Appreciations and Perspective Change

"In my opinion, the best thing you can do is find someone who loves you for exactly what you are. Good mood, bad mood, ugly, pretty, handsome, what have you." -J.K. Simmons

The rest of the month went by with cases and courts. Fortunately, the five guys got lifetime enslavement and they guilty bowed down before the cameras and reporters. As I told Liya, she talked to John and asked for his forgiveness, he confessed how much he liked her and forgive him for what he's done though it's unforgivable. He also advised her to be happy and live her life to the fullest. I knew he's a nice person deep down but it's too late to admit after kidnapping and selling many women. It's a huge crime and none of them can't loosen from the law and order though they were really young and had only started their life. But that doesn't mean the media won't tear their flesh apart and reveal every truth, including some rumors. Let's leave it to that.

About me, what can I say? I was literally covered by people wherever I went. Everyone knew me and they went crazy if they happen to see me; especially the girls younger than my age and a couple of boys too. They'd diffused the camcorder video into public. It's all over the media, and people were actually waiting to see me at the hospital gate the very day I discharged. Right after a couple of screams and tug of war between the reporters and policemen, I was taken into the district collector's office to be given flowers and stuff then came photos and the accompanied junk. The collector talked to me about many things for straight 2 hours and my butt hurt sitting on the chair stiffly but my soulmate was there to cheer me up. Jimin always followed me wherever I went and stood like a proud father his chest pushed out. My mom's phone was about to burst apart receiving loads and loads of interview requests from various news channels. I was requested to take some of them, reluctantly. I only attended three or four and answered whatever they asked with a blank face, once in a while throwing a small smile. It sure was hard staring at the camera for me, a full-time introvert who hardly talked, but I managed to grasp it after a while.

My picture's banners and postures were hung all over my village saying I'm their pride and such glorified words. People who didn't even know I existed in the first place started to acknowledge my presence. Many communities gave me momentos and spoke an hour-long speech about me as a guest. They praised me from Mercury to Neptune while I just heard through one ear and passed it through another. What? My head might explode if I store all of the unrequited information. People asked me where I learned martial arts and I told them. After a couple of days, my master called me and thanked for filling up his academy. The trend these days...tsk tsk. The worse thing is that they'd ask me to show a common defense move to show to the audience and funny enough the middle-aged political leaders try to imitate me resulting in them spraining their ankle or backbone. I'd to bit down on my lip so hard sometimes watching their awkward postures, from burst out laughing. Well, Jimin does, lucky him!

When I go to school people trail behind me asking questions and for my AUTOGRAPH! How far can they go, right? They keep asking about everything and anything while I'd to surpass them with a smile. I couldn't even sit alone in my class without people crowding around me almost like ants surrounding sugar. My sisters and Haneen suffered along with me too. Haneen was known as some hero, officially being my crime partner. We were even rumored to have been dating which we both neglected but yeah no use. Liya reduced her friend circle and always hanged around us now. Normally, I'd expected her to get negative comments and had prepared myself to punch them in their face but surprisingly she was adored too. Maybe they were scared of me like Haneen had told? Well, instead of me known as playgirl Liya's or pretty Diya's big sister, they were known as the Brave Mia's sisters. It's interesting, isn't it? I really had thought beauty was everything. But guess not. People who judged me by my looks and asked whether I was adopted or their servant was praising me now. They'd never once mentioned about my looks, only the words like 'courage', 'brave', 'strong', 'astonishing', 'fearless', 'bold', 'heroic', etc were used to describe me. The world has proved me wrong once again.

I guess you don't have to be beautiful to be famous. There're other ways too!

"Phew! The last momendo sis got" Liya wiped her sweat off her forehead.

"I guess we have to buy a new show-case for keeping it" Diya slumped down on the chair, "It's 43rd" she pointed at a shining flower-shaped trophy with my photo.

I was passing through the dining hall holding a cup of noodles in my hands Jimin at my heels faintly laughing at a joke I just cracked. I tilted my head at them placing the trophies I got from various programs and communities on our large show-case on the wall. There weren't any remaining places on it which were filled with our achievements.

I raised an eyebrow at them as they felt my presence and turned around.

"Oh sis. How does it look?" Diya stood aside giving me the full view.

"It's..."I squinted my eyes, "...good?"

"Duh," Liya rolled her eyes, "Sorry, it's our fault for asking you" she motioned for me to go on, "You're still weak on 'giving compliment department'"

Diya chuckled while I smiled sheepishly following a grinning Jimin up the stairs.

"What do you want to watch?" I asked looking up from my laptop.

"Anything you please," Jimin shrugged smiling delightedly while arranging pillows erect and gathering blankets on the bed.

We were going to have a movie night because it's been a while since we've spent time together with my busy schedule and school at the top. Of course, he's always with me but sitting in each other's presence and chilling out was something significant. I'd opposed the idea first, but I'd to sway with Jimin's presence accompanied by his whine and adorable puppy eyes. It was nice though, the times we spend together were very much the definition of special and romantic though we'd our own limitations, unlike the other couples. I guess that's what makes our relationship special and different.

I got up with the laptop in my hands and crawled into the bed. Jimin had already sat down and was leaning against the pillow, waiting for me. I got under the cover and adjusted the laptop to stay between our outstretched legs. I clicked the play button and sat back. Jimin immediately pulled me towards his chest wrapping his arms around me, immersing me in his warmth. I relaxed into his tight hold leaning against him to rest my head on his chest and wrapping my arms around his torso. I could sense him exhaling and smiling as we watched the intro of the Korean drama I chose. He pulled me closer to him gently caressing my arm and kissing the top of my head out of nowhere. A smile pulled on my lips before I clutched his hand in mine and kissed on it, and interlocked it with mine.

The atmosphere was very romantic and chiseled. Love floated everywhere throughout the room and the drama I chose was a high school love story for the sake of Jimin. I knew he enjoyed love stories a lot so I obliged by my boyfriend. I just wanted him to enjoy his time with me.

"Mm, you chose a romantic drama?" he asked, his chest vibrating against my ear.

"Yeah..."I hummed.

"I'm surprised," he mumbled, "You said you hated love stories?" I could sense him raising an eyebrow already.

"Before I met you" I mumbled back which was enough for him to chuckle, "I still don't like it but I don't...hate it anymore"

"I'm glad" his grip tightened and we continued watching the honey dripping love story.

"I'm hungry," I mumbled while playing with the hair on his forehead.

"Isn't it like midnight?" Jimin asked after turning around to glance at the clock.

We'd finished watching the 'sweet drama' as told by Jimin but 'cringe drama' to me though I kept silent to his excitement. We somehow decided to sleep, well I didn't but the mochi guy pulled me under the cover along with him. When I'd tried to escape he'd secured his arms around my waist and pressed me to him not allowing me to go. I could easily break off from him but I decided not to, considering his cute little stern expression making me internally squeal. I couldn't sleep so I started playing with his hair before he closed his eyes letting me. But it didn't last long because my stomach rumbled signaling I should feed myself.

"Yeah," I retraced my hand from his hair causing him to groan and pout. I chuckled lightly and got up to switch on the lights, "I've to eat something" I got off the bed.

"Aish Mia!" Jimin whined and got up along with me, "Who gets hungry in the middle of the night?" he followed me sulking.

"Me!" I chirped before opening the door stealthy and walking down the stairs along with the sulking and pouting Jimin.

We somehow reached the kitchen door moving past mom's bedroom from where loud snoring could be heard. I heard Jimin chuckling and following me to the kitchen. I just shook my head and switched on one light, just enough for me to see around.

I tiptoed towards the shelf and picked out instant ramen packs without making any noises while Jimin sat on the counter judging my every move. He gasped when I turned around to fetch a tumbler from another shelf.

"What? You're gonna eat ramyeon at night?" he exclaimed. "You'll be sleepy next morning"

"It's not my fault I got hungry seeing those girls in the drama slurp up those noodles," I mumbled, silently placing water on the stove, "They coveted me"

Jimin just facepalmed himself, "It's my fault letting you see that scene. Entirely my fault" he shook his head in disapproval.

I shrugged and turned away from him to check the water boiling.

I was staring into the tumbler full of water where small air bubbles were forming at the bottom. I was reminiscing the Chemistry class about the properties of water when a pair of arms enclosed around my waist. I flinched and almost shrieked but quieted down remembering who was behind me. I stiffened when Jimin placed his head on my shoulder, face nuzzling into my neck and his nose touching my sensitive spot. An immediate shiver went down my spine when he pulled me closer into him, against his hard-toned chest, and tightened his hold on my torso.

I was a mere piece of stiff wood, frozen on my spot unable to move or process anything at all. I mean, I've got a series of back hugs from him but this one was so unlike any of them. The way he held me, to the temperament of his hold, held something more affectionate and different from his usual ones. It was something we crave but never know it was already there.

"Mm, you smell good," he sniffed my neck and exhaled heavily. Inching a little away he retraced one of his hands around me to softly trace my neck causing goosebumps to rise all over my body before I closed my eyes to the feeling.

I felt him enclosing his hand on me again and nuzzling into my neck like before. His lips slightly brushed on my neck making me shiver again. I clutched his hands around me tightly when he started planting kisses down my neck. I involuntarily tilted my neck to provide him more space. I sucked in a breath when he nipped on my skin once.

"J-Jimin..." I called breathlessly, resting my head on his shoulder.

"What's it, babe?" he whispered against my earlobe.

Too much stimulation. I blushed furiously after hearing the nickname and his unusually deep voice. I opened my eyes and regained my composure seeing boiling water.

I stepped towards the stove with Jimin still clinging to me.

"What's with the new nickname?" I asked nonchalantly amidst pouring the contents of the packet, trying my best to maintain my breathless voice.

"Hm, I always wanted to call my future girlfriend that name," he whispered again now resting his chin on my shoulder to watch me cooking, "Don't you like it?" oh, there's the smirk. What can I do with this flirt?!

"It's cringe but I won't object if you like it," I shrugged turning to give him a reassuring smile.

He smiled widely hugging me like a bear. I gave him a small pat on his head reaching behind me.

"What about babygirl?" he asked obviously teasing.

I almost choked on oxygen. I said almost. I turned my upper body to face him and of course, he had that nasty smirk under his innocent smile. I raised an eyebrow when he squished my cheeks abruptly.

"Can I call you that too?" he asked with wide eyes, clearly teasing me under his innocent facade.

I smiled and ruffled his hair, "Call me whatever you want, Chim"

He smiled widely and leaned in aiming my lips. I decided to tease him and leaned away but that didn't stop him as he kept leaning in with a nasty smile. My back hit the counter and he smirked in victory but I refused to lose. I twisted around in his arms and ducked causing him to tumble over into the counter.

I chuckled and got away from him to turn off the stove.

"Yah! Give me my kiss!" Jimin whined striding towards me.

I giggled and turned around to skip somewhere but before I could even take a step a hand caught my wrist. Next thing I know I was pinned against the wall with a smirking Jimin before me. Both of my hands on his clutches and his body only inches from mine, his cologne already filling my nostrils.

We stared into each other eyes panting a little. Jimin leaned in with the nasty smirk which I'd learned to adore. I thought he was gonna kiss me and I closed my eyes but a whisper in my ears taught me wrong.

"You can never escape me, babygirl" it was sensual.

I opened my eyes witnessing his face only an inch away from mine. His lips glistened under the dim light when he licked on them. His gaze was captivating as usual but I refused to fall prey on it and decided to smirk.

"Really?" I raised my eyebrows with amusement, "I don't think so"

I mean I can easily yank him off me but I let him take control.

"You can't," he chuckled lightly, "I've got a place right there" he gestured towards my heart with his head, "And it's decided by someone up there" now he tilted his head. He exhaled and leaned closer, his lips grazing my cheeks lightly, "Now, give me what I want"

I shook my head biting my lip, "Don't want to"

"Then I'm gonna take it," and he kissed me.

I didn't hesitate to kiss back before he smirked against my lips. His hands slipped away from my wrists to slide them down to my waist to pull me even closer. I clasped my hands around his neck and played with the hair at the base of his neck. He groaned and pushed me against the wall to tilt his head thus deepening the kiss.

Amidst our kiss, Sunhee walked into the kitchen. She rolled her eyes at our usual act to which she'd grown accustomed to and walked away nonchalantly. She looked up at the already cooked ramyeon and internally sighed with pity.

'Am I a joke to you?' the ramyeon shouted at the couple.

Sunhee sniffed and walked away.