The sound of the doorbell ringing throughout the house awakened the brunet from his shallow sleep.

He lazily got up, the heavy feeling around his eyes made him groan as he headed for the door.

It's Sunday morning, and he's not expecting any visitor.

Taehyung opened the door and was greeted by Jimin and Jin's fresh faces like the daisies in his garden.

"Hi!..wow..you looked..." Jimin wasn't able to finish, keeping the comment to himself as he studied the brunet's face.

His eyes were puffy as if he had cried the whole night. There were bags under his swollen eyes, lips chapped obviously from dehydration. His brunet locks' a total mess.

All in all, he looked so stressed out.

"What brings you here?" Taehyung asked, voice hoarse as he allowed the two to get in.

"We've been texting you since yesterday but you're not answering. We thought you're dead or something." Jimin uttered, laughing at his own joke.

Taehyung sighed. "Then that should've meant to leave me alone, right?" He said in a stern voice.

Jimin stopped, hearing the anger in his voice.

"Oh wow. What's with the attitude?" He asked, folding his arms over his chest.

"We were worried about you, Tae." Jin said, trying to get in between the two.

"There's nothing to worry about. I'm doing good." He answered, barely a whisper.

He felt so tired and fucked up right now. He just wants to stay in his room and be alone.

He's been feeling shitty since Jungkook and him parted ways the other night.

Taehyung knew that the things Bogum said might have affected the ravenette.

He didn't get a call from him after that, not even a text.

He had been crying the whole day yesterday, barely able to eat and sleep.

Now, he couldn't help directing his anger and frustration on other things, and unfortunately, his two best friends are currently the target.

"You don't look good, Tae. Is there something wrong?" Jin asked, wanting to console the other.

"Everything's wrong!" Taehyung snapped, making the older flinch at his rage.

"What the hell is your problem?" Jimin said, his own anger now getting the best of him.

The brunet turned to look at the two, eyes sharp. "My problem is the both of you!"

Jimin and Jin looked astounded, seeing the anger in his face grow deeper.

"You shouldn't be coming in my house whenever you please." Taehyung accused.

Jimin pursed his lips, feeling hurt at his words. "Well, you could've just told us to leave than bitching around." He responded, turning on his heel.

"Let's go, Jin." He said, not throwing the other a glance as he made his way out of the house.

Jin sighed. He looked at Taehyung one more time. "If you ever need a friend to talk things out, I'm just one call away." He smiled before following Jimin out.

Taehyung bit his quivering lips, tears started flowing from his tired eyes.

Now he might have just lost his friends because of his own stupidity.

He's really so fucked up.

-------

Monday morning, Jungkook hopped in the elevator, loosening his tie when the door finally opened.

He silently made his way to his office, giving cold shoulders to the employees who greeted him on his way.

The ravenette stopped in front of his door, heaving a deep sigh before turning the knob open.

He was expecting to see the brunet sitting on his cubicle but found no one inside.

Somehow, he felt relieved.

Jungkook gazed at his watch, noting that it's already way past Taehyung's working time.

He took a seat on his chair, checking his phone for a text or email from him. However, there's none.

He sighed once more, debating whether to call and check on him or not.

He's feeling guilty.

Jungkook didn't call nor text Taehyung for the past two days. He knew he should have, but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

He was hurt, and at the same time.. disappointed.

When he said he didn't believe any word from Bogum, he meant it. He trusted Taehyung so much even for the little time they have known each other.

He trusted him enough to believe just his words.

Enough to tell his own story to him.

However, Taehyung didn't trust him back.

Jungkook saw the hesitation in his eyes when he had asked him for the truth. He had seen how he concealed the fear in his eyes with a smile, and this hurt him the most.

He had given Taehyung a chance to open up to him, but he chose to brush him off.

If truth be told, Jungkook was disappointed. Not to Taehyung but to himself.

He's disappointed to himself because he thought maybe he's not someone worthy to be trusted.

That his sincerity didn't reach Taehyung that's why he's still hiding in a shell.

He doesn't want to doubt him, but knowing he's hiding something from him isn't helping.

Jungkook sighed, finally picking up his phone. He dialled his number and after a few rings, Taehyung picked up.

"H-hello."

The ravenette inhaled a sharp breath, hearing his deep hoarse voice.

God, he missed him.

"Hey." Jungkook responded, his index finger subconsciously drawing images on his table.

There's a long silence with only their shallow breaths resonating in the line.

The ravenette cleared his throat, breaking the awkward silence. "You're not coming to work today?" He asked in a soft voice.

He heard a rustling on the other line before Taehyung spoke once more.

"I'm sorry. I overslept.. I'll be there in an hour or so." He responded, his voice sounding a bit restrained.

"Okay. I'll wait for you and maybe we could...talk?" Jungkook uttered, breathless.

Taehyung's breath hitched as fear started creeping in his whole body.

"What about?" He asked, biting down the sobs that are threatening to slip his quivering lips.

"Us." Jungkook responded in a low voice that triggered the tears from falling in the brunet's eyes.

"Okay." Taehyung answered before hurriedly ending the call.

------

The ravenette was signing some documents when the door bursted open. He looked up, expecting to see Taehyung.

Instead, he came face to face with Lisa who's smiling brightly at him.

"Hey, handsome." She beamed.

Jungkook timidly smiled. "Hey."

"I've missed you." Lisa went around his table, pecking him in the cheek.

"You seem to be so busy these past few days." She commented, looking out the window, overlooking the outside of the building.

"Yeah. Got a lot of things to work on." Jungkook answered, turning his attention back on the documents that he's been analyzing.

"Oh yes. I heard about what happened. It's good that you were able to control the media from spreading the news out." She smiled.

Jungkook sighed, understanding what she's talking about.

"It's not a big deal." He responded.

After the chaos he caused during the event last time, some people were able to film the scene and upload the video of him beating up Bogum online.

Fortunately, money can buy everything including silence.

He had bought everyone's silence, making sure to wipe out the video in any possible site.

He sealed their mouths with money and power.

"Anyways, I just dropped by to check on you." She uttered, eyes now glued on the incoming car, looking so elegant.

"Wow, who's the owner of that good looking car?" She asked in a surprised tone.

Jungkook didn't pay her much attention, so she continued.

"Oh. Is that Secretary Kim?" She gasped, now looking at the ravenette.

Jungkook turned to look at her at the name.

"Wow. He owns a Porsche Panamera?" She uttered, amused.

The ravenette furrowed his brows at this. "What about it?" He asked.

Lisa shrugged her shoulders. "Nothing. I was just amazed. How much money does a secretary make? I mean that's one hella expensive car." She muttered, smiling at the ravenette.

Jungkook just looked at her before turning his attention back on the papers he's working on.

"You're noticing a lot of unnecessary things, Lisa." He uttered.

Lisa laughed. "You know me. I'm quite the observant." She said, not wanting to press him some more.

"Oh well, I'll get going now. I'm going to visit your father. Do you want me to tell him anything?" She asked, batting her eyes cutely.

Jungkook sighed. "Just go." He uttered, smiling at her a little.

"Okay. Bye." She leaned, pressing her lips on the ravenette's cheek.

She left the room, smiling evilly to herself as she walked down the hallway.

On her way, she came across the brunet who looked at her with wide eyes.

"Oh, hi secretary Kim." She greeted with the fakest smile Taehyung had ever seen.

"What are you doing here?" He said, anger rising in his chest.

"I'm visiting Jungkook. Got a problem with that?" She said, rolling her eyes.

Taehyung raised his brow at her. "Yes. I don't want you coming near my boyfriend." He said, emphasizing the last word for her bird brain to understand.

Lisa smirked. "Go ahead and claim him for all you want." She uttered, stepping nearer until their faces were only inches away.

"Enjoy it while it lasts." She whispered with an evil grin that left Taehyung feeling shivers ran down his spine.

She walked away, heading towards the elevator. She took her phone out and dialled a number.

"Hello, Ma'am."

"Bring the documents to my house." She instructed, fixing her skimpy dress.

"Yes, Ma'am."

"And continue to keep an eye on him." Lisa muttered, ending the call.

------

Love you 💜