There was something about Jeon Jungkook that always drew people to him, something akin to a beguiling spell that he'd cast in his general vicinity, pulling those in his orbit closer and closer to him. Even from her trainee days, she'd heard rumours about him rejecting females in the industry (even those older than him who'd already debuted!).

Park Chaeyoung doesn't ordinarily bother to learn about boy groups, unless she knows a collaboration is coming soon or that there's a possibility of bumping into them (i.e. a group from her agency) but she couldn't help it when it came to him.

He was simply enticing—a bright and innocent smile that radiated like light from the sun, sleek dance movements that were simply perfect and then there was the deepness of his voice when he spoke. She admits, she is a fan.

Park Chaeyoung for a while thinks that that's all it is for the most time, a level of admiration for his talents.

After all, they were both idols in the same industry and she knew the struggles well.

Even now, Park Chaeyoung remembers the bewilderment on her face when he hands her a sandwich backstage.

He knew her?

She'd assumed that their polite nods at award shows were only a formality for show, to make sure they don't get harassed for being ignorant and rude by fans.

Park Chaeyoung was so perplexed that she hadn't even spoken during the first 'real' exchange when he politely bowed and addressed her by her Korean name and offered her the bread. She simply stared at him with mouth slightly agape, thoroughly confused at the interaction.

He didn't seem to mind.

If anything, Jeon Jungkook seemed fond of her humbleness. He chuckles before dismissing himself, rushing back to meet with his fellow group members, who are all taking turns at having a glance at her.

Park Chaeyoung, still not knowing what the sandwich meant, carried it as she exited the venue, meeting with her own group members. Jisoo Kim, the most observant of the group, noticed the sandwich first in her hand.

"Chaeng, where did you get that?" She points at the sandwich on her lap, "... our dressing room didn't have that flavour."

"Oh," she paused and looks down at the snack, a blush across her cheek, "... do you want it?"

"I want it!" Lalisa Manoban chimes in before playfully grabbing the sandwich from her hand, watching as a small, neatly folded paper drops from it onto the space behind her, "... what's this?"

"Jungkook-ssi gave it to me on the way out," she explains, before suddenly Lalisa Manoban's mouth drops open, and she turns to see the other girls the same, "... wh—why?"

"Rosie, you're too innocent!" Jennie Kim suddenly chimes in before leaning in and playfully patting her on the back, "... he was trying to slip his number to you! You're so lucky, I heard he's a really good guy and a gentleman—not a fuckboy at all I approv—"

"What?!" Park Chaeyoung yelps in surprised, a mix between chock and being horrified, "... no that can't be..."

"Slow down, he hasn't gotten our approval yet," Jisoo Kim comments before reaching for the paper that had fallen, reading it out loud, "... Hi Chaeyoung-ssi, I'm sorry for the suddenness but I'd like to get to know you. I am a big fan of your voice. Here is my number, please don't feel pressured if you don't want to, I totally understand!"

"Ahhh, oppa collector indeed," Jennie Kim claps in excitement, "... I knew something was up when his group couldn't stop staring at our direction."

"Our Chaeng is so popular," Lalisa Manoban sings.

For the rest of the night, the other three girls cannot stop teasing her.

-

Park Chaeyoung didn't contact him.

Three days had passed and his note sat on the bedside table.

It wasn't that she didn't like him, but more because she thinks that she wants to focus on singing, considering it was her first year of debut. More so, she'd honestly never spoken to a guy romantically, and thought it would be too awkward to handle. There was also the fact that there was an entire dating ban in her contract.

On the fourth day, a burst of wind from the hallway suddenly pushes the piece of paper down the floor, almost rushing out the balcony. She panics, rushing over and just managing to pick it up.

Her worry and stress over a small piece of paper, makes her realise that maybe—she should give it a go.

So she does, she messages him and waits—not even a minute and suddenly he's calling her.

Hello?

She still remembers the deepness of his voice, slightly languid as though he'd either just woken up or just ran up a flight of stairs.

Sorry, I just had to make sure it was really you.

She chuckles at his response, and he finds her laugh very cute.

I like it. Your voice suits you a lot, Chaeyoung. I can call you that, right?

She wonders why her heart was beating so fast, but is thankful that he's calling her and not video-calling her. Park Chaeyoung agrees, asking, "... so should I call you oppa?"

Silence.

Had she said something wrong.

She asks "hello?" figuring if that there's no sound, she should hang up. Maybe there were people around and he couldn't speak.

I'm sorry Chaeyoung. You—you're just, making me so nervous. But actually—we're the same age. You're older than me by a few months so just call me Jungkook.

Oh.

So he knows about her?

Before she could speak, the sound of Lalisa Manoban calling her for dinner interrupts them.

It seems as though you need to go. Me too. The hyungs want to take me for hotpot tonight, I need to shower, I just woke up from a nap.

So she was right.

I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable... a part of me thought I was still asleep when you texted, so I had to be sure—you made me wait three days.

She likes it a lot, the way he makes her feel special.

She says her goodbyes and he ends the call with one request.

Can we call again tonight? Or tomorrow?

She thinks she wouldn't mind at all.

-

"I'm sorry," he tells her.

She looks at him with a confused expression, putting down the fork and spoon to let him finish his sentence.

"That we can only meet like this," he explains, specifically talking about the way that the pair only get a chance to see each other in the flesh at his apartment at 3am in the morning when most of the papparazi were finally off, "... I don't like this, at all—but given who we are, it's the best and safest thing anyway."

She nods, "... it's okay, Koo. I understand."

"I don't want you to think I'm not serious about us—and about you," he explains to her, "... because I really, really am, I promise."

"I know," she smiles at him.

A part of her feels guilty, because she knows that as much as she wanted to do things with him, he most likely wanted to do things with her—like going out on dates, posting on social media and other grand gestures. But she also knew that how they shared their time was the wise—not only for their careers, but their physical safety and the fact that her contract still forbid a relationship, at least publicly.

"I got you this though," he reaches for a small tiffany and co bracelet, "... I hope you can wear it whenever you miss me."

She blushes hard at his comment and his face is red too, but he manages to reach for her hand and carefully puts it on. Her fingers are shaking and she can feel his fingertips against her skin, slightly damp from sweat and nerves.

"Thank you, Koo. You really didn't have to, I'm happy as we are," she smiles looking at the bracelet as she holds her arm out, "... what do you think."

"Beautiful," he smiles back, "... it suits you well. Keep it to yourself for a bit, for now—until I can give you a ring, a real one."

She rolls her eyes at him, "... you can't just say things like that casually, it's not good at a girls heart."

"You're not just any girl, that's why I'm saying it."