Soo Emi

I step out of the building with my heart pouncing against my chest. My head and down to my neck felt hot with uneasiness. I try cooling down by fanning myself, but it didn't help one bit.

I totally messed up just now.

I'm done for.

Hoseok is going to tell my father.

If my father hears just one negative thing about me, he will take me out of this job in a second. I can't let that happen.

I don't even want to think about the things Hoseok could tell my father. Judging from how he treats me, it will be extra nasty.

My eyes land on a familiar man sitting at the fountain and relief clears my mind.

Clutching my bag, I run over . "Hey, Joon!"

"Oh! Hey, Emi!" He stands up and brushes off his ripped pants. "You surprised me."

"I'm sorry. Um, I didn't expect to see you here. You go on walks at night too?"

He stiffly nods his head. "Yes. I often go for late walks. It's a hobby of mine."

"That sounds relaxing."

"It is. So, how was your day today?" He asks.

I scoff, shaking my head. "Anything, but good."

"Is it that Hoseok guy?"

I sit down on the edge of the fountain, nodding.

"I'm sure whatever it is, you'll work it out. You seem like a strong girl." He sits besides me and flashes a smile. "You can do it."

I smile back. "Thanks. I really hope I can."

"You get paid, don't you?"

"Yes, I do."

He gently grabs my hand. "Then working for a boss like that isn't for nothing. You can look at it that way. When I have to work for someone who is incredibly rude, money is usually what motivates me."

"Hm. You're right. I should be more grateful."

"And don't give up! If you do, then I'll scold you." He pouts out his lips, mocking an angry child. "Don't make me scold you, Emi."

I laugh loudly as I push his shoulder. "Ok, I won't! Stop making that face!"

°

Finally, a month passed.

That's right. I survived a whole month.

And guess what?

Jung Hoseok has not changed one bit...even though I prayed and prayed every night. He still has this certain cold attitude to him that makes me want to stomp on his toe.

But of course, I will not do what my heart wants.

I only see him 5 times a week. I can deal with it.

One good thing is that he hasn't told my father anything about what happened with Seokjin, so that's relieving.

Hoseok also agreed to give me regular lunch breaks, but only if I satisfied him enough with my work. Not a big problem because I always do.

Just his low thoughts of me are motivating enough.

For most of my lunch breaks, I've been hanging with Joon out by the fountain. He's always there and his smile is always energizing on a tiring day.

We've actually become good friends! I've never been this close to someone that I met outside of my father circle.

It's really refreshing!

"How are the chips?" I ask him.

"Delicious!" He chirps and continues crunching on them.

He's so cute sometimes. Like a child.

"Hey, Joon. Open your mouth really wide." I say, grabbing my bag of grapes from my lunch bag.

He raises his eyebrows in confusion, but obeys.

I sit back and toss a grape towards his mouth.

Almost like a ninja, he moves his head just in time and the grape lands perfectly in his mouth.

"That's fun! Let me do it to you too!" He cheers.

I hand him a grape and he tosses it in the air.

The grape lands on my nose and I flinch.

"You suck." He sticks out his tongue.

I throw a grape at him. "I do not! You just didn't throw it right!"

"You wanna play like that, huh? Fine, give me some more grapes!" He stands up and reaches for my lunch bag.

"Not a chance!" I yell, getting up to escape him.

He chases me around the fountain before snatching the lunch bag away from me.

"Hey!" I shout and started chasing him around.

"Try to get me!" He laughs, jumping into the fountain. "But you can't!"

He just went into the water with his shoes on.

Wow.

I stand on the ledge, not daring to get into the water.

"Joon! Give it back!" I yell at him.

"You have to come in here if you want it." He waves my lunch bag around teasingly. "Or I'm going to eat all your grapes."

I stomp my foot. "I can't get wet, Joon! I have to go back to work in 5 minutes. I'll get in serious trouble if I ruin my clothes. And don't get the bag wet!"

He swings the bag around, making me anxious.

"Don't drop it- OOAH!" I step forward a little, but the ledge was a lot smaller than I thought.

I lost my balance.

This is it.

Tell my father I said "I love you".

Tell Hoseok I said "jerk face".

I come to peace with my unfortunate turn of events and closed by eyes. However instead of landing in my watery death, I land in someone's arms.

"Joon?" I open my eyes and see Hoseok looking down at me.

Uh.

I take back the "jerk face".

I cover my mouth as Hoseok steps out of the fountain and onto the dry land. His pants and shoes were soaked.

Oh no.

He sets me at the ground and looks down at his ruined socks and shoes.

"Hoseok, you didn't even take off your sh-"

"Just shut up and get back in my office." Hoseok harshly cuts me off.

"Y-Yes, sir."

"Hoseok, excuse me. Please don't get angry at Emi. I was the one messing with her." Joon approaches us with dripping shoes as well.

Hoseok was not pleased with any of us. Nor was he at all enjoying life at the moment.

"Soo Emi, get to my office now. Your break is over." Hoseok's cold tone sent shivers throughout my body.

My shaky hands reach for him. "Sir, let me help you with your-"

"NOW!" He roars and points to the building.

Terrified, I grab my coat and obeyed his orders.

°

Hoseok went to the bathroom to get most of the water out of his pants while I prepared a dry change of clothes in his office.

Oh, shoot!

Pants!

I forgot the pants!

Dang!

Why can't I do something right for a change!?

I'm already shaking in fear.

This time was ENTIRELY my fault and something I could get fired for.

I'm going to lose my job!

But I didn't ask him to save me.....

But I shouldn't have been messing around in the first place!

Gah!

I walk around the office, fiddling my fingers, thinking of ways to calm Hoseok down without making anything worse.

I should just shut up and accept my punishment.

I'm not good with words. I'll probably ruin things even more.

The door clicks open and I begin to panic.

Hoseok stands at the doorway with his suit off, leaving him in a white button up. His sleeves and pants were rolled up.

He was carrying his wet socks and shoes in his jacket, probably hiding it from other people.

He steps into his office and closes the door behind him. He finds the dry clothing on the couch and turns straight to me.

I flinch at his sudden gaze.

"I-I got some dry clothing for you, sir." I tell him, so nervously. "I-I couldn't find any extra pants, I'm sorry."

He lets out a breath and walks past it. He shoves his wet socks and shoes into my hands.

"Wait for me to change." He grunts, turning around.

"Sir, you can change in the-"

He lifts his shirt above his head.

I turn blood red.

I swing my body around so I was facing a wall.

"Relax. It's not like I'm taking off my pants." He mumbles. "There's no need to anyway."

His hand clamps on my shoulders and turns me around. He puts the shirt in my hands.

His shirt was dry.

Why did he have to change that?

Oh, my goodness, he is shirtless and in front of me.

I'm not ready for marriage!

"Get these cleaned up and back today. Get me some new pants too." He commands with a less intimidating tone. "Don't be long. If I catch you with anybody again..."

"I understand." I answer obediently.

"Good."

I breathe out, relieved.

He didn't fire me.