"Yah!!!"
You stood up impatiently and turned around to face JB. “Who you calling ‘jagiya’ around here?!”
"Do I look gay to you?" He asked the obvious, without even flinching even though a few people had turned to stare at him from the commotion.
JB had followed you secretly only to find that you had met Mark and Jackson for dinner nearby, after he had cooked for you while you were resting at his place.

"Hey, who are you?" It was Mark’s turn to stand up this time, his question directed to JB.
"You heard her, she’s definitely not your girlfriend so who you calling darling here?" His face showing obvious displeasure seeing that you were ruffled.
For once the loud mouthed Jackson had nothing to say and remained seated.

Seeing both of his colleagues going head on with a stranger, he felt slightly intimidated and out of place. He tugged lightly at your sleeve and looked up at your face. He mouthed ‘ex-boyfriend?’ and pointed at JB.
You frowned and shook your head lightly, and mouthed back to him ‘it’s ok.’ But caring dude as he was, it didn’t wipe the worried frown off his face.
The exchange between JB and Mark seemed to be getting nowhere but getting heated instead. Hurriedly you seat both of them at 2 ends of the table with you and Jackson coming in between them.
Anyone could tell they were acting like rivals in love.
Sensing the situation getting tense you quickly turned to Jackson.
"Hey Jackson aren’t you hungry? You guys must be starved from working til this time… try the noodles!"
Going into drama king mode, he tried to be friendly and overly enthusiastic for you “Okay cool, I was dreaming of this all day long!! “
Calling for the waiter you ordered their food and a drink for JB, indicated them to speed it up.
Just then your phone started ringing.
It was your brother Yugyeom’s picture on your display.

(On the phone)
“Noona? why aren’t you back yet? Are you still working?”

"Oh Gyeomie I’ll be home soon what’s the matter?"

"I was afraid you’d be working at this time and skipped your dinner again… so I cooked some soup for you. I’ll be waiting for you okay! Don’t stay out too late! Love you!"

"OK sure, don’t worry about me. Go rest Gyeom, love you too."
(End)

"Alright guys I’m gonna head back home first. Oh wait I haven’t introduced you guys I’m so sorry…. Jaebum, this is my colleague Mark and Jackson…" you awkwardly exchanged their greetings for them.
Reluctant to befriend, but unable to ignore, he casually put out his hand to Mark.
"Call me JB."

"So you’re JB. I’ve heard about you." With tension in the air he shook his hand while still keeping his gaze fixed on JB.
"Cmon guys aren’t we all friends of Mandy?" Jackson tried to liven up the atmosphere sensing the instincts of both rivals heating up. "Who’s Gyeomie?" He asked you candidly "is he another guy?"
"Yeah my brother." You replied, picturing the image of him meeting the 3 guys. If Mark was being protective right now and if JB was being possessive, Yugyeom would be the combination of both and worse. He knew all your friends by name and never failed to be at the door waiting if he knew you were out with a guy. He was the typical brother that felt no guy was good enough for his one and only precious sister.
"I’ll send you back." JB stood up immediately.
"It’s okay, her keys are with me." Mark stood up as well and grabbed your bag.
"But wait guys! we ordered food and it’s coming!!!" Jackson held both their hands and pulled them to sit.
"You know what? I can actually walk back on my own so thank you both of you for your kind offer… I’ll take them up another day. For now I think you guys need to chill for a bit ya?" You reached into Mark’s jacket pocket, to the amazement of Jackson, and pulled out your keys.
"I’ll be fine don’t worry okay? sorry can’t join you both tonight ya?" You squeezed his arm and gave him a nod.

Mark wanted to stand up but you kept him seated with your firm grip. With a sigh, ”Call me when you’re home safe, k?”
JB stood up and carried your bag, walking out not wanting to linger any longer to see the exchanges between you and Mark. “I’ll have to head home in the same direction anyways. I’ll walk you out.”
Sending signals to Jackson to watch over Mark, you quickly left to separate JB from them before things got too out of hand.
As you exited the door you took your bag from JB. “Jaebum-ah, why did you follow me?”
Like a kid who got caught red handed he lowered his head awkwardly and began fiddling with his collar and avoiding your stare. “Well I was just…. passing by here….”
"Look, I know you mean well Jaebum. But I’m really fine and right now I’m gonna head home and you should too." Keeping a firm tone of voice, it meant that you were not going to take no for an answer.
"Arraseo…. I’ll walk pass your place to head back, so does that mean I get to … walk you home?" He gently asked.
You sighed, “okay I give up let’s go. It’s getting cold.”
Happily he trailed along beside you with his hands in his jacket and a hood over his head. A few times he tried to hook his hand into yours but you evaded him naturally, knowing what he was up to. Although it wasn’t like you disliked him, but it was just not your day to be getting all lovey-dovey.
Within 10 mins you arrived at your place.
"Mandy!" Your brother Yugyeom was already waiting at the gate, to JB’s surprise.
"Ah hello I’m Jaebum but you can call me JB. You must be her brother." With a polite bow he greeted Yugyeom.
"Oh yes hi nice meeting you. Are you both colleagues? You’re very good looking!" He asked, and instinctively took your bag from you, without even looking, like the way a father would.
"No he’s the ex classmate I met at the reunion.. anyways it’s late now and he’s gotta go." Waving JB off abruptly you knew that Yugyeom was gonna question you the moment you stepped into the house.
"Ah.. okay bye then see you around!" JB jogged off happily feeling like he progressed a little further by meeting your family.
As the door closed you scooted off into the bathroom “Uh I’m dead beat Yugyeom ah … I’ll drink the soup later… Go sleep don’t wait for me..”
"Noona! Wait! Who is this ex classmate isn’t he the same guy that you used to like back in school???? Omo! Omo!!!" He was talking to your bathroom door as you showered inside ignoring everything.
Your phone started ringing amidst the commotion and it was Mark. Not hearing the missed calls, you stepped out of the shower clad in your bathrobe only to see Yugyeom waiting with a face full of questions.
"Noona how old is he? What does he work as? Where does he stay? Do you like him?" He followed you around the room as you sat down to blow your hair.
"Yah yah… Kim Yugyeom. If you like him so much you can Google him. He’s a celebrity. I’m sure you’ll know more about him than I do."
Flicking out his phone he immediately started searching for JB and scanning through his bio on his fansites.
Just then you saw the 10 missed calls from Mark. As you quickly returned the call you noticed a car turning in to your driveway. Suspecting that it could be him, you put on a jacket and went closer to have a look.

"Hey Mandy are you home yet?"
"Sorry I forgot to call, I got home awhile ago….. and you?"
"Ah… ok it’s good that you’re home safe then……… erm have a good rest."
"Wait, you’re in the car?"
"Ye…yeah …I…"

You opened your door and saw Mark in his car with the phone in his hand. Giving you that embarrassingly cute grin that said it all.
"Mark!!! gosh, what you doing here at this hour????" You walked out with your thin bathrobe under the jacket and semi wet hair.
He quickly got out of the car seeing that you came out as well.
Behind you Yugyeom stood at the door watching Mark and gave him a quick wave. He was well acquainted with Mark since you both had known each other for quite some time.
"Oh Heya… nah its nothing I was worried that you didn’t pick up the call so I thought to come check for myself before heading back." He bashful admitted.
"Hey Mark!" Yugyeom called out to him. "You’re not the first guy to show up from missed calls! Don’t worry!"
Shooting a death stare at your brother, you clearly knew what he meant by that statement. Translated it implied: You should head home now cos I’m here so don’t even think of messing with my sister.
"Okay I’ll …… get going you have a good night and rest well." Mark bid you farewell and waved back to Yugyeom as he backed his car out.
Returning to the peaceful night you slumped onto the couch, finally for some peace. Yugyeom followed suit, seeing you tired he held in his burning questions.
"Noona, you don’t need to be nice to the guys you don’t like. If you find it hard I’ll be the bad guy for you." He rolled over and stuck his head on your shoulders.
You laughed at his protective innocence.
“How?”
He sat up and with a serious expression he said, “I won’t let any guy that can’t handle me get near to you. I’ll protect you from any of them, celebrity or not!”
Bursting with laughter your cute brother was growing up day by day and he was big enough to look like a couple with you whenever he acted this way. It was a good thing you had Yugyeom around, he always came in handy for situations like these.
"With a brother like you I don’t think any guy can come near. Cos you’re worse than any obsessed boyfriend!" You teased. "Who on earth waits outside the house at midnight in the winter??"
"Not until I approve of him to be worthy. Until then you’re mine and mine alone!" With glee he collapse his body and hugged you tightly rolling around the couch, his face buried in your neck.
"Yah yah yah !!! stop it, you’re such a baby..! How am I going to get married with you around?" patting his fluffy hair you sniffed it. "Wait… Did you use my shampoo again??"
Caught by surprise he quickly let go of you and sprinted into his own room.
“Sarangheyo Noona!! I love you my noona forever !!”
You couldn’t believe your brother was growing up and yet still acting like a baby.
"How am I going to leave him alone?" you muttered to yourself as you gazed as the big baby, rolling around his own bed.
Thoughts of the 3 guys came to your head - thankfully it was the weekend and you would be able to stay home in peace, or so you thought….

Notes