Genre: Hurt/Comfort, Ex AU, Betrayal, Fluff, Angst, Smut.
Summary: Jimin and Jia used to date when they were highschooler, but things take a turn, making them break up with a lot of questions and hurt in both of their hearts. Will their hearts meet again, or their story will be another lost one?
“Miss Jia, where are you going. It’s raining heavily outside?” The short lady shouted as she saw Jia run through the gates of the mansion.
The cold rain hit the glass pane of the windows making a pleasant sound and the worried woman looked at the fading figure of the girl that just ran out of the gate.
Jia continued to run through the streets, her mind drifting only to one place and one person while the rain continued to pour down on her. Her sky-blue hoodie was stuck to her body as water dripped from the ends of her jeans.
Her feet come to a halt as her eyes meet with the guy in the park holding an umbrella to save himself from the same rain Jia was drenched into. Her feet moved towards him, and his eyes widened taking in the image of Jia.
He ran towards her as he held the umbrella on to her. Jia’s eyes were puffy and her hair disheveled. He saw her trying to put out some words, but her lips quivered.
“Jia.” The guy gasped. He took of his jacket and wrapped it around Jia’s shaking body.
“He is not with you.” He heard her mumble.
A sigh left his lips as his hand went to hold her arm to hold her in her trembling state.
“I-is he really gone?” Her voice came of shaky and hoarse as she looked him in the eye.
The guy looked at her with sadness in his eyes. Jia kept her eyes locked with him and asked again.
“Namjoon, it doesn’t make sense, he can’t leave like this. Tell me it’s not t-true.”
“But it is.” Namjoon said his voice deep and with that silence overtook them and the only sound that filled the place was of the rain hitting the ground.
Jia took a step back from him, her head hanging low as she looked at her now soaked sneakers. Namjoon took a step forward bringing her under the umbrella again.
Namjoon’s jaws tightened. “He won’t see you again.” He uttered the words that he was told to tell her.
She didn’t say anything and neither did he. The silence gave it all away.
“Jia, here.” the girl with brown hair waved at her.
Jia gave her a small wave as she walked to the bar where her friend, Millie, was sitting.
“You are late.” The girl turned her body towards Jia’s chair.
“I lost track of time while packing some of my stuff.” Jia answered her friend that was pouting by now.
Jia settled in her seat as the bartender approached them to take their order.
“Long Island iced tea, please.” Jia orders her drink.
The bartender looked at the other girl for her order.
Millie took her phone out as she typed something with a frown on her face. She locked her phone and slammed it down on the bar.
“What happened, are you two fighting?” Jia asks her to see the evident worry on her friend’s face.
“We had an argument about the moving dates. His company still wants him here for a month.”
“And that change some of your plans.” Jia states the obvious.
“Yeah, you know it’s already been so hard with moving back and the wedding.” Millie sighs.
“It will be alright. You two have always worked through thing.” Jia pats Millie’s back to comfort her.
“You are also going back tomorrow.” Millie gives her a subtle smile.
Jia gave her a small smile and was just going to say something when the bartender brought their drinks, placing them in front of them.
Millie took the glass and clanked it with Jia’s and took a few sips from the drink. Soon, after some time, their faces get covered in a flush making it evident that they are a bit tipsy.
“Are you excited about going back.” Millie had a slur in her voice.
Jia shifted in her seat taking another sip from her drink. The glasses that were neatly placed on the shelves seemed more interesting to her at that moment as she zoned out thinking about the answer to her friend’s question.
“About going back, when it first happened, I thought I would be excited.” Jia says still staring into the distance.
“Then, I was scared, I kept being reminded of the reason I moved here.”
“And now that I am going back, I don’t feel anything.” Jia answered her, as an empty feeling kept harboring in Jia’s heart.
Millie nods as she places her palms on her face to decrease the flush.
“I still remember the first day we met. I still can’t forget the shock on Sophia’s face when you pulled her hair because she was bullying me.”
Jia chuckled on the memory. “I don’t know where it came in me to do that. One second, I was having my lunch and the next thing I knew, I was pulling her by her hair in front of everyone in the cafeteria.”
A laugh left Millie her eyes turning into crescents. “She was so embarrassed after that, she never used to come in the cafeteria when we were there.”
Millie smiles. “It’s already been five years; time went by so fast.”
Jia looked out at the dark night sky and below it was the city that shined with its lights. Seoul.
‘Time went by so fast’ Millie’s voice resounded in her mind.
She kept starting out of the window. Did the time of the people who she was linked with also went by fast. Because for Jia even if she wanted to agree with the statement she couldn’t. All these years in states, what she felt was that her time has stopped.
Jia drags her suitcase behind her. Coming out of the airport, she goes to the taxi she was allotted and gets in. The sunny and warm weather made everything around cheerful as Jia kept staring out of the taxi window.
“We are here Miss.” The driver said. Getting out of the taxi, the driver pulled out her luggage from the trunk as Jia bowed to him as a thank you.
Her grip tightens on the handle as she looks at her apartment building. Orazio, the sign read.
Jia walks in and gets inside the elevator. She takes her phone out of her back pocket.
“I arrived safely.” She sends a text to Millie and puts her phone back in her pocket.
The elevator door opens. She walks out and stops in front of the door. Taking the key card, she presses it on the handle making the door click open. She enters the unit marked 1204.
The light at the entrance flickers alight. She walks inside and goes to the door on the left, her bedroom. She drops herself on the bed and stares at the ceiling, her body ached because of the long flight she had. Her eyes began to close with sleep,, and she pulls her legs up so she can sleep in a comfortable position.
“This month’s sales report showed a sixty-six percent increase in the bookings of our luxury resorts in Korea, that’s a ten percent increase than the preceding month.” The team manager, Ms. Yeon Joo said pointing at the graph on the screen.
The associates read through the folder kept in front of them.
“Regarding the hotels that are situated outside Korea, their bookings continue to be either constant or dropping.” The CEO, Park Jimin says.
“The marketing team is devising a similar and effective strategy for our chain of hotels that are situated outside the country.” Yoon Joo replied looking down at the file in her hands.
“They have been doing that from the past two weeks, it would be ineffective if we don’t implement the new marketing strategies by the end of this month.” Yoongi replies with an authoritative tone.
“We apologize for the delay; I can assure that the new marketing strategies will be final within a few days.” The manager said squirming under the gaze of her higher up.
“Two day, that’s all I can give to your team. Come up with a marketing plan that is profitable and flexible at the same time. You would be presenting it on Thursday’s meeting.” Jimin said getting up from his seat.
“That’s it for today’s meeting.” Yoongi said as he followed Jimin out of the meeting room.
Yoongi entered his cabin, his secretary following behind him, “What is the status of the meeting the CEO is going to hold with the US delegates?”
“I got a call from them and they are willing to visit us next month.”
Yoongi nodded as he dropped his pen after signing few of the documents that needed his review.
“It’s already seven- thirty, you should head home.” The secretary said.
“I will be leaving in ten minutes. You can go home now, just email me tomorrows schedule a little early today”, Yoongi said while looking into some files.
Yoongi walked to his car in the parking lot as he looked at his phone screen that showed eight as the time. Getting inside his Mercedes he drove off from the office building.
“He is again dressed as a spy on a secret mission.”
The man was dressed in a black fitted high neck and jeans. An oversized jacked along with a mask and bucket hat made it almost impossible to make out who the person is.
“That’s because these paparazzi won’t stop following me wherever I go.” Jungkook said pointing to the blue haired guy.
“Are they still following you for the same reason.” Namjoon stated in a way asking a question.
“They still think he has a secret girlfriend. Like he would meet his girlfriend in a club filled with so many people.” Taehyung, the blue haired guy said.
“You look more of an idol with your blue hair.” Namjoon said with a chuckle.
“Where is Yoongi hyung and Jimin. They said they will come too.” Jungkook asked putting down his beer on the table.
Namjoon picks up his phone and calls Yoongi. After a few rings the call gets picked up.
“In the parking lot, we are heading in.”
Jimin and Yoongi walked to the table where the rest of the guys were. The guys got up and hugged each other. Jimin sat down across Jungkook as Yoongi took his seat beside Namjoon.
“It’s been some time since we all gathered like this.” Taehyung says.
“It was so hard to get through the parking lot because of the paparazzi. Who of us are they following now,” Jimin said annoyed.
A laugh erupted along the table, ironically all they have been doing is discussing paparazzi one by one.
Yoongi and Jimin looked confused.
“It’s me.” Jungkook says with a chuckle.
“What the hell are they still clinging onto the girlfriend rumour.” Yoongi stated to the younger.
“Apparently yes.” Namjoon said taking a sip of his whiskey.
Yoongi also takes a sip from his whiskey.
“Don’t bother, soon they will have so much to write about us without sneaking around you.” Jimin says with a smirk.
Jungkook nodded along the statement.
“What do you mean by that?” Taehyung asks.
“Our company is going to hold all his concerts and shoots for the year.” Jimin replies to a confused looking Taehyung.
“Wow, that’s good news.” Namjoon said tilting his glass a bit.
Jia pulled the car in front of the big iron gates. For a moment she contemplated the thought of going inside. Should she just turn her car and leave. Jia shakes her head and decides to just go with it. The iron gates open and Jia steps on the accelerator of her car.
Jia’s heels click on the white marble of the ground she once used to call her home. The place now feels so unfamiliar, it makes her body get goosebumps.
“You are here.” a voice calls her out.
Jia turns towards the voice. There is a lady, probably a worker in the mansion. She is dressed in a formal black suit.
She comes to Jia and gives her a small bow. “I will go and inform your father. Please have a seat.” She says taking her to the couch.
Jia bows to her before she leaves upstairs. Her father must have informed her about her coming.
Jia tucks her hair behind her ear as she hears footsteps coming down. Her father walks towards her and stops in front of the couch.
“Hello, dad.” Jia bows to him.
“How have you been.” Jia asks.
“I have been good. I see you are back from the US.” Her father said with his usual emotionless voice.
“Honey, we have a guest.” a voice says from behind Jia.
Her heels clank on the floor and she approaches them. Jia’s shifts uncomfortably on the sofa as she sees the woman come into her sight. The woman removes her sunglasses and takes a seat beside her husband.
Jia looks in her father’s eyes and then at her.
“Jia, I didn’t know you were back from the US.” The women says keeping her bag on the table in front of them.
Jia doesn’t say anything. She shifts in her place again, clearly uncomfortable by the presence of the woman beside her father.
“Her studies there must have finished. That’s great honey.” She says to her husband.
“I think I should go now. It was nice seeing you, dad.” Jia says a lump forming in her throat.
“You should stay for some time, it been a long time since you visited.” The woman said.
Jia’s clutch around the handle of her bag tightened. How can this woman act so normal. She gives them a bow as she turns around. She started to walk but then stopped when her eyes fell on the large portrait that was hanging in the living room. Looking at it is still as much hard as it was the first day the picture was hung there. Jia felt tears coming in her eyes. She quickly began to walk again and within a few seconds she was out of the big mansion doors and back into her car.
“We can try to implement these offers and strategies to the hotels of US.” Ms Yeon Joo said placing her folder on the table.
“Keep a track of the performance and report me the changes in three months.” Jimin says.
The people in the meeting room leave one by one.
“Do you think this will work.” Jimin says pointing to the folder.
“I’m not quite sure about it. We have to see how the practical application will be.” Yoongi replies.
“I have been thinking about hiring a new team. What do you think about the idea.” Jimin says.
“I was thinking about the same thing, so I did some research before today’s meeting.” Yoongi says opening his laptop to show Jimin the presentation.
“Our team is great when it comes to dealing with marketing in Korea but it’s pressurizing them a lot as we have been growing a lot in other countries as well.” Jimin states.
“I was thinking about setting up another marketing management team that solely deals with matter regarding hotels that are situated outside the country.” Yoongi points towards the laptop.
Jimin raised an eyebrow as he read through the document.
“Is this team going to work in collaboration with the existing marketing team.” Jimin asks as he read through the pages of the document.
“No, it will be better if we introduce the new marketing team to a whole different idea. If they work with the previous team, they won’t be learning anything new. I want this team to be more familiar with the US management system.”
“We will need to train them in advance skills though.”
“I think I know the person who can train them well.” Jimin says.
“Seokjin hyung. He’s already managing our US branch from three years and is well acquainted with the system.”
“I heard that he is coming back to Korea in a month. We can ask him then.” Yoongi states.
Jimin nods. “Till then the selection will be completed. We can start as soon as he’s here.”
“That sounds great. I will announce the opening of the recruitment then.” Yoongi informs Jimin.
Jia chose a white channel sweater and handed it to the girl by her side.
“Can you please get this in my size.”
“You can wait here mam; I will check if it’s in your size.” The girl said moving back somewhere in the stores.
“Jia.” She heard someone call her name.
Jia turned around and smiled immediately up on seeing who called her.
“It’s you, I knew it was you when I saw you from outside.” Hosoek said engulfing her in a hug.
“When did you come back?”
“It’s been more than a week.”
“Have you been well, it’s been five years since I last saw you.”
“I have been good. How have you been?”
“If you are free, do you mind grabbing a coffee with me.” Hosoek asked.
“Okay, just wait a minute I will pay for my clothes first.” Jia said walking to the counter to pay for her sweater.
“Here’s your bag mam.” The girl said handing her the bag.
“Here, careful it’s hot.” Hosoek said placing the coffee on the table.
Jia looked around the studio. Nostalgia hitting her as she remembered the days, she spent hours practicing here.
“This place looks beautiful.” Jia states.
Hosoek smiles. “After mom retired, I took over the studio, we expanded it.”
Jia smiled up on hearing the mention of her ballet teacher.
“How is Mrs. Jung, I would be nice if I get to meet her someday.”
“She on a vacation in Jeju with my dad. I will tell her you came back when she returns. She would be pleased to see you again.”
“Whenever she is in the studio, she always talks to the ballerina’s how good you were.”
“Most of them are jealous of you even without knowing you.” Hosoek said with a chuckle.
Hosoek’s phone rang. He checked the caller id.
“I will be back in a few minutes.”
Jia took a sip from her coffee when she heard the door open. She looked to see if it was Hosoek. A girl entered the room, her ballet shoes in one hand. Her face was red, like she’s been crying.
The girl’s eyes locked with Jia’s. She gave her a small bow as Jia saw her blinking away the tears in her eyes.
She looked here and there, and Jia figured out she’s looking for Hosoek.
“Hosoek went out to take a call. He will be back.”
“You can have a seat.” Jia says.
The girl hesitantly sat on the couch putting her shoes down on the ground. She had a tired look on her face. Jia wanted to ask her but then she thought it will be awkward of her to ask why she was crying.
Hosoek entered the room putting his phone in the back pocket.
“Jia, I’m sorry for taking long.”, Hosoek stopped when he saw Yeji sitting on the sofa.
Yeji looked at Jia first and then she looked at Hosoek. Hosoek eyes went to the shoes that were lying on the floor. He could see that she’s been crying.
“Did she call you.” Yeji asks.
Hosoek nods. “Did you cry because of that.”
Jia glanced between the two and could sense the elephant in the room.
“She has to move back to her town and won’t be able to teach me anymore. How can she do this to me.”
Yeji’s eyes got filled with tears again. Hosoek walks to her and gives a pat on her head.
“I will try to arrange someone new as your instructor.”
Yeji shakes her head. “The competition is in six months and it’s not possible to find someone on such a short notice. The contracts mostly state for a year at least.”
He brushes his fingers through his hair and takes a seat on the couch. He glances towards Jia.
“You don’t need to be, it looks something important.” Jia reassures him instantly.
Hosoek nods. He shifts in his seat looking towards Yeji and then Jia.
“I should have introduced you with each other.” Hosoek says.
“Jia, this is Yeji, she is the best dancer of our studio.”
Yeji bows to Jia. Jia smiles at her.
“Yeji, this is Jia. Remember the dancer my mom always talks about. It’s her.”
Yeji eyes sparkle when she heard that she is in front of the girl, Hosoek’s mom always used to talk about.
“We all have heard a lot about your talent in ballet. You are a really good dancer.”
Jia shakes her head, as a smile creeps on her face because of the compliment.
Jia looks at Hosoek. “Do you have someone in your mind who can be her instructor.”
Hosoek shakes his head. “I don’t yet. It will take some time to find someone who can teach her well. Mom might know someone.”
Jia nods in understanding. “Yeah, you should talk to your mom about it.”
“Jia takes her bag from the table and get up. “I think I should go now.”
Hosoek gets up from the couch to walk her out.
“I know I shouldn’t be asking you like this, but can you be my instructor for the next six months.” Yeji’s said running in front of her.
Jia looked at her with a shocked expression. She glanced at Hosoek.
Jia shakes her head. “Yeji, I have never taught anyone before. I’m not the right person.”
“We all know how good you are at ballet. I would never find a teacher better than you.”
“Hosoek oppa, can you please tell her to teach me.” Yeji looked at Hosoek with pleading eyes.
Hosoek went speechless at Yeji’s request but he wasn’t completely declining the idea of Jia being her teacher. Knowing how good at ballet Jia is no one would reject if they get a chance to learn from her.
“Yeji, why don’t we talk about this later.” Hosoek says.
Yeji’s face drop to a sad look but then she looks at Jia and smiles. “Can you please think about it. I catch on things easily. It won’t be hard to teach me.”
Jia doesn’t know what to tell her, so she just nods and then walks out of the studio. Hosoek follows behind her.
“She is just in a lot of pressure. Her teacher left unexpectedly. Please don’t mind her words, Jia.”
“I didn’t mind. It was just so overwhelming. Someone talking about and wanting to learn ballet from me, when it’s been so many years.”
Hosoek looked at her. He didn’t know if he was doing the right thing asking this but he still wanted to do this.
“Jia, I don’t know if I am doing the right thing to ask you this, but can you maybe consider it?”
“We can manage her class timings according to when you are free.”
Jia looks at Hosoek’s face and before she could even think of declining, she gets melted with his eyes.
“I will think about this Hosoek but please don’t tell her yet. I don’t want to get her hopes up.”
Hosoek nods in understanding. “Call me if you change your mind.”
Jia gives her a smile getting in her car. “Let’s hangout some other day. Today went by so fast.”
Hosoek waves her a goodbye as he sees her leaving the place.