(the past)

"Starting tomorrow, you will work as a trainee at the company."

The old Jeon stated as he flips the pages of the book he's reading. Jungkook is at the other table, glaring at the business papers he has no interest on learning.

They are currently at their library, and Jungkook's dad is forcing his son to study the basics of the company. Just a week ago, Jungkook was hiding at Jimin and Yoongi's house, but his father located where he was. Immediately after he returned, he was pushed to enter the business world.

Jungkook noticed his dad's features looked so worn out and wrinkly lately. His eyes looked tired, and he became thin. Yet his dominance is still present.

And since Jungkook arrived, he noticed his father was always wincing. He may not be affectionate towards his dad, but he observes things. His mother was always so worried about his dad, but Jungkook was too stubborn to care.

"You will be at the company at seven in the morning. Understand?"

Jungkook didn't answer.

"Answer me, Jungkook." His father's voice gradually became irritated.

"I'm not going." Jungkook mumbles.

"What?"

"I said I'm not going." Jungkook said aloud, body straightening up as he looked as his father.

The old man shakes his head in disappointment. "Stupid, stupid boy."

Jungkook stood up. "Even if you chain me up here, I would still find a way to leave. I'm gonna go after hyung."

At the mention of Jungkook's brother, the old man frowns. "You are such an idiot. Going after your brother who is equally an idiot as you? You both are ungrateful."

"I don't need to be grateful. You made us suffer all throughout our lives. You are selfish. Do you even care for me as your son?" Jungkook said, he can feel his eyes sting.

"Sit down, Jungkook. Trust me, I am doing this for all of you." His dad said tiredly.

"No! You are doing this only for yourself because you are a selfish man."

His dad also stood up this time, his teeth gritted. "This is getting tiring. Stop this nonsense. You will start tomorrow and you will comply."

"Do you think I care about your company? Fucking never." At that, he leaves the room and was gonna go straight to his bedroom.

"Jungkook!" He heard his father shout but he completely ignored him. It's just that, his respect for the man is gradually disappearing.

"Come back here you little brat!" His father followed him until they reached the steps to the staircase leading to his bedroom. "Stop being so difficult! You don't have a choice!"

Jungkook's mom must have been near and heard their screaming. She ran to her husband and clutched his arm.

"Please honey, stop now. You won't feel well if you keep on shouting." His mother tried to warn the man.

But the man didn't listen to her. "Jeon Jungkook, turn your back on me one more time and I'm gonna destroy all your friends." Mr. Jeon warned, but this time his voice was gradually breathy and he looked like he's catching his breath.

"Jungkook! Just please listen for once!" His mother shouted. It was the first time that his mother yelled at him. Jungkook stopped walking at that and turned to face them. He can see the pleading eyes of his mother. All she wanted was to have peace in this house.

But Jungkook had enough. "Mom, you don't understand.."

An agonizing sound suddenly can be heard through the house.

The old Jeon was letting out a pained groan beside his wife, which startled them. The man was trying to catch his breath as he clutched his chest with his hand. He gradually fell down towards the floor and Mrs. Jeon immediately tried holding him to not let him hurt himself.

The woman is now crying as she holds his husband in her arms on the floor. She turned to look desperately to her son. "Jungkook, please help me get him to the hospital."

Jungkook felt numb all of a sudden as he looked at his parents. He can't seem to move as he stared wide eyed at the situation.

His father's face is white as he stared at the ceiling. He looked paralyzed.

"Jungkook, please hurry." Mrs. Jeon pleaded again.

Jungkook gulped as he was snapped out of his stupor. He immediately moved and ran towards the adults.

Jungkook moved in autopilot. They reached the hospital, all the while he was silent and numb. His mother was crying and all he did was listen.

The doctor said his dad suffered a stroke, while having myocardial infarction. The attack was probably because of stress. They also found out that the illness was building up days before this incident, since he was wincing from chest pains lately. Fortunately, he is still responding.

While his dad was carried by the doctors to have a ct scan, Jungkook and Mrs. Jeon sat down at the waiting area. The woman was silently crying.

"Jungkook, I can't.. I don't know what I would do without him."

Jungkook turned towards his mother and gently reached out to her. He hugged her silently while his mom cried harder.

After a few minutes, his mother calmed down and they are back in silence again. His mom seems like she was gathering her thoughts.

"Jungkook, I'm sorry." Mrs. Jeon said.

The said boy just turned towards her, his questioning eyes asking.

"I know you're overwhelmed by everything that's been going on. But I wouldn't take it if you would leave me too." The woman said.

"Mom.. I.. You saw what he did to me. What he did to Taehyung. I just can't stand it anymore. How can he be so cruel? How can you let him be like this?" Jungkook tried to reason out.

Her mom's eyes are shiny once again. "I tried Jungkook. I tried to defend you, but your Dad's mind cannot be changed. I really like Taehyung, but I can't do anything. I have no power." Mrs. Jeon said, head shaking. "But please son. All I ask is to please stop fighting with your dad."

The woman held Jungkook's cheek and stared through her teary eyes.

"Your dad is very ill, Jungkook. He's not doing so well lately. Please, just this time, give us your time. If not for him, for me? Hmm?"

Jungkook cannot utter a word.

All he did was hug his mom and listen to her cries.

+++

(the present)

Jungkook closed his laptop after checking some emails from investors. He sighs loudly as he leans back on his chair.

After being handed the company to him, Jungkook's everyday life is filled with ups and downs. It's always the constant pressure, stress and negotiation.

There are other dreams he wanted to pursue, but being the CEO prevented him from reaching it.

He had so many plans in trying to search for Taehyung, but all was stopped since his focus was quite zeroed in taking care of his mother and trying to help them get proper health care for his father. He tried to set aside his sadness, and all the while, ensuring his own tears stay encased inside his eyes.

Though he hated his father, he wanted to be responsible as their child. Growing up, he realized he didn't want to be like his brother, who only knew was to run away.

Of course, he had Yoongi and Jimin, and they were always there for him, but being thrown in a life that you never once loved isn't just feeling the brokenness for a day, and being okay on the next.

He never wanted to burden his friends, but they insisted on supporting him. And the few hours he spends with them in a day made the ache go away at some point. Only to come back to his dark and lonely flat, and be reminded of what he had lost.

Missing  and wanting to meet Taehyung one day was what kept him going. He will be always preoccupied with work, but on certain times and certain places, he'll be reminded of him.

Taehyung was and still his light at the end of the tunnel. Jungkook will never know what to do without the mere thought of him.

He smiles as he thinks of the man. Finally, here they are. And he hopes for brighter and beautiful days ahead.

A knock disturbed Jungkook from his thoughts. It was Seungkwan.

"Sir, meeting with the trainees at Bighit in 30 minutes." The secretary informed him.

Jungkook nods in acknowledgement. "Okay, I'll get going."

Seungkwan nods, and goes outside the office to prepare their papers.

As soon as they arrived at the company earlier than expected, Jungkook strides along the corridors towards the conference room where they will have a meeting.

Taehyung, at the same time, was trying to open the door, since he was the first to arrive at the place. He was having trouble at the lock first, but he got it right the second Jungkook materializes out of nowhere, and stands beside him, leaning against the wall with his hands inside his pockets.

Jungkook looked handsome. Taehyung felt like punching things.

"Good morning Mr. Kim." Jungkook greets, showing his dimpled smile. "Need help?"

"Oh, you're early Mr. Jeon. Didn't expect that." Taehyung replies back playfully.

"Of course, I wanted to impress you, Mr. Kim. Please, let me help you with that." Jungkook said as he rolls up his sleeves and tried to clutch his hand on the door. "I'll show you"

"It's okay, I can manage, Mr. Jeon." Taehyung tried to say, but the younger looked so focus on the task at hand. Taehyung backed away from the door and tried to bite back an amused laugh.

"Don't worry, Taehyung. I got you." Jungkook pulls the door, but it doesn't budge. He tries to pull again, but still it doesn't open. He frowns. Taehyung was covering his mouth as he smiles widely.

Taehyung clears his throat and tried to show a straight face. "Mr. Jeon, I think you're supposed to push it."

He did and the door opens. "Oh" Jungkook said dumbfoundedly. His ears pink.

Taehyung walks leisurely past him and shows him a smirk. "Thank you for showing me, Mr. Jeon." he said under his breath, his eyes sparkly as he smiled. He looked breath-taking.

Then he winks.

Jungkook sucked in a breath. "Anytime."

Trying to compose himself, Jungkook turned to look out the windows and smiled. It was what he hoped for. It is indeed a beautiful day.

+++

It was already dark when the meeting ended. The discussion was a bit tiring but Taehyung could feel his excitement at the new group they would be forming. A whole afternoon of planning schedules, planning songs and dance practices, how to manage their schedules at the same time studying at the university, assigning staff and managers who would help them through it, etc.

Taehyung's body just wanted to sink into his bed and sleep already. But of course, he can't do that, he needs to drive back home. He had a driver, but mostly, Taehyung prefers to be alone going home.

He fixes his things inside his office and gathers his bag, locking up the place and goes straight towards the elevator. As soon as he reached the ground floor, he spots Jungkook standing at the center of the lobby. The man stands there, not minding his surroundings, not knowing he was catching the eyes of the people passing by.

Jungkook turns his head and he catches Taehyung looking. He smiled and waved happily.

'Ugh.' Taehyung internally groans.

"Taehyung! Are you going home?" Jungkook asked as he reached the elder.

"No. I'm going to the movies." Taehyung replied.

"Huh? With whom?" Jungkook asked immediately, his face morphed into a frown.

"With Song Joong Ki."

"Who?"

'What the? He doesn't know the Song Joong Ki?' Taehyung stared at the man before him flabbergasted.

"You don't watch Vincenzo? Descendants?" Taehyung tried to ask.

"Uh. I know the movie, but I don't know the movie name." Jungkook replied, scratching his head. "But who's Song Joong Ki?"

"Ugh. Silly. Just don't believe everything I say. Of course I'm going home. I'm beat." Taehyung said as he walks past the raven head.

"Oh, I'm glad. Let's go home together." Jungkook said.

"Mr. Jeon, please. I have a car."

"Of course, I won't insist for you to go inside the car with me because I know you have your own, though it would be really cool if you agree. But I'll just say, please drive safe, and I'll be right at your back." Jungkook smiled.

Taehyung sighed. This is just getting harder each time.

They drive home on the empty streets that night, Taehyung driving his car ahead, and Jungkook following behind. They arrived at their building and they immediately start a normal conversation.

They both walked towards the elevator, chatting all throughout, about the company, about their lives, their hobbies. All the while their steps so slow, not wanting to end the night.

They reached their respective homes and as they both stand facing their doors, they greeted good night to each other.

"Good night, Taehyung."

"Good night, Jungkook."

"Have a good night sleep."

Taehyung tilted his head in amusement. "You're getting too comfortable with me, Mr. Jeon."

"Well, is that bad?" Jungkook had the audacity to look innocent.

Taehyung snorts. "Nope." then he thought for a while. "I say, friends?"

Jungkook was silent for a moment as he stared straight at Taehyung's eyes. "But I don't want to be friends, Tae."

The brunette didn't expect that. He thought they were good? He thought they were starting to build something? He really tried his best to hide his disappointment. "Oh. I.. I understand. We're business partners."

Jungkook soon realized what he said, he immediately follows a "No Tae. I meant, I don't want to only be friends."

"Huh?" Taehyung frowns.

With a serious face, Jungkook explained. "I've known that my feelings never went away all these years, Tae. I told you, I am going to prove it to you."

"Oh." Realization dawned on Taehyung.

"Yeah. So.."

"So good night again Mr. Jeon." The brunette hurriedly greeted again.

Jungkook chuckles at that. "Alright. Good night again, Mr. Kim. Dream of me." then he winks.

Taehyung feels his jaw go slack. Then he grits his teeth. The devil.

Also, could his heart keep calm right now? That'd be cool, thanks.

😃