chapter 9 eternal

Jungkook has a good day at work. He receives morning messages from his friends and gets compliments on his new earrings. He realizes he hasn't seen his manager in a while but isn't bothered. Later, his manager compliments his earrings and leaves. Soobin, his coworker, is amazed by the expensive earrings. Jungkook takes them off during his shift, feeling relieved. He is surprised when a familiar friend, Yoo-Gim, comes to visit, and they have lunch together. Yoo-Gim also found some money, and they plan to buy groceries and make a special dinner. Jungkook feels happy and nostalgic while cooking. It's a good day for him. Eternal Instincts. Chapter 9. Good Days Are Coming. Jungkook hums as he walks into the bakery from the back door. He's having a good day so far. He woke up to six good morning messages, all from the coven. Jungkook, in a mild panic, asked Namjoon what happened, and the man apologetically told him that Jimin shared his number with the others. Jungkook shrugged it off. He isn't mad that the others now have his number. It would have happened eventually anyways. He feels the earrings hit his cheek as he puts his coat away and giggles. Jungkook honestly couldn't think of a place to wear the pretty sapphires to, considering he's only ever at one of his jobs or at home. They'd probably fall out at the library. He does way too much moving and cleaning. Instantly, he realizes he hasn't seen Mr. Kwon in a week. The library has just been so peaceful that Jungkook barely noticed his absence. The bakery is his safest bet. All he does is mix ingredients, now that Soobin's taken over most of the baking and decorating. The bakery door opens as Jungkook is putting on his apron. He turns around, smile on his face, ready to greet Soobin, but freezes. It's his manager. She looks tired, as always. Her hair is in a loose tie bun, pieces sticking out, and her clothes are disheveled. Jungkook doesn't know what is so stressful about running a bakery, but he always tries to tread lightly around the exhausted woman. Jungkook bows to her politely, and she ignores him, as usual. He's not offended as she makes her way to the back door, leading to an alleyway Jungkook uses on his walk over. He's about to turn around and finish getting ready, when she pauses and turns. Her eyes scrutinize his face for a moment, seemingly searching for something. Jungkook stays completely still as he does, hoping to God that she doesn't fire him. Am I wearing bad shoes? Do we have a dress code I didn't know about? Is it my hair? Nice earrings, Jun. She compliments him. Jungkook jumps. He's completely forgotten what her voice sounds like after weeks, even a month or two, without hearing from her. He realizes he's been standing there for a solid minute, just staring at his manager in shock. He hurries to reply. Thank you. She hums and leaves out of the back door, just as Soobin walks in. The high school student squeaks in surprise, and the manager just continues to walk out. Was that the boss lady? Soobin whisper-yells as the door closes. He walks closer to Jungkook as he sheds his own coat. I haven't seen her since I got hired. Jungkook hums. I can believe that. Yeah, she even talked to me. Soobin gives him a wide-eyed, disbelieving look, and Jungkook nods. It's true. She told me she liked my earrings. Soobin glances at Jungkook's ears and screeches. Jungkook jumps for the second time today as Soobin grabs his face to inspect his ears closely. The high school student gasps, Jungkook furring his brows at the sound. What's wrong, he says. Is there something on his face? Fuck, did one of the earrings fall out? Soobin gapes. Those are Chanel earrings from the Comet Jode collection. Jungkook's jaw goes slack. Chanel? He's never even seen anything Chanel in his life, and now he owns a pair of brand earrings. Fuck. They must be real sapphires and diamonds, not the fake kind Jungkook's used to seeing. These are like 6.6 million won, hyung. Soobin's amazement turns into a whine. Hyung, where did you get these? I want a pair. Jungkook just chuckles nervously, processing the fact that he has millions of won hanging off of his ears right now. About halfway through his shift, Jungkook decides to take the earrings off. As soon as he does, his body relaxes like the weight of the world has been graciously lifted from his shoulders. He doesn't know how rich people are so comfortable with priceless gems hanging from their ears. He felt so stiff wearing those earrings. Never again, he decides, as he slips his earrings into the coat pocket. Suddenly, he hears the front doorbell ring, but he doesn't rush to join Soobin in the bakery again. He's sure the younger can handle it. The break room door opens, and Soobin's head pops out. Maybe he can't handle it. Hyung, there's a guy in the front for you. Jungkook's brows pinch. Namjoon? That doesn't seem likely. Namjoon would probably call before appearing at his job after last time, and Soobin doesn't seem shaken, though Namjoon is definitely out. Maybe one of the others? Thanks, Soobin-ah. Jungkook tussles the younger's hair as he walks out, ignoring Soobin's whines. Jungkook makes his way into the front, looking into the seating area, curiously. A smile breaks out on his face when he notices a familiar head of hair. Hyung-ie! The other turns around at the nickname, a smile on his face, too. Yoo-Gim comes in for a hug, and Jungkook happily returns it. They saw each other just this morning sharing a breakfast of fried eggs and toast, but Jungkook doesn't think about that as he squeezes his best friend. What are you doing here? Jungkook questions as he pulls away. Yoo-Gim grins. I thought we could spend our lunch break together. The news makes Jungkook's brow raise. Yoo-Gim works different hours than him, leaving the apartment later and coming home late, too. Their schedules almost never line up. Having a fun lunch together is rare. Yoo-Gim recognizes the look he's giving him and waves him off. The machine broke down, so we got an early lunch today. Ah, Jungkook nods. I think we have some bagels and extra cream cheese. I'll take it. Oh, and I have more good news, Yoo-Gim tells him around a mouthful of bagel. On my way here, I found this. He digs in his pockets for a moment before pulling out a small stack of wands. He slams them on the table dramatically, like he's holding a winning poker hand. Jungkook glances at the crinkled bills, starting from the ground Yoo-Gim found them on. His mouth makes a surprised oh as he counts 30,000 wands. Big baller, Jungkook comments, stuffing the last of his bagel in his mouth. Yoo-Gim prings. I know. Take them and buy groceries after work. We can make something fancy for dinner tonight. Ooh, what about beo-da-jigae? He hums, putting the bills in his own pocket. Army stew would be good, not to mention it lasts a while between the two of them. It's a simple but filling meal. Army stew it is, Jungkook announces, laughing at Yoo-Gim's resounding whoop-whoop. Jungkook hums pleasantly as the sausages and spam sizzle. Everything is going well, the stew bubbling low on a large pot and the kitchen slowly filling with the smell of home cooking. He remembers the recipe from his mother. She used to make beo-da-jigae often and Jungkook would stand on a stool and watch her. She always let him have small spoonfuls as she could. Jungkook smiles around a spoon as he tastes the stew. He hears a door open, giggles at Yoo-Gim's obnoxious moaning. Today is a good day.