Jungkook PoV

"Hyung?" I asked. 

"Oh, shoot, I forgot to tell you. I left Korea since your father wanted to expand the entertainment business," he answered.

I've been in LA for a week and a half now. Who thought I would be bumping into Jimin? I thought he's been fixing wedding plans with Seulgi but turns out that he's here in LA because my father ordered him to. 

What in the world did he do here? He can't even speak English. And he's been here for like..2 months probably.

"Okay, I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. But Il Do-hyung knew and I thought he told you, I just told him last week. Plus Seulgi is in Singapore with her friends, having a vacation," he shrugged. "And I'm not wedding planning."

"But you announced your engagement to the public..and--"

"Seulgi wants it slow. She's under media attack, getting married would put her to trouble. Anyway, now that you're here and we both will meet Taehyung in London, why not I accompany you?" He smiled. "How's your mom, by the way? I heard about what happened last week, seriously, Tzuyu is Ms. Woo version 2."

What?

Something happened to my mother last week? To think of it, she hasn't been contacting me for the past week. Mom always calls at least every 2 days to make sure I'm okay. 

I smiled at him, "Yeah..she's fine."

Rachel's gonna answer a lot of things today. 

Everyone won't tell me anything? That's been happening frequently since dad came back. Thankfully Cole's agent had intel for me, there's some backlash between my family members. If it were protecting me to still be the owner of the company, it's not helping at all.

I'm going to be the head of the family by a few weeks, the owner of the family company and it's my responsibility to settle civil war between my family. And I need people to stop faking with me, Taehyung or Jimin or anyone in this company. 

I thought for a while, how will I get someone spill what happened to my mom? Yes, I hate her but I didn't say anything about not caring for her. Namjoon will tell my father, he's obedient to him. 

Right, Chaeyoung's the VIP doctor of our family maybe she..can tell me things?

"Come on, let's take a walk. How long have you been here?" he asked me. 

"About a week already, its work things," I shrugged. 

"You clearly haven't seen the beach side yet! Jeon Jungkook, there you go again, being the workaholic you are!" he slapped my shoulder.

I hold my shoulder, "Ah, hyung, stop."

"I'm done with business here so, I'm clinging to you wherever you go."

Jimin walks towards a bench that faces the beach. I was actually on the way to this famous beach and just look around the area. You know, just rest from work because I hate it when people call me a workaholic. 

I walk behind Jimin, very suspicious of him. What does he know about my mom? And Tzuyu? Why is she dragged in the conversation? I shut her out completely when she tried to enter the company just to talk to me. 

After taking his seat, Jimin tapped on the bench and motioned me to sit next to him. 

"I heard Yoongi-hyung will marry that British heir," he said. "Wah, daebak. He finally will marry someone."

I chuckled, "She's actually very pretty. Hyung, I forgot to ask you. How's it with you and noona?"

He rotated his head, "Well we're actually in an argument lately. Nothing big, it's just wedding budgets and wedding decisions and everything related to weddings. First rule when you plan a wedding, let her do it and just pay."

"I don't think I'm gonna marry until I'm 30, though," I sighed.

Which is true. 

I know that Chaeyoung is just a phase. Sooner or later, I'll also see her like a friend. 

"30? Why, Kook? Don't you already have someone fit for the job? You know, she handles you very well. Not to mention, plays your schemes well too."

"She came back," I leaned forward and rested my hands on my lap. 

"Who? Who came back?" 

"Jieun's back," I stared at the blue ocean.

Jimin leaned forward, "Jieun as in..Lee Jieun?"

I nodded, "She's going to pursue the plan since we were 10."

"Her?! And your mother? Your father? What do they think of this? Dude, this is shocking. I thought her parents called it off first because of her job in Canada."

"Well," I rubbed my hand. "Don't mention her job in Canada, and yeah her parents called it off because it's humiliating. That job is an embarrassment to their family."

"What are you planning to do then?"

I shrugged, "Not marry?"

Honestly, I feel down about it. 

Jieun went to Canada to know herself and her life more but she ended up working in a bar. Her pen name in the bar was 'IU' and because she has a natural seducing look, she became the high class porn star. 

Her parents were absolutely humiliated about it and her youngest sister wanted her out of the family. She's rich, famous and every guy's toy. 

Everyone tried to forget the honest, sassy and smart Jieun. The one everyone knew from high school. It felt so wrong seeing her on the front page of the Entertainment Section of the newspaper. 

Labeled as "Hottest Asian Star" in Canada. 

Her aura is very different. Very dark, and mean. I used to like her but it was only a fling. She used to wear match clothes, shoes and bags in school. Now her favorite styles is black and red. 

Not to mention how she used to put baby pink lip tint and now uses dark read lip sticks. 

When she first went to my office, I was shocked. The Jieun I saw is very messed up, insecure and doesn't know what she's doing at all.

There's something about her that makes me very scared. Like a monster inside a beautiful woman's body. 

"Wait, wait, wait. So she wants to continue that marriage? That's been broken off since when..uh..6 years ago? Or like 7? What's with her?" Jimin asked. "God, Jeon Jungkook. You've made a name in the marriage world. You have an arranged marriage since you were 10 that you thought was off, an arranged marriage with a freaking 21 year old and a future marriage with the girl you actually like."

"That doesn't make things better, you know," I rolled my eyes. 

"I'm just saying. Who's your pick? I'm sure your father knows that Jieun came back to Korea and went to you. Uncle Joon Sung knows everything!" 

I leaned back, "You think I'm not having trouble with it? Of course I am. Wonyoung is doing her best to show the public that she's the right one for me. Jieun is back with her unknown schemes, probably only wants money from me. Chaeyoung..okay I have no words for Chaeyoung but I'm sure she's just a phase."

Jimin looked me in the eye, "A phase? What do you mean a 'phase'? Jungkook, Chaeyoung is by far, the only girl that Jin-hyung, Yoongi-hyung, Hoseok-hyung, Namjoon-hyung, Taehyung and I likes for you. It's not a phase, I won't call it fate either but damn, Kook, Chaeyoung is absolutely the one I'm rooting for!"

"It's just a phase, I'm gonna forget her after 1 or 2 months."

"1 or 2 months? No, you're going to be CEO in 1 or 2 months with Chaeyoung as your soon-to-be bride."

"Hyung, it's either I marry Jieun or Chaeyoung's life will get ruined."

"Stop acting like a coward and fucking fight for Chaeyoung."

I was taken aback by his words. 

Jimin put a weak smile, "Kook, Seulgi isn't the girl I'd fall for. Honestly, I wouldn't have left Jeongyeon if it weren't for her. But I wasn't scared of taking Seulgi in, I got to know her, and sooner, I fell for her. It isn't like that for you. You are literally everyone's baby. You are Seokjin-hyung's baby, you're family's baby. Everyone wants the best for you because despite being the most loved youngest, you are the most powerful in our world."

"What's the reason why everyone doesn't like the fact you'll marry Wonyoung? Aside from your mother, of course. It's because you aren't as mature as you think you are, we always think about you. And here comes Chaeyoung, a person who reflects Yuri a lot," he wrapped his arm around me. "No one taught you to become an idiot, stop getting scared of love and do something."

"Heh," I scoffed. "Jieun's in another level, I can't protect--"

"You can! Jungkook, have you forgotten who you have? You have me, the guys, Bambam, Yugyeom, Sehun and a lot of other people. And have you forgotten the person who you've said filled the empty space in your heart? Really Jungkook, think outside the box."

"Jiyoon? Hyung, she's not my child, taking care of her is just a friend's request."

He flipped his hair, "You don't get it, do you? Jungkook, learn how to fight for someone. I won't mention Yuri, may she rest in peace. But I will mention how you did not fight for her."

 "I'm not thinking of marriage yet, hyung. So if you mind..let's not talk about it anymore..." 

He slapped his lap, "Alright. Well if that's the case, I'm gonna go to the movies and watch...I don't know, Aladdin. I'll see you tomorrow, Kook."

"Bye...then...?" 

Jimin walked away from me and I'm still shocked about the conversation. Talking about Jieun just makes him bring back everything in the past. 

Yuri, Wonyoung, Chaeyoung. 

We can scratch Wonyoung's name out, though. I guess she's out of the game. 

I sighed. 

It's like ever since I've met Chaeyoung, my life has never been this...annoying. Before we met, I was just a regular CEO that covers for his dad, a person who just does his work for the family, a best friend to 6 guys.

When I met her, she's like the warning sign of all the unfortunate events right now. 

And why am I making her the bad guy, in fact, Jungkook, you are the bad guy yourself. Stop putting the blame on her because you know that it was you who wanted to get close to you. 

I sighed again. 

What Jimin said about everyone caring for me. He's true..isn't he?

Everyone worries about me, everyone just wants me to have a good time in my life. Although I'm a grown man, my parents still make sure that no one gets in the way for my career. 

Everyone gives me advice, scold me for the wrong I did and etcetera. 

I'm still everyone's baby. No one will see me as a grown man unless I grow out of my shell. See the bigger picture. 

"Sir Jeon!" a man called my name. "There you are! Please don't run away again sir, we'll escort you back to the hotel."

"B-But," I softened my eyes at the body guard. "I just wanted to look around."

"No, sir. You must be placed into safety," he said and escorted me back to the black van. 

I escaped from all of the people guarding the hotel. 

Not because I'm gonna do a runaway mission but because LA looks peaceful today and looking around as a tourist isn't bad. And it's rare to go to LA, imagine how much money I'll spend just going here from Korea. 

I sit down on the seats inside the van, and went back to the hotel.

Bye beach, I'll try seeing you again tomorrow. 

Then my body guard turned to me and gave out my phone. 

"Sir, Ms. Park Chaeyoung is calling," he said. 

I took the phone, "I'll take it."

I press the green button. 

Chaeyoung and I haven't talked for a while. Sure, we've responded to messages now but we barely call each other. Like I said, it's just a phase.

A crush. 

Nothing more. 

"Jungkook!" she screamed. "Is this you or your assistant?"

I didn't know what to say...so I thought. What should I reply?

"Hello? Can you hear me? Jennie said you're in LA now."

I cleared my throat, "Yes, Chaeyoung-ssi?"

"Woah! What's with the formality! You never speak to me like that!"

"What did you call for? I'm sort of busy."

"Oh, uhm, I just wanted to see how you've been. You know, lately you haven't replied to me. I know that I wasn't able to reply to you before, like a hundred times but I'm just doing my best here like what you said. You have tons of time, and I thought that something is up, so I called."

"You sound startled, Chaeyoung-ssi. Yes, I'm fine. I'm busier now."

She gasps, "Really? That's bad..I wanted to chat with you while you're in a time zone close to me. Did you hear about last week? I'm sorry Tzuyu operated, I never knew Mrs. Jeon would--"

"What about my mother?" I asked.

All the guards in the van looked at me, including Rachel and Cole's junior agent. 

"Oh...didn't sunbae tell you? She had a--"

"Sir, please put down the phone," a guard said.

I cleared my throat, "Sorry, I didn't catch that, Chaeng. What did you say?"

"She had a heart clog and Tzuyu operated her...good thing sunbae took over the operation," she giggled. "What a talentless surgeon."

I looked at all of them with a serious face.

I knew it, they kept it a secret from me. Jimin talking about my mother is really suspicious.

"Chae, uhm, I'll call you tonight, if ever I remember. My schedules packed right now," I told her on the phone. 

"Oh.." she sounded sad. "That's fine, I'll be the one to call. Bye, Kook."

She ended the call and I stared straight to the people inside the van. 

"Sir, we can explain--"

I cut Rachel off, "What happened? Why didn't anyone tell me about this?"

"Mrs. Jeon is fine sir, she's heavily sedated for about a week now," Cole's agent swallowed. 

"Pieces of trash, I will take a walk to the hotel from here."

"But sir--"

"I SAID--" I heavily breathed. 

The car stopped and I got off. 

Damn, why isn't anyone trusting me?

Why am I the immature person here?

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click clack bada bing bada boom. 

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