They were standing by near the wooden dock, gazing directly at the lake when they were having a conversation. Nonetheless, Valerie was mostly listening to Jimin intently on the details that he was speaking of.
"The sales of the products are decreasing since there are not many customers buying. Therefore, my business isn't going well and my father hasn't spoken to me yet," he explained feebly, propping himself forward against the railing. "I always noticed that he wasn't very proud of what I'm doing. He only talks to me every time I succeeded, but whenever I fail, he kept quiet."
He paused, then glanced at her in a query. "How about you?"
Valerie stared at him and laughed nervously. "Me? Right... Well, my friend is in the hospital."
"What happened?" Jimin asked in concern.
"Just a few criminals and-" Valerie said, then stopped when she felt his hand placed gently on top of hers. She spun her head at him in shock.
"It's okay," he said reassuringly.
Valerie's eyes were glistening and nodded silently.
Jimin looked back at the front view and noted. "If you want to know the answers as to what had happened at the New Year's party incident and my former group's disbandment, then I will enlighten you."
"Are you sure about that? Because I don't want to force you," she raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Do you want me to?" Jimin retorted back.
"I..." Valerie was about to respond, but the phone started to vibrate in his pocket when she averted her gaze there.
Jimin pulls it out and reads the text message from his fiancé, saying that she will be away for one week. Then, he was fidgeting his thumbs on the keyboard to reply back to her sweetly.
"Was that your fiancé?" Valerie guessed.
"How did you know?" Jimin was startled.
"I can tell by the way you are smiling so giddily to yourself," Valerie chuckled.
"Yeah. I'm going to miss her for a little while," Jimin smiled and continued on when his expression began to change into seriousness. "Anyway, what happened in the New Year's party was when Jungkook and I found out that Taehyung was secretly friends with EXO and the other groups. We got so mad that he's helped them countless times without even informing us. I know that it's only choreography or music, but stuff like these really matters because we put a lot of effort into our work to create them. Taehyung has this bad habit of being too nice to everyone when he shouldn't and can be very stubborn. We started having an argument there in front of the guests before a sudden turmoil occurred. After our final concert, that was the moment where we had a huge fight in our dressing room, leading us to part our ways."
Valerie frowned and understood this by saying. "Was there any reason or was it only because of the competition and rivalry that you guys have with the groups?"
"Yes, there was," Jimin said, then his phone rang and answered. "Hello?"
"Mr. Park?" One of his assistants called.
"Yes, what is it?" He asked blankly.
"The sales are starting to increase slowly, according to the statistics. I believe that only 30% of the customers are demanding more," the assistant informed excitedly.
"How is that possible?" Jimin furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.
"I think some must have switched the products into a different one. We should be thankful for them," his assistant said, smiling at the counter screen.
"Okay. We'll discuss this tomorrow morning," Jimin notified firmly.
"Alright, sir! Have a goodnight!" His assistant said merrily.
"Night..." Jimin gritted his teeth and ended the call. He shoved the phone in his pocket and started to walk away. "I'll see you around."
Valerie was puzzled, then reminded him mildly. "You know, one of the best things in life is to be grateful for the person who is willing to help because there aren't many caring people who do."
Jimin stopped in his tracks when he heard her say that. He turned over and thinned his lips neutrally. "Got it."
Valerie smiled and watched him face the front to resume his striding. "Take care."
When she entered the apartment, she jumped on the comfy couch and face-time her friend Sally, who was astonished at how much she had gone through, along with Bryan.
"That's crazy!" She exclaimed.
"Yeah..." Valerie looked at her sadly.
"Did you report to the police about the incident?" Sally asked.
"Yes. I did," Valerie nodded in response and interjected. "They are working on the case right now, but I think it is better to take this task myself."
"Val... Have you lost your mind?! You barely even solved the first case. It is not okay for you to do this alone and not to mention that our friend is in the hospital," Sally was shaking her head in disagreement. "Better yet, I'm coming there to protect your asses, so will you let me get involved in whatever problems that you're having because what are friends for?"
"You're right. I'm sorry for being selfish and being way over the top. It's just I want to pursue a career as a detective and it's difficult to find a good job nowadays," Valerie sighed and sulked.
"Why didn't you take the arts? There are so many options for you; such as interior designer, illustrator, cake artist or decorator, video editor," Sally emphasized every word, holding her index finger and thumb together.
"I'm not a competitive person. Besides... I bumped into someone at the bar a few hours ago before I almost got harassed by some guy," Valerie spoke tacitly, crossing her arms as she looked sideways to the corner and added in. "He confronted him actually."
"Oh my god. Is he your 'knight-shining-in-armor'? Ooh, Val! Tell me!" Sally urged on apprehensively.
"Hah. I don't believe in that statement and no, he's not. He's a business CEO and is eventually getting married to his fiancé," Valerie reminded discreetly.
"Wait a minute. CEO? No freaking way! You encountered Park Jimin!!" Sally shrieked, making her eyes startled. "He's the hottest and handsome guy that every girl is dying to meet, but too bad. He is taken as you said."
Valerie scoffed and rolled her eyes carelessly. "That's unfortunate. What's weird is that he happens to visit the Southside Parlor occasionally and I was there to drink all my emotions away."
"At least, he came to rescue you from a pervert," Sally chimed in positively.
"I don't need saving," Valerie remarked as she took a sip of the bottled water.
"Girl, you were practically getting drunk without having someone to accompany you. I can't believe that Jimin was there just in time. Did anything else happen between you guys?" Sally asked eagerly.
"A normal talk. That's all. For heaven's sake, Sally. What were you expecting?" Valerie shook her head bizarrely.
"Oh! Right. Sorry, I forgot," Sally realized hastily.
"Moreover, I don't think I'll end up with anyone because there aren't a lot of decent guys around," Valerie stated knowingly.
"Really? I know for a fact that you will because deep down, you are partly hoping for love and that is okay, Val. Regardless of that, I'll talk to you about it next time. I got to help my mom cook," Sally concluded and waved at her with a smile. "Bye!"
"Bye..." Valerie murmured softly when the video call ended. She slowly closed the laptop and breathed out sluggishly before she laid back down on the cushions. She folded her hands all at once, reflecting on the circumstances that emanated.368Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd4TZVL1OeB
