I wake up at 6am, and I'm immediately thankful that my inner clock seems to be already adjusting itself appropriately. Even if this is a bit early I can at least go downstairs and start seeing what I have to work with breakfast wise in the pantry and refrigerator. I'm hoping to make a simple western breakfast, but if they don't have the necessary ingredients I will figure out a way to make something work. Even if it requires me perusing over the web in a mad google search for recipes.
Luckily I find that the pantry is stocked with exactly what I was considering. I pull the large box of pancake mix out of the pantry, and I then stick my head inside the main fridge for ideas to go alongside the pancakes. I jump a bit when I feel arms wrap themselves around me. "It's kind of early for you to be up, Petal." He whispers directly against my ear.
"I'm surprised you haven't realized by now that I'm an early bird, Hobi. Besides, if this is early for me, then it is more than early for you." I continue attempting to ignore him as I sort through stuff on the shelves and drawers.
He releases me so he can reach past where my hands are extended and point out items in the fridge. "There are berries here, and I know you like bacon with your pancakes so you can find that here." I'm quite capable but he chooses to pull them out himself even before I can ask him to do so.
Although, I'm not sure I was going to ask for his assistance. It's not that I don't want him to help, it's just that I'm so used to it being Yoongi and/or Jin helping me in the kitchen that Hobi being here is somewhat throwing me off. Not in a bad way. It's just with Hobi I always feel like I have to be on my toes around him. Like he expects me to give back joking barbs all the time now, and one of these times I won't be prepared like I have been.
"Thank you for sharing your memories with us last night by the way. Your mother was a very beautiful woman. You look a lot like her."
I shake my head. "She was beautiful, so thank you. But I don't think I look that much like her. I guess maybe the color of my eyes and the shape of my face. My riotous hair though? I have no clue where that came from." I chuckle slightly at my own comment.
He shrugs. "I don't know why you complain about your hair so much. I happen to love it." He comes over to me and tucks a strand behind my ear.
"Oh, don't get me wrong. I do happen to love the hair color, the curls however can be cumbersome."
I grab the milk out of the refrigerator and go to join him.
He nods. "I can definitely relate to that."
I arch an eyebrow at him in confusion. "Huh?" There goes my eloquence again. I give myself a heavy dose of sarcasm.
"Oh, you haven't noticed? My hair has a natural wave to it. It's a little curly, so I can't completely empathize with how you claim your curls are as riotous as you say, but I can get a general idea since the hair stylist noonas have to make an effort to straighten my hair when we do photo shoots and make interview appearances."
After he says this I do remember said curls trying to make an appearance when he has gotten out of the shower, and a few other times when it has been toward the end of a concert and his hair is saturated in sweat. After I think about that my mind takes a different train of thought that I quickly attempt to derail involving his body and trailing water droplets creating serpentine paths on his bare skin. At least I don't want to follow said thoughts while he is standing here beside me, and I have to fight to keep my hands to myself.
I don't know if he is taking pity on me this morning, if he's not very awake, or if he's simply lost in his own thoughts, but I know my cheeks have to be fire engine red yet he hasn't made a comment to point this out or tease about it. "Everything okay, Hobi?" I ask him.
"Hmm?" He perks up and looks at me. "Oh yeah, just.." He rubs his eyes. "Not awake yet is all."
I arch an eyebrow at that. It sounds like a copout, but I'm not going to push for more. Not this early in the morning when we are both running on fumes and not thinking that clearly as it is. He sets aside the berries and bacon that he grabbed for me and starts the fancy looking coffee machine tucked in the corner.
"You'll have to show me how to work that one since I can't read the buttons."
He nods. "When I am more awake and functioning I will make sure to do that."
I nod. I glance at all the ingredients setting out and try to determine dishes wise what I will need. "Question." Hobi's ears perk up and he turns to me. "I know I should acquaint myself with this goddess of a kitchen. But, could you help me by pulling the stuff out I need if I write a quick list out?"
He nods again. He really isn't being very talkative this morning, and I am really doing my best not to let it get to me. But for some reason his lack of a cheery personality is not only throwing me for a loop, it's also affecting me too. I'm starting to wonder if I did something wrong.
At this point, I know I should bring it up to him. It isn't healthy to keep how I am starting to feel bottled up inside. But, I really don't think this is the time for this. So, instead I plan on pulling him aside later on in the day.
I cook the bacon in the oven on a cookie sheet wrapped in aluminum foil. They have two cast iron griddle sized skillets that fit over four of the burners on the stove that I cook the pancakes on. We both decide that the mixture of berries might be better on the side rather than cooking them into the pancakes. Although, I did briefly consider it.
Once we have started the first round of pancakes is when Jin and Yoongi make an appearance. The both of them groggily head directly for a morning peck from me and then to the coffee machine. I smile that they wanted to greet me first before their morning libation.
Since the two in charge of most meals are here I ask them about something I've been curious about. "I realize it's not a good idea for me to be out and about since I'll be recognized. But do you think there is a way we can do a grocery run at some point?"
All three sets of eyes widen at my question, as if I asked for something ludicrous instead of a trip to a grocery store for food supplies. I didn't notice anyone else's footsteps but I'm not terribly surprised to find another pair of arms around me, nor am I surprised by the owner when I look up at him. Whenever it comes to any kind of planning he almost always seems to be around. "We can probably do a run in the middle of the night. We would need to contact security though. Oh and they forgot to mention it but technically Hye Rin doesn't start until this weekend. Our excursion to the club is her first official job."
"A novice member of security is going to be in charge of protecting Daisy while in a club packed with who knows how many people?" Hobi asks. Where he was quiet and passive before he has turned downright hostile. Okay, what the fuck? Where's my sunshine? I mean, I've kind of been feeling this way all morning. But now? This is another level.
Apparently Joon knows how to handle him when he is like this. He puts his hand on his shoulder. "Yes, a novice member of security will be there assisting. But, she will not be the only one guarding Daisy this Saturday. There will be several."
This seems to take some of the steam out of him and he seems to deflate a bit. His posture was literally rigid with his pent up anger, but now he is standing more like normal. He is at the very least more relaxed.
Jk comes in drenched in sweat. So, he's been up exercising this whole time? Or did he pass us at some point when I wasn't observant enough to pay attention?
"Did you say that Hye Rin's first job would be this Saturday?"
I sigh and honestly choose to tune them out and continue making breakfast. They are going to go around and around in circles until they all fully grasp the plan. Not long after Jk excuses himself to take a quick shower. "I promise it will be quick." He utters before anyone can tease him about it and heads upstairs to do just that. He is only probably gone for ten minutes, so he definitely kept his promise this time.
Just before breakfast is put on the table is when both of the 95s finally come down. How on Earth do they do that? It's almost like they have inner alarms built inside them that go off when food is placed on the table.
Once we are all finished eating there is a game of rock, paper, scissors to decide who will do dishes. Hobi and I are pardoned from this game since we were the ones to prepare breakfast this morning. Yoongi and Tae end up being the losers this time, and my bear does not look happy about the idea of dishes.
I glance at the time and notice it's now 8:30. I was planning on texting the girls and making that phone call to the gynecologist that Jiwo suggested. The latter I need to at least wait until 9 for though. I perused the website of the office and noticed that they don't open until then. I'm hoping the receptionist speaks English though.
I excuse myself to my room. I am after all still in my pajamas and quickly pull up a website that I found that converts Korean time to Chicago time for me. Luckily, it's 6:30pm over there. I wrinkle my nose at the thought that I now live in the future.
I pull out my phone and double check that the contacts were added correctly via the initial phone setup. Before I quickly add them to a group chat again.
Me: Hey, this is my new Korean number. I still have my old phone for when I am in the U.S. though so add this one as a new contact don't delete the old one.
Candace: Roger that. So, tell us about the new place. I am sure you are living in the lap of luxury.
Me: It's strange. I mean the mansion is huge, and has more commodities than I would deem necessary. But, it somehow still already feels like home. I'd love to share pics with you both, but I would rather talk with the managers first. I'm not saying I don't trust you both. I just feel like I am already on thin ice part of the time with Sejin the way it is.
Candace: Understandable.
Me: I'm guessing Rebecca must be working.
Candace: Probably, I haven't heard much from her recently at all honestly. I'll promise to swing over tomorrow and check on her though after my shift at the cafe.
Me: Okay, that would be appreciated. I better go myself. I need to make a phone call.
Candace: Who you calling?
Despite the fact that we are not speaking face to face
I still find myself blushing. She is probably going to tease me relentlessly about this.
Me: I am calling a doctor to set up an appointment.
Candace: Oooh. You're calling a gynecologist. Aren't you?
Me: Yes, and I'm currently done with this conversation.
I ignore the next notification from my phone and punch in the numbers. The voice on the other line rattles off a bunch of stuff in Korean that I honestly can't quite catch. "I'm sorry. Is there someone that speaks English?"
"Oh yes. I speak English. How can I help you?" Her pronunciation is really good, but something about her hesitancy makes me think she doesn't speak the language often.
I quickly explain who I am, and that Jiwoo recommended me to see her doctor. "Oh yes. She told us to expect your call. How soon would you like to see the doctor?"
"Um. When is your next available opening." I might as well get this out of the way right? She surprises me by saying they have an opening later on in the day. "Um, do you mind keeping that open for me until I see to arranging some things on my end. I will call back when I am sure whether I can make that time or not."
She is easily accommodating, which I find exceptionally refreshing. Now, I just have to arrange transportation and security. I don't know how that is going to go over when my personal security doesn't start until this Saturday. I won't be surprised if it's Korain though.