Chapter Text
Going to university all while juggling a job was probably one of the hardest things you had to do. Not only did you work for an ass, but university life was hard as it is. You weren't one to have good grades. Now, in your humble opinion, you weren't dumb, but just bad at school. Since you had a job, you had the perfect excuse not to study after uni, not that you would say that out loud to anyone. So, really, it shouldn't be hard, you were just lazy when it came to school.
Your job, however, was hard to handle o it's own. Again, you worked for an ass, Han Jumin. You didn't even directly work with him, you were an intern. You wondered how Jaehee Kang managed. She was a hard worker, and incredibly admirable. You watched her blast through paper work so fast your jaw dropped. She was too good at her job. You felt as if you were working at a snail's pace compared to her.
Every time Mr. Han's voice called her name, she would always stiffen for a second before shooting out of her seat to fulfil her boss's demands. You immediately shot up and stood like a tree, clearly you weren't as ready as her. When he called, she always picked up, no matter how swarmed she was.
And you, you've missed some of his office calls because you couldn't handle everything you were assigned to. Jaehee, though? She always managed. She was amazing.
Honestly, seeing Jaehee work so hard everyday only made you want to work harder, take some of the load off her shoulders. When you began working at the company, she was kind to you and you really wanted to be friends with her. You both quickly bonded over being done with your boss, and solely over that so far. To be honest you only knew her as a work friend, you didn't even have her number, yet.
"Time to go home." Jaehee chanted, though her expression wasn't the happiest.
"Why the long face?" You couldn't help to feel a little confused. She was always happy to go home.
"Mr. Han has decided to stay in Hong Kong until Monday. He requested I take care of Elizabeth 3rd an extra three days. He's afraid she'll go lonely." Her expression fell even more. You already knew why, it was because of the C-hair.
"I could take her in!" You blurted. You loved cats. You actually had one of your own.
"I'll ask Mr. Han!" You quickly scampered off to a phone and dialed before she could protest. She needed this break-without having to worry about cat hair littering her apartment.
He picked up.
"This is Y/n L/n, the intern." You said.
"It's you. Was there an emergency at the office?" The ways he spoke, it always made you feel nervous.
"Mr. Han," You cleared your throat, fixing your blazer, "may I care for your cat? I'll take really good care of her and-" You started to trail off as you lost your confidence. You could just feel coldness radiating from the phone.
"My Elizabeth 3rd isn't to be trusted with just anyone, especially people who she doesn't know. It is Assistant Kang's job to care for her when I can't." He said.
"Cats really like me!" You quickly regained yourself. "Please. I'll treat her like a little princess!"
"Ms. L/n, if anything happens to Elizabeth 3rd, just know, I am a powerful man."
You felt like snickering at his comment. That's a little dramatic, you thought. You bowed, smiling, even though he couldn't see you. That was a yes (or a strong, possible maybe).
Getting a whole lecture about how to take care of little Eli over the phone from your boss was worth it after seeing Jaehee smile thankfully as you took the cat off her hands. She gave you her number just in case anything happened. You both prayed nothing happened, you weren't looking to get fired.
When you brought Elizabeth 3rd to your home, she was happy to get out her cage but a little anxious as she took in her new surroundings.
"Now don't cause any trouble." You told her.
She jumped onto the arm of your black couch and that's where she stopped. Probably because your cat was cutely curled up on the cushion, sleeping. His name was Sir Freckles. He was a white cat with orange spots. You weren't necessarily sure what breed he was, he was as referred as a 'street cat' by one of your friends, but you guessed tabby. He came and left as he wished. He usually chilled outside more than inside, though. Your cat was friendly towards other cats, mainly because he was such a calm and lazy kitty.
Little Eli was a really beautiful cat, you had to admit. Her white fur was so soft and her little mewls were the cutest. You let her lounge wherever, even on your lap-you were just happy she didn't mind being around Sir Freckles.
After a few more minutes of getting acquainted with Elizabeth 3rd, you finally decided to go to sleep. You couldn't afford to miss sleep on weekdays.
Also, tomorrow was Friday and you couldn't wait!
Before leaving for uni, you opened up a can of cat food for Elizabeth 3rd and Sir Freckles and left them a few positive words.
"Cute little Eli, just three days." You cooed as you watched her eat.
"And, Sir Freckles, you're way cuter. Wish me luck."
You probably sounded and looked like a crazy cat lady talking to two cats.
On your way to Sky uni, you kept mentally cheering. Today was going to be good. No Han Jumin at work and a lazy weekend ahead of you. Getting through today's classes was the first step.
Upon arriving to your first class, you noticed something different. Someone new was next to your seat. It wasn't the usual boy; it was a skinny, blond boy. You slowly sat down and cleared your throat. "You don't sit here."
The boy let out a startled noise and looked visibly panicked.
"Sshhh! Shh! I'm Kim Yoosung! Hyunjae isn't going to be here today and I owe him a favor. I'm not supposed to be here and he needs me to take his notes for him. I'm sorry."
Did your tone sound malicious in any way to work him up so bad? You had simply stated the obvious, you had the right to be curious without having some dude think you were attacking them.
You cleared your throat again, this time you were going to sweeten your voice just in case. You didn't like the thought of sounding malicious and scaring innocent students.
"Oh, you're a good boy. I expect you won't distract me from the lesson."
His hand immediately slapped his mouth and his ears started turning red. It was kinda cute, but also a little alarming.
"You okay?"
"Mhm!" He nodded.
He was a quite during the lesson, probably because he was often dozing off, which wasn't good. You nudged him awake each time before the professor caught him and gave him a small disapproving look each time.
"Alright, Sleeping Beauty, tell Hyunjae he owes me." You nudged him awake for the last time as the lecture ended. "Here are my notes. It looks like you missed some things while you were dreaming." You packed up, leaving the notes next to the sleepy boy. He snapped awake as you turned your back to him and shot up from his seat. You could hear him hurriedly unzipping and zipping his bag back up.
"W-wait!" He shouted and tagged next to you.
"What's your name?" He smiled nervously, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Me? I'm Y/n L/n."
"Ah, Y/n! Thank you for th-" as he was bowing down, he let out a small choked sound, "wait, Ms. L/n? The new intern? At C&R International?"
You stopped dead in your tracks and slowly turned to analyze the boy further. Was he also an intern there? He didn't look familiar. How would he know?
"What are you, a stalker?!" You gripped the strap of your bag tighter, ready to pull it off and beat him.
"What?! No!" He put up his hands defensively and whipped his head around, probably hoping no one heard.
"I know Jumin!" He insisted, his purple eyes looking into yours hoping you believed him.
"How would you know him? Are you his nephew?"
"He's... he's a friend."
Your jaw dropped, it was getting harder to believe him. "I doubt that."
"Really! You also work with Jaehee! I know her, too!"
Just as you were giving him a suspicious 'hmm' he blurted out again. "You must be who Jumin was so reluctant of letting take care of Elizabeth 3rd! He was afraid you'd get her dirty and stuff!"
You gasped. For two reasons, really. One reason was, he really did know them, and the second was, how dare Han Jumin?
You were going to be late to class, you didn't have time to continue. You quickly turned on your heel and sped to class without a word.
"Sorry!" You heard him yell.
All during the day you couldn't stop wracking your brain for possible ways he could have befriended them. Maybe he used to work with them like you?
After your classes, you hurried home like usual and quickly checked up on Sir Freckles and now Elizabeth 3rd and quickly changed into something more professional. You only really had three different blazers and skirts so you always wore them in a pattern
You let out a sigh of relief checking on Eli once more who was lazily lying on your couch before closing the door behind you.
Today is Friday, you thought. You smiled, entering the building and making your way to your designated floor.
No Han Jumin. Friday. A lazy weekend. Happy thoughts.
"Y/n!"
Who?
"Y/n! It's me! Kim Yoosung!" He was breathing a bit hard as he finally made it next to you, his face a bit red. Your eyebrows scrunched up with confusion as you looked at the boy who had doubled over, panting.
"I've got to start working out." He wheezed out.
"What are you doing here?" You asked, feeling a bit embarrassed. He had gathered some attention from the people around you from the yelling.
"I asked Jaehee at what time you came in," he responded, "and I came here to prove I know Jumin and Jaehee! I'm not a stalker, I swear!"
"It's getting harder to believe you." You said as you pinched his arm discretely.
"Jaehee! Jaehee, Jaehee, Jaehee, ow, ow, oww!" He whined, making you pull away, your mildly evil expression melting.
"Jaehee!" You immediately put yourself at her side. You had been too busy pinching the boy that you hadn't notice she was right there until he cried her name.
"She thinks I'm a stalker!" He whined to Jaehee, his eyes mimicking the innocence of those of a puppy.
"Well, are you?" The deep voice came from right beside you, sending a chill down your spine. You were surprised you didn't scream in terror. It was Mr. Han. Wasn't he supposed to be in Hong Kong until Monday?
"Mr. Han decided to come back early." Jaehee whispered in your ear in a defeated tone when she noticed how stiff with shock you had gotten.
"I'm not a stalker!" Yoosung started panicking more with embarrassment.
Mr. Han gave him a hum before forgetting he was there and giving his attention to you.
"There was really no point in Elizabeth 3rd staying the night in the home of a stranger, but unfortunately it happened. I'll send someone for her after work. Better yet, I'll pick her up myself."
He brushed your arm just lightly as he pushed passed you and Yoosung, completely ignoring his whines.
You finally unfroze at the sound of his office door shutting and clutched your chest, spinning to face Jaehee. You gave her a horrifying expression and grabbed her shoulders.
"Jaehee, I'm scared."
She pushed up her glasses, a small smile on her lips.
"You'll get used to it." She said.
But I don't want to get used to it, you thought.
Yoosung didn't stay much longer with what not being defended by his two friends, but he didn't look too down about it. He simply said, "duty calls!" and something about laughing out loud, you think? Did he say 'lol'?
You felt nervous at the thought of Mr. Han coming to your home to pick up his cat for the rest of the day. At some point you went into his office and insisted on taking her back to his place instead.
"Mr. Han, you shouldn't be bothered." You tried your best to convince him.
"You're right." He said. Your relief was cut short as he continued, "You can bring her to the car once I'm there. I can't be bothered entering your apartment complex."
"Mr. Han-"
"You have a job to do right now. I'm a busy man as well."
With that you were kicked out of his office.
"I'm a busy man as well." You mimicked.
Yeah right. Jaehee does most of your work, you crossed your arms and stuck your tongue out at his office door.