me that.

We then bid our byes and I walked into the house to look at Jimin Oppa who seemed quite relaxed and glad. He never smiled, even if his girlfriend leaves her pride and acts the cutest to get just a tiny curve on his face. She gave up in the end though. But we can easily decipher if he was being stern or calm.

"I will work on the issue and if needed, I will call you for the necessary information while going through it," Jimin Oppa muttered and I nodded.

"I saw V Oppa with a date a few days back. When is he planning to introduce her to me?" I asked with a sly smirk and Jungkook's eyes widened, almost popping out in surprise or say, shock. 

"He didn't introduce her to us either. Must be someone not worth a dime. Don't bother much," Jimin Oppa stated and I chuckled. He then smacked Jungkook's head and the younger quickly returned to his original self.

"Uh, Aeri! I got an important work and we will be leaving now," Jimin Oppa spoke and I turned to Jungkook.

"I will be helping hyung with something," Jungkook reasoned and I nodded with a smile. Jimin Oppa patted my head and then started making his way out of the house while Jungkook stayed, his lips pressed. 

"Take care," he spoke and I bobbed my head in agreement. He was about to leave but I called his name, fighting my inner conscience. He raised his brows in question and I spread my arms wide. 

I hope he takes the hint

And I hope I get what I want

Pulling up a tender smile, he took a step ahead and wrapped his arms around my waist. I smiled, as my cheeks grew hot and slowly encircled my arms around his muscular frame, my fingers playing and tracing his back with a tint of shyness and hesitance. 

I got what I want

As we pulled out of the hug, he tousled my hair mischievously and I frowned at how he was spoiling my hairstyle. 

But I needn't, right?

When I was eager to get spoiled by him

I waved my hand at him as I leaned on the door frame, waiting for the duo to drive away from the place. I grinned and as they were out of my sight, my face cracked into a mile-wide smirk. He thought I was innocent but kindness should never be mistaken for innocence. He thought I didn't notice but God bless these keen eyes, they paved me to a point now.

I was mentally attacked by that horrendous incident but didn't forget the responsibility. I was affected badly, maybe a lot more than just bad but I was still the same being. I need more time to let go of the memories of those haunting men but I wouldn't stop myself from being strong. I wished people remember that being good has nothing to do with being delicate and hopefully, Jungkook realizes it one day.

I chuckled, closing the door, and glanced at my hands. Little did he knew, I know who was with V Oppa the other day.

"Funny how he thinks he could hide both,.......

That gun and Hannah from me"

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Reticent

not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily

A/N:  So yeah, I am here after a long break. Yeah, there were issues and projects that are keeping me busy so I am so sorry, I thought of posting this yesterday but my mood was totally down so here we have it today. Also, this is a much-needed point of view, I guess?

Some things to note down:

1) Aeri and Jungkook knew each other from childhood

2) Aeri is good and kind but she is not the innocent and fragile type as she was seen by the people around her

3) Jungkook and Jimin were pretending to not know Hannah as Aeri knows nothing about them and when Aeri said she wanted to use them for a hint, she wanted to know their reactions and pull out something. 

4) The very reason why she assured Kevin that Hannah is alive because she saw V with Hannah the other day

5) Aeri is strong and just like every other being, has her own fears and the memory of those men harassing her took a toll on her. That wouldn't make her less strong though it could haunt her peace of mind

6) As of now, Aeri only has suspicions over V, Jimin, and Jungkook but she didn't mention anything about Soobin. But remember, she just didn't mention anything.

7) She knew Jimin, Jungkook, and V have their own jobs and never questioned them about it as no clues rolled out until now. Also, she just didn't mention what jobs they were but they were something believable that may/may not be revealed later. 

8) Also, she didn't bother Jimin till now because she thought he would be busy

Any questions?........