"Mom I'm not ready for a relationship", I said for the hundredth time.
"You can tell me if you like someone but if you don't then you should try meeting Seth, he's a nice boy, okay?", I sighed.
"Fine.....", I agreed. I had to move on from Taehyung and what if Seth really turned out to be that guy for me?
"Love you darling, I'll tell him to contact you", she said before we hung up.
I leaned back in my chair. Half of the staff was gone but I didn't want to leave yet. The air of that house was suffocating but I couldn't change places either. Mom would know and then she would be worried plus the explanation Taehyung's mom would ask for, she would perhaps blame Taehyung.
I checked if my emails were yet answered, those related to my new job applications.
My neck ached and I had no updates either. I shut the screen of my laptop and lied head-down over it. Thousand things were revolving around my head. Being a single child was exhausting. Mom was alone there in the town. I couldn't physically support her when she needed me the most and things here weren't doing very well either.
Dating my boss was the worst idea. I was going through the consequences, the breakup and now I had to see him everyday.
I was wishing Seth to turn out to be a nice guy, if not anything more, he would give me a reason to get over Taehyung. I didn't want to play him by making him a rebound. The ideal was â to come clean to him. To tell him about my breakup and how I'm trying to move on.
"This office isn't your homeâ", I immediately sat straight, Taehyung was here and I thought he left.
He scanned my face before continuing.
"If you are done for today you should leave", he said. I was expecting him to leave but he kept standing there.
I collected my things and walked towards the elevator. I heard him following as well.
We were quiet the whole time. When I walked out of the lift, my phone rang with an unknown number. Low key I was expecting it from Seth. And I turned out right.
"Hello, this is Seth",
"Y/n speaking, mom mentioned you on our latest phone call", I tried to sound interested.
"Here's the carâ", Taehyung spoke when he changed direction. I looked at him confused.
"Get in", he said irritatedly. I tightened my jaw but immediately calmed myself and walked to him.
"Give me a moment Seth", I said politely before turning the call on mute.
"What's the deal?", I asked my boss.
"Foremost, you are so careless and unfortunately mom told me to drive you home if we are leaving office at the same time, I'm hoping that you remember?", I rolled my eyes and stepped inside the car.
He took the driver's seat and started driving while I unmuted and continued the conversation with Seth.
"Is something up?", He asked.
"Nah just someone annoying up here", I eyed Taehyung who passed me a quick glare but I ignored it.
"I am in your city right now, had a football match. Although we lost and our team thought this city was bad luck but now that we are talking, I think it's really an interesting city", he laughed briefly. My lips curved a little at his words.
"It really is a bright metropolis", I told.
"Interesting way to invite me for your city tour but I'm up", we let out a chuckle at the same time.
"City tour sounds like a great idea", I added.
"That's what I was saying! Coffee dates are overrated", my brows came together at his choice of words.
"Ah I'm sorry, that just slipped, I didn't meaâ", I interrupted.
"That's alright, so tomorrow, at what time?", I asked.
"Whatever goes well with your schedule because I have nothing on the plate right now",
"I'll text you the time".
I looked at my phone's screen, his energy felt soft but I didn't want to expect anything until I meet him. I saved the contact.
The journey to Taehyung's mansion was in silence but it was better than our neverending banters.
[Taehyung's POV]
"Nah just someone annoying up here", I turned her way at her comment but she was quick to look away.
I could vaguely hear the other person and it was definitely a male.
"It really is a bright metropolis", she talked.
"City tour sounds like a great idea", she continued while my brain processed what it could be about.
"That's alright, so tomorrow at what time?".
I heard the male say 'date' really clearly. My grip around the steering wheel tightened but I hastily relaxed. I should be happy that she was trying to move on. At least one of us would. Maybe seeing her with another man makes the process easy for me.
They hung up and the rest of the journey went in silence.
I wasn't affected. I'm happy for her.
She went straight to the upstairs followed by the mild shut of her door, meanwhile I went to mom.
She was busy analyzing sales in her shop but she kept those away when I sat near her.
"You look weary", she said. I nodded, getting into a hug. Being genuine, I needed that at the moment. Although she caressed my back, I was sure she was second guessing my behaviour.
"Is everything alright?",
"I feel exhausted",
"You need a break",
"Maybe",
"Or a romantic partner", I shook my head.
"You can't have someone just like that", I weakly retorted.
"That's right, go out and meet people, not for business", she suggested.
"I don't have energy for that", I denied as I got up before leaving.
"What a shame", she said, irritated.
"Thanks for providing me some peace", I joked as I kissed her on the head.
"Even Y/n is going on a date tomorrow", she blurted.
"And how do you know?", although I was aware, for some reason the information did not please me as much as I wanted it to.
"You forgot she's my best friend's daughter", I turned to the exit.
"Good for her", and I left.
[Your POV]
My night was restless and when I woke up on the alarm in the morning, I was sleep deprived. I pulled myself out of the mattress.
While I brushed my teeth I checked my phone and the top most text was from Seth. An introductory hi.
I typed a good morning and thought for a moment to continue texting.
"Meet at lunch?"
I could see him 'typing'.
"Meal before the City tour?"
He wrote.
"Exactly that, I'll pay and no negotiations"
I added because I didn't want him to slip into a dilemma about paying because he was a man.
He sent two laughter emojis.
"We'll go Dutch"
he landed.
"Of course not, it's my invitation so the afternoon meal is on me"
I typed.
"I'm surrendering".
I smiled a little with my mouth full of toothpaste foam.
After getting ready I reached for breakfast.
"I was waiting for you, Taehyung left early so I thought I'll accompany you at the breakfast", said his mom.
We talked while eating. A bad habit. But it went on, she complained how we did not have our movie time together for so long and then we promised each other to have it the upcoming Friday.
I left for the office and did not see Taehyung the whole day. I sneak peeked in his cabin and he wasn't there either.
My reminder alarm buzzed up to remind me for lunch with Seth.
When I was leaving, I couldn't help but enquired about Taehyung and one of my co-workers said that he showed up in the morning but left after an hour or so.
â¦
I reached the restaurant first as Seth texted that he got stuck in the traffic.
After a while when I received the call he told me he was at the entrance.
I lifted my eyes to capture an attractive tall male who looked like the typical handsome athlete. Anyone could tell that he plays some sport. The man was in a fitted black tee over a pair of deep blue jeans. I waved in his direction.
"You see someone waving? That's me", I said on the phone call and his eyes quickly found me.
His smile widened but he kept it a formal first meeting smile.
"Nice meeting you", he extended his arm to shake hands.
"Same here", I replied as he sat down.
"Apology to keep you waiting",
"No issues", I no longer knew how to continue this.
Before it starts to get awkward, Seth spoke up.
"Did you choose our meals? Because I'm famished", he said with a slight frown.
"What do you want to have?", I slide the menu book towards him.
"Surprise me, you decide", he stated.
"Any beverages before the meal?",
"Anything but coffee, I don't like coffee", he said and that immediately reminded me of Taehyung.
Shit.
I mentally shook my head, I was here to get over him.
"Let's start with the meal", I refrained from looking at him and tapped the bell on the table for the restaurant service.
After giving the order we again had nothing to talk about.
He chuckled briefly out of blue, I looked up at him diverting my attention from the little drop of water I was staring at, which was resting on the table.
"Don't tell me you are forced here because you certainly look forced. I'm really sorry for the torture", he said making me guilty. I readily shook my head.
"I'm just a little awkward at small conversations", the food arrived as I said that.
"You could have told me that, I can do the talking", he said, causing me to cackle.
"Hey buddies", we turned our faces at the uninvited guest.
Catherine.
The girl reached everywhere, and I thought she was gone forever.
She gave a forced smile to Seth who looked too surprised to find the female here.
"On a date?", She asked me and I denied hoping that she would pick her ass from here after this.
"You know her?", Seth asked, pointing at Catherine.
"Yes little brain, she does", she replied before I could.
Something about them was making me feel that they weren't speaking to each other for the first time.
I noticed a slight smug lingering at the corner of Seth's lips.
Catherine bored her gaze into the male's soul but looked like he was enjoying that.
"What a pleasant surprise", if not glee Seth's tone was definitely enjoying what his presence was doing to Catherine. And she looked and sounded annoyed.
"You guys know each other?", I asked finally.
"More than we should", Seth replied with a playful tone. At this point I did not exist because his attention was only on Catherine who wasn't even looking at him.
"Well, I feel like an extra", I tried to joke but it went unnoticed.
Catherine turned at me.
"Ditching the work? I thought you are determined about what you do", she spoke bitterly.
The last thing I wanted was to argue with her.
"Are you spying on her?", Seth interrupted.
"Don't remember asking YOU a question", she scolded but the man grinned.
Grin at Catherine?? He definitely got an extra pair of balls.
"There's food stuck in between your teeth", she definitely lied because we barely started eating and I remember there was nothing.
If her motive was to distract Seth then she succeeded because the male was now checking out his teeth in his reflection.
"Con", he muttered which she ignored.
"My driver is outside, he'll drop you", she offered the help I never asked for.
"I can drop myself", I tried to retort but her quick response was evidence that she knew I would retort.
"It has a bunch of files need to reach at your office but I have other tasks to do. Now that I found you here I believe you are going to be responsible towards your work and prioritize it", I had nothing left to say in return.
I looked at Seth who seemed sorry for me. I turned towards the exit. Strangely I wasn't sad, I never wanted to be here in the first place.
The driver waved in my direction.
When I opened the passenger seat door to sit I was welcomed by a man peacefully dozing off in his casuals.
I frowned.
"This is.....", I tried to talk to the driver but he passed me a flap of paper.
"Hi, this is Nik.
I don't speak and understand English but I'm an accomplished chauffeur."
I read and sighed. I gave it back to Nik and he passed me a formal smile.
I scanned Taehyung and reluctantly kept my hand over his shoulder to which he startled and woke up.
His eyes looked confused upon my sight.
"Y/n?", He questioned for confirmation. His eyes looked tired.
"Are you okay?", He nodded although I could tell he wasn't being honest with his response.
"Where's Catherine?", He asked.
I didn't like that.
"Back in the restaurant", I answered with disinterest.
"Why are you here?", He sounded more confused.
"And where are we heading to?", I sighed at his continuous queries.
"I'm here because Catherine said I need to deliver some bunch of files to our office so by that I can say that we are heading towards our office", I replied with annoyance.
"Papers? She did not tell me that, she said she's here to see a friend", his forehead full of creases told that he urgently needed a good sleep.
"She did not tell that you are up here......", I said instead.
The silence turned up and none of us spoke for the whole of three minutes.
"How was the date?", I scanned his face when he asked that. His eyes met mine and I assumed that he was genuinely curious.
"Thanks to Catherine that I had to leave my meal even before I started.....plus.....it wasn't a date", I mumbled the last part.
It was silent again.
"I thought Catherine left.....", It was killing me, why was she here again!
"She did.....mom wanted us to meet, nothing about business, that brought her here. Mom did not discuss her arrival with me, so it was a surprise for me as well", he said looking out of the window.
"Nothing about business?", I knew what this was about but I wanted to hear from him.
"Nothing about business", he mumbled, facing me again.
He slowly shut his eyes.
"I wish WE never happened", he whispered. I heard a loud shatter. My heart broke in a million imaginary pieces but it was hurting for real.
I looked away because I couldn't look hurt when he had those nasty words to speak without hesitation.
"Because I'm stuck. I feel sick, I don't know how to unlove you. Hating you isn't working the way it did before. Show me the way out", tears did not stop and when I turned to him. I could tell he, as well, was trying to hold them back so hard. His eyes were bloodshot and nose red.
"If I would have agreed that day, we would have been together...... I'm sorry", he hung his head low and I was quick to cup his face but he refused to look up. I scooted forward to surround my arms around his head and hold him closer. My damp cheeks rested on the top of his head.
"I was being selfish, was feeling entitled to put on demands because I was dating my boss......it wasn't even Kyle's fault. If you had agreed, I would have drowned in guilt. I am sorry", I kissed into his hair as I continued sobbing.
The car halted in front of the office's entrance. Nik was looking at us with an awkward smile. We moved apart soon after.
Taehyung's phone rang up so he walked out and ruffled his hair without looking up. He walked inside the office first.
"Catherine told me about some files", I said but it was futile. Nik did not understand a word, rather he looked at me with a scrunched face.
"Files", I drew the image in the air and pointed towards the car. He looked more confused and reached for that flap of paper he gave me earlier.
I passed him a tight smile and spoke a thank you which he successfully understood and sat inside to drive away.
I called Catherine.
"Where are the files you talked about lately?",
"Forget it, there isn't any", she answered and disconnected.