#interesting man

I already knew I wasn’t going to like him.

So stuck up. Unbelievably rude. Narcissistic. Boring.

A typical businessman who was born into a life of luxury and somehow found time to boast about it in some way.

Even his voice…the sound of his voice was like listening to a disinterested college professor ramble for hours on end.

I knew I would avoid him. And I did.

I only really talked to Seven, Zen, Yoosung, and Jaehee. Honey Buddha Chips, selfies, LOLOL, endless nights at the office…their stories intrigued me.

And whenever he came in, well…I did my best to ignore him. Thankfully, he wouldn’t come in as often as some of the other members did, but when he did, I brushed him off just as easily as he brushed me off.

I still remember the first time he called me.

“It must be your first time hearing my voice. You must know from the name on your screen but I’m Jumin Han. I’m sure you’re glad to talk to me, but no need to get too excited. I only called to hear our new member’s voice, nothing else.”

He spoke to me as if I knew who he was. As if I cared who he was.

But the ever-busy business man always seemed to find the time to call me.

“It’s me, Jumin Han. I called just to see how you are doing. You sound fine so I guess I can hang up.”

No need. I’ll hang up for you. Beep.

“It’s me. I can’t erase Zen’s poster from my head. I called so I could distract myself from it.”

I’m not here to distract you.

“It’s me. I hope you’ve eaten already.”

Why the hell do you care?

“It’s me. I’m at the winery right now. The strong aroma pleases my nose.”

…Okay?

It was strange. Almost annoying. Yet…

“It’s me. Are you busy right now?”

“It’s me. I couldn’t help but call.”

“It’s me. I…called because I wanted to think about something else. I apologize for calling so late.”

I had started to find myself captivated by his voice, at least. While it was boring, it was soothing, like, it had magically brought me into another realm completely different from my current surroundings.

“Hello? It’s me. I think I dreamed about you last night. In my dream, you stood there with your back against me.”

“Why did I?”

“Well, perhaps my subconscious wants to see you.”

How ridiculous. It was ridiculous, all of it was ridiculous. And yet, I craved his voice. I expected his calls. I wanted him to talk to me. Even if he was talking about his cat, I…I wanted to hear it.

Being brought to his penthouse to help him sort through his emotions turned out to be an adventure in of itself. He was paranoid, anxious, and while I was hesitant to go, I wanted to help Jaehee.

So, I went.

I tried to keep my guard up, the same guard I had placed around myself when I first encountered him through the messenger. He was…taller than I had imagined. Paler, too. His profile pictures…they hadn’t done him justice.

I was captivated. But I wouldn’t admit it to myself, and certainly not to him.

“I never expected you to come to my house.”

I never expected it, either.

“I feel a bit nervous…to actually see you like this.”

Yeah…yeah, me too.

I just had to comfort him. To ease his worries. So, when Elizabeth the 3rd ran off, being around Jumin turned into more of an obligation than anything else.

But it was an obligation that I readily took on. Because I wanted to be around him more. I almost couldn’t help myself. It was like, he was a chocolate bar that was loaded with all the things that aren’t good for you, and yet, I wanted to indulge in him, all of him.

It wasn’t healthy, or rational, for either of us. So, I kept my distance from him, ever so slightly.

But everything he did made me want him more. I would feel his eyes on me while I slept, and yes, it made me uncomfortable, but it also made me crazier for him. Our phone calls to one another didn’t help either, and I would find myself dialing his number throughout the day, without hesitation.

I found myself…wanting to fall in love with him.

But I knew it wasn’t healthy. He wasn’t healthy, and neither was I.

So, when he kissed me…I was infuriated. Not only had he kissed me to get rid of Sarah, he had kissed me while we both knew that our relationship was built on sand.

I had become just as emotional as he was. We craved one another to the point of madness, and we knew it wasn’t good for either of us.

But the second he would come home, he’d charge straight towards me, and there I was, welcoming him with open arms. He was the first face I saw when I woke up and my heart would react in such a naively happy way. His little quirks, all of them entranced me thoroughly.

While I tried to distance myself, he managed to find some way to sneak back into my heart, and my mind.

I was only sent to help him.

I had to remind myself that I didn’t even like him.

Yet there I was, catching butterflies over him, minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day.

He terrified me, yet excited me.

Frustrated me, yet stimulated me.

We would just look into each other’s eyes and immediately understand what we wanted to say without having to move our mouths.

But we needed more time. More time to develop a relationship, to sort through our baggage, to be better for ourselves and for each other.

That just invited trouble for us, really. That just meant that our emotions would go haywire, and they did. I still remember how he pinned me up against that wall, and I still remember almost kneeing him where I knew would hurt him.

That’s when I started to second-guess myself, my feelings, my annoying emotions. And, at some point, I’m sure he did, too.

But we were already too deep into one another to turn away. We would figure it out, like a real couple.

Of course, we needed more time. We’d have plenty of time. His charms, my awkwardness…we’re the perfect pair, somehow.

“MC? What are you doing outside? Aren’t you cold?”

I turn and see him, Jumin Han, the embodiment of my happiness and suffering.

Typical businessman, born into a life of luxury.

“I’m fine, just…reminiscing.”

Elizabeth the 3rd purred softly as she lay on the cushion beside me. Jumin leaned against me, and playfully nudged me. “So late at night?”

I fiddled with the promise ring he had placed on my finger the night of the party.

I already knew I wasn’t going to like you.

“Don’t you know that the greatest recollections occur at night?” I giggled.

He grabbed my right hand and kissed the promise ring.

Yet…here we are.

“What are you reminiscing about?” his voice was laced with affection.

I looked up at him, and winked.

“…Now, darling. If you’re going to reminisce about us…well, I believe both of us need to be present.”