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//jumin han x non.mc!reader//

There was something wrong when Jaehee woke up this morning.

A heaviness was felt looming against her eyelids as she had to practically force them open. When the sunlight had shone on her brown eyes, she immediately winced as a sharp pain ran against her temple, alerting her to an incoming migraine.

In an attempt to calm herself, she takes in a deep breath only to realize that there was a blockage within her nostrils, making it difficult for her to breathe. After swallowing, she groans and realizes what the problem was.

Sore throat,

sensitivity to light,

congested nose,

I'm sick.

Her quick assessment of her health makes her wary of calling in sick, so much so that she actually begins weighing the pros and cons of coming into work while feeling this ill. It was true that she could go through the day eating copious amounts of cough drops while taking two painkillers every four hours, but Jaehee felt as though her body were totally against the thought of moving. Even the simple task of reaching for her phone made her bones ache with a weariness she hadn't felt in a long time.

Knowing that going into work to avoid being fired was out of the question, she makes two calls: one to her replacement and the other to Mr. Han himself.

Jumin: This is unacceptable.

Jumin: I refuse to have some other woman watching over Elizabeth 3rd.

Zen: Jeez, you're a dictator through and through.

Zen: Can't you understand that she's too sick to take care of that damn cat?

Yoosung: well, i mean, on the brighter side

Yoosung: at least she won't be alone tonight when you fly to tokyo?

Jumin: I'm delaying my flight.

Jumin: I won't leave until I know for sure who this replacement is.

Jumin: If worst comes to worst, I'll just bring Elizabeth with me.

Zen: I think you're taking this way too harshly ;;

"I just got a call from Mr. Han. He's upset with me for hiring you without his permission."

"Yeah? Well he sounds like an asshole to me." You respond with a huff. Keeping the phone pressed against your right ear and shoulder, you adjust your hold on your duffel bag and take another glance around your surroundings while feeling severely out of place. This apartment complex was truly made for a millionaire with its chrome walls and marbled flooring. In fact, your simple apartment seemed shoddy in comparison.

When Jaehee had called you for a favor, you were greatly concerned for her health. Her voice had lost its tranquil ring to it and was instead replaced with a deep and nasally tone. Even through the phone, you could tell that your best friend was sick and quickly urged her to hang up so that she could rest and get better.

"But [Name], I'm afraid that I'll lose my job because of this."

"Don't be ridiculous, Jae. If push comes to shove then I'll make him see just how much of an asshole he is. You won't lose your job just because you had to find a replacement cat sitter for him. Hang up the phone and get some rest, Jae. I've got this. Your tight ass boss doesn't frighten me."

"And just who were you calling a tight ass?" A cool voice was heard coming from behind you, and the gasp that comes through the speaker of your phone makes you believe that Mr. Han himself had heard your outburst.

In order to keep Jaehee safe, you hang up the phone and face the menace himself only to be pleasantly surprised. Standing before you was a tall young man, perhaps only a few years older than you.

Words could not properly describe how handsome he was. Standing at least 6 feet in height, you found yourself looking deep into his grey eyes. His thin lips were pressed together in a tight line, clearly annoyed with you as he did his own assessment of your form.

You were sure that he wasn't impressed with what he saw.

"Are you the woman that Jaehee hired in her place?"

"Yes, and I have a name. It's [Last] [First], and I would prefer it if you were to refer to me by my given name."

A spark of interest flashes within his stormy gaze before Mr. Han takes a step back to observe you further. He detects the challenge in your stance, your posture remaining rigid and upright even under his scrutinizing gaze. The only clue that gave away your nervousness was how your eyes would flitter back and forth from him to the floor the longer he stared at you.

What an interesting woman.

"Tell me, did Jaehee hand you the keys to my apartment?"

"She did, but I didn't want to intrude since I knew you would be coming to interview me. I didn't see the point in using it since I was positive that you were going to unlock it for me."

"Such confidence." Mr. Han's expression slowly morphs into that of a dark smirk, making his eyes appear more sinister when he asks, "And what makes you so sure that I'm going to allow you to protect Elizabeth 3rd?"

Without hesitation, you respond, "Because Elizabeth 3rd is the one that is most precious to you, and I know that you would rather she stay in the comfort of her home than go with you to a foreign and unknown country. You love her too much to upset her."

You felt victorious when Mr. Han loses his smirk and falters a bit upon trying to retain his cold expression.

"Elizabeth 3rd must mean a lot to you if you made my best friend look after her while you were away. Because you've pretty much worked her to the bone, she's too ill to watch over Elizabeth and has now entrusted your precious cat to me. If you send me away, then you'll end up upsetting her by taking her away from home. And if you even think about firing Jaehee for her decision, well, then you've just lost the one person you trusted the most with Elizabeth."

You were taking a risk, you knew that. But if your assumptions about Mr. Han and that his love for his cat went beyond what a normal person felt for their pet, then you would be okay.

After debating with himself for several minutes, you let out a sigh of relief when Mr. Han relents, "Fine, you've got the job as Jaehee's temporary replacement. Let's go inside and discuss the proper way for you to take care of my queen."

{. . .}

"You must always feed her with her favorite brand of wet food right here, and it must be placed on her favorite bowl. After every meal, she likes to drink water from this crystal plate. Only when she is done are you allowed to wash the bowl and plate."

"She has her own bed, but is free to sleep wherever she pleases, my room is no exception. This is why I leave all of the doors open for her convenience."

"For her litter box, you must change and dispose of it every two hours, even if Elizabeth doesn't use it. My Queen likes the litter in her box to feel fresh between the pads of her feet, and I intend to keep her satisfied at all times."

You had to stop yourself from rolling your eyes at Mr. Han's mundane rules. "Sir, with all due respect, I know how to care for a cat. In fact, I have one at home that's a pure black cat named Midnight."

While Mr. Han was explaining all of the rules to care for Elizabeth 3rd, he kept holding her in his arms, preventing the cat from exploring Midnight's lingering scent within your clothes. Though you had to admit, you could understand why he was so protective of her. Elizabeth 3rd was incredibly beautiful with long, pure white fur and wide sapphire eyes. You longed to run your fingers through her fur, but her owner was very conscious of who was allowed to touch her.

After dismissing the fact that you also had a cat, Mr. Han begins to coo lovingly at Elizabeth 3rd, giving her plenty of kisses for the next ten minutes.

"It's going to be okay, you're going to be safe with [Name] and she's gonna protect you while I'm away. Try not to miss me too much, but I know I'll miss you."

You were surprised at how such a seemingly cold man like Mr. Han could have such a soft voice. You suppose when it came to the things he loved the most was when Mr. Han was the most vulnerable. Continuing to gaze at the man with his beloved pet, you felt your face flush a deep shade of red when he kisses Elizabeth again, causing you to briefly wonder what his lips would feel like against yours.

Clearing your throat, you look away from him and see Elizabeth jump out of his arms. She wastes no time with standing in front of you with her tail swishing back and forth while meowing a few times. Circling around your legs, it only takes her about a minute to accept you as being worthy of her affections before she lovingly rubs her side against you. You giggle and kneel down, lightly petting Elizabeth as you greeted her, "Hello pretty lady, my name is [Name], and I hope we can become friends."

"Mrow!"

You hear Mr. Han clear his throat, trying to hide the jealousy in his voice when he told you, "Elizabeth has never taken a liking to someone so easily before. She barely even acknowledges Jaehee, except maybe to annoy her with her strands of fur scattered throughout her clothes."

"Well, this is just further proof that you can trust her with me. Now go on, you have a business trip to attend to."

{. . .}

When Jaehee had told you that she would be working as Mr. Han's assistant, you were ecstatic for her. With your mind stuck on love stories filled with various fantasies, you often bombarded her with questions pertaining to her relationship with Mr. Han. You were hoping that your best friend would be living the life of an office romance, but sadly, that didn't seem to be the case.

"Mr. Han and I could never be in a relationship. The man has stated on more than one occasion that he can't stand the sound of my voice. Besides, he's much too concerned with his cat to even consider a relationship with those of the opposite sex."

Her answer was so boring; so typical of what Kang Jaehee would say in just about any situation pertaining to her love life. Jaehee's blunt and straightforward outlook on life was what made you love and adore her so much as a friend, but you felt sorry for her lack of romance.

However, now that you caught a glimpse of what Mr. Han was like in reality, you realize that the words she had told you about her boss rang true. The man was devastatingly handsome, but his lack of interest in romance and his overall adoration for Elizabeth 3rd painted him in an almost childlike view for you. You knew that he was vastly intelligent and could have any woman (or man) if he so desired them, but his life of a bachelor had to have been a steadfast choice on his part.

After waking up from your troubled sleep in the guest room, you hurriedly tended to Elizabeth 3rd and started by feeding her breakfast just as Mr. Han had told you to. Despite his ridiculous amount of rules, you knew you had to follow them if you wanted to earn the amount of money the man was willing to pay you.

While Elizabeth scarfs down her food, you smile warmly down at her and slowly begin to pet the back of her head, "You are one lucky woman, being loved so deeply by such a dashing young man."

Finished with her meal, Elizabeth licks the area around her mouth and purrs at you. She rubs her side against you before quickly dashing toward the clear glass that separated the apartment from the balcony. "Huh? What's wrong Elly?"

Elizabeth kept on scratching at the glass, her pure blue eyes looking sad and defeated. "Oh poor baby, does Mr. Han not give you any freedom?"

Stepping closer to the Persian cat, you bend down to pick her up, feeling her restless movements in your arms, "Have you ever been outside before, Elizabeth?"

Her longing gaze was all the convincing you needed. Still holding her gingerly to your chest, you grab the apartment's spare key from the kitchen counter and head toward the door.

Since you raised Midnight, you knew all too well that cats were independent creatures to begin with. While you were away at work, you couldn't count the number of times Midnight had escaped from the confines of your apartment. After a few weeks of having him come and go from your apartment to god knows where else, you decided that he would be just fine since he always came home in the end.

You had just stepped outside of the apartment complex when Elizabeth began to stir in your arms. The feeling of the warm spring air against her fur was making her even more antsy than usual and before you could even process what had happened, Elizabeth darted out of your arms and into a nearby bush.

"Oh god, Elly no!"

You cut through the bush, feeling several people giving you strange looks as you called out Elizabeth's name. You look around the subdivision, seeing no signs of the pure white cat nearby. As your eyes trailed all around the area, you saw the cat standing twenty feet away from you. You hear her distant meow and quickly follow her with a desperation, hoping to catch her in time.

{. . .}

Your search comes up empty, and it was well past 11 o'clock when you returned to the apartment. Your heart was racing, but not because you were running. No, it was racing because you were filled with fear at what was to come.

Mr. Han was going to return in two days, and you didn't even want to picture just how livid he would be with you. You were positive that he was going to kill you and dispose of your body if Elizabeth was still missing.

Unable to sleep, you weigh out your options of what to do next. By now, Elizabeth was someplace far away from you, and you weren't sure what good it would do for you to try and find her.

When you think back to when Midnight ran away, you had spent several days looking for him, only to turn up empty each time. You asked around your town, hoping to find any clues that would lead you back to your beloved cat. Your search ends up taking you to a kind old lady and she reassures you, telling you to not worry about Midnight.

"If your kitten loves you, he'll always find his way home. For now, let him be the wild kitten he wants to be. He'll come back home, don't worry."

And it was with a heavy heart that you returned home, trying to find comfort in her words. Three days later, when you were close to giving up on him, your Midnight returned home, looking a little skinnier than when you had last seen him. You recall that day as being the happiest day of your life as you fed him all of his favorite foods (even allowing him to share a bit of your tuna sandwich).

You sigh and lean your head against the wall, "Elizabeth clearly loves Mr. Han, so she has to come back home. I know she will, I just have to believe in her like I believed in Midnight."

You were positive that if Mr. Han came home and Elizabeth was still missing, then you would face a heavy consequence.

{. . .}

Jumin could feel something different in the air when he came back home to his apartment a day earlier than expected. He missed his beloved Elizabeth so much that he sealed the deal with the partner company and flew back home, so when he didn't hear her cute mewls, he could feel an icy cold emotion running through his veins.

As if on cue, you arrive in front of him and take a step back at seeing the furious expression on his face. "You...where's Elizabeth?"

You don't say a word, carefully placing the spare keys to his apartment on the kitchen counter. When he notices how you couldn't even face him, Jumin knew that something had happened to his beloved Elizabeth, "Damn you ANSWER ME! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ELIZABETH?"

Unable to hold back his anger, he places both hands on your shoulder, gripping you tightly as he cornered you against the wall. He refused to let any amount of guilt seep through him when your face scrunched up in a wince once your back met with the hard plaster. This was your fault, if anything happened to Elizabeth, then he would be driven to the brink of despair.

Elizabeth was his sole source of happiness, and the fact that you had the nerve to take that away from him was just-

"I'm sorry, Mr. Han. You have every right to be mad at me. It was my fault...Elizabeth- she ran away when I had taken her outside just to let her experience a bit of freedom."

"You what? You let her go outside?!" His grip on your arm was bruising you now, but you had to bear it, because this was what you deserved.

"Please Mr. Han, trust that she'll come back. Elizabeth loves you, so she will come back home."

"GET OUT." He shoves you away, making you stagger against the kitchen counter, "You're fired and undeserving of any sort of payment! How could you be so clueless and let Elizabeth wander off like that?!"

The tone of his voice should have made you compliant, but his anger only served to annoy you. Instead of backing off, you stood tall and told him, "You're smothering her. Can't you see that? When you left, she longed to be outside. I thought that she was a spoiled cat who would have loved to stay at home since that was what Jaehee had assumed. But she was wrong, and you were wrong, Mr. Han. No cat likes to be locked up in one place for so long. She loves you, so please have faith and believe that she'll come back to you."

How DARE she say that about Elizabeth! Was she really insinuating that I am a selfish owner?

Afraid that he would end up slapping you, Jumin keeps his anger in check and allows his fingernails to dig into the palm of his hand, forming crescent marks against them, "Get out. Let me find Elizabeth and sort out this goddamn mess by myself. I never want to see your face ever again!"

You nod and murmur a softly apologize, not daring to look back when you made your quick escape out of his apartment.

Only when [Name] was gone was Jumin free to show his frustrations, throwing a few of his items to the ground as he watched with satisfaction when the glass shattered. Running a hand through his hair, he searches for his phone within the pockets of his suit and begins calling his security team. He tells the head of the security group his situation and demands that they search for Elizabeth throughout the city.

After posting her picture on every social media site that he owned, he calls his driver and demands that he arrive at his place so that he could start his own search for Elizabeth.

Knowing that he was a mess, Jumin keeps on running a hand through his hair, already ruining the gel that styled it when he takes the elevator and escapes the confines of his apartment. Stepping outside of the building, he wonders where on earth Elizabeth could have gone to, feeling the despair grow deeper against the pit of his stomach when a tiny sound catches his attention.

He searches for the source of the sound and looks toward the courtyard, seeing bright blue eyes gazing at him from beneath a rose bush. His heart stops and he kneels down, silently beckoning the creature toward him when he whispers, "Elizabeth?"

Hearing her name, Elizabeth darts out of the bush and runs toward him with a carefree expression on her face. Finding her usual spot in his arms, Jumin felt an enormous amount of relief fill him at having Elizabeth back. "My darling, I'm so glad that you are safe."

He kisses her slightly dirtied fur and holds her close to his chest. Still feeling the relief course through him, he staggers a bit while making his way back to the apartment. While keeping Elizabeth in his arms, he redials all of the contacts he had just called and cancels the search mission.

Elizabeth had come home after all. [Name] was right.

Thinking about the young woman makes him wince, and he tries to put the thought of your guilt ridden face to the back of his mind. While he prepares the bath for Elizabeth, making sure that the water was not too cold nor too hot for her, he gently places Elizabeth beneath the running water.

She purrs a bit, allowing her master to slather the gentle shampoo against her fur to wash all of the dirt and grime away.

While Jumin bathed Elizabeth, he refused to think of your face. This was all your fault, he tells himself over and over again. You had no right to take Elizabeth 3rd out into such a dangerous world. What did you even know about his cat's feelings?

He thinks about all of this while drying Elizabeth in a plush towel. Wrapping the towel around her for warmth, Jumin looks deep into her blue eyes, "Elizabeth, do I really smother you? Is that why you ran away?"

As if in answer to his question, Elizabeth squirms away from the towel and out of his arms. She pads around the apartment, trying to detect some scent in the air. When she finds what she is searching for, Jumin watches her when she runs toward the guest room. Her slender paws gently scratch at the door before entering the room with Jumin close behind her. She ignores the bed and goes to the corner of the room where he sees the duffel bag you had left behind.

With an almost forlorn cry, Elizabeth settles herself within the [Name's] clothes, making Jumin feel the guilt strengthen from within the pit of his stomach.

He had to do something and make it up to you somehow.

Jaehee: I should apologize for [Name's] behavior and I understand if I lost my job because of this whole ordeal.

Jaehee: I take full responsibility for Elizabeth's disappearance and am ready to take on the consequences.

Jumin: ...

Jaehee: Just don't hold against [Name], please. That woman is a good friend of mine- she's my only friend, actually ;;

Jaehee: And I feel terrible for putting her in such a situation, even if I was ill.

Jumin: It's no use worrying about it now. Elizabeth is safe with me. I'm taking my work home for a few days and am working in my office while keeping an eye on her.

Jaehee: I see. Well then, I am filled with relief.

Jumin: How did you and [Name] first meet?

Jumin: She doesn't seem like the type you would be friends with.

Jaehee: Oh, then may I ask what type of people you assumed I was friends with?

Jumin: The strict, bank worker types.

Jaehee: I see ;; but [Name] is very different from a bank worker. She's kind and polite to an extent, and she doesn't really fear speaking her mind. Perhaps that's why we get along. With her, I can be myself.

Jumin: Do you mean to say that you complain to her about me?

Jaehee: No! I'm not hinting that at all, just that she's very easy to talk to. Ever since we met at the café she once worked in as a barista, I never once felt uncomfortable talking to her.

Jumin: Does she still work as a barista?

Jaehee: No, she recently quit. It was because she didn't have a job that I offered her the position to take care of Elizabeth, and for that, I'm sorry ;; She really needed a job, and since I got sick, I figured you could help her. Whatever amount you would pay her would surely make her settled at least for a few more months until she can find a permanent job.

Jumin: ...when was the last time you had spoken to her?

Jaehee: Truthfully? Last night. She spoke to me stiffly and explained what had happened. She sounded like she wanted to cry.

Jumin: I see. And how are you feeling?

Jaehee: A little better. I'm still congested and my headaches come and go, but my sore throat is gone. Would you like me to return to work to make up for the mishap with [Name]?

Jumin: No, stay and rest. The company would like their chief secretary to return at her best.

Jaehee: Mr. Han, thank you ;;

"What's wrong handsome kitty? Do you still smell Elizabeth on me?"

Midnight was surprisingly possessive over you. When he detected another cat's scent against your clothes after returning home two days later, he had nearly scratched off the first layer of skin on your arms. You had to peel off the clothes you had last worn while in Mr. Han's apartment in order for him to act normal again.

His nose was pressed against your side, gently swiping at the bottom of your camisole top. It was strange, once you came back home from cat sitting, Midnight refused to leave your side. He followed you everywhere, whether it be the bedroom, or kitchen, and even the bathroom, Midnight was there. He never strayed far away and remained within at least a 2 inch vicinity away from you.

Currently, you were searching through your phone for any job openings while Midnight gnawed at the bottom of your top. His paws played around with the straps of your tank top when two hard knocks were heard at your door. You stand, dropping Midnight in the process while wondering just who was at the door. With Midnight following from close behind you, he follows you and watches with curious golden eyes as you open the door to reveal a familiar tall man.

"[Name], you actually answered." Mr. Han looked relieved to see you again, but his expression was cut short when you slam the door against his face. He was quick enough to stop the door from closing completely, holding out a hand as he pushed the door open using his strength alone. "Please, let me properly apologize to you."

He steps in and you flinch while taking a step back, afraid that he would become angry with you again, "W-What do you want? You had every right to be mad at me, and I know that I don't deserve any amount of payment. It's my fault, and I know that. Or are you here to hurt me again?"

You notice how he looks at your bare arms, seeing the imprint of his fingertips against your smooth skin from where he had cornered you against the wall. "I sincerely apologize for hurting you like that. I wasn't myself because Elizabeth was missing; I didn't think she would come back, but she did. Just like you said she would."

You gasp, feeling relieved and happy that Elizabeth had returned, "She really came back?"

Mr. Han simply nods at her, taking notice of the cat that stayed glued to the back of your legs. The male feline was hissing at him, surely detecting the scent of his dear Elizabeth against his pinstriped suit. Determined to win at least a little bit of his affections, you watch as Mr. Han kneels down and extend out a hand to your Midnight, "You must be Midnight. Such a fitting name for a handsome cat as yourself. Your eyes look as deep as the full moon."

Knowing that Mr. Han was complimenting him, Midnight steps closer to him, his eyes observant as the tip of his nose wiggled in response, trying to get a better whiff of the man kneeling before him. When he was close enough, Mr. Han reached out and scratched the back of his ears, earning a satisfied purr from him. You tried to keep your heart from melting at the sight of him petting your cat, but failed at it.

"This weekend, please join me at my place for dinner." Mr. Han tells you, still not looking away from Midnight, "I promise to be civil and to make it up to you fully. I am ashamed of myself as a man for hurting you. I don't want to disappoint Elizabeth, since I'm sure she misses you as well."

You wanted to decline his offer, but something in his gaze prevented you from doing so.

In the end, you agree to his invitation.

{. . .}

"Is this even allowed? Would he mind if Midnight comes with me?"

You tried your best to leave Midnight at home, but your damn cat was too swift for you. Before you could even shut your door, Midnight squeezed through the slender opening of the door, meowing with pride at managing to land at your side. Knowing just how much of a stubborn asshole your cat was, you allow him to join you in your drive to Mr. Han's apartment.

With your cat settled within your bag, you nervously walk toward his apartment after riding the elevator all the way to the top floor. To make it less awkward for Mr. Han, you wore a comfortable sweater coupled with your favorite skirt and leggings, hoping that you covered enough skin to hide the bruise he had unintentionally given you.

After you knocked a few times, Mr. Han answered within seconds. His attire makes you take a step back, not used to seeing him dressed so casually in a cashmere sweater and jeans. "[Name], you really came. You look...you look beautiful."

"You don't look so bad yourself, Mr. Han." You murmur honestly, a little nervous of what was to come.

Breaking your uncertain thoughts was Midnight. When he sees Elizabeth perched on one of the couches, he lets out an excited mewl and jumps out of your bag.

"Midnight!" You blush in embarrassment, momentarily forgetting to ask Mr. Han if he minded Midnight tagging along with you, but judging from the way the young man laughed, you could safely assume that he didn't mind. "Great, I was hoping you would bring Midnight so that Elizabeth could have a friend to play with."

Mr. Han holds out a hand to you, silently beckoning you to take it. With a tiny smile, you gently take his hand and step into the apartment. When you finally walk in was when you noticed the feast laid out across the dining table, "Mr. Han, did you do all of this?"

"I ordered from one of my favorite restaurants, and please." He lifts up your hand to place a gentle kiss at the back of it, his actions making you feel flustered.

As if realizing what he's done, he lets go of your hand with a gentle huff. Clearing his throat, he heads toward the table and pulls out a seat for you, not even glancing at you when he tells you, "Call me Jumin, there's no need to be so formal with me anymore."

{. . .}

"That was wonderful, and you had so many of my favorite dishes. Tell me, how did you know what I liked Mr- I mean, Jumin."

"It was Jaehee who told me."

"Really?"

You and Jumin were settled on the couch, watching Midnight and Elizabeth play with each other. Both cats seemed to enjoy each other's company, which honestly surprised you given how Midnight acted when he detected Elizabeth's scent on your clothes.

"You're not mad at her for making me look after your cat?"

"No." Comes Jumin's honest reply.

You nod a bit before facing him, "I'm very sorry for putting Elizabeth in danger like that. I just wanted to give her some space to breathe in, I didn't mean to-"

"Sssh, it's okay." Jumin places a finger on your lips to keep you from talking any further. "All that matters in the end is that she came back, just like you said she would. You were right about me smothering her, since Elizabeth 3rd is all that I have. Even when she went missing for that short time, I didn't deserve to hurt you so harshly, and for that I am truly sorry."

He gently cups the bottom of your chin, making you believe in his apology when you nod in response. You felt shy all of a sudden, not used to having such a gorgeous man like Jumin staring at you at such a close proximity. It had been a while since you have dated or gotten intimate with a man, and Jumin certainly took the award for being the best looking man you have ever met.

Realizing how close he was to you, Jumin pulls away and clears his throat again, "Listen, Jaehee tells me that you are still searching for a job. For the time being, until you find a job, would you continue caring for Elizabeth while I'm away at the office?"

You felt your eyes widen in surprise at his question, "You still trust me?"

Jumin shakes his head while letting out a gentle laugh, "Well, to an extent. How about you bring Midnight with you so that Elizabeth wouldn't feel so lonely? I'm sure she'd be happy to stay at home with Midnight around."

You look toward the middle of the living room, seeing the two cats frolic around and playfully try to capture each other's tails.

"I think I would like that." You laugh and lean back against the couch, admiring the way your two cats were playing with one another, "Thank you so much for giving me a second chance."

{. . .}

Several days have past since Jumin had permanently hired you to be his caretaker for his cats. He frees Jaehee from her duties of watching over Elizabeth while he was away (much to her relief).

It was strange. While he was at the office, trying to get as much work done as possible, Jumin found himself almost eager to get back home. It wasn't the fact that Elizabeth was safe and sound, no, it was the fact that you would still be there.

After work, he found his exhaustion quickly melt away as he took some amount of pleasure in watching you interact and play with his cat. You showered Elizabeth and Midnight with the same amount of love, and when you weren't looking, Jumin would make a mental note of your quirks.

Like how you would scrunch up your face in mock anger when Midnight or Elizabeth pushed you.

Or how you would speak to them in an almost singsong voice when coaxing them to eat their meals.

Unlike with Jaehee, Jumin found your voice to be soothing, and he didn't mind listening to you talk for hours on end.

He realizes that he was quickly becoming addicted to your presence when he makes you stay over at his house later than usual, often offering you dinner or just to share a glass of his favorite wine with him.

However, there was a catch to his behavior toward you. As if you could sense his true intentions, you would take Midnight in your arms and tell him that it was getting late and that you should go, and he let you leave him without a fight each time.

Your blatant attempts of avoiding him was making him ache for you. It made him feel things he didn't think he was even capable of feeling.

Each time you avoided his touches, it reminded him just how much of a man he was and how his need for you far exceeded the simple physical contact that came with lovemaking.

He wanted you simply because you were you, a woman who had managed to get past his defenses and to his heart.

Unlike the gold digging women he had familiarized himself with thanks to his father, he knew that you saw him as a man who loved his cat and ignored the material riches that came with his name. He wanted you, but at the same time, he knew that he couldn't scare you away like he had the day Elizabeth went missing.

But something was different about tonight. Perhaps it was the way he saw Elizabeth curled around Midnight that made him ache for you even more than usual. The two cats were cuddling each other, seemingly lost within each other's eyes when Jumin thought of the perfect excuse.

You were at the sink washing the dishes left over from dinner when Jumin came closer to you. He wraps an arm around the front of your abdomen, making you stiffen in response. "J-Jumin?"

"It's going to take a lot of effort on your part to get Midnight away from Elizabeth." He murmurs hotly within your ear, making you gasp at what he was hinting at.

"Oh no, is Elizabeth in heat? I have to get Midnight away- oomph!"

He interrupts your words with a kiss, a part of him wanting to gauge out how much you wanted him while at the same time fulfilling his desires of finally kissing you. Your reaction was more than he could ever hope for as you kissed him back with the same amount of passion he had given you.

When you wrap your arms around his neck, bringing him impossibly closer to you, he grunts and lifts you, forcing you to wrap your legs around his waist.

"Stay with me tonight, let me show you how a real man makes love to his woman."

{. . .}

You wake up feeling groggy (but pleasantly so) with the sun streaming through the clear windows of Jumin's room.

True to his words from the night before, Jumin had sent your body to heaven with the precise movements of his hips against your more than willing body. You recall the way he hotly murmured against your skin about how he admitted to wanting to wait for the bruises to disappear before touching you again, which was a sweet sentiment on his part.

When Jaehee had told you that he hadn't the slightest interest in women, you figured that he would be an amateur in bed. But boy, were you proven wrong. Jumin was the best lover you have had period, and you can still feel aftershocks of pleasure shoot through you at recalling the events that transpired last night.

After you cave into your desires and think back to last night, some doubts began to cloud your mind when you thought about how easy it was for Jumin to break your resolve. You had been wanting to protect yourself from getting hurt, which was why you often avoided him. You knew that he wanted to get into a physical relationship with you, but you were reluctant to give yourself to him.

But last night, Jumin had caught you off guard. He had captured you when you were the most vulnerable, and you melted into his arms all because of a simple kiss.

"But this isn't to say that Mr. Han doesn't have his own plethora of women going after him. He may not show an interest in relationships, but he isn't below looking for a night to spend with a woman as an escape from his frustrations."

With Jaehee's words still ringing within your ears, you sit up from bed with a gasp. Feeling your movements, Jumin hides his face within the pillow, taking cover from the blinding light of the sun. Making sure that you wouldn't jostle the bed too much, you slid out of his arms and swiftly land on the floor, picking up your clothes that were scattered throughout the room.

You look back at Jumin, grateful that he was still sleeping. "I'm sorry, but I refuse to stay as your friend with benefits. I...I genuinely fell for you, and I can't bare the thought of you only wanting me for my body."

I hope you find a woman that can share your beliefs on relationships and fulfill your needs.

{. . .}

"[Name]? What's wrong? Why did you call? Are you still with Mr. Han, by any chance?"

"Jaehee, Jae, I can't stay with Ju- Mr. Han anymore. Please, you have to keep an eye on Elizabeth again for me."

"What? Why? [Name], I've never seen Mr. Han looking so happy before. Your presence is something immensely important to him. Please, think this through-"

"No, you don't understand, Jae, he doesn't need me anymore! I gave in and slept with him, and I feel awful. He only sees me as a one night stand. I can't be with him anymore."

{. . .}

The most painful cry he had ever heard come from Elizabeth's mouth made Jumin awaken from his slumber. He thought he was still dreaming when he touched the side of the bed where you had slept on, the silk sheets feeling cold beneath his touch.

"[Name]?" He calls out to you, wrapping the sheets around his naked waist. A part of him hoped that you were in the kitchen, making yourself a cup of coffee. But when he found that his kitchen remained empty and that Elizabeth's cries were coupled with her scratching at the front door, he knew that you were gone.

"Elizabeth, darling, what's wrong?" Jumin tries to pick her up, only to have her swipe her paw at him. She was restless and wouldn't stop crying, making Jumin believe that she was crying out to Midnight.

"You...you're in love with Midnight, aren't you?" Seeing Elizabeth so distressed honestly broke his heart, but it didn't hurt as much as realizing that [Name] had left him.

He clutches at the front of his hair, wondering what he had to do next when he heard his phone ringing. Running back into his room, he hoped that it was you calling and answered, "[Name], why did you leave so suddenly?"

"So you do love her."

Jumin recognizes the icy cool voice and groans, "Jaehee, where's [Name]? Why did she leave?"

"That...you are going to have to ask for yourself. [Name] called me earlier, she was in tears. She genuinely believes that you only wanted her as a one night stand."

He curses, quickly rummaging through his closet for something decent to wear, "Can you take care of-"

"Yes, I've already moved your meetings today to a later date. Now do the right thing and get her back."

{. . .}

"Baby why do you keep crying so badly like that? We can't go back there."

Midnight was acting strangely since you forced him off of Elizabeth and left Jumin's apartment. He had been crying profusely and refused to stop even when you came home. This only made you feel guilty when it finally dawned on you that Midnight loved Elizabeth and wanted to be with her again.

"Oh baby...I'm so sorry." When you tried to hold him against your chest, you heard a knock at your door as Midnight darted away from you once again.

You were frozen stiff, unable to move even when you heard Jumin calling out your name while Midnight scratched at the door.

"[Name], please, let me explain! Last night wasn't a one night stand for me! Whatever Jaehee had told you about me doesn't apply to you. You're the exception, you're my only exception!"

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you shakily open the door, making Midnight run straight into Jumin. Jumin sees your cat and greets him by picking him up, "Hey there, did you miss Elizabeth?"

He pets Midnight while your cat presses his face against Jumin's sweater, desperately trying to find traces of Elizabeth. Smiling at the smitten cat, Jumin looks at you and says, "What good are we as masters if we keep our cats away from each other? Elizabeth was so distraught at not having Midnight by her side that she cried. It was the first time I had ever heard her like that."

"And I'm sure that their escapades last night left my precious Elly pregnant. You don't want to keep a father away from his children, right? I'm sure she is going to have a litter growing inside that belly of hers, and I want you and Midnight to be there for her."

You smile, trying to hide your grin with the back of your hand when you step closer to him, "You coming here...is this really about the cat?"

Jumin chuckles upon seeing how hard you were trying to hide your grin. Allowing Midnight to drop back down on the ground, Jumin gently touches the side of your face and leans forward, giving you a heated kiss that made you melt against him all over again.

After a few minutes, he pulls away and rests his lips against your forehead before admitting, "No, I'm just too proud to say that I love you; that I need you. Please, come back to me. Not as a replacement for Jaehee, but as my wife."

You smirk and lean even closer to him, grabbing a hold of his collar before kissing him again. "Jumin, consider yourself lucky that I love you, too."

//end

Description
{replacement}

//jumin han x non.mc!reader//

There was something wrong when Jaehee woke up this morning.

A heaviness was felt looming against her eyelids as she had to practically force them open. When the sunlight had shone on her brown eyes, she immediately winced as a sharp pain ran against her temple, alerting her to an incoming migraine.

In an attempt to calm herself, she takes in a deep breath only to realize that there was a blockage within her nostrils, making it difficult for her to breathe. After swallowing, she groans and realizes what the problem was.

Sore throat,

sensitivity to light,

congested nose,

I'm sick.

Her quick assessment of her health makes her wary of calling in sick, so much so that she actually begins weighing the pros and cons of coming into work while feeling this ill. It was true that she could go through the day eating copious amounts of cough drops while taking two painkillers every four hours, but Jaehee felt as though her body were totally against the thought of moving. Even the simple task of reaching for her phone made her bones ache with a weariness she hadn't felt in a long time.

Knowing that going into work to avoid being fired was out of the question, she makes two calls: one to her replacement and the other to Mr. Han himself.

Jumin: This is unacceptable.

Jumin: I refuse to have some other woman watching over Elizabeth 3rd.

Zen: Jeez, you're a dictator through and through.

Zen: Can't you understand that she's too sick to take care of that damn cat?

Yoosung: well, i mean, on the brighter side

Yoosung: at least she won't be alone tonight when you fly to tokyo?

Jumin: I'm delaying my flight.

Jumin: I won't leave until I know for sure who this replacement is.

Jumin: If worst comes to worst, I'll just bring Elizabeth with me.

Zen: I think you're taking this way too harshly ;;

"I just got a call from Mr. Han. He's upset with me for hiring you without his permission."

"Yeah? Well he sounds like an asshole to me." You respond with a huff. Keeping the phone pressed against your right ear and shoulder, you adjust your hold on your duffel bag and take another glance around your surroundings while feeling severely out of place. This apartment complex was truly made for a millionaire with its chrome walls and marbled flooring. In fact, your simple apartment seemed shoddy in comparison.

When Jaehee had called you for a favor, you were greatly concerned for her health. Her voice had lost its tranquil ring to it and was instead replaced with a deep and nasally tone. Even through the phone, you could tell that your best friend was sick and quickly urged her to hang up so that she could rest and get better.

"But [Name], I'm afraid that I'll lose my job because of this."

"Don't be ridiculous, Jae. If push comes to shove then I'll make him see just how much of an asshole he is. You won't lose your job just because you had to find a replacement cat sitter for him. Hang up the phone and get some rest, Jae. I've got this. Your tight ass boss doesn't frighten me."

"And just who were you calling a tight ass?" A cool voice was heard coming from behind you, and the gasp that comes through the speaker of your phone makes you believe that Mr. Han himself had heard your outburst.

In order to keep Jaehee safe, you hang up the phone and face the menace himself only to be pleasantly surprised. Standing before you was a tall young man, perhaps only a few years older than you.

Words could not properly describe how handsome he was. Standing at least 6 feet in height, you found yourself looking deep into his grey eyes. His thin lips were pressed together in a tight line, clearly annoyed with you as he did his own assessment of your form.

You were sure that he wasn't impressed with what he saw.

"Are you the woman that Jaehee hired in her place?"

"Yes, and I have a name. It's [Last] [First], and I would prefer it if you were to refer to me by my given name."

A spark of interest flashes within his stormy gaze before Mr. Han takes a step back to observe you further. He detects the challenge in your stance, your posture remaining rigid and upright even under his scrutinizing gaze. The only clue that gave away your nervousness was how your eyes would flitter back and forth from him to the floor the longer he stared at you.

What an interesting woman.

"Tell me, did Jaehee hand you the keys to my apartment?"

"She did, but I didn't want to intrude since I knew you would be coming to interview me. I didn't see the point in using it since I was positive that you were going to unlock it for me."

"Such confidence." Mr. Han's expression slowly morphs into that of a dark smirk, making his eyes appear more sinister when he asks, "And what makes you so sure that I'm going to allow you to protect Elizabeth 3rd?"

Without hesitation, you respond, "Because Elizabeth 3rd is the one that is most precious to you, and I know that you would rather she stay in the comfort of her home than go with you to a foreign and unknown country. You love her too much to upset her."

You felt victorious when Mr. Han loses his smirk and falters a bit upon trying to retain his cold expression.

"Elizabeth 3rd must mean a lot to you if you made my best friend look after her while you were away. Because you've pretty much worked her to the bone, she's too ill to watch over Elizabeth and has now entrusted your precious cat to me. If you send me away, then you'll end up upsetting her by taking her away from home. And if you even think about firing Jaehee for her decision, well, then you've just lost the one person you trusted the most with Elizabeth."

You were taking a risk, you knew that. But if your assumptions about Mr. Han and that his love for his cat went beyond what a normal person felt for their pet, then you would be okay.

After debating with himself for several minutes, you let out a sigh of relief when Mr. Han relents, "Fine, you've got the job as Jaehee's temporary replacement. Let's go inside and discuss the proper way for you to take care of my queen."

{. . .}

"You must always feed her with her favorite brand of wet food right here, and it must be placed on her favorite bowl. After every meal, she likes to drink water from this crystal plate. Only when she is done are you allowed to wash the bowl and plate."

"She has her own bed, but is free to sleep wherever she pleases, my room is no exception. This is why I leave all of the doors open for her convenience."

"For her litter box, you must change and dispose of it every two hours, even if Elizabeth doesn't use it. My Queen likes the litter in her box to feel fresh between the pads of her feet, and I intend to keep her satisfied at all times."

You had to stop yourself from rolling your eyes at Mr. Han's mundane rules. "Sir, with all due respect, I know how to care for a cat. In fact, I have one at home that's a pure black cat named Midnight."

While Mr. Han was explaining all of the rules to care for Elizabeth 3rd, he kept holding her in his arms, preventing the cat from exploring Midnight's lingering scent within your clothes. Though you had to admit, you could understand why he was so protective of her. Elizabeth 3rd was incredibly beautiful with long, pure white fur and wide sapphire eyes. You longed to run your fingers through her fur, but her owner was very conscious of who was allowed to touch her.

After dismissing the fact that you also had a cat, Mr. Han begins to coo lovingly at Elizabeth 3rd, giving her plenty of kisses for the next ten minutes.

"It's going to be okay, you're going to be safe with [Name] and she's gonna protect you while I'm away. Try not to miss me too much, but I know I'll miss you."

You were surprised at how such a seemingly cold man like Mr. Han could have such a soft voice. You suppose when it came to the things he loved the most was when Mr. Han was the most vulnerable. Continuing to gaze at the man with his beloved pet, you felt your face flush a deep shade of red when he kisses Elizabeth again, causing you to briefly wonder what his lips would feel like against yours.

Clearing your throat, you look away from him and see Elizabeth jump out of his arms. She wastes no time with standing in front of you with her tail swishing back and forth while meowing a few times. Circling around your legs, it only takes her about a minute to accept you as being worthy of her affections before she lovingly rubs her side against you. You giggle and kneel down, lightly petting Elizabeth as you greeted her, "Hello pretty lady, my name is [Name], and I hope we can become friends."

"Mrow!"

You hear Mr. Han clear his throat, trying to hide the jealousy in his voice when he told you, "Elizabeth has never taken a liking to someone so easily before. She barely even acknowledges Jaehee, except maybe to annoy her with her strands of fur scattered throughout her clothes."

"Well, this is just further proof that you can trust her with me. Now go on, you have a business trip to attend to."

{. . .}

When Jaehee had told you that she would be working as Mr. Han's assistant, you were ecstatic for her. With your mind stuck on love stories filled with various fantasies, you often bombarded her with questions pertaining to her relationship with Mr. Han. You were hoping that your best friend would be living the life of an office romance, but sadly, that didn't seem to be the case.

"Mr. Han and I could never be in a relationship. The man has stated on more than one occasion that he can't stand the sound of my voice. Besides, he's much too concerned with his cat to even consider a relationship with those of the opposite sex."

Her answer was so boring; so typical of what Kang Jaehee would say in just about any situation pertaining to her love life. Jaehee's blunt and straightforward outlook on life was what made you love and adore her so much as a friend, but you felt sorry for her lack of romance.

However, now that you caught a glimpse of what Mr. Han was like in reality, you realize that the words she had told you about her boss rang true. The man was devastatingly handsome, but his lack of interest in romance and his overall adoration for Elizabeth 3rd painted him in an almost childlike view for you. You knew that he was vastly intelligent and could have any woman (or man) if he so desired them, but his life of a bachelor had to have been a steadfast choice on his part.

After waking up from your troubled sleep in the guest room, you hurriedly tended to Elizabeth 3rd and started by feeding her breakfast just as Mr. Han had told you to. Despite his ridiculous amount of rules, you knew you had to follow them if you wanted to earn the amount of money the man was willing to pay you.

While Elizabeth scarfs down her food, you smile warmly down at her and slowly begin to pet the back of her head, "You are one lucky woman, being loved so deeply by such a dashing young man."

Finished with her meal, Elizabeth licks the area around her mouth and purrs at you. She rubs her side against you before quickly dashing toward the clear glass that separated the apartment from the balcony. "Huh? What's wrong Elly?"

Elizabeth kept on scratching at the glass, her pure blue eyes looking sad and defeated. "Oh poor baby, does Mr. Han not give you any freedom?"

Stepping closer to the Persian cat, you bend down to pick her up, feeling her restless movements in your arms, "Have you ever been outside before, Elizabeth?"

Her longing gaze was all the convincing you needed. Still holding her gingerly to your chest, you grab the apartment's spare key from the kitchen counter and head toward the door.

Since you raised Midnight, you knew all too well that cats were independent creatures to begin with. While you were away at work, you couldn't count the number of times Midnight had escaped from the confines of your apartment. After a few weeks of having him come and go from your apartment to god knows where else, you decided that he would be just fine since he always came home in the end.

You had just stepped outside of the apartment complex when Elizabeth began to stir in your arms. The feeling of the warm spring air against her fur was making her even more antsy than usual and before you could even process what had happened, Elizabeth darted out of your arms and into a nearby bush.

"Oh god, Elly no!"

You cut through the bush, feeling several people giving you strange looks as you called out Elizabeth's name. You look around the subdivision, seeing no signs of the pure white cat nearby. As your eyes trailed all around the area, you saw the cat standing twenty feet away from you. You hear her distant meow and quickly follow her with a desperation, hoping to catch her in time.

{. . .}

Your search comes up empty, and it was well past 11 o'clock when you returned to the apartment. Your heart was racing, but not because you were running. No, it was racing because you were filled with fear at what was to come.

Mr. Han was going to return in two days, and you didn't even want to picture just how livid he would be with you. You were positive that he was going to kill you and dispose of your body if Elizabeth was still missing.

Unable to sleep, you weigh out your options of what to do next. By now, Elizabeth was someplace far away from you, and you weren't sure what good it would do for you to try and find her.

When you think back to when Midnight ran away, you had spent several days looking for him, only to turn up empty each time. You asked around your town, hoping to find any clues that would lead you back to your beloved cat. Your search ends up taking you to a kind old lady and she reassures you, telling you to not worry about Midnight.

"If your kitten loves you, he'll always find his way home. For now, let him be the wild kitten he wants to be. He'll come back home, don't worry."

And it was with a heavy heart that you returned home, trying to find comfort in her words. Three days later, when you were close to giving up on him, your Midnight returned home, looking a little skinnier than when you had last seen him. You recall that day as being the happiest day of your life as you fed him all of his favorite foods (even allowing him to share a bit of your tuna sandwich).

You sigh and lean your head against the wall, "Elizabeth clearly loves Mr. Han, so she has to come back home. I know she will, I just have to believe in her like I believed in Midnight."

You were positive that if Mr. Han came home and Elizabeth was still missing, then you would face a heavy consequence.

{. . .}

Jumin could feel something different in the air when he came back home to his apartment a day earlier than expected. He missed his beloved Elizabeth so much that he sealed the deal with the partner company and flew back home, so when he didn't hear her cute mewls, he could feel an icy cold emotion running through his veins.

As if on cue, you arrive in front of him and take a step back at seeing the furious expression on his face. "You...where's Elizabeth?"

You don't say a word, carefully placing the spare keys to his apartment on the kitchen counter. When he notices how you couldn't even face him, Jumin knew that something had happened to his beloved Elizabeth, "Damn you ANSWER ME! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH ELIZABETH?"

Unable to hold back his anger, he places both hands on your shoulder, gripping you tightly as he cornered you against the wall. He refused to let any amount of guilt seep through him when your face scrunched up in a wince once your back met with the hard plaster. This was your fault, if anything happened to Elizabeth, then he would be driven to the brink of despair.

Elizabeth was his sole source of happiness, and the fact that you had the nerve to take that away from him was just-

"I'm sorry, Mr. Han. You have every right to be mad at me. It was my fault...Elizabeth- she ran away when I had taken her outside just to let her experience a bit of freedom."

"You what? You let her go outside?!" His grip on your arm was bruising you now, but you had to bear it, because this was what you deserved.

"Please Mr. Han, trust that she'll come back. Elizabeth loves you, so she will come back home."

"GET OUT." He shoves you away, making you stagger against the kitchen counter, "You're fired and undeserving of any sort of payment! How could you be so clueless and let Elizabeth wander off like that?!"

The tone of his voice should have made you compliant, but his anger only served to annoy you. Instead of backing off, you stood tall and told him, "You're smothering her. Can't you see that? When you left, she longed to be outside. I thought that she was a spoiled cat who would have loved to stay at home since that was what Jaehee had assumed. But she was wrong, and you were wrong, Mr. Han. No cat likes to be locked up in one place for so long. She loves you, so please have faith and believe that she'll come back to you."

How DARE she say that about Elizabeth! Was she really insinuating that I am a selfish owner?

Afraid that he would end up slapping you, Jumin keeps his anger in check and allows his fingernails to dig into the palm of his hand, forming crescent marks against them, "Get out. Let me find Elizabeth and sort out this goddamn mess by myself. I never want to see your face ever again!"

You nod and murmur a softly apologize, not daring to look back when you made your quick escape out of his apartment.

Only when [Name] was gone was Jumin free to show his frustrations, throwing a few of his items to the ground as he watched with satisfaction when the glass shattered. Running a hand through his hair, he searches for his phone within the pockets of his suit and begins calling his security team. He tells the head of the security group his situation and demands that they search for Elizabeth throughout the city.

After posting her picture on every social media site that he owned, he calls his driver and demands that he arrive at his place so that he could start his own search for Elizabeth.

Knowing that he was a mess, Jumin keeps on running a hand through his hair, already ruining the gel that styled it when he takes the elevator and escapes the confines of his apartment. Stepping outside of the building, he wonders where on earth Elizabeth could have gone to, feeling the despair grow deeper against the pit of his stomach when a tiny sound catches his attention.

He searches for the source of the sound and looks toward the courtyard, seeing bright blue eyes gazing at him from beneath a rose bush. His heart stops and he kneels down, silently beckoning the creature toward him when he whispers, "Elizabeth?"

Hearing her name, Elizabeth darts out of the bush and runs toward him with a carefree expression on her face. Finding her usual spot in his arms, Jumin felt an enormous amount of relief fill him at having Elizabeth back. "My darling, I'm so glad that you are safe."

He kisses her slightly dirtied fur and holds her close to his chest. Still feeling the relief course through him, he staggers a bit while making his way back to the apartment. While keeping Elizabeth in his arms, he redials all of the contacts he had just called and cancels the search mission.

Elizabeth had come home after all. [Name] was right.

Thinking about the young woman makes him wince, and he tries to put the thought of your guilt ridden face to the back of his mind. While he prepares the bath for Elizabeth, making sure that the water was not too cold nor too hot for her, he gently places Elizabeth beneath the running water.

She purrs a bit, allowing her master to slather the gentle shampoo against her fur to wash all of the dirt and grime away.

While Jumin bathed Elizabeth, he refused to think of your face. This was all your fault, he tells himself over and over again. You had no right to take Elizabeth 3rd out into such a dangerous world. What did you even know about his cat's feelings?

He thinks about all of this while drying Elizabeth in a plush towel. Wrapping the towel around her for warmth, Jumin looks deep into her blue eyes, "Elizabeth, do I really smother you? Is that why you ran away?"

As if in answer to his question, Elizabeth squirms away from the towel and out of his arms. She pads around the apartment, trying to detect some scent in the air. When she finds what she is searching for, Jumin watches her when she runs toward the guest room. Her slender paws gently scratch at the door before entering the room with Jumin close behind her. She ignores the bed and goes to the corner of the room where he sees the duffel bag you had left behind.

With an almost forlorn cry, Elizabeth settles herself within the [Name's] clothes, making Jumin feel the guilt strengthen from within the pit of his stomach.

He had to do something and make it up to you somehow.

Jaehee: I should apologize for [Name's] behavior and I understand if I lost my job because of this whole ordeal.

Jaehee: I take full responsibility for Elizabeth's disappearance and am ready to take on the consequences.

Jumin: ...

Jaehee: Just don't hold against [Name], please. That woman is a good friend of mine- she's my only friend, actually ;;

Jaehee: And I feel terrible for putting her in such a situation, even if I was ill.

Jumin: It's no use worrying about it now. Elizabeth is safe with me. I'm taking my work home for a few days and am working in my office while keeping an eye on her.

Jaehee: I see. Well then, I am filled with relief.

Jumin: How did you and [Name] first meet?

Jumin: She doesn't seem like the type you would be friends with.

Jaehee: Oh, then may I ask what type of people you assumed I was friends with?

Jumin: The strict, bank worker types.

Jaehee: I see ;; but [Name] is very different from a bank worker. She's kind and polite to an extent, and she doesn't really fear speaking her mind. Perhaps that's why we get along. With her, I can be myself.

Jumin: Do you mean to say that you complain to her about me?

Jaehee: No! I'm not hinting that at all, just that she's very easy to talk to. Ever since we met at the café she once worked in as a barista, I never once felt uncomfortable talking to her.

Jumin: Does she still work as a barista?

Jaehee: No, she recently quit. It was because she didn't have a job that I offered her the position to take care of Elizabeth, and for that, I'm sorry ;; She really needed a job, and since I got sick, I figured you could help her. Whatever amount you would pay her would surely make her settled at least for a few more months until she can find a permanent job.

Jumin: ...when was the last time you had spoken to her?

Jaehee: Truthfully? Last night. She spoke to me stiffly and explained what had happened. She sounded like she wanted to cry.

Jumin: I see. And how are you feeling?

Jaehee: A little better. I'm still congested and my headaches come and go, but my sore throat is gone. Would you like me to return to work to make up for the mishap with [Name]?

Jumin: No, stay and rest. The company would like their chief secretary to return at her best.

Jaehee: Mr. Han, thank you ;;

"What's wrong handsome kitty? Do you still smell Elizabeth on me?"

Midnight was surprisingly possessive over you. When he detected another cat's scent against your clothes after returning home two days later, he had nearly scratched off the first layer of skin on your arms. You had to peel off the clothes you had last worn while in Mr. Han's apartment in order for him to act normal again.

His nose was pressed against your side, gently swiping at the bottom of your camisole top. It was strange, once you came back home from cat sitting, Midnight refused to leave your side. He followed you everywhere, whether it be the bedroom, or kitchen, and even the bathroom, Midnight was there. He never strayed far away and remained within at least a 2 inch vicinity away from you.

Currently, you were searching through your phone for any job openings while Midnight gnawed at the bottom of your top. His paws played around with the straps of your tank top when two hard knocks were heard at your door. You stand, dropping Midnight in the process while wondering just who was at the door. With Midnight following from close behind you, he follows you and watches with curious golden eyes as you open the door to reveal a familiar tall man.

"[Name], you actually answered." Mr. Han looked relieved to see you again, but his expression was cut short when you slam the door against his face. He was quick enough to stop the door from closing completely, holding out a hand as he pushed the door open using his strength alone. "Please, let me properly apologize to you."

He steps in and you flinch while taking a step back, afraid that he would become angry with you again, "W-What do you want? You had every right to be mad at me, and I know that I don't deserve any amount of payment. It's my fault, and I know that. Or are you here to hurt me again?"

You notice how he looks at your bare arms, seeing the imprint of his fingertips against your smooth skin from where he had cornered you against the wall. "I sincerely apologize for hurting you like that. I wasn't myself because Elizabeth was missing; I didn't think she would come back, but she did. Just like you said she would."

You gasp, feeling relieved and happy that Elizabeth had returned, "She really came back?"

Mr. Han simply nods at her, taking notice of the cat that stayed glued to the back of your legs. The male feline was hissing at him, surely detecting the scent of his dear Elizabeth against his pinstriped suit. Determined to win at least a little bit of his affections, you watch as Mr. Han kneels down and extend out a hand to your Midnight, "You must be Midnight. Such a fitting name for a handsome cat as yourself. Your eyes look as deep as the full moon."

Knowing that Mr. Han was complimenting him, Midnight steps closer to him, his eyes observant as the tip of his nose wiggled in response, trying to get a better whiff of the man kneeling before him. When he was close enough, Mr. Han reached out and scratched the back of his ears, earning a satisfied purr from him. You tried to keep your heart from melting at the sight of him petting your cat, but failed at it.

"This weekend, please join me at my place for dinner." Mr. Han tells you, still not looking away from Midnight, "I promise to be civil and to make it up to you fully. I am ashamed of myself as a man for hurting you. I don't want to disappoint Elizabeth, since I'm sure she misses you as well."

You wanted to decline his offer, but something in his gaze prevented you from doing so.

In the end, you agree to his invitation.

{. . .}

"Is this even allowed? Would he mind if Midnight comes with me?"

You tried your best to leave Midnight at home, but your damn cat was too swift for you. Before you could even shut your door, Midnight squeezed through the slender opening of the door, meowing with pride at managing to land at your side. Knowing just how much of a stubborn asshole your cat was, you allow him to join you in your drive to Mr. Han's apartment.

With your cat settled within your bag, you nervously walk toward his apartment after riding the elevator all the way to the top floor. To make it less awkward for Mr. Han, you wore a comfortable sweater coupled with your favorite skirt and leggings, hoping that you covered enough skin to hide the bruise he had unintentionally given you.

After you knocked a few times, Mr. Han answered within seconds. His attire makes you take a step back, not used to seeing him dressed so casually in a cashmere sweater and jeans. "[Name], you really came. You look...you look beautiful."

"You don't look so bad yourself, Mr. Han." You murmur honestly, a little nervous of what was to come.

Breaking your uncertain thoughts was Midnight. When he sees Elizabeth perched on one of the couches, he lets out an excited mewl and jumps out of your bag.

"Midnight!" You blush in embarrassment, momentarily forgetting to ask Mr. Han if he minded Midnight tagging along with you, but judging from the way the young man laughed, you could safely assume that he didn't mind. "Great, I was hoping you would bring Midnight so that Elizabeth could have a friend to play with."

Mr. Han holds out a hand to you, silently beckoning you to take it. With a tiny smile, you gently take his hand and step into the apartment. When you finally walk in was when you noticed the feast laid out across the dining table, "Mr. Han, did you do all of this?"

"I ordered from one of my favorite restaurants, and please." He lifts up your hand to place a gentle kiss at the back of it, his actions making you feel flustered.

As if realizing what he's done, he lets go of your hand with a gentle huff. Clearing his throat, he heads toward the table and pulls out a seat for you, not even glancing at you when he tells you, "Call me Jumin, there's no need to be so formal with me anymore."

{. . .}

"That was wonderful, and you had so many of my favorite dishes. Tell me, how did you know what I liked Mr- I mean, Jumin."

"It was Jaehee who told me."

"Really?"

You and Jumin were settled on the couch, watching Midnight and Elizabeth play with each other. Both cats seemed to enjoy each other's company, which honestly surprised you given how Midnight acted when he detected Elizabeth's scent on your clothes.

"You're not mad at her for making me look after your cat?"

"No." Comes Jumin's honest reply.

You nod a bit before facing him, "I'm very sorry for putting Elizabeth in danger like that. I just wanted to give her some space to breathe in, I didn't mean to-"

"Sssh, it's okay." Jumin places a finger on your lips to keep you from talking any further. "All that matters in the end is that she came back, just like you said she would. You were right about me smothering her, since Elizabeth 3rd is all that I have. Even when she went missing for that short time, I didn't deserve to hurt you so harshly, and for that I am truly sorry."

He gently cups the bottom of your chin, making you believe in his apology when you nod in response. You felt shy all of a sudden, not used to having such a gorgeous man like Jumin staring at you at such a close proximity. It had been a while since you have dated or gotten intimate with a man, and Jumin certainly took the award for being the best looking man you have ever met.

Realizing how close he was to you, Jumin pulls away and clears his throat again, "Listen, Jaehee tells me that you are still searching for a job. For the time being, until you find a job, would you continue caring for Elizabeth while I'm away at the office?"

You felt your eyes widen in surprise at his question, "You still trust me?"

Jumin shakes his head while letting out a gentle laugh, "Well, to an extent. How about you bring Midnight with you so that Elizabeth wouldn't feel so lonely? I'm sure she'd be happy to stay at home with Midnight around."

You look toward the middle of the living room, seeing the two cats frolic around and playfully try to capture each other's tails.

"I think I would like that." You laugh and lean back against the couch, admiring the way your two cats were playing with one another, "Thank you so much for giving me a second chance."

{. . .}

Several days have past since Jumin had permanently hired you to be his caretaker for his cats. He frees Jaehee from her duties of watching over Elizabeth while he was away (much to her relief).

It was strange. While he was at the office, trying to get as much work done as possible, Jumin found himself almost eager to get back home. It wasn't the fact that Elizabeth was safe and sound, no, it was the fact that you would still be there.

After work, he found his exhaustion quickly melt away as he took some amount of pleasure in watching you interact and play with his cat. You showered Elizabeth and Midnight with the same amount of love, and when you weren't looking, Jumin would make a mental note of your quirks.

Like how you would scrunch up your face in mock anger when Midnight or Elizabeth pushed you.

Or how you would speak to them in an almost singsong voice when coaxing them to eat their meals.

Unlike with Jaehee, Jumin found your voice to be soothing, and he didn't mind listening to you talk for hours on end.

He realizes that he was quickly becoming addicted to your presence when he makes you stay over at his house later than usual, often offering you dinner or just to share a glass of his favorite wine with him.

However, there was a catch to his behavior toward you. As if you could sense his true intentions, you would take Midnight in your arms and tell him that it was getting late and that you should go, and he let you leave him without a fight each time.

Your blatant attempts of avoiding him was making him ache for you. It made him feel things he didn't think he was even capable of feeling.

Each time you avoided his touches, it reminded him just how much of a man he was and how his need for you far exceeded the simple physical contact that came with lovemaking.

He wanted you simply because you were you, a woman who had managed to get past his defenses and to his heart.

Unlike the gold digging women he had familiarized himself with thanks to his father, he knew that you saw him as a man who loved his cat and ignored the material riches that came with his name. He wanted you, but at the same time, he knew that he couldn't scare you away like he had the day Elizabeth went missing.

But something was different about tonight. Perhaps it was the way he saw Elizabeth curled around Midnight that made him ache for you even more than usual. The two cats were cuddling each other, seemingly lost within each other's eyes when Jumin thought of the perfect excuse.

You were at the sink washing the dishes left over from dinner when Jumin came closer to you. He wraps an arm around the front of your abdomen, making you stiffen in response. "J-Jumin?"

"It's going to take a lot of effort on your part to get Midnight away from Elizabeth." He murmurs hotly within your ear, making you gasp at what he was hinting at.

"Oh no, is Elizabeth in heat? I have to get Midnight away- oomph!"

He interrupts your words with a kiss, a part of him wanting to gauge out how much you wanted him while at the same time fulfilling his desires of finally kissing you. Your reaction was more than he could ever hope for as you kissed him back with the same amount of passion he had given you.

When you wrap your arms around his neck, bringing him impossibly closer to you, he grunts and lifts you, forcing you to wrap your legs around his waist.

"Stay with me tonight, let me show you how a real man makes love to his woman."

{. . .}

You wake up feeling groggy (but pleasantly so) with the sun streaming through the clear windows of Jumin's room.

True to his words from the night before, Jumin had sent your body to heaven with the precise movements of his hips against your more than willing body. You recall the way he hotly murmured against your skin about how he admitted to wanting to wait for the bruises to disappear before touching you again, which was a sweet sentiment on his part.

When Jaehee had told you that he hadn't the slightest interest in women, you figured that he would be an amateur in bed. But boy, were you proven wrong. Jumin was the best lover you have had period, and you can still feel aftershocks of pleasure shoot through you at recalling the events that transpired last night.

After you cave into your desires and think back to last night, some doubts began to cloud your mind when you thought about how easy it was for Jumin to break your resolve. You had been wanting to protect yourself from getting hurt, which was why you often avoided him. You knew that he wanted to get into a physical relationship with you, but you were reluctant to give yourself to him.

But last night, Jumin had caught you off guard. He had captured you when you were the most vulnerable, and you melted into his arms all because of a simple kiss.

"But this isn't to say that Mr. Han doesn't have his own plethora of women going after him. He may not show an interest in relationships, but he isn't below looking for a night to spend with a woman as an escape from his frustrations."

With Jaehee's words still ringing within your ears, you sit up from bed with a gasp. Feeling your movements, Jumin hides his face within the pillow, taking cover from the blinding light of the sun. Making sure that you wouldn't jostle the bed too much, you slid out of his arms and swiftly land on the floor, picking up your clothes that were scattered throughout the room.

You look back at Jumin, grateful that he was still sleeping. "I'm sorry, but I refuse to stay as your friend with benefits. I...I genuinely fell for you, and I can't bare the thought of you only wanting me for my body."

I hope you find a woman that can share your beliefs on relationships and fulfill your needs.

{. . .}

"[Name]? What's wrong? Why did you call? Are you still with Mr. Han, by any chance?"

"Jaehee, Jae, I can't stay with Ju- Mr. Han anymore. Please, you have to keep an eye on Elizabeth again for me."

"What? Why? [Name], I've never seen Mr. Han looking so happy before. Your presence is something immensely important to him. Please, think this through-"

"No, you don't understand, Jae, he doesn't need me anymore! I gave in and slept with him, and I feel awful. He only sees me as a one night stand. I can't be with him anymore."

{. . .}

The most painful cry he had ever heard come from Elizabeth's mouth made Jumin awaken from his slumber. He thought he was still dreaming when he touched the side of the bed where you had slept on, the silk sheets feeling cold beneath his touch.

"[Name]?" He calls out to you, wrapping the sheets around his naked waist. A part of him hoped that you were in the kitchen, making yourself a cup of coffee. But when he found that his kitchen remained empty and that Elizabeth's cries were coupled with her scratching at the front door, he knew that you were gone.

"Elizabeth, darling, what's wrong?" Jumin tries to pick her up, only to have her swipe her paw at him. She was restless and wouldn't stop crying, making Jumin believe that she was crying out to Midnight.

"You...you're in love with Midnight, aren't you?" Seeing Elizabeth so distressed honestly broke his heart, but it didn't hurt as much as realizing that [Name] had left him.

He clutches at the front of his hair, wondering what he had to do next when he heard his phone ringing. Running back into his room, he hoped that it was you calling and answered, "[Name], why did you leave so suddenly?"

"So you do love her."

Jumin recognizes the icy cool voice and groans, "Jaehee, where's [Name]? Why did she leave?"

"That...you are going to have to ask for yourself. [Name] called me earlier, she was in tears. She genuinely believes that you only wanted her as a one night stand."

He curses, quickly rummaging through his closet for something decent to wear, "Can you take care of-"

"Yes, I've already moved your meetings today to a later date. Now do the right thing and get her back."

{. . .}

"Baby why do you keep crying so badly like that? We can't go back there."

Midnight was acting strangely since you forced him off of Elizabeth and left Jumin's apartment. He had been crying profusely and refused to stop even when you came home. This only made you feel guilty when it finally dawned on you that Midnight loved Elizabeth and wanted to be with her again.

"Oh baby...I'm so sorry." When you tried to hold him against your chest, you heard a knock at your door as Midnight darted away from you once again.

You were frozen stiff, unable to move even when you heard Jumin calling out your name while Midnight scratched at the door.

"[Name], please, let me explain! Last night wasn't a one night stand for me! Whatever Jaehee had told you about me doesn't apply to you. You're the exception, you're my only exception!"

Swallowing the lump in your throat, you shakily open the door, making Midnight run straight into Jumin. Jumin sees your cat and greets him by picking him up, "Hey there, did you miss Elizabeth?"

He pets Midnight while your cat presses his face against Jumin's sweater, desperately trying to find traces of Elizabeth. Smiling at the smitten cat, Jumin looks at you and says, "What good are we as masters if we keep our cats away from each other? Elizabeth was so distraught at not having Midnight by her side that she cried. It was the first time I had ever heard her like that."

"And I'm sure that their escapades last night left my precious Elly pregnant. You don't want to keep a father away from his children, right? I'm sure she is going to have a litter growing inside that belly of hers, and I want you and Midnight to be there for her."

You smile, trying to hide your grin with the back of your hand when you step closer to him, "You coming here...is this really about the cat?"

Jumin chuckles upon seeing how hard you were trying to hide your grin. Allowing Midnight to drop back down on the ground, Jumin gently touches the side of your face and leans forward, giving you a heated kiss that made you melt against him all over again.

After a few minutes, he pulls away and rests his lips against your forehead before admitting, "No, I'm just too proud to say that I love you; that I need you. Please, come back to me. Not as a replacement for Jaehee, but as my wife."

You smirk and lean even closer to him, grabbing a hold of his collar before kissing him again. "Jumin, consider yourself lucky that I love you, too."

//end