"Oppa?" You burst out laughing.

"What's wrong with that?" Jungkook looks genuinely offended.

"Everything! Plus, this is not a Korean drama."

"What does that have to do anything with you calling me 'Oppa'?"

"Can we go just go home?" You whine like a child eager to change the subject.

Jungkook looks like he's about to argue and rebuke you for changing the subject but thinks better of it, "Not just yet.."

You try to rub away the heaviness in your eyes as you stare out of the window watching the surrounding zoom past you.

"Where are we going?"

"For the 125th time, you'll find out soon enough." Jungkook's voice is steady but you sense a hint of something there that worries you a little.

What's got into him today?

Blowing a sigh, you turn your attention to the surrounding through the window. He's heading into a part of the city you haven't been to before. Buildings, vehicles, people and lights blur into a mess around you.

After a while, the car slows to a stop you sit up straight and look around in anticipation.You hear the door open and see Jungkook get out. You follow.

"Han River.." Your voice is barely a whisper staring out at the rippling water.

The memories rash to you.. memories of splashing in the cold water of a river as a kid while your grandmother looked on with a warm smile.. Memories of hours spent by the riverside crying over parents you've never known and never will.. Memories of walking along the river bank with Sunghyun..

Ignorant to your surrounding and Jungkook, you feel a pull towards the river and begin walking towards it. The air is clean and crisp. Soft breeze brushing against your skin. You feel a stab of pain in your heart as the yearning to go back to your grandmother who's so far away from you overwhelms you.

"Are you okay?"

You nearly jump out of your skin, having completely forgotten about Jungkook. "Y-yeah."

"Your tears say otherwise." Jungkook reaches a hand and wipes away a tear that had escaped without your knowledge.

"There's a river like this back in Daegu and I have so many memories attached to that place. My childhood.. my grandmother. I miss her a lot." As the last few words leave your lips you wonder why you're even telling him all this.

He's only going to make fun of me.

"So, why not go see her?" He looks at you thoughtfully.

"I can't. She worked very hard to send me to university, I can't throw all that away. I also have to earn so that I could send back some money to help Grandma." You give him a sad smile before sitting down on the grass and hugging your legs to your chest. "Plus, I'm afraid I won't be able to come back if I go home, I won't be able to leave her a second time. The first was bad enough."

He sits down beside you and somehow it comforts you to know you're not alone.

"I remember going down to the river back home and sitting there for hours, alone with my thoughts." You find yourself telling him. "I never really knew my parents, they died in a car crash when I was a barely an year. But my grandma would often tell me stories about them. She told me they met at that river for the first time. Maybe that's why I always felt comfortable there. I felt their presence.. I-I'm sorry I'm rumbling-"

You turn your head to face him and the look on his face makes your heart stop. He's looking right at you, intently listening to every word you've spoken. But it's the look in his eyes that surprises you.. unlike most people there isn't pity or sympathy but understanding..

"No, don't apologise.. I like listening to you talk." He turns a bright shade of red at having realised what he just said. "I-I didn't mean it like that. Gee.. I sounded like a creep."

You laugh despite yourself. "You sure did."

He looks away towards the free flowing river in embarrassment.

"So why did you bring me here?" You ask.

"Well.. I often come down here when I need to think... When I need to just get away from people. It's like my hideout.. well one of my hideouts. I just thought.. maybe.. maybe you'd like it here?" He's looking down at his hands. What he doesn't mention is that this is the first time ever he's ever brought someone along. First time he's ever allowed anyone into his secret hideout.

"I do. It's.. it's just relaxing. Thank you." A soft smile appears on his lips making your heart flutter.

"So.. Where's your other hideout?"

"What?" He looks at you, eyebrows knitting in confusion.

"You said this was one of your hideouts.."

Just then he laughs, "You can't know all of my secrets, Y/N." The look in his eyes is sad.For the first time you see him as a normal human being and not a stuck up celebrity. You like Jungkook like this.. stripped of his defensiveness and bad temper.

How can this be the same man everyone believes to be one to toy with women, use them and discard them when he's done? For a moment you didn't want to believe any of the rumours or stories. You didn't want to remember any of Sunghyun's warnings. You wanted to believe that Jungkook was more than that.

You two sit there in silence for a long time enjoying one another's company. You tell Jungkook about your childhood and he listens intently, asking you questions every now and then. He, however, is less forthcoming with information about his personal life but you don't push.. you're just grateful for this moment.

You feel your phone vibrate against your thigh and pull it out of your pocket.

Where on earth are you?? It's getting late. -Sunghyung-ah

You immediately spring up. "I have to go. It's getting really late. Thank you for everything, Jungkook-"

"Woah! Where do you think you're going?"

"Home.."

"I'll drop you." Jungkook gets up brushing his bottom ready to walk back to the car.

"Oh no no.. I don't think that's a good idea." You step in front of him to block his way.

"Why not?"

Sunghyun is why.

Only three days ago your landlord had arrived unannounced at your apartment. What you thought was an unexpectedly friendly visit had been actually to kick you out. No matter how many times you'd told him that you'd pay off the amounting rent from the part three months when you received your salary in less that a week he wouldn't have it. Finally, having packaged your belongs you had showed up at Sunghyung's door step. He patiently sat listening to curse at the landlord while you shoveled spoonfuls of scrambles eggs, which may have been his breakfast, into your mouth. Being the brilliant friend he was he insisted you stay with him for as long as you wanted.

"I can get a cab.. it'll be a hassle for you. Also, my house is in the opposite direction."

"No, it's not. It's in the same way I'm headed."

For some crazy reason you don't want to tell Jungkook that you live with Sunghyun now."It's really okay.. I can go-" you try your best to convince him.

"I'm not asking you. I'm telling you: Y/N, I am dropping you home whether you like it or not."

You nervously rub your sweaty palms against your jeans.

Jungkook glances at you every now and then but doesn't say anything.

"Turn right from here." You instruct.

"Wait.. why? Isn't your apartment the other way?" Jungkook asks eyebrows knitting in puzzlement.

"I.. I don't live there anymore. I'm staying with a friend now."

"Friend?" Jungkook asks, his voice stern.

"S-Sunghyun.." you finally say it and instantly feel the atmosphere inside the car change. Every though Jungkook doesn't say anything you notice his tight grip on the steering wheel and stubborn set of his jaw.

The second the car stops you hop out mumbling thanks to Jungkook but freeze at the sight of Sunghyun leaning against a wall with his arms crossed.

Almost.. I almost made it.

You flash him your brightest smile but he's not even looking at you. Instead he's glaring at Jungkook.

"What is he doing here?" Sunghyun speaks menacingly slow.

"He just dropped me home. Nothing special. Oh look it's going to rain.. we must get in soon." You point at the, cloudless star studded sky.

Just then you hear the car door open and shut.

Holy Apple pie!!! This is bad!

"Next time you want someone to drive you home just call me, Y/N." Even though Sunghyun is talking to you he hasn't stopped glaring at Jungkook.

"Is there a problem with me driving her home?" Jungkook speaks coming to stand in front on Sunghyun.

Oh my goodness Jungkook!!! Now's not the time to play hero!!

"There is! I need you to stay away from her." Sunghyun takes a step forward.

"Okay.. let's all just calm down now." You say in vain.

The two men stare down at one another, both refusing to back down.

Having had enough, you grab hold of Sunghyun's wrist and drag him into the building, "We got to go. Bye Jungkook.." You look at Jungkook apologetically.

"What is wrong with you?" Sunghyun snaps at you the minute the apartment door closes behind you.

"What did I do?" You look at him confused.

"You know what he's like. But if you've forgotten you don't have to look to far to hear stories of his reputation. He's a womanizing jerk."

"Why are you tell me all this?"

"Because you're getting too involved with him."

"I'm not 'getting too involved with him' I just work for him!!"

"Just remember, Y/N, when he's done with you and breaks your heart I won't be around to pick up the pieces this time." With that said he turns on his heels and leaves the room slamming the door of his room shut.

"IT'S NOT LIKE I'M GOING TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HIM!!!" you scream into the empty room but even as the words leave your lips they feel empty and meaningless.