-💔-

Unknown number
two new messages.

Jeongguk stares at his lock screen in confusion. It's the middle of the day and he's at work, who is texting him and how did they get his number? curiosity gets the best of him. He unlocks his phone and clicks on the Unknown number texts.

Unknown Number
Hi? This is Taehyung.
Save my number.

Jeongguk stares at the screen. Ofcourse, it's Kim Taehyung. After radio silence from him for an entire week he texts him. Their parents think they are on dates, getting to know each other. Jeongguk's parents are eager to move forward with the wedding but the Kims said they will move when Taehyung says so. When Taehyung agreed, so would they. So it's the daily routine of Jeongguk being bombarded with questions of when is Taehyung going to say yes? What is taking him so long? Did you say something to him?

It gets annoying after once or twice but his parents are making sure he feels pressurized about this entire situation. Unlike Taehyung, Jeongguk doesn't have a choice in this matter. So he is glad this man is finally texting him. He saves his contact information professionally with just his name.

Jeongguk
um ok, why are you texting me?

Kim Taehyung
Let's meet up, right now.

Jeongguk
…shouldn't you be at work? it's Wednesday

Kim Taehyung
I dont work on Wednesdays. We need to talk about this arranged marriage. So come meet me at my place.

Jeongguk
I can't leave work.

Kim Taehyung
It's urgent, Jeongguk. Don't you want answers? Tell your father to let you go home :)

He can sense the mocking tone in the text but he doesn't push it. He does want answers after all and if it's from directly Taehyung then that's perfect.

Jeongguk
You are annoying. Fine, send me the address.

Kim Taehyung
[Location]

Staring at the screen as he presses on the location. It's an apartment building, one of the most expensive ones in Seoul. He didn't expect anything less. Jeongguk noticed their apartments are quite close to each other. Jeongguk only visits his apartment when he has someone over so maybe that's why they never see each other. It was a drive of 35 minutes from his workplace though.

Getting up from his chair, he turned off the computer after saving all the files he was working on. Grabbing his wallet and car keys, he heads out of the room. He sees his father's secretary on his floor and thinks it's perfect. Calling the girl out, she turns around to be face to face with him.

“Sir, is there anything you need?” She asks in her calm voice.

“Yes, secretary kwon. I need you to find my assistant and tell her to cancel everything I have for the rest of the day and let the chairman know that I am heading out for the day.” Jeongguk says to her and she nods, noting it down on her tablet.

“And if asked where did you go? What should I say?”

“Tell him I am going on a date with Kim Taehyung. He wouldn't mind me skipping work for that.” Jeongguk tells her and she looks a bit surprised. Nodding again, writing that down too. “Very well. I will leave now.” He says to her as she bows to him and tells him to have a fun date.

Jeongguk chuckles. He can only hope it will be fun. Not staying there any longer he walks over to the elevator and presses the basement floor which is where the parking is. It takes the elevator barely a minute to go down to the bottom floor. Soon the metal doors open to the gray walls of the basement. It was dimly lit but you could see all types of cars here.

The building he works in is the main building for the Jeon Group. All of their head executives members, him the CEO and the chairman all have offices in this building. It's one of the most luxurious ones they own. Jeongguk walks over to his McLaren and opens it with the key. He usually doesn't bring this type of car to work but he felt like switching today. His Mercedes benz can rest for today. Getting into the driving seat as he put the location on for Taehyung's home.

As soon as the car door swung open, Jeongguk stepped out into the crisp evening air, taking a moment to straighten his coat. He glanced up at the towering skyscraper before him, its glass façade reflecting the dying light of the afternoon. So this is where he lives ha? not bad at all. He is pretty sure the Mins also have an apartment here, so he might have to ask Yoongi about it.

He took a deep breath, clutching the bottle of vintage wine he had brought as a gift. It's rude to go to someone's place for the first time without a gift, his traditions means a lot to him.  The lobby door, sleek and automated, slid open soundlessly as he approached. Inside, the lobby was a testament to opulence: marble floors gleamed under the soft glow of chandeliers, and plush armchairs dotted the space.

A concierge desk stood at the far end, manned by a neatly dressed attendant. Jeongguk approached, his shoes tapping rhythmically against the floor. The attendant looked up, a professional smile fixed on his face.

“Good evening, sir. How may I assist you?”

“Good evening,” Jeongguk replied. “I’m here to see Kim Taehyung.”

The attendant’s eyes flickered to his screen, fingers dancing over the keyboard. “Ah, yes. Mr. Kim is expecting you. Please, follow me to the elevator.”

Jeongguk followed the attendant to a set of golden doors that slid open with a muted chime. He stepped inside, the attendant remaining behind as the doors closed. The elevator was spacious, lined with mirrors that reflected his slightly anxious expression back at him. He pressed the button marked '20' and the elevator hummed to life, whisking him upward with smooth, effortless speed. One of the top floor apartments is usually more expensive, Jeongguk should have expected that too. He tries to hide his smirk. So much for acting humble when you live in a place as luxurious as this.

As the floors ticked by, Jeongguk's thoughts wandered. A soft ding announced his arrival. The elevator doors parted to reveal a short, dimly lit hallway leading to a single door. Jeongguk took a moment to steady himself, he approached and knocked.

The door swung open almost immediately, revealing Taehyung himself. Tall and impeccably dressed, he exuded a casual elegance that he wasn't too surprised by. This is exactly what Taehyung is.

“You are here, I almost thought you weren't coming.” Taehyung says as his eyes go up and down on Jeongguk. With his designer suit that he got on, it was obvious Jeongguk came right from work.

“What did you expect, calling me to your place in the middle of work? though now that I think about it it does sound suggestive.” Jeongguk says to him, walking behind him as they both were now in the living room. Taehyung turned around swiftly in disgust.

“I would rather die.” Taehyung says to him. His eyes suddenly land on the gift Jeongguk brought for him and the latter notices that.

“I got you wine, I didn't want to come to your place empty handed for the first time as it's one of the rules we follow. Nothing more nothing less.” Jeongguk gave him the wine and Taehyung felt conflicted by it.

“That's surprisingly nice of you. I will bring some ice and glasses as we would need this. You make yourself comfortable because we are going to have a long talk.” Taehyung told him with a sarcastic smile. He put the wine on the table and exited the room.

Jeongguk sat down on the couch and took off his coat. He unbuttoned one of his dress shirt buttons and got comfortable like Taehyung wanted him to. Man spreading on his couch, he looked around to admire Taehyung's apartment. It wasn't too big but it wasn't small either. It was a perfect size. The windows gave a nice view of Seoul and the sunlight that shone through it felt nice too. The place was very beautiful.

It was clean and tidy. Most of his furniture matched with the things around, there were plants and there were photos of Taehyung and his family on the walls. There was a 50 inch TV which was perfect for the living room. Some speakers on the side. A very modern looking chandelier on top. There were some interesting figurines on shelves too. His place definitely looked alive, there were colors that indicated someone is living here and is not an interior designers nightmare.

It was definitely less boring than his family home. Jeongguk's apartment is barely furnished so there's not much competition. He doesn't live there so he never thought of putting in work like Taehyung has. That's one thing he has noticed about Taehyung. He stayed true to himself no matter what. It's admirable but Jeongguk would rather die than say that to him.

In no time, Taehyung was back with a metal bucket of ice and two wine glasses on his other hand. He put them on the table next to the wine. Opening the wine bottle with a corkscrew and thankfully there was no foam that spilled out. He poured it for both of them and put the ice cubes into the glasses. He handed one to Jeongguk who was still a little on the edge. This situation felt oddly domestic. He is in Taehyung's apartment, in his living room, drinking wine with him. It's strange.

He saw Taehyung opening the drawer that was beneath the table and taking out some snacks for them. Thus man is prepared for everything. “Help yourself with anything, I don't mind.” Taehyung told him, taking his glass and sitting back on the couch next to Jeongguk.

They both took a sip and it did taste rich and flavourful. It was a nice red wine that's for sure. Putting their glasses back on the table as they finally looked at each other. Jeongguk waited for him to speak first.

“So I called you here to talk about our wedding, obviously. Is it even happening? yes it is. I have made up my mind and I will do this.” Taehyung says to Jeongguk who felt his face fall.

“...why?”

“Why? because I want to?”

“No,you don't. Taehyung, Your family has given you the upper hand, mine is forcing me on you. So why are you saying yes when you can back out?” Jeongguk questions him and Taehyung stares at him in confusion.

“Jeongguk, I don't think you realize that we are two sides of the same coin. You agreed because you don't want to disappoint your parents and I'm doing the same. Ofcourse, I have a choice that you unfortunately don't. But I can't…I can't say no to them. They are so happy about this arrangement.”

“You are sacrificing your own happiness for theirs.” Jeongguk said to the man who hated how true his statement was.

“Why are you suddenly so against this? A week ago you were begging me to marry you.”

“because a week ago I thought we were the same. That we both have no other choice but now that I know you do I just can't understand why you would proceed with this.” Jeongguk asks him once again. The air around them gets thicker and thicker the more this argument goes on.

“I can't disappoint them!! Jeongguk, my entire life I have done what I wanted. I went to London because I wanted to, I didn't work under my father and I started to send other companies my job applications despite my father begging me to join our company. Then I moved out of our family house. I saw him upset in almost all of my decisions but in the end he still put on a smile for me and let me do what I wanted to do. I have lived my entire life for myself and this little part I want to give to him. I can't watch him be sad because of me ever again.” Taehyung tells him with his voice rising after every second.

“This is not a little part of your life. This is forever.” Jeongguk tells him he understands everything else but not this.

“It doesn't have to be. That's why I called you here. I have a plan.” Taehyung had a mischievous look on his face that Jeongguk needed another sip of his wine before he moved forward with this conversation.

“What now?”

“Even if I go into this marriage genuinely I know we won't work out. We are not what we want for our life partners. There are many differences that I doubt we can ever solve between us. We just don't get along romantically. So if I show that I'm giving this a genuine chance and after a year we can just get a divorce because it didn't work out. This way my father would be less upset too because he would know I gave it my all and we both would be out. How does that sound?” Taehyung was so confident in his plan that Jeongguk was shocked. It was a bad plan.

“That sounds good on your part but horrible on mine. My parents would never let me divorce even if you threaten to kill me in front of them. You are like a billion dollar deal to them that they can't let go.” Jeongguk says to him. Taehyung rolled his eyes at the comparison.

“They would. Jeongguk, what do your parents like about me?”

“They like that you are responsible, independent, from a chaebol family so that way you can understand our family values unlike no other. You are also handsome.” Jeongguk added that one.

“Well I will be the opposite of all that. I would be this mess of a son in law that they would be glad that you are divorcing me. I will break all your family rules and then they have to be sick of me right?” Taehyung asked Jeongguk.

“I hate to admit it but that might be a good plan. I can pretend to be the victim like I'm doing my best with what they made me marry. This is perfect, you can be the Villain.” Jeongguk was finally seeing the light in this plan.

“I hate how happy you sound about that but whatever. Anyway, yes this is my plan but there are going to be some conditions that we both have to follow for this marriage to work for a year. A contract that both of us will sign.”

“Sure, let's hear it.”

“Okay, first of all this marriage will last one year, no more no less. It's perfect to show everyone we gave it our all. The first few months let's be a perfect pretend couple and then we can start slowly falling apart.” Taehyung says the first rule. Jeongguk nods to it, taking mental notes in his mind.

“Second, we will live at my place. This apartment that we are in right now. There are two bedrooms, I will have mine and you can take the guest room. this can be our marital home or whatever you call it.” Taehyung spread his arms open to signal his place.

“My parents would never agree. I am not allowed to live outside of our house. This will make them quite mad.” Jeongguk tells Taehyung and he only smirks.

“Exactly, Jeongguk. I am not here to make them happy am I? This is the first sign of me not being a good son in law for them. I would also take you away from them which will be just so much worse.” Taehyung put his hands on Jeongguk's shoulder who moved back a bit and nodded slowly.

“You are quite smart. I didn't expect it from you.”

“Shut up. My last rule is If you have a boyfriend or girlfriend then please let me know. If you are sleeping around let me know. Pretend we are in an open relationship because I don't give a fuck who you are out with but if someone sees you and I am reading headlines with your name on it, we will be done. I can't stay with someone that the public knows as a cheater. It looks bad for my image.” Taehyung warns him and Jeongguk has to admit he does kinda look hot like this.

“Don't worry, I will make sure none of it gets out. It's good that we are not celibating because I wouldn't have been able to do that.”

“Yeah fuck whoever you want, I don't care.”

“I can say the same for you. Glad we are on the same page about this. I know almost everyone in our circle so please if you want to fuck someone, do it with someone from out of our class. I don't want to seem like a pathetic husband waiting for you to come home.” Jeongguk adds to the conversation.

“You don't have to worry about me. I don't like sleeping around. Unlike you, I don't sleep around at all.” Taehyung mocks him once again and Jeongguk rolls his eyes at him.

“Oh yeah? you do what? relationships??” he asks him jokingly.

“What's wrong with that?” Taehyung asks a genuine question and Jeongguk can't believe he has to answer that.

“fucking love ha? all that shit is fake Taehyung-ah. It's impossible for people like us to find love.”

“The fuck is that suppose to mean?”

“There are more zeroes in our back accounts than we could even read. People love money and they won't hesitate to use you for it. Love? my ass, it's the money they are after. Sure, you do get the looks too but that's all there is. It's a blank fucking canvas for people like us.” Jeongguk sounds upset and Taehyung wonders who hurt this man for him to have such a sad image of love.

“OK I don't know who broke your heart but I like to believe I'm worthy of love and I don't let my money define me. There's more to me than just money and I believe some day someone would see that. You stay in your heartless bubble and I'll stay in mine.” Taehyung responds to him and their argument dies down.

“Whatever. If you have a boyfriend, don't bring him to our place. I don't want to see another man in my house cuddling with my husband” Taehyung ignores how strange it felt when Jeongguk called him his husband.

“You don't have to take the husband thing seriously”

“I am not. It's about my pride. The sound of a man with his arms around someone whose name is attached to me just makes me want to fucking throw up. I am a jeon, mine or not, I will feel possessive over you just because of the title we will share. Husbands.” Jeongguk said to him and that was kind of attractive.

“Fine, Like I said before. Behind my back, never in front of me so I will keep the same energy for you. I don't have a boyfriend though.”

“The way you are so confident about this love bullshit it would have fooled me” And he's back to the way he was.

“whatever Jeongguk, the more you speak the more my head hurts. Fuck, the next year is going to be hard. Is there anything you want to add?” Taehyung asks him, taking his glass from the table and taking another sip as his throat feels dry.

“Yes, fourth rule? Is it fourth? I don't know. Only very very close friends can know about this deal. Your brother cannot know, the parents obviously cannot know, your work friends, boss, any type of friend cannot know. Just your best friend and let me know who else you are going to tell about this.”

“Probably Jin hyung and Hoseok hyung.” He answered to him. Jeongguk was not familiar at all with these people.

“Who the hell are those people?”

“Kim Seokjin? Son of a tyrant of electronics?”

“oh yeah, I have heard of him. The other kims.” Jeongguk laughed and Taehyung just stared at him.

“Yeah, he's been my best friend since I was like 10 and Hoseok is my colleague but also an amazing friend.”

“I said, No work friend.”

“Hobi hyung is a close friend.”

“Fine. That's it, no other people should know.”

“Yeah. Who will you tell?”

“Only Jimin. Maybe not even him. I don't know yet.” He thought about it and he wasn't sure if his best friend would even approve of all this.

“Are you a loner? Do you have any friends? didn't know you were such a loser…” Taehyung says to him rudely. Jeongguk was so offended.

“Fuck you, I have so many friends but unlike you I don't let anyone know about my business. I respect my privacy, Kim.”

“Whatever, anything else?”

“Yeah,the last rule is don't fall in love with me!” Jeongguk said it so confidently that it made Taehyung laugh at his face. When he saw Jeongguk wasn't laughing he realized he was serious.

“I'm not kidding, sweetheart. People fall on their knees for me, I have a long line of admirers whose hearts will break when I marry you.” Jeongguk tells him and he sounds so smug it makes Taehyung want to puke.

“You are so full of yourself, you don't need to worry about that. I don't even like you.” He made the boundaries clear and Jeongguk was glad.

“feeling is mutual, that's it I believe. I'll tell my lawyer to make it into a highly confidential contract and will send it to you so you can sign it.” Jeongguk tells him and Taehyung nods.

“Love the idea. I will be waiting. The second we both sign it. Let's break the news to our parents and the wedding preparations can start.”

“Glad we could come to a middle ground. See you at the altar, Taehyung.”

“You too, Jeongguk.” He grabs his glass and clinks it with Jeongguk's. Both of them take a sip as they conclude their plan. A plan full of disasters that were heading their way. They had no idea how this contract that they have out of love will cost them a lot more than they are prepared for.

-💔-
oh we are finally getting started.

Question for you guys, who do you think will fall in love first? let me know because I'm curious what you guys think.
Love yall
-K