Tangled Roads

The morning began with a headache. Hana had barely slept, her mind replaying the unknown number on her phone over and over. She hadn’t dared to open the message at first, but curiosity had won in the end.

The text was simple.

Tomorrow. I’ll be waiting. - J.

No emojis, no punctuation quirks just that. Yet her heart had skipped like she’d been caught red-handed.

And now, “tomorrow” had arrived.

Her supervisor had asked her to accompany one of the BTS members to an off-site errand something about collecting updated contracts from a partner company and checking out a new filming location for a possible shoot. The moment she heard the words, her chest clenched. She didn’t need to ask which member. Somehow, she already knew.

The Car Ride

The black van pulled up in front of the office. Hana stood on the curb, clutching her file bag so tightly her knuckles whitened. The tinted windows reflected her pale face back at her, and she considered just for a second making a run for it.

The door slid open.

“Manager Hana?” the driver asked politely.

She nodded stiffly, forcing her legs to move. The interior smelled faintly of leather and cologne, and there he was, seated casually in the back with one arm resting along the seat.

Jimin.

His cap was low, mask in place, but those unmistakable eyes curved into a smile as soon as he saw her.

“Well, well. Looks like it’s just the two of us.”

Her throat tightened. “Good morning.” She slid in quickly, keeping her gaze firmly on the folder in her lap.

The door shut, and the van pulled away. Silence filled the space, but it wasn’t a peaceful silence. It buzzed, alive, charged with every stolen glance she tried not to return.

“Relax,” Jimin murmured after a moment. His voice was softer without the chaos of a meeting room around them. “I don’t bite.”

“That’s… not reassuring at all,” she muttered under her breath.

He chuckled, the sound warm and unhurried. “You’re really something, you know. Most people can’t even look me in the eye. But you…” He tilted his head, eyes glinting. “You call me suspicious. You roll your eyes at me. It’s refreshing.”

Hana bit her lip, heat crawling up her neck. “I didn’t know who you were at the time.”

“And now that you do?” His question hung in the air like a challenge.

She dared a glance at him. His mask hid half his face, but his eyes alone carried enough intensity to make her chest squeeze.

“Now I…” She stumbled over her words, fumbling with the folder. “Now I know better than to insult an idol.”

Jimin leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers ever so slightly. “But I liked it. Maybe I want you to keep treating me like that.”

Her pulse jumped. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Or maybe,” he whispered, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath even through the mask, “you’re just scared of how much you enjoyed it too.”

Hana froze, her face burning. She turned sharply toward the window, pretending to admire the passing city streets. “You’re impossible.”

“Guilty,” he said with a grin she could hear even without seeing.

The First Stop

The van pulled up outside a sleek glass building downtown. Hana almost bolted out, relieved for the excuse to put distance between them. But of course, he followed her inside.

They were ushered into a meeting room to review documents with the partner company. Hana forced herself into professional mode, taking notes, clarifying terms, avoiding his gaze whenever she could. But every time she glanced up, there he was watching her.

Not the contracts. Not the executives.

Her.

When the meeting ended, she let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.

“Next stop,” the driver informed them as they got back into the van.

Jimin slid in beside her again, deliberately close this time. She inched away instinctively, but the narrow seat left her little room.

“You’re nervous,” he observed.

“I’m not.”

“You’re gripping that folder like it’s a life raft.”

Hana immediately loosened her fingers, scowling. “I’m doing my job.”

“Mmm. Sure.” He stretched his legs casually, the movement brushing against hers. “You’re cute when you’re flustered, though.”

Her heart jumped. “Stop saying things like that!”

He smirked, eyes dancing. “Why? Does it make your heart race?”

She glared at him, which only seemed to amuse him further.

The Detour

Instead of heading directly to the next location, the van slowed near a quiet street lined with coffee shops.

“Five-minute stop,” the driver said.

Jimin perked up instantly. “Perfect. Coffee?” He turned to Hana without waiting for an answer. “Let’s go.”

“I - I don’t think ”

But he was already out of the van, holding the door open with an expectant look. With no choice, she followed.

The café was nearly empty, a cozy place with warm lighting. Jimin ordered two drinks with ease, ignoring the way the barista nearly tripped over her words when she realized who he was.

They sat at a corner table, Hana still tense. She tried to focus on her cup, but the silence between them wasn’t heavy anymore it was intimate, pulling at her in ways she wasn’t prepared for.

“Do you always talk to yourself?” he asked suddenly.

Her head snapped up. “What?”

“Yesterday. By the vending machine. You were muttering about stress.” He chuckled. “It was adorable.”

Hana groaned, hiding her face in her hands. “Oh my god.”

He leaned forward, resting his chin on one hand. “I like seeing that side of you. The real you.”

Her heart softened despite herself. “Why are you doing this?” she whispered.

“Doing what?”

“Teasing me. Talking to me like… like this.”

His gaze grew serious, though the playful curve of his lips remained. “Because you don’t see me as an idol first. You see me as a person. That’s rare.”

The words lingered in the air. For the first time, Hana didn’t have a comeback.

Back in the Van

The ride to the filming location was quieter, though the silence carried a different weight now. Not awkward charged, unspoken.

At one point, the van hit a bump, and Hana’s hand slipped against his. She jerked back instantly, but his fingers brushed hers deliberately before retreating.

Her breath caught.

He didn’t say anything. Just looked out the window, but the faintest smile curved beneath his mask.

The Filming Location

They arrived at an open space near the Han River, a popular site for music videos. The staff showed them around, pointing out potential camera angles and logistics. Hana did her best to focus, jotting down details.

But every time she sensed him nearby, her concentration unraveled.

When the tour ended, she lingered at the edge of the riverbank, taking in the view and trying to steady her thoughts.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” His voice came from just behind her.

She turned slightly. He wasn’t looking at the river. He was looking at her.

She swallowed hard. “You’re insufferable.”

“And yet,” he murmured, stepping closer, “you haven’t walked away.”

Her heart pounded. She should move. She should say something sharp. Instead, she stayed rooted to the spot, every nerve alive.

“Careful, Miss Suspicious,” he whispered. “If you keep letting me tease you, I might not be able to stop.”

She met his gaze and for a moment, the world narrowed to just the two of them, the river breeze tugging at her hair, his eyes glinting with something deeper than playfulness.

Hana forced herself to step back, breaking the spell. “We should get going.”

Jimin’s smile widened. “As you wish.”

The Ride Back

The sun was setting as they slid back into the van. Hana kept her gaze on the city lights outside, trying desperately to calm her racing heart.

But then she felt it his hand, resting lightly on the seat beside hers. Not touching. Not yet. But close enough that the warmth radiated between them.

She clenched her fists in her lap, refusing to look.

“Today was fun,” he said softly.

She forced a professional tone. “It was work.”

“Work can be fun,” he countered.

Her lips twitched despite herself. She hated that he was right.

The van slowed in front of her apartment building. She gathered her things quickly, desperate for air.

But before she could slip out, his voice stopped her.

“Miss Suspicious.”

She turned, and his eyes caught hers in the dim light.

“Sweet dreams,” he said, his voice low, almost intimate.

Her breath stuttered. Without another word, she escaped into the night, her chest aching with confusion.

Hana’s Room

Later, lying in bed, Hana clutched her pillow to her chest. Her entire body buzzed, the memory of his words and the warmth of his nearness replaying endlessly.

“This is dangerous,” she whispered into the dark. “This is so, so dangerous.”

But her heart betrayed her, whispering back the truth she couldn’t ignore.

She didn’t just admire him anymore. She was falling.

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