Are you JK?

Jungkook's heart hammered in his chest. How the hell had he found out? Could he still hide it now that he'd been caught? This was the chance to just tell someone about his secret. He could trust him, right?

Did you find the book in my room?

Next to him, his mother was busy on her tab, tapping away with an electric pen with her perfectly manicured finger. She'd come to pick him up after school had closed, sending Jin on his way.

Since his father traveled that morning after Jungkook had left for school, she had said she was bored at home and wanted to do something with him. They rarely went out together, just them.

It was usually her arranging for him to meet with someone, while she monitored from afar. Or all three of them going out for a political or a business event. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone on a casual outing with his parents.

So, when she had called to tell him she was coming, he hadn't mumbled irritably like normal. But then again, he had a whole different reason to be bothered by now.

Bambam: You told me I could check for books in your shelf.

I did.

Bambam: You're not denying it.

No.

Bambam: Oh, wow.

Bambam: I don't understand. Why did you keep this a secret? You're a very good writer.

Bambam: Shouldn't you be more than happy to let people know that you're this talented?

I don't need validation from people I don't know, Bambam.

I just didn't want anyone knowing. It was just my little secret, which isn't a secret anymore.

Bambam: No one else knows about this?

No.

How did you know it was me?

Bambam: I didn't know, I suspected.

Bambam: In middle school, you always signed your books JK.

Bambam: Also, the second main character is the son of a mafia lord who hates attention but is always under the spotlight and is expected to take over from his father.

Bambam: Plus, you kept it separately from your novels. You placed them next to that family frame you loved, meaning they were special to you. They were like a trophy. So, I'm guessing even though you don't want the attention, you're still proud of them.

Not exactly proud.

But yeah, they're special.

Bambam: I hope you know I'm not telling anyone this.

Why not?

Bambam: Why would I?

Blogs will pay you a lot for this information.

Bambam: If the case was reversed, would you tell your best friend's secret to bloggers for money?

It depends on how much.

Bambam: LMAO

Bambam: Alright, Mr. Heir To a Billion Dollars Empire

:D

Bambam: Your books are very good.

Bambam: Especially Fire on Ice. I enjoyed Jimmy's character.

Bambam: I'm not really a fan of romance but this one did me in. I didn't put down the book for one second when I started reading it.

That was a very complicated book to write.

Bambam: I can't even imagine.

Bambam: How do you get your inspiration?

From here and there.

More here than there, to be precise. His inspiration was closer to him than anyone could imagine. Sometimes, he wished he'd seeked and taken inspiration from far far away.

Like Bambam, his readers had fallen in love with his most recent book, Fire On Ice. They were raving about it on social media, declaring their love for Jimmy Shin, the protagonist. He had become a fan favourite amongst JK's fans.

And to be honest, Jimmy had been the easiest as well as the hardest character that Jungkook had written, because unlike his other books, this one had bits and pieces of his own life in it.

Bambam: But like, do you never feel the urge to reveal yourself to your readers?

Never.

Bambam: If I got that much attention, I wouldn't hide myself.

There's already so much attention on me, I don't want more.

Bambam: I guess, I see your point.

Bambam: So, even your parents don't know?

Bambam: Jin?

They don't know.

Bambam: Jin doesn't know about this?

He doesn't.

Bambam: You're never going to tell him?

There was no point in anyone else finding out about his writing. When he had started writing, he hadn't done it to make a career out of, but because he had been bored with his life sometimes and overwhelmed with his feelings the other times.

It just happened that he was very good at constructing words, stringing them together and making them seem interesting enough to earn him multiple bestseller titles.

Fire On Ice was his last book. He'd dropped his pen and informed Minhyuk he wouldn't be submitting another manuscript in the near future neither would he be renewing his publishing contract.

I don’t know.

His mother placed her hand on his leg, making him turn to her. She gave him a small smile, her slim cheeks sinking in the middle to show deep, beautiful dimples.

"We're here," she informed him.

Jungkook looked out the window to see they had arrived at one of their hotels in Seoul. It was a towering, exotic looking glass building with a large water fountain a few feet away from the entrance.

Jungkook powered off the screen of his phone and exited the car. His mother waited on the other side for him to walk around the car, then she took his hand in his—like she always did when he was a child and they would go out in public—and together, they walked into the lobby.

The hotel manager, Mr. Gil Han Dook, was already standing by the door, waiting for them with a polite smile and his hands clasped together in front of him and at least, four other staffs standing by his side. "Good day, Madam. Young Master."

Jungkook gave a small bow of his head, feeling the welcome party to be utmostly unnecessary.

"How are you, Han Dook?" His mother asked, flashing the manager a small smile.

"I'm very well, ma. When you called to inform us you were coming in today to have lunch with the young master, we got really exited because we rarely see you in our branch."

"I'm sorry I don't frequent this branch. But I'll try to come often," she said in a small, patronizing voice. "How are the staff? Good, I hope."

"Excellent, ma." Mr. Gil said. "I'll take you to your dining area."

His mother didn't let go of his hand as they made their way to the executive elevator that took them to the last floor's dining area. It was a large hall with the walls made of glass giving a wonderful view of the ocean. It was also scantily occupied because it was reserved for his parents, their executive friends and A-list celebrities.

"Your guests already arrived," Mr. Gil said to her.

Guests?

"Chayoung!" His mother cried, letting go of his hand and walking over to hug a slim, beautiful woman with really long dark hair and the boldest shade of red lipstain he'd ever seen.

"Jia, look at you," the woman said as if in shock, hugging his mother back. "You haven't aged a day since you turned 21."

"Don't flatter me, my friend. I might look young, but my back doesn't."

Weren't they supposed to be having lunch together, just him and her? Why was this Chayoung here, and who was the young girl by the table the lady had just got up from?

"I completely understand. I can barely stand on my feet for too long. These children ruined our bodies."

"Tell me about it," his mother whispered to her friend, then she looked past her friend's shoulder and peeked at a young girl around his age who was standing by the table Chayoung had just got up from, looking shyly at the ground. "Is that Lily?"

"Yes, that's my Lily."

The girl picked her head up at the sound of her name. Her big dark eyes falling on his mother. She looked so nervous to be there, picking at her fingernails. Honestly, he understood that feeling. Her gaze shifted to him and in an instant, he saw a look pass her eyes, a look he recognized because he had had it so many times.

It was a cry for help. She didn't want to be there.

Then it clicked for him. This wasn't just a lunch date between him and his mother. It was another matchmaking attempt between his mother and her friend. And the girl he was meant to be match made with didn't look like she wanted it.

"Hello, ma."

"Hello, my darling, and don't call me ma. Call me Aunty Jia, okay?"

"Okay, Aunty Jia," She answered lowly.

"Chayoung, she is so lovely. You have raised a wonderful girl here." She said, nodding approvingly. Then, she gestured him over. "You know Jungkook," she said. It wasn't a question because she didn't know her friend's child but her friend had to know her son.

"Of course," Chayoung said, shifting her gaze to him. "How are you, Jungkook?"

"Hello, ma'am," he said to her, his jaws set. His mother had deceived him. She had lied to him.

"Just call me Aunty Chayoung."

"No, thank you, Ma'am."

"Jungkook," His mother called, shooting him a glare. He didn't hide the scowl on his face. Why had she done that? Again and again and again. Then she turned to her friend. "Chayoung, Jungkook is just tired. His exams began today, so he's on the edge."

"I understand."

"Let's sit," his mother said, glaring at him once more before going to take a sit.

Luckily, he took the seat by the edge of the table, giving him a distraction from the table with the view of the ocean. From the second he sat down, he didn't look back at his mother or her guests. Even when the waiter came to collect their meal orders, he told them he didn't want anything and just sat with his head turned away.

Occasionally, his mother would say something to him to get him involved in the conversation but he would disinterestedly respond.

"Maybe after their exams, we could vacation in Bora Bora together," Chayoung said. "Lily always loves tropical places. She and Jungkook could get to know each other well and connect."

"That's a wonderful idea. Would you like that Lily?" His mother asked.

"Uhm, ma— I mean, Aunty Jia, my friends and I already planned a trip together to Coachella festival this summer."

"Then you'll just cancel it, baby, can't you?" Her mother said.

"But, mum, Jaehee-"

"Didn't I warn you to never mention that name ever again? Jaehee is not in our class. He's fat, ugly, poor and he smells. Don't you have eyes? Look at Jungkook. He's so handsome, isn't he?" She asked.

"Yes, mum."

Chayoung's words hit Jungkook close to home. So, he was right after all. He and Lily were going through the exact same thing. Both in love with someone else. Both with selfish mothers who didn't care about their feelings. It was such a pathetic situation to be in.

Seeing Lily with her head bowed and her eyes sad and her teeth not taking a break from chewing her lip broke his heart more than his own situation had broken his heart. He'd told his mother countless times that he didn't like girls but he had never put his foot down and truly tell her.

He'd never been pushed to do that. But seeing this helpless girl was like a confidence boost for him. So, he took a deep breath, shut his eyes, let out the breath and opened his eyes. "Is this why you brought me here, mum? I thought you said we were having lunch together. You and I."

The table went quiet and even though he was looking at just his mother, he knew Lily and her mother were looking at him. "Of course we are having lunch, my love," his mother said, giving him a patronising smile. "We're also hanging out with my friend and her daughter. Lily is such a good girl. It wouldn't be such a terrible thing if you both become friends, would it?"

Friends.

"Mum, I know this introduction isn't about friendship. I know what this is."

His mother shrugged. "Well, if it goes beyond friendship then that would be wonderful."

"Why are you doing this to me? I'm not interested in her or any of the girls you parade in front of me. Like I have told you a million times already, I am not interested or in any way, shape or form attracted to girls."

"Jungkook."

"Jungkook, what?" He asked her in exasperation, tired of her theatrics. "Why are you forcing this on me? It has never worked before. It won't work now and you know it."

"Keep your mouth shut," She said, sternly.

"When will you stop?" He continued.

"Jungkook!"

"Mum!" He called back in the same tone. "I'm tired of explaining myself to you over and over and over and over again. I am beginning to sound like a broken record. Please, stop this. Why won't you listen to me?!"

"Because you are being delusional!" She snapped at him. "You were not born to be attracted to men. It is a phase that you will grow out of!"

"It is not a phase and I certainly will not grow out of it! What are you so afraid of?! Why are you in so much denial?! Or do you just not care about what I want? Or who I love?"

"You are a child. You don't know anything about love."

"I know more than you think and you would know this if you took a break from trying to match make me with every single elite young girl in Korea and just tried to get to know your son!" He yelled. "I'm not like you. I don't care about status or class or gender. I don't care about money, mum. I care about what's in the heart. I care about how they can make me feel. Not what car they're driving or if their parents have ever made it to forbes. Why can't you be reasonable for once?"

The table was so silent, one could hear a pin drop but the tension hovering was as heavy as a mountain.

"Are you trying to embarrass me?" She whispered harshly.

"I'm not doing anything, mum. You're the one embarrassing yourself."

She pulled back like he had just slapped her, her shocked gaze on him. Jungkook had nothing else to say to her so he stood to his feet and looked down at his mother's guests, both shocked. He was certain they hadn't expected the afternoon to turn out this way.

"It was nice meeting you, Lily," he said. He hoped things worked out between her and Jaehee. The girl gave him a small bow, her scared eyes more relaxed, her expression thankful. "You too, Ma'am," he said to Chayoung and walked out without a single glance backwards.