Nina's Pov

A week had passed since that humiliating day when my towel betrayed me, slipping to the floor and exposing me in front of the guy next door. Ever since, I’d done everything in my power to avoid him. Anytime our paths crossed or our eyes accidentally met, I’d flee like a frightened deer, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. Meanwhile, he seemed annoyingly unbothered, sometimes even smirking at me like he was in on some private joke. And to make matters worse, he had heard me talking to my boobs—Pearl and Zara—like they were my best friends. Could it get any more humiliating?

All I could do was pray he kept his mouth shut and didn’t spill my most embarrassing secrets. Thankfully, our schools had kept us too busy to interact much as we prepared for the upcoming sports tournament. For two straight days, we athletes were required to stay at the school dorms, leaving little time for awkward encounters.

As I trailed behind Emily, making my way out of the apartment, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I barely had time to set my bags down before it began vibrating incessantly.

Jungkook:
Stop ignoring me 
Why are you doing this 
Talk to me 
Gurl!!!! 

Me:
Stop texting me!

Jungkook:
Why should I do that????

Me:
You looked when I told you not to! Now stop bothering me.

That crazy man. Does he really think I’m going to talk to him after what he did? He must have left his brain somewhere. My phone buzzed again.

Jungkook: 
I am sorryyyy.......

Yeah, right. Then, he had the nerve to call me.

"Jungkook, I swear I’ll block you if you keep bo—"

"I am sorry... this will be the last time, I swear! I’ll never annoy you again."

"I don’t believe you."

"How can I make you believe me? Hey! I’ll get you your favorite burger."

He said it. He did it. He really shouldn’t have done it.

"Big Mac, spicy chicken, juicy mushroom… everything you love."

I could practically feel the drool forming as he spoke. Ugh, come on, Nina. Don’t let him brainwash you. He did what he shouldn’t have. I can’t just let Jungkook off the hook like this. Ignoring him and avoiding him for the past week had been blissful. Yet, here I was, walking into the burger shop across the street like a moth drawn to a flame.

How in the world did he know? How did he know I love burgers, and not just any burgers, but my specific favorites? It was creepy. Maybe Emily or Mona told him, but who am I kidding? They hate him as much as I do.

"Hi..." His voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I looked up to see him striding toward me confidently, as if I were a little bee he could squash under his foot. The moment our eyes met, I felt the blush creeping up my neck, turning my face as red as a tomato. My hands went cold and numb, all because of what? Because he’d seen me naked.

As if he could read my mind, Jungkook took a step back, giving me some space to move further inside the burger shop. But just as I thought I might get through this without making a fool of myself, he suddenly stepped in front of me, catching me off guard.

"Wait, let me..." His voice softened, and to my surprise, he pulled out a chair for me, motioning for me to sit.

What was he doing? He must be possessed or something. Hesitantly, I sat down, trying to keep my composure, even as my mind raced. Was this really the same Jungkook who had made my life a living nightmare just a week ago?

"Are you okay? Is there something wrong with you? Do you need to go to the hospital?" I asked, narrowing my eyes as I took a seat across from him. Jungkook’s behavior was setting off all sorts of alarms in my head. He sat down in front of me, offering the most awkward smile I’d ever seen.

"Nothing’s wrong with me. Please, allow me to apologize to you in person," he said, his voice unusually sincere. I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms, suspicion etched on my face. This had to be another one of his pranks. There was no way he was serious about this. Maybe there wasn’t even a burger; maybe I’d just walked into another one of his traps.

For God’s sake. I felt a surge of anger rise up. "Another prank? When are you going to understand—"

"This isn’t a prank," Jungkook interrupted, shaking his head like he was disappointed in me for assuming the worst. How could I not? Taking stock of everything he’s done, anyone would think he’s an absolute jerk.

Just then, the waiter interrupted with a tray laden with my favorite burgers. The smell hit me instantly, so good that I momentarily forgot why I was there or who had called me. All I could focus on was the delicious food in front of me.

Jungkook’s POV

There’s nothing more beautiful than watching Nina eat a burger like it’s the last one on earth. My heart pounded with an odd sense of happiness, just seeing her enjoy herself. I noticed a little bit of cheese sauce on the bridge of her nose. Should I wipe it off with a tissue, or should I be bold and lick it off? No, she’d definitely kick my face in if I did that. Better go with the safer option.

I picked up a tissue and leaned forward, gently wiping the sauce off her nose.

"Stop it," she said, pulling back a little, her eyes narrowing. "It’s creepy that you’re acting like a gentleman." She slammed her burger back onto the tray, glaring at it as it slid slightly out of place.

"I’m not acting," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "I’m actually a gentleman." My tone was dry, but I meant every word.

"Yeah, right," she scoffed, sipping on her drink.

What’s there to scoff at? I’m literally a gentleman, aside from the fact that I gently prank the girls at Autumn High. But let’s be real—apart from all of that, I take care of every girl who comes to my bar. I make sure they get home safely, and I make sure they’re not being followed by their exes or some old creep. Plus, there’s free entry and drinks for females. Isn’t that enough to qualify me as a gentleman? I’d be the perfect gentleman for Nina if she’d just let me, but that day is never going to come. So I’m going to make it happen myself. Step one: get her favorite burger and apologize. If this works, there can be a step two, step three… and so on.

She devoured two whole burgers and even had me pack up two more for later. "So, am I forgiven?" I asked hopefully.

"Let me think…" she mused, dragging it out. "No."

"What?" I stared at her, wide-eyed. This isn’t what I signed up for. I’m being played.

"Yep, that’s right… buh-bye," she said, snatching the bag of burgers from me and darting out the door, leaving me behind with the cashier who had the smuggest look on his face. I wanted to smack that look right off him, but instead, I bolted after her.

"NINA!" I shouted, frustration bubbling over. "YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE SH—"

Just as I burst out the door, I collided with a middle-aged guy who stumbled and fell onto the pavement.

"Yahh, bitchoso," he snapped, clearly annoyed.

"Mianhae," I muttered, trying to hold back my anger as he cursed under his breath and walked away before I could yell any more.

I was being nothing but nice to her. If things had gone well, I’d planned to ask her out by the end of the day. But now, it feels like my heart has been ripped out, tossed into the middle of the road, and trampled by every passing car until there’s nothing left but a bloody mess. I’m just a lifeless body on the side, and all she left me with is a deep, aching emptiness.

Next Day

The dorms were buzzing with excitement as all the athletes and players settled in for the big tournament. I had to focus on practice before the competition started at 5 in the evening. The swimmers were already warming up with the coach by the outdoor pool, which spanned a massive 10,000 square feet. There were actually two pools, separated by a huge see-through glass wall. One side was reserved for the serious swimmers like me, and the other side was for the students who had nothing better to do than waste time splashing around.

And what do I notice? Nina, Mona, and Emily fooling around in the pool with Taehyung and Elijah, like they didn’t have a care in the world. Nina’s laughter echoed through the air, mingling with the playful shouts of the others. It grated on my nerves, that carefree attitude of hers after what she’d done to me.

There she was, completely at ease, like she hadn’t just stomped all over my heart yesterday. She splashed water at Taehyung, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and for a moment, I wondered how someone could be so infuriating and yet so captivating at the same time.

But I wasn’t going to let her get away with this. If she thought she could just laugh it off and pretend nothing happened, she had another thing coming. This tournament was my chance to show her—and everyone else—that Jungkook wasn’t someone you could mess with and forget about.

I stood at the edge of the pool, hands on my hips, looking at them like a mother who just caught her kids sneaking cigarettes behind the house. I let out a long, exasperated sigh, my frustration bubbling over. I was ready to march out of the pool and confront them when my coach’s lifeless voice cut through the air.

"Where are you going, Jeon? Get into the water and start practicing."
I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress the annoyance in my voice. "I'll be back—"

"Get. In."

"Okay, Boss," I muttered gruffly, forcing myself to return to the pool. I submerged myself, trying to drown my sadness in the cool water. But all I could think about was snapping Elijah’s and Taehyung’s necks like crunchy churros.

For the next hour, I went through the motions of practice, but half of my time was spent glaring at Nina and my so-called friends. They were laughing, splashing, completely oblivious to the storm brewing inside me. Every time I caught a glimpse of Nina, my irritation spiked.

"Is that your girlfriend?" Ryo Chen, a guy from our school’s swim team, sidled up next to me, his gaze fixed on Nina like a hungry wolf. He licked his lips, eyes glued to her like she was a dessert he was dying to devour. "I’ll hit on her if she isn’t your girlf—"

"Eyes on the floor every time you pass by her, Chen, or I’ll slit your throat open," I snapped, my voice cold and deadly serious. I didn’t wait for his reaction before I stormed off, my temper barely in check. I had to go all the way around this massive hall to reach Nina, and she better agree to date me, or I swear I’ll drown her in that pool.

Half the guys in the pool couldn’t keep their eyes off her, and I didn’t know if I should blame her or the damn swimsuit that clung to her like a second skin. Every curve of hers was on full display, and it was driving them—and me—absolutely crazy.

When I finally reached her, Nina looked up at me just as I loomed over
I bent down, scooped her up like a baby, and slung her over my shoulder.

"Excuse me? What’s happening? Jungkook, put me down!" she protested, wriggling in my grip.

"Oh, I will," I replied, striding purposefully toward the jump bar that towered up to the fifth floor.

"Jungkook, stop! What are you doing?" she panicked, her voice rising with each step. That was exactly the reaction I wanted. When I finally set her down at the very edge of the jump bar, her eyes widened in shock as she glanced down at the dizzying height.

She froze for a moment, giving me plenty of time to take in her figure. My gaze lingered on her chest—just the right size, perfect for me to hold. I swallowed hard, struggling to tear my eyes away from her.

"Date me, or I’ll push you," I huffed, crossing my arms, trying to mask my nervousness with bravado.

"Why should I? You can’t force me," she scoffed, trying to sound defiant. "I’m not afraid. I’ll happily jump—"

"Okay, then," I said, moving as if to push her.

"No, no, no!" she cried, quickly wrapping her arms around my torso, pressing her forehead against my bare chest as she repeated, "No, no."

"So, it’s a yes to the date?" I asked, though I already knew the answer.

"Ew, no," she replied, stepping back.

"Why not?" I demanded, frustration creeping into my voice. "I want to date you. My blood boils whenever I see another guy stare at you. I want to gouge their eyes out with that Chinese knife I bought last month. I’m such a jealous asshole. I pretend I don’t care, but I care so much I’m going to explode. That’s why I want to date you." I exhaled loudly, looking away because the intensity of my own words had me fuming.

She stared at me, her hand covering her mouth in shock, before she started to laugh as if I were just some ridiculous kid.

"I got you your favorite burgers. I know the names of your boobs. I’ve seen you naked—practically makes me your husband," I said, my voice growing quieter but no less intense.

"You’re taking it too far," she muttered, clearly flustered.

She opened her mouth as if to argue but then hesitated, clearly thinking it over.

"I’ll… think about it," she finally said, almost as if it were a suggestion.

"Really?" I asked, my voice hopeful. "Come up with a yes, and soon." I hissed, watching her roll her eyes.

I grabbed her hand, leading her away from the edge. But just as she exhaled in relief, I made a split-second decision.

"What now?" she breathes, exasperated. Before she can take another breath, I suddenly sprint and jump from the top, pulling Nina with me.

She screams, the sound echoing around us as we plummet towards the pool below. The wind rushes past us, her scream mingling with my laughter. For a moment, everything feels like it’s in slow motion—the blue of the sky, the glint of the sun on the water, and the sheer exhilaration of the fall.

We hit the water with a massive splash, and the coolness envelops us. As we surface, I catch a glimpse of her face—she’s breathless, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and excitement.

"That was insane!" she gasps, pushing her wet hair out of her face.

I grin at her. "Sometimes you need a little insanity to see things clearly."

She shakes her head, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips. "You're unbelievable, Jungkook."

.......................

What do you think happens next? Will things cool down, or is the drama just getting started? Drop your wildest guesses! See you in the next chapter—until then, stay crispy! 🍫✨