Office parking lot

Jimin walked me to his car, opening the front passenger door for me to sit next to him.
Then, he walked around to the driver's side, got in and turned the key in the ignition; all the while talking to me about what his life was like since we had last seen each other, after his final year of school.

Jungkook had decided to use his own vehicle, as he needed to see a client after lunch with me. And so he followed Jimin and I to the restaurant.

Jimin smirked a little to himself as he raced off, leaving Jungkook behind as we drove to the restaurant, all the while blasting the popular songs we both listened to when we were both still in school.

My headache subsided a little, and I hummed along happily. Jimin watched me quietly as he drove, smiling to himself.

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~~~♡♡♡~~~

Jimin's car

In the car, after a few songs had played, Jimin became a little quiet. I suppose he was still absorbing the events of the past hour or so. He had met me twice in one morning, after years and I accidentally spat a little cool drink at him in my appa's office.

'In hindsight, I actually felt a little bad about that.'

We both received the biggest shock of our lives shortly after realising that we had schooled together at my Halmoni's school. But the real surprise was the fact that I am to be wed to him and six other men, in the next few weeks.

After a few minutes of sitting in silence, I decided that we really need to talk this out before it got extremely weird.

"Chimmy..." I faltered, and looked up at him from the passenger seat.

"Hmmmm?" He looked at me as he lowered the volume of the radio on the dashboard. His fringe had fallen perfectly on his forehead while doing so. I almost forgot what I was about to say to him.

"Jal jinaesso? (How have you been?) I'm sorry we lost touch..."

"It's okay Haneul. I've been well... I spent most of my time either at my part-time job or in the campus library. Law school had been pretty demanding. There wasn't much time to do anything else." He looked into my eyes, trying to convey his feelings.

He looked at me briefly as if realising something, sadness etched in his eyes.

"I heard your appa say you were studying commerce? It must have been taxing on you."

"Yes... It was... especially after omma passed away last year." I shrugged, looking down at my hands.

I caught his pun, smiling a little at his humour. But something I said must have made Jimin realise that I am still upset about my omma. He reached for my hand and held it for a few seconds in a consoling way.

"Yes... of course it would open old wounds... I was there too Haneul. I tried to speak to you at the funeral. But you had fainted from exhaustion and my uncle suggested that it was better if I waited for you to recover before I met with you. And I would have, but then I had an emergency call from one of my clients and had to leave for Daegu immediately."

"That's okay. I'm glad we met today." I smiled brightly at him, genuinely happy that I had bumped into him today.

"You know Haneul... the guys and I were meaning to find you, we were hoping to catch up for old times sake... the school's having a reunion next month. We could go together if you like." He blushed a little.

"I'd like that. Though I must admit to you, I only remember their nicknames..." I lowered my eyes in thought.

At school I had fought hard to focus my feelings on Jimin. But deep down I knew that I had feelings for all seven of them.

'Were these the six other men my uncle referred to?'

If so... I wouldn't have any issues with the wedding!

"I remembered Jungkook earlier when we had bumped into each other, but I only remember the nicknames of the others... like Joonie and Tae... I think you guys were in a band phase with curly hair and eyeliner...?"

I chuckled, looking at him, it was fun to tease him.

Jimin chuckled along as well and replied: "Yes, most of them look much better now... including me." He said, straightening his shirt collar as if to emphasize his improved beauty.

I couldn't help but laugh at his playful confidence. It was both charming and sexy.

We finally reached the restaurant parking lot. Jungkook pulled up next to Jimin in the parking lot and rolled down the driver's side window of his vehicle.
I did the same, since he was right next to me. As the window wound down, I heard the loud music blasting the speakers of his vehicle. He definitely loved his rock music.
Jungkook reached for the dashboard controls to switch off the music as he called out to us.

"Jimin-ssi, I'm going to reserve a table for us. I'll meet you two inside."

He got off his vehicle, locked the doors and winked at me through the windshield as he put on his shades and passed Jimin 's vehicle by.

I could feel my heart do a little flip inside and I giggled when I saw Jimin rolling his eyes at his friend's antics.

They were just incorrigible...

But the memories that followed had brought on a wave of nausea and a headache.

"Why is he being so formal? Aren't you guys friends?" I asked, feeling confused with Jungkook's behaviour.

"Yes, we are friends, in fact, we are closer than friends. But Jungkook is just funny like that. He's the maknae of our group, so he likes to do crazy things or he passes crazy comments that make us laugh." Jimin chuckled shaking his head.

"Honestly, Haneul, I can't live with them, but I also can't live without them..." He smiled at me, affection for his friends clear on his face.

I nodded my understanding of Jimin's comment. Seeing as Jungkook had appeared at the restaurant's doorway, I made to get out of the car to join him. But Jimin had caught my arm and pulled me back inside the car, insisting on being a proper gentleman. He opened the door, and helped me out. Then he walked with me, his arm wrapped around me protectively.

Jungkook didn't react as we approached him. I suppose, in a way, he knew he and Jimin had to come to an agreement when it came to spending time with me. It was a lot to take in.

But I mostly feared how people would react to a woman hanging out with two guys. And in future, when I'd be married to them, how would people react to me going out with my seven husbands?

My headache became a little more severe.

But I was determined to hide it for as long as I could. I didn't want to trouble Jimin or Jungkook any further. And I didn't want them to think that I'm ill.

It is already very embarrassing for me.

I usually get headaches whenever I do something that seems new to me. Sometimes I'd meet people while serving coffee, but they would know me, and I'd have no clue who they are.

The headaches, however, have never been this severe before. And neither have I felt any nausea prior to this.

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I needed to speak to Dr. Min and pronto...

~~~♡♡♡~~~

In the restaurant

Jungkook pulled out a chair for me successfully before Jimin had gotten there. I smiled to myself as I watched them glare daggers at each other, remembering how they would do at school.

I could get used to all the love and friendship they have for me and I am glad that even though it's been five years since we all lost touch; nothing has really changed between the three of us.

Apart from Omma (mom), who used to check to see if I've eaten or if I'm taking my medication, up until her last days, and Appa and Maya who occasionally check on me, I didn't receive much family affection nor did I have many friends.

At work I didn't discuss anything personal with my colleagues, despite them all asking me repeatedly about my personal life. Some of the other baristas had thought that I was an alien... but I didn't let that bother me.

I cringed inwardly realising that I would have to return to work tomorrow.

Jimin waved a hand in front of my face to snap me out of my reverie.

"Haneul what's wrong? We've been trying to ask you for the last five minutes if you remember how Tae used to steal your lunch treats from your school bag?" Jimin knit his eyebrows together in concern, while Jungkook observed us.

"To be honest with you, I really can't remember everyone's faces and names... but I do remember that someone used to take my stuff because it would disappear whenever I looked for it!" I laughed, feeling my headache worsen with every jerk of laughter.

The two men look at each other knowingly, unaware of me watching them patiently as I wait for them to describe Tae a little more. But something had changed, and the two of them had suddenly dropped the discussion about Tae.

"Well then... Haneul do you remember how you'd ask me for my notes so that you would have it easier for the next year?" Jungkook smiled nostalgically at me.

"I do remember taking notes from you." I admitted to him, not sure how I suddenly remembered this fact.

"I remember it like it was yesterday..." He sighed, sitting back in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head dramatically.

Jungkook looked dramatically into space, tapping his cheek in 'deep thought', making me laugh. I was unable to help myself.

I used to take his notes, but not because I had found it easier to prepare for the next year, rather, I did that because I like his handwriting and I wanted to keep it forever.

If I am honest with myself, I think I still have some of his history notes in my cupboard somewhere, having been unable to part with it.

But until now, I had forgotten all about the notebooks.

My head was throbbing again. Maybe I just needed to eat a proper meal.

"Did you know our Haneul has completed her Bachelor of Commerce degree this year, with honours?" Jimin conversationally tells Jungkook with a knowing smile as we ate.

"Daebak! (Awesome!) So, Haneul, what are you planning on doing after this?" Jungkook asked me with keen interest as he twirled his fork into his plate of spaghetti.

'Why was this act alone so freaking attractive? He had thin, long fingers... Ahhhh... Oops...'

'I shouldn't be thinking such things. I didn't know who these future husbands were.' I chided myself.

"I- uh- I've been job searching... but for now I work at the café near my flat in Gangnam. I'm a barista." I say distractedly, placing my chopsticks on the stand next to my plate.

My head hurt - no, it ached and throbbed all over. It was difficult to concentrate on their conversation. I shut my eyes closed, concentrating on calming the storm inside my head.

Both Jimin and Jungkook looked at each other and then at me, asking me if I'm alright.

They had noticed...

I shook my head, chuckling about it 'being nothing' and brushed off their concern over 'a minor brain freeze' from drinking my cooldrink too quickly and invited them to visit me at the café whenever they're free as a decoy conversation.

Spending time with Jimin and Jungkook had taken me back to a time when I led a simpler, happier life and had a heart filled with love. I remembered them more clearly now. The two of them were my friends as well. But we usually all fought more than we got along and I would take their consoles and hide them whenever I had lost a game more than three times. (I used to sneak into their dorm room to play games with them.)

The two men had chosen to spend the rest of the day with me. Jungkook returned after leaving Jimin and me alone for about an hour or so. He apparently didn't need to spend as long as he had anticipated at the client's office, which meant he was back to trouble me in all sorts of ways.

Jimin had even kept his promise to replace my ruined purse. The mud had stained it, however, I count myself as very lucky that most of the items in my handbag weren't damaged at all. He had taken me to a store near the restaurant to find a new handbag that was similar to my old one.

While Jimin helped me pick out the perfect handbag, Jungkook picked out some of the most ridiculous purses, walking with it like a runway model, just to amuse Jimin and me. He even suggested that lime green, magenta and bright orange were in this season.

All in all, it was my best birthday ever. After having lunch and going handbag shopping, these two adorable men had taken me to an ice cream parlour at another mall for some blueberry ice cream.

When I looked at the time and realised that I had to be home before nine o'clock, Jimin had offered to drop me off at home. However, Jungkook insisted on taking me as my flat was on his way home, so to avoid any arguments, Jimin and Jungkook decided to settle this by playing a typical round of gawi-bawi-po (rock-paper-scissors) to see which one of them would get to drop me off.

In the end, Jungkook had won the final round, laughing his evil maknae laugh while Jimin twisted his ear saying his bunny teeth would chase all the girls at the mall away.

Personally, I found Jungkook's laugh sexy... And I was the one that was going home with him.

He was dropping off at my house - though I couldn't stop the unholy thoughts going through my head, imagining what he'd do to me if this was some crazy porno.

"Jimin-ah..." I called him affectionately, as I stretched my arms wide open to give him a last hug before I left for my flat with Jungkook.

"Thank you for lunch and for the gift. It was so good to see you."

"Jal ja, Haneul." He whispered into my ear as he hugged me and unexpectedly kissed my cheek.

I felt myself blushing sheepishly and I smiled at him, returning the greeting.

Jungkook had waited for me near his car, while Jimin said goodnight to me. When I walked up to Jungkook, he had given me a knowing grin and closed the car door for me after I hopped onto the seat in his car.

~~~♡♡♡~~~

A few minutes later, in Jungkook's car

"So, Haneul, I see that you still have feelings for Jimin hyung..." He smiled sadly at me.

"Huh?" I exclaimed, snapping out of my daydream of Jimin.

Jungkook's facial expression changed slightly and he grinned at me, as he repeated himself.

"I said, I see that you still have feelings for Jimin hyung."

"Oh, ne..." I trailed off... "They never really left... Just that life after school had gotten in the way..." I replied awkwardly while I nervously looked down and played with the hem of my denim jacket.

"Okay, well... If it makes the decision any easier for you Haneul, we all really liked you back in school. And we never forgot you either, Haneul." He looked me in the eyes as he said this, only looking away to take off as the traffic light turned green.

Wait... 'We all?' So that means Jungkook is part of the the seven?

Argh these headaches make my mind so sluggish! No wonder he kissed my cheek! Guys don't normally do that, do they?

'I mean Jungkook's not Italian... (Although he could be...eh)'

'Best to answer as if I've already figured it out, I guess?'

"That's what scares me Kookie... I had feelings for all of you back then too." I muttered quietly to myself.

It's so funny how one can learn something about themselves when talking to someone else?!

"But how can you know who the other six men are?" I asked him incredulously. Though, now that I thought about it, it would make sense.

I had to be 100% sure that I understood what Jimin, Jungkook and Mr. Park were saying.
There are seven of them... Jimin is one of the seven.

And so is Jungkook?

And perhaps Tae?

I blinked to myself in thought.

"I just know, Haneul. We were made for you." Jungkook whispered to me, taking my hand in his.

"I- I don't want to upset anyone -"

"And you won't be. We were waiting for you Haneul. Just trust us. Give us some time to prove it to you. That's all I ask of you." He asked gently. But I remained silent. Unsure of what to say to this gorgeous man who wanted to - no, who is going to be my husband.

The two of us sat in a comfortable silence for the rest of the ride. I only spoke out loud when he asked me to guide him to my flat.

When he stopped the car outside my building, Jungkook looked at me once more. There, I saw so many unsaid things in his eyes. It made me want to soothe away all the pain. He quickly blinked away the tears in his eyes and I did the same as he got out of the vehicle to open the door for me.

Jungkook insisted on walking me all the way through the foyer, and up the stairs all the way to my front door. I hugged him goodnight and unlocked the door to my flat.

'I'll invite them all to my flat soon enough.' I thought to myself.

For now I am concerned about Jungkook. Just looking at him makes my heart flutter, but I also know there's a lot he needs to sort out in his head as well. Vowing to myself to help him fix whatever is wrong, I waved goodnight to him one more time before I disappeared behind the door, locking it shut with a click.

'Damn... how does he do that?' I asked myself.

And just then... I realised that I still have feelings for all of them.

Naturally, this had brought on another wave of severe headaches and nausea. I scrambled over to my head side table and grabbed the small white bottle of prescription medication that Dr. Min had given me for occasions like this.

I usually never bothered taking them, nor did I bother with carrying them in my purse. I swallowed two as directed with some water from my water bottle and threw the bottle into my new handbag.

As I washed and changed into my pyjamas, I pondered over what Jungkook had said to me. I thought about Jimin's reaction as well. Slipping under my bed covers, retiring for the night, I couldn't help but think about both Jimin and Jungkook.

The question was... How would our marriage work? I'll have seven husbands after all...

~~~♡♡♡~~~

Later that night...

In my kitchen, after washing up my dishes and cleaning up the flat, as I awoke from a crazed dream of people chasing me, and a strange bright light knocking me off my feet. I had decided to have a nice calming cup of tea while reading my book, when my cellphone beeped.

Jimin: Hi beautiful.

Jimin: Did you reach home safe?

One new message:

Jimin: Haneul? Are you okay?

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He'd texted again an hour later, after not receiving a reply, to see if I was okay.

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Haneul: Ne, Gomawoyo Chimmy. (Yes, thanks Chimmy).

Haneul: And you?

Jimin: Thank goodness you replied!

Jimin: I was worried when you didn't respond.

Jimin: I'm glad I bumped into you today. Before the others 🤭

Haneul: Oh! I'm sorry. I got busy cleaning up. And now I'm reading this novel I bought myself.

Haneul: Me too. I've missed you.

Jimin: What's it called?

Jimin: Then it's lucky I asked you for your number!

Haneul: It's a classic novel called Journey to the Centre of the Earth.

Haneul: Me too! I didn't even think of asking you. 🤭

Jimin: Oh I enjoyed that story. Jules Verne?

Jimin: Pabo Haneul-ah! 🤗

Jimin: Okay jalja, see you tomorrow morning 😘

Haneul: Yup. I didn't know you were a bookworm!

Haneul: Jalja Jimin-na 😘

I couldn't help but smile. My heart hasn't felt so full in ten years. I agreed to meet Jimin and Jungkook again tomorrow. Maybe my Halmoni knew a few secrets about love that I definitely didn't.

I walked back to my small room and climbed back into bed thinking: "Well Halmoni... Wherever you are, there is no need for you to stress anymore. I will be going through with this wedding as you wanted me to." I whispered in my room to the walls and then felt myself fall asleep.

~~~♡♡♡~~~

A/n: Thank you to everyone who's voted and commented so far! I really appreciate the feedback ✨💯🫰🏻