"I'm sorry you had to witness that. That kid's almost always out of the house."

Mrs. Kim had apologized to mama as she sat down opposite her. I had a good look around the sitting area. It was just situated to the right of the living room where it overlooked the glass windows and fishpond outside. I remember some of my brothers stayed here on Jin's birthday as we waited for papa to finish his meeting with his colleagues.

Mama: Ah, that's okay. It's normal. Just like at home, some of the boys do that too.

Mrs. Kim: Hoseok's almost always out. *sigh*

Mama: They're kids. What do you expect?

Mrs. Kim: That's right. But you can't blame me for getting a little worried. We're just a few months here and he's been all over Beijing.

Mama: All over Beijing?

Mrs. Kim: Yes.

Mama: That's saying something.

Mrs. Kim: He and Namjoon's been exploring Beijing a lot, you know.

Mama: Kids these days are adventurous.

Mrs. Kim: Min Kyung-hoon is too lax on his sons.

Mama: There's a big difference between Wu Zun and Min Kyung-hoon.

Mrs. Kim: And Kim Jaejoong.

They both laughed and glanced at the hall where papa and Mr. Kim were in a meeting. A few minutes later, Jungkook came down. He had already changed into a more suitable short sleeved shirt and dark jeans. He was wearing Chucks, though. I suddenly felt jealous. I wanted to wear sneakers, but papa would have asked me to go back and change my footwear, so I had to wear this wedge sandals instead of comfy sneakers.

I was thirteen. I should probably wear what's comfortable and not something that older girls should be wearing. But I didn't want to disappoint my father. I also didn't want to be scolded in front of Jungkook.

Jungkook went to perch on the armrest of the chair where his eomma was sitting on. His mother looked up at him briefly and held his hand.

Mrs. Kim: Oh, you've changed. Good. Let's just wait for your appa then.

JK: Yup.

Mrs. Kim: Be a nice host and sit beside Xiao Yi.

Jungkook muttered something which his mom responded to with, "Aigoo. You're already fourteen..." And he had to stand up and walk over to me. He sat a few feet beside me. His mom didn't bother to check on us. And... Neither did my mom. -_-

The two ladies continued talking about anything under the sun and the community work they were doing for this month.

Mrs. Kim was a college professor and she taught Korean to students who specialized in foreign languages. She was also a lawyer by profession. She was not practicing law as of the moment and was a full-time teacher at the BLCU (Beijing Language and Culture Uni). She had been accepted since they transferred. When she was not teaching, she just stayed at home. She mostly worked on the community projects that she, mama and Mrs. Min had established.

We didn't really talk, me and Jungkook, during the duration that we were waiting for our fathers to end their meeting and go to lunch. We just listened to the two ladies talking and glance at each other when something trivial caught our ears.

When the two older men finished their meeting, they were still talking as they walked towards the sitting area. Mama and Mrs. Kim had to look at each other and shrug.

Typical female reaction.

I tried it on Jungkook, and he side smiled again.

Stop it.

You're making me nervous.

Papa: Sorry to keep you waiting. Anyway, it's only half past...no, just eleven.

Mr. Kim: Let's go?

We stood up and followed them outside. Mrs. Kim had called for the househelp and told her to call J downstairs for a moment. Papa approached mama.

Papa: Youmei, I've called Luhan to pick up Kai and Sehun before three o'clock. Suho and Lay's going home for lunch, so Kyungsoo's covered.

Mama: Baek and Tao?

Papa: I already told Luhan to pick them up for lunch.

Mama: Good.

Papa: Xiumin's at home, saw his car in the driveway. Should be checking if the other boys get home before three.

Mama: Ahhh, it's a weekend, let them roam around.

Papa: Fine.

J peeked from the stairs and smiled at his mom. He looked like he was teasing his mom. His appa turned around and saw him. He immediately stood up straight and walked formally downstairs.

LOL.

Kind of like how it was at home when papa was around. We immediately turn into robots when he called our attention. Jungkook was chuckling behind his appa. He wiggled his eyebrows at J who tried to hide making a face at him. Mr. Kim saw that and turned to see Jungkook waving a hand at J.

Mr. Kim: Hand gestures, Jungkook. Codes?

JK: Uh...no appa.. I..uh...was just waving goodbye.

Mr. Kim: Okay. Go and wait outside.

JK: Yes, appa.

And he obeyed like a puppy obeyed its master. He dropped his head and walked slowly outside. I followed him without being told. Papa and mama had also started walking out the door. I was only able to hear part of what Mr. Kim said to J.

Mr. Kim: I don't want you going anywhere today, J. Not unless Seokjin is back. If Jimin's back, tell him to stay and do his Japanese lessons.

J: He's over at Taehyung's, appa.

Mr. Kim: I've called his Japanese tutor and she'll be here by two. Make sure Jimin's back by then.

J: Arasseoyo.

Mr. Kim: Don't-

I didn't hear anymore, because we were already outside and the door was half closed after papa went out. Jungkook was sitting on the ledge on one of the glass windows. Papa had led mama to the car which was parked just a few feet away from the gate. I wanted to sit beside Jungkook, but I decided not to and walked towards our car. He raised his head to watch me walking away.

Then his parents were out of the house. His papa had walked towards the back...garage, I presumed. He and his eomma waited by the driveway. I already got in the backseat of papa's car.

Then we were on the way to wherever it was we're having lunch at.

Not much happened during lunch. Papa and Mr. Kim were actually waiting for a business partner prospect and chose the hotel where to meet him. I and Jungkook were excess baggage, actually. We were not really needed there. I guessed papa just wanted to chaperone our hangout together.

Smooth move, pa.

Not really.

We were not doing anything we weren't supposed to do.

We were not doing...like...Xiumin and Sohee...

Blush...blush...

Hotel Kunlun. That's where we were. It was one of the four-star hotels of Beijing. I was there in a business meeting. LOL. No. I just pretended I was on a business meeting with Jungkook so as not to feel bored. Because actually, we were supposed to be spending twenty four hours together. Might as well use the time wisely, right?

I was glad that papa didn't ask a lot of questions during lunch. Mr. Kim didn't ask a lot of questions either. The two ladies just sat there observing. I knew mama already had a lot on her mind, but she preferred to be silent. Papa only asked how was Jungkook's and my day so far. Mr. Kim only followed it up with, "You're already friends, right?"

No, sir. More than friends.

We're like....

Me: Yes, we're already friends.

JK: Mm-hmm, yes we are friends.

Me: Right.

Mr. Kim: You two are classmates, too. Ne?

JK: Ne, appa.

Papa: Just one subject?

Me: Shi-de.

There wasn't much questions after that. I was able to breath normally, too. After lunch, papa had allowed us to wander off the hotel, except go out. He and Mr. Kim were going to meet with their prospective partner for coffee. Mama and Mrs. Kim had to go with them of course. I felt like going home, to be honest. Yeah, we were at a four-star hotel but for what?

JK: I don't wanna be a businessman.

Me: Same here.

JK: *chuckles* Of course. You're a girl.

Me: I meant the business part. Not the "man" part.

We were sitting on one of the couches at the hotel lounge. Jungkook was laughing at me. He found it funny that I considered my self a "businessman."

JK: What do you want to be after you graduate?

Me: I want to be a talent manager.

JK: Jinjja?

Me: Yes. I will manage my brothers. I'll form a group consisting my brothers.

JK: Can I join?

Me: Can you sing?

JK: Yes, I guess...I can carry a tune.

Me: Can you dance?

JK: Not well, but I don't have two left feet, if that's what you are asking.

Me: Hmm...can you rap?

JK: A little bit.

Me: Is there anything you can't do?

JK: Well, I still can't convince you that I'm good enough to be in your group.

Me: You have to audtion for the part.

JK: Right now?

Me: Sure.

JK: Geez. There are people in here.

Me: Do you wanna be famous or not?

JK: Not really.

Me: Then why would you want to join my group?

JK: Because...you will probably be a good manager.

Me: And...?

JK: Don't you want to manage me?

Me: You're teasing me.

JK: No...

Me: Yes, you are.

JK: Hahahah..

Me: See?

JK: You're making me laugh. I'm serious.

Me: I'm not even joking.

JK: You don't have to joke to make me laugh.

Me: Sheesh.

JK: *smiles*

Me: Why are you smiling like that?

JK: This is my...audition piece...

Me: Aegyo?

JK: Uhm, yeah.

Me: Not enough. Sorry.

JK: Want me to do more?

Hell yeah.

Me: No. You were bragging earlier that you can dance. Show me.

JK: There's no music. And besides, there are many people who'll see?

Me: No dance audition piece? Sorry, no go.

JK: You're not serious, right?

Me: Wanting you to dance? Nope, not serious. Just dead serious.

I looked away and laughed.

JK: Now you're laughing at me.

Me: No. No..I was not laughing.

But then I laughed again.

JK: That guy's looking right at us. He looks creepy.

Me: Who? Where?

JK: Don't look now. He's just glanced again. He's the one wearing an all black suit with a newspaper in hand...just two seats away from the lady in red near that big painting of a...what's that painting? Uh....

I had to look at what he was describing.

Me: It's abstract...

JK: I know right.

Me: I think I saw it once on a TV documentary. Jackson Pollock?

JK: You're into art?

Me: I got interested watching the documentary because his paintings were not the usual.

JK: But it looks nice, even if you can't see any object or people in it.

Me: Yeah.

JK: Okay. Do you see the guy I was describing to you?

Me: Is it safe to look at him?

JK: Yeah. He's reading the paper now.

And I stole a quick glance at the dark suited man a few feet away from the painting.

It was the GT creepy guy.

Me: That's him!

JK: Him what?

Me: I think I haven't told you before. That time after Fook Yew, we got into a sort of traffic jam. That guy was one of them.

JK: He's dangerous, then.

Me: The oldies have a hunch that he's Hong Kong triad or something.

JK: Really dangerous. Shall we go somewhere else?

Me: Absolutely.

And we got up. He went to my other side to block the man's view of me. We walked casually away from the lounge. Papa had said not to go out of the hotel, so we just walked towards the place where they were having a meeting. We had wanted to go in, but we were worried that the staff would kick us out because we were kids. But in the end, Jungkook braved to go up to the guy who was at the door of the coffee shop where our parents were.

I followed him.

JK: Hi.

The guy smiled at him and nodded.

JK: Uhm, our parents are over there...business meeting. We're avoiding a scary man outside. Can we go sit somewhere in here? We promise not to bother anyone.

The guy thought for a minute and called a waiter to go up to our parents' table and confirm if we were really their children. Jungkook hung his head up and walked over to the wall and leaned. I followed him and leaned on the wall as well. The guy at the door eyed us with suspicion. Then the waiter returned.

"The gentlement at the table has confirmed, sir. They also requested to have the kids be seated somewhere near them."

Jungkook smiled triumphantly at the guy. Then he smirked as the waiter ushered us toward a table near our parents. He reminded me of Taeyong. I was not used to Jungkook being a brat and he was sort of acting like one with the smirk and triumphant smile. And he had to add...

"What Jungkook wants, Jungkook gets."

I slapped his arm.

JK: Oww! What was that for?

Me: You are acting like a brat.

JK: That hurt. That was something a brat would do, too.

Me: Why, I never...?

JK: Okay, slap my other arm.

He turned sideways so I had access to his other arm. He was silently laughing, a sign that he was teasing me, but I slapped it all the same.

JK: So, you punished me already.

Me: Suits you. Don't be like Taeyong.

JK: Yes, master.

The waiter had stopped beside a table for two, just four tables away from our parents. We thanked the waiter and sat down. Jungkook did something that Taeyong hasn't ever done. He went to assist me sitting down, before he went to sit himself.

Me: Thanks.

JK: My pleasure.

The waiter had asked what we wanted to have, but since we just had lunch, we just asked for drinks. He bowed and went on his way. Of course, the bill would be paid by either my dad or his dad.

While we waited for our drinks, we resorted to staring at each other. We ran out of things to say. We tried eavesdropping on the business meeting but we couldn't really hear anything they were saying. The restaurant was full of chatter from the hotel guests and other walk in guests who were there.

Staring at Jungkook was different from staring at Taeyong. He kept switching from serious face to teasing face. And he had to laugh silently when I looked away. He tapped the table and told me I won't win the staring contest. He leaned back on the chair and started tapping his hand on the table and singing softly. I had to look at him. His voice drew me in.

Shut up, Jungkook.

No, please continue.

He eyed me and did that signature side smile as he sang.

The melody was familiar. Right. It was the same song he had played on the piano on Jin's birthday. It had lyrics this time and he was singing it.

Me: That's the same song.

He nodded, never stopping to talk. I guessed he wanted to finish his song. He didn't take his eyes off me as he sang. He was not singing loudly, but just enough for me to hear. However, some people who sat nearby, heard him. They nodded in approval. Before he finished, the waiter was back with our drinks and some dessert, compliments of the house. Probably for not believing us the first time we told the guy at the door.

The waiter didn't leave until Jungkook finished his song. He gave Jungkook a compliment on his singing and he went on his way.

JK: Did you like it?

Me: That's-

JK: Haruman. The same one I played on the piano.

Me: It's good.

JK: I just got to writing the rest of the lyrics a few days ago. It wasn't complete the last time. Jin hyung had started it but couldn't finish.

Me: You're hired.

JK: Jinjja?

Me: Yep.

JK: I don't have to dance, then?

Me: Do you want to?

JK: Not now.

And he chuckled again. The look in his eye was mischievous, but he didn't say anything else about it. He held his drink and took a sip. He hummed the song again after that.

JK: Do you like how our twenty four hours is going, so far?

Me: Huh...oh...yes. It's...

JK: Cool...?

Me: *nods*

JK: This hotel thing is not part of the plan, but it kinda fits in the plan so far.

Me: That sounds good.

JK: Except the crepy guy out there.

Me: He didn't follow us, right?

JK: Nope. He didn't look at us after we walked towards here.

Me: I really hope it's just coincidence that he was here. I better tell papa right away.

JK: Right. I've remembered his face too, so in case I see him again, I'll know to avoid him.

Me: You should be careful.

JK: You should be careful, too.

Me: I am being careful.

JK: Don't make me worry.

Die. Dying. Dying inside.

He had a serious look on his face again. He leaned forward and dropped his head a little. He sort of peered at me from the strands of hair that fell down on his face as he dropped his head.

I. Need. Air.

Then he played with his bangs as he cleared his throat. I bet he felt the awkward moment. Then he sat up straight again.

JK: I'm serious, though.

Me: I know that.

JK: Twenty four hours is not long enough.

Me: You wanna start over?

JK: Can I?

Me: Sure.

JK: Hmm...tempting suggestion.

Me: Offer expires in sixty seconds.

JK: Now, you're starting to sound like Taeyong.

Me: Mine's longer than five seconds.

JK: Same difference, really.

He looked away. Did I see a smirk? I think so. He looked down and didn't speak. I didn't know what else to say, so I kept quiet as well. I found myself humming to Haruman. I didn't know the lyrics by heart, so I just hummed it.

Then he took out his phone from his pocket and froze for a few seconds. Then scrolled through and started typing. He did that for a while. I didn't take out my phone. I decided to just busy myself with sipping my drink slowly. I didn't touch the food in front of me, either.

After he finished typing, he hesitated for a moment, then pocketed his phone. He probably sent a long text message to someone.

Who?

Not my right to ask.

The parents had started to get up from the table. I turned to look in their direction. Papa, Mr. Kim and another man were shaking each other's hands. Business deal closed, I guess. Mama and Mrs. Kim waited until the other man bowed slightly and went on his way. Then they walked over to where we were. I stood up almost as soon as they started walking towards us. Jungkook waited until his eomma called his attention. He started humming Haruman while we walked out of the restaurant and out the hotel lobby.

He looked a little smug when he got in their car at the parking lot. He had smiled at me and made a gesture with his hands and mouthed that he'd want me to call him later.

Me? Call him? Huh?

What was he playing at?

But he was laughing silently again.

Grrrr...

Mentally punching him.

Mama had climbed in the passenger seat of papa's car and she looked at me as if to say, "Get in the car." I snapped out of my reverie and got in the back. Jungkook had rolled down the window to the backseat so he could smile smugly back at me. His father and my father exchanged a few words first before they each got in the driver's seat of their car and waved goodbye.

Thirty minutes later, we were back home. Papa parked his car in the garage. I didn't wait for him to turn off the engine, and I opened the door and hopped out. Mama had to scold me for that. She had said I was doing the same thing as Sehun.

But I didn't trip on the way out.

I wasn't doing the same thing as Sehun.

I walked to the front door and turned the knob. The first person I saw was Kyungsoo holding a big bowl of something and he was walking towards the stairs going up. Afternoon snack. Yup. I didn't notice Xiumin's car outside. He probably had gone out with Sohee again, after that incident earlier.

That was kinda cute, though.

Especially when Kyungsoo opened the door and saw them. His mouth had hung open for a few seconds before he said "Oh," and tried to explain what he didn't need to explain. The other boys were not home yet. I checked the grandfather clock that was under the stairs.

Three-thirty in the afternoon.

The boys were probably on their way home, though. I followed Kyungsoo upstairs. He was still making the first floor lounge his study area. He was actually done with his project, as it already lay perfectly on top of the table. He was just playing on his laptop this time and he placed the bowl on one side of the table.

Fruit slices and some chips.

Clashing menu.

I shrugged. I had wanted to take some of his food, but when I reached out a hand, he looked at me with greed. Then I had to bite my lower lip and withdraw my hand. I was not welcome to get food from his bowl. He didn't wanna share.

Normal.

LOL.

I didn't feel bad about it, because it happens most of the time anyway. I proceeded to the second floor and to my room. I kicked off my sandals and plopped on the bed. I hugged my pillow and relaxed a bit.

Then I remembered Jungkook. He had wanted me to call him. Why?

I took out my phone from my pocket and unlocked it. Might as well get this over with. Before I can press any other button aside from unlocking it, a message came in.

"Jungkook."

What the hell?

I had to bite back my tongue. I pressed the home button.

Yeah. My face as the wallpaper. Meaning, we didn't really return each other's phone earlier.

Damn!

I checked the message. It was from me. Of course. He had my phone and he used it to text me.

"I have your phone. I don't want to use up your credits, so I figured to just text you. You can call me from my phone, though."

So I pressed the call button. Just one ring and he answered.

Him: Yeoboseyo.

Me: You knew you had my phone, didn't you?

Him: Yes.

Me: Why didn't you tell me?

Him: Part of the plan.

Me: Explain.

Him: Twenty four hours, right?

Me: And?

Him: I can't sleep there and you can't sleep here.

Me: Then?

Him: My phone is with you, so it's like I'm there already. And your phone's here, so...

Me: Invasion of privacy.

Him: Not really. I didn't read anything or touch anything.

Me: You're dead, Kim Jungkook.

Him: Ooops...

Me: First thing tomorrow, I'm going to chop your head off.

Him: Can I say something then, before I die?

Me: Say your last words.

Him: Naega neowa joha.

I understood that.

Oh, I knew what to say. 

Nado neowa joha.

I just couldn't say it.

Yet.

I'll leave you to translate the title of this chapter yourselves. LOL.  → 사랑해요! ♥♥♥ 我愛你們！吴愛你們！