Jungkook's POV

I knocked on Hoseok's office door while carrying a cup of hot coffee. The aroma of the espresso filled the air as I waited for Hoseok's permission.

"Come in," His composed voice echoed.

I pushed the wooden door and stepped inside to see bright sunshine entering through the glass windows of the office. The wood colour of the table was completely hidden by the number of papers stacked on it.

 Hoseok's focus remained on the computer screen while tapping on the keys with practiced rhythm. He didn't look up but acknowledged my presence.

"Do you think a cup of coffee will fix the damage you made?" he asked while taking the cup from my hands and sipping on it.

I winced at his cold tone and took a seat across from him. "Hoseok, I know I neglected but hey! Look at the brighter side. We at least have fingerprints now."

I tried to give a smile which I was sure was more awkward than I thought it would be. But to my luck, Hoseok decided to just nod his head without going for his usual 2 hour lecture.

Then he reached out to the drawer and pulled out a file, which he slid across the desk. The name on the file, 'Mr Choi Soobin', was legible.

"Go through the file regarding the case" he instructed. " I haven't read it in detail but as far as I know, it's a minor missing case of a 23 year old. He must have had a fight with his parents and ran off. It's nothing new. This case shouldn't take much time."

I took the file but I didn't bother to open it and check it right there. These type of cases were too common. Someone would have an argument or be upset with his/her family and leave their home only to come back after a few days in regret. But I made a mental note not to neglect this case. It might be something more than what we might think.

I stood up to leave. But before I could leave, I heard Hoseok's voice.

"Sit back down," he ordered.

I nervously sat back down trying to recall everything wrong I have done in the past week. Apart from missing details of the case and accidentally breaking Hoseok's furniture, I didn't do anything wrong. And I think the latter one was enough of a reason to be angry on me.

He shifted his laptop aside and leaned forward. His expression turned into something more personal. Now I regretted handling his vase with negligence. I was mentally preparing myself to be lectured for 2 hours which I thought I got rid of. But his actual question caught me off guard.

"What do you think about Haerin?" he asked casually but I didn't fail to catch a glimpse of curiosity.

I frowned. "Miss Jung?"

He leaned back on his chair and gave me a look which I supposed was a look of disbelief. "Wait...do you call each other that formally? Seriously? Jungkook, I am your senior and you never bothered calling me Mr Jung."

I sighed as I knew where this was going. I directly came to the point. "Hoseok, I know you have proposed this before that I might be the man for her but first consider her feelings. She might not even be interested in me. And also, we just met a few days back."

Hoseok sighed and shook his head as if my logic was giving him physical pain. "What's so hard about you two falling in love? You are the most eligible bachelor out there and my sister is nothing less. A journalist and a detective..wahh...that would make a perfect pair!" He said while throwing his hands in the air.

I rolled my eyes and gave a soft chuckle. "If you are really looking for a good match for her, why not go for Mr Min. They have known each other for too long."

Hoseok scoffed and smirked. "Why would I bother looking for someone else when she has a massive crush on you?"

I froze. My eyes widened. I started choking on my own saliva. "What?" I coughed and looked at him in pure horror. "You're joking, right? We just met!"

But Hoseok didn't laugh, rather he smirked." Haerin has been having a crush on you for years, dumbass. She saw you on TV solving a case and developed a crush on you. Since then she has never missed any of your cases."

I felt my neck and cheeks heating up. And I didn't know why. I have been confessed to before many times. But this time for some reason, I felt my heart beating faster.

I cleared my throat and spoke while trying to hide the crack in my voice. "Wouldn't your sister kill you for revealing this to me?"

Hoseok waved a hand nonchalantly. "I'm just helping her out. She's too much of a coward to do it herself."

I exhaled while grabbing the files on the desk and standing up to leave. "Miss Jung might have a crush on me, but that's not love, right?". I said with a smirk.

Hoseok shrugged and grinned. "Crushes turn into love. Just a matter of time."

I rolled my eyes. "We'll see about that. But I doubt that's gonna happen anytime soon, especially now that Miss Jung is dealing with her friend's death."

Hoseok's grin widened. "That's all I was waiting to hear. At least you are considering that scenario." He stretched and stood up. " Anyways, I have a meeting to attend. I hope you will not disappoint me."

"Disappoint you in what? The new case or Miss Jung?" I asked genuinely confused.

After a long pause he said, "Both."

With that he walked out leaving me standing there in complete confusion.

I exhaled loudly and looked at the window. My face reflected back at me and I was sure I saw something on my cheek. Was that blush?

I frowned. Why was I feeling this way when it was not my first time finding out that a woman has a crush on me. But Haerin had admired me for years? That surely made my heart flip.

No. I didn't have any feelings...yet. I am not even considering it. But damn! It's amusing that Jung Haerin, the serious, sarcastic, sharp minded, always busy with bunch of articles, lady had a crush on me for years?

"I'm afraid you're going to fall in love with me, Miss Jung."

I muttered and then laughed at how ridiculous it sounded.

------

I sat in my office while absentmindedly staring at the files scattered on my desk. My thoughts were struck on Jimin's case. Once we find the fingerprints, we might get closer to the end of the case which should have been a relief. But I can't help but think about a question that has been bugging me lately.

Will Miss Jung stay in touch with me after this?

It was an odd thought which I didn't want to have. Then my thoughts trailed to the scenario that Hoseok mentioned where we actually fall in love.

I didn't believe in love at first sight or spending a day with someone and deciding that she is the one. Love takes time, patience and wisdom. It was not something you can define between people who just met a few days back.

I shook my head realizing that I was letting unnecessary thoughts consume my mind. I reached out to the file of the missing case in hope of distracting myself from the chaos in my mind. I opened the file and caught the details. Choi Soobin, age 23. Last seen in Jangwon.

My eyes widened. Jangwon?

Daehwa. It was Jimin's hometown. The same village he was visiting that night.

I sat up straight. This couldn't be a coincidence. The timing and the location were exactly the same. He went missing on the same night Jimin died and I would be a fool to consider this as a coincidence.

Before I could try to figure it out, my phone buzzed on the desk.

'Miss Jung' was showing up on the screen.

I picked up immediately without wasting a second. I needed to inform this to her as soon as possible.

"I have something to tell you," We said in unison. 

There was complete silence from either side of us.

Her fast breaths made me anxious.

I was sure of one thing. Whatever she had to say was as important as what I had to.

To be continued...