Taehyung gripped on his pen, noting to himself that he should do his job right and not to be on Jungkook's bad side. He could feel his toes trembling, his palm sweating at the way the CEO is burning in rage.

The brunet silently sits next to Jungkook, his hand not stopping on jotting down the minutes of the meeting.

He's currently inside the conference room where an emergency meeting was called by the CEO.

Jungkook is fuming in anger, that's for sure. He's spitting fire towards the man presenting on the podium.

It had reached Jungkook's knowledge that his team failed to acquire the vast commercial land that he'd been eyeing since day one.

"I can't believe I'm surrounded by incompetent fools!"

The CEO's voice boomed inside the room. Everyone has their head hanging low, accepting Jungkook's rage. They know they fucked up, and they deserve all the harsh words.

"How could you let such an opportunity go?" Jungkook groaned, his head starting to hurt from too much anger and disappointment.

He's been feeling a bit off since morning and this bad news only worsen his mood.

"We're sorry sir. We don't know how the people from the other company were able to snatch it away from us." the head of the project, Mr. Sy said, not able to meet Jungkook's gaze.

"You're sorry? Will that bring our loss? Will it suffice?" Jungkook gritted his teeth in annoyance. He hates it when people do something dumb and say sorry afterwards as if their sorry can cover up the damage that's been done.

The room was filled with silence, and Taehyung could almost taste the tension. He could feel Jungkook's anger just by sitting next to him.

"Do something about it. If you have to double the offer just to get that fucking land, do it. I want good news as soon as possible. If not, you can kiss your job goodbye."

Jungkook warned as he stands, making all the other employees stand as well. The CEO walked away so fast, Taehyung barely able to keep up.

He trailed after him, his steps fast but quiet. They went inside the CEO's office with Jungkook still in a sour mood.

Taehyung quickly went to his cubicle, his hands fast in typing down the information from the meeting earlier. He focused on his task, doing his best not to look on Jungkook's side.

But only after a couple of minutes, Taehyung gave in to his curiosity. He peeked over his monitor in a very discreet manner, his eyes landing on the ravenette who has his eyes closed as he leans on the headrest.

The brunet could see the tiredness in the man's face. Jungkook doesn't look so well. He has noticed it earlier but he wasn't so sure. Now, looking at the man, he could tell he's not feeling good. Taehyung sighed, standing on his seat as he approaches the man silently.

"Sir." Taehyung called out, but Jungkook didn't even budge.

He continued nonetheless. "It's lunch time already, sir. Shall I buy you something?"

The brunet waited, but Jungkook didn't answer. He could sense something off, so he acted on impulse.

Taehyung went around the CEO's table, standing on Jungkook's side. He stared at the ravenette who still has his eyes closed.

"Sir?" Taehyung called out once more, his hand automatically landing on Jungkook's arm.

The brunet flinched, noticing that Jungkook is burning from fever. He quickly placed his hand on the ravenette's forehead, feeling his temperature even more.

This made Jungkook open his eyes. His gaze landed on Taehyung who has his concerned eyes fixated on him.

"What are you doing, secretary Kim?" Jungkook asked with a stern voice.

"You have a fever sir. I'll go out and buy you some medicines." Taehyung muttered, quickly removing his hand from Jungkook's forehead. He turned around to walk away, but was instantly held in the arm by Jungkook.

"No need. I'm fine. Just finish your work." Jungkook dismissed.

Taehyung sighed, "But sir-"

"I said go back to your work." Jungkook said once more, making Taehyung bit his lower lip to suppress another word from coming out.

As instructed, Taehyung went back to his cubicle, though his concern for the man is still eating him up.

He saw Jungkook went back to his work, reading and analyzing the papers on his desk as if he's not sick at all.

Taehyung rolled his eyes in annoyance.

Fine! Strain yourself even more.

The brunet tapped on the keyboard with angst, feeling so frustrated over his stubborn boss.

Why is it so hard for him to ask for help?

Taehyung kept on typing with his annoyed face. He tried pushing away the thought from his mind.

It's just a fever.

The brunet nodded his head, convincing himself not to care.

He won't die with a fever and even if he does, why should I care? I offered him help but he said he doesn't need it. Then fine!

Taehyung convinced himself, letting the thought of Jungkook be washed away from his mind.

------

The clock strikes to five, employees start to fix their things, getting ready to go home.

Taehyung on the other hand still has one more paperwork to finish. He doesn't want to leave it hanging until tomorrow, so he worked overtime.

Jungkook is the same. He's still busy signing some papers, unaware of the time.

The brunet worked on the last task for the day, finishing it up after half an hour. He stretched his arms up once he's done, smiling victoriously.

Taehyung quickly arranged his things, turning off his computer and hanging his bag on his shoulder. He looked at Jungkook, who's still working like a mad man.

The brunet sighed. He went near Jungkook's table to bid his goodbye.

"Sir, do you have anything else for me to do before I leave?" He asked, looking at the ravenette.

Jungkook shakes his head. "Go home now." He plainly said.

Taehyung nodded his head. "Bye sir." He muttered before turning around and walking out of the room.

He took the elevator, brushing off the feeling that starts to spread in his chest. As the elevator comes to a stop, Taehyung went out, his steps fast.

He rushed to the parking lot, fighting the urge to turn around and go back up. He quickly board on his car, starting the engine right away and driving out of the building.

"I should just go home. Yeah." Taehyung convinced himself once more. He turned on the radio, humming to the song that starts playing.

He was feeling the song, jamming to the beat while his fingers tap on the steering wheel. He's diverting his attention and it seems to be working in the beginning.

But in the middle of it all, his mind still went back to a certain stubborn ravenette.

"Damn."

Taehyung bit his lower lip in frustration. His resolve came tumbling down even more when he passed by a drug store.

And again, on impulse, he pulled over and stopped the car.

"I'm so damned." He mumbles to himself as he went out of the car.

The brunet went inside the drug store, bought a couple of medicines before going out. His eyes moved around the area, spotting a small restaurant nearby.

He hesitated a little, but decided to act on what his good side is telling him to do. He bought some food before returning to his car and driving back to the direction of their company.

On his way back, Taehyung kept on convincing himself over his actions.

"It's just right to care for my boss. I'm his secretary after all."

He talked to himself while nodding his head. If someone will see him, he'll be mistaken as a crazy person.

Taehyung had finally arrived, quickly parking his car and running inside the building. He doesn't even know if Jungkook is still in his office, but nonetheless, Taehyung continued.

He reached the floor leading to the CEO's office. He walked fast, his grip tightening around the plastic bag he's holding. He stopped in front of the door, knocking softly before turning the knob around and finding it still unlocked.

He's still inside.

Somehow, Taehyung felt happiness, knowing that Jungkook is still inside. He opened the door, stepping inside the room, only to be halted midway.

Jungkook is inside, alright. But he's not alone.

He's on the couch with a girl sitting next to him.

And not just any girl, a very beautiful girl with blonde locks who has his hand on Jungkook's forehead.

Jungkook and the woman looked at him, and Taehyung just wants to vanish. He looked at the woman, her face small and beautiful, her eyes wide with innocence.

"Who is he?" the woman asked, smiling a little to Taehyung.

"My father's secretary." Jungkook plainly answered before turning to look at him again.

"Secretary Kim, why are you back?" Jungkook asked, his hand snapping open the water bottle before drinking it down.

Taehyung's eyes travelled on the mess on the table, noticing the box of food and a small paper bag which looks like a container of medicines.

And reality dawned on him.

Discreetly, Taehyung hides the plastic bag on his back, forcing a smile.

"I-I left something sir." He answered, quickly turning to his table and getting whatever on his desk fast.

"Here!" He said too enthusiastically as he raised his notebook up. "I forgot this." He said, forcing a smile across his lips.

The brunet quickly bowed down, "I'll be going now, sir. Sorry to disturb you." He mumbles, hurriedly going out of the door before he embarrass himself even more.

Taehyung walked away as fast as he could, his hand gripping tightly on the plastic bag as if his life depended on it.

He felt so pathetic.

Jungkook doesn't need him to take care of him. He has a girlfriend who can do that just fine.

And a very beautiful girlfriend at that.

Taehyung felt a pinch on his heart. He felt suffocated as he went inside the elevator. He pressed the button and waited for the door to close.

The brunet felt like a fool. He almost embarrass himself in front of the two, and Taehyung won't be able to take it if it happened.

The door started closing when a hand stopped it. Taehyung lifted his gaze, only to find Jungkook holding his hand on both sides of the elevator door, stopping it from closing.

The ravenette is huffing for air as if he has run fast.

"Damn. You walk fast." Jungkook muttered, his eyes settling on Taehyung's wide ones.

"S-sir." Taehyung stuttered, unable to process what's going on.

Jungkook's eyes travelled from his face down to the plastic bag he's holding.

Instinctively, Taehyung hides it away, his eyes quickly averting Jungkook's gaze.

"Are you going home without giving that to me?" Jungkook asked, his brow arching as he stares at the brunet.

Taehyung bit his lip, feeling embarrassed. "This is not for you, sir." He mumbles in a soft voice.

Jungkook rolled his eyes. He quickly entered the elevator, grabbing the plastic bag from Taehyung and hurriedly rushing out before the brunet can take them away.

Taehyung was stilled from where he stood when Jungkook scanned the things inside.

"Medicines for fever and food." Jungkook said, his eyes settling on Taehyung. "Now tell me it's not for me." he challenged.

Taehyung stared on the floor, unable to say anything.

"Good. Now go home, secretary Kim." Jungkook said before the door starts closing again.

Taehyung lifted his gaze, his eyes catching a glimpse of Jungkook who smiled at him and mouthed the words "thank you" before the door finally closes.

The brunet kept staring at the closed door with his hand gripping his chest.

He's afraid.

So afraid because in that moment, as he remembers Jungkook's smile, he knows that for the first time...

Taehyung is in love.

He's in love even though he knows he shouldn't be because the man he wants already has someone.

And Taehyung is not someone to ruin a relationship. He knows his place.

And his place is clearly not on Jungkook's side. He doesn't have a space in his life.

---------

Love you 💜