✨

seoul, south korea
two months ago

Along a marbled pathway, Jungkook juggled putting on his tie and sprinting towards a multi-story building as he was already late for work. He wasn't always like this.

His usual routine involves getting up earlier than a usual eight to five employee, take a shower—preferably cold to wake him up, put on his suit and leave his apartment before the sun rises. But he just had to miss the bus.

Right in front of the building's entrance, a black van with heavily tinted windows stopped spewing out a petite looking raven-haired girl holding her morning coffee. She was muttering something as three other men walked off the vehicle.

"—and I repeat, I don't fucking care if you didn't have your beauty sleep! It's not my fucking fault you stayed up late playing all those video games! I specifically told you to sleep early because you have a fucking photoshoot this morning—oh hi Secretary Jeon."

"Good morning Manager Kim," he greeted as he stopped a few feet away from the group. "I see you're here for a meeting?"

Manager Kim shook her head. "They're here for practice. They'll be having a comeback on the 27th."

"Oh. I guess it'll be another busy month for you guys," he said smiling at the boys behind Manager Kim--all looking equally sleepy. "I'm hoping you all got yourselves enough rest during your breaks?"

"Yeah," Jimin--the pink-haired one, said. He was wearing a pair of big 'ol Raybans and his usual practice clothes. "A full year of overseas concerts and only a week break surely gave us enough rest."

His mouth flew wide open as the cranky vocalist walked past him. Jin--the currently blonde one, apologized and gave him a quick smile before running over his co-member and putting his arm around his shoulder. The latter brushed it off in annoyance.

"What's gotten his knickers in a twist?" He asked--his gaze still on the members' retreating figures.

"Rosie won't talk to him," Namjoon--the brown-haired one, supplied making him furrow his brows. "He forgot to call her yesterday because he was too tired and fell asleep as soon as the photoshoot ended. It was their anniversary."

His mouth formed an "o" and nodded. At times, he would feel sympathetic towards the company's artists as they don't get to experience a normal life. They would work nonstop to entertain their fans and they have to sacrifice almost everything just to make them happy. Especially dating.

Dating is a taboo in the entertainment industry. It always have and always will be. Why, you may ask? Because it kills the fantasy. The fantasy that boy group (and also girl group) members only loves them. Or that they have a chance with at least one of them.

So to keep the fans happy, they enforce dating bans to shoo away the thoughts of their favorite idols dating. But in reality, the artists are as free as a bird. They can date all they want as long as it's hidden or kept lowkey. Just like what Jimin and Rosie are doing.

"I already sent a big-ass bouquet to her apartment this morning," Manager Kim said as she took some bags out of the van—which he immediately helped carry. "She'll call as soon as she sees them."

"I don't think that'll suffice though," he said. "Why not arranged a private meeting between the two this lunch break. I can call to reserve a practice room and set up a picnic style date for the two so they could talk."

Manager Kim raised an eyebrow at him same as with Jin.

"Jimin will be cranky all practice," he explained. "Do you guys really want that? Helping them iron things out would make things easier for your practice. And we all know a happy Jimin is the best Jimin. Don't you think?"

The brunette girl clasped her hands together and beamed.

"Oh my you're right!" she blurted out then smiled. "You're really smart, Secretary Jeon. Thank you!"

Ecstatic, the female manager marched towards the building. Namjoon turned to him and smiled as well.

"You're a life saver," he stated as they followed the woman's trail. "You really are the best at your job, Secretary Jeon. I mean, you do the conventional stuff Secretaries do but, you also do the unconventional ones."

He smiled. "That's too generous of a compliment, Namjoon-ssi. I just simply do my job to watch over you guys as what CEO Jung does—"

"Secretary Jeon! Secretary Jeon!" Jungkook turned towards the person calling. "Secretary Jeon, there's an emergency!"

His ears perked and Namjoon took the bags he was carrying and excused himself.

"What is it, Mr. Cho? What's the emergency?"

The older employee took his phone out and showed it to him. His eyes grew wide the moment he saw the headline making him grab the device from the team manager and take a closer look.

[BREAKING] JHS Entertainment CEO Jung Hoseok photographed in front of a casino in Las Vegas. Sources say that the young CEO was gambling and using funds of said company. We are currently waiting for their statement regarding this. Tune in for more updates.

And as if on cue, Jung Hoseok's black Mercedes stopped in front of the building. Jungkook gave the tablet back and immediately made his way out of the building and towards the luxurious car. A flock of reporters suddenly popped out of nowhere and started taking blinding pictures of the young CEO getting out of his car.

"Excuse me, CEO Jung! What's your statement regarding the embezzling allegations?"

"Is it true you were gambling in Las Vegas?"

"Your stocks are currently at its lowest, any comment on that?"

He--together with the company guards, rushed to protect their boss from the swarm of vultures and helped him pass through to the crowd unscathed. He might've been hit my a camera or two but that wasn't necessarily a problem.

"Mr. Jung! Please! A word!"

The man behind him pushed a tad bit stronger that made him almost fall to the ground face first if not for CEO Jung helping him. His boss turned to the reporter, removed his sunglasses and glared.

"I wasn't gambling, I was there to visit my sister. Anything else?" the man said rather rabidly. But his statement did not seem to be enough for said reporters as they continued to bombard him with questions.

"Who is this sister you're saying? Can we know any other details about her?"

"You're an only son, how is it possible for you to have a sister?"

"Is she your mother's rumored love-child with Chef Manoban?"

Jungkook saw how his boss rolled his eyes before putting his sunglasses back on and resume walking straight towards the building. The other bodyguards did their jobs tremendously. Not a single reporter slipping into the company premise.

"Media. You do what they want yet they still ask for more. I can't with them anymore," his boss muttered.

The two of them made their way towards the elevator with every employee they pass by bowing. Mr. Jung may be young but he was truly amazing at his job. Aside from he was well trained by his mother in the line of business, he graduated with an MBA at Harvard. Not to mention that his way of running the company wasn't dictatorship like most companies but rather a democratic and liberal one. He treats all his employees as colleagues rather than payed help. Even the building's night shift janitor, he knows his name. So seeing the news about him embezzling funds and whatnot, was truly shocking.

But not once did he ever hear about a sister of his in his five years working in JHS. Nor from his boss himself.

As soon as they entered the metal box, Jung Hoseok let out a sigh. Then he smiled.

"Well at least now I'll have a valid excuse to leave the company, right?"

That caught him off-guard. Leaving?

"Sir?"

Hoseok put his arm around the young secretary and patted his shoulder lightly.

"I'll be heading back to New York next week," he says and the elevator doors opened. They both step out and headed straight to his office. "I'm not sure when I'll be back so someone very dear to me will temporarily sit as the CEO in my place."

Jungkook's forehead creased as he followed his boss into his gigantic office. The latter stood in front of the full-sized window overlooking the busy city. He spoke.

"If I may ask, Mr. Jung, but, isn't it rather... abrupt?"

The CEO smiled and turned to him.

"Yes, yes it is," the guy answered before turning back towards the view. He walked closer to him and faced the unparalleled skyline of Seoul. "But everyone is entitled to have their spontaneous moments, right Secretary Jeon?"

"Depyunim..."

"I'm dying, Jungkook. Osteosarcoma," Hoseok said shocking the younger man. "I've known about it since a couple of months ago but I didn't want to go through those treatments and all that shit. I just wanted to live life normally and be with my family 'til... 'Til I can."

Jungkook stood frozen on his feet, facing his boss' side. The man did not look sick at all. He looked the same way he first met him. But he did have those days when he'd complain about his legs. He did buy him a few pain relievers during those times.

"H...How are you now?" he asked but immediately regretted. Who asks that to someone dying? Like, wtf?

Jung Hoseok turned to him and smiled.

"I'm sorry Mr. Jung--"

"It's fine, Kook," he said patting his shoulder. "I'm fine. I will be, hopefully. As opposed to what I have initially planned, I'm heading to New York to get myself treated and all that shit."

Curious, Jungkook wanted to ask why. What pushed him to do the treatments? What gave him hope? Or who? Who was worth living for?

But he can't do just do that. They have boundaries he couldn't just cross like that and he--of all people, should respect his boss' privacy.

"They say when you love someone, you'd be willing to die for them," his boss suddenly said. "But I guess that's just for the movies. 'Coz real love is when you're willing to live for them."

Jungkook couldn't help but smile. So his boss is in love. And he's doing all of this for that special person. How lucky—whoever she is.

"My sister will be the one to temporarily sit in my position 'til I get back and I want you to help her with everything," the guy said putting both hands inside his pocket. "Technically, she's my half-sister. He's Marco and my mom's daughter. And no, she isn't a bastard. My mom was already married to Chef Manoban when they had Lisa."

One can see the sparkle inside his boss' eyes when he spoke about his sister. He knew that the CEO would be that kind of big brother. He already was like that with Ji Eun and all other artists of the company. What more to someone related by blood? He smiled.

"Of course, Mr. Jung. You can count on me—"

"But she's not like me, Jungkook," Hoseok said with all seriousness wrapped around his words. "She's... she's a lot of work. But she has her reasons. I love her to bits and trust me when I say that she's worth it. I just... please be patient with her, okay?"

Jungkook couldn't help but be wary. What did his boss mean when he said she's a lot of work? Is she a troublemaker or something?

"I will do my best, Mr. Jung," was all that he could say before bowing 90 degrees. "And I truly wish you a fast recovery."

"That I will, Jungkook," Hoseok said with a wide grin. "Whoelse would rescue you from her?"

What's the worst thing that could happen?

✨

las vegas, nevada

"Again!"

The dancers flinched as Lisa's voice echoed inside the theater. Her eyes threw daggers at every one of them as they scurried to their rightful places for the act and began to dance again.

"It's called The Dance of the Swans, not The Dance of f**king ducks! Again!"

The dancers did the best they could to gain the primaballerina's favor as her opinion as of the moment, matters the most. She was the star of the said production five years ago and getting praised by her would mean that they are a force to be reckoned with.

"You call that an arabesque?! Even a seven-year old can do better!"

Extensions, turns, jumps and splits, the dancers gave all their best and projected like it's already show day. Their legs hurt but it was for the love of dance—something everyone in the closed confinement of the room has in common.

Well it used to be for Lisa, at least.

"You all disgust me! Take five!"

The dancers all crashed on the wooden floor of the stage as she marched towards her seat. She reviewed all papers sprawled on the table and checked the profiles of each dancer.

They were all good, yes but, not good enough. They had to be perfect to gain positive reviews from the critics and secure a permanent Las Vegas show.

On the far corner of the stage, two dancers look in horror at Lisa Manoban. They know exactly what'll happen next whenever she reviews their profiles. Julia, a new recruit, was clueless.

"Hey Ryujin, Rina," she called the two. "Why do you two look like you're about to pass out?"

"She's reviewing our profiles," Ryujin said while clutching on Julia's hand tightly.

"So?" Lisa asked which shocked the two dancers.

"You're the new kid, right?" Rina asked and the latter nodded. "I guess that's why you look confused. Okay. Here's the juice. Lisa is one of the best—if not the best, ballerina in the country making her the toughest one to please. But her words are like gospel. Once you gain her approval, you have a bright future ahead of you."

"Alice, Dakota, Yeji and Rina," Lisa suddenly called startling the girl. "To the center of the stage, please."

Julia's eyebrows furrowed as the girl beside her stood up and did as she was told. Ryujin sat closer to her.

"This is why it's scary when she reads the profiles," the girl whispered. "Impromptu showcase. Make or break time."

"Like a 'dance for your life' thing?"

Ryujin nodded. The two dancers watched as one after the other, the four dancers called out danced—for their lives. "Look at her closely. You have to be observant with her expressions."

Lisa stared blankly at the first dancer—Alice, for a good second before scribbling something on the paper.

"That. That look right there means she's no good," Ryujin explained as Lisa placed the piece of paper facing downwards to her right. "The reject pile."

Then, when Dakota—the second dancer, started dancing, Lisa sported her usual blank stare for three seconds before scribbling down on the paper.

"She's safe," Ryujin continued. Lisa placing the paper to her right. "At least for now. Back-up dancer."

Then a raven-haired girl—whose name was Yeji, danced. Lisa's eyebrow raised but she still had that cold stare. Five seconds. Then everyone clapped. Julia was yet again, confused.

"Five seconds mean she's talented. Lead material," she said clapping. Lisa placing the paper in front of her. "The last time she did that was with Annie Kim."

"Annie Kim?!" Julia exclaimed. "The Annie Kim? New York's Giselle?!"

"The one and only."

Julia muttered an inaudible 'wow' before turning her attention back at the remaining dancer. Rina.

The girl started to dance. Lisa raised an eyebrow as well but instead of a cold stare, she was smiling. A bit creepy as she retained the expression for a good five seconds.

"Oh no..."

Julia turned to Ryujin who abruptly stood up.

"What's wrong?" she asked. "She raised an eyebrow and looked for five seconds. It meant she's amazing, right?"

"She smiled," Ryujin said as Lisa stood from her seat with Rina's paper at hand. "That's the devil's smile, Julia. It only means one thing."

"What?"

"No talent."

Lisa ripped the paper in front of everyone making the poor girl burst out crying. Ryujin immediately ran towards the poor girl who just got cut from the company. Some girls did too.

Julia watched as Lisa stood from her seat and walked towards the theater's exit. How can one person be this mean?

"She's cruel, yes but, she knows what she's doing," someone from behind her said. "She's the best ballerina of our generation."

"Then why'd she stop?"

✨

Lisa walked out of the theater and headed straight to the exit. Then someone suddenly called her name.

"Lisa?" She froze as soon as she recognized the voice. "Oh my God Lisa it is you!"

She felt a pair of arms wrap around her body as soon as she turned.

"Mina," she said monotonously. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here with Bam. We decided to go have a weekend off and saw your name at one pf the posters," she said smiling widely. "I could not not come here to greet you!"

She can't help but smile. Minari and Bambam were the closest to her back at the academy. The three of them were often regarded to as the Golden Trio of the New York Ballet Company until...

"So you're dancing again?" Mina asked enthusiastically. "You're dancing again right? That means you'll come back to New York?"

She shook her head and just smiled. Then gave her old friend a tight hug.

"I missed you," she said. "Give my regards to Bammie, okay? I need to head out to a meeting. But here's my number. Let's hang out tomorrow, okay?"

Mina reluctantly agreed and gave the her friend another hug before heading out.

The smile on Lisa's face faded as she turned back to her trail—straight to her private studio.

✨

Lisa's arm extended flawlessly as the beat grew faster. She executed her turns with crisp and power. She embodied the Black Swan as the music progressed—her arms flapping precisely like that of a swan's.

Pirouette after pirouette, she spun sharply at ease while projecting the devious glint on Odile's eyes. Her right leg extended beautifully as her other supported her body as she balanced effortlessly with every pause.

And with the final leap before the final pose, images of her car colliding with another suddenly flashed before her. She suddenly felt a sharp stabbing pain on her leg—similar to that of her accident. Her knees buckled and she fell helplessly on the floor.

She cursed. They were liars. They all are. They said she could go back and dance again. They said she can recover from the hit. They lied. She can't dance anymore. She can never dance anymore.

"I'm dying, Lis..."

Her brother's words from his previous visit rang into her ears.

"Please do this for me. You're the only one I know who can handle the company in my place," he pleaded.

"I'll think about it," was all he got from her.

Now she has an answer.

Lisa grabbed her phone from the floor and tapped on it. Overseas calls cost a lot but she didn't really care now.

"Hello Lis—"

"If I do this, it's only temporary," she bargained. "You have to get better, oppa. If you don't, I'll drag you back to the company even if you're in the depths of hell."

She could just imagine how wide her brother's smile would be right now.

"I knew I could count on you, Lis," he said. "Thank you, my dear sister."

What could possibly go wrong, right?

✨

seoul, south korea

Jungkook ran. Ran out of the JHS building like his life depended on it. He didn't think that Mr. Jung's meeting would take hours but it did and now he's running late. And Seoul traffic's the worse at this hour.

"Taxi!" he called but someone had beaten him to it. He silently cursed and fished his phone from his suit's pocket.

5:30 pm

He still had a solid 30 minutes but the distance between Seoul and Gimpo would most likely take him around 20 minutes minus the traffic. He still have to pick up his things and change too so it'll be a miracle for him to arrive on time.

But nothing's impossible for Jeon Jungkook. He can do anything as long as he sets his mind on it.

He went back into the building and looked around, searching for a certain colleague. His mouth formed a grin when Kim Mingyu, from the Marketing Office, walked along the halls of JHS carrying his motorcycle helmet.

Desperate times calls for desperate measures.

✨

"Not a single scratch, Jeon," the guy yelled as he put the helmet on. "Not a single f**king scratch, you hear me!"

He just gave the guy an "okay" sign and drove away with Mingyu's motorcycle. He flew through alley after alley, then through the busy traffic at ease and managed to arrive at the airport with minutes to spare. Good thing Gyu's motorcycle's top of the line so its speed exceeds that of a passenger car.

Parking the motorcycle at the basement area of a building a few blocks away from the airport, he made his way to the lockers and took a rectangular metal case from it. Then he changed from his formal suit to a much more comfortable pair of sweats and hoodie both in black. He also traded his leather shoes for a pair of Nike's and put on his black cap and black face mask.

After a quick look at his watch, he then marched out of the parking area and made his way towards the arrivals area of Gimpo Airport.

A group of reporters as well as fansites like him all gathered behind a barricade.

"Her plane just landed!" a girl's voice from somewhere said that made him smile.

He took out his camera—equipped with the latest set of lens perfect for long range shots, and waited for South Korea's sweetheart to grace them with her presence.

A few minutes passed and finally, Lee Ji Eun—popularly known as IU, appeared. He started to take shots of the beautiful artist.

"IU! Saranghe!"

"Unnie! Saranghe!"

"Noona!"

Jungkook clicked away. Shot after shot, he couldn't help but swoon at her contagious smile. Yes, that sounded a bit gay-ish but who cares? His heart can't help but somersault every time she turns to them—the fansites, and smile. And whenever she waves at them, he can't help but feel giddy all over.

I'd die for you, noona.

He followed her as she went out of the airport, towards her black van. Before she entered the said vehicle, she turned towards him, pointed then waved. Even under immense shock, he continued taking pictures while waving back.

"Isn't that Ji Eun is Life master-nim?" he heard one fan said as IU got inside the car and the fan cheers subsided. "Oh my gosh she recognized him! How lucky!"

"Well he deserves it, really. He's been with her since her debut days until now. He's like the master of all IU master-nims out there. Tall about dedication. I bet he's secretly her boyfriend or something..."

He couldn't help but smile behind his mask.

Boyfriend? He wished. But IU was way beyond his league. She's like the best thing that has happened to Korea—well aside from the end of Korean War, but close. She's beautiful, talented and has the purest soul. He should know because, she's under JHS Entertainment.

His colleagues have no idea about his secret life. And he has no plans on revealing it anytime soon since they might think that the only reason he applied in JHS was for Ji Eun.

At first—being the stupid young fanboy, he indeed applied to JHS in the hopes of getting closer to her. Yes, it sounds a bit stalker-ish but he was young. And foolish. But yeah, he did apply to JHS and landed a job as one of the staff. He used to collect information about Ji Eun for his own benefit but eventually enjoyed his job which he was very good at.

Apparently being a fansite does have its perks as it was kinda similar to what he does in the company. Only difference is that, his legit job was legal. The other one was... okay.

"Oh my God it's Royal!"

"Where?! Oppa!"

"They're here!"

Wait. What?! He has to hide!

As amazing as his disguise was, he wouldn't take any chances of getting caught. He gives much importance to his day-job as much as he loves his fanboy'ing.

But the flock of fangirls running to his direction says otherwise.

"Oh sh*t."

✨

Lisa was pissed. Not only was her luggage lost but her brother—who's on his way to pick her up, was caught in traffic. How was she supposed to get a good rest after that painstakingly awful 15-hour flight?!

To add to her bad luck, he phone battery died.

"Oh come on!" She yelled at her phone.

She didn't notice her carry-on luggage rolled a few inches away. A loud thud followed by another thud caught her attention.

Jungkook winced in pain as he sprawled on the floor. Due to panic, he wasn't able to notice the carry-on luggage bag in front of him which resulted to him trampling over. Even his camera case followed him on the floor.

"What the heck?" A female's voice yelled close to him as the luggage he's currently on top of, was yanked away. "What are you doing to my luggage?! Are you a thief?!"

His eyes grew wide in shock. He immediately stood up. "What? No!"

"Then how do you explain this? You basically tackled my bag!"

"I did not!" he argued back—grabbing his mask off. "Your bag was the one blocking the way!"

"That's not possible! You're clearly about to steal it right under my nose—"

Jungkook acted on instinct. She grabbed the hysterical girl out of the way as a group of fangirls ran towards their direction.

He must've underestimated his strength as the girl clumsily collided with his body making him lose his balance.

One thing he was saving the girl from getting trampled on and the next thing he knows she's already on top on him with their lips on each other's.

What the hell did just happen?!

✨