Soo Emi

"Emi. Hey, Emi!"

A hushed voice called my name.

I turned around and saw Naeun standing behind her desk, waving towards me.

I walked over in a hurry. "What's up?"

"Girl, did you know that Hoseok is going to the company party too?" She asks as she grabs my hands to lead me towards her side of the counter.

I laughed. "Yeah, yeah. He's in the Jung company, I know. Why?"

"Are you going to go?"

I nodded with a shrug. "Yeah. Seokjin said it's a good place for me to go and get more familiar with other employees."

"It is. That's good that you're going. I was afraid you weren't. I was gonna ask if we could go together. You're, like, my only real friend I have in this business."

"Oh," My cheeks flushed. "Seokjin actually asked if he could take me to the party."

Her eyes widened. "He did!?"

"Uh, yeah, but don't worry, I'll come find you and we can hang out."

"Emi, don't worry about me! I'm glad you two are going together! I was going to invite you, so we can have some girl talk....you know..."

I giggled. "What do you mean?"

"I was going to ask if you liked him. Just the way he treats you says something about how he feels about you. You seem to like it too."

I press my lips together. "Like him?"

"You don't?"

"No, I do, I-I mean, I didn't think about liking him more than just a really good...friend."

"But he likes you, right? He asked you out to the party. That should mean something!"

"It wasn't in a date kind of way. More like, 'hey, let's go together', type of thing. It seemed pretty casual. Either way, it won't change how I feel about him...I think."

She crossed her arms. "You really haven't thought about liking him more than a friend? Even after all the flirting."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "I'm used to him being like that, I guess. I'm not looking for a relationship, though, Naeun. That's the thing."

"Let's see how this party goes then." She grabs my hands again. "We'll see how he really feels and how you really feel."

*

Liking Seokjin more?

I mean, I'm not totally oblivious to "feelings", but I'm honestly not trying to get into a relationship with someone I work with.

Even if I did like Seokjin...or he did like me...would I want to get into a relationship?

It wouldn't be the best idea, would it?

He does flirt, but he does that a lot and I know for a fact that I'm not the only one he flirts with. So, I don't take it as "oh, Emi, I really like you more than an old friend".

Whatever happens, though, I cannot be weak. I'm at this job, this company for one reason and I must not forget that.

And that is to help my father.

....by making money.

And lying...

*

Something nice.

I need something attractive.

Something professional.

Something that is not in my closet because my fashion sense is like a 15 year old girl that is mature for her age.

I need something sexy.

Sexy? Emi wants sexy? Why?

I'm a grown woman and I should dress to impress. Right? Look good, feel good, what better combination?

You know who told me that?

Jung Hoseok.

It was when we were still a married couple and I was afraid of going out in such little clothing. I felt a bit uncomfortable because I was so used to being modest and "innocent".

I told him that and he smiled. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "you are a very sexy woman, Emi, own it".

Sometimes I need that kind of push.

I walked through the store and scanned through the dresses.

I should've brought Namjoon or Jennie with me. They would know what to buy in seconds.

I feel hopeless.

All these dresses are so complex and weirdly cut up. It turned me off.

I purposely skip pass the low-cut, short, and transparent dresses. I'm not trying to go out to a party wearing ripped up clothes.

I leaned down and searched for some price tags. Maybe that'll help me pick something.

No luck.

I lean back up and my eyes instantly catch someone just ahead of me, right outside the changing rooms.

My ex husband.

What was he doing here?

I hid behind the racks and watched him.

His back was facing towards me now and it seemed like he was waiting for someone.

Who?

A second later, he walks into the dressing rooms and turns right, which was the ladies side.

What in the world, Hoseok?

I run to the entrance and peeked in to make sure he wouldn't see me if I snuck in.

What is he doing? Is he trying to get himself kicked out of this store?

I quietly walked in and saw Hoseok standing outside a dressing room door. He was leaning against it, like he was waiting for it to open.

I furrowed my brows and continued watching from behind a wall.

Finally, the door opens and a girl walks out......wearing the tightest dress I have ever seen.

Geez.

That looks painful.

Will she be able to move in that?

Can she breath?

It looked like she was sucking in all her organs just to fit into that trap.

Hoseok, on the other hand, was enjoying it way too much.

He checked her out with his tongue hanging on his bottom lip. He placed his hands on her waist and whispered something in her ear.

I huffed.

Such a pervert.

Why don't I feel all that shocked?

He's probably taking her to the party this weekend...and wants to show off his arm candy.

Hmph.

A competitive rush ran through my veins as I go back to shopping for the dress.

That was all the motivation I needed.