Two weeks have passed during which I've finally had the stitches removed, much to my happiness. I've also gone to visit my halmoni at least once a few days to make sure she was fine and bring her food. I didn't dare bring the subject of sharing an apartment with me yet, but still started keeping an eye on what was available nonetheless.
It wouldn't hurt to have an idea of what to expect, cost wise.
"Y/N, dear, you don't need to come help me again, especially since you won't let me pay you" she says while taking the dirty dishes out of my hands to set them in the dishwasher. "It's fine, don't worry for me and let me worry for you" I reply with a grin when she frowns at me. "So you're allowed to worry but not me? Talk about being unfair".
I laugh and run back to the main room when I hear someone call for some drinks. I bring them the desired drinks and help my halmoni bring the plates to another table filled with laughing young adults.
It's early evening and the room isn't really that filled yet, so it's not too busy. Halmoni and I sit down at a table while waiting for something to happen. I get my phone out of my pocket when I feel it vibrate and look at the notification to see it's from an app advertising apartments. I press on it and wait for the page to load.
"Oh wow" I whisper as I look through the pictures of the apartment I was notified about. It's not overly big or small, just the perfect size. A beautiful living room next to an open and renovated kitchen. The space for the dining table is a little smaller, but nothing our group of friends can't handle. Three bedrooms and two bathrooms, one being private for the master bedroom.
"What are you looking at?" halmoni asks and I look up from my phone to see her staring at me with curiosity in her eyes. "Just some apartments, I found one that would suit my needs, the price is pretty great too" I reply and she hums, a smile playing on her lips. "Are you and your soulmate finally moving in together?".
I blush at her words and quickly shake my head. "N-n-no, no we're not" I reply awkwardly and she chuckles while patting my hand. "Can I see it?" she asks and I nod before handing her my phone. She frowns a little before finding out how to look at the pictures and her eyes widen.
"That's one pretty place, I wouldn't mind having a home like that" she says and hands it back to me with a nod. "I could see a pretty young lady like you living in there, it suits you. But why would you need such a big place if you're not moving in with anyone?".
I bite my bottom lip and look at the pictures again. "Well... I saw the state of your place. Finding you, getting closer to you, there's not doubt that you're family, already like a mother to me, even. So I was thinking that if I were to find a place big enough for two, maybe you would like to move in to live with me" I whisper, suddenly feeling stupid by this offer that seems to be happening a bit too fast.
I hesitantly look up to see her staring at me with teary eyes. "You... why would you want to live with good old me when you're already an independent woman?! I'll just be a weight for you, I can't allow that" she replies as a matter of fact and I feel myself deflate at her words.
She pats my hand and smiles at me. "I appreciate you wanting to look after me, but what I have right now is enough to me". I sigh and motion to her arms, which I know are bringing her pain right now. "I can't bear watching you destroy yourself working the way you do, you're hurting just by carrying plates to table, so having to do that every single days all by yourself... you could finally relax if you come with me, I could give you a clean place, rest" I counter and she sighs.
"Y/N-". "Let's make a deal. I'll set a date to visit it. Come with me. Let's see how you feel in there, how much better it could be than what you already have. If you don't change your mind, then fine, but if you see an opportunity to finally take care of yourself and you want to take it, then please do. I finally found someone I can treat like a mother, someone who treats me like a daughter, you can't expect me to see you suffer and not to anything" I try and she stares at me without saying anything for many long minutes.
"I... I don't deserve this, Y/N. I can't offer you much if you even want me to stop working, I can't do that" she says and I shake my head while grabbing her hands. "You don't need to think about that. If I make this offer to you, it's because I can handle it. What I want you to think about right now is what you want to do. If you say no, fine, I can't force you. But I would love having you closer and in a safe environment. Truly".
She brings her lips into a fine line as she tries to keep her composure and nods, freeing one of her hands to set it on top of ours.
"I'll think about it. Tell me when and we'll see, okay?". I beam at her words and nod before grabbing my phone to press on the phone number. I'm not letting this place go without trying.
---
Woozy and I enter the restaurant for the weekend shift, both walking to our lockers to put our stuff away in sync. "So you're going to try to convince her to move with you by showing her just what kind of quality she could live in? Do you think it'll work?" he asks as he turns to me and I shrug.
"Honestly, I just want her nearby. She can't do everything by herself anymore and I can't watch her get sicker without trying to help. There's a part of me that just needs this kind of presence by my side, you know? I've really been enjoying our time getting to know each other, she's the only blood family I have left that wants to see me" I say and he nods with a knowing look. "I know, it was the same with my grandparents. My halmoni always was like a mother to me. I'm really happy to see that you're finally experiencing the same".
He wraps an arm around my shoulders as we walk through the kitchen and straight to the front desk. "So, did you manage to set a date to visit the apartment? Where is it?" he asks and I take my phone out to look at my calendar. "It's really close to Jin's restaurant actually. It's on Wednesday, in the morning. I took it early because Jin is almost done with the renovations, the big opening is in a week and a half so I want to help him as much as possible, I know he's getting nervous about it even if he won't show it".
I put my phone away in the desk's drawer and turn to him. "I really hope everything goes well for everyone. There's a lot of changes going on, I just want all of us to be healthy and happy, you know" I say with a sigh and he nods. "Yeah, I know how you feel. I hope you can get your songs back soon too" he replies with bothered eyes. I stare at the front door.
"Yeah... honestly, I didn't even know what to do with the songs. Maybe it's good that they finally find a purpose. I can always create more" I mumble but turn to him when I hear a gasp. "You're not thinking that. You can't let him get away with everything, Y/N. What about the more personal songs, they're yours and it's your choice to decide what happens to them, not anyone else's. If you want to hide them until the day you die, then you do just that. If you want to do something with them, allow others to hear just how good they are, then I know someone to help with that. But you do not let him win, Y/N, never".
I pout at the scolding but know that his words are true. It's just hard to be patient when you have to wait for so long. Yoongi told me it would take around two months before we'd get some news from the Court. It's all about waiting.
"I guess I'm just trying to disconnect a little. What if I hear them on the radio or something? We don't even know who has them now, I know Felix didn't get these for himself" I mumble and he wraps me in his arms. "No matter what happens, everything will end the way it needs to. Don't give up now, just be patient" he whispers and I hug him back with a nod of the head. "Thank you, Wooz".
The front door opens and people start entering from breakfast. Woozy and I fall into work mode and start bringing people to tables and helping around.
The first few hours go by quickly, Dino being his sweet self would always cheer up the mood with his little jokes from time to time to give us a boost of energy, Woozi and I having to run around so much. Saturday mornings are always intense.
Lunch time wasn't any better and it's only around 14:00 that it started slowing down. Woozi and I take a seat at a table after cleaning the last table needing a clean up. I groan and lean my head backwards as I slide down the chair in a not so pretty way until my neck is right on the back of the chair.
"You'll hurt your back if you stay like that" Woozi says with a sigh, but I don't reply anything, nor do I move. Since the restaurant is now almost empty, Dino raises the radio's volume just a little to hear it better after making sure it was alright with the few customers and the room fills with music.
A few great ones pass by with still no new customers.
"So, today we discovered a new song from the popular singer Z. The style is a bit different, but oh so recognizable by his lyrics style. Enjoy!" we hear from the radio and think nothing of it until I hear the first few notes.
My head shots upwards and I stand up from the chair so fast it falls down on the floor with a loud noise.
"Come to me, baby
Come to my bed baby
With me"
No fucking way. Z's usual sexual intended words. On MY melody. Felix gave my songs to the worst person I could ever think of. Suddenly growing dizzy, I don't hear Woozi stand up to go after me as I stumble my way to the bathroom after feeling like throwing up.
"Wrap those legs around me
Let me hear your voice
I want more of you baby"
The song I wrote for mom. The song I could never fully play because of what it meant to me.
D e s t r o y e d .
I bust open the door to the bathroom and slam it closed before locking it and throw myself at the toilet to let out all of my stomach's content. Body shaking, mind racing, I can hear it even better in the bathroom. Why did they put speakers in the fucking bathroom?!
I hear the faint noise of bumping on the door above the sound of my body throwing up, but I can't make any move to get to the door, my body isn't calming down anytime soon. My legs feel like jelly, arms barely holding me above the toilet. Tying my hair up today was a good choice.
Are all my songs going to turn sexual? Of all the songs, why did he have to start with this one? Felix knew how much it means to me. Tears start falling down my eyes from both vomiting and being shocked to the core.
After a while, my body not having the strength anymore, I can finally lie down against the wall on the floor. I bring my shaking arms around my knees and start sobbing, the echo of the room being my only companion as the sound of the radio turns off.
Seokjin's POV
Namjoon and Taehyung are helping me decorating the dining area so it can look homey. I can't wait to bring Y/N here, to show her what's become of this place now. I'm sure she'll be so proud.
"Hyung, we're done!" Namjoon exclaims and I hear him and Taehyung cheer loudly as they hug each other while jumping on place. I smile and join the hug with a wide smile on my face.
"I can't believe it's now ready" I whisper as I feel myself getting emotional. Namjoon brings a hand to my nape for a comforting squeeze and gives me his dimple smile. "You did it, hyung, you're almost there" he says and I nod, letting a tear fall down before wiping it away.
Taehyung giggles and hugs me tightly as the excitation is too much for him. I know that for him, to see his loved ones happy is all he needs in life. He pulls back when the sound of his stomach grumbling fills the silence.
"We did skip lunch, didn't we" I say with a smile when I see his bashful face and start heading to the kitchen. "Let's put some music on the radio!" Namjoon says and when we all nod, he goes to the front desk to turn on the speakers and starts our usual station with a wide grin.
A melody that sports very sexual words start filling the air and I freeze in my steps. I recognize that melody. It was the one Y/N played in that video when she was young. Taehyung runs into me when he doesn't realize I stopped walking and steps around me in confusion to see my panicked eyes as I quickly grab my phone out of my pockets.
I dial Y/N's number and bring the phone to my ear, waiting for her to pick up. She doesn't usually listen to the radio, but she has work today. Maybe they chose a different station, maybe the song won't play everywhere. Maybe I can warn her before she actually hears it.
"Y/N here, I'm not available at the moment, please leave a message and I might call back. Emphasis on the might. Thank you". The sentence that would usually make me giggle right now makes me simply more nervous. Maybe she's just busy, she doesn't have time to answer. I look at the time and start pacing around Taehyung and back to the dining area where Namjoon stares at me with concern.
"Everything alright, hyung?" Taehyung finally asks and I shake my head. "No, not at all. This song is Y/N's. Not the lyrics, but this melody is hers and very important at that" I reply, not noticing the dark look going over their eyes as they tighten their hands into fists.
My phone suddenly starts ringing and I look at it in a hurry, hopeful to see Y/N's name appear, but when I see Woozi's instead, my heart drops. I answer the call and quickly bring it to my ear.
"Kim Seokjin, are you busy right now? Y/N heard the radio, her song, she- she's not well right now. I think you're the only one who could reach her, get her out of there, she locked herself in the bathroom and I hear vomiting. She won't open the door to any of us" I hear rushed words flow out of his mouth and I quickly grab my keys before heading outside, my brothers close behind.
"I'm coming right now. Stay by her side and talk to her, keep her mind busy until I get there, I won't take long" I say and end the call before locking the door to the restaurant getting in the car, Namjoon in the passenger seat while Taehyung sits at the back.
"She heard the song, didn't she?" Taehyung worryingly whispers and I nod, eyes focused on the road as I take all the right turns to reach her faster. "What state is she in?". "Not a good one".
The rest of the drive to the restaurant happens in silence and it's definitely not fast enough that we finally reach the place. I park the car at the back and enter from the kitchen, knowing that this is where Woozi will expect me.
I indeed find him there waiting for us and without wasting a single moment, he leads me to where she locked herself. I stop by the door to hear her sobbing. "She hasn't stopped since getting in there, I- I really don't know what to do anymore" Woozi says with panicked eyes and I nod, at least glad to hear something from her, it wouldn't do to have her passed out in there.
I lean on the door and breathe in. "Y/N, baby, can you hear me?" I try softly and the sound of her sobbing stops. "Sweetheart, can you please open the door for me?". Silence. I look back to see almost everyone crowding around. "Could you leave us alone for a little while please?" I ask them and they all nod before going back to the main area. I nod when I see Namjoon hesitate and he pulls Taehyung with him to a table.
I bring my attention back to the door, not liking the fact that it can be locked and unlocked only from one side, no emergency lock in case something goes bad. "Baby, I heard the radio, I heard the song, I can't imagine how hurt you must be right now, I'm so sorry this is happening to you" I whisper, feeling my heart clench when her sobbing resumes. "O-of all the songs, why this one?" she murmurs with a shaky voice, bringing my own eyes to tear up at the sadness in her voice.
"I don't know, baby, I don't know... I really want to hug you right now, can you help me? Hm?".
The sound of the faucet can be heard, followed by the sound of gurgling and then spitting. It repeats a few times and I give her that time in silence. She must be embarrassed already to be seen in that state, I don't want to make it worse. She must have been really shocked for her body to react the way it did.
The door opens to reveal my beautiful soulmate and I waste no time in locking her in my embrace, then feeling her arms wrap around me tightly. Her sobbing starts again even stronger and I slowly, very slowly lead us to the bar where I know it will be empty.
I sit down first on a bench and scoop her up on my lap and in my arms, cradling her close to my chest, her vulnerable state just letting me move her around without flinching. I sway us side to side by following the rhythm of my breathing, trying to stay constant and soft so she can calm down.
Even when her crying stops, she doesn't move, instead burying her face deeper into my neck as if to hide from the world. I want her to be happy, to live her dreams and to not have to worry about anything. The first step being getting her songs back. Punishing those who had a hand in this matter. Making sure it doesn't happen to anyone else. I don't want to see the light in her eyes fade away.
"What are you thinking about, sweetheart?" I ask her in a hum when I feel feel her shift a little in my arms to connect her hands behind my back.
"How many songs did he add lyrics to? How many am I going to hear under someone else's name? Oh yeah, also thinking about whether I should just go to Felix's house and wreak havoc, beat him up a little. That sort of thing" she mumbles and I hesitate between laughing and feeling bad.
Her body shakes a little and I fear her crying again but the sweet sound of her voice giggling has me soothed. "What's making you laugh now?" I ask with a small smile playing on my lips.
"I'm trying to imagine his reaction if he were to come back to his home to find me sitting in the middle of what could only be described as a tornado passing by" she explains and I laugh along with her, pleased that she's trying to think of something more on the positive side than the crappy situation we find ourselves in.
"That would definitely be a sight I'd pay to see" I chime in and she giggles again, her hair tickling the skin of my neck and giving chills to my arms. Although she seems to be feeling a little better, I don't want to let go of her.
But we are in her workplace. I sigh and push her back just a little to be able to see her face. Drying tears and red eyes peek up at me with sudden shyness and I absorb the coo that threatens to burst free. Now's not the time for that.
Using my thumb, I softly wipe her face and then start massaging the space between her eyebrows and her temples to release some tension. She hums and closes her eyes.
"You're so good to me, Jinnie. Whatever did I do to deserve you?" she whispers and I feel my heart swell with love and pride. "I could say the same. You indulge me so much, treat me so well, having you by my side, in my arms, that's all I need" I say and relish in the blush that spreads on her cheeks.
Her eyes flutter open and she gazes right into mine with so much love. It's like suddenly, a cocoon surrounds us to separate us from the world, only us two remain. I cup her cheek with one hand while the other remains around her to support her body and pull her closer so her face can be right in front of mine.
"I love you" I whisper, watch as her eyes widen, watch as her mouth opens in shock, watch as sparkles seem to spread all around us, stars in her eyes.
"I can't imagine my life without you anymore, you're everything to me. From the moment I wake up to the moment I fall asleep, you're always on my mind, always making my heart overflow with love. Seeing your smiles can make any bad days into the best day of my life. I love you" I add, watching emotions flash across her eyes, the way her lips tighten as if to keep in an outburst of love from flowing out too fast.
She snakes her arm up my chest and around my neck, the touch making my heart race so much faster, tingles spreading all over my body. It's useless to say that my ears are currently burning.
"I... I love you too Jinnie. I don't want to imagine my life without you, it's been so great ever since you appeared and you made your place in my heart so unbelievably fast" she whispers and my heart skips a beat, I just want to take a bite into those cheeks of hers, I want to take care of her for the rest of my life. I lick my lips and hesitate a little.
"I really want to kiss you right now. Can I do that?" I eventually ask and she nods, her beautiful eyes gazing down at my lips with as much need as I and that's all I need to move forward.
Will the kiss finally happen?