CLAUSTROPHOBIA

Aera was exhausted, both mentally and physically. She cracked her knuckles and rubbed her stiff hands, sore from the hours spent finishing her part of the Jeju project. Her eyes were swollen from too much time working on the computer. She had pushed herself to the limit this time, and it showed. Her skin felt warm, in contrast to the cold ambiance around her. She pulled her coat tighter around her body and noticed a familiar tickle in the back of her nose, a sign that would soon trigger an involuntary reflex—a sneeze.

The woman sitting to Aera's right flinched, her face scrunching in distaste, as if worried she might catch Aera's germs if she didn't move away.

"Sorry," Aera muttered as Jessie distanced herself on the sofa. Her nose was bright red from sniffing.

"Have you tested for COVID?" Jessie asked, still looking skeptical.

"I did. The result was negative," Aera replied.

Jessie nodded in acknowledgment, relieved she wouldn't have to deal with COVID-19 again, unlike when she had it in her twenties. The virus had left her traumatized for life, just as it had for the rest of the world. She crossed her legs, showcasing her skin in brand-new stockings, and resumed scrolling on her phone.

Aera caught sight of this and felt a cold shiver run down her spine, despite the layers of clothing she wore. Was she the only one affected by the winter?

"You should take a leave tomorrow," the man beside Aera said. She had almost forgotten who she was sitting next to; he was usually quiet and kept to himself, so the kindness in his words surprised her.

"It's just a common cold, Mr. Jeon. I'll be fine," Aera replied hurriedly, shifting in her seat. Of all people, the world had placed her beside the one person she was trying so hard to avoid. It was so absurd that she could almost laugh at how ridiculous it was.

"Don't think I was asking for your opinion, Miss Han. I'm telling you to take a leave tomorrow. Kim Enterprises doesn't exploit employees when they're clearly sick," Jungkook said sternly, folding his arms and fixing his gaze ahead, leaving no room for further discussion.

Aera glared at him, feeling cornered into compliance. She huffed and mirrored Jungkook's stance, irritation bubbling within her. Who did he think he was, dictating her life? She knew he meant well, but she was fully capable of deciding what was good for herself. In truth, her anger stemmed from the fact that it was him saying it; if it had been anyone else, she would have agreed immediately. The way he stayed at the office like her, under the guise of working late, didn't go unnoticed and only heightened her agitation. She struggled to make sense of his behavior.

Her face burned with heat as an overwhelming urge to escape Jungkook took hold of her. His presence felt suffocating, like being trapped in a small, airless room, filling her with a sense of claustrophobia. Desperate for relief, her gaze landed on Kim Taehyung, the only other comforting presence in the lobby. He was quietly snapping pictures of the flowers by the window. Grateful for the distraction, she rose from her seat and made her way toward him.

"Hi, Tae," she greeted, catching Taehyung off guard.

"Oh, hey, Buttercup, you look awful. What's with the sick face?" Taehyung replied bluntly, true to his trademark straightforwardness.

Aera shrugged casually. "Just a cold. I can't wait to be done with this Jeju project—it's been the worst."

Taehyung hummed, furrowing his thick eyebrows as he studied her closely. The project had clearly taken its toll on her. She looked noticeably more worn out than she had just a month ago, when she first joined Kim Enterprises.

"It really has," he nodded, clicking his tongue in frustration as he waved the camera in his hand. "I haven't had a single moment to work on my photo album ever since this project started."

"You're working on an album? What's it called?" Aera asked, her voice tinged with surprise as she glanced at Taehyung, who seemed slightly bashful.

Taehyung rubbed the back of his neck. "I haven't decided on a name yet. Right now, I'm just taking random pictures and trying to tie them together with a theme."

He showed Aera the photos he had taken over the past year. One captured children playing hopscotch, while an elderly woman watched them with a distinct emotion in her eyes. Another featured a slender hand opening a barrel of red liquid, likely wine. There was a lively shot of a group of foreigners clinking glasses and feasting in the open, alongside a striking image of a stray cat beneath their table, licking its paw with a dangerous yet starved look. It was pitiful—so unlike Taehyung's usual brightness.

The intensity of the first and last pictures left Aera deep in thought, reflecting on the cruelty of the world and the joy of living in it.

Next were snapshots from Seokjin's birthday and a few from the New Year's bash. The most recent photo showcased the flower he was currently standing next to. The angle highlighted the rose against the misty window, with melted snow leaving a dewy trail that lent the frayed edges of the flower a mystical appearance.

"They're amazing, Tae," Aera said, awestruck by the emotions in the pictures. Taehyung was truly talented. "Please invite me to the showcase when the album is ready and released."

"Thanks, Buttercup. I will," Taehyung replied, his cheeks flushing a soft shade of red, a hint of shyness in his smile. It appeared he had a tendency to get flustered whenever he received a compliment.

He looked at her and a spark of inspiration suddenly ignited in his eyes, transforming his expression into one of eagerness.

"Do you mind if I take your picture?" Taehyung asked, his voice filled with genuine enthusiasm. He imagined capturing her warmth and innocence in that moment, wanting to freeze it in time.

"Me?" Aera exclaimed, taken aback. Her hand flew to her hair, brushing a fringe out of her sight as she glanced down at her outfit. She looked like a marshmallow, bundled in so many layers that her silhouette appeared puffy against the winter chill. She chuckled, a touch of self-deprecation in her voice. "I doubt the picture would turn out well when I look like this. I'd just be a big fluffy blob!"

"Come on, Buttercup, you'd look good even wrapped in a curtain. You're beautiful, so don't flatter yourself. Now, look over here," Taehyung said, dismissing her concerns as he ushered her into better lighting. "Say macaroni!"

Aera had little time to process before the shutter clicked. She quickly threw up a peace sign and squeezed her eyes shut, grinning timidly at the situation.

"Show me!" Aera called when Taehyung slapped his thigh and chuckled to himself.

"I'm keeping this one," he said, denying Aera access to his camera.

"That's rude," Aera huffed, her pout eliciting another chuckle from Taehyung. He promised to show her the picture once it was edited, then nodded toward the meeting room where their coworkers were gathering. Seokjin had arrived just ahead of the officials they were set to present to and was busy running through last-minute checks.

With Mark and Jihee still on parental leave, Taehyung and Aera stuck together in their absence. The four of them had formed a close-knit group, often spending lunch together, cracking jokes, and sharing laughs during short breaks. Now, Taehyung and Aera sat at the far end of the table, killing time by making fun of the strange painting on the wall. The lighthearted banter helped calm Aera's nerves before her turn to present to the officials, during which she explained the designs that best complemented the landscape.

She avoided making eye contact with Jungkook, knowing it would break her focus, though she could still feel the weight of his gaze on her from time to time. Instead, she directed her attention to others—Seokjin, smiling with pride in his eyes; the officials, including a stern-looking woman whose judgmental stare Aera chose to ignore; a short man who nodded at her every word, and a disinterested man who seemed completely uninvolved in the meeting. Finally, she spotted Taehyung, discreetly giving her a thumbs-up from under the table when she finished.

Aera bowed her head in thanks before taking her seat beside Taehyung. When Jungkook stepped up to present his designs next, Aera was only slightly surprised. She then spent the rest of the time playfully bickering with Taehyung, who had patted her back after the short official turned in his seat just to compliment her.

"Congratulations! Your presentation gave that man an orgasm," Taehyung joked, only to receive a playful jab in the chest.

The meeting concluded with Seokjin confidently arguing why Kim Enterprises should land the Jeju project. The officials shook his hand, promising to follow up after consulting their higher-ups. Seokjin then stayed back to applaud his team for their hard work, offering to buy them drinks that evening along with a paid day off tomorrow. Aera raised an eyebrow, convinced she had seen Jungkook whisper that suggestion in Seokjin's ear just moments earlier.

However, she shook off her thoughts when Taehyung approached and asked if she would join him for drinks. Glancing out the window at the gray clouds casting shadows over the city at just three o'clock, she visibly shook her head. She reasoned that it would affect her health more, especially with the weather looking like it might snow.

"Well then, it's my job to tease the hell out of Jihee when I FaceTime her and drink her favorite booze in front of her," Taehyung said, feigning lament, though mischief radiated from him.
Jihee was in her postpartum phase, unable to drink alcohol or even her usual two cups of coffee. A sulky Jihee without her beverages to cope with motherhood was a dangerous combination, and Taehyung was more than willing to poke fun at that. Aera prayed for Taehyung's hearing ability, knowing Jihee would likely curse him out for it by the end of the night.

"So, what are you going to do then? Watch Netflix?" Taehyung asked her.

"Yeah, maybe. I was thinking about re-watching Heartstopper season 2. I might just do that," she said as they stepped into the elevator together.

Taehyung let out a high-pitched squeal, almost girlish, and playfully trapped Aera in the corner of the elevator. "Quick question: who's your favorite couple? And Nick and Charlie are off-limits."

Aera gave him a teasing look, already knowing where this was going, but grinned back at him, matching his excitement.

"Elle and Tao!" they both shouted at the same time, their voices echoing in the small space. They looked at each other and burst into laughter, the sound filling the elevator as it continued its slow ascent.

"Oh, I love them so much. They're just adorable together."

"Yeah, especially when they finally start dating. I always wondered if Tao had feelings for Elle even before she came out as trans."

"I know, right? Me too! There was always something about Tao that felt. . . I don't know—maybe a bit effeminate? No offense, though."

"Yeah, but that's up for debate."

They soon became immersed in talking about Isaac next, the other character from the series, both complaining about how he didn't get as much screen time and attention as the other characters. Aera was so wrapped up in the conversation with Taehyung that, for a moment, she forgot everything else—specifically Jungkook. She felt grateful for Taehyung; he had brought light back into her day. Without his presence, she feared she might have been consumed by her own thoughts and let the day slip away in negativity.

Unbeknownst to her, a different pair of eyes lit up at the sight of her as they entered the elevator. They watched her, captivated, as she giggled and chuckled at the other's antics, her reflection in the elevator door offering a glimpse of the beauty she truly was. However, they were soon left feeling neglected and sad as Aera exited and continued on with her afternoon.

After wrapping up the designs for the Jeju project, Aera, like the rest of the employees at Kim Enterprises, found herself with little to do. The hours dragged on as they idly watched the clock, all waiting for six o'clock and the promise of free drinks at the pub. Except for Aera. With nothing left on her plate, it was hard to justify staying late. She passed the time sifting through files on her computer, deleting the ones that were outdated or irrelevant. When the hour finally came, her coworkers trickled out one by one, until, once again, she was alone.

"Keen to stay behind, Miss Han?" Jungkook's voice called out from somewhere ahead of Aera just as she was about to close her computer. "Or maybe you're just a workaholic. I wouldn't be surprised if you showed up on your days off too."

Not him again, Aera thought as she closed her eyes in frustration.

She took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and looked at Jungkook, who was leaning against the doorframe of his office. An unusual mist lingered in his gaze, and a ghost of a smile tugged at his lips before he suppressed it. He stared at Aera as she met his gaze. If their work relationship and Jungkook's position as her superior weren't factors, Aera might have wondered if he simply enjoyed getting on her nerves.

"No, Mr. Jeon. I was just about to pack up and leave," Aera replied firmly, maintaining eye contact.

She abruptly stood up and gathered her things, as if to emphasize her point.

It was as if Jungkook's constant pestering had infused her with newfound energy. Her legs carried her in long strides past the still-staring Jungkook, but suddenly the ground seemed to whirl beneath her. Before she could react, a firm hand grabbed her and yanked her down, pulling her beneath a table that had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.

Aera brought a hand to her head, rubbing the spot where the table corner had struck her in the rush.

"What the— What happened?" she asked, her voice filled with confusion.

"I think it's an earthquake," Jungkook replied softly. Aera wondered if she had hit her head harder than she realized, as Jungkook's voice seemed to echo in her ears.

"What?!" Aera shouted, her voice sharp with disbelief, a bit too loud for the trembling room. She glanced around in growing horror, her surroundings quaking violently. Pen holders rattled on desks that shuddered beneath them, while the overhead lights flickered in a frenzy, casting erratic shadows that twisted the room into something unrecognizable.

Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest as she gripped the hand holding hers with all her strength. An earthquake—of all things—was the last disaster she'd ever thought she'd face. The ground felt alive beneath her, the tremors reverberating through her bones.

Panic surged within her, and all she wished for was to wake up, safe and sound, back in the warmth of her home.

Jungkook slipped his arm around Aera, pulling her close and offering the relief she so desperately needed. As he looked down at her quivering form, an unfamiliar sensation stirred within him: a deep instinct to protect her, no matter the cost. He gently stroked her back, whispering soft words of reassurance in her ear.

"It's okay. I'm here. I'll protect you. Don't worry," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. Slowly, the trembling eased, and everything grew still.

They remained wrapped in each other's arms for a few minutes, finding comfort in their closeness until they felt it was safe to emerge from beneath the table.

"The earthquake's over, Aera. We can move now." Jungkook softly caressed her arm, prompting her mind to register that he had used her first name instead of the usual, monotonous "Miss Han."

She glanced up at him, studying his face as if seeing it for the first time. Perhaps it truly was, given how close they were in that cramped space, leaving little room between them. She noticed the small hole of an eyebrow piercing in his right brow, something she had never known he had until now.

Her heartbeat had steadied, syncing rhythmically with Jungkook's as she felt it thud against her other hand resting on his chest. She became acutely aware of the awkward position she was in, her legs nearly draped over Jungkook's thighs, almost sitting in his lap.

Heat rushed to her cheeks as she quickly scrambled to get out from under the table. Jungkook followed closely behind, positioning himself beside her, a worried expression crossing his face as Aera distanced herself from him.

"Are you alright?" Jungkook asked, inching closer and raising his hands to check where Aera had bumped her head.

"I—yes, I'm fine, Mr. Jeon," she replied, taking a step back to evade his touch. "Thank you for your help."

Aera quickly spotted her tote bag nestled among a pile of papers and picked it up. She began sifting through her belongings—not because she was concerned, but as a way to ignore Jungkook's presence. Even so, she was relieved to find everything intact and in order.

The numbers glowing on her phone screen showed it was half past six. If she wanted to catch the next bus heading near her home, which was leaving in about ten minutes, she needed to leave right away.

But as if Jungkook could read the thoughts racing through Aera's mind, he quickly added, "I can give you a ride home. Anyang's not far from where I live."

"Oh, no. It's okay, Mr. Jeon. I'll be fine on my own," Aera replied, a hint of frustration creeping in as she realized how many times she had repeated the same thing to him that day. "I'll take the bus. Thanks for everything today."

As she left the office, she tossed Jungkook a quick "good night," giving him no chance to respond. Once outside, she sighed heavily into the cold air, reflecting on the whirlwind of events that had just transpired.

Snow was falling, just as she had expected, as she made her way to the bus station, leaving a trail of footprints in the freshly fallen snow along the road. The streets had swarmed with people emerging from their shelters, their faces reflecting the unmistakable tremors from a while ago beneath their feet.

Aera allowed herself a moment to sort through the swirling thoughts in her mind while waiting for her bus to arrive.

Something felt profoundly different about Jeon Jungkook and the way he had been acting around her in the past few days. He wasn't ignoring her as he once did; instead, he was giving her a surprising amount of. . . attention? She wasn't quite sure how to label this sudden shift in his behavior toward her.

In addition, today's events raised numerous questions for Aera. She couldn't help but wonder if there had been someone else who had captured his affection before, specifically, another woman.

The mere thought of another woman in Jungkook's life transported Aera back to New Year's Eve. She realized how foolish she had been to judge the girl Jungkook had invited to the party, assuming she was his romantic partner. Taehyung had later clarified that she was simply his caretaker during their conversation on the topic, which somehow relieved Aera—though she couldn't quite pinpoint why.

Things felt like they were back to square one as she found herself once again swept up in a never-ending cycle of questions and uncertainties.

As her bus to Anyang arrived, Aera climbed aboard and settled into a seat next to a schoolgirl absorbed in her headphones. The thumping bass of the music spilled from the girl's earbuds, leading Aera to pull out her own earphones. She connected them to her phone and pressed play on CHANYEOL's "Stay With Me," resting her forehead against the cool glass of the window.

Aera's ears were instantly enveloped by the enchanting voice of the female singer, Punch, her soothing melodies nearly luling Aera into a peaceful slumber. She hummed softly, feeling nostalgic as her thoughts began to drift away.

Just as she teetered on the edge of oblivion, a sudden thought pierced through her reverie, snapping her wide awake: How the hell did Jungkook know where she lived?