Protect and Serve (JJK 18+)

Jimin was as sweet as his voice. He gave me a tour of the shop and quickly showed me the ropes. There wasn't a lot of difficult procedures included in running a flower shop, not that I would deal with anyway. Compared to being a nurse, this would be much more relaxing.

"I opened 'Serendipity' two years ago. I was always teased in school when I expressed my fondness for flowers. But now look, I turned my passion into owning a business. When you love what you do, you're truly happy." I listen carefully to Jimin briefly tell me his story.

"That's such a perfect name for your shop!" I smiled brightly at him. Jimin grins proudly. "I thought so too. I immediately knew what I wanted to name my store."

Jimin wanders off to take care of the customer that just came into the store. I grab a broom from the corner and begin to sweep up all the fallen leaves and twigs that were laying in the floor. I watched Jimin cautiously, he seemed genuinely kind. The way he was dealing with the customer portrayed that.

The girl he was talking to though, was exuding every sign you could think of that she was interested in him. She would smack his arm playfully, laugh at his jokes and batt her eyes at him. Jimin didn't seem fazed though. I couldn't help but laugh. He was a handsome man; I get why that girl is acting like that.

"Oh Jiminie, you're so funny! My mom is sick, and I want to take her some flowers. Any suggestions?" The girl was basically sticking her chest and butt out, trying her best to look appealing. It was kind of comical to be honest.

Jimin lightly pushes her towards a group of white flowers. "Lilies would be perfect for such an occasion." The girl giggles at nothing in particular and picks up a vase to take over to the counter. "Anna, want to try to ring her out?" I look up at him and nod. I walk over to the counter and Jimin follows in behind me.

The girl is glaring at me. I try to ignore the daggers she is staring into me. I wasn't her competition, but she didn't know that. Jimin leans over me and grabs the scanner. "Just scan the barcode attached to the tag. The price will automatically come up and you can finish ringing her out." I smile at the simplicity of it all.

Technology is wonderful, when it cooperates that is.

I scan the barcode and read off the number that appears on the register. "That will be $34.65, miss." The lady nods and swipes her debit card on the machine. The transaction finished, that was easy.

"See you later Jiminie!" The girl sings as she takes her lilies and leaves. "Good job Anna!" Jimin compliments me and smiles.

Jimin was sweet enough to buy me lunch on my first day. The more I got to know this man the more angelic he seemed. Even now, as he sits at the table and eats with me, the sun is shining through the window and creating a halo on him.

"Where are you from Anna?" Jimin asks curiously. "I'm for New-" I had to stop myself from saying New York City. That wasn't me anymore. "New Jersey," I quickly recovered and Jimin smiled and didn't seem to notice my stutter at all. "You don't have an accent," he observes and continues to smile that genuine smile. "Oh, I don't? That's good." I look away awkwardly.

Lying to this man didn't sit right with me. I could tell his soul was as pure as the undriven snow. But here I was blatantly lying to his sweet face.

"I saw on your resume that you used to be an elementary teacher! That's so amazing! I love children, I hope to have many of my own someday." He smiled kind of sadly when he said it. I could tell he truly wished for that. I wished it for him as well too, I wasn't sure why.

I try to compose myself and not look as panicked as I feel. I needed to act, and act well. "Yes, I loved my job. But I found out about the homelife of one of my favorite students. Her parents were abusive. I tried to help her, but they just moved away. It broke my heart and I decided I couldn't handle situations like that. So, I sought out a less stressful work environment." I surprised myself with how easily that fake story poured from my lips.

Jimin's eyes turned sad, and he looked down. "That's a shame. Some people don't realize how lucky they are just to have a child." I look down as well. The mood was heavy now. I depressed this poor man.

He clapped his hands and brought a smile back to his face. "Tell me about yourself Anna!" I look up at him and am shocked. Jungkook didn't tell me what my hobbies were, so I was left completely in the dark about who I was supposed to be. But hobbies couldn't identify me, right?

"I just moved here with my boyfriend, J-Jungkook." The words felt weird in my mouth. "We wanted to start anew. I like listen to music, play games and read." I had to stop myself from telling him about my brother. As far as anyone is concerned, I'm an only child.

Jimin grins, "You seem like an easy-going person! I think you and I will get along famously." I smiled back at him. I get that feeling as well.