Serendipity

Chapter 17 - Part 2

She looks at the nurse, whose shoulders slump briefly before nodding. "Follow me, please."

I hop off the bed, following the nurse and officer, with Jimin and Jae-sung behind me. We must make a spectacle as we pass the nurse's station to a room behind it. The nurse stops at the door, indicating for us to move through it. As we do, I take a cursory glance at the ceiling and corners, then wait in the center with Jimin as Jae-sung walks around it, making another sweep but with a more critical eye. Stopping at the door, he speaks lowly to the nurse, asking a question. I see her shake her head. He says one more thing, to which she nods and walks away. He closes the door, turning the lock before positioning himself in front of it and facing us with his arms crossed over his chest. He nods his head as Officer LaRoux looks back and forth between us.

I look over at Jimin, who pulls the mask then the hat off. Running his hand through his hair, he looks down at me, his smile melting my heart. With my own smile, we look over at the officer, whose mouth has dropped open.

"Officer LaRoux, I assume you know of the K-pop group BTS, yes?" When she nods her head slowly, eyes still wide and mouth hanging open, I continue. "I thought as much. Please let me introduce you to my husband, Park JiMin."

Jimin bows to her then puts his arm around my waist, smiling down at me again before leaning his forehead to mine. I close my eyes briefly, relishing in the feel of him.

"BTS? Park JiMin as in Jimin of BTS?" I hear her say in an incredulous voice. We look back over at her.

"Yes, ma'am. The very same."

"Oh my god! I'm a huge fan!" And with that the professional cop has changed into an ARMY fangirl in an instant. I see her start to hyperventilate, so I move to pull the chair out from under the counter she's near, helping her into it before she falls. I look back at Jimin, who's just shaking his head, then at Jae-sung who's rolling his eyes.

"I'm sure you're used to this, aren't you?" I narrow my eyes at them as I see Jimin's face turn a light pink. "Do you know what it's like to be on the other side of it? To meet a celebrity or a celebrity crush?"

They just look at me, then slowly nod their heads. "But you didn't act like that, Nae," Jimin says quietly.

"Remember, love, I've been in your place, although very briefly. I also understand what it's like to be a fan. You're an idol, yes, but I would think there's someone out there that you would feel the same way if you met them." I smile a little to help take the bite out of my words.

I step back as the officer's breathing starts to return to normal, and I see her professional mask is slipping back into place.

"Are you alright, Officer LaRoux?" I ask as I move back in front of Jimin, his arms slipping around my waist again, hands resting over my abdomen. She looks up at us, then at Jae-sung. She takes a deep breath, holding it before slowly letting it out.

"Yes, thank you, Ms. Cho. I just never expected..." she stops, a frown on her face.

"I understand. We understand," I say, encompassing Jimin and Jae-sung in the statement. "Mr. Lee is the security detail tasked with protecting him. That's also the reason why I do not speak his name to people who don't know he's here. This trip is one the media is not to know about. Our marriage is also not to be known unless it's decided by us and his agency, and an announcement is made through the proper channels. That's why I asked this to be done confidentially in a secure space, which if I understand correctly, this room is one."

Jae-sung nods his head before speaking. "I didn't see any cameras or audio recording devices, and the nurse assured me there aren't any. I also let her know, and will reiterate with you Officer LaRoux, that if this is leaked, the agency will proceed with legal action."