Books before Boys

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❝Is this what love feels like?❞

—Jimin

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Jimin

Jungkook carried our little tornado off to another part of the store, buying me time. 

I could hear them all the way from here. Standing at the counter, I waited for the young staff member to ring up the purchases of the man in front of me.

He looked suspicious. Tall, burly and dressed in clothes that screamed ‘I am suspicious’ to any trained military sergeant.

Discreetly, I scanned his attire, searching for any firearms or weapons. And sure enough, the pockets of his cargo pants were rigged with weapons of every kind, fit for close range attacks.

There is no doubt in my mind that he's one of them.

Jungkook and I had noticed him following us around from a distance almost the entire day. But when he closed in on us by entering this store, we knew we had to make a move.

Jungkook made an excuse to carry Haneul off elsewhere, while I scanned the area under the pretence of finding more books for her.

Thankfully there was no immediate threat, but the man picked books at random, probably as he crept up and tried to spy on our conversation. 

I caught a glimpse at some of the books he was ringing up: Barbie: Be Your Own Best Friend and Dora the Explorer: Travel with Me books were mixed in with random Shakespeare plays and self help books like How to Tune Your Guitar and Self Reflection: Are You Really Happy with the Person in the Mirror?

Well, he definitely needed the last book, I suppressed the urge to laugh out loud. I couldn't draw attention to myself.

I shifted to the side, pretending to look at the new releases near the front while I waited. I saw Jungkook discreetly leading her out of the store.

He caught my eye, signally with the hand casually resting on her shoulder.

Everything is under control.

I winked in response, placed the book back on the shelf and walked back to the counter.

Well then, I guess I'll catch up with them later.

A few seconds later, the suspicious customer walked out and the cashier rang up my purchases I heard my phone beep, as I reached out for my wallet, and relaxed.

The transaction had miraculously ended in under a minute.

“Have a nice day,” the young guy smiled.

“Thank you, enjoy your day,” I returned his smile then speed walked out of the store.

Seeing the youth at the counter reminded me of my first job. I worked as a barista at a café while I studied. Seojin’s café was so accommodating—who wouldn’t want to work with him?

I pulled my phone out of my pocket. My heart sank when I saw there were over a hundred messages from colleagues, clients and friends alike.

I huffed out, looking up to see if I could spot Haneul and Jungkook, but they were nowhere to be seen. 

I’m sure Kookie took care of him, he might appear to be a cuddly rabbit but he’s a force to be reckoned with as an opponent. I should get back to the office before my head of department looks for me.

I hastily scrolled through my texts.

Min and the Kims had left most of the messages on our group chat. That’s when I saw Jungkook’s text.

JK: Hyung, we’re at Pandora’s. I managed to throw him off for now.

Is he crazy? That’s painting a large, red target on his back!

‘Are you mad? Why didn’t you do something more permanent?’ I typed.

JK: No, I can’t risk a confrontation with Haneul right here. We can’t let her see these things when we don’t know how she’ll react.

Jimin: Okay. Yeah, that’s fine. Anyway, I have to get back to work. Keep Haneul safe. Drop her off at home.

Halfway to the exit—which was a few meters away from the bookstore, the man in the cargo pants walked past me. He looked at my face, knit his eyebrows together then turned in the direction of Pandora’s.

I didn’t have a good feeling about this.

Oh no you don’t! I narrowed my eyes.

This is a public space and I couldn’t create a scene where civilians were in the direct line of fire. 

My hyungs would have my head for that.

Instead, I followed him, maintaining his pace. I tried to mute the sounds of the plastic bag in my hand as best as I could.

As if sensing my presence, he slowed down. But, he hadn’t noticed me. Instead, he caught sight of Jungkook and Haneul who were visible through the glass windows of the jewellery store. 

He held a standard revolver fixed with a suppressor in his grip and was aimed at them. A group of rowdy teenagers ran past, oblivious to cargo pants and me. But their sudden appearance had distracted him. 

I used the opportunity and dropped down low to kick at his feet, throwing him off balance. The revolver clattered to the ground near my feet. Discreetly, I kicked it out of his peripheral vision, aiming for a dustbin.

“What’s your fucking problem, nutter?” the man jumped back up to his feet.

“Nothing,” I blinked, then jabbed the side of my palm into the tender spot of his neck, swiftly knocking him out.

Always works like a charm.

He fell face first on the ground. A security guard came running over just then.

“Please help my friend. He tripped while carrying his shopping,” I signalled to the revolver hidden behind a dustbin.

“Was he armed?” the guard muttered under his breath.

“Affirmative.”

He’ll figure the rest out. It’s why we’re affiliated with them.

I decided to stop by the jewellery store before I left the mall. I needed to make sure they were unharmed. 

“Jimin!” Haneul gave me a big smile.

“Happy birthday, pretty girl,” I said, handing her the bag with the set of books.

“Thank you! You didn’t have to!”

“I wanted to.” I kissed a rosy cheek briefly before turning to Jeon.

“Neutralized,” I murmured.

Jungkook nodded then spoke out loud. “Thanks hyung. We’re just looking at jewellery for our Barbie girl.”

“Carrots,” Haneul teased from a counter nearby.

I nodded a response, then checked my phone for any important texts while Jungkook followed her for another round of their kindergarten-level banter.

—: Can we meet now? I'm at Café de Bleu.

It was my client. He always reschedules at the last minute! I confirmed the meeting then walked over to Barbie and Ken and tapped his shoulder.

“I just got a text from Song. He wants to meet, now,” I schooled my features so as not to upset Haneul.

Mr. Song was one of our oldest clients. We handled a lot of the legal documents for his company. But today’s meeting was more serious. That’s the only reason why I agreed to see him on such short notice.

While these two were teasing each other earlier, I texted Mr. Song about our meeting. So I shouldn’t really complain when all he did was reply to my text.

The café is only a road away, so it’s not like he had to wait too long.

Jungkook’s eyes widened immediately. “Sure, hyung,” he turned to Haneul. “You don't mind spending time alone with me? Do you?” 

“No, I don’t mind.” she smiled, shaking her head at Jungkook, then faced me. “You shouldn’t make your client wait, Jimin.” she said, reaching out to give me a hug.

“Thank you for lunch, I hope I can see you again soon.”

“Can I have your number?” I smirked, handed her my phone. 

“Sure.”

She typed it in, saved it, then handed it back. “Don’t be a stranger, Park!” 

“Oh, trust me sugar, I won’t be,” I winked, then fist bumped Jeon’s shoulder. “See you when you get back to the office.”

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“Did you spend time with Haneul?” my cousin asked with an unusual sense of enthusiasm.

“Yes, hyung. I did,” suppressing an eye roll. “But I had a meeting so I didn’t get to spend much time with her.” 

“Hmmm… How did the meeting with Song go?” 

“Fine. He wants us to represent him at the magistrates court.”

“Good. You handle it. The Kims and Jung have something they’re currently busy with,” his gummy grin flashed. 

It was rare sight.

I guess he's as excited about Jungkook and I meeting her.

“Hyung, why didn’t you say hi to Haneul?” I asked, curious why the number one attorney in Seoul was playing coy.

“Oh, I had an appearance at the high court. But I spoke to her on the phone this morning,” his eyes twinkled. 

Just like they used to before her accident. Before everything changed.

“Oh, you were with Jageunappa?”

“Hmmm… he had some notes I needed, so I stopped by. When I got there, he was on the phone with her.” 

My cousin’s smile widened. 

“Did she recognize your voice?” I asked, curious to see how she handled it.

“No,” his smile dimmed a few watts. “But the doctor did advise we tease our re-introductions in.” 

Like the setting sun beyond the window to my left, his mood seemed to dull slightly. 

I wished he got to see her today! Everyone else did!

“I’m so exhausted, Yoongi hyung! I just want things to be the way they used to, before her accident,” I pouted, leaning forwards on his desk.

“Me too, Jimin. But we have to see how it all plays out. She might remember you and Jungkook a little. But not the rest of us. We just have to be patient with her,” he sighed, throwing his head back in his large, dark leather chair. 

I glanced up at the hardcover volumes of case references neatly lined up on the bookcase behind him. 

My eyes caught sight of something in particular.

In gold letters were the words Kim Hyeon-shik: Case 2151025.

“Hey, hyung. You think I can borrow that volume behind you?”

“Which one?” he opened his eyes, and sat forward.

“Kim Hyeon-shik,” I stood up, walking round the desk to touch the book.

“I’ll email you the PDF. We don’t touch that book until Mr. Kim says we can.” 

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Jungkook

Haneul looks beautiful with those earrings!

I wish we could pick our rings out today! But I know it's way too soon.

She probably doesn't even know that she's going to marry me. Unless Jimin’s uncle has shared this with her already.

My Barbie girl returned the earrings, then tried out a few bracelets and necklaces. Everything looked stunning on her. Just like I imagined they would.

But she refused to pick anything. I grabbed her hand so she wouldn’t run off. Jimin hyung wouldn’t let me hear the end of it if anything happened to her.

“Hmmm… we’ll take that bracelet,” I pointed at one on the display case below. 

“Will that be all, sir?” the assistant smiled, wrapping it up in a little plastic box.

I knew that smile. I’ve given that smile thousands of times when I worked in retail while still studying. 

It’s the type of smile that makes you go ‘hey, maybe I should take one more thing, just to be nice.’ That kind of tactic would work brilliantly in a high priced store like this.

“Yes, that will be all,” I smiled at them.

“Right this way, sir,” they said before turning to another counter towards the back.

I turned back to Haneul who was still looking at earrings. “Darling, would you like anything else?” I whispered softly to her, still holding her hand.

“Uhm, no. I’m just looking at the designs. It’s inspired a new pattern for this pastry I want to make,” she whispered back, almost conspiratorially.

“Pastry?” I cocked my head to the side, unsure if I heard her correctly.

“Yeah, I'm a pastry chef,” she grinned at me. 

Her eyes lit up with excitement.

“Wow! So, when can I try out some of these pastries?” I leaned against the glass counter, watching her face light up.

“Anytime you like, Carrots!”

“Oh, Barbie, when will you ditch that silly name! It’s from high school!” I discreetly rolled my eyes, pretending to be offended.

“Okay, Ken, consider it done.”

She's cheeky, and adorable! I love her!

“Okay, I’ll be right back. Don’t leave the store without me,” I sobered up.

“Sure, I'll be here looking at the necklaces and bracelets.”

If something happened to her on my watch, the hyungs would kill me! With this thought I hastily made my way over to the teller.

“This is a beautiful bracelet, sir.” 

“Well, it’s for a beautiful woman,” I politely smiled at the teller.

“Is she your girlfriend?” the teller asked.

“Er—she’s a little more than that,” I said, silently willing her to speed up the damn process.

“Well, she’s really lucky! Do you want to engrave her name on the gold parts?”

“No, we’re in a bit of a hurry right now. Maybe some other time,” I said as politely as I could.

Deep down I was frustrated with their sales tactics.

The teller nodded, finally getting the hint and scanned the code from a separate booklet. I tapped my card and waited for the receipt.

Then they reached under the counter to produce a key. Excusing themselves they ducked into a  hidden room, returning with a bracelet identical to the one in the plastic case.

They kept the originals in a separate location. For security reasons. They packed the real bracelet in a red, velvet lined gift box and handed it to me.

“Thank you for shopping with us, sir!” 

I smiled and made my way back to Haneul. She stood exactly where I left her five minutes ago.

“Happy birthday, sweetheart,” I gave her the box, anticipating her response.

“Thank you, Ken!” she opened it and gasped. “Wow, this is beautiful!” Then she reached up to kiss my cheek.

I can die in peace now.

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Haneul

Jungkook and I spent the rest of the afternoon together.

When we got into his car, he helped me try the bracelet on. It fit like a glove. 

“Where do you want to go now?” he gave me that cute bunny teeth grin I’ve come to associate with his excitement.

“Home?” I pouted. “There’s a book waiting for me on my nightstand!”

“Well I’m sure that book and this entire series can wait just a little longer!” he teased. “Let’s go to Café de Bleu?” 

“I don’t want to go to work today,” I sulked.

“You work with Seojin hyung?” 

“Sort of, I co-own the place with him,” his jaw dropped slightly. “What?” I chuckled.

“That’s why you were talking about pastries!” 

“Yeah, but I’m planning on my own start-up. Sol and Seojin are really supportive.”

“That’s amazing Haneul! Do you need any legal assistance?” 

“Appa helped me with some of it. But if I need any more help, will you help me?” 

“I’d love to!” he exclaimed.

I thought about what I still need to bake at home.

“Okay, here’s the deal. If you take me home, I’ll bake you a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies!”

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Side note: Some of the book titles mentioned above were invented to go with the scene.

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