Mysme-Fictober Day 9 AND Day 5 of Jumin Han Week
October 9th 2019
Pumpkin spice latte (Nature/College) (Seven)
No angst in this one, wow, IKR? Some beginnings of fluff.
It was chilly, but not too cold. Not enough to require a jacket. He walked through the garden, letting the wind ruffle through his hair however it wanted. The smell of the flowers wafted back and forth, and he let himself enjoy every moment of it. This was perhaps the only time he truly felt at peace and alone. In his garden.
The day had been trying, made more so by his father. He would never understand what made such a brilliant man downright stupid in the face of an attractive woman. Chairman Han had insisted on introducing him to another one of his women. She had been nice enough, they always were, but he recognized the look. The look every woman who wanted power and money gave to his father since he could so easily provide both. He hoped it would not get to the point where he married this one. But he resigned himself to that very outcome.
Taking a deep breath Jumin cleared his mind and focused on the beauty around him. Loosening his tie, he ran his finger across the pedals of a blooming rose. It was soft and velvety beneath his touch, much like his beloved Elizabeth 3rd’s fur. It had much the same calming effect on him as well.
Something new wafted through the air that caught his attention. The distinct smell of autumn in the form of a pumpkin spice latte. He furrowed his brow unsure where the smell could be coming from. There were no coffee shops within smelling distance which meant there was an intruder in his personal space. His jaw clenched as he followed the offending scent. As he grew closer, he heard sounds of sobbing and the tension in his body dissolved.
On one of the benches there was a woman, dressed impeccably in a feminine business suit which appeared to be specifically tailored for her body. Her boots were thick three-inch heels and shiny black. The chestnut brown hair flowed down her back and seemed to reach her waist. Jumin couldn’t help but stare at the waves it made, the locks shone in the midday sun highlighting a reddish tint.
Walking up behind her he cleared his throat so that she would know he was there. She jerked, startled, dropping the cup she held in her hands onto the ground.
“Oh!” she lept up and tried to hide her face with a curtain of hair.
“Forgive me. I did not mean to startle you.” Jumin scooped up the cup and replaced the lid. He held it awkwardly as they both stood, unsure how to proceed.
“No, I…I should apologize. I know this is private property, but Chairman Han said it was alright for me to walk it.” Her voice was tenuous, trying to contain more tears.
“No need to apologize. You…know Chairman Han well?” Jumin asked. He had never seen this woman, although it was difficult to really determine as he could only partially see her lips since she kept her focus on the ground.
“Not well, no. I’ve only recently met him. My mother and he…well…” she shrugged.
Jumin took another deep breath. “You must be Lillie.”
The woman gasped, her head coming up for the first time. Her chocolate brown eyes were wide as she recognized who she spoke to. “Oh, you…uh…”
“Jumin Han. Chairman Han’s son, yes. It is a pleasure to meet you Lillie.” He bowed and even managed a small smile. After all, it wasn’t this woman’s fault that her mother was a gold digger. She certainly didn’t appear to be of the same type, but he could be wrong.
“I’m so sorry.” She apologized.
“For what?” he asked, genuinely amused.
“Well…you know…” she shrugged and sat heavily on the bench.
“This isn’t the first time is it?” Jumin asked, sitting next to her. She shook her head. “I’m surprised you would confess such a thing to me.”
“She told me how the meeting with you went. She knows you know and why would I hide it?” she sighed. “It won’t make a bit of difference. I see the way he looks at her, she’s caught him well and good.”
“Yes. I saw that as well. Which is why I won’t bother to say anything either.”
“It’s so embarrassing. She doesn’t even need the money. I take good care of her but it’s never enough and I…Oh god! What am I saying?” She stopped herself from going on but Jumin could tell there was so much pent up inside of her.
“I understand. Completely.” He sat back, the now empty cup in his hands. He played with it, turning it around in his hands, the strong scent of the pumpkin spice wafting from the ground. It was cloying, but also kind of soothing. Something he could focus on.
“You do don’t you.” She huffed and chuckled softly. “I suppose we just do what we always do and let it play out.”
Jumin nodded. “I agree. I’m sorry about your coffee.” He handed her the cup back. She took it and their fingers touched briefly. Jumin’s heart skipped a beat then raced perceptively. He blinked in confusion then met her gaze with wide grey eyes. She smiled at him as she pulled her hand away.
“Do you think it exists.” She asked, sitting back against the bench.
“What?” he whispered.
“Love, real love? Or do we all just choose who we’re with out of selfishness and need?” her shoulders sagged, and she looked utterly lost.
“For people like us? I believe yes, it exists, but rarely. We make mergers in relationships as well as business.” It was sad to think that way, but it was how he had been brought up. The day he married, it would be a business arrangement and not out of love.
“That’s really sad.” She answered.
“It is.”
Autumn was truly upon them; the blooms would soon die out and winter’s wrath would follow soon after. It would get colder and darker and Jumin hoped it was not a metaphor for his own life. Perhaps, there could be something different for his future. Perhaps…he glanced at the beautiful woman beside him, her sad eyes staring into the horizon, with difficulties close to his own. Perhaps…
