"Oh, stop the car!!" Her loud shout and sudden reach on his arms startled him and the car made a slight screeching sound as it's forced to stop. Jungkook glanced at the mirrors and sighed in relief when he found no cars around them.

That's so dangerous - what was she thinking, asking him to stop in the middle of the road?! 

"Sorry," Her regretful smile is distracting - slowly dissipating the annoyance he felt before. 

But seriously, is she always this mindless? How had she survived all these years of living alone with this kind of impulsiveness?? 

"It's um...can you pull over...please? I wanna show you my work,"

Oh...she...she wants to show me her work! Well in that case -

"It's okay," Jungkook grinned while pulling up in a parking spot at the side of the street.

They walked on the pavements side by side, and he thought of what would happen if he grabs her hand in his. Would she pulls back and slap his face?

They stopped in front of an art gallery and she peeks from outside the window. "It's closed...let's see if we can see it from here," 

Jungkook leans forward to the glass door, mimicking her gesture. The main hall is too dark for him to see much but he noticed the first few sculptures in the middle, illuminated by the street lights from outside. He's never been to an art gallery before...he never found an interest or need to do so. But seeing the vague forms now made him feel like going closer to find out what those actually are.

He rests his forehead on the glass and the door moved - pushing itself inwards. Jungkook catches himself from losing his balance, then turns to Lisa. Her amused frown disappears almost immediately and she steps forward to try and push the door.

"It's...I think they forgot to lock it," She said, almost whispering.

Why - why is she whispering? It's not like they're gonna go in -

"Come on," She grabs his wrist and pulls him inside.

"Whoa - we...Lisa, we shouldn't be in here," He could feel his subconscious getting anxious again. "What if someone comes??" 

She ignored him and kept walking further in, dragging him along. The space is big...Jungkook didn't realize how big it was from outside just now. The dark and clean walls hanged framed artworks in straight lines. He's thankful for the spacious distance between it and the standing sculptures - otherwise, he might bump into it in their unintentional quest. 

There's a archway on his left, revealing another area. He peeks in and saw another on his right, at the far end of the room. Seeing how quiet the place is - and how confident Lisa is in leading him to what he assumed would be her 'work' - Jungkook calmed a little. 

It's fine...it'll be fine. She knows where she's going. We'll keep it short, see the work and be out of here in no time! It's fine...

She stops in front of a canvas, and Jungkook follows suit. In front of him, plastered a large black and white picture of a young girl, carrying what seems to be a cart filled with scraps of things. The cart is much bigger than the child, and Jungkook guessed that it's a portrayal of poverty. The street looked busy - with other passerby and stalls - but the child is at the center of it all. He's not sure how to feel about it.

"I had a job in Gangnam last year, to shoot for a restaurant. The place was fancy...high-end, fine-dine type. I finished early so I thought I could walk around...see the area. I captured this not more than a kilometre ahead, somewhere behind the urban streets,"

Jungkook turns to stare at her. Her smile is small and even in this shadowed light and underneath those perfectly trimmed fringe, he could see the twinkle in her eyes.

"She was so tiny. I was surprised to see her carrying that much weight...it looked heavier than in the picture. I took 3 shots...just to keep it to myself. Then I went up to her. I wanted to help her carry the thing, but she refused. So I went behind her and pushed the thing instead...to help with the weight a little. She thanked me afterwards. She said her grandma would not like it if she begs for help. I remember thinking, she looked like an adult. She even talks like one too - but she's could only pass as what - 6, 7?"

The skin on her cheeks...to her chin...and down to her neck looks soft. Parts of it glowed, as if inviting him to touch. 

"It's amazing...more amazing once I develop the film. I thought there's no way I could hide this girl from the world. She has small eyes, her face was clean but her forehead and neck were a little red and dusty. She's so polite...she kept bowing to me with that handler on her shoulders. I bet she'd look prettier with a smile on,"

He hangs onto every words she said. It sounded beautiful...the way she said it is beautiful. 

"Was it this hard when you were growing up?" Her unexpected turn and question caught him off guard, but he can't seem to look away.

"We had a cart like that, but I wasn't the one carrying it. My father sometimes brings back scraps from the construction site,"

She lets out a sigh and he saw the pair of kind eyes - it's like his first time seeing it on her. "I'm sorry your family had to go through that...must be hard for you to watch them struggle so much,"

His heart beats differently and his chest felt heavy. Is it because they're in a space with no ventilation, that air seems to be lacking?

"I never had to watch my parents struggle like that. They weren't that rich, but it wasn't so bad. Even in my neighborhood back in Thailand, everyone's parents had a good job in the city. I never thought of how hard it could be for some, until I stayed here alone. When I travel for jobs, I could see it more and more...and I hate that I can't do much to help so...thank you for helping your family and your hometown. You should be proud of yourself,"

That last sentence had his breath hitched and his heart beating fast. So many things are running in his mind but none of which he can recall, clouded by the equal or more amount of emotions clouding his thoughts. 

'Proud of himself'. Jungkook never thought of it in that sense. He kept going and going...doing his best and giving his all that he never put the time to reflect and thought of how much he's accomplished. Even with all the awards and recognition, he would just smile and continue his hustles. Everything had formed into a life routine for him, to just keep going.

"Do you always remember the stories behind your work?" He asked, trying to neutralize the situation - or more like trying to neutralize his own heady feelings!

"Not all. Just the good ones...the ones I feel most for. I have a good memory," She winked.

SHE WINKED AT ME - dear God, if you're hearing this - thank you!!

"This one...I decided that it's one of my top ten of best works. Although the girl did more of the work than I ever could -" She giggled. "It's been here for half a year now. I'm thinking of taking it down, put it somewhere else since no one's buying it. People here don't like to buy sad things, I guess...I always check on the updates on this one...everyday. It would mean the world to me if someone buys it -"

"Is this your subtle way of asking me to buy your work?" He braved himself to smirk at her. He wasn't serious but the gasp lets him know that she misunderstood. "I'm kidding! Don't -" 

She slaps on his shoulder and he laughs. 

"I don't expect you to buy it, Jungkook-ssi. You don't look like the type who knows the value of great art," She rolled her eyes.

Damn...this girl is prodding into the depths of his ego and she's not even aware of it!

"I do though," He took a step closer to her and saw the brief glance from the corner of her eye. "In fact, I'm assessing one right now," 

...

What are these things fluttering in my belly...up to my chest?? He's staring right at me and it feels like he's trying to steal my soul...and I want him to - why am I feeling this way? 

Jungkook is gazing down at her with such intensity that not even jumping on a freaking robber could compare to the nervous, desperate state she's in right now. He leans in...slowly...as if time will forever be on their side - his eyes are still on her. 

It's been so long since she really kissed a guy - 'really' as in passionately, so-involved, enraptured and blissful type of kiss - and she wanted it no lesser than all of that. Jungkook's sudden appearance in her life tonight had been surprising, but his determination in keeping her safe and the sides of him that's slowly and shyly beginning to show had somehow made its way to her heart.

He's weirdly careful and nervous...and then he's attentive and courageous. He's playful too, and his out-of-nowhere confidence melts her even more. There seems to be more to the man than what he earlier presented, and she can't help but desperately wanting to -

A flicker of white light on the wall from the other room caught her eyes, and she immediately raised a hand to cover Jungkook's lips. The earlier headiness in his eyes are now replaced with one of shock, and Lisa had to suppress her laughter at the awkwardness between them.

What an amazing timing!

She raised a finger to her mouth, signalling him to be quiet. Jungkook looked even more confused. He then turned to where she was looking and noticed the flashlights running all over the walls. 

"Quietly...very quietly...run to the door," She whispered and saw the slight shudder on his shoulder. 

Cute!

He reached for her hand while still keeping a look out, and Lisa can't help but smile - feeling so protected even if she didn't need it. Just as she asked, he led her quietly across the hall - tiptoeing and dodging the sculptures. She took her time ogling at the broad shoulders - up to the slightly curled hair at the edge of his upper neck, wondering what it would do if she were to tug on it softly.

Her other itchy hand got the best of her - reaching up as they get closer to the door. Just as her fingers brushed the skin on the back of his neck, he froze. Lisa pursed her lips, trying hard not to laugh. She then tiptoed a little to whisper close to his ear.

"Sorry...it was just a nice view from the back,"

The grip on her hand got tighter and he turns - his shoes making a slight brushing sound on the floor. The suppressed tension in his eyes makes her smile -

"Who's there?!" A strong man's voice came from the other room and she pushed Jungkook forward to run.

...