“Good morning Hoseok,” Phoebe said, still in bed on a Saturday, thankful for the time away from the office and the awkward conversations with Chan. He had tried to ask her out several times in the last few weeks since he first asked her. 

“Good evening Phoebe.” Hoseok was finally getting into bed but he was trying to make it obvious that he noticed the small amount of clothing she was wearing in bed. 

“How was Brazil today?” Her voice was still groggy from just waking up. 

“Hot.” Phoebe laughed at His comment. He loved to see her smile and laughed. He loved it, even more, when he made her smile. “How’s work been? Chan leaving you alone?”

“He’s asked me out once a week since. It’s making work super awkward.” 

“Why does he keep asking?” Hoseok was starting to get annoyed with Chan even though he’s never met him. 

“He thinks I’m making you up cause I refuse to say who I’m dating.” 

“It’s none of his business though.” 

“That’s what I told him but he’s being stubborn I think.” Phoebe snuggled her duvet and took a deep breath before looking back to Hoseok through her computer screen. She noticed the mixed expression on his face. “Don’t worry about him. He’s just a lonely .” 

“And that’s why I’m worried. You let me know if he starts to hold things over your head. Ok?” 

“Um… ok?” She didn’t want to spend the call lingering in an awkward situation. Phoebe decided to bring up their relationship and the emotions and desires she had been feeling ever since he had left for tour. “Hoseok?”

“Hm?” His eyes snapped back to her. 

“I…  I hope I’m not being too forward by saying that…” She sighed with a smile, “I can’t wait till you’re back and I can be held in your arms.” 

The statement shocked Hoseok. He had been clear of his intentions but she had held back much of her desires from him. He hadn’t been sure why but he figured there was a reason. His heart was pounding in his chest. Off-camera, Phoebe’s feet were anxiously twitching. Hoseok smiled and let out a small sigh. 

“Just a little over two more months,” He said, “I keep thinking back to that night before we left and I can’t stop thinking about how it felt to hold you. It was so brief but I think about it every night.” 

Phoebe just bit her lip blushing. She tried to bury her face into the pillow to hide her rosy cheeks. Hoseok let out a small chuckle at her reaction.

“I struggled for a moment about my feelings for you,” Phoebe began, “I wanted to make sure what I was feeling was real and not some celebrity crush, and I now know what I feel is real. The feeling I get every morning waking up to see your texts and lunch reminders isn’t just a giddy feeling it’s warm and keeps a smile on my face knowing that you care for me.” At that moment, Hoseok fell even harder for her. She wanted to be honest with herself and him about her feelings. 

“You’re making it so much harder to be away.” 

“I don’t want you to feel that though. You love touring and what you do helps people. It saves people. Don’t change that cause I confessed my feelings.” 

“Then you’re coming with me next tour.” His puppy eyes made her giggle and roll on her back in another attempt to hide her blush. Their moment was interrupted by a ring at her door. She grabbed her robe but not before Hoseok got an eyeful of her legs making him blush. A delivery guy was at the door with a small package for her. She signed for it and noticed it had come from a jewelry store in L.A.  She plopped back down on the bed and eyed Hoseok. 

“What is this?” 

“Open it and find out,” Hoseok suggested. The store’s logo was familiar to her. It was the same store her father used to go to to buy something for her mother every anniversary. She tried to hold back the tears as she opened the box and saw a solid rose gold band bracelet with the Korean characters for ‘Faith, Hope, and Love” engraved on it. Phoebe lightly ran her thumb over the band. A small “Thank you” escaped her lips. She slipped it on and looked back to Hoseok who was lovingly looking at her. 

“I swear I didn’t plan the timing that well.” Phoebe laughed at his joke. 

“It’s beautiful.” She looked at the bracelet. Unbeknownst to Hoseok, he had in a way brought a piece of her parents to her. Phoebe looked back at a sleepy Hoseok. “ You need some rest. You’ve got a concert tomorrow.” 

“Can I call you tomorrow?” 

“Please.” The couple smiled at each other through the screen before saying goodnight. Phoebe was left sitting on the bed in her quiet flat at peace. 

~

Wednesday was a cluster for Phoebe. They had finished a quick translation project and started a 100,000-word novel. Their biggest project yet. She and Paenji had decided to order dinner to be delivered so they could stay late and get ahead. Chan and his editing partner were staying as well. She kept rubbing her thumb across the bracelet trying to ease the anxious feeling she got when she could feel Chan’s gaze. 

Phoebe and Paenji left first but Chan wasn’t far behind. Phoebe and Paenji said their goodbyes as Phoebe headed for the bus stop. The streets were still pretty busy since it was only 8 pm. She heard someone’s heavy footsteps heading her way. She didn’t think much of it until she heard Chan’s voice. 

“How’s the book going?” His question took her from her thoughts. She began to feel anxious about being alone with Chan. 

“My personal book?”
“Yes.” She wondered why he would be asking. 

“It’s almost done. Well, the rough draft at least.” She scooted away as he sat next to her taking note of the new bracelet she was fidgeting with. 

“You know I could prevent it from being published.” 

Her eyes snapped to him. “Why would you do such a thing?” 

“You’ve been lying to me about your supposed boyfriend. I don’t appreciate liars.” 

“I am not lying. I do have a boyfriend.” 

“What’s his name?” He glared at her making her even more anxious. Phoebe tried to steady her breathing. 

“None of your business.” 

Chan learned in trying to intimidate her. “It would be a shame to see the book you worked so hard on to never see a bookshelf.” 

“Are you threatening me because I refused to go on a date with you?” Phoebe heard the bus coming. She stood glaring down at him. “Maybe you should have been a little warmer from the start. I don’t date s.” The bus door opened behind her. Without speaking another word, she got on holding her breath. Once she sat down Phoebe let herself breathe. Hoseok was the first thing on her mind to tell but, she knew he would be furious.  

Phoebe: Well, Chan gave me an ultimatum while I was waiting at the bus stop just now. 

Hoseok: Call me when you’re home.