II

As I straightened my navy-blue dress, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I despise short, sparkly dresses. It would be great if I could just avoid it like I did high school gatherings. No one invited me, so I guess that's also why. This is why I despise social gatherings so much. My neck is covered with a delicate milky white necklace. When I put on a more feminine outfit, I always wonder if I'll end up looking decent in it. One thing I learned the hard way is that insecurities only hit you when you allow them.

''What are you doing?'' Inquiries my friend.

My response is: "Sitting."

"I'm coming to get you. There will be consequences if insufficient makeup is viewable." She is threatening me while giggling hysterically.

I laughed and responded to her question.

I reply, "Fine," a grin slowly spreads across my face.

''Have a nice time getting ready and I'll see you soon!'' Upon answering, she quickly ends the call.

All in all, she's not terrible. She's one of those people whose grins never failed to brighten my day. I had my head down and my nose buried in my books in high school, but her devilish grin forced me to look up and say hello. She never fails to lighten my day. That's the essence of a true buddy.

Peep, peep.

She's waiting for me outside with a honk of her horn. As I lock my door and head out to the car, the music slowly enters the atmosphere, obviously from her car. When I knock on the car window, she opens the door.

"Hi!" She made an exclamation. Greetings, I say.

As so, "Let's get going." After she responds and gets in her car, we leave. I have been fascinated by the view outside my window for the duration of the trip. Down-tempo jazz listening.

Asking, "Are you alright?" She inevitably asks.

I respond, "I am," without meeting her gaze.

...

As I awkwardly stand here, my friend is giving out hugs to all of her other friends. She comes back and forces me to go with her. It's as if she's hunting for someone specific and suddenly finds them.

"Hey! Kang! Remember her? You were on her list of people to meet." They tell me as I stare at them in disbelief.

"Really?" Assuming something, he asks.

I stammer out, "Um..." I really should just leave you two alone." My friend exclaims as she takes her to leave.

''Have fun, okay?'' As she informs me, she shifts her focus from me to her group of friends.

I tell her, "Okay," and she rejoins the group. That being said, I find myself wondering, "Now what?" My feet take me to the bar, and without thinking, I motion for him to follow. A virgin mojito was what I asked for.

So, tell me, "How's work going for you?" A low, husky voice talks. Upon examining his appearance, I see he is a handsome man; he has jet-black hair falling on his face and his black shirt is displaying his broad shoulders well.

"I work for a business organization well known in Seoul for its profits quite well." As for me, I'll take the mic.

''Would it bother you if I ordered some liquor, even though I assume you disapprove of it? Leaning nearer the counter.'' He posed the question.

Well at least should have commented on my job if you posed the question.

"Oh my. What a lovely gesture! Not that it matters. Go on!" While straightening up, I gave my reply.

"What brings you to this gathering, exactly? I guess gatherings like that aren't designed for girls like you because they're so wild."

Then, after a careful inspection of me, he said. I don't give a damn about it. I am used to dealing with men that like to flirt. How? Mystery!

I reply, "Yeah...but my friend insisted so I came along," as I take a sip from my beverage.

"So... Kang...?" When in doubt, I questioned.

As in, "Kang So." He corrected.

When asked, "Yes...what do you do for work?" I inquired.

"I'm a business lawyer at a firm in Seoul. It's a really busy position." He taps his fingers on the counter while he speaks.

Inquiringly, "...Are you up for a dance?" Inquired he.

I respond emphatically, "No thanks, I like here."

"Bold, I like that... Oh! Just started working out, wish to see my abs?" Slightly self-conscious, he inquires. I take it he wants to flash his six-pack.

Hmm..."Um...yeah? I mean—" A voice from behind us interrupted me.

"Does Rae Jin want to check out my stuff? I bet they're not as nice as mine, but they sure are pretty!" We both turn around to see who spoke and are subsequently taken aback by the revelation.

"J-Jung...kook?!" cried out the guy in the seat next to me.

"Jungkook!" The shock caused me to exclaim.

"Yes. He's a global heartthrob! International playboy! That Jeon Jungkook!" He yelled out dramatically. Then all at once, he lifted his shirt, and —- Oh my gosh!!!

I am currently starring in terror at his tanned abs, and Kang So seems equally repulsed by his presence. Wow...I can't help but stare and redden all at once!

''What are you doing here, J-Jungkook?'' Although I've studied, I still have trouble asking while staring at his six-pack.

"Since I'm the host, let me say..." He lets go of his shirt resulting in it to returns to its original position as he finishes saying. No! In a sense, no! This guy again!

''This party was thrown by you?!'' In disbelief, I asked.

''Indeed.'' He answered.

"Jungkook! Excuse me, but I was just..." Kang So was trembling as well, but on this occasion out of fear.

As in, "You were what?" Jungkook asked him accusingly. How bizarre! How come he's so scared of him?

''The meeting was brief; I really should leave now. Nice meeting you!'' He yelled and bolted out of the room.

Tell me, what's going on?

I finally asked, "You own this party?"

"I understand your hatred toward me, but that man was not a decent man. I based my interpretation of you on the fact that he did some offensive things." Nervous, he scratched the back of his knee.

''It's settled then; I guess I'll head out too,'' I mumbled while lowering my gaze.

"No! In other words, you're not leaving! That party wasn't held by me, but by my stepbrother... I had planned to leave. Yes, you do remain." And he said that as he stepped backward.

"No. Each of us is staying for the medium term. This party is for yours as well." Whatever prompted me to say those comments, ignoring the fact he almost made a fool of me.

"Really?" Astounded, he asked.

"Yes. As the host, it is expected that you will take me on a tour of the venue." That's it, I'm done. I cannot accept. Tell me, what's going on? My physical self and emotional heart have turned against my rational thinking.

"Sure!" Again, he flashed me his trademark rabbit grin. At first, I didn't think it was possible to witness...that once more.

''So... of course, this party is hosted outdoors. This is the bar first for most.'' He uses hand gestures to illustrate.

''The dance floor and disco probably come next.'' As we explore the area, he gives me a tour and shows me everything.

''Also, there are two washrooms.'' He's even gone so far as to demonstrate that to me, and it made me chuckle.

''That's all. Just a small place.'' He ends at the exit.

''It's nice...so you have a stepbrother?'' I ask in curiosity.

''Yes, quite complicated shit so lest not discuss this.'' He answers.

''Right, sorry.'' I apologize.

''It's fine.'' He assures.

''Want me to leave you at home?'' He asked.

''Nah its fine.'' I deny his invitation.

''Look...You have every right to be upset, and I understand that you don't like me very much anymore. I apologize. Now, while you're here, I wanted to make you feel less awkward. Let me give you a ride as a sorry." He replied with a stern look as he glanced around the area.

"I don't hate you, but it's hard to take what you say for what it is. I thought your brother was ill, and you used that to get what you wanted out of me." The first thing that came out of my mouth was an exclamation.

"Yes, but... I had to have cash." He eyed the floor as he talked.

"If you want to live, Jungkook, you need money. No, we don't go about trying to con people." When I give him a look, I can't help but frown.

"That's a fact, and I'm aware of it. However, you don't have to try to comprehend this because you clearly won't." As soon as he speaks again, we are left in stillness.

''Let me give you a ride home as a serious apology.'' He says finally while breaking the silence.

I'm hesitant to act at first, but I do so eventually. I give him a nod and we move to his car at the exit of the place.

''I came today expecting myself to get drunk however I prefer this.'' He commented while opening the door for the front seat for me.

My fury fades instantly at the sweetness of his words. You can meet men who prefer partying all night then you, but this man is different. Maybe...he is tricking me again. However, I want to see where this goes.

''I prefer...that too,'' I answer with a small smile that isn't visible as I get inside.

"Really?" Looking up, he asked.

I gave him a tiny smile and said,

"Yes," and he returned the gesture.

''I just live near Gangnam,'' I tell him. He nods.

It is peaceful and calm here away from the noise. He puts the key in, and we drive away. I text my friend about me leaving early and soon she replies with 'It's fine, call me when you get there.' A comfortable silence lingers in the car as we both look at each other occasionally; when our gazes finally cross, I quickly avert mine.

There are several factors involved. Already. I've never experienced anything like the complexity of this relationship. It is not even a relationship; it is just a mess.

So, listen up! Don't be too harsh on yourself, Rae Jin. He almost fooled me with a sob story that pleaded for compassion. The feeling of betrayal is all I can think about. No big deal, but it does hurt. What is the reason? Just the fact I am dumb.

Just as I'm becoming lost in thinking, I catch sight of a packet of cigarettes in his car.

Does he smoke? I mean why would I care? He is a scammer, I bet he'd a smoker too.

I asked, "You smoke?" It was a confirmation I had to make. "Curiosity killed the cat," as the old saying goes.

He says with a tiny smile and his eyes set on the road, "Sometimes," before adding, "typically when I want to cry my eyes out and ruin my clothing."

For some reason, that still makes me laugh, and I try very hard not to let it show.

Then, I sneak a glance at him. His black shirt has two buttons undone, revealing a bit of his chest. Wearing grey pants and black pointy shoes. The strands of hair on his head are neatly separated and shine with gloss.

After a short while, I find myself staring at him again. He's looking at the road ahead and his expression is gentle. I have no idea what he is thinking, despite my attempts to interpret it from his body language. I have no clue if his thoughts are good or negative. I keep staring at him like I don't know what to do with myself.

He casts a sidelong glance my way, but I ignore it and continue looking forward.

He finally opened his mouth: "Your eyes are like diamonds when you stare at me."

Whoa, what the hell is wrong with me?

I stumbled through an "Umm..." in an attempt to sound natural.

He didn't avert his gaze but instead yelled, "It's fine. At least you didn't look at me with a murderous scheme in your head. As for me, I'm content with it."

I started to protest, but he quickly cut me off. "No, of course not. You just...scammed me. Yeah. I don't hate you like you abducted me or something. Not like you would. No! I—-"

"You...you forgive too fast. I have seen people who choose to hate me nonetheless so much time has gone by, and you...just forgiven me after few days." He shouted, hitting the steering wheel.

And then the panic subsided, leaving me with nothing to do except think. To think about his remarks. Was he complimenting me? Can you tell whether I made him uncomfortable with my actions? Was there a different explanation?

''I am sorry.'' He apologized and dropped the issue, and I was immediately thrown off my train of thought.

The only thing I can think to say is, "...It's fine," because I have run out of things to say.

He asked, "I believe we are here...the flats on the left, right?"

I simply respond, "Yeah."

"So... farewell," he says as he waves me off.

I get out of the car and say, "Bye."

But as he starts to drive away, I stop him.

I shout at him. "Jungkook!" And he stops and stares at me.

"I am guilty too for being so ignorant," I reply, my gaze cast downward.

"It's fine...we're good now.'' He replies with a grin.

With a "Right... see you...later," I reply.

''By the way, you look stunning in that dress.'' He speaks.

"T-Thanks, you are too." That is my reply.

"Goodbye, lovely!" He comments.

With uncertainty, I say, "Bye handsome."

Sh*t!

A hearty "Hahaha" escapes his lips before he speeds away.

I am too sleepy to overanalyze his every statement, so I will just say that a con artist I met a few days ago protected me from a pervert and soon we made up. Good night!