Park Soomi

I couldn't take my eyes off of Yoongi. He had long since diverted his attention from me, but I was sure he still sensed my stare linger. What the hell is going on?

"I'm Jung Hoseok. We've been sent here to protect you." Hearing this unfamiliar voice, I allowed my gaze to stray away from Yoongi and fall on this man named Hoseok.

"Protect? From who?" Jimin questioned.

"That is also what we're here to figure out," the other man I didn't recognize replied.

"We have reason to believe that a criminal your dad had prosecuted is now out for revenge. Of course, we don't want to alarm you since they may not act on their threats, but we'll act as your bodyguards as a precaution until the matter is situated. I will mostly be focusing on leading the investigation and identifying suspects," Hoseok explained.

I was shocked. Are we actually in danger? Dad always had bodyguards around him because of the work he did, but the thought never crossed my mind that his work could put Jimin and me at risk. Fear and anxiety overwhelmed me as I recalled this morning's events: that nightmare and the possibility that someone was following me this morning.

Stop it, Soomi. Everything's fine. I tried to calm myself as I continued listening to Hoseok.

"This is Jeon Jungkook," he began, motioning towards the man that had spoken before. "He will be your primary bodyguard, Jimin."

I glanced over to see Jimin's face scrunch up in discontent, but he remained silent.

"And this is Min Yoongi." Yoongi finally made eye contact with me again for the first time since his arrival. He wore a blank expression. Emotionless. It was as if he were a completely different person from the man I met this morning. "He will be your primary bodyguard, Soomi."

"Well, we don't want to bore you with any more information, but I'd be happy to answer any more questions if you have them. If not, you're free to go about whatever you have planned. I'll just be accompanying you," Jungkook said to Jimin.

"Wait, so let me get this straight. You are gonna protect me? And you're gonna have to be around me all the time?" Jimin asked, not bothering to hide the displeasure coating his words.

"Well, those are the orders," Jungkook responded, while conspicuously forcing a smile on his face.

"What are you, like twenty? I don't need someone, especially someone younger than me, protecting me," he exasperated, placing a sarcastic emphasis on the word 'protecting.' Jungkook's fake smile quickly vanished, replaced by an annoyed expression.

"For the record, I'm twenty-four. And I'm sorry you don't like this arrangement but trust me you're not the only unhappy one. There are things I would much rather do than babysit a twenty-six-year-old man. So maybe you should just suck it up."

"Jungkook, stop. You can't be saying things like that," Yoongi muttered in his ear, though I was still able to make out his words. He was practically holding Jungkook back as Jimin gaped, looking beyond offended.

"Hey Jimin, be nice. They're just doing their job. And they're here to help us," I whispered to Jimin, hoping to ease the tension.

"Alright, fine. So, Jungkook, I was planning to go for a run before hitting the gym. I'm sure you'll be able to keep up?"

"Oh, is that a challenge, little guy?" he retorted, already undoing his tie and removing his jacket. "You don't even know who you're talking to." The two soon broke out into a light jog as they continued arguing.

"Did you just call me little?" Jimin fumed. Though I was no longer able to hear their conversation, I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped my lips from their bickering.

"Well, aren't you a beauty." I jumped slightly, taken aback by Hoseok being suddenly so close to my face.

"Excuse me?"

"I'm just saying you're a lot prettier in person. Now that I can see you in daylight, of course."

Wait, what the hell is that supposed to mean? I didn't have a chance to ask or even give it another thought when his hand unexpectedly grazed my cheek.

Before I could physically react, Yoongi was by his side, whacking his arm away.

"Try to be more professional, would you?"

"Oh come on, Yoongi, it's just a little harmless fun. Besides, I'm gonna need the extra entertainment for a mission like this."

"I'm glad being entertained is such a big priority for you instead of, oh, I don't know, our safety?" I quipped.

"Don't have to get all sarcastic with me, sweetheart. I like to have my fun, but we'll do our jobs. Now you kids run off. I'll be taking a look around the house." Hoseok gave me one last wink before strolling away, leaving the two of us alone.

"Your team is not the most comforting if I'm being honest," I admitted to Yoongi. He shot me a faintly apologetic look.

"You have nothing to worry about. Jungkook gets irritated easily, but I've seen him in action. He's one of the best. And Hoseok—" Yoongi paused, struggling to let the words out. "Well, he's skilled enough too."

"So, you're not a barista? What exactly are you? A bodyguard? A spy?"

He seemed caught off guard by my sudden bombardment of questions.

"Technically, I was a barista. I applied for the job, but truthfully I was only there to keep an eye on you and your brother as part of my mission." His words came out stiff and formal, differing immensely from his relaxed and casual demeanor this morning.

"So was any of it real? See, I thought we were having a nice conversation, but maybe that was just me," I spoke in a joking tone, hoping to lighten his mood.

"I was just trying to make small talk. I already knew what you do for work." The exaggerated smile I plastered on my face soon faltered from his straightforward answer.

Guess it was all just an act.

"Of course you did." Disappointment laced my words, but Yoongi didn't pay any attention to it.

"Did you have any plans for today?" he asked, changing the subject.

Shit. My lunch plans. I completely forgot.

"Uhh, I did have plans with someone, but I'm not sure you'd want to come?"

"It's kind of my job to," he said, narrowing his eyes in confusion.

"Oh, I know. It's just it might be a bit awkward."

He raised an eyebrow, waiting for an explanation.

"I was planning to go see my boyfriend."

"He the one with the curly black hair?"

"How...?"

"I saw you two together a few times at the café a couple of weeks back," he clarified. Right. I forgot he had been watching me for quite a while. "I don't really like him," he continued. I squinted my eyes at his blunt statement.

"What? Is he suspicious? Out to get my family?" I joked, trying to brush off his comment.

"No, I just think he's a douche." My smile fell, and I scoffed lightly in disbelief. "But you're right. It would be smart to double-check his identity."

"Trust me. There's no need. We've been together for a while. And how would you know if he were a douche? You wouldn't know the first thing about him. He's actually really sweet."

"I'm not trying to offend you or anything. It's just the vibe I get from him."

"You know what, this works out great then!" I forcefully chirped. "If you don't like him, then you don't have to come with me." I didn't wait for a response as I sped forward towards my car. I tried being nice, but who was he to judge without knowing anything?

I reached out to the handle, about to open the car when another hand got there first. I glanced behind me to see Yoongi, his arm reaching out. He was so close that I was able to feel the front of his shirt brush the little bit of exposed skin from my back.

"Wait, I'm sorry. I tend to blurt things out without thinking, but I'll try to hold my tongue next time. And it's my job to go with you. I'll drive." He insisted. I stared at him for a moment before letting out a sigh.

He might be around for a while. It's best to stay friendly.

"Fine. But I'm driving. You can take passenger's seat."

——
{a/n}

Hahah back at it again with the Jikook bickering.

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