"Just so you know," I halted right in front of my doorstep, turning around to look at Jimin. "My place is really dirty. Like, really dirty."
He smirked, his hands shoved in his pockets.
"Dirtier than your mind?"
"It's certainly not dirtier than yours." I rolled my eyes, twisting the chrome doorknob and easing the door open.
Pressing my lips against each other, I let him in and he followed me inside. Embarrassment washed over me as I watched his eyes roam my place. I was never easily embarrassed, so this was a first.
"Nice." He commented finally.
"It's hardly bigger than your broom closet." I mumbled, closing the door.
"If I have to be honest, it's a little bit smaller than my Jacuzzi."
"Rude!" I scowled, swatting my fist at his arm lightly.
"I was just joking." Jimin grinned, venturing in at his own leisure. He rested one shoulder on the wall as his sly eyes gave me a quick once over. "Feeling better already?"
"Yes, thank you. The chocolate bar you gave me really helped." I replied, recalling how I had devoured the entire thing in less than a minute.
"Always happy to satisfy a woman."
Awkwardness swept in the moment we sank knee deep into silence. Even the clock ticking sounded deafening. On the way over here, Jimin had stopped at a grocery store to get me a bar of chocolate and a bottle of water, after which he insisted on taking me home and walking me up to my apartment.
And so, there we were, in the middle of my place. Two people who had given each other multiple orgasms and now had no idea how to act around each other.
Oh wait, that's just me freaking out. Jimin seems totally fine and nonchalant, as always.
"So..." I trailed off uncertainly. What in God's name was I supposed to do? Invite him in? Get him something to drink? Get under him? The shift in our dynamic was so palpable now. Mostly because up until now, our relations had been strictly sexual. Now, however, Jimin was... taking care of me? I mean, I am kinda touched, emotional and-
"Water would be fine." He finished for me.
Wait, scratch that. He's back to being an annoying entitled millionaire playboy with a god-like complex.
Okay then.
"Last time I checked I'm not working as your personal assistant," I wrinkled my nose but shuffled to the fridge to grab him a bottle of water regardless.
"Would you like to be my personal assistant?" he grinned before popping the bottle open in one swift movement. His full lips rounded it as he took in gulps of water, his Adam's apple and the veins on his neck becoming more prominent as he did so.
What the hell, who looks so sexy while doing something as ordinary as drinking water?
"No. I feel like you'd be a handful." I replied, kissing my teeth as I watched him remove the bottle form his lips that were now covered with a wet layer, appearing even more delicious.
"I prefer demanding," he countered before giving me a quick once over with his eyes. "Dear Lord, we need to get you out of these clothes as soon as possible."
I glanced down at my attire. I forgot I was still wearing the Elsa costume, however it didn't look as striking anymore after I had spent forty minutes in a confined elevator and had endured a literal panic attack while wearing it.
Before I could say or do anything, Jimin marched past me, heading straight to my bedroom. Any attempt at protesting I did was completely ignored as he ventured in, leaving me to scramble after him.
"What are you doing?!" I croaked, peeking over his shoulder as he stood next to my bed, his hands on his hips. There was a giant pile of clothes on top of my bed that I kept telling myself I had to put away, but never did.
"Did you get those off of a scarecrow?" Jimin picked my favorite oversized t-shirt up between his thumb and forefinger and eyed it as if it were a bomb.
"I don't care what your opinion is, they're my clothes and I like them." I stated with more confidence than I had.
He placed a hand over his forehead calmly, tossing the pitiful piece of clothing aside. Then he bent over and grabbed another one, flinging it back on the bed shortly. This went on for a while as he rummaged through my clothes before taking out a plain white t-shirt with a v-neck and a pair of black leggings.
"Here. Simple yet stylish."
He threw it lightly towards me and I caught it, fighting back my abashment.
"Now go take a shower. I'll be out here waiting." Jimin ordered. I felt like a child being told what to do, and just like one, I obliged absently.
This side of Jimin was really bizarre, I thought as I let the water wash away the tension I had in my muscles. On one hand, he was being somewhat kind and caring in his own way but on the other, he wasn't overdoing it by behaving too overbearingly or intrusively.
When I got out of the shower, I put on the clean clothes he had picked out for me, and shuffled to the living room. Jimin was sat on my sofa, slumped against the cushions and scrolling through his phone.
I couldn't help but notice the little smirk of approval he gave when I appeared at the door frame as he noticed I was wearing an outfit of his choosing.
"Sooo..." I started. "This was great and I'm super grateful for everything you did for me, but I don't want to take too much of your time."
He scoffed, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Are you telling me I need to leave, Diane?"
"No!" I said softly. "This is the last thing I want. I just-" I sighed, deciding honesty was the best policy. "I'm so embarrassed."
My head hung low over my chest as I stared down at my feet. I heard Jimin sigh and pat the spot next to him on the sofa. Like a mindless robot, I dragged my feet over to sit next to him.
I was too mortified to look him in the eyes so I just stared straight ahead at the coffee table.
A pause of silence filled the air. It wasn't tense or anything. In fact, Jimin radiated a sense of calm I found quite serene.
"Diane," he aspirated. "I couldn't leave you like that."
And there it was, the sentence started something there was no coming back from.
"You couldn't?" I whispered, raising my gaze to meet his.
"No. I was worried." He admitted.
"I am so sorry you had to see this." I said through the lump in my throat. This conversation was getting so touchy-feely and it made me feel unsettled. I hated being in a fragile state in front of a man.
"Stop apologizing," he said, pressing a hand over the small of my back and making me gasp quietly. "I'm just glad you're okay right now," he paused, nibbling on his lower lip. "Diane I am sorry, but... I have to ask."
"Ask what?"
"Back there in the elevator, when you... got emotional," he was picking his words carefully. "You said something."
"Really?" my blood froze in my veins. "What did I say?"
Jimin's brows curled slightly as he regarded me with sympathy.
"You called out for your father."
"O-oh?" my voice was trembling. "Well, I guess- I guess that's normal."
"But you were terrified," he went on. "Like you were scared of him."
I shook my head, putting on a mask of nonchalance. "I have no idea why that happened. The human brain is such a mystery, huh? Anyway, let's not dwell on it." I dismissed, offering a nervous laugh.
"Yeah." Jimin mumbled, his eyes, filled with gentle softness, not leaving mine.
"I am so exhausted," I plopped back on the cushions, promptly changing the subject.
"Understandably so," Jimin leaned back along with me, our shoulders rubbing against each other. "Do you want me to leave so that you can rest?"
I paused. "No, stay."
We both stared up at the ceiling in silence.
"Okay. What are you gonna do tomorrow?"
"I don't know," I shrugged. "It's my birthday, so I'm not working."
Within a flash, Jimin practically jumped up on the sofa like a spring. He whipped around to face me, astonishment painted over his perfectly chiseled face.
"How could you say that so nonchalantly?"
I shrugged again. "Why not?"
"A birthday is the most special day in the year. Aren't you gonna celebrate it with friends and family?"
I frowned somberly.
"No."
That seemingly made him sad.
"Why?"
"My family... it's complicated, I don't want to talk about it. And my friends... well, honestly, I only have one friend and that is Quinn."
"The brunette boning your boss?"
"She's not-"
"Shhht, sweetheart," Jimin hushed me, pressing a finger against my lips. "They're totally smashing. Deal with it."
I huffed. "Anyway. I can't throw a big party or anything because I'm saving up. I guess it would be nice to go out and have a ladies' night, but... I'll have to leave that for next year."
Jimin bit his lip. "I understand." It was suddenly very difficult to read his face.
Tilting my head to his direction, I slid down to place my head on his chest. Surprisingly, he didn't move away but instead draped one arm over my shoulder and took one of my hands in his.
"You feeling sleepy?" his voice was low and husky and washed over me like melting butter.
"Mhm." I hummed dreamily. Suddenly my eyelids grew heavier and heavier before I slowly closed my eyes.
In my half-awake haze, I felt a pair of strong arms pull me into their embrace, running up to rest under my neck and knees before Jimin carried me to my bedroom.
"Sweet dreams, Diane."
***
Waking up the next morning seemed much more serene than usual. I sat up on my elbows, seeing the wrinkled sheets next to me.
Jimin had spent the night here, holding me.
Ironically, that wasn't what caught my attention. There was a small package resting on the spot next to me.
Immediately, I grabbed it and opened it up, revealing the most beautiful strapless black dress I had ever seen. I rummaged through the package for a note and quickly found it.
"You and Quinn have a reservation for two at 'Eclipse' tonight. Enjoy your birthday party, little kitten. – J"