Cannot Love You
Chapter 1
It's my second year at my company and my first time experiencing romance.
Then, one day, I suddenly find myself working at a temporary agency full of hot available men!
My days being surrounded by experienced hotties is even more intense than I could ever imagine
???
Your lips are so seductive and kissable.
He shows his true colors only to me. The more I get to know him, the more my heart yearns for him
???
Up until now, there was never anything I intensely wanted but I want you.
???
Are you ready for what is to come? I'm not going to hesitate to show my love for you.
???
Well, our interview is over. We'll contact you later with the results.
Mahiyah
Thank you for the opportunity. Goodbye
I walk out of the company
Mahiyah
*I guess today's company probably won't hire me either*
Last month, the company I started working went bankrupt.
Mahiyah
*Having to find a new place to work sucks but I can't let myself stay depressed like this. Gotta be positive*
Thinking that, I check my watch
Mahiyah
*Oh, I'm gonna be late*
Today I've plans for lunch with my friend Aera
Mahiyah
*She'll kill me if i keep her waiting*
I head towards the place we decided on
There, sitting at a table right beside the window, I see my old high school friend, Aera.
However, sitting across from her ...
While seated, the good looking man's pleasant smile changes quickly to a grin
I gasp when I realise I was grinning back
Mahiyah
*that guy is not her boyfriend, then, who is he? A new friend? But they don't look like "just" friends*
I arrive at their table just as the mystery man stands up. Standing in front of them, I attempt to speak to Aera in a slightly stern tone
???
Oh, Aera, is this the girl you were telling me about?
Mahiyah
*What's with this pleasant atmosphere? You've a boyfriend, don't you?*
Seeing how relaxed and casual Aera is, with this handsome man makes me feel like an awkward third wheel
Mahiyah
Nice to meet you too
???
Well, I'd better get going. See you later. Thank you for using our service today.
Mahiyah
*using our services?*
Aera asks, jolting me back to Earth. I had been mindlessly staring at that guy's back as he was walking out
Mahiyah
Aera, what the heck was that?
Mahiyah
I know you said you were fighting with your boyfriend but did you break up ?
Aera
Oh, no. We didn't break up.
Aera
The guy right now, his name is Jeon Jungkook
Aera then sets something down on the table. A business card with a picture of a glass slipper with the words "Boy For Rent" printed in red letters
Aera
Have you heard of what they call "Boy For Rent". Well, to put it simple, it's an hourly dating service
Mahiyah
Wait a minute, let me get this straight
Mahiyah
That guy you were just with is a rental boyfriend?
Aera
Yep. The lady i know at work told me about it
Mahiyah
so what happens is, you meet up with a guy you totally don't know and you go out on dates with him like a boyfriend, is that it?
Aera
Yep. And they offer other services beyond that, as well depending on the situation
Aera
Well, think about people who don't want boyfriends, but still want to go on exciting dates.
Aera
At least they can experience that sort of service easily for just a small fee
Mahiyah
I see! So it's not because you broke up.
Aera
Sorry for worrying you
Mahiyah
So, did you enjoy your date with your rental boyfriend?
Aera
Well, duh! I really got the professional treatment
Aera
He was a gentleman and such a good conversationalist
Aera
But I've realized that i feel safer by my boyfriend's side
Aera
So, tonight I'll make sure to apologise properly to him and make up for it
Aera
Well, I'm starving now
Mahiyah
I'm super hungry too
Mahiyah
Do they've any recommendations?
Aera
Yup, looks like there are two
Several minutes later, a big fluffy plate of pancakes is placed right in front of me
Topped not only with the thickest, most luxurious whipped cream I've ever seen
but also rivers of maple syrup slices of fresh fruit, I can barely hold in my excitement
Mahiyah
Wow! This looks delicious
After savoring the sweet, vanilla aroma,
I dig in.
After we finish our amazing lunch we stop in front of a cute looking boutique
There, I transform from a stiff interviewee to a young lady on her day off
Aera
You're looking pretty
I feel vibration in my pocket
After I apologise to Aera and pull out my phone, I look at the screen and see it's my uncle's friend
Kai
Mahiyah, thank god you answered.
Kai
Something terrible happened!
My uncle collapsed at work and was taken away in an ambulance
Chapter 2
Mahiyah
*Dear God .. please let him be safe*
My uncle's gentle smile, the smile that has helped me through so much pops vividly into my mind
I get his room number at reception and burst in without even knocking
I find four men surrounding the bed. Aera, who came here with me, gasps in suprise in between panting for air
Aera
Um .. what are they doing here?
Mahiyah
Maybe we get into the wrong room
When I looked around I realize that one of them by the bed is someone I recognise
He is uncle Soobin's friend from college, Kim Namjoon. His voice is calm, but it's always hard to tell what he's feeling
And for some reason, the man next to him opens his mouth in suprise when he hears my name
???
Did you just say "Mahiyah"?
Mahiyah
*what? "the one?"*
???
She's tons prettier than her picture
Mahiyah
*Wow, no one ever said that about me. Wait a minute, how do these guys know who I am?*
Soobin
Hey, Jin, Jimin, move it. How can I see my niece's little face with your big bodies in the way?
I spring towards the bed and grab his hand
Soobin
Well, I'm flattered. It's been a while, since you called me Soobin, Mahiyah
Mahiyah
Stop joking around. When Kai told me you collapsed at work, I was so worried about you
Soobin
Sorry. You too, Aera, sweetie. Thanks for coming
Aera
Are you okay, uncle Soobin?
Soobin
Yes. It's nothing serious. The doctor says a few days at the hospital and I'll be alright
Mahiyah
If it's nothing serious, you wouldn't be staying here longer than one day. What happened?
Soobin
Fatigue and malnourishment, apparently. Mmhm. Guess I worked a bit too hard
Mahiyah
you're saying this like it's a joke
At that moment, the men in the room look like they're trying their best not to laugh
Mahiyah
Did I say something weird?
???
No! I was just thinking that you remind me of Soobin yelling at us
???
I thought so too. Soobin, the female version. This's the first time I've seen it happen
Mahiyah
Um, excuse me! Pardon my rude question, but how do you gentlemen all know my uncle
everyone awkwardly avoids my gaze
???
Sorry for the late introductions.
???
I'm Park Jimin. I'm Soobin's coworker? Yeah, let's go with that
Soobin
Yeah, Coworkers! Totally!
Soobin
They're all such good employees. I'm great to have them around
I exchange glances with Aera
Something still doesn't feel right
I suddenly realise that my uncle doesn't talk about the details of his work much
Mahiyah
Can I ask just one question?
Soobin
You still have more questions?
Mahiyah
What exactly does your company do -
There is a knock at the hospital door
Without waiting for an answer, the door opens and I immediately recognize the man
Jungkook
Soobin, are you okay?
Mahiyah
*what is a rental boyfriend, doing here?*
Chapter 3
Jungkook
Soobin, are you okay?
Mahiyah
*What is a rental boyfriend doing here?*
Shock and confusion hit both me and Aera
Jungkook shuts his mouth tight and looks around him.
A few seconds later, he seems to grasp the situation and bows apologetically
Jungkook
Oops, sorry. Wrong room
Aera
Huh? but you called out for "Soobin", didn't you?
An awkward icy silence falls on the room. My uncle is the one to break it
Soobin
Guys, thanks for playing along. But I can't lie to these nice girls anymore
Namjoon
Soobin, are you sure you wanna do this?
Soobin
Yes, if I keep up the lie any longer it might ruin our relationship
Mahiyah
Uncle Soobin, what are you talking about?
Soobin
Aera, you know Jungkook, don't you?
Aera
well, "know" is a pretty strong word
Jungkook
Aera was my girlfriend today
Soobin
I see. Did you use a fake name when you requested him?
Aera
Yes, I did. I was worried about word getting out so I gave you a fake last name. Sorry about that
Soobin
Don't worry about it. Lots of our clients do that.
Soobin
Aera, dear, do you have our business card?
My uncle smiles softly, says thank you, then turns his serious gaze on me and reaches out his arm
Soobin
I'm sorry I've been hiding this from you the whole time. But I'm the owner of the agency, "Boy For Rent". This is my job
Mahiyah
Why ... why did you chose that as your job?
Soobin
I wanted to create an environment for women to have their dreams realized
Soobin
A dream world that is sweet and romantic, but that they knew would end.
Soobin
While thinking that, it led me to Prince Charming in the fairy tales
Mahiyah
but ... this world you've created can only be bought with money, right?
Mahiyah
isn't this kind of love that my uncle offers, a lie?
Soobin
Indeed, what you just said is true, but even if the situation is not real, there are people who need love
Soobin
For me, these services allow me to provide an outlet for women who need healing in their lives
Mahiyah
but when they wake up from the dream, whenever that is, won't they feel even worse than when they did before your "love"?
Mahiyah
is that sort of fake love really okay?
???
Hey, why are you so obsessed to what your uncle has choosen to do?
His eyes and voice are cold as ice
Mahiyah
One more thing, why did you wait so long to tell me?
Soobin
I'm sorry. But, I'm not ashamed of what I do for a living. I'm proud of what i do
Soobin
However as family, I didn't want to make you sad and I was scared that you'd despise me for it, Mahiyah
Mahiyah
*My uncle loves me and knows me very well. He knew I'd react this way. And I love him too so why didn't I try to consider his feelings?*
Mahiyah
I'm so sorry ... I -
Soobin
Oh my dearest Mahiyah
Not knowing what to say or do, I dash out of the room without thinking
My uncle became this important figure in my life on the same day that my mother's remarriage was decided
Mahiyah
Soobin, do you really approve of it?
Soobin
Well, I think it will make your mom happy
Soobin
Mahiyah, all these emotions you're feeling. I want you to know that it's completely normal
Soobin
but, I also think that your mother's change of heart is also normal
Soobin has been great at comforting people
No matter who you're, he'll always be a shoulder to lean on
Mahiyah
It's barely been a year since dad died
Soobin
How many years have to pass before it'll be okay to remarry?
Soobin
I understand how you feel but she can't keep living in sorrow. That'll keep her stuck in the past, you know?
Soobin
hey Mahiyah, if you're okay with it, want to stay in Japan and live with me?
Soobin
Deciding to go to New York was because your mother wanted to follow her heart
Soobin
But you don't need to follow her heart's decision, Mahiyah
Soobin
You always have a choice and that choice is always yours to make
From that day, my uncle Soobin not only became my father figure but my mother figure as well
My uncle wanted me to become a woman who considers the feelings of others, while still putting my own feelings first
Mahiyah
*i love my uncle so much, and I just stomped on his heart. How could I be so horrible?*
After leaving the hospital room, I've nowhere else to go, so I sit on the hard bench by reception in the lobby
And then, I see someone stop and stand in front of me
Aera
I'm going home, okay?
Mahiyah
Oh, sure. Thanks for coming with me. Sorry you had to see that
Aera
it's okay. I'm not bothered by it. Just make sure you talk this out with your uncle, okay?
Mahiyah
Yeah, thanks. You too Aera, stay in good terms with your boyfriend, okay?
Aera smiles sympathetically at me, then walks away
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