Chapter 38: Knowing her better.

"Are you okay? Hoseok asked immediately as he pull the car over to the residential park. I shrug at him, ignoring his question, and try opening the door just to step down when he held my hand halting my moves.

"Here,  he said handing me the supposed ID. I stare at him in disbelief. His expression is blank.

"Be gentle to yourself; and enjoy your environment, don't get worked up in any little thing" he said flashing the tiny dimples on his cheeks as he represses a grin.

Clenching my teeth, I just numb sit speechlessly staring at him as he steps down from the car rounding across to open the door for me. There was an uncomfortable nagging feeling in my stomach that I can't shake off, and it intensifies, but I managed to suppress it.

I could feel my heart rate increasing, and my breathing becoming irregular, so I forced myself to step out of the car.

"Yahhhh Bella." I hear Becky's voice calling out to me and I stopped. She had this shocked expression on her face like she really recognized or had seen Hoseok somewhere.

"I was about to call Heechul to help me look for you" she uttered my eyes widened and I blink repeatedly.

"When did your Heechul turn to police officer Becky?  And I did not tell you I was lost; ashiiiii Becky...you.."I poked a finger at her, my mouth twisted bitterly at the unwelcome realization that I had someone with me. I find my bearings and quickly put myself together clearing my throat.

"Hmmmmm; Becky this is Hoseok.....my friend, hmmm collea..... colleague or what...ever.... maybe boss...boss". I stuttered with a poker face.

"Is that how to introduce your boss Bella? He said, staring at me desperately with those pretty eyes of his.

I sniff a sigh, rolling my eyes and facing him "Hoseok you are not my boss; aigooooo how can you be my boss...you..." I was cut off before I could finish what I want to say.

"Fine Bella; since I'm not your boss, how about a proper introduction as your boyfriend" he smirked.

"Yahhhhh...I yelled hitting his shoulder lightly making them both chuckle.

"That's enough Bella; you don't hit on your boss unless you two are close".... came Becky's voice.

My voice went dead at her comment and when I peek behind my shoulder, I can see Hoseok grinning.

I shook my head in disbelief shrugging them off, I strode down my house lane leaving Becky and Hoseok behind.

Who cares?

************************************

Immediately after Bella left I approach Becky.

"Longest time Becky," I said offering her a handshake which she returned with a smile.

"Wanna talk about it.. let's go to the garden" she say and we both left for the garden.

They got to the garden and Hoseok stood with his back facing her

"Why... Why did you leave without a reason". I stuttered.

"That's not how to approach a long-time friend and trainee Hoseok" she replied.

"Sorry about that...I said turning to face her." But why Becky...I thought you were training as a dancer what happened... you left without any valuable reasons.

"Well Hoseok dancing is not my thing but it is something I was doing just to keep my modeling figure fit..so now I am fully into modeling for a cloth brand I have to quit, and Bella already got her job so we stop coming to the studio".she replied calmly.

"So Bella was your sister all this while, why didn't you tell me?" I asked and her eyes creased for a moment.

"Well, we never get to talk formally and besides we all were bent on the company rules" she replied amidst a smile.

I mustered up a smile in her direction and nodded to let her know I understand her.

"Hoseok don't tell me you are the one behind those dispatch riders gifts....what!!! why didn't I know all this while? Her eyes widened in surprise.

I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding until her statement came at me.

"So sorry for springing on her that way; I apologize she responds with an amount of satisfaction.

"Did Bella tell you about our contract? I asked her immediately I sense her calm aura.

"Of course she did; the bossy and sassy friend who asked her to work for him, to repay for her clumsy attitude" she scoffs.

"What!! No!! No!!..is that what Bella said? my eyes widened at her remark and she chortle at my outburst.

"Don't worry Hoseok; that's Bella's way of describing anyone she is fond of, Bella might look unapologetically stubborn but trust me she got a good heart.

Little words hurt her; she might try to fire back with cussing words which I think is her way of freeing her mind but when she took a likeness of someone she is mindful of the words she uses and she expects the same...you might hurt her with words and she won't speak for the rest of the day. Also, Bella is a non-nonsense being who doesn't give anyone room to get on her nerves, she responds to you the way you approach her but gets soft when she starts loving someone...I don't know why I'm saying this but I think if she can cherish gifts sent to her by a stranger imagine finding out who that stranger is....I don't know your aim of approaching Bella again while you should have let it pass; she finds it difficult to trust anyone and when she does a betrayal is like a thunder strike to her. She is good at ditching one at first look but when she is attached she gives her whole love to the person..she seldom swears, and when she does, just know she is truly in pain... I'm saying this cause the last statement" Clumsy and disappointed in her" throws her off the cliff. By then I don't even know what was going on but she wept like she lost a gold.

I know I don't have to be straightforward at our first meet after a year plus now but I want you to know a bit about her cause it seems I will be hearing more of Hoseok from now on, and if you two are to be friends I hope you two understand yourself to avoid cussing each other with bad words each passing day...."

A gentle gust of winds blow in with me and I just stood staring at her like a lost sheep, my brain had stopped functioning as I stare at Becky who took time to explain a bit about Bella; not until now did I realize how my comments hurt her.

"Who knows how hurtful my comments will be all those while we were practicing" My mind jibed in and I inhale deeply scratching my head and throwing it backward flustered in thoughts. I was still thinking about what Becky said when her voice beat again to my ear.

"I think is getting late Hoseok we need to go I have work tomorrow," she said standing up likewise.

"So how does Bella describe me to you? I asked her.

"I'm sure you don't want to hear it right " she sniffed.

"No No, I don't want to hear," I replied immediately waving her off.

"Good... before Bella bite off my ear for saying more than I was asked," she said and we both chuckled at her response.

"I'm glad to meet you again Becky, I hope things work out well; "good night," I said hoping in my car and driving off.

***************

I entered the house but Bella wasn't in the living room. Maybe she is inside her room I guess walking up to her door and knocking but no answer. Wondering if she has slept I decide to open it only to meet the supposed Bella comfortably lying down on the bed surfing her phone.

"Don't you think your attitude outside there was embarrassing enough to send Hoseok away"...I asked her which result in her to rose an eye at me.

"You know him right?" Her voice is deadly quiet and my uncomfortable silence confirms her question.

I round on her but she sprang up fiercely.

"Becky.....she yelled " Tell me why you kept it a secret ? she question, swirling her eyeballs at me.

"Bella...hear me out,".I grimace, relaxing my posture and carefully taking her hands.

"I know Hoseok as one of our dance tutors back then at Sound-Mind but never know how he ended up at college and besides you never said anything formal about him aside from your little issue with him," I said as I feel her relaxed demeanor.

"I think you are always lucky from dispatch riders' gifts to meeting Hoseok".

My subconscious mind jibed in immediately Becky mention dispatch riders gifts for a year plus I received those gifts. Slowly I stood up approached my drawer and bring out some of the messages on each flower card.

"Your smiles brighten the day, I hope you never stop smiling".

"In every space of our life, we meet people who fuel us to the positive us, keep looking at the bright side of life, and always be positive."

"Dear Heaven, touch the people around me. Keep them happy and safe, and give them love, compassion, and care... Bless them all with good health, peace of mind, and kindness in their heart. Especially the one reading this message." These were some of the flower cards' messages.

"Don't tell me Hoseok is behind all this Bella? I rose my eyes on her.

"I never said so Bella; I was just using them as an instance of what I want to say okay" she shook her head.

" And besides Hoseok is a handsome, cute, and lovely cool guy, don't you think he will make a good boyfriend... you just love picking up issues with him"

I groan at her statement without minding her, I gently dive into my bed wrapping myself up with my blanket.

"Yeah, don't sleep on me" Becky yelled pulling the blanket off my body.

"Go to your room Becky" I yelled back dragging the blanket away from her hand.

"Do you love Hoseok?" she asked, and I halt at her question and she chortle clapping her hands together and leaving the room.

I feel a little peace as I lie down on the bed thinking about her question.

"Do I love Hoseok or was my heart just confused? I groaned.