faking you │ B.I.

► 03

The radio blasts a recent popular song as I pop a cherry tomato into my mouth. I wiggle around my tiny kitchen and suddenly, I hear a chuckle from behind me. Before I even turn to look at him, he wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me to him, kissing the side of my face. I look up at the tall boy standing over me and smile.

"You're awake early, Jooheon."

"It's noon, not exactly early." He laughs.

"Yeah, but I thought you'd still have jet lag," I reply, turning in his arms so that I'm facing him.

"Nah, I'm used to flying around now. I'm growing immune to jet lag," he jokes.

I give a small laugh. "Well, you woke up just in time. I'm making a chef salad and some turkey sandwiches for lunch. Are you okay with that?"

"Yeah, that sounds great. I'll be over there on the couch."

I smile as he lets me go and starts heading into my living room. I watch him as he goes and start mixing the tomatoes into the salad. The counters are the only barrier between the kitchen and living room, so I have a direct view of him lying on the couch. For a second, I set down the salad bowl and tomatoes, just watching him for a second.

He scrolls through his phone, oblivious to me. Yet watching him, some nostalgic feeling washes over me. Not only is he my actual boyfriend, but he's my one and only true best friend. And because of this stupid deal with Hwayoung, I almost lost him. This thought overwhelms my heart and I run into the living room. He looks at me confused as I run and jump onto him, laying myself on him. He just lies there for a second, stunned. Then, his arms wrap around me and he chuckles.

"What are you doing, crazy?"

I bury my face in his chest. "I just...missed you."

He pats my back. "I missed you too," he whispers into my hair. 

I smile and lift my head to look at him. "Jooheon, I still have to tell you all about this deal with Hanbin's company. And I have to tell you about the royal jerk himself."

Jooheon lifts an eyebrow. "The royal jerk? Did he do something to hurt you? I'll fight him, Soo. If he did something..."

"No, I just hate him so much..ugh, he's such an idiot!" I dramatically cry. "Let me finish preparing our lunch and I'll tell you all about our first meeting."

He nods and allows me to get up. I head back into the kitchen and he goes back to scrolling through his phone. I grab plates and bowls for us and set them up on the counters which form a small table as well. I start scooping the salad into our bowls and then I make our sandwiches, setting them up on the plates. Pouring us each a glass of juice, I look back at him. This time, he notices me looking at him and he smiles. 

Returning the smile, I say, "All right. Lunch is served."

  ✿✿✿  

"He sounds horrible. Why did Hwayoung set you up with him of all people? Why couldn't she have just chosen me?" Jooheon complains.

I smile and rub his arm. "I wish it was you, too. Then at least my feelings would actually be real. It's so hard trying to pretend to like him. And unfortunately, I have a date scheduled with him tomorrow."

Jooheon grimaces. "Ugh, I hate that you have to go on dates with him."

I sigh. "So do I. I hate him."

Jooheon smiles. "Good, I'm glad you don't love him."

I laugh and lean over to him, kissing his cheek. "Of course I don't. But...this means that we can't ever be seen in public...At least, probably not alone. Reporters and gossipers will tear us to shreds with rumors and headlines..."

Jooheon sighs. "I know. I hate this so much, but at least we still have the privacy of your apartment." He reassuringly smiles at me and I smile back.

Then, scaring us both, someone knocks at my front door. We both look at each other, dumbfounded. Neither of us has any idea who it could possibly be. The person knocks louder and quicker a second time, and I hesitantly get up. Slowly, I make my way over to the door and take a deep breath. Opening the door, I prepare myself for my manager or a stalker fan.

"Aish, finally you answer the door. What are you, deaf?" A male voice growls.

"Hanbin?!" I cry. In the corner of my eye, I see Jooheon tense up.

Hanbin sighs and pushes his way inside. Then, glaring at me, he turns and says, "Could you say it any louder? Why don't you just announce I'm here to the entire city?"

I glare back and slam my door closed. Hanbin looks around and narrows his eyes once they land on Jooheon. I step between them as Jooheoon returns the same icy stare. Turning to Hanbin, I ask, "Why are you here?"

Hanbin sighs. "We have to talk about our date, remember? Don't tell me that small brain of yours forgot already."

Just as I start to reply, Jooheon stands up from the table and walks up so that he's right behind me. Pushing me behind him, he growls, "Don't talk like that to her. Why are you so rude?"

Hanbin laughs coldly and shakes his head at us. "What, do you want me to treat her like a princess? I could steal her from you in an instant. Is that really what you want?"

Jooheon quickly steps toward him, so I jump in between them, placing my hands on Jooheon's chest and lightly pushing him back. I softly tell him, "It's okay, Joo. I can handle him."

Hanbin scoffs behind us, making Jooheon try to jump at him again. I stop him and turn to glare at Hanbin. He puts his hands up in surrender, smirking. I sigh and shake my head, turning back to Jooheon. He's still staring at Hanbin, so I place a hand on his cheek and he looks down at me.

"I'll be all right, Jooheon. Do...you mind if we speak alone?" I ask. He looks at me as if I've gone insane.

"Alone? Are you kidding me? The guy's a..." His sentence trails off as he takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "I don't think leaving you alone with him is a good idea."

"I don't talk unless the raging beast is gone," Hanbin spits, still smirking.

"Yah! Would you please be quiet for a second?" I yell at him. Hanbin frowns and looks away. I rub my thumb across Jooheon's cheek and look up into his eyes. "It'll be okay, Joo. There's a lot I need to make clear to him, though, and I think it'd be best if we talked privately...I don't think I'd be able to get a word in if you were there."

He sighs and nods. "Fine, I'll be in the bedroom." He turns to Hanbin as he starts walking away. "Don't you do anything to her while I'm gone. I'll kill you."

Hanbin stays silent this time and stares at him until Jooheon is gone. Then, he slowly turns back to me. "Okay, I'll talk now."

I roll my eyes. "You have a girlfriend, and I respect that. If I met her, I would be kind. You and I? This is just a job we're performing. So, I would appreciate it if you would be kind to my boyfriend. Don't treat him like he's worthless. He's apart of this situation, too."

For a split second, I see hurt in Hanbin's eyes, but then he quickly turns to angry. "Don't tell me how to live my life, okay? And you'll never meet my girlfriend."

I shrug. "Oh well. It wasn't really on my list of things to do, anyways. Now that we've talked about that, let's talk about our date."