Chapter 1
My Only Comfort
'Single', 'Batchelorette', 'Available'... these were a few of the words that were forever used
to describe you in a conversation; the constant reminder that you've never been fortunate
when it comes to relationships.
But what you lacked in love, you made up for in business, as your career in Fashion-marketing was booming.
Finally having enough of people badgering you constantly, you decided to move apartment,
somewhere with a different air – Samsung-dong, Seoul.
(Your POV)
Boxes lined up outside the new private apartment, I took note of the nice, new nameplate
displaying 'Park Muni' – my name, in script like black lettering on a gold background.
“I'm home” I sighed happily. Carrying the light boxes in first, I took a good look at my new
surroundings. Apart from the hallway, there were four rooms; the bedroom, bathroom and
utilities room all branching off an open-plan living room and kitchen with a breakfast bar
marking the divide of the large space. You couldn't wait to settle in and finally get to know
new people.
Back outside, you were fathoming out a way to bring in the last 4 boxes which were
considerably heavy. Fumbling around to see if you could lift them, a pleasant voice piped
up with “do you need any help with those?”.Surprised, my eyes met with a rather tall young
man with wine-red hair and and a breathtakingly handsome face.
“...Y-yes! Please, if you wouldn't mind. They're quite heavy” I grimaced slightly at those last
words, and watched the man crouch down, sharing the weight of the first box. Once inside
my apartment again, he was the first one to start conversation.
“I'm Jaejoong by the way, Kim Jaejoong. I live next door...” he smiled and bowed slightly
and I responded in the same manner. “I'm Park Muni, I hope you don't think me rude – I would offer you a drink for helping me but...” we both laughed slightly and looked around
at everything ready to be unpacked. This guy seemed to be really nice, but I could never be
sure...after all I've been a pretty bad judge of character in the past with men; even If he
was a public icon.
“I have to apologise in advance by the way,” he spoke again “ I just got a puppy, he's
usually very good but if he disturbs you with barking let me know.” Clasping his hands
together, his eyebrows rose slightly as he let out a small huff. The action made me smile
“that's fine. I'm used to pets milling around from my parents' house, honestly I know how
hard keeping a dog can be at times...” I giggled. We walked to the door and I thanked him
again for his trouble and began to bid our goodbyes “oh – before I forget, do you use
Kakao? It'd be nice to get to know my new neighbour” he took out his phone from his jeans
pocket. “yeah I do!” Kim Jaejoong was asking for my Kakao ID?! Such a small thing yet
it made me so happy. “Hopefully things will turn up for the better, Muni” I leant against
the door uttering to myself.
A couple of days later, while at work, I received my first message from JJ.
[Hey Muni, its JJ – oh feel free to call me that by the way lol! Listen, if you're free next
Thursday evening, I'd like to invite you round for dinner... think of it like your house-warming present^^ it would be nice to talk more as well. Let me know~]
Well this was a turn of events! Monday is going well! I quickly typed my reply after I freed
my schedule for Thursday night.
[MuniMuni88: Hi JJ, wow are you sure? That would be lovely, thank you!] We arranged the
time for 7pm and had a little battle of sending funny stickers to each other. Ah, well at least
we both act 10 years younger! Twenty-five wasn't old but its good to still feel playful when
you work in a stressful industry like Fashion or Music.
Gina, my assistant, walked into my office with a stack of folders and small catalogues in
her arms “Muni, I have the information on the new menswear brands from the exhibition y
ou sent Hyeon-uk to. All the brand portfolios and début line catalogues are here, as well
as availability for stock-listing.” she huffed slightly when she placed the papers on my desk,
raising her head to smile at me. “you know, ever since you moved the other day, there is a
different look about you...did you meet someone nice?” she asked cheekily, wanting to
know the titbits of my usually quiet personal life. I stole a glance at my phone and then
smirked back at her “I guess you could say that...” nonchalantly passing off her question.
I could see the piqued interest in her face. “oh? Who is it? It's a guy right? It has to be” she
leant over the desk now, trying to pry more out of me. “it is a guy yes.... a guy that I was n
ot expecting at all to live next door to.” I think if she rose her eyebrows any higher, they'd
be in her hairline.... I started flipping through the catalogues, pretending to be dis-interested in the whole situation. “It's Kim Jaejoong...” I said coolly, but unable to contain
myself I broke into a smile and looked at Gina, her jaw practically hanging off her face.
“THE Kim Jaejoong? Of JYJ right?” I nodded and began to add “But please, for the love of
God, keep this low-profile okay? He's only my neighbour but I don’t want either of us
to be harassed about it. He's a lovely guy.” I reminded her of this situation so that she wouldn't
gossip. Gina wasn't the type to - but just in-case. “Is this why you suddenly asked for your
Thursday evening to be cleared? “ she scrunched her nose as she asked the cheeky
question. “Oh it might well be.... he invited me over for dinner as a welcome gift....” my
face beaming like that inner 15 year old again. Gina rushed round the desk to my side and
held onto my arm jumping up and down excitedly “oh my GOD, unnie, you have to tell me
what happens, ok? This is so awesome! Maybe he could be the man of your dreams?!”
she whispered loudly, trying to be quiet but failing quickly. “Gina, I -highly- doubt that,
but we will see what happens. We've only met once so far anyway” I shot her a look that
summed up my rational thoughts. “I will tell you, but for now we both have to get back to
work, okay? Busy week ahead of us now.” she rolled her eyes jokingly and went towards
the door “okaaaay, expect me to 'harass' you Friday about it then!” she called and shut the
door behind her. I checked for any new messages from Jaejoong but he hadn't sent any.
Reading over the invitation in slight disbelief still, I smiled and got back to work.
This week was already a good one.
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