"Jungkook." Taehyung's voice rang out as he approached the spot where Jungkook was standing.

Jungkook expressed annoyance by rolling his eyes before turning to greet his brother. He questioned his brother's mention of his name by saying, "How can I not help you?"

Uncertain of the person's identity, Jin seized the opportunity to distance himself from Jungkook when he noticed Hoseok across the room. Regrettably, as he tried to move away, he suddenly felt a strong grip on his forearm, firmly pulling him back toward Jungkook's side.

"Taehyung, have you had the chance to meet my assistant and stylist, Seokjin? Seokjin, I'm sure you're aware of Kim Taehyung, who is one of the executives and owners of the company you work for." Jungkook announced as he introduced Taehyung and Jin to each other.

Jin's eyes widened with surprise as he found himself on his way to give a respectful bow and greet Taehyung. However, Jungkook abruptly halted his intentions.

"You don't bow to him. He is not that important."

Jin, wearing a gentle smile filled with remorse, shifted his gaze towards Taehyung. With a graceful gesture, he reached out his free hand, the one not intertwined with Jungkook's. "Hi, I am Kim Seokjin, and it's nice to meet you, Mr. Kim."

Taehyung was completely shocked and surprised when he looked at Jin. He was so taken aback that he couldn't react until Jungkook cleared his throat. Finally, Taehyung gathered himself and reached out his arm to hold Jin's hand. "Hello, Seokjin! It's a pleasure to meet you, too. Please feel free to call me Taehyung," he said with a warm smile.

Jin smiled and relaxed as he withdrew his hand from Taehyung's. He was taken aback by the youthful and attractive appearance of the company's owner, whom he worked for. He vividly remembered coming across an aged gentleman's photograph on the company's website. However, he surmised that Taehyung, with his striking resemblance, must have been the man's son.

A soft chuckle slipped past Taehyung's lips, accompanied by a shake of his head. His eyes met his brother's, locking in a gaze. Jin stood there, perplexed and unable to comprehend the source of the look they were exchanging.

"I understand now." Taehyung said as he gazed at Jungkook, adding, "We should plan to have a conversation later."

He turned to Jin and said, "It was a pleasure meeting you, Seokjin. I hope you enjoy your time working for the company, and don't let Jungkook boss you around." If you encounter any issues or concerns with him, please bring them to the attention of your department manager. I am confident he will be more than willing to address and resolve your concerns."

Jungkook's eyes rolled dismissively, "Seokjin will never have any issues with me. Any issues he has is with his roommate, whom he is having a challenge saying goodbye to."

Taehyung sighed deeply, recognizing that he had something to say. However, he decided against it, realizing that the current moment was not suitable for his comment.

*****

"Fuck!" Taehyung whispered as he settled into his seat beside his husband.

Hoseok gently placed his hand on Taehyung's thigh under the table and asked, "What's the matter? I hope you didn't behave rudely during your interaction with Seokjin. He is not responsible for your brother's behavior, and I will not terminate his employment."

"I get it."

"Great, because if you had expressed any other opinion, it would have caused a major problem between us."

Taehyung looked at his husband and asked, "Why do you act this way? There is no need to end his employment. I plan to have a conversation with Jungkook. Moreover, I was specifically alluding to Jungkook's attraction towards him. I get it."

Hoseok couldn't help but burst into laughter as he gazed at his husband, completely unfazed. "He is handsome, isn't he?"

"He is definitely someone that Chungjae would choose to be with. However, regardless of his relationship status, he is definitely someone that Jungkook would want." Taehyung emitted a low, pained sound as he pressed his fingers against his temples, seeking relief from the oncoming problems he felt developing. "This is not good, Hoseok. We can kiss the partnership we have with Magnet goodbye."

Hoseok's eyes widened in disbelief as he exclaimed, "What? Namjoon just initiated that in motion. Do you realize that your father would not be pleased if that happened? This is why I told you to talk to Jungkook from the beginning."

"Of course, he will not! "He is going to blame me and Namjoon, as usual," Taehyung's voice hissed with a knowing undertone, anticipating the familiar pattern of blame that would inevitably be directed toward him and Namjoon. "Talking to Jungkook won't change anything; you already know how he is."

Hoseok sighed before his gaze swept across the room, eventually landing on Jungkook, seated next to Seokjin.

*****

"I've been thinking about you a lot since you left today." Jungkook kept his gaze fixed on Jin while he spoke.

Jin's nerves caused him to swallow anxiously as he shifted awkwardly in his seat. He glanced downwards, taking in the intricate decorative designs adorning the table before them. He pondered the perfect moment to excuse himself and go home. He had no desire to remain there for the entire evening, particularly in the presence of Jungkook.

He knew that Jungkook's closeness to him in the pictures would create issues between him and Jae. His phone had already rung multiple times, which had caused him to have to put it on silent mode.

"May I assist you with placing your order?" The server approached Jin's table after making their way around the room.

Jin glanced at the dinner menu and politely smiled before saying, "I would like to have the salad, thank you."

The server smiled, noted the order, and asked, "What would you like for your entree?"

Jin's confusion grew as he gazed at the server and said, "I'll have just the salad, please."

"Are you sure? The salad we offer is our starter salad, which is not very large. Therefore, our guests often complement it with another item from our menu. I can provide you with some recommendations for pairings based on the menu offerings for tonight." The server offered.

Jin responded with a polite smile and a gentle shake of his head, saying, "No, it's okay. The salad will be enough, thank you."

Jungkook had his gaze on Jin with a few thoughts in mind but remained silent as he patiently waited for the server to approach him. He had already chosen a few items from the menu the previous week after requesting that Hoseok share them with him beforehand.

He strongly disliked attending certain events that were hosted, and his sole motivation for going was the food. Consequently, he had to preview the menu in advance to determine if the event was worth attending and if the food would fit his liking.

As the server reached Jungkook to take his order, Jin couldn't conceal the expression on his face. He suddenly began to wonder how Jungkook managed to maintain his physical appearance despite consuming such large amounts of food in one sitting. He wished he could learn that skill.

"Don't you like food?" After the server had left, Jungkook asked Jin.

Jin frowned and turned his gaze towards Jungkook, responding, "Yes, I do. Why are you asking that question?"

"I'm curious because, with so many delicious options on the menu, you decided to have bread with leaves."

"It is my personal preference."

"I find your preferences concerning, not just in terms of the person you chose to date, but also the food you choose to eat."

Jin glared at Jungkook and asked, "Can you please stop judging me? I do not mind if you comment about my work; however, if the comments have nothing to do with my work, I would appreciate it if you would stop making them. Also, please refrain from touching me or doing anything else that could give others the wrong impression. I am engaged, and what you think about my relationship is irrelevant to me, and I do not care about it either. Please respect my engagement! I am not interested in you!"

The volume of Jin's voice had increased without his knowledge, resulting in a few individuals within hearing distance turning their heads and looking in the direction of Jungkook and Jin.

Jungkook's jaw tightened, creating a subtle tension in his facial muscles. A clicking sound came from his mouth as his tongue tapped against the roof of his mouth. He prodded the inside of his cheek with his tongue as he tried to contain himself.

"You can go home." With a brief remark to Jin, he shifted his attention to the individual seated on his left.

Jin started feeling apologetic because, although he was trying to communicate something to Jungkook, he didn't mean for it to be overheard by others or to create a scene. Jungkook's inquiry of his food preference had caused him to get upset.

"Jungkook, I am sorry; I didn't mean for that to be heard by others."

"No need to apologize. If you don't want to be here, you can go home. I will ensure that you are still compensated for your attendance." Jungkook responded without glancing at Jin.

"Am I fired?"

Instead of responding to Jin, Jungkook stood up from his seat and left the area.

*****

"It's not what it looks like?" Chungjae's anger was evident as he stared at Jin during their video call and questioned him sharply.

"Why was he standing so close to you? Is that also part of your job? Is it necessary for him to be next to you? Seokjin, I want to make it clear that if I have to return to Korea earlier than planned, you won't be happy with the outcome. I refuse to tolerate your public disrespect towards our relationship. Seokjin, I need you to understand that you are engaged and expect you to behave accordingly."

Jin remained silent, but he nodded his head in agreement. He realized that his relationship with Jungkook had spiraled out of control, and he couldn't blame Chungjae for being angry with him, especially considering everything that had transpired. It was already deceptive that he had to keep the kiss a secret.

"I can't believe you. I never once questioned your loyalty to me, but now, I don't know what to think. How can you stand so close to another man who is not me? Where is your respect?"

"I am sorry. I told him afterward that I did not want him that close to me again, and he understood. Him being that close didn't mean anything either." Jin responded as he tried to calm Chungjae down.

Chungjae sighed, trying to calm himself as he observed the genuine sincerity reflected in Jin's eyes. "Baby, do you see why I don't want you working?-"

"Jae, this is not about me working. I understand what happened tonight was inappropriate, but it is unrelated to my work. I am determined to work, even if it's not at this particular company. I am open to exploring other opportunities as well. I dislike being alone at home."

"If we have a child, you won't be home alone. Have you ever thought of that?" Chungjae questioned.

"I am not ready for us to have kids. We have discussed this."

"We? Seokjin, I don't recall agreeing to that. I want you to have my child, and if when I am back, you are not pregnant already, we are going to start trying harder for that to happen. You may want to consider investing your time in more meaningful activities rather than volunteering for low-paying services that are useless to us, such as giving me a child."

Jin felt a sharp pain in his chest as he listened to Chungjae. He chose not to respond, realizing it would be pointless to say anything.

"Furthermore, I advised my mother that she should visit tomorrow. Therefore, make sure you are at home to welcome her upon her visit."

"Okay, I will."

After spending another hour on a video call with Chungjae, Jin let out a heavy sigh as the call finally ended. He had experienced a long and exhausting day. He found himself at the wine bar, where he picked up a bottle of wine to take to the room. However, he heard the doorbell and decided to change direction to see who was at the door.

While disarming the alarm, he unlocked the door and couldn't help but contemplate whether Chungjae had deceived him. He pondered the possibility of his mother's unexpected arrival, which wouldn't have been out of the ordinary. To his surprise, Jungkook greeted him.

"W-what are you doing here?" Jin was shocked and questioned the sudden and unwelcome presence of Jungkook at his home.

Jungkook swept back his hair and gazed at Jin, saying, "Earlier, I was wrong."

Jin's chest rose as he gazed at Jungkook. He swallowed and shook his head, dismissing Jungkook's words. "don't worry about it. It's fine-"

Midway through his sentence, he paused as he noticed Jungkook pulling a bag from behind his back. "I was wrong because I told you to go home without you even having the chance to eat. I shouldn't have commented on your preference for food, either. I brought you a better salad than they had at the event."

Jin was surprised as he gazed at Jungkook. "There was no need for you to do that. I ate as soon as I got home."

"Did you? What did you eat?"

"I had a smoothie," Jin responded.

Jungkook rolled his eyes and said, "That's not food. You have consumed a beverage. Please try this salad; I'm sure you'll enjoy it. It's the only salad I eat," he handed the bag to Jin.

Jin didn't respond immediately, but eventually, he extended his hand and took the bag from Jungkook. "Thank you."

"You are welcome. So, are you home alone?" Jungkook asked, peering through the doorway behind Jin to catch a glimpse inside Jin's home.

Jin swallowed nervously and closed the door behind him, making sure Jungkook couldn't see inside. "Thank you for making the effort to come here and bring this to me. I will eat it well. I hope you get back home safely."

A tense silence enveloped the space between them, with Jungkook's gaze fixed on Jin. He took a step closer until they were just inches apart. "I also came to give you this," he said, leaning forward and wrapping his arm around Jin's waist. Their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. He gently moved his lips against Jin's while his hand pressed against the small of Jin's back, pulling him closer.

As Jungkook leaned in, his lips met Jin's with a surprising lack of resistance. Their mouths melded together, Jin's lips parting to welcome the intrusion of Jungkook's tongue. The moment's intensity was abruptly interrupted by the buzzing of a phone, jolting Jin back to reality. He quickly withdrew, breaking the connection between them.

Jin's heart raced as he fixed his gaze on Jungkook, overwhelmed by disbelief at the recurring situation he had found himself in.

"I understand that you may prefer me not to have feelings for you, but I cannot help but want you. When I develop an interest in someone or something, it consumes my thoughts entirely. How you reciprocate our kisses reassures me that my attraction for you is justified. What is disappointing is that you are spending time with someone who is not me."

"You should go home, Jungkook."

"Come spend the night with me, Seokjin."

"Are you out of your mind?! Please go home." Jin responded with a sense of disbelief. He pushed his door open, entered his home, and turned back to face Jungkook. "Thank you for the salad," he said, "but please refrain from kissing me in the future."

Jungkook smiled, "why not? Why can't I kiss you?"

"I am engaged!"

"However, that reason alone is not sufficient to prevent me from kissing you," Jungkook said and took a step forward, "Perhaps it would be a good idea to invite me inside so that we can have a more in-depth conversation about this."

Jin swiftly closed the door and called out, "Go home, Jungkook!"

He heard Jungkook chuckle, which made him smile. However, as soon as he realized his reaction, he immediately stopped.

"What am I doing?" He voiced his thoughts aloud.