६५
24H | SEVENTEEN
"Noona..."
Rumi smiled, Wonwoo was here. Using the wall for support Rumi stood up, "You are here." She greeted. Wonwoo stared at her, "Wonwoo-ssi?" She called waving her hand in front of his face. Wonwoo blinked breaking out of trance. He cleared his throat and looked away. "Umm..." Rumi bit her lip, is he still angry? Of course, he is angry vedi. Who wouldn't get upset after what you did? "I was waiting for Wonwoo-ssi." Wonwoo ignored her unlocking the door, Rumi was ready for door being slammed at her face but he left it open for her. "Maybe not." She smiled picking up the cake box, gift she had bought and stepped in.
Wonwoo heard her stepping in and struggling to carry in what she had bought. Huh! I'm not gonna help you. You deserve that! He thought making his way towards his room. He pulled his hoodie over his head and peeked behind him; she had followed him to his room. After few huffs and puffs she called out his name, "Wonwoo-ssi..." He felt her walking towards him so he busied himself with folding his hoodie instead of tossing it in laundry basket. "Wonwoo-ssi, please." She grabbed his arm and turned him around so he was facing her. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry." She apologised, Wonwoo scoffed looking away making her sigh. "I know you are upset after what I did but I'm really sorry about that, I know I'm being a hypocrite for showing up at your door like this now but I thought we needed time to calm down before we talked."
"Calm down? Noona do you expect me to calm down after you lied to me?" Wonwoo asked glaring at her. Rumi shook her head. "No-no-no. I didn't mean it like that, Wonwoo-ssi." Rumi grabbed on his arms tighter when he tried to brush them off. "I thought we both weren't in state to explain or listen to anything. I thought we might've argued rather than talk about it." Rumi explained. "Yesterday, I wasn't in state to talk about it."
"Then what about morning? Or in afternoon? Or maybe in evening?!" Wonwoo exclaimed. "Noona how can you show up now? Do you really not care about me, our relationship-ah wait is there any relationship between us?" He bitterly laughed pointing between them. Rumi furrowed her eyebrows, "What? Wonwoo-ssi, what are you even saying? We have been together for months now, what do you mean by is there any relationship between us?" Rumi asked looking clearly confused, why was he suddenly talking like that? "Is that really so? Then why did I feel that this relationship was one sided? Why did I feel like it was only I who thought we were dating? Did noona thought same? I don't think so, when you were out lying to me, going around with Hyun-ssi." Rumi shook her head, what misunderstanding did they had gotten themselves into. "Noona you still introduce me as your friend to all your friends. How am I suppose to believe that we are in relationship after this? Tell me?" Wonwoo asked looking into her eyes. Rumi stared at him, "I didn't know." Mwo?
"I didn't know my actions made you misunderstand everything. I didn't know Wonwoo-ssi was thinking about it like this." Rumi said taking his hand in hers. "Wonwoo-ssi, I'm sorry I didn't know my actions were hurting Wonwoo-ssi like this." Rumi said her hand cupping his face while her thump lightly brushing against his cheekbone. Wonwoo unconsciously leaned into her touch. "I know you said everything sounds like a lie to you and it might sound like I'm giving reasons but still I am going to explain myself." Wonwoo stared at her, right he had said that to her. He didn't mean to say such hurtful words. Rumi sighed and stepped back, no-no-no don't leave, Wonwoo thought watching her step back. "I admit, I lied and made oppa lie for me too. I have been lying to Wonwoo-ssi about overtiming at company." Wonwoo's eyebrows knitted in frown. "But it is not for what you think. Hyun and I are purely partners." Rumi explained. "There's nothing between us like that. Yesterday he needed my help, past few days we have been working on it that's why I couldn't come home on time. I know I am still not being completely honest but please believe me Wonwoo-ssi. There are things I've kept from you, those things that you don't know about me I wish I could tell you but I can't at the moment. I promise when the time's right, I will tell you everything. But those things don't change the way I feel for you."
Rumi took his hands in hers again. "Wonwoo-ssi, I admit I've lied to you but Wonwoo-ssi I've never lied about what I feel for you. I could never even if I wanted to. I never felt this strong about anyone before and it pained me everyday when I had make excuse. Wonwoo-ssi, I really, really like you to the point where there's never a moment in my day that I don't think about you." Rumi said with shy smile on her face; she rarely ever expressed her feeling in words like this. "I didn't know my actions would make you misunderstand. I just didn't want to trouble you because my friends are not very trustworthy with keeping secrets, I don't want them to spilling how I am dating a big kpop star and cause trouble for you that's why I introduced you as my friend. I swear if I could I would announce to world about relationship now." Rumi explained. By this time, all his overthought thoughts had disappeared as light blush suited his cheeks. "To be honest, I've never been in this sort of relationship before. They were always a night at-"
"Noona."
"Ah, this isn't time to talk about that right?" Rumi asked realizing her mistake.
It was no new news to Wonwoo, since he had a detailed note about Rumi's life before him from Youngjae hyung. "What I am trying to say is, I haven't shared such feeling with anyone before. And now that I have someone whom I feel this strongly for; I don't want to lose it. I won't, I'll do anything in my power to stay with you, Wonwoo-ssi." Both gazed into each other's eyes, Rumi did not need to express that in words for Wonwoo to understand, her eyes were enough. He felt dumb for overthinking all by himself, her eyes were always the gateway to her heart he should've just looked into them well enough. Wonwoo-ya, you were too dumb to be clouded with jealously. Wonwoo thought disappointed with himself. "If you still think I'm lying, if you still want to get angry at me then I'm okay with that. But I won't give up, I will do anything to mak-"
Wonwoo leaned in and closed the gap between them. He felt her stiffen in surprise, so slipped his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer deepening the kiss. Her hands grip his waist as their warm lips danced against each other. "Hmm." Wonwoo pulled back leaning their forehead against her. "That was unexpected." Rumi giggled. Wonwoo smiled pecking her lips. "So...does that mean you are upset anymore?" Rumi asked leaning back to look at him. Wonwoo smiled and pecked her lips again. "That's my answer." Rumi bit her as shy grin threatened to break. "Wonwoo-ssi..." She giggled burying her face in his chest.
"Nado. I really like you noona, to the point that there's no moment that I don't think about you." Wonwoo hugging her close. "I'm sorry for what I said last night." Rumi shook her head. "Aniyo, I understand." Mumbled against his chest. "I was jealous." He confessed.
"Wonwoo-ssi, I swear there's nothing between us like tha-"
"Arrayeo." Wonwoo nodded. "But still, I get jealous every time I see you around Hyun-ssi. He gets to be around you all time while we have to meet up secretly like this. Plus, Hyun-ssi seems so nice and he's handsome..." Wonwoo mumbled in small voice. Rumi bit her lip trying not to giggle at his cuteness.
"Hm, he is handsome." Wonwoo snapped his eyes at her. "But I prefer this handsomeness." Rumi said holding his chin. "This long nose..." Her finger traced his nose bridge, "This cupid's bow..." His lips caught her finger in between them. Rumi smiled at his teasing gaze, "Naughty kitty." Her other hand pinched his waist making him jump. "Noona." He whined stepping back making her laugh. "Eo, there's still time." She said glancing at the table clock. She picked up the cake box and turned towards him. "Hehe, I am late but happy birthday Wonwoo-ssi!" Wonwoo smiled taking the cake box from her hands. Both of the settled down on his bed and continued with his birthday celebration.
"Noona?" Rumi hummed cleaning her hands after the mess she had made while eating the cake. "What about that?" Wonwoo asked nodding towards the huge ass stuffed teddy bear she had bought. "Ah! I completely forgot about that!" Rumi went ahead and carried the bear to Wonwoo who laughed as she pushed it in his arms. "I was thinking what should I get for you and came up with this." Rumi grinned watching Wonwoo hug the bear, well he was holding it. Wonwoo laughed shaking his head, only she knows what goes inside her head. He thought lying the bear on the bed. "And how did you thought of this?"
"Well, I've noticed that Wonwoo-ssi likes to cuddle soo...whenever I am not around you can cuddle the bear!" Wonwoo rolled his eyes with little smile on his lips. "Is that your way of telling me that you won't be coming home?" "Aniyo!" Rumi was quick to deny that, Wonwoo chuckled at how her eyes went wide as she shook her head. "Hmm...but you know what?" He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her closer. "I prefer hugging the original!" He pulled her along as both fell on the bear with bounce. Both of them giggle in delight. "Wahh, he would make nice bed though." Rumi laughed. Well, Wonwoo didn't get to spent his evening date as planned but he sure did spent the first night of his new age with Rumi.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rumi sighed walking out of the meeting room. "Listen, you go ahead and I'll join you later." Hyun said, Rumi hummed. "Then, I'll drop by the tech department. Let's meet in the front." Rumi nodded and left for technical department, while she was here she should check on how far they've come along that software. If only they could crack open that nut then everything else would be easier. The racket they thought had connection to this was not much of a help. The software was used for selling information and the club was one of its customer. Ugh! Rumi mentally groaned, there were only two option left now, either manage to open up that software or find the person who selling information on that.
"Morning." Rumi greeted standing beside the man who had answers for her. "Eo, morning-morn-Ah! Sunbaenim!" He quickly stood up in attention noticing Rumi. "Eo. Seojin." Rumi patted his back checking his name tag and telling him to relax. Seojin nervously settled down on his chair. "I dropped by to see how far we have come along the software." Rumi said her eyes scanning his computer screen. "Oh, yes we ar-"
"Huh, do you think it's as easy as kicking down a door without thinking?" Seojin snapped his head at side, his eyes wide at his senior's comment. It was just not him but the whole department had went silent, all eyes were at them. Sunbaenim are you asking for dead? He mentally screamed. Do you know who are you speaking to? He bit his lip and glanced towards Rumi who was blankly staring at his senior who nonchalantly continued with his work. "Umm...we are still working on it sunbaenim." Seojin intervened before things escalated. Rumi's gaze moved to Seojin making him flinch. "Their cyber security is too strong. Hard to break in-"
"Yah, explaining it to her is like talking to a stone." His senior said turning towards them. Sunbaenim! Jebalyo!! Seojin begged as he watched Rumi's jaw clench. "If you are in such hurry to lick the boot why don't you do it by yourself huh? Afterall we are just bunch of guys heating the seats?" Cha Dongmin glared. Rumi felt her nerve twitching in anger. There were many but Cha Dongmin always been a sore to her. This guy somehow always managed to prick her anger. "Sunbaenim." Seojin tugged at Dongmin's sleeve.
"Dongmin-ah, at least try to keep up with one of it, eo? I mean come on you always opted for your brains because physically you couldn't keep up. But, Dongmin-ah I think your-" She tapped her forehead "-is lacking too."
"You fucking bitch-"
"Yah-yah-yah!" Everyone were quickly up to stop the brawl. "Sunbaenim!" Rumi smirked watching as his hoobae held him back. "Ha! Licking the boots? I prefer kicking them." Rumi laughed but there was no laughter on her eyes. "Keep your nose to yourself if your don't want to lose it, eo?" Rumi warned, her voice stern and clear enough to warn everyone in room. "Ha. Then, agent Seojin thank you for your assistance." She turned towards Seojin with smile on her lips. Seojin gulped nodding his head, her eyes were not smiling at all. "Keep up the good work." She patted his back, he almost flinched at that. Rumi turned, bowed towards others and quietly left the room.
"Hmft, that bastard always gets on my nerve. Couldn't he just keep it shut? Talking to stone he says and what is he gadav? Gadavla pan jasta akal asel! (Donkey has more brains than him!)" Rumi scoffed pulling out her phone which was buzzing. "Eo oppa." She answered placing it to ear.
"Yah michinnom-ah! Who do you think you are!?" Rumi pulled the phone away from her ear. "EO?!" Rumi sighed placing it back. "Rumi Raikar, currently a agent of Crown Security Agency-" "YAH!" Rumi cringed at his loud voice. "Think twice before smart mouthing to me." Rumi pressed her lips together, he was pissed, very pissed. "How can you run away from the hospital, you crazy woman?! And top of that you don't show up at home?! Do you want me to die from stress? I almost filed a missing report!" Rumi could him hear panting from all that screaming. She waited for few moments if he still had more. "Okay, I am done, you can speak now." She heard him say.
"Are you sure because if you-" She heard the hissing sound. "Arraseo. First of all, I didn't run away I asked for discharge. I had already spent almost a day there as they wanted. And before you can say anything- no, nothing showed up at the reports. I am quite healthy so I was discharged." There was silence probably because he was still trying to control his breathing. "If you were discharged then why the hell you didn't tell me? And where did you disappeared? You didn't come home last night! You wouldn't even pick up my calls? What the fuck am I supposed to do with 'I am fine' text!" Rumi sighed he was screaming again. "It was what it read. I informed you that I was fine." She heard a sharp intake of air from other side before a deep sigh was heard. "I didn't disappeared, I just left to do something important." Another sigh was heard. "Where are you right now?"
"Hm? I am at the agency for reporting." Rumi answered looking around, fearing that he might show up in front of her. "I'm done so will be heading home to wash up." She explained further knowing those questions were coming up. "I hope you will be resting after that but I know you well." Youngjae sighed from other side. "Eo, I haven't been showing up at work due this case so I have to go." Youngjae hummed, "So, did you talk to him?" Rumi furrowed her eyebrows, "Who?"
"Yah...it was his birthday yesterday." Rumi's mouth formed a 'o'. "Hmm, I did." Rumi nodded. "You did?! What did he say? You told him everything!?" Rumi rubbed her forehead all his questions were giving her migraine. "Oppa let's talk about this at home, hmm? My head's killing me." Rumi said. "Mwo? Yah you told you were fine? Do you need to go hospital? Wait I am comi-" "Ani. I am fine. Hyun is with me. He'll drop me off at home. So, let's talk later. Bye." With that she quickly hung up. "Ugh...I shouldn't have answered his call." Rumi muttered pocketing her phone. "Hmm, I have to attend that meeting somehow. If Hyun finishes quickly then I can hurry up. But where is he?" Rumi muttered looking around. "Ah, Hyun-" She stopped noticing he wasn't alone.
"Well done on this case." Chief Gwok Dong Geun said looking at his son. Hyun bowed thanking the chief. "It was good that we had experienced agent with us. It would've been difficult without agent Rumi." Hyun said. Chief had a grave expression on his face at that comment. "Hyun-ki, that woman is an excellent agent but she doesn't belong here." What? "There's no doubt in her skills but no matter how skillful she is, her attitude and aggression is going to get her nowhere. She doesn't understand the basic ethics. I was worried when you put her name forward for this case but I didn't wanted to intervene in your decision. After all you learn from your own mistakes. Thankfully, she didn't cause any trouble this time." Chief continued. "But as you father I am advising you to refrain from getting involved with that woman. She's nothing but trouble." Hyun bowed and nodded his head.
Rumi turned around and started walking out. There was this bitter feeling bubbling inside her. This wasn't the first time someone had such opinion against her but this time it hurt. Maybe because she was finally facing the truth. When first she heard that she was being assigned on this case, she was genuinely happy; that she had not completely lost her position, the agency still trusted her as the agent but to hear that it was because of Hyun that she was assigned on this case was a big wake call to her. She had failed. She was a failure.
A/ N :
Thoughts?
Love,
Albað