[M] Chapter 20: Countdown (1/1)

JB sat across from me, oblivious to the crowd surrounding us as he took my hand hostage in his own. He propped his head on his fist, watching me as the thumb on his opposite hand gently circled the back of my own. I felt unease at the sudden intimacy, but thanks to his weirdly inhuman strength, any attempt at release was brushed off. He wasn’t ambidextrous, so that was good, or we would likely remain this way even while eating. I’d learned to handle my surgical tools with both hands just in case something was to happen, so I’m completely fine eating with my left hand. I wasn’t going to let him in on that little bit though. I was already cringing at the sudden sunshine and rainbow bullshit he was sprouting. Eating and holding hands just upped the awkward meter to a whole new level.As if on cue, the Ahjumma arrived with a tray of side dishes, my bulgogi, and his bibimbap. Neither one of us ordering what the now pouting fan had suggested. Oh, suck it up buttercup! I mentally chided and apparently also gave her a none too polite look. I’d figured something of the sort had occurred since she’d returned a pointed glare before turning around in her chair with a ‘hmph.’ I wasn’t bothered by it. She could ignore me all she wanted…in fact, please continue to do so.All of this slipped by JB as I looked to find him staring at our still intertwined hands. Why isn’t he letting go? I began to freak out for no apparent reason as I went into one of my mini-rants. What if someone sees us? My work? I had a feeling that the twerps here were going to put me through enough hell as it is. Add on the pissing matches at the hospital and I had enough drama, I didn’t need anymore. I frantically surveilled the restaurant, but my attention caught elsewhere as I felt JB’s stare. His expression wounded, but quick to adjust to his more nonchalant façade as I turn to face him. My eyes latch onto his, his obsidian orbs glint in humor under the overhead lights as he gives me a questioning look but nothing so jovial resides within. He blinds me with his pearly white teeth while quickly brushing over the back of my hand with his thumb, giving it one last squeeze before releasing me to grab the utensils and Siracha. Something had upset him. I knew it. He could try to distract me all he wanted but I wasn’t like his awe-stricken fans. If he wanted me to be more open with him, he was going to need to let his demons float ahead of mine before I unchained them from their depths. Those bitches could swim.The onlookers returned to worrying about their own lives towards the end of our meal and I didn’t trust them enough not to eavesdrop to say anything worth mentioning, so we ate in silence. The Ahjumma came by, our check in hand, with a glint in her eyes that was all for JB. Before I could stop him, he was reaching for the check and handing it, with his card, to the Ahjumma, thwarting my protests with a ‘don’t even think about it’ stare. I gave him a worthy glare and saved a