❝What they mistook for safety, was in fact captivity.❞

ACT I—EIGHT

THE ALARM rang loudly at seven in the morning. A hand slammed the alarm clock resulting it to shut. Groaning out his annoyance, Jimin turned on the other side of the bed snuggling more into his duvet.

The morning sun rose awhile ago, its faint soft gleam filled the room through the silk white curtains. The room bore silence and soft breathing sounds of a very beautiful man who was curled up on his bed. Jimin smiled and snuggled into his soft pillow satisfied with the atmosphere of his room.

The sweet satisfying atmosphere abruptly broke with the sound of his phone ringing. He decided to ignore it and continue his sleep. However, being the polite person he was, he couldn't just let the phone ring.

With half closed eyes, he blindly searched for his phone on the bed side table. Once he found it, he answered the call and mumbled a hello. As the voice from other side of the phone flown into his ear, he abruptly sat on his bed with hawk like eyes.

"Park Jimin! Why aren't you answering my call?!"

"H-hyung, what ha－"

"Don't Hyung me. Get your ass right here! Oh my God- bloody heck they threw my food God dammit－"

Before Jin could finish his scolding, the urgent situation called for his attention which resulted into hanging up the call. Jimin sighed and face palmed himself. When he removed his hand out of his face, he laughed.

"I know why you both are throwing tantrums. My babies are missing me."

AYA COULDN'T get out of her bed. She's feeling way too tired.

"Wake up, darling. It's eight already."

With squinted eyes, she saw Carol tidying her room. She only groaned in reply. Her groan caused Carol to glance at her side. Carol frowned when she noticed Aya's slightly weird behavior. Aya wasn't one to lay on her bed for long.

"What's wrong, darling? Everyday you wake up so early but what hap- wait are you feeling sick?"

Aya didn't know if it was sickness but she did feel weak and her muscles were sore.

"Maybe, a little. Ugh I don't even know, Carol. But help me, my headache is worsening," She couldn't talk anymore. She felt if she opened her mouth again, she'd definitely puke all over her bed.

Carol gently placed her hand on Aya's forehead. She gasped when the heat seeped into her skin.

"Aya, you're burning!"

Aya opened her eyes slightly. She placed her hand over Carol's which was cold and soothed her burning skin.

"Mhm your hands are so cold on my skin," her voice came out hoarse. She didn't know why she's mumbling her thoughts but she felt very light. As if she's still dreaming and had no control over her thoughts.

"I know you don't like to feel but your fever is so high. How can you not know?"

Carol was shaking. The girl seldom got sick but whenever she did, it was always something worse and her motherly heart couldn't handle seeing her in pain.

"I'll go and call the doctor right now. Don't move. I'll be back, my baby," she pecked her forehead before running to downstairs.

WRAPPING THE towel around his neck, Jungkook went into the dinning area. He smelt of sweat, a result of his heavy work out.

He settled on his chair as the servants hurriedly started to serve his breakfast. While taking a sip of his orange juice, his eyes followed the woman who was running hastily and looked very pale.

"Carol, slow down. It's not the accurate age for you to run like this. You'll get hurt."

Jungkook said before gulping down his orange juice. The workout made him feel very thirsty.

As soon as her eyes landed on him, she ran towards him. Seeing the woman running like that, Jungkook almost choked on his toast.

"Carol, woah slow down there. What caused you to run like th－"

"Jungkook she－"

She started but couldn't talk as her breathing became unsteady. Jungkook was really concerned.

"Will you tell me what's wrong? Is Emanuel okay? Why are running like this?"

"She's sick. Very sick."

She somehow managed to convey the message before sitting on the ground.

Jungkook was dumbfounded for a moment. His eyes became wide as he finally understood her message. He abruptly stood from his chair.

"Take care of Carol and call the doctor right now!"

He shouted before running upstairs in Aya's room.

THE SHOUTING was unstoppable by now. Jimin put on his headphones and bursted music to ignore the continuous shouting.

"You little brat! You angelic devil, come here! I must feed you!" Jin shouted while running with a bowl of food in his hand.

"No!" The little boy giggled as he started to run again. They both were running in circles around the dining table.

Jimin saw the same scene which was going on for fifteen minutes.

"No? Huh! No!? You think you can reject my food! I am the Seok Jin. Mind it you small chili pepper!"

Jimin sighed as he increased the volume. He knew his Hyung would only rest after feeding the boy. Lying on the couch lazily with his eyes closed, he waited for the sleep to hit him which was ruined earlier.

Two very small hands creeped on both sides of Jimin's cheeks. Jimin fluttered his eyes open as his cheeks were being squeezed with two small hands. He looked at the culprit with narrowed eyes which only made the culprit giggle more.

"Papa! You look so cute! I want to eat your cheeks for breakfast. They're so soft. Give them to me!"

Jimin laughed while removing her hands and pulling her on his lap.

"My baby, I didn't know you're a cannibal," he chuckled as he messed her hair.

The small girl whined and stopped him before her pony tail get loosen.

"What is that papa? Can-what?"

Jimin again chuckled and laid her with him on the spacious couch.

"Nothing baby. I forgot your vocabulary hasn't seen the world yet. Anyway, you want to eat my cheeks? You love them that much?"

The girl nodded furiously, her eyes glistening with hope of having her breakfast.

"Then let's make a deal."

Jimin cheekily smiled. The girl scrunched her nose as she didn't like the sound of making a deal.

"If you'll have my cheeks then I'll have yours too."

He evilly laughed before opening his mouth wide open and frightening the small girl.

"No! Jinnie save me. Papa is going to eat my precious cheeks! Help!"

She shouted and pulled Jimin's hair as a punishment. Jimin winced.

"Ouch! Baby, you're hurting me!"

Her hands halted when she heard the word hurt. Never in her dream would she try to hurt her papa.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you, papa!"

Jimin smiled as he pecked her cheeks.

"It's okay baby. Papa was being mean to my baby right? Here, have my cheeks. It's all yours."

He puffed his cheeks and turned to one side giving her the opportunity to pinch it. Which she did but with tender love.

Jin ran inside the room and was bewildered to see them happily giggling and playing with toys.

"I thought someone needed my help," Jin said wiping his sweat which were forming on his forehead. He finally managed to feed the boy.

"Not anymore Jinie!" She giggled as Jimin tickled her.

Seeing Jimin happy and laughing with the small girl, Jin couldn't help but tear up. He blinked back the tears.

"Papa! I'll go and play with him now!"

The girl declared as she gathered enough toys to play with her brother. Jimin pecked her cheek and smiled lovingly at her.

As much as Jin didn't want to question this and ruin his happy moment, he had to.

"When are they going back?" Jin said almost in a whisper.

Jimin's smile fell. He stared at the duo who were playing and giggling with each other.

"Tomorrow," he teared his gaze from them and looked at Jin, giving him a warm smile.

But Jin knew better which was a warm smile and which a painful one.

"CANCEL HER all shoots for today and tomorrow. I want no tension for her."

Jungkook said to his assistant while the doctor was examining Aya. It was also painful for Jungkook to see Aya in pain. Sure, he wanted to cause her pain but never physically.

The doctor had left after examining her and prescribing medicines. But Jungkook was still glued to the girl's side caressing her hair. He still remembered whenever he used to caress her hair, she loved it and used to whine for him to continue.

He didn't even realize when Carol came inside the room and watched his every move. Carol's lips parted when she noticed the pain on his face. The shield that he used to carry was now broken. Tears wielded in her eyes as she saw the boy being visibly vulnerable after so many years.

You're wrong, darling. Jungkook is still alive. My eyes found him. Unfortunately, yours didn't.

She wiped her tears as she remembered why she came here.

"Jungkook," she called him ever so softly.

Jungkook turned to look at her, finally acknowledging the woman. Carol could have swore she saw his eyes moisten. But she decided to keep it to herself and not question the boy.

Without exchanging any words, she handed him the medicine and caressed his cheek before leaving the room.

He stared at the medicine on his hand and glanced at Aya who was sleeping.

"Love," he called, seeking her attention. Unlike other times, he really meant that word this time.

Aya stirred and opened her eyes slightly. She had no idea if she was dreaming or this was reality because Jungkook sitting on her bed, that too beside her was something she could only imagine.

Seeing her face morphed into a confused one Jungkook smiled, though it was barely visible for others to see.

One hand under her head and other over her back, he gently angled her on a sitting position. He released his hold and sat beside her not wanting to give her more pain from his touch.

Little did he know, the fever already made Aya numb and clueless. She didn't even feel his touches. What she felt was only dizziness and blurriness of her sight. She blinked few times but no help. Not being able to control her body, she fell backwards and instinctively Jungkook held her close to his chest. Her head leaned back on his shoulder. Jungkook sighed before positioning her head towards his chest. The new position looked as if she was leaning on his chest and Jungkook was back hugging her.

There were no tingling sensations or sudden increase of heart beats between them. Their bodies were already habituated with each other. That's why Jungkook didn't feel hot and bothered when Aya's breath hit his collarbone repeatedly. His only focus was on to make Aya swallow the medicine.

"Here open your mouth," Jungkook said as he gently pulled her bottom lip to make her open her mouth.

Aya whimpered but unknowingly followed his order. She struggled to swallow the medicine that Jungkook made her drink with water. Jungkook wiped her mouth and laid her on the bed as he covered her small body with the blanket.

His heart started to feel heavy. His lips formed a pout as tears cascaded down his cheeks.

"I'm sorry, love. I failed to protect you," he swallowed thickly as the words fell out of his lips without his realization. He ducked his head and bit his bottom lip as he tried to control his sudden breakdown.

Carol was standing there by the door watching the boy who was crying silently. She put a hand over her mouth as she struggled to stop her own whimpers.

"I DON'T want to go! Papa why can't we stay with you forever? We won't do any trouble. Please let us stay."

The small boy sobbed as Jimin frantically wiped his tears.

Jin's heart clenched. He couldn't bear to see this part everytime when they used to say goodbye.

"Papa will visit soon okay? Please don't cry, baby. You're my strong boy right?" Jimin said with his croaked voice as he kissed the boy's both hands continuously.

"But why! Why can't we stay with you!?"

Jimin couldn't answer anymore. He bit down his bottom lip as he tried to hold back his tears.

"I-I'll be right back," he stood up and went out of the bedroom where his small family was sitting.

Jin noticed that Jimin was about to break down. He decided to take the matter in his own hands.

He kneeled before the boy who was sitting on the bed and was sobbing very badly. Luckily, the girl was asleep. Being a heavy sleeper, she didn't heard anything when her brother started shouting and crying.

"Look at me boy," Jin said while holding his cheeks and making the boy look at him.

"Jinie.."

The boy sobbed. Jin couldn't help but smile at how adorable he looked. He didn't look any similar to Jimin but his cute facial expressions were much like his.

"You remember the game we're playing? Your papa have to hide both of you because the thieves are looking for his diamonds and you both are the diamonds! So you both must hide otherwise you know the consequences," Jin tried to explain as much as he could. Lying to these two innocent souls broke his heart. But he didn't have any other option left. He had to protect his brother.

The boy's eyes become wider as he remembered about the game that they're playing for so long. He looked behind Jin and jumped off the bed. He ran to Jimin who was standing by the door and hugged his waist tightly.

"My papa won't be anyone's captive. No never! I'll hide, papa. We'll hide. Just for you."

Jimin glanced at his Hyung who gave him a reassuring smile.

JUNGKOOK WIPED the sweat from Aya's face and visible body parts. The girl was now soaked in sweat. Jungkook sighed as he caressed her hair again.

His eyes now looked bigger and rounder, his thin pink lips now swollen and red－ a result of his crying.

He checked the time on his phone to see it was already afternoon. He didn't want to move an inch from her side until she became healthy enough to taunt him again. But he had to. He had business to take care.

He looked at her with so much intensity as if he was memorizing her face. Because once she'd woke up, he'd never have this opportunity again.

He closed his eyes as he came closer to her face and placed a kiss on her forehead. He lingered there for a moment before opening his eyes. His eyes that were full of vulnerability.

"My anger for you will always be subsided with my love. You do know that right?" He whispered as he hopelessly searched for his answer.

"We're just captives of our own deeds," he let out a small laugh and sat straight on the bed.

He's about to leave the bed when a sweaty hand wrapped around his shaky one.

He gasped and looked back instantly only to find a pair of drowsy eyes looking at him. He squinted his eyes when he realized Aya was trying to say something to him. He came nearer.

"What is it, love? What do you want?"

He encouraged. Aya hugged his neck causing Jungkook to move closer. He froze.

"Jungkook... Don't leave me alone."

A faint smile was there on Jungkook's face. These were the same words which she used to say to him years ago. And the reply he used to give played in his mind again and again until they spilled out of his mouth.

"Never, love. You can count on me. Always."

Note :

What do you think is going on with Aya, Jimin and Jungkook? Any theories?