I was grabbing onto a handle of the public bus as I stared out the window. It was a clear and sunny day as it is most days in Seoul. I looked around me briefly as I saw many high school students sitting in their seats and talking to their friends, laughing. I sighed silently to myself. How I missed those years. The years my only concern was getting good grades and which college I’d attend. Spending time with my friends after school, go shopping or riding bikes through the park. I looked out the window again. Even though those years were only 4 years ago they felt like 1o years ago. Already 21 years old and spending most of my time working or at my office. I sighed once more as the bus came to a stop and I got off. I looked up and started working toward my company building.

“Good morning, Minji!” The receptionist said to me as I smiled at her and walked toward the elevator. I was early as always and waited by myself for an elevator. As I heard a ding come from the elevator and waited for the doors to open I saw a shadow before me. The shadow was tall and lean almost masculine like. I saw the doors open and walked forward as did the shadow. I walked to the back of the elevator and looked up to see who the owner of the shadow was. My heart skipped a beat once I saw the person’s face. It was Im Jaebum. My coworker from work whose desk is next to mine. Who is also the person I like. He walked in and then looked up at me. He stood there facing me for a while before he smiled.

“I thought it was you, Minji. Good morning.” He said as he stepped off to the left side of the elevator towards the back. I scouted more to the right to let him in as my cheeks burned up. I tried my best to keep my voice from shaking before smiling back at him.

“Good morning, Jaebum.” I greeted him back as he looked at me and smiled once more. Then we remained silent as the elevator went up. This was our daily routine. If we met anywhere in the office we’d greet each other and then there was nothing else left to say. I was always too scared to get closer to him let alone confess my feelings. For the past few months it has been a simple coworker relationship with simple greetings. Nothing more and nothing less. Suddenly the door opened and we walked out of the elevator to our floor. We walked down the corridor toward two window doors to enter our office when Jaebum suddenly spoke once again.

“I completely forgot!” He said as he touched his forehead and turning to look at me with a smile on his face. “Yumi wanted me to get her a latte today and also one for Jaebum. I completely forgot.” He said to me. Yumi is our supervisor who sometimes runs late due to the meetings our manager, Park Jaebum has. “I’ll have to run down to the café across the street to get them. Will you be alright by yourself until I or someone else gets here?” He asked me which took me by surprise. I could feel my cheeks burning once more and quickly nodded fearing my voice would shake if I spoke. Jaebum smiled at me once more before turning to leave towards the elevator again. Once he left I placed my hand on my heart and felt its rapid pounding. I was sure he’d heard it but then again maybe I was wrong. I shook my head and placed both hands on my cheeks. They were warm still as I turned around to walk into the office.

I was typing up and report that Yumi wanted before she came in this morning. She called me as soon as I walked into the office. I was revising and editing the report when the door opened and voices were heard. I didn’t look up knowing it was my two other coworkers, Wonsik and Eunha. They always got along since the first day she came in. As far as she could tell they weren’t dating but they were close enough where people asked if they were.

“Oh good morning, Minji. You’re always early.” Eunha said. I nodded and continued working without looking at them.

“Good morning Eunha and Wonsik.” I greeted back as I reedited the report once more.

“As always our good old, Minji is busy working to greet us face to face. Minji do you want to have lunch with me today?” Wonsik asked me and I shook my head without looking at him.

“Sorry, Wonsik. I can’t have lunch with you today Yumi is said she needed me to stay for something important.” I responded as I looked at the time before looking back at the report. I could hear Wonsik sigh softly.

“Of course. Well it’s not a surprise.” He said as he made his way to his seat. I sighed to myself as well and covered my face with my hands. Before I knew it I smelled coffee near me and I opened my eyes. I uncovered my face and saw a cup of coffee on my desk. I looked up and saw Jaebum’s smiling face which made me instinctively smile back.

“You looked tired this morning. I hope you don’t mind a caramel macchiato.” He said to me. I shook my head with a smile still on my face.

“No, I like macchiato. Thank you.” I said and Jaebum smiled even more.

“I’m glad to hear that, Minji.” He said as he looked at me before we heard the doors open once more and his attention was diverted. He walked away with two other coffees. I looked at my coffee and felt a hint of specialness from it. Jaebum had brought me a coffee without my asking. Of course macchiato weren’t my favorite as much as cappuccinos but I didn’t dislike them either. I stood up to greet our manager as he entered with Yumi.

“Good morning, Mr. Park.” We all said in unison as Mr. Park nodded and continued walking to his office. As I followed his path I noticed Eunha and Wonsik drinking coffee. Did they buy it on their way here or-

“Oh Jaebum!” Eunha said suddenly and I turned to face her. Jaebum looked at her as she lifted her coffee cup. “Thank you for the latte. You always get it right.” She said as Jaebum smiled. I felt jealous of their conversation. It wasn’t more than our conversation but it was accurate. He knew her favorite drink and not mine. That was enough for me. I sat down once more and pushed the coffee to the far corner of my desk.

Several hours later I was stressed. I hadn’t had a break at all and I was beginning to feel tired, I rubbed my temples from an oncoming migraine. I sighed as I heard chairs pull out knowing what time it was. Lunch time. I could feel my stomach growl from hunger and I looked at the coffee at the corner of my desk. It was no longer any good. All the sugar must be on the bottom and the cream must be all melted and give off a bad after taste. I sighed as I placed the cup in the trash gently without Jaebum knowing. I didn’t want him to know I was being childish and getting jealous over something as small as coffee preferences. Then forgetting about it several hours later.

“Minji.” I heard a voice which made me jump. I looked up and saw Yumi next to me reading over a file. I turned my chair to face her as she looked at me. “The reason I needed you to stay from your lunch break is because we will be having an intern who will come by shortly who will be with you. He also wants to be an editor so he will be shadowing you. Something like an assistant. His files and records are here. He will come in soon so make sure to look over these files.” She said to me as I sat there in a dazed. An intern? We were getting an intern today? But there’s so much work to be done and I can’t deal with an intern right now. Yumi looked at me as if waiting for my answer and I sighed under my breath.

“I will look over those right away.” I said as she smiled at me and gave me the file. As she left I sighed deeply and rubbed my temples once again. As I was turning to look at the file I saw Jaebum standing there looking at me. I gave him a small smile before looking for the intern’s file.

“Jeon Jungkook.” I said to myself. As I read over his file amazed. This kid was young and smart. “Majoring in Literature.” I read as I looked over his file once more.

“But I’m minoring in communications.” I heard a voice say as I looked up and saw the face of the person whose file I was reading. He smiled at me and I smiled back.

“Mr. Jeon.” I said as I watched him shake his head. I looked at him puzzled.

“Jungkook if you don’t mind. Mr. Jeon makes me feel old. I’m barely 18 years old.” Jungkook said to me in between laughs. I nodded and smiled at him.

“Well then Jungkook since we’ll be together for a while you’ll be here with me. We can get you a chair to sit in while we work.” I explained to him as I saw his eyes widened.

“You mean you’ll actually let me work!?” He asked and I couldn’t help but laugh a bit.

“Yes you’ll get to actually work and run a few errands I sometimes do so you know what it feels like. Don’t worry it won’t be anything too hard and difficult.” I said as Jungkook smiled at me. He pulled Jaebum’s chair and sat down next to me. I bite my lip slightly wondering if it was ok for me to allow Jungkook to sit in his seat.

“A friend of mine worked as intern for this company when he was in college and he said they wouldn’t let him do anything. They just had him sitting in a desk everyday bring coffee to people.” Jungkook told me and I frowned as I looked at him.

“What was he majoring in?” I asked assuming his position must’ve been something small. Jungkook looked at me and scouted closer to me.

“He was majoring in literature and minoring in communications.” He said with a smile on his face. I looked at him baffled.

“He studied what you’re studying now?” I asked as Jungkook laughed before nodding. For several minutes we talked about his friend and his life. Then we ended up talking about my life and my past. We were laughing and talking so much I had lost track of time. We were in the middle of talking about what we liked and what we didn’t when I noticed someone’s shadow nearby. I looked up and saw Jaebum. I scouted back a bit from Jungkook.

“Jaebum.” I said as Jungkook spun around to face Jaebum. I realized that Jungkook was still seated in Jaebum’s seat. “Oh! I’m sorry. Jungkook needed a seat. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll find him another seat.” I said as I was getting ready to get up when Jaebum stopped me.

“It’s fine. He can keep it. I’ll find another chair.” He said with a smile before looking at Jungkook. “Welcome to Seoul Publisher.” Jaebum said to him as Jungkook smiled at him and faced me.

“Favorite hobbies.” Jungkook said and I smiled taking my eyes away from Jaebum.

“Cooking and taking pictures.” I responded. Jungkook looked at me and smiled even more. Before he said anything Yumi came and I looked at me.

“Minji. I need to give me the final revision of your book. The published date will be pushed up.” Yumi said and I nodded. When she left I sighed deeply and smiled weakly at Jungkook.

“Sorry. I’ll have to revise my book for a while.” I said and Jungkook simply nodded with a smile on his face. I turned to my computer and pulled up my book. I started from the first page and read my story over making corrections when needed and continuing. After several minutes I stopped and rubbed my temples as I felt a migraine from constantly looking at the screen.

“Minji I need you to edit this report for Mr. Park.” Wonsik said as he laid a file on my desk. I nodded before he turned away and left. I continued to revise my story when I heard Eunha’s voice.

“Minji can you revise this and type me a final copy for the meeting with Mr. Park?” Eunha asked and I nodded as she left her file on top of Wonsik’s file. I sighed deeply as I looked at the files and then continued on my book. After several minutes of working I needed a break. I got up from my seat and noticed Jungkook wasn’t in his seat. I figured he went to get something to eat so I walked to the bathroom.

I was walking down the corridor when I heard a familiar voice. It was Jaebum’s voice. I hadn’t intended to overhear his conversation but as I was walking by I hear every painful word.

“Yes baby. I will go over to your house when I’m done. I know you miss me.” He laughed wholeheartedly before speaking once more. “I love you too. I’ll see you soon with the other guys.” He said as he hung up and I quickly walked past him feeling my heart drop to the floor.

“Minji?” Jaebum called out but I ignored him as I kept walking. I entered the woman’s bathroom and stood there frozen in the middle. I could feel my heart ache and my tears fall down my cheeks. All the times he ever greeted me I felt special. All the times he ever did anything nice for me my heart fluttered. Every time he’d smile at me I smiled back like a fool. Never knowing he loved someone else. I squatted down and cried. For the first time after I graduated high school I cried over a guy. For the first time since becoming an adult my heart was broken. And just like that my love for Jaebum ended.

After washing my face and making sure there was no signs of me crying I left the bathroom. I walked down the corridor and entered the office. I made my way to my seat and sat down. As I was getting ready to work once more on the stressful tasks I noticed a sticky note on top of the files that I was supposed to revise. I grabbed the note and read it.

Minji senior,

I noticed you were having a tough time. While you were gone I decided to help you since you said I could work, but you didn’t give me any orders. So I gave myself orders.” I smiled to myself as I continued reading. “You’re smiling right? Good! I edited the reports and made the final copy for Eunha senior as well. You can check them over to make sure I didn’t miss anything. I will take care of everything else. You focus on your story.

Intern Jungkook

I smiled as I read this and turned around to see Jungkook going to desk from desking taking files. He turned and faced me. He smiled at me and I smiled back. I opened the files and scanned everything quickly amazed at his accurate editing abilities. I closed the files and smiled. I turned around and began working on my story. From the corner of my eyes I saw a hand reach for the files and I looked up to see Jungkook.

“I’ll take these off your hands. Impressed?” He said and I smiled as I nodded. He was about to leave when he came back. “I bought you a caramel cappuccino to help keep you awake. I got your favorite drink, right?” He asked and I couldn’t help but laugh. I nodded and he smiled even more. As I was turning back I made eye contact with Jaebum and quickly looked at my computer screen again.

When everything was done and we were getting ready to leave Jungkook came back with a smile on his face. I looked up at him and smiled back.

“Minji senior. Should I take you home tonight?” He asked me which made me laugh. I shook my head and smiled at him.

“Thank you, but I’m almost done editing and then I’ll print it. I’ll take a while. Why don’t you go first and I’ll take a rain check.” I said. Jungkook pretended to be upset which made me laugh even more. Then he smiled and nodded.

“Be careful Minji senior. See you tomorrow.” He said as I nodded. He waved and I waved back. Once he left I saw Wonsik and Eunha’s desks empty. Had they left already? Suddenly Yumi and Mr. Park also left and turned back to my computer. I only had once more page to finish. I quickly finished and leaned back on my chair and pressed print. I heard the printer going off and I turned my seat around only to be startled by Jaebum’s appearance. I jumped a little and grabbed my chest.

“Jaebum! You scared me.” I said feeling my racing heart as I got up and walked over to the printer. Jaebum followed me which made me feel a bit uncomfortable after what I had heard earlier.

“Sorry. I was finishing something and noticed you had finished too. So I was wondering.” He said almost fidgeting and nervous like. I grabbed my papers and turned to walk to my desk when I came into eye contact with Jaebum.

“Yeah?” I aksed and Jaebum cleared his voice.

“If I could walk you home.” He said and my heart began to flutter. I ignored the feeling and walked past him towards my desk.

“It’s fine. You can go first.” I said a bit too coldly than I had intended. Jaebum followed behind me.

“But I want to walk you home.” Jaebum said and for some strange reason I became angry towards him.

“Why?” I said a little too angry and loudly. Jaebum looked surprised as he looked at me. I realized what I sounded and looked like and became embarrassed. I clipped the papers together and grabbed my bag. “I’m sorry.” I said as I walked out of the office and dropping my story on Yumi’s desk.

“Minji!” I heard Jaebum call out for me but I continued walking. I felt embarrassed and dumb for the way I acted. I wasn’t a 16 year old girl anymore. I can’t get angry over things like this anymore. I’m an adult now. A 21 year old adult who made a fool out of herself to the person she liked. Suddenly someone grabbed my arm and turned me around. I came face to face with Jaebum who was trying to catch his breath.

“Minji….what’s wrong? Did I do something to offend you?” Jaebum asked. I looked at him and my heart began to race once more. I sighed and shook my head. “Are you angry because I scared you?” He asked and I shook my head. “Then what’s wrong?” He asked and I shook my head.

“I guess I was too stressed. I’m sorry for lashing out on you, Jaebum.” I lied and looked at him. Jaebum looked at me and for the first time he wasn’t smiling. He opened his mouth to speak but his phone suddenly rang. He looked at me and I nodded. He answered his phone.

“Hey baby.” He said and I automatically became deflated again. “Yeah I was on my way there right now.” He said as he looked at me and smiled. “I haven’t forgotten. I’ll be there soon. Bye.” He said as he hung up and I looked down.

“So how about I walk you home?” He asked me and I looked up at him. He was smiling once again and I shook my head.

“No. It’s fine. It seems like you have to be somewhere important.” I said trying to keep myself from sounding cold. Jaebum looked at me and shook his head.

“Nowhere I would rather be than here.” He said and I felt my heart flutter once again. He extended his hand and we walked down the road. There was silence the whole way we were walking down the road before Jaebum spoke.

“My friends want to meet you.” He said and I looked at him surprised.

“Meet me? Why?” I asked. Jaebum looked at me and smiled shyly for the first time.

“Because I may have talked about you to them.” He said as he laughed nervously. I looked at him even more and stopped walking.

“Why?” I asked and Jaebum stopped walking too. He looked at me and his smile disappeared. He looked at me seriously.

“Because they think I like you.” He said and I felt my heart skip a beat. My cheeks began to burn up and my heart raced as I spoke once again.

“Why?” I asked and Jaebum seemed nervous as he avoided my gaze for a while. Finally he looked at me and took a deep breath.

“Because I told them I liked you.” He said and my whole body froze. Jaebum liked me? He like me? But why? Why would he like me? Jaebum took a step forward. “I like you, Minji. I’ve liked you since the moment you’ve started working. I may not know your favorite drink like Jungkook or be as social as him but would you still accept me anyway?” He asked and my heart raced even more. I looked at him speechless for a while before remembering something.

“What about the person you were talking to in the corridor? You called that person baby and even said I love you. I don’t want to interfer.” I said and Jaebum looked at me confused before laughing.

“That person? It’s not what you think. That’s how my friends and I speak to each other I promise.” He said as he looked at me a bit nervously. “So what do you say?” He asked me and without hesitation I shook my head. Jaebum looked at me surprised at first and then happy. He smiled at me and grabbed my hand as he looked at me as if making sure it was ok. I smiled back at him and held his hand back. And just like that we walked the rest of the way to his friend’s house. I was nervous but happy to meet Jaebum’s friends. To know more about Jaebum than I already knew.