#fratelli famous

[wildfernflower]

Who are Sam and Cait in Hollywood-c list-to have the narrative that lasts 8 years !!

Marilyn Monroe married a playwright Arthur Miller !

Why doesn't Caitriona Balfe marry a musician Tony McGill ?!

Anon, sorry for late reply. I see you’re making rounds. I’ve recognized you, you sent an ask to @sleepwakerepeat3 just yesterday absurdly suggesting there’s a parallel between the marriage of M. Monroe and A. Miller, and that of Cait and T. I have read that post:

and it has motivated me to finally reply to your ask, although I’m quite busy.

I’ll express my opinion about T’s occupation. To begin with, he’s not a musician, his official job is music producer. This information appears repeatedly in all media and press, is being rewritten by the journalists from old articles to the new ones, yet no source exists that provides current or even old but reliable data about his job. That’s the first red flag – why literally no single solid information about his job can be found anywhere? As a supposed music producer, he is totally anonymous. A person working in the music/entertainment industry these days is expected to have a professional website and/or IG account and a public, well documented and officially available career pathway: education background (list of schools/high schools they graduated from), list of their skills, and work experience including professional achievements, projects they have successfully managed, list of musicians/bands they worked with, etc. A music producer strives to be known and recognizable in the industry, wants to be perceived as a professional and makes his/her qualifications and achievements public in order to gain the trust of future clients and develop his/her career. None of the above is known about T. Just have a look at his Linkedin account:

It's empty, it doesn’t mention even he’s managing The Fratellis. The website of his company Numb Music doesn't exist.

Let’s compare the content of T's account to that of Nigel Brown, tour manager of The Fratellis:

The difference is striking, isn’t it? You can clearly see by yourself, these public records don’t lie.

Doesn’t it look suspicious to you, Anon? Is that really what one should expect from the professional music producer and his career nowadays? No single word about his education, skills, projects, cooperations, accomplishments. No website, no IG account. Would you like to cooperate with a man with the unknown skills and experience, and entrust him managing your band or coordinating your music career? Me personally would consider him a scammer if I were a musician and saw his account.

Does T hide his skills and achievement? That would be unreasonable and simply harmful for his career. Or perhaps he doesn’t have any?

One can speculate what T’s truly doing for a living (and you surely know what these speculations are about if you have come here) but I’ll bet dollars to doughnuts he’s not and never has been a music producer and doesn’t have any real job or own career. Music producer is a feigned occupation that has been invented for the fans and media/journalists in case they ask and have to include the respective data in the articles. If something is repeated and passed on many times, it becomes true, because no one bothers to verify its authenticity; that’s what the people who created the myth of T being a music producer counted on, and they’ve achieved their goal. Of course there must be very specific purpose(s) why this fictional occupation has been pushed so hard. Don’t you think it’s a cover to divert from what T is really doing?

In the post I’m referring to in the beginning, blogger @mariaae compiled a list of A. Miller's achievements. He was famous already during his lifetime, was a recognized playwright, an intellectual. He surely could impress and attract women. I guess, Marylin considered his personality interesting and challenging.

Ask yourself Anon, do you see any parallels between A. Miller and T, or between the two said relationships?    

[maimoncat]

Goblinweek 2022 - 3 Kicherlein

Noch einer, meiner Koboldcharaktere. Kicherlein ist eine Holl, eine hessische Art von Wichtel. Sie werden als dunkelhäutig und dickköpfig (im wortwörtlichen Sinne) beschrieben. Ihr name ist wahrscheinlich mit der Frau Holle, die selber reichlich viele Sagen in Hessen hat, verbunden. Die Brüder Grimm bemerkten, dass die Haut vieler deutscher Kobolde und Zwerge als dunkel, schwarz, braun und vor allem grau beschrieben wird. Sie verbinden das, mit den kleinwüchsigen Dunkelalben, die Snorri Sturluson in seiner Prosa Edda beschreibt.

Another of my goblin characters. Kicherlein is a Holl, a hessian type of imp. They are described as dark skinned and thick headed (literally). Their name is probably connected to Mother Hulda, a very famous fairy also from Hessen. The brothers Grimm noted that the skin of most german dwarves and goblins is described as dark, black, brown and, most often, grey. They connect this with the dwarfish dark elves described by Snorri Sturluson in his Prose Edda.

un altro dei miei personaggi goblin. Kicherlein è una Holl, un tipo di folletto dell’Assia. Vengono descritti con la pelle scura e la testa grossa. Il loro nome è probabilmente collegato a Madama Holda, una famosa fata del folklore assiano. I fratelli Grimm hanno notato che molti gnomi e nani tedeschi hanno la pelle scura, nera, bruna o soprattutto grigia. Secondo loro ha a che fare con i naneschi elfi oscuri, descritti da Snorri Sturluson nella sua Edda in Prosa.

[global-analysis]

Raise a Glass to Perfection: Discover the Finest Wine Brands in India

India, known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse culinary traditions, is now making its mark in the world of wines. With a growing appreciation for the art of winemaking, Indian wine brands have emerged as the epitome of excellence. From lush vineyards nestled in picturesque regions to expert craftsmanship, these top wine brands in India are capturing the hearts of wine connoisseurs across the globe.

Sula Vineyards: As one of the pioneers of the Indian wine industry, Sula Vineyards has revolutionized the perception of Indian wines. Their wide range of offerings, including Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Chenin Blanc, showcases the remarkable potential of the Nashik region.

Grover Zampa Vineyards: With a legacy spanning over three decades, Grover Zampa Vineyards is renowned for its exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail. From their exquisite reds like La Réserve and Art Collection to the elegant whites such as Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc, every bottle tells a story of passion and expertise.

Fratelli Vineyards: Combining Italian heritage with Indian terroir, Fratelli Vineyards has created a unique range of wines that embody elegance and finesse. From the vibrant Sette to the velvety Sangiovese, their collection offers a delightful journey for the senses.

York Winery: Nestled in the serene landscapes of Nashik, York Winery captures the essence of the region in every bottle. Known for their award-winning sparkling wines and robust reds like Arros and Cabernet Sauvignon, York Winery is a testament to India's growing reputation in the wine world.

Four Seasons Wines: Crafted with precision and passion, Four Seasons Wines presents a wide array of varietals that cater to every palate. From their refreshing Chenin Blanc to the rich Merlot and Shiraz, each sip promises an extraordinary experience.

Charosa Vineyards: Located in the breathtaking Dindori region of Maharashtra, Charosa Vineyards produces wines that reflect the unique terroir of the area. Their offerings, including the sophisticated Reserve Tempranillo and the crisp Sauvignon Blanc, showcase the immense potential of this emerging wine region.

Chandon India: With a legacy rooted in the famous Champagne house Moët & Chandon, Chandon India brings the essence of celebration to Indian wine enthusiasts. From their sparkling wines like Brut and Rosé to the delightful Délice, Chandon India is synonymous with luxury and elegance.

Myra Vineyards: Known for their innovative winemaking techniques, Myra Vineyards offers a range of distinctive wines that captivate the senses. From the vibrant Misfit to the velvety Reserve Shiraz, their portfolio pushes the boundaries of traditional Indian wines.

Reveilo Wines: Nestled in the serene landscapes of Nashik, Reveilo Wines crafts wines that embody elegance and finesse. From their award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon to the refreshing Chenin Blanc, each bottle reflects the dedication and passion of the winemakers.

KRSMA Estates: Situated in the picturesque Hampi Hills of Karnataka, KRSMA Estates produces limited-edition wines that epitomize exclusivity and sophistication. Their meticulously crafted wines, such as the robust Cabernet Sauvignon and the elegant Chardonnay, are a true testament to the art of winemaking.

As the Indian wine industry continues to evolve, these top wine brands showcase the incredible growth and potential of the country's winemaking scene. Whether you're a wine enthusiast or a curious novice, exploring the exquisite offerings of these Indian wine brands promises a journey of taste, culture, and sheer excellence. So, raise a glass and toast to the perfection found in every sip of these exceptional wines from India.

[reasoningdaily]

Italy wants to fine the use of English and other foreign words

Just over 100 years later, on March 31, 2023, Italy’s far-right Brothers of Italy (Fratelli d’Italia) party, led by prime minister Giorgia Meloni, proposed a law that would dictate the guidelines for the promotion and protection of the Italian language.

Meloni and her party, which displays proudly in its logo a flame in the colors of the Italian flag, once a symbol Italy’s neo-fascist party, insistently reject the label of fascist. Yet this latest proposal loudly carries the echo of the so-called Ventennio, Italy’s two decades of fascist reign.

Most notably, their eight-article proposal includes imposing a fine of up to €100,000 ($108,000) on the use of foresterismi, or foreign words that have Italian translations, in official and public-facing communications. This includes names or acronyms used for professional roles—say, manager, or CEO.

Sounds familiar—or, rather, suona familiare—doesn’t it?

Made in Italy

Although the current Italian government thinks all foreign words presents a threat to Italian, it’s especially concerned about English ones.

According to the proposal, the use of English in Italian professional communication has increased by 773% since 2000 (the methodology doesn’t discuss the raw numbers); words such as “look,” “business,” and “fashion” are used as much as 1% to 2% of the time. Among the roughly 800,000 words in the typical Italian dictionary, there are around 9,000 anglicisms, or 1.1% of the total.

That, says the government, is too many: It’s an Anglomania emergency.

“Whoever speaks only Italian today risks the failing of incommunicability,” reads the proposal. This is demeaning to the Italian language, it adds, especially because the UK is no longer in the European Union

The proposal also establishes a “committee for the safeguard, promotion, and appreciation of Italian language,” although Italy already has such an institution, the Accademia della Crusca (known as La Crusca), which has been the ultimate authority in all matters of Italian language since 1538.

However, Meloni’s government doesn’t seem to have consulted with the body, just like the fascist government of a century ago disempowered La Crusca (link in Italian) by creating a “commission for the ‘Italian-ness’ (italianità) of the language.” The academy thinks the new proposal is so outlandish that it risks making bonafide efforts to preserve Italian look ridiculous, too.

The ministry of silly talks

Indeed, the proposal is ridiculous, especially coming from the very government that created a ministry named “Made in Italy.” In English!

Fascist initiatives to preserve Italian-ness quickly fell into ridiculousness, too. The first 1923 law took the lead from legislation in the late 19th century that double taxed businesses using foreign words, because it assumed they made more money. But the intent was not, as with its precedent, to make money for the government. It was to discourage the use of foreign words, starting with public-facing commercial communication.

With time, however, the bans became more serious, and speaking in foreign languages—particularly English and French—was akin to treason. In 1940, the punishment was up to six months in jail for the use of foreign words.

Nouns were created to replace words including sandwich (tramezzino), cashmere (casimiro), croissant (cornetto), hip-hip hooray (eja eja alalà), and panorama (tuttochesivede). Foreign names were translated into Italian, for instance Buenos Aires (Buonaria), Louis Armstrong (Luigi Braccioforte), and George Washington (Giorgio Vosingtone). Existing Italian words were changed because they sounded foreign, so ananas (pineapple) became ananasso, and the famous entertainer Wanda Osiris became Vanda Osiri.

The foolishness didn’t end there. Insalata Russa (Russian salad), an Italian-style coleslaw, was renamed insalata tricolore (tricolor salad), and the wrench, known in Italian as chiave inglese (English key), became a chiavemorsa.

More than a laughing matter

But if it’s absurd and ridiculous, the approach isn’t funny. Normalizing absurdity, and feeling no embarrassment in taking laughable actions, is a common trait among authoritarians. Fascism showed it well: Italians read in the news that Mussolini was capable of all sorts of superhuman feats, such as swimming faster than boats, or harvesting entire fields alone in a matter of hours.

More recent examples abound (podcast link in Italian). Think of Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, hosting a daily salsa dancing show as his country suffered unrest; Belarus’s Alexander Lukashenko, carrying watermelons to meet with Steven Seagal; Ukraine’s Viktor Yanukovych, who would use made-up words; Turkmenistan’s Saparmurat Niyazov, who changed the names of the month; Ecuador’s Abdalá Bucaram, who dressed like Batman to talk to voters; or Muammar Qaddafi, who killed flies with a golden swatter.

Behind the surreal nature of authoritarian idiosyncrasies is the belief that the ruled people will stop having a perception of the ridiculous, trusting the value of their leaders regardless of whether what they do makes any sense.

With its decision, Italy’s government is following fascist footsteps not only in the autarchic belief that the country must protect itself against foreign influence, but also in asking its citizens to follow absurd rules. It isn’t just making itself the laughing stock of the world. It’s trying to tell its citizens that it doesn’t matter what a rational observer might see from outside—their government knows best.

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 3.4

Beer Birthdays

George Klotter (1805)

Leonard Eppig (1839)

Jacob Ruppert, Sr. (1842)

Greg Noonan (1951)

Tonya Cornett (1969)

Lucy Corne-Duthie

Adair Paterno

Emily Sauter (1983)

Five Favorite Birthdays

Ron Carter; jazz bassist (1937)

Casmir Pulaski; U.S.-Polish revolutionary war general (1747)

Chris Squire; rock bassist (1948)

Antonio Vivaldi; composer (1675)

Johann Wyss; Swiss writer (1782)

Famous Birthdays

Jim Clark; British auto racer (1936)

Evan Dando; rock musician (1968)

Charles Dibdin; English writer (1745)

James Ellroy; writer (1948)

Lolo Ferrari; French porn actor (1962)

Jon Fratelli; rock musician (1979)

John Garfield; actor (1913)

Charles Goren; bridge card expert (1901)

Joan Greenwood; actor (1921)

Milt Gross; comic book artist (1895)

Bernard Haitink; orchestra conductor (1929)

Kevin Johnson; Phoenix Suns PG, politician (1966)

Patsy Kensit; actor (1968)

Ward Kimball; cartoonist (1914)

Adrian Lyne; film director (1941)

Barbara McNair; actor (1934)

Henry the Navigator; prince (1394)

Catherine O'Hara; actor (1954)

Paula Prentiss; actor (1938)

Henry Raeburn; Scottish artist (1756)

Chris Rea; rock musician (1951)

Knute Rockne; football coach (1888)

Bobby Shew; jazz musician (1941)

Alan Sillitoe; English writer (1928)

Bobby Womack; R&B singer (1944)

Adrian Zmed; actor (1954)

[scoiatoloreal]

YOU SHOULD COME ON DOWN TO FRATELLIS PIZZA FOR DEALS GALORE SUCH AS OUR CRIPPLED HERMIT CRAB RAVIOLI! Fratelli's Pizza

Thanks for the offer but I'm kinda busy atm! Plus I can make my famous Nut Pizza at home so theres no need to go out :3

[reginadeinisseni]

Spot Unieuro #1 con Tonino Guerra (2003)

TONINO GUERRA E LA MOGLIE ETERNA RUSSA

Antonio Guerra, detto Tonino (Santarcangelo di Romagna, 16 marzo 1920 – Santarcangelo di Romagna, 21 marzo 2012), è stato un poeta, scrittore e sceneggiatore italiano.

tonino Guerra nacque a Santarcangelo da Odoardo e Penelope Carabini, ultimo di quattro figli. Seguì corsi regolari di studi. Alle Scuole medie ebbe come insegnante Augusto Campana, che divenne poi un famoso docente universitario. Si diplomò all'istituto magistrale di Forlì. Poi s'iscrisse all'università. Dapprima scelse Venezia, poi si trasferì nella più vicina Urbino, alla Facoltà di Magistero, corso di laurea in Pedagogia. Sin da giovane era appassionato di pittura. Dipingeva ad acquerello e a inchiostro.

All'inizio di agosto 1944, terminata la sessione estiva degli esami, tornò a casa. Ma il giorno stesso in cui arrivò fu fermato e condotto alla locale Casa del Fascio[1]. Individuato come antifascista, fu portato dapprima a Forlì e di qui a Fossoli (MO), nel locale Centro di raccolta per la manodopera in Germania. Venne deportato in Germania e rinchiuso in un campo d'internamento a Troisdorf.

Avendo conservato le poesie composte nel campo di prigionia, le fece leggere a Carlo Bo, che ne rimase piacevolmente colpito

Nel 1974 firmò Amarcord, la sua prima sceneggiatura per Fellini.

Nel 1975 conobbe, durante uno dei suoi viaggi in Russia, Eleonora Kreindlina. Se ne innamorò, sciolse il precedente matrimonio e la sposò nel 1977[1]. La frequentazione della Russia, dell'Armenia e della Georgia (il romanzo La pioggia tiepida è dedicato «A tutti gli amici georgiani e alla loro bella terra») gli fece tornare la voglia di dipingere, passione che prese piede a partire dagli anni ottanta e che divenne la sua attività prevalente nell'ultima parte della vita. Nel 1983 scrisse per il regista russo Andrej Tarkovskij Nostalghia. Collaborò poi con Rosi (Carmen, 1984) e i fratelli Taviani (La notte di San Lorenzo, Kaos, Good Morning Babilonia e Il sole anche di notte). Con Fellini realizzò ancora Ginger e Fred (1986).

TONINO GUERRA AND HIS ETERNAL RUSSIAN WIFE

Antonio Guerra, known as Tonino (Santarcangelo di Romagna, 16 March 1920 – Santarcangelo di Romagna, 21 March 2012), was an Italian poet, writer and screenwriter.

Tonino Guerra was born in Santarcangelo to Odoardo and Penelope Carabini, the youngest of four children. He followed regular courses of study. In middle school his teacher was Augusto Campana, who later became a famous university professor. He graduated from the teacher training institute of Forlì. Then he enrolled in university. He first chose Venice, then moved to the nearest Urbino, to the Faculty of Teaching, degree course in Pedagogy. From a young age he was passionate about painting. He painted in watercolor and ink.

At the beginning of August 1944, after the summer exam session, he returned home. But the same day he arrived he was stopped and taken to the local Casa del Fascio [1]. Identified as an anti-fascist, he was taken first to Forlì and from there to Fossoli (MO), to the local collection center for labor in Germany. He was deported to Germany and locked up in an internment camp in Troisdorf.

Having kept the poems composed in the prison camp, he had Carlo Bo read them, who was pleasantly impressed

In 1974 he signed Amarcord, his first screenplay for Fellini.

In 1975, during one of his trips to Russia, he met Eleonora Kreindlina. He fell in love with her, dissolved his previous marriage and married her in 1977 [1]. Visiting Russia, Armenia and Georgia (the novel The Lukewarm Rain is dedicated «To all Georgian friends and their beautiful land») made him return to the desire to paint, a passion that took hold starting in the eighties and which became his prevalent activity in the latter part of his life. In 1983 he wrote Nostalghia for the Russian director Andrei Tarkovsky. He then collaborated with Rosi (Carmen, 1984) and the Taviani brothers (La notte di San Lorenzo, Kaos, Good Morning Babilonia and Il sole also di notte). With Fellini he again made Ginger and Fred (1986).

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ❤️❤️

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

#gustavopetro #colombia #DONALDTRUMP #TRUMP #BOLSONARO #DORIGHEZZI #STRISCIALANOTIZIA #FRANCESCO #RUTELLI #PROPAGANDALIVE #ELUANA #ENGLARO #ELUANAENGLARO #CRISTIANODEANDRE #twitter #facebook #skyrock #linkedin #instagram #okru #tiktok

[mahashankh]

Radiate Confidence and Style with Prada: Unleash Your Power of Glamour at 7 Special Occasions

Here are some current details about Prada as of August 11, 2023: - The company reported strong sales growth in the first half of 2023, up 22% at constant exchange rates. - Prada is planning to hire over 400 workers in Italy this year. - The company is also looking to dual list its stock on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in addition to the Milan Stock Exchange. - Prada has appointed former Luxottica CEO Andrea Guerra as its new CEO. - The company is continuing to focus on sustainability, and has set a goal of being carbon neutral by 2025. - Prada is also expanding its retail footprint, with plans to open new stores in key cities around the world. History of Prada Shop of Prada Products of Prada Persence of prada brand in different countries Market cap of Prada Brand Prada Famous For Future of prada Prada is a leading luxury fashion brand known for its modern, minimalist style. The company's products include men's and women's clothing, accessories, and fragrances. Prada is also the parent company of the Miu Miu brand, which is known for its more youthful and playful designs.

Prada Prada was founded in 1913 by Mario Prada in Milan, Italy. The company quickly became known for its high-quality leather goods. In the 1970s, Miuccia Prada, Mario's granddaughter, took over the company and began to expand its product offerings. Under Miuccia's leadership, Prada has become one of the most successful luxury fashion brands in the world. Prada is known for its innovative designs and its commitment to quality. The company uses only the finest materials and craftsmanship in its products. Prada is also known for its collaborations with artists and designers, such as Raf Simons and Rem Koolhaas. Prada is a popular brand among celebrities and fashion icons. The company's products have been worn by stars such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Angelina Jolie. Prada is also a favorite among fashion bloggers and influencers. Prada is a global brand with stores in over 70 countries. The company's headquarters are located in Milan, Italy.

History of Prada

Prada Prada is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 by Mario Prada and his brother Martino as Fratelli Prada, a leather goods shop in Milan. Initially, the shop sold animal goods, imported English steamer trunks, and handbags. Mario Prada did not believe women should have a role in business, so he prevented female family members from entering his company. Ironically, Mario's son had no interest in the business, so it was Mario's daughter Luisa who succeeded Mario and ran Prada for almost twenty years. Luisa's daughter, Miuccia Prada, joined the company in 1970, eventually taking over from Luisa in 1978. Miuccia Prada was a trained mime and sociologist before she joined the family business. She brought a new perspective to Prada, injecting it with a sense of humor and irony. She also introduced new materials to the brand, such as nylon and plastic, which were considered unconventional at the time. Prada's designs were often simple and understated, but they were always of the highest quality. This combination of style and craftsmanship made Prada a hit with fashion insiders and celebrities alike. In the 1990s, Prada's popularity exploded. The brand opened new stores around the world and launched a number of successful new lines, including Miu Miu, a diffusion line for younger women, and Prada Sport. Prada also began to collaborate with other artists and designers, such as Rem Koolhaas and Jeff Koons. Today, Prada is one of the most successful luxury fashion brands in the world. It is known for its high-quality products, innovative designs, and sophisticated marketing campaigns. Prada is also a leader in sustainable fashion, and it has committed to reducing its environmental impact. Here are some of the key events in the history of Prada: - 1913: Mario Prada and his brother Martino open the first Prada store in Milan. - 1919: Prada is appointed Official Supplier to the Italian Royal Household. - 1978: Miuccia Prada takes over the company from her mother, Luisa. - 1985: Prada launches its first men's collection. - 1993: Prada opens its first Miu Miu store in Milan. - 1999: Prada acquires Church's, a British shoemaker. - 2000: Prada launches its first Linea Rossa collection, dedicated to sportswear. - 2001: Prada opens its first Epicentre store in New York City. - 2013: Prada celebrates its 100th anniversary. - 2022: Prada launches its first NFT collection. Prada is a brand that is constantly evolving and innovating. It is a testament to the vision and creativity of Miuccia Prada that the brand has remained relevant for over 100 years.

Shop of Prada

Prada Prada is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in 1913 by Mario Prada. The company is known for its high-quality leather goods, shoes, clothing, and accessories. Prada shops are located in major cities around the world, and they offer a wide variety of products to choose from. Prada shops are typically designed with a minimalist aesthetic. The walls are often white, and the furniture is made of sleek, modern materials. The products are displayed in a way that highlights their craftsmanship and quality. Prada shops offer a variety of services to their customers, including personal shopping, gift wrapping, and alterations. They also have a loyalty program that rewards customers for their purchases. If you're looking for high-quality, luxury fashion, then a Prada shop is definitely worth a visit. The products are well-made and stylish, and the staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Here are some of the things you can expect to find at a Prada shop: - Leather goods: Prada is known for its high-quality leather goods, including bags, wallets, and belts. - Shoes: Prada shoes are stylish and comfortable, and they're made with high-quality materials. - Clothing: Prada clothing is designed for the modern woman, and it's made with luxurious fabrics and finishes. - Accessories: Prada accessories, such as sunglasses, scarves, and jewelry, add the finishing touch to any outfit. Prada shops are also known for their high level of customer service. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful, and they're always willing to go the extra mile to make sure you have a positive shopping experience. If you're looking for a luxury shopping experience, then a Prada shop is definitely worth a visit. The products are high-quality, the staff is friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is luxurious and inviting. Here are some additional information about Prada shops: - Prada shops are located in major cities around the world, including New York City, London, Paris, Milan, and Tokyo. - Prada also has an online store where you can purchase its products. - Prada prices are high, but the products are made with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. - Prada is a popular brand among celebrities and fashion icons. If you're considering buying a Prada product, it's important to do your research and make sure that you're getting a genuine product. There are many counterfeit Prada products on the market, so it's important to buy from a reputable retailer. I hope this article has given you a better understanding of Prada shops. If you're looking for high-quality, luxury fashion, then a Prada shop is definitely worth a visit.

Products of Prada

Prada Prada is a luxury fashion house that is known for its high-quality leather goods, handbags, shoes, ready-to-wear, and other accessories. Here are some of the most popular products that Prada is known for: - Leather goods: Prada is a master of leather goods, and its handbags are some of the most coveted in the world. The iconic Prada Galleria bag is a must-have for any fashion lover, and the Prada Saffiano bag is another popular option. Prada also makes high-quality wallets, briefcases, and other leather accessories. - Handbags: Prada handbags are some of the most stylish and luxurious in the world. The brand's iconic nylon backpacks are a popular choice for everyday use, and the Prada Cahier bag is a great option for a more formal occasion. Prada also makes a variety of other handbags, including totes, clutches, and shoulder bags. - Shoes: Prada shoes are known for their sleek designs and high quality. The brand's loafers and sneakers are popular choices for men and women, and Prada also makes a variety of boots and sandals. - Ready-to-wear: Prada's ready-to-wear collection is known for its modern and sophisticated designs. The brand's suits, dresses, and coats are perfect for both casual and formal occasions. Prada also makes a variety of accessories, such as scarves, hats, and jewelry. - Accessories: Prada's accessories are just as stylish and luxurious as its other products. The brand's sunglasses, watches, and jewelry are all popular choices for fashion-forward individuals. Prada also makes a variety of other accessories, such as belts, ties, and scarves. In addition to these popular products, Prada also offers a variety of other items, such as fragrances, home goods, and eyewear. The brand is constantly innovating and creating new products, so it's always worth checking out the latest arrivals.

Persence of prada brand in different countries

Prada Prada has stores in over 70 countries around the world. Here are some of the countries with the most Prada stores: - United States: 105 stores - China: 193 stores - Japan: 88 stores - Italy: 86 stores - South Korea: 21 stores You can find a full list of Prada stores by country on the Prada website. Here are some of the most popular Prada stores in the world: - Prada flagship store, Milan: This iconic store is located in the heart of Milan's fashion district. It is a must-visit for any fashion lover. - Prada Beverly Hills: This store is located in the luxurious Rodeo Drive shopping district. It is known for its luxurious interiors and extensive selection of Prada products. - Prada Singapore: This store is located in the heart of Singapore's shopping district, Orchard Road. It is known for its stunning architecture and its impressive collection of Prada products. - Prada Tokyo Ginza: This store is located in the heart of Tokyo's Ginza district. It is known for its sleek design and its exclusive collection of Prada products. - Prada New York City: This store is located in the heart of New York City's SoHo district. It is known for its iconic red awning and its wide selection of Prada products.

Market cap of Prada Brand

As of August 11, 2023, the market cap of Prada brand is $18.32 billion. This makes Prada the world's 952nd most valuable company by market cap. The market capitalization, commonly called market cap, is the total market value of a publicly traded company's outstanding shares and is commonly used to measure how much a company is worth. Prada is a luxury fashion brand founded in Milan, Italy, in 1913 by Mario Prada. The company is known for its high-quality leather goods, clothing, and accessories. Prada also owns the Miu Miu brand, which is a more affordable line of clothing and accessories. In recent years, Prada has expanded its business into new markets, such as China and the Middle East. The company has also opened a number of new stores around the world. Prada's growth has helped to increase its market cap in recent years. The future of Prada looks bright. The company is well-positioned to continue its growth in the years to come. Prada is a popular brand among luxury consumers, and the company has a strong track record of innovation. Prada is also well-managed, and the company has a strong financial position. I hope this answers your question. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Prada Famous For

Prada is famous for its luxury leather goods, handbags, shoes, ready-to-wear, and other fashion accessories. The brand is known for its clean lines, opulent fabrics, and basic colors. Prada is also known for its innovative designs, such as its use of nylon in handbags. Here are some of the most famous Prada products: - Prada handbags: Prada handbags are some of the most iconic and sought-after luxury handbags in the world. The brand's signature nylon handbags were introduced in the 1980s and quickly became a hit. Prada also produces a wide variety of other handbags, including leather totes, clutches, and shoulder bags. - Prada shoes: Prada shoes are also highly regarded for their quality and craftsmanship. The brand produces a wide variety of shoes for men and women, including sneakers, sandals, boots, and pumps. - Prada ready-to-wear: Prada's ready-to-wear clothing is known for its sophisticated and minimalist designs. The brand's collections often feature clean lines, neutral colors, and luxurious fabrics. - Prada accessories: Prada also produces a wide variety of accessories, including jewelry, scarves, sunglasses, and watches. The brand's accessories are known for their high quality and stylish designs. Prada is a luxury fashion house that has been at the forefront of fashion for over 100 years. The brand is known for its innovative designs, high quality products, and sophisticated aesthetic. Prada is a favorite among celebrities and fashion icons, and its products are coveted by luxury shoppers around the world.

Future of prada

Prada The future of Prada looks bright. The company is currently performing well, with revenues rising 21% in 2022. It is also one of the fastest-growing luxury brands in the world. Prada is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come. Here are some of the factors that will drive Prada's future growth: - Strong brand reputation: Prada is one of the most recognized and respected luxury brands in the world. This gives it a significant advantage over its competitors. - Creative leadership: Prada is led by a team of talented designers who are constantly pushing the boundaries of fashion. This helps the brand stay ahead of the curve and attract new customers. - Diversification: Prada is not just a fashion brand. It also has a successful eyewear, perfume, and cosmetics business. This diversification helps the company reduce its risk and generate more revenue. - Focus on sustainability: Prada is committed to sustainability. This is a growing trend among luxury consumers, and it will help Prada attract new customers in the years to come. Overall, the future of Prada looks bright. The company is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come. Here are some specific trends that I think will shape the future of Prada: - Increased focus on digital: Prada is already a leader in digital marketing, but I think it will continue to invest in this area in the years to come. This will help the brand reach new customers and grow its online sales. - Collaborations with other brands: Prada has already collaborated with a number of other brands, such as Adidas and Supreme. I think these collaborations will become more common in the future. This will help Prada reach new customers and stay ahead of the curve. - Sustainability: Prada is committed to sustainability, and I think this will become increasingly important to luxury brands in the years to come. Prada will need to continue to innovate in this area in order to stay ahead of the competition. I am excited to see what the future holds for Prada. I believe that the company is well-positioned to continue its success in the years to come. Read the full article

[badnewbie]

for no reason in particular, i felt like posting the A-side of the playlist about thomas and jack attempting to date each other

annotations under the cut

The Fratellis - Whistle For The Choir

"So if you're lonely Why'd you say you're not lonely? Oh, you're a silly girl I know I heard it so"

this is a song from thomas' perspective. just a small sweet song about having a crush on the cute boy who works in the tobacco store. i also like it for the slightly patronizing tone. thomas doesn't 'do' labels, and he kind of thinks anyone who does is a little bit silly, so when jack hits him with a 'hey guy, i'm flattered, but i'm not gay' it barely strikes him as an objection to be taken seriously: 'then don't be. come back to my place with me though'

2. Amanda Palmer - Do It With a Rockstar

"And do you wanna go back home? Check your messages and charge your phone Oh are you, really sure you wanna go? When you could do it with a rock star, do it with a rock star?"

when thomas doesn't stop pursuing him, and jack tentatively starts giving in to letting himself be pursued by a man, it suddenly feels like the single most exciting thing that's ever happened to him in his entire life. jack hasn't really lived a life thus far in which 'wanting things' was a concept, but maybe he wants. maybe he wants things really bad...and sure, on some level he does understand that he is being seduced by a jobless stoner, but thomas believes he's the most famous person on the planet and it's intoxicating to go along with it and believe it too

3. Electric Six - Gay Bar

"Now tell me do ya, a do ya have any money? I wanna spend all your money At the gay bar, gay bar, gay bar"

okay actually those aren't the most important lyrics in this song that earned them a spot on this list, but they do make me laugh, because i'm pretty sure thomas said these words verbatim at some point. the most important lyric in this song is the fact that it starts with "Girl!" as far as i'm concerned, this song is basically the height of the early 2000s era of straight guys flirting with being gay for a laugh. thomas does enjoy fooling around with boys (quoth the jeremy peepshow: "it's like getting your car fixed at the actual dealership. they got all the codes") but it's not something he takes all that seriously, it's just for fun. on an unrelated note, i'm just reading on the genius website that the electric six guy has since come out as bisexual. good for him!

4. Blue Swede - Hooked on a Feeling

"I'm hooked on a feeling I'm high on believing That you're in love with me"

ultimately, thomas' motivation for doing anything is to feel good and therefore he loves falling in love and being in love. he loves the feeling of floating around and he loves that all the colors are brighter and that the world tastes sweeter. and it does feel even better when it's returned, hurray. it's simply the best feeling in the world and he's little bit addicted to it. and jack is being very good at returning it

5. Talking Heads- Take Me to the River 

"Hug me, squeeze me, love me, tease me Till I can't, till I can't, I can't take no more Dip me in the water, drop me in the river Push me in the water, drop me in the river"

the original al green version is more explicitly about a baptism, but i like the talking heads version for the more tactile “hug” and “squeeze" in the bridge. it's about sex, about worship and about the transformation into a different existence through both of those. when jack takes the plunge and lets himself be submerged into it all the way, it almost feels like a rebirth, a baptism through a love and sex that is so far removed from anything remotely acceptable in his home environment, that it genuinely feels like he's reinventing himself fully from the ground up. no, it feels like he's being reinvented from the ground up. the slow baseline combined with the the organ melody remind me of a joyous trust fall right into the ocean.

6. Go Set Go- Lift Me Up

"She's been lifting me up into the sunshine She's been pulling me up past the smogline She's been dragging me up past my agony"

yeah, i know go set go is the straightest band alive, but the thing is, every time jack thinks that everything is gonna work out, someone comes and kicks him in the balls. and he has gotten a bit desensitized. but it's not getting him down- you get it. jack is extremely thrilled to learn that every obstacle making his life unsatisfying thus far was simply caused by him apparently being a closeted gay dude all his life and he's very ready to never have problems again now that he's crushed that one

7. That Poppy - Lowlife (Jamey Love Cover)

"All these years on my own Fight my fight all alone Til you came, don't you know? Don't you know?"

jack loves thomas. he loves him for fixing him. he loves him for making everything better. he owes him everything. they're going to stay together forever.

8. Neutral Milk Hotel - "Song Against Sex"

"And I knew the world was over so I took a look outside And watched the fires that were reaching Up to the weather vane and the tops of trees And the waiting scene and the Sunday dream They're all waiting here for me"

thomas is the dead and hanging man, of course, and by kissing him, jack's old life rung and cracked and then fell away and he knows on some level that he cannot return to it. he's looking through the newly formed window out of his old life and makes the decision to step through it into his new life. so of course he'll say yes when when thomas asks him to join him and his friends on a nice drive through the country for a year (the second verse), what other choice does he have. what's that cliff doing there? jack doesn't like the last verse of this song

9. Jon Allen- Bad Penny

"Baby don't make me love you Just cause your bloods running hot No don't you throw it away now Before you know what you've got The best you can do is go back where you belong Cause I can't do any better babe I'm just not that strong"

thomas like being in love and all, but that doesn't mean he's going to commit to this. that's not the type of person he's willing to be and the very concept of it freaks him out in a way he's not willing to unpack, so all he can do is warn jack a bit too late that he should probably be a bit more careful with his expectations

10. The Mountain Goats - Weekend in Western Illinois

"there is no chance of getting enough of it, and we tally up all our possessions, and we're going under but we love these dogs that loll in the rain here in galesburg"

of course, it was always going to end, but that doesn't mean that the love that was in it was not real

[thenationview]

D'Avena sings at the Fratelli d'Italia party. And former fans are now lynching her on Twitter

D’Avena sings at the Fratelli d’Italia party. And former fans are now lynching her on Twitter

The radical chic crowd downloads the singer guilty of sympathizing with Giorgia Meloni on social media It was one of the gems announced at the press conference to present the party for the tenth anniversary of the Brothers of Italy. Cristina D’Avena, singer idol of the little ones for having interpreted some of the most famous cartoon themes, takes the stage on the first night of the party,…

[p-redux]

Was swamped at work, got a ton of DMs alerting me to this, I didn't have time to post on my own, so I hope you don't mind me simply reblogging you @brian-in-finance 😘 This is just like I've been telling the fandom since 2014. Tony McGill, Scottish, band manager for the famous Scottish band, The Fratellis. Verra nice to hear this confirmed YET again by someone who knows him. And even more importantly, the REITERATION that Tony McGill IS MARRIED to Caitriona Balfe. Love that Lauren Lyle was part of this Outlander connection. Here's the snippet I was sent that just has the Tony and Cait part. 👇 ❤️

Audio 🎧 from BBC Sounds

Caitríona Balfe, from Outlander, is married to an amazing fella called Tony McGill, who’s a very good pal of mine… Now, Tony McGill manages a band you will know called The Fratellis… So that’s what links Outlander to great music, Lauren Lyle, and me today”. — Gordon Smart

Twitter

Remember… Caitríona Balfe is married to an amazing fella called Tony McGill. — Gordon Smart, BBC

Brian’s Notes: The interview is on Patrick Kielty’s show, but stand-in Gordon Smart conducts the interview. Gordon is a Scot, married to a Scot. Tony was never The Fratellis’ producer. He is currently one of the band’s managers. Lauren did not mention Caitríona prior to Gordon’s anecdote. Lauren did respond to the anecdote. #FactsAreFun

[daniela--anna]

#Did you know that

The most famous and reproduced Madonna with Child is actually titled "Maternity" and portrays a little girl and her little brother.

Painted by Roberto Ferruzzi and winner of the second Venice Biennale in 1897, the painting was supposed to represent "maternal tenderness".

The girl portrayed was a peasant from the Venetian countryside, Angelina Cian, who was holding her little brother Giovanni, who was just a few months old.

After the Biennale, the painting was bought and resold several times, until the Alinari Brothers, the famous photographers of Florence, obtained it.

They secured all rights to its reproduction before selling it;

it was thanks to them that the painting achieved widespread diffusion.

📚 Source

🧠Sapiens³

#SapeviChe

La più celebre e riprodotta Madonna con Bambino in realtà s’intitola “Maternità” e ritrae una ragazzina e il suo fratellino.

Dipinta da Roberto Ferruzzi e vincitrice della seconda Biennale di Venezia nel 1897, il quadro doveva rappresentare la “tenerezza materna”. La ragazza ritratta era una contadina delle campagne venete, Angelina Cian, che teneva in braccio il fratellino Giovanni, di pochi mesi.

Dopo la Biennale, il quadro venne comprato e rivenduto più volte, fino a quando non lo ottennero i Fratelli Alinari, i famosi fotografi di Firenze. Essi si assicurarono tutti i diritti sulla sua riproduzione prima di venderlo; fu grazie a loro che il quadro ottenne una grandissima diffusione.

📚 Fonte

🧠Sapiens³

[postcardsfrompeta]

Fratelli Famous

Westfield Sydney

$7.50 lunch in the heart of the city + 3 meals free on me!

Contributor blog by my bff Mel//Postcards from Melanie

MealPal is the brand new app that allows you to prepay your weekday lunches, either 12 or 20 meals per 30 day cycle. You go onto the app either 5pm the day before up until 9:30am the day of. There are so many amazing choices! Including Juicy lucy, Sumo salad and Belles hot chicken. They show the photos of the 1 dish they offer from that restaurant on that day and you pick a time you want to pick it up and viola!

Famous Margherita Pizza from Fratelli Famous, may be the best Margherita pizza in the city! The pizza is so cheesy and saucy and yum. Extremely generous portion, this is usually $15! That’s half price dining with MealPal!

Anyone who uses this link will be able to enjoy three free days on MealPal!

www.mealpal.com/postcardsfrompeta

Thanks to Elizabeth from MealPal for letting us experience this fantastic app, i’m a big fan!

[magicshopaholic]

The Fifth (Jungkook x OC)

Summary: Jeon Jungkook is the world famous golden maknae, capable of anything, afraid of nothing. He's also the worst date you've ever been on - and now he wants a second one.

Pairing: Jungkook x OC

Genre: Teasing, banter, slowburn fluff (is that a thing?), idiots to lovers

Word count: 7.9 K

Warnings: Insinuations of sexual harassment (not from Jungkook)

Part 1 of 2 (Part 2)

Listen to: "whistle for the choir" by the fratellis

jungkook masterlist | main masterlist

You barely waited for the car to stop before you began grabbing your stuff - your bag, your phone, and what remained of your dignity. You threw the door open and had one leg out, ready to get this hideous night over with, when you decided to give him one last look. One last chance to look even the slightest bit ashamed.

No such luck.

He sat in the driver’s seat, staring straight ahead as his hand clutched the steering wheel, as though ready to zoom away the moment you closed the door. You stared at the baseball cap on his head - the same cap he’d worn throughout the date, even inside the damn restaurant. Filled with the sudden urge to take it off and smack him with it, you opted to scoff instead.

“Good night, I guess,” you muttered, unable to keep the disdain out of your voice. If he noticed it, he didn’t show it.

“Right.” His fingers visibly tightened around the steering wheel.

You waited for him to say something else but when he didn’t, you were done. You were out of patience, finally, after three hours of possibly the worst night of your life. Without another word, you stepped out of the car and slammed the door of his fancy Hyundai shut, walking straight to the entrance of your building. You turned one absolute last time to look at him; even through the window of the car, this late at night, you could make out his sharp jawline, aquiline nose, and the scowl under that stupid baseball cap.

He was gorgeous. He was sensational, he was adored, he was worshipped. But above all, you decided, Jeon Jungkook was the absolute worst date ever.

“Is the coffee machine still not fixed?” You slam the side of it and groan when it simply gurgles. “How are we supposed to perform at our best if we don’t even have caffeine in the morning?”

Seulgi clicks her tongue from behind you, typing something on her laptop, a steaming mug of green tea in her other hand. “There’s literally a coffee cart in the lobby.”

“I know, I saw that,” you mutter, walking over and sinking in your seat next to her. “But the crowd in front of it was insane. Is it some new popular brand I don’t know about?”

“Doubt it,” she says, sliding her cup over to you which you accept gratefully. “I think they put it up for BTS. It’s their first official day back, right?”

You freeze for a moment, mid-sip, before going back to work. Seulgi seems to remember it then, too.

“Oh, do you think Jungkook will seek you out?” she wonders, eyebrow raised under her glasses. “I mean… to apologise or whatever?”

You snort. “Not likely. He barely had anything to say to me that night; I doubt he’s going to start today.”

“You never know. You both work at Hybe - it’s just a matter of time before you bump into each other again.”

You give her a look. “I’ve been working at Hybe for four years and he still asked me out at the liquor store across the street. And after that disaster of a date…” You shudder. “I’m not holding my breath.”

“Yeah, it’s probably for the best,” agrees Seulgi, who, by virtue of being in the very same liquor store but in the adjoining aisle, was the only person who knew that you’d been on a date with Jungkook. It also meant that you’d vented to her and only her about it - and thankfully, she’d been just as disgusted when you’d told her about the baseball cap.

“I have to say, though,” she continues, getting up to pick up a sheaf of prints from the other end of the table, “Jungkook is not the one I would’ve pegged to be that aloof on a date. Taehyung, maybe - and only maybe. He could’ve been having a bad day - he was still serving…”

You tune her out partly, having heard all this before. You’ve considered all this too, but so far, Jungkook has not only taken you out on the worst date of your life, he’s also denied you your morning coffee. You have no patience, especially when you begin reliving that horrendous night six months ago.

It’s true, he’d been back on a break from his military service. The whole country knew about it, which was why you weren’t only surprised that he was in a liquor store across the street from Hybe, but that out of all the things he could’ve been doing on his few days back, he chose to go out with you - and bomb it. He’d picked you up in a stale mood, barely greeting you before he zoomed away towards the restaurant whose name he’d texted you the previous night. When you’d stepped out of the car, your jaw had almost dropped at his attire: faded jeans, a hoodie and trainers that he’d probably worn to the gym that morning. To top it off, he’d thrown on that ridiculous baseball cap just before entering.

You’d followed him in a daze. When you’d found out the name of the restaurant, you’d searched it online and carefully curated your outfit, keeping in mind how refined it was. Not only had Jungkook made no such effort, he’d chosen a table next to the kitchen and taken his seat first, leaving you to sit right next to the kitchen door. He’d barely made any conversation, looking at his lap, the menu, his phone any time you tried to initiate dialogue. Finally, by the time your food had arrived, you’d lost all interest and instead chosen to at least make the best of the free meal you were getting.

Less than five bites in, the door behind you had opened with a bang and knocked your chair - and you - into the table, making you choke, when you’d felt a trickle of something ice cold down your chest. You’d turned in horror to see dark red wine make its way down your shoulder and chest, permanently staining the dress you’d spent a quarter of last month’s salary on. While Jungkook had initially made no effort to help you out, perhaps it was the sight of your top getting more and more translucent by the second that compelled him to sullenly offer you his hoodie - but, you reasoned, only because he was wearing a jacket over it.

The rest of the night had gone just as abysmally, until you’d opted to decline any dessert from the waiter, ignoring Jungkook’s affronted expression. You just wanted to get home.

It’s a few more days before you consciously think of him again. Seulgi drags you into the conference room where the entire marketing team has just concluded a meeting, leaving behind them an empty room of coffee cups and stray laptop chargers.

“It’s a gold stud,” she mutters again, shuffling over to where she was standing to hopefully spot her missing earring. Tugging on her ear, she suddenly gets down on her knees, peering under the table.

“I’m going to be screwed in this meeting,” you mutter worriedly, setting a file to download before placing your laptop on the table and helping Seulgi search. “Check in the cushion of the chair in front of you.”

“Believe me, they won’t even make it to your part of the presentation,” says Seulgi absently, and you can’t help but think she’s right. “They always go on and on about print for some reason and I just can’t understand - holy shit, it’s here!” She pops up, holding the tiny stud in her hand like a talisman. “You were right!”

“That’s great,” you say hurriedly, scrambling to your feet. “Now can we -”

The glass door opens with a soft squeak, interrupting you.

“- looking at different concepts just because you’ve all come back - oh. Excuse me.” A man in loose pants, a bomber jacket (in April?) and a fedora on his head strides in before stopping to a halt. Taking one look at him, you know he’s talent, probably a producer or a sound technician which means you have no business talking to him unless it’s strictly about work. The moment he spots you and Seulgi he stops talking, and both of you bow immediately.

“We’ll just be out of your way,” says Seulgi quickly, and you nod, picking up your laptop when you notice the person he’s with.

“Wait, I - I know you,” says Jungkook, eyes wide with confusion and wonder.

All thoughts of not talking to artists go straight out the window. You frown, taking a moment to process that he’s talking to you. “Excuse me?”

Next to you, Seulgi’s eyes widen. The person with Jungkook only raises his eyebrows, but you aren’t really looking at him anyway. Jungkook, having already shown more interest in you in the last five seconds than he had during your entire date, seems to be realising something.

“Lia!” he exclaims suddenly, making you raise your eyebrows. “Your - your name is Lia… right?” He frowns, looking incredibly doubtful, as though afraid of answering a question wrong in class. “We met in the - in, um…”

You can’t find words - any words. Sure, the date had been terrible. Maybe you’d expected too much from men; maybe you’d even come to expect that Jeon Jungkook was a diva in real life, insulted at the idea of dating the common folk. What you didn’t expect, though, even for a moment, was that he wouldn’t even remember you.

You consider watching him struggle for a bit but it gets too painful, your humiliation eventually taking over. “Uh, actually, we’ve - we’ve never met,” you interrupt him, shutting your laptop in your hands, the snapping sound making him jump. “You must be thinking of someone else. Excuse me.” You sidestep the men and exit the room with Seulgi, deliberately not looking back.

“He remembered your name,” points out Seulgi eventually, sounding uneasy. “And he did… no, I can’t. God, what a jerk.”

What a jerk indeed. You intend to use the slowly bubbling anger to help you approach this meeting a bit more confidently and you mentally talk yourself up as you simultaneously curse Jungkook. To your absolute horror, he catches up to you when you’re on your way, running up next to you in the middle of a corridor.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” you hiss, taking a deliberate step away from him when you notice someone walk by and frown at you two.

“So we have met,” he says, sounding far too victorious for someone who’s evidently run up two flights of stairs to catch up with you.

“Good job. Now, if you’ll excuse me -” You try to walk around him but he keeps up with you easily.

“Look, wait, I’m sorry - I didn’t forget, I just needed a moment to place you, I - will you stop for one second?” Jungkook slides abruptly to stand in front of you.

You bump into him before jerking back. “Do you have a problem?” you ask in a low voice. Behind him, you see people filing into the room where your meeting is about to take place.

“No, I just want to apologise for - well, for -”

But you cut him off again when you spot your boss making her way into the room. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about but I really have to go -”

“Okay, but can we talk after you’ve -”

“I wouldn’t count on it. Goodbye, Jungkook.” Nudging him out of the way, you half-jog away from him, laptop in hand. You make it inside just in time, greeting people on the way as you approach the front of the room, plugging in your laptop to the projector. As the screen loads, you notice Jungkook outside across the corridor, still standing in the spot you left him.

---

After your meeting, which ends up going reasonably okay but extends by over an hour, you stop by the cafeteria for a protein bar before going back down to your desk. You’re about to pack up for the day when you notice a purple post-it on your bulletin board, pasted over the picture of you and your brother at his eighteenth birthday party. You sigh, having a feeling what it is.

Make six copies of the LA proposal and leave it at our desks before you go? Thanks.

Ever since your boss made it clear that you can expect a promotion decision by June this year, barring any complications (her words), it’s almost like she expects you to willingly perform chores for extra credit. You suppose you should be grateful there’s a thanks at all at the end, so you set the files to photocopy and tiredly make your way over to the copy room, protein bar in one hand. You take a large bite and push the door open, only to see someone already in there.

“Hi.” Jungkook, seated on the table next to the copy machine, smiles timidly.

You choke - literally. Clutching the doorknob, you cough until the piece of protein bar in your throat dislodges itself, while Jungkook hops off the table in a hurry and leaps over to pat your back.

“How -” you wheeze, sure your face is beet red by now, “- do you manage to do this to me every time?”

“Sorry,” he mutters with an awkward smile, stepping back once you start straightening up. “Thank God you came, though. I was starting to think I’d have to wait here all night.”

You stare. “How did you know I’d come here? Did you leave that post-it on my desk?” you ask suddenly.

“No. But I saw your boss leave it and I asked to confirm if it was your desk and she said yes…” He smiles again, looking like a woodland creature from a Pixar film. “She’s really nice.”

“Sure. How, uh… how did you know what department I’m in? I’m pretty sure that never came up.”

“Um…” He rubs the back of his neck, looking slightly uneasy now. “I asked at reception and the lady told me… it’s not private or anything, right? I mean, she wouldn’t have told me if it was. Right? She was really nice, too, so…”

You try not to roll your eyes; of course everyone’s going to be nice to Jeon Jungkook. “So you decided to corner me in the copy room?” You look up at him for confirmation. He’s a good five or six inches taller than you but you hold your ground.

“Kind of,” he admits. “I wanted to apologise. I swear I didn’t forget you… Lia. I just - it took me a moment to place you from - from our - from October.” He pauses, screwing his eyes shut before opening them again. “Which brings me to the other thing I need to apologise for.”

This should be good. You fold your arms across your chest, choosing to let Jungkook ramble on. He’s remarkably different than he was that night. He’s far better dressed, to begin with, in a white t-shirt and a smart black jacket, jeans and combat boots. Most importantly, there’s no baseball cap. He’s also said more words to you in the last two minutes than he had in three hours during your date and from the embarrassed look on his face, he knows it too.

“When we, um -” He breaks off, clearing his throat. “When we went out, I was - well, firstly I was on a break from service,” he reminds you, shrugging, “but I also wasn’t… I mean, I wasn’t in a great place. And, uh, I think I took that out on you. And our date. And I’m sorry.”

The strange thing is, you can tell he means it. He genuinely is sorry, but the actual apology itself is so half-arsed that you simply stare at him in disbelief.

“That’s it?”

Jungkook’s eyes go wide - very wide. It takes you off guard for a moment. “Um… I, uh -” He stutters, clearly not knowing where you’re going with this. He looks so pitiful trying to decode your comment that you roll your eyes, grudgingly deciding to help him out.

“Do you remember what you told me? On our date?” you prompt.

His frown deepens. “Um… about - about what?”

“Exactly,” you say forcefully. “You didn’t say anything! You wouldn’t talk to me, you wouldn’t look at me - and you wore a fucking baseball cap inside a restaurant,” you snap, unable to let that detail go.

Jungkook takes a deep breath, as though just remembering the extent of how horrible the date was. “Yes. Yes, I - I do remember that. Although -” He breaks off again, apparently deciding not to say anything.

You raise your eyebrows. “Although what?”

“It’s not important.”

“Oh, just say it.”

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair, looking extremely uncomfortable. “You were… a bit overdressed. I mean, you looked great,” he adds quickly. “But… it wasn’t that fancy a restaurant.”

You’re stumped for a moment, mostly because you’ve had this thought more times than you’d care to admit. “Well, it wasn’t KFC either,” you retort, albeit a little weakly.

Jungkook bites his lip. “Anyway… I am really sorry. You were actually being very nice and I was…” He rubs the back of his neck again, “... not cool,” he finishes.

You observe him, frowning. He’s refusing to meet your eyes, leading you to believe he’s truly apologetic. But there’s still something there to unearth.

“Why did you ask me out?” You ask the question that’s been on your mind since the moment you got into his car six months ago. “I mean, you clearly didn’t want to be there. Why bother at all?”

“Um… my friend told me -”

“Oh, please don’t tell me it was a dare,” you interrupt in a low voice, scathing but with a fear starting to bloom that you haven’t felt since high school.

“What? No, no… it wasn’t a dare. The date was real,” he adds, rubbing the back of his neck again. It’s his nervous tic; you’re surprised you don’t hate it. “But he did convince me and...” He sighs. “It’s really stupid.”

“Oh, I believe you. But I still would like to know why you asked me out on a date where you played nothing apart from One Direction’s greatest hits in the car.”

He gasps. “It included their solo works, too!”

You roll your eyes. “My mistake. Are you going to tell me or not?”

“Fine. I used to have a crush on this girl and my friend thought that going out with someone else would help me get over her.” He rolls his eyes. “I was really pissed off because I didn’t want his help but he insisted and I was just determined to prove him wrong. And… I took it out on you. And I’m really, really sorry.”

“Oh.” The momentary panic in your chest fades into something else and you’re not sure you’re meant to like it. It’s suddenly harder to meet his gaze but you force yourself to do so. “So, your friend just… he just told you to walk up to a random girl and ask her out? What if I was a sasaeng or something?”

“No, we knew you weren’t,” he answers tiredly, shaking his head. “Or he did, at least. He said he recognised you from Hybe.”

You frown. You have virtually nothing to do with the artists; your job is in digital marketing and sponsorships, unlike Seulgi who’s actually part of creative production. The closest you come to interacting with the talent at all is at launch events where they’re centre stage and you’re shunted to the corner with the rest of the suits. You wonder if this friend is another member of his band before deciding it’s far too much of a coincidence. You change tacks.

“Right. How do you know her? This girl?”

He looks a bit taken aback, like he hadn’t expected you to cross-question him about this. “Um, she’s a friend.”

“Did you ever ask her out?”

“No, she has a boyfriend. Why are we talking about this?”

It’s a good question. You remind yourself that this is none of your business, even you can’t help but feel slightly insulted. “I don’t know. But, you know… I’m sorry I couldn’t be of more help.” You move to walk past him.

Jungkook wrinkles his nose. “Oh, no, I got over her ages ago. That’s not what I meant…” He huffs, apparently frustrated at not being able to express what he does mean. You feel him turn to watch you as you make your way over the copier and punch in a couple of commands, noticing him jump slightly when the machine comes to life.

“Look, I’d really like to make it up to you,” he ventures again, bravely. “Do you think… can I take you out on another date?”

You don’t even bother turning around. “You’re kidding me, right?”

“Um, no, I just thought -”

“Listen, Jungkook, I appreciate the sentiment and all but, really, I think we both learnt our lesson when it comes to dating. Each other, at least,” you clarify, waving your hand. You turn back to the copier, staring at the paper slowly disappearing into the machine until he comes to stand next to you.

“Look, I know you had a terrible time last time - and it was my fault,” he adds quickly, “but I’m not a bad date! I swear. I just - I feel really bad about how it all ended and how it’s not fair to you and -” He breaks off, taking a deep breath. “Please let me make it up to you. You can - you can choose the restaurant.”

“What if I don’t want to go to a restaurant?”

“We can go somewhere else, too,” he suggests, but you can hear his voice perk up.

“I want to go to the bird observatory in Bukhansan National Park.”

“I - okay.”

“But only at night, when the birds are asleep.”

“Um…” You can hear the frown in his voice. “Why?”

“Because then I can wake them up.” You turn to face him with a straight face. “They start making a ton of noise - it’s kind of like an animated version of metal music.”

Jungkook swallows, clearly trying to mask the confusion. “Well… okay. We can - we can try that.”

“But if they don’t wake up, you have to be absolutely quiet. Oh, and we’re not allowed to take food or drink inside,” you add.

“That - that sounds… so fun.”

You roll your eyes. “Right. Okay.”

“Okay?” His eyebrows snap up and his eyes go wide, face shining. You almost feel bad.

“Okay… my copies are done,” you clarify, reaching over and pulling out the warm paper from the copier tray. “I’m sorry, dude, but it’s just not a good idea.” You give him a mildly apologetic glance before moving to exit the room, stopping momentarily at the door. Turning around, you frown at him. “Were you really ready to take me to a bird observatory?”

He’s made no move to follow you out. “I’ll let you pick the music, too,” he offers.

For the first time in Jungkook’s presence, you smile, you humour albeit directed partly at him. “Boy bands aren’t really my thing.”

—

A couple of weeks later, Seulgi asks you for a favour. Kind of.

“Summer.” She drops a thick spiral bound notebook onto your table where it narrowly misses your laptop. The cover is glossy, like a magazine page, with the Hybe logo and multiple papers, post-its and tags sticking out of the side. Your first thought is a Burn Book.

“What?”

“Summer,” she huffs, falling into the chair beside you. “It’s summer, which means summer launch party, which means I need an entire team on board to oversee all the arrangements including the campaign launch, the goodies, social media, fan management, the pop-up store -” She breaks off, groaning loudly. One or two people look over and you duck your head behind your laptop screen.

“Yes, but just like summer itself, doesn’t the launch party happen every year?” you ask from the corner of your mouth, knowing the answer. It does; you know this because not only is it obvious, it’s also the one night you get one hundred percent off because all your commitments need to be done and delivered well in advance, leaving you free while the creative and event management folks scurry around to set up the party.

“Well, yes,” she answers, “but Taeyeon put in his papers yesterday, which means that for a whole twelve hours, nobody thought to let me know that we’d be one member short in guest management.” She sighs again, loudly.

Without looking at her, you continue typing out your email. “Why do I feel like you’re building up to a favour?”

“Oh, thank you for offering and yes, it’d be great to have you on board, thanks a lot, Lia.” She says the whole thing in one breath and sinks back into the chair.

You would be annoyed at the presumption but it’s hardly the first time you’ve depended on each other like this. Plus, if your manager is aware of you picking up extra slack, it’ll only help your case for a promotion. Moreover, Seulgi genuinely looks like she’s bursting at the seams from a bandwidth point of view. “Happy to help, I guess. What do you need?”

A lot, as it turns out. The launch party is only a week away, which means vendors and suppliers and consultants are constantly on speed dial. Thankfully, you have directly replaced Taeyeon in guest management which means your actual work - mingling to make sure high profile guests find their places and have what they need - is limited until the actual night of the party.

On the day of the party, you arrive in the afternoon, your dress and make-up in a separate bag at Seulgi’s insistence. You find her talking to a young girl with her hair in a bun, holding a bouquet of orchids in either hand.

“- theme of the night to be drilled into their heads by the end of the - oh, hi.” She turns to you, looking somewhat demented. “We were just talking flowers.”

“Got it. You needed me to set something up?”

“Yes, it’s right over here.” She provides an instruction to the florist before sweeping away, motioning for you to follow her. She reaches a guy you vaguely recognise from the celebrity endorsements team and holds out a hand, into which he deposits a sheet of paper. “Guest list,” she declares with a flourish. “You, Jieun and Minho -” she points to the same guy with her thumb - “will take care of one group each. Don’t worry, you have the easiest one.” Ignoring the dirty look Minho throws her, she steers you away.

“You know, Minho can have the easiest one if he -”

“No, Hybe doesn’t want a woman looking after the celebrities so he has to. Don’t ask me why, I don’t want to get into it,” she adds immediately, still scanning the paper. “Jieun is taking care of sponsors, Minho as you know is taking care of celebrities, which means you get…” She flips the sheet of paper to hand it to you dramatically, “... press.”

“Huh.” It’s not too bad. However, since the press is also the first to arrive, you head inside the hotel soon after to get ready. You’re straightening your hair in the bathroom when you get a message from Seulgi. Listen, you know I’m your friend and totally in your corner when it comes to stuff but if Jungkook tries to talk to you, please don’t engage. You know how pissed off the managers get when the artists are seen with employees - I just can’t afford that shit tonight.

You sigh, suddenly feeling sorry for her. We haven’t spoken since he randomly apologised that day. There’s like two hundred people here. You’ve got nothing to worry about.

You place your phone down after replying, feeling a sense of foreboding in the pit of your stomach. You wish you hadn’t said that. Of course, it’s true; you and Jungkook haven’t had a jot of interaction since the day he cornered you in the copy room. You’ve passed each other in the corridors a couple of times but it’s always been so busy and he's always surrounded by people, so you aren’t surprised. In fact, you have a feeling you embarrassed him a bit that day. While it felt mildly good at the moment, you found yourself if you’d maybe been a bit harsh when turning him down.

But you can’t worry about that now. Packing up your stuff, you head outside to drop your bags in your beat-up car before going back inside, trying not to trip over your heels.

A couple of hours later, the party is in full swing. The CEO is giving a speech on stage while everyone listens. Waiters glide around with glasses of champagne while the room generally sparkles. Standing near the sound station with Jieun and Minho, where you’re far away to not be considered guests but also close enough to help in case someone needs it, you stealthily pull down the hem of your dress.

“Just try not to sit at all,” mutters Jieun, sounding sullen. “It makes your dress ride up and then you have a creep commenting on it and his posse laughing, all because he was decided worthy of being a CEO to one of our sponsors.” She scoffs. “Arsehole.”

You frown. “Do you want a drink?”

“I’d love one. But I’m a lightweight and the buffet doesn’t open for hours.”

She’s right. Besides, as staff, you can’t quite accept champagne the way the guests do. No, if you want to drink, you need to sneak a quick one in the lounge or, like Minho, roam around with a flask attached to your hip under your jacket.

You bite your lip as the CEO cracks a joke and everyone laughs politely. You wish Jieun hadn’t brought up food. You haven’t had a chance to eat ever since you got here and although there are hors d'oeuvres being offered to guests, you know you aren’t one of them.

Once the speech is over, there’s a series of further introductions until a host comes on, a minor television personality who calls out names of top management, a couple of top sponsors and Hybe’s artists. You tune out; as Seulgi rightly said, the small group of journalists are the most low maintenance guests in attendance, treating you more like a host and less like the glorified maid Jieun seems to be perceived as.

It’s another half an hour before you come to a decision. Secure in the assumption that the journalists are going to be occupied as long as there’s a speech going on, you mutter an excuse to Jieun and Minho and slip out, determined to find food before your stomach starts growling in public. You only need to make it to the bathroom so that you can retrieve the half-eaten protein bar you have in your clutch, when you look up and see you’re not alone.

The mirror on the wall shows only one other person in the corridor. Hardly daring to believe it, you whip around to see, in the wildest coincidence that you still feel you should have seen coming, Jeon Jungkook, looking dapper in a suit and slicked back hair, eyes wide and surprised.

“Lia!”

Shit. You want to run but you’re frozen on the spot - and you honestly have nowhere to go. Plus, when he starts walking towards you with a smile, you find you don’t quite have the heart to run away from him.

“Jungkook,” you greet him in a low voice, moving to side-step him.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

“I’m… working. What are you doing here?”

He raises his eyebrows. “I’m… also working. Technically.”

“No, I mean -” You shake your head. “What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be in the hall with the rest of the band? Oh, my God, does Minho know you’ve left your seat? Does Seulgi?”

Jungkook frowns. “I don’t know who any of these people - wait, is Minho the guy who showed us to our seats?” When you nod, a bit frantically, he nods in understanding. “He told me where to find the bathroom. And I’m not sure but I think he offered me a drink.”

“It’s probably cheap whiskey, so please tell me you turned him down,” you say uneasily.

He grins, and it’s gorgeous. “I’m good at keeping my alcohol down,” he informs you, “but I’m not in the mood for whiskey tonight.” There’s a pause. “Can I buy you a drink, though? I mean, no offense, but you look like you could use it.” He grins again, as though to let you know it’s a joke.

You make a sound between a chuckle and a choke. “It’s an open bar. Or is this your sneaky way of asking me out again?”

“I mean, I’m not calling it a date but if you want to...”

“You should really get back to your seat before someone notices.”

But it’s at this moment that Jungkook seems to have noticed something. His eyes fall to what’s below your face and he frowns. “Hang on, is this…” He looks up at you again, as though trying to solve a complicated math problem. “Is this the same dress you wore on our -”

“I - what?” you sputter, immediately pulling the hem down again. “How - how do you even remember that?”

He gives you a look. “I wasn’t completely out of it, you know? I told you you looked good. But, seriously, how fancy did you think our date was? Or -” He ignores your burning cheeks, “how casual is this party? Why am I being forced to wear Louis Vuitton?” he demands, tugging at his tie.

“Okay, don’t ruin your outfit,” you implore tightly, reaching up to swat his hand away from his collar, “and please get back to your seat.”

For a moment, it looks like he’s going to argue but then he nods reluctantly, like a child being told what to do. You wonder if he’s used to this. You give him a gentle nudge. “Go back to your seat, Jungkook,” you repeat, hoping he listens, Seulgi’s pleading text from a few hours ago floating through your mind. You take your leave and just as you round the corner, you turn subtly to see Jungkook walking away in the other direction, looking tall and lithe as ever, and you breathe a sigh of relief.

As it turns out, your relief doesn’t last very long at all. When the chief guest of the event comes up on stage to make a speech and begins with “In 1964, when two teenagers had only dreams of changing the world…”, you hear Jieun groan next to you. You understand her; the heels and the dress and the tantalizingly close alcohol and the lack of food are turning this into a bit of a nightmare. Plus, given that most guests are in jackets, someone has turned up the AC and you can feel goosebumps erupt on your arm.

You train your eyes to the journalists’ table. It’s only six people, and they seem reasonably well taken care of. Jieun’s already been called over by more than one of her guests to be asked nonsense questions, each time having to walk precariously in her high heels and artfully bend such that her dress doesn’t ride up. Minho’s guests aren’t quite as entitled, which is probably why you don’t think you’re imagining the faint scent of whiskey from him.

Just as you think it, a fifty-something man turns and locks eyes with Jieun, raising a hand slightly. “There’s a gun in my parents’ safe in their Gangnam apartment,” she mutters from the corner of her mouth. “If I go over and this guy asks me to come closer, I want you to shoot me with it.”

“I’d rather shoot him.”

“Works either way.” Plastering on a fake yet very pretty smile, she makes her way over. Your need to find food now transcends your own hunger; you feel so bad for Jieun that you’re willing to slip out again, even if it means leaving your own guests unattended a little longer - especially when they’re nowhere near as annoying as hers.

“Hey, Minho.” You tap him on the shoulder. “Will you text me if my guests need anything?”

“Oh, sure, ‘cause it’s all about the guests.”

“I’ll take that as a yes.” You slip out from the door behind the sound station, continuing to pull the hem of your dress now. It’s a normal black cocktail dress, nothing fancy. Overdressed, my arse.

You head to the lounge; it’s where normal guests go to dine. Since it isn’t dinner time yet, you’re hoping you can sneak in a couple of appetizers in a napkin. You enter the stairs, hoping to draw less attention to yourself when somehow, in a sea of coincidences, the one that finds you is in the form of Jeon Jungkook yet again, this time entering the same flight of stairs from the bottom.

“Shit,” is all he says, like he’s expecting to be scolded.

To be fair, you don’t disappoint. “What will it take for you stay in your seat, Jeon?”

There’s a momentary pause before he grins. “I could tell you but you already look pretty pissed off.”

“Seriously, dude, what the hell are you doing? Do you know there are people who can get in trouble if they lose track of you?”

He swallows, eyes narrowing slightly. “Fun as that sounds, I’m looking for food. I’m starving,” he confesses, looking a bit embarrassed.

You stare at him before sighing. “Finally, something we have in common,” you mutter. “But you know you’re a guest, right? The food being passed around in there is for you,” you inform him, trying not to sound too accusing.

“Yeah, I know.” He shifts a bit uncomfortably. “We’re not allowed to - I mean, we’re not encouraged to eat out there. Most of us put on weight in the military and we need to lose it before our comeback in a couple of months.” He sticks his tongue into the inside of his cheek again. “But I’m too fucking hungry to care right now.”

You frown, running your eyes up and down his figure, noting how perfectly fine he looks. Incredibly fine, in fact; the suit does him wonders, making his figure look tall and fit as he stands at the bottom of the stairs. Finally, you start walking down, motioning for him to join you when you pass him. “Come on, then,” you say, business-like. “Help me find the lounge.”

When you do find it, Jungkook throws the door open and begins walking straight for the buffet before you grab his arm and yank him back.

“Ow, what the -”

“You cannot be seen sneaking food from somewhere else while the event is going on,” you state firmly. “It’ll be a disaster. Stay in here and I’ll get it.”

“Get the quiche!” he whispers loudly as you walk away, ignoring him. You skim the buffet as quickly as you can, loading up a plate with two of everything and four mini quiches before scurrying back into the stairwell.

“Don’t judge me,” is all Jungkook says before reaching for the plate and placing it on a stair, loosening his tie and taking off his fancy jacket which, if you’re not mistaken, probably costs about four months’ rent. Adequately prepared, he picks up a quiche and, before you can process it, places the entire thing in his mouth and moans, sinking backwards.

You watch him in mild interest, still standing, as he slowly chews and swallows, eyes closed the entire time. When he’s finally done, he opens his eyes and gives you a lazy smile. “That was good. Thank you.”

Biting your lip, you realise you’re actually smiling. “I can tell. And I’m not judging you,” you add, taking a seat on the opposite side of the plate and pressing your thighs together.

Jungkook points at the piece of fried chicken in your hand. “I know why I’m starving. Why are you?”

“I had to fit into this dress,” you confess, “and it’s pretty skintight, so I’ve eaten nothing since breakfast.” You expect him to give you a disapproving look or make a statement about how that’s not healthy, you know. But he only frowns slightly before nodding once. You wonder if he relates.

“Don’t worry,” you say after a moment. “I never judge a good appetite. And it might be the only thing I found out about you on our date,” you remind him as you pop a fried shrimp into your mouth.

He shakes his head, reaching for a shrimp as well. “When are you going to forgive me for that?”

You eat in silence for a moment. “I already have,” you tell him, realising it’s true. “Look, it wasn’t a great night, and I was pretty pissed off the last time we spoke, mostly because you didn’t remember me for a moment there. But you were going through something, too, and… you apologised. And I accept it. There’s really not much else to it.”

“Huh.” Jungkook chews thoughtfully. “Well. Thank you, Lia.” For a few seconds, neither of you speak. “I really would like to take you out again, though,” he says softly.

You sigh inwardly. “That’s not necessary, Jungkook. Besides, I work for Hybe. I can’t be dating the talent. I’d get fired.”

He looks up, frowning. “I work for Hybe, too.”

You scoff. “Believe me, the way I work for Hybe and you work for Hybe are completely different. I can actually lose my job without breaking a million hearts and losing the company half their revenue.”

He processes this. “Then why did you say yes the first time?”

You shrug, your cheeks heating up a bit. “I was intrigued. Thought it might be worth the risk.” You look up, suddenly realising how he might interpret that but the moment to correct yourself has passed.

If Jungkook picks up on it, he doesn't say anything. "What was the worst part about the date for you?" he asks after a few seconds.

You chuckle, almost choking. "What? Why would you ask that?"

He shrugs, but there's a smile lingering on his face. "People usually ask about the best part. In this case, I feel like I should probably ask the opposite. Don't worry, you won't hurt my feelings."

You don't quite believe him. He's cute and charming - and the biceps visible through his thin white shirt are more than welcome - but he also seems… young. It's strangely endearing.

"Um…" You dust your hands to get rid of the fried chicken batter. "Actually, the worst part had nothing to do with you. It was when the waiter accidentally spilled that red wine all over me?" You tug on the edge of your dress. "This outfit you were commenting on? It's been through a lot. Washing, scrubbing, dry cleaning…" You shake your head dramatically.

"Oh, man. The dress really made it through. It looks great." There's another pause where you see his ears redden. Then -

"Wait, do you have my hoodie? Lia, I've been looking for it for months!"

You freeze mid-bite, suddenly remembering that you have Jeon Jungkook's hoodie stuffed in the bottom of your laundry hamper. "Oh… that's right, I do. Well, I'll just wash it and dry clean it and, you know. Send it to your apartment."

He bites his lip. "I - I can't give you my address. I mean, you're nice but… I don't really know you that well," he adds apologetically.

"Fair enough. I can give it to your manager. Very official."

He raises an eyebrow. "You don't want to go out with me because I'm a colleague but telling my manager we went out is no problem?"

"Okay, fine. What if I place it in a secret location and give you a code to -"

"Jesus Christ," he exhales, laughing despite himself. "There's a much easier way for you to return it… but I don't think I should bring that up right now."

"No, you shouldn't," you agree, giving him a warning look. “I bet you don’t even remember which hoodie it is.”

“It’s a brown one.”

“Too vague. What brand is it?”

“I think Fila…” He frowns as he chews. “But you know what? You can keep it if you want.”

“I don’t want,” you say forcefully. “I will return it. Once we figure out an appropriate method, of course.”

“Sure, if you insist. Although -”

“Alright, you know what? I’ll make you deal,” you interrupt him when you see where this is headed. “If you can tell me five things about me that you remember from our date, I’ll consider a second one.”

Jungkook’s eyebrows shoot up. “Really?” He looks more skeptical than surprised. “You’ll consider it?”

“Yes,” you confirm. “Five things. If and when you remember them, I’ll genuinely consider another date. Not things I’ve reminded you about after, but things I actually told you or you noticed yourself.”

He nods slowly. “Interesting. Alright, challenge accepted.”

“Sure? You might lose.”

“Oh, I don’t lose.”

You chuckle in slight disbelief. “Some might call that overconfidence.”

He shrugs. “I call it self-confidence.”

“Whatever you say,” you murmur, nudging the last of the quiche towards him. "Go on, you can have it," you tell him when he offers it to you. "You seemed to really like it."

The tips of his ears redden again and he silently picks it up, shooting you a grateful look, when you remember something. "Shit, I was supposed to take food for Jieun,” you mutter, standing up and dusting yourself off. Jungkook follows suit, picking up his jacket.

“Why? And - who’s Jieun?”

“She’s a colleague,” you answer, gathering your phone and clutch, “and she’s having a horrible night. Her guests are a pain and honestly? She deserves some of that quiche.”

“It was some good quiche,” he agrees, straightening his jacket. Both of you sneak out together and while he shuffles to the corner to deposit the plate, you return to the buffet to steal a mini quiche in a stack of napkins before both of you hurry back to the hall.

“Now, please, please, just stay in your seat?” you ask him as you both near the hall.

“What?” Jungkook gives you a mock-affronted look. “Can you honestly tell me you didn’t have a decent time sharing a plate of stolen snacks with me?”

You raise your eyebrows thoughtfully. “It was a better date than the last one,” you allow, grinning when he laughs. It’s a lovely laugh, you have to admit. “Now for the love of God, before Seulgi or anyone else sees you talking to me, go back to your seat.”

“Why can’t anyone see -”

“You ask a lot of questions, Jeon,” you inform him. “And -” You sigh and look around in the empty hallway to make sure there’s no one around before swooping up to him, pulling out his hand and placing your quiche in it. “Hold this. Your collar is all messed up…” You reach up and fix it, taking care to yank on his tie a bit when he grins at you. “Now, go.”

“What if we go in together? Just to shock people? Imagine what -”

“Absolutely not,” you interrupt him, giving him a solid push as he laughs again.

“Christ, you need to loosen up.”

“Watch it, kid. I’m three years older than you,” you remind him.

For the first time since you’ve met him, Jungkook smirks. It suddenly occurs to you how close he’s standing. “Yes, but I’m five inches taller than you… noona.”

You can feel your cheeks heat up as you hold his gaze. You weren’t sure he was even capable of eliciting such a reaction from you. Taking a deep breath, you tilt your head slightly.

“Jungkook.”

“Yes, Lia?”

“Get the fuck inside.” You ignore how he guffaws, throwing his head back as you push him towards the door with both hands; he’s built like a goddamn wall. “Go in there and don’t let me see you roaming around again,” you warn him when you can’t get any closer to the door without being seen, feeling rather like a teacher. As you go around to enter through the back door, you turn back one last time to see Jungkook about to go in the main entrance, still looking in your direction. When your eyes meet, he holds up five fingers and winks at you, grinning when you roll your eyes.

It’s a beautiful smile. And you hate it.

---

Part 2 will be up shortly. Thank you for reading my very first fic on this site and let me know what you think!

[brookstonalmanac]

Birthdays 3.4

Beer Birthdays

George Klotter (1805)

Leonard Eppig (1839)

Jacob Ruppert, Sr. (1842)

Greg Noonan (1951)

Tonya Cornett (1969)

Lucy Corne-Duthie (1979)

Adair Paterno

Emily Sauter (1983)

Five Favorite Birthdays

Ron Carter; jazz bassist (1937)

Casmir Pulaski; U.S.-Polish revolutionary war general (1747)

Chris Squire; rock bassist (1948)

Antonio Vivaldi; composer (1675)

Johann Wyss; Swiss writer (1782)

Famous Birthdays

Jim Clark; British auto racer (1936)

Evan Dando; rock musician (1968)

Charles Dibdin; English writer (1745)

James Ellroy; writer (1948)

Lolo Ferrari; French porn actor (1962)

Jon Fratelli; rock musician (1979)

John Garfield; actor (1913)

Charles Goren; bridge card expert (1901)

Joan Greenwood; actor (1921)

Milt Gross; comic book artist (1895)

Bernard Haitink; orchestra conductor (1929)

Kevin Johnson; Phoenix Suns PG, politician (1966)

Patsy Kensit; actor (1968)

Ward Kimball; cartoonist (1914)

Adrian Lyne; film director (1941)

Barbara McNair; actor (1934)

Henry the Navigator; prince (1394)

Catherine O'Hara; actor (1954)

Paula Prentiss; actor (1938)

Henry Raeburn; Scottish artist (1756)

Chris Rea; rock musician (1951)

Knute Rockne; football coach (1888)

Bobby Shew; jazz musician (1941)

Alan Sillitoe; English writer (1928)

Bobby Womack; R&B singer (1944)

Adrian Zmed; actor (1954)