"Well I'd like to discuss about some things with you.....in private."

Jin's eyebrows furrowed slightly at Mr Lee's statement.

He turned his head at the left to look at his manager.Obviously the man had a confused  expression on his face.

Jin smiled at the photographer.

"Uhmm...well...I think it'd be absolutely alright to discuss anything infront of Sejin-ssi.He's been with me since the very beginning of my career. He knows literally everything about me.",he said.

Mr Lee smiled back.

"Still....I prefer to have this meeting in private."

Jin was about to say something but Sejin interrupted him.

"Its alright Seokjin-ssi.I may leave now."

Jin felt really bad for the older as he left the room after whispering an "All the best" to him.

He felt like Mr Lee just insulted his manager, who is his old friend too.

The thought made his feelings bitter. All the excitement that he had before entering this room,evaporated all of a sudden.

"So....Kim Seokjin... One of the most famous models from Bighit Entertainment! Or should I say....one of the once famous models  from Bighit?",Mr Lee commented and leaned back on his leather chair.

Jin cleared his throat to check on himself.

He smiled at the photographer and said,-

"Well,you can say that too.It doesn't really matter.Luck...is quite important in our industry. Maybe it isn't with me right now.But,I believe that hard work and commitment can overpower luck." 

Mr Lee nodded.

"That's true. Luck is inconsistent in this industry.Look at your career graph! There was a time when almost each and every photographer wanted to have you in their project.2 years of absence and the whole calculation just flipped upside down!"

"And those newbies who have now taken your place,consider themselves as the lucky ones but little do those innocent beings know that they are going to confront the same phase soon.",the middle aged man let out a hollow chuckle at his own statement.

Jin remained silent. He couldn't understand the motive of all those blunt words.He... didn't find the man's company comfortable at the first place.

Something felt wrong. He felt...really uneasy in the photographer's office room.

"Anyways... Let's come to the point.",Mr Lee continued.

"I came to know that you've a boyfriend  whom we all know very well! And....you're living with him in your apartment too."

Jin frowned but immediately composed himself.

"Are you spying on me or what,Mr Lee?!",He smiled with a fake amusement on his face.

A smug smile appeared on the famous photographer's lips.

"Maybe..... You see Mr Kim,I've never ever imagined you as a homosexual, you know!",he said nonchalantly and the atmosphere felt even more uncomfortable to Jin.

It is not like he is ashamed of his sexuality or doesn't want to make his relationship with Taehyung official infront of the whole world;but he prefers to avoid his personal life at his workplace.

Clearing his throat, Seokjin said firmly,-

"Don't get me wrong,but I think its not the right place to talk about my personal life."

Mr Lee shook his head in disagreement.

"This is the perfect place,Mr Kim!And don't you dare to think that I'm judging your identity. That very identity of yours is the only reason why you got this project;so feel free."

"I.....didn't understand.",Jin frowned; this time more prominently than before.

"Well....",the elder laughed.

"As you said earlier, your luck is not with you right now,Seokjin-ssi.Still....I'm giving you a chance to work with me.Naturally,there should be something for my benefit,right?",he said in a way that made Jin's throat dry.

He gulped; avoiding the other's gaze.

-"I still didn't understand Mr-"

-"Let me be clearer..... You've to do a compromise just the way I'm compromising for you."

Jin's eyes shot up.

"Compromise? What kind of compromise?!",he inquired; his voice unintentionally higher from its usual level.

Mr Lee smirked and Jin could feel the air inside the office room suffocating him.

"You're too innocent, Seokjin....aren't you?",the photographer 'tch'ed.

"Compromise means...some noncontractual "terms and conditions" that many left out models like you have to maintain to resume their careers.Am I clear now?"

Jin felt like the whole world crashed down infront of him.

No.This isn't real.This can't  be real.

He felt confused,furious, but mostly disgusted.

Disgusted of this filthy industry,this profession that he loved so much, the man infront of him and ofcourse of himself too.

The chair creaked as he stood up without uttering a single word.

"Stubborn Youngsters...",Mr Lee muttered under his breath before hissing,-

"Cut the act Seokjin! Both of us know very well that you need this chance.You're fortunate that I'm giving this to you in return of such a simple condition!"

" Shut that Goddamned mouth Lee! ",Jin growled and the older's eyes widened in shock.

Nobody has ever seen Jin like this before.

"First of all,do hell  with your "chance" and most importantly, I work with professionals;not with perverts like you who exploit their power and position;got it?!",He spat and headed towards the door.

"You're making a mistake, Seokjin! You'd never be able to come back with this attitude and that "dignity" of yours.",the photographer gruffly warned him one last time.

"That's none of your business,you filthy bastard!",Jin gritted his teeth before exiting the room and slamming the door shut on the older's face.

"What happened?!",Sejin asked worriedly as Jin started walking past him through the corridor of the studio.

Jin just wanted to leave that place as soon as possible. He wanted to hide somewhere.He felt like an idiot to think that everything was going to be fixed soon.

He felt like screaming at the top of his lungs,laughing at himself,break and shred everything apart that would come infront of him at that moment.He felt immensely insulted...broken. He felt...pathetic.

"Seokjin-ssi! Would you tell me what the hell happened?! Why are you-", Sejin asked sternly but the younger was having none of it.So he cut his elder off.

"Over... Its all over,Sejin-ssi.",he said in a low tone that made the older even more confused and tensed.

"I'm sorry hyung but....I have to go....You're free for today...",Jin trailed while walking up to the lift;his eyes unfocused.

Sejin stood their;dumbfounded.He understood something must have happened inside the Photographer's office that demolished their whole planning for the upcoming days.

His heart clenched at the sight of the younger's slumped shoulders and forced steps as if all of his energy had been drained out of him.

"At least tell me where are you going?!",Sejin asked and he didn't even know why his voice came out so shakily.

"Anywhere....I don't know....",Jin muttered as he pressed the button of the lift.

-#---#---#---#---#---#---#---#---#---#---#---#--#-

Yes....I haven't forgotten about this book.

Sorry everyone :"(

I hope you haven't gave up on this story.

Becoz I'm going to focus on this one from now on,I promise.

Opinions?

Please do vote and comment and let me know if you want any kind of changes or so....

Purple Ya! ^_^💜