Jungkook found comfort in the peacefulness of his room, surrounded by the usual vanilla scent lingering in the air and the fervid smell of paint. He loved painting and photography since he was a kid in Busan.It gave him a sense of freedom,a way to express his thoughts and feelings, escape his horrible life,his perplexing worries about his uncertain future and enter the world of colours and capturing the moments.
But today that feeling was gone. The paintings and photographs on the walls weren't enough to create happy thoughts. He shuffled through the drawer of his nightstand until his fingers found a packet of cigarettes. He lifted the flip top,his thumb and index finger drew out one,a small flame exploded from the paper wrapping and the smell instantly danced around him.
The scent of thick smoke enveloped his senses. Like small puzzle pieces the cigarette seemed to fit perfectly between his slender fingers with coziness. He touched it between his dry, plump lips letting the smoke flow into his lungs. His breath grew relaxing and with each inhale followed a gentle exhale. His tired eyes shut with ease, continuing to breathe in the silence of his room till it filled it, blending with the strong smell of paint.
Jeon Jungkook was in desperate need of relaxation. In his twenty five years of hardship, some in the cold walls of the orphanage he was raised in,had left their marks on his soul. He was listed as ' of unknown origin' abandoned by his mother as an infant,just two weeks old,named after the institution's benefactor Jeon Jyunhyn and was given his first name by the woman who found him at the doorstep, wrapped in a light blue blanket, shivering from the cold breeze and crying.
Growing up he was deprived of mother's love and affection, knowing only the strict rules of the staff but didn't complain. He got used to having or expecting nothing from life. He often wondered why his mother didn't want him, why she left him but eventually he decided he didn't care to find out. She abandoned him and that was enough for him to understand that he was simply an unwanted burden.
Two years afterwards,Jimin ,one year older than him,was brought to the orphanage, having lost both his parents in a car accident, his relatives had no wish to take care of him and as time flew the two boys hit it right off! It was love at first sight for both of them! They became best friends, brothers in good and bad.
He moved to the window, leaning against the wall. Jungkook was born stubborn,sassy and incredibly naughty,contradicting his angelic face and sweet mouth. That alone got him out of trouble more often than he wanted. There was always a fight to pick at school,a jaw or a nose to bleed, a face to punch,a ' break in' to the kitchen to raid the fridge and get his favourite banana milk or snacks from the cupboard.
Poor Jimin was present to defend his baby brother,protect and comfort him after his usual punishment. He adored his little devil and found it an obligation and joy to get him out of trouble. They only had each other to rely on for years and fill in the void of missing parental love. Jungkook created chaos with his mischievous acts and Jimin cleaned after his mess! The younger was hard to tame, impossible to control but Jimin loved him dearly. He had discovered his purpose in life.
Jimin's decision to reveal he was interested in boys was embraced with sincere affection and profound understanding by Jungkook who swore if anyone messed with his brother would meet his fist so severely not even a plastic surgeon could fix them! On the contrary, Jungkook was the badass of the school. The bad boy,not a bully, flirting and chasing after girls who seemed drawn to him likes flies for his astonishing good looks, fit body and bad attitude. A killer combination!
At eighteen and working part time at a cafe with Jimin, he had his first tattoo,his birth flower, that much he knew about himself, a tiger lily and continued to decorate his left arm from his shoulder down. Ear, lip and his latest addition brow piercing followed, giving stronger badass vibes, driving women and men crazy! But Jungkook was straight, paying no attention to men drooling over him. His only interest was to bang chicks with curves and big tits and that mere thought made him shiver.
The cigarette in his fingers had burnt out and walking to his desk,he threw it in the ashtray,heading to his bed. He laid down, trying to make himself comfortable, folding his hands beneath his head and stretching his legs, simply staring at the ceiling as his mind travelled to his favourite hyungs.
Kim Jin and Kim Namjoon..their savours! A married couple with no children who frequently visited the orphanage and was interested in adopting Jungkook and Jimin but he strongly refused for reasons that hurt him even thinking about them..it still ached his heart. At some point,seeing Jimin's desire to be part of a family he changed his mind and the Kims adopted them when Jungkook was twelve and Jimin thirteen.
The best decision of their lives! The hyungs were wonderful, extraordinary people with understanding and sympathy. They were both given love and the freedom to make their own choices in life. Finished school,went to university,graduated and then his world came crashing down, compelling him to make tough decisions and leading them to the present.
They abandoned everything,moved to Seoul to the hyungs apartment and got a job at that freaking club. The beginning of Jungkook's long and painful journey. It was fair to say Jungkook blamed himself for everything. He ought to have been more cautious,more persistent, not letting things get out of hand to the point of losing control.
But nobody ever controlled fate..hard to escape your destiny or what's written for you. His life had been a constant battle for survival but he chose to see the bright side of things. He was healthy,alive and had a beautiful family. Ok,his love life sucked but he was optimistic. Eventually he'd find the right woman to love and care for.
He had missed his hyungs though! Too much..
If it hadn't been for them,he and Jimin wouldn't have survived the cruelty of the orphanage. There were times the staff left them without food and water as a punishment, locked him into a dark room beneath the huge staircase with no window and light to abide him and teach him a lesson, ultimately leading him to suffer from claustrophobia.
But he wouldn't cry,shout or beg to get out,refusing to show weakness and vulnerability. He'd gritted his teeth and endured it.He kept everything inside him,pulling up, frantically seeking a way out. One of the reasons he preferred his bike to driving a car and not use the elevator.
Jungkook thought he was seriously messed up!
As tiredness from overworking took over,he yawned, gripping onto the covers and turned to the left side,closing his eyes to sleep but unfortunately that devilish smirk flashed before him, forcing him to open them.
" Grh! I hate that guy! Just get out of my head! Grh.. don't want you here.." As he shut them again, inhaling and exhaling to calm his rage,it appeared..again! Why the hell was that man's image stuck in his head? Why couldn't he just vanish? Disappear forever? He rubbed his forehead, sighing.
In a snit he kicked the covers with his feet, growling, grabbed his banana milk from the nightstand, folding his knees and leaning his head on the pillows against the headboard. The milk was refreshing as he savoured the taste. What he really needed was a triple whiskey but was too sluggish to get up. He scrolled on tiktok,watched cooking videos on YouTube, and memorized the recipes in his brain.
Cooking was another pleasure he had picked up living with Jin hyung. He was an excellent cook! Thinking of the delicious food he'd eat going back home,he fell asleep,the phone on his chest,snoring cutely and the next morning found him sleeping upside down on the bed,as usual!
__________
Ponderous, heavy gaits thudded in the silence of the empty floor as Kim Taehyung marched inside his office, shutting the door behind him with a loud thug, straight to the mini bar on the right side of his glass desk, pouring himself a drink and swinging it down his throat. After pouring another one,he stood by the window,peering at the awe-inspiring view of the city,dressed in luminous,sheeny lights,road bustling in traffic,taking a generous sip of his favourite whiskey and resting his shoulder on the frame.
He so longed for a cigarette, ignoring his inner voice, warning him to quit while he could but damn! His mind was jumbled like the Gordian Knot as he wagged his head." Oh fuck it!" He reached his drawer, searched under a pile of documents and found a packet of cigarettes. He took one out, sniffing it under his nose and flicked his silver lighter, creating a small spark as he inhaled to ignite it. His rosy lips wrapped around the cigarette,his cheeks hollowing. His lungs expanded inhaling the smoke leaving a slight warmth, holding it between his long fingers.
A sense of calmness overtook him,sucking in a steady stream of smoke, closing his eyes. Jeon was there,24/7, igniting a cosmic longing that caused his body to heat. He couldn't get that boy out of his head as much as he tried. He was stuck there for far too long.. longer than he wanted,needed or wished for.
It was entertaining at first. Casually flirting, discreetly provoking him with light sexual hints and erotic gazes, always maintaining a safe distance without touching him or making him uncomfortable only to enjoy the intense, rageful look in those dazzling, big,doe eyes, making them sparkle like bonfires. To see those full,plump lips curve in a fit of temper..
How he yearned to taste them..lick and suck them..
Today he lost control. He broke the one rule he had set on himself.' Look but don't touch.' A frustrated sigh broke free from his throat, quaffing a sip of his whiskey,taking another puff of his blem trapped in his fingers,the same ones that nudged the delicate outline of Jungkook's lips. His flesh was roaring from desire..a desire he had no power to stop.
What had started as a trivial, carefree teasing had turned easily into an obsession. Taehyung wanted him. Needed him with a maddening crave,a hollowing need that smouldered his soul. An unsatisfied desire that infuriated him for taking it this far. At Jungkook for rejecting him, treating as an asshole. At him for insisting when clearly the boy had absolutely no interest in him. Apparently his flirting triggered Jungkook's wrath and he'd show it every chance he got.
Taehyung found his converted rudeness justified. It was his fault for wanting to fuck a straight guy and he was seriously considering giving up! What was the point of insisting since the boy didn't give a damn? There were plenty of other men and women to take to bed.."None of them like him, though" he lisped. The boy was a stunner ! A masterpiece!
Tonight he had gone to the club with the intention of shutting his eyes to his alluring presence, finish his job and go home but seeing him so fucking handsome in his uniform,he slipped again!
He intentionally called him downstairs, provoking him and ended up touching him! That touch..so soft and warm but electrifying,woke up the starving beast inside him, unfolded the consuming need to devour him. He wanted to kick those silly boys out,close the window and fuck him to submission !But it would be a crime so he had to get himself together and avoid him as much as possible.
Taehyung knew his limits and where to draw the line. He'd never force anyone to bed, especially him. He couldn't hurt him. Treat him like a worthless piece of meat to fulfil his twisted needs. Jungkook couldn't be bought or bribed. Money wasn't his objective and he wouldn't sell his body for luxuries. All he had left as an option was to face it,endure it and move on.
He could have whoever he wanted, whoever his money could buy. Boys and girls were begging for one night in his bed, willing to participate in his fantasies. Why wasn't that enough to feed his hunger?
He moved to the grey, leather couch,resting his back on the soft furniture,legs spread open, the burnt cigarette on his right hand,the glass clutched inside his veiny palm,on his thigh. Without sparing a glance he threw the butt in the ashtray beside him, shutting his tired eyes.
Jungkook.. Jungkook was all he could think and see even now. How he yearned to kiss those cherry lips,sink his teeth in the velvety flesh of his neck and nipples, flicking them with his tongue, biting them.. take a whiff of his intoxicating, vanilla scent and bury himself into the depths of his warmness..have his hands hooked around his tiny waist,listen to the euphoric sound of his voice begging him for more..more of his touches,kisses.. screaming his name when reaching an orgasm..
His hand slithered between his thighs, rubbing his already hard cock,moaning at the thought of having Jungkook knelt,sucking him..His chest burning,moving up and down,his eyes glimmering with carnal sensation..He bet that boy was fire in bed! In the deafening silence and isolation of his office,his hand unbuckled the black, leather belt, crawling it inside his pants ready to relieve himself when he heard footsteps approaching in the distance.
He quickly removed his hand, buckled his belt and stood up, sitting in his chair to cover his erection and swayed the muddled thoughts, inhaling deeply.
" I knew I'd find you here." A voice echoed in the silence." It's becoming a habit, Tae." The man shut the door as he drew closer and stood across the glass desk, hands jammed in the patch pockets of his dark, blue jeans.
" I guess you know me too well, Seojoon. I'm a man of habits." His best friend and associate took a seat and folded his legs, scratching his jaw.
" Normal people work during the day. You on the other hand prefer to spend your nights stooping over files,swamped in work."
" Who said I'm normal?"
"Thought you were perfect."
" We all have our flaws,buddy."
" You? Flaws? Hard to believe!" He lifted his brow.
" My only one. Apart from that..all killer no filler!" Despite his sarcastic tone he honestly believed he was. Taehyung possessed the ability to regard himself as immaculate,daring and graciously intuitive. Born to lead. An oppressive, callous, inexpiable businessman,his enemies and rivals dreaded to oppose knowing they'd be eliminated in a blink of an eye.
A self-made autopreneur, starting from the gutters of a slum in Daegu, climbing up the ladder of success,building it brick by brick and creating an empire. Taehyung wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty,on the contrary he had learnt to deal with assholes his entire life and that molded his fearless character.
" What are you doing here anyway? Run out of video games?" Taehyung teasingly asked, certain his friend had given up an interesting game to search for him. Their first encounter at university,where Taehyung was on full scholarship, was hilarious.
Seojoon was given a dare by his friends to kiss the first person entering the cafeteria and Tae was his victim. He had walked up to him, looked at him terrified,attempted to kiss his cheek only to get a punch in the face.
Seojoon was totally embarrassed,red as a poppy, quickly apologised and offered to pay for his lunch. He met the rest of the gang,Woo-shik,Hyung-sik and Peakboy and instantly clicked. All coming from wealthy families with power and fame but simple and polite. They were inseparable till now.
" You'd wish! I was looking for you. We gotta talk."
Taehyung's face stiffened,his eyes narrowed and brows snapped together." Did you make anything out of the flash drive I gave you?"
"Nothing. It's coded and impossible to crack."
" Find someone who knows."
" A hacker? That's illegal Tae."
Taehyung was deep in thoughts, pondering on what the hell Chang was doing and where he was involved." I know but that's our only option.Hopefully we'll discover something or eventually they'll make a mistake. There's no perfect crime."
" They've been doing this for at least a decade without raising suspicions and the police don't have a clue. I'm afraid for you Tae. This situation" he emphasized."is dangerous."
The man huffed." I'm extremely careful and I'll be fine. I'll get you more information,more evidence to get to the bottom of this."he reassured him but Seojoon didn't seem too convinced by his friend's optimism.
" Are you, really? We've been investigating this damn business for the past year and so far we've got scrambles. Nothing solid. Nothing to indicate their involvement in criminal actions. We can't be sure what we're looking for.And you're losing yourself in there." He leaned forward, eyes on his friend's dour face." That place is killing you..killing everything good inside you. Please stop it and let someone else handle it. A professional."
" I don't trust anyone but us to find out the truth, Seojoon."
" You hope that by using the proof, you'll blackmail them into telling you what happened." Seojoon concluded, shaking his head and bitterly chuckled.
" I'll force them. Use it as leverage Make them spill the truth. Torture them if I have to. Even if it's the last noble thing I do!I need to know. It's the only way to ease my guilt." His eyes blazed with fury, forehead creased and his mouth twitched.
But the pain in his voice broke his friend's heart. " I have to keep searching, Seojoon. Understand why and who's behind it. I'm tired of assuming and speculating, trying to think positive and not give in to fear. Don't ask me to stop.."
His ocean eyes had a mixture of darkness and danger,he had never seen before." I'll make them beg for their pathetic lives unless they tell me what I need to know."
Seojoon came to the striking realization that no matter how hard he tried to persuade him to stop or insisted,he had made up his mind a long time ago. He couldn't blame him. He also needed to know.
" I still believe it's a bad idea but I'm with you one hundred percent. I have witnessed how devastated this entire situation has been for you.I'll do whatever it takes to get to the bottom of this. We're in this together."
His devotion and reassurance was a Godsend gift. His family and friends were the only people he could rely on and he felt damn lucky to have them. Without their support and love he wouldn't have become the powerful man he was. He wouldn't have built an empire from scratch and he would have remained a nothing..a nobody..still living in the slums, fighting to make ends meet.
" Ok.. let's drop for now and" Seojoon's lips formed a smirk." concentrate on you and that club of yours. Any interesting news? Anyone worthy of Kim's attention?"
" I'm not the sentimental type, buddy. I don't pay attention to trivial stuff."
" You hit and run!"
" I fuck and run!" He corrected him, leering at Jeon's pretty face and killer body with Seojoon getting the hint from the sudden,dazzling glow in his eyes.
" You cunning fox! You've got your eye on someone! Man or woman?"
" Why not both? I'm not picky."
Seojoon burst out laughing." You're fucken unbelievable! How can you do it? Fucking different people every night,no strings attached? No guilt or emotion?"
" Simple." Taehyung tapped his fingers on the glass." I've got a stone for a heart. I can't feel love if this place" e touched his heart" is empty. And why would I feel guilty for enjoying what's gladly offered? Life's a game and we're mere pawns."
" One of these days, you're gonna find your sorry ass, running behind a man,head over heels in love and you come and boast you've got no heart!"
" Why a man? I fuck women too."
" Here we go again!" Seojoon raised both arms in the air." You mistakenly think you're bi. Truth is you're gay. You only fuck bimbos because you're bored! Should I remind you of your first and only affair?" the man drawled,taking Tae years back to his twenties.
Taehyung dragged his gaze from the window to his friend." I prefer to erase mistakes from my memory. And it wasn't love. A meaningless infatuation? Maybe. An attraction? Definitely. I don't fall in love. I can't stand cute, adorable stuff and honey coated words." And yet his mind travelled to those doe eyes,rosy lips and damn cute face! Jeon Jungkook!
" Ok..lie to yourself as much as you need but I'm telling you that man exists. He's out there, somewhere, waiting. Please make sure you don't fuck up when you find him!"
" I could use a challenge. Something thrilling and exhilarating!" he admitted, stretching his long legs under the desk, slumping back to his leather chair.Taehyung wasn't the type of man to brag about his personal or sex life and revealed nothing more than the things he wanted. His lips were sealed and he was excellent at keeping secrets.
" Have you found that challenge?" His curiosity was sky-high.
" Perhaps.. time will tell." Tae insinuated,winking at his friend.
" Come on,man! I'm dying to know."
Taehyung laughed at his friend's curiosity and to be honest,he could use a second,clearer approach." A bartender at the club. He's giving me a hard time.. probably because he believes he's straight."
Seojoon's jaw dropped and black eyes popped out." No shit! You wanna hook up with a straight dude?"
" Yep! Don't look so stunned! I've banged hundreds of straight guys. Once they took my dick up their asses,they were begging for more."
The overconfidence and smugness that perceived him could make anyone's hackles rise. Although Taehyung looked and sounded laid-back Seojoon noticed the shift in his tone."What's so special about him? What's his name?"
" Jeon Jungkook."
" If he rejects you, which he most likely does,move to the next one like you normally do."
" He's different,Seojoon. Totally opposite from the guys I often fuck. Has a badass attitude,talks back without fear of being fired, doesn't give a rat's ass about money and luxuries and puts up a hell of resistance."
" Therefore,you can't lure him using money.Tough buddy!" he cracked a smile. He definitely had to meet the guy who had the balls to mug his friend off. Taehyung didn't know the concept of rejection and that man sounded like a real challenge.
" We can't have it all!" He sighed deeply and slouched to the right side,withering." I won't insist. If I proceed,I might face consequences. It's considered sexual harassment and I can't afford to implicate my good name and reputation in a sandal." he further explained.
Seojoon rubbed his nape." You're walking on eggshells. It will be catastrophic for the company's image especially after your decision to buy half the club. Remember how our shareholders reacted. You nearly gave them a heart attack."
" I'd rather lose shareholders than my objective. I don't give a shit about their opinion and they're aware of it. That's why they shut their mouths and went along with it."
" Ok, back to Jungkook. How will you handle it?"
Taehyung got to his feet,drifted in the direction of the bar,pouring another drink."Want one?"
" No, I'll pass."
He lingered by the window,movements slow and loose,his lips touching the porcelain glass,nursing the drink without urgency, eyes fixed on the starry,night sky,spreading its majestic wings on the bustling city." I can't take any chances, Seojoon. He's not worth my attention or the risk.I'll move to my next victim and make damn sure I have fun."
" Good..you do that. The world is full of potential victims,dazzled by your money and power." He wasn't convinced that his friend would give up so easily, knowing his character but Tae was unpredictable and hard to guess his next move so all bets are off..
________
Two weeks later, life was back to normal and by saying normal it didn't mean the club grew a pulpit and pews..no the sexial games continued but Jungkook wasn't forced in dealing with them. Kim seemed to have totally forgotten his existence, stopped calling him downstairs in the pretence of fetching him drinks and the younger was thrilled!
No more seeing his ugly face, hearing his revolting sexual hints, bearing his deviant urges,making him see red but above all he was free from watching those scenes that made him puke. Life was good! He'd wake up with a sense of relief,wreathed in smiles,have his breaky, tease his brother,ride his bike and simply enjoy his freedom,going to work feeling less repulsed.
Kim would still visit the club,grim and solemn as usual in a conceited way,head downstairs and a few hours later he'd leave escorted by different partners. Some things never change! He let off the leash and ready to work and flirt without Kim's constant threat, pestering him, triggering his wrath.
However,it crossed his mind that there was something fishy about this sudden, unexpected twist and the first thing he thought was that he intended to fire him for his disobedience. As days turned to weeks his worries faded into silence.Apparently Kim got tired of pursuing him,realised he wouldn't get any and stepped back, recognising his defeat.
Thursday night and the club was packed to the gunwales with people having a barrel of fun. Jungkook and Jimin were in their usual spot,behind the bar,fixing and serving drinks. The younger was feeling kind of unwell. Every muscle in his body ached,a mild headache was tormenting his heavy head, had a ticky throat and a stuffy nose, occasionally sneezing and coughing. And those damn shivers,had him shaking like a leaf.
" Kook, are you feeling alright?" Jimin asked him as it was the hundredth time he sneezed and coughed during the last hour.
" I think I'm coming down with a cold,Jimina. And I never get sick." He hated feeling under the weather. It made him cranky and vulnerable having to rely on others to get better.
Jumin touched his forehead to check his temperature." Mmmm..you might have a low fever.. you're a bit hot."
Jungkook leaned his hands on the inside counter, bending down and his forehead nudged the cold surface, feeling momentarily relieved." Do we have anything I can take?"
Jimin searched around the counter,inside the drawers,under the bar but found nothing."Nope. I'll ask the boys."He stormed out of the bar but returned a few moments later empty-handed." Sorry Kook but none of them have."
" It's ok..I can do this." he replied and rose up, twirling his head to get rid of the stiffness." Just a few more hours." He went back to fixing drinks but at some point he felt dizzy and almost lost his balance with Jimin grabbing his waist to prevent him from falling.
" Stubborn man!" Jimin signalled one of the other bartenders, whispered something in his ear and forcefully dragged Jungkook downstairs to the offices. When the manager saw Jungkook's condition,he instructed him to go home and take some days off to recover,gave him a pill and told him to stay put till he felt better and then leave.
The moment Jungkook was left alone in the room and knowing there were no cameras anywhere inside,he sat behind the desk and started snooping around,checking the door every now and then.In the cabinets,under piles of documents,in the file storage through folders with employee information but nothing. He found it odd that there were no files for..there had to be..
His fingers flew over the keys of the computer but the system halted,locked behind a code. The words hissed out,tight and furious through his clenched jaw.
" Shit!" he bit back a groan,chewed at his lip clearly annoyed and a subtle tremor danced in his foot under the desk from irritation and anxiety. If he entered the wrong code more than two times,he would block it and the next person using it would discover someone tried to hack it and suspicions would fall on him,since he would be an obvious target and it was the last thing he needed at this point.
In the distance he heard hectic footsteps so he went back to his seat and waited. Do-yun threaded in,taking one good look at Jungkook."Feeling better?"
" Yeah..much better. Should I go back to work?"
" I'd prefer you went home and got some rest. You're a walking time bomb for the rest and I can't afford to lose my staff over a cold."
Jungkook thought a few days of rest and away from that dreadful place could help him recharge his batteries." Fair enough sir. It's your call. Good night." he saluted him,rushed out into the changing room,got his bag and helmet out of the locker and went out through the back door and into the alley where his bike was parked,after sending a message to Jimin to return home with Yoongi.
The sudden run-in on his way to his bike,gave him a jolt and went off like a whisper in the wind,leading him to scrap his white, bunny teeth,his fists coiled with restraint, knuckles whitening as he clutched the helmet in his palm and face twisted ever so slightly, annoyance bleeding through.
Kim fucken Taehyung,propped himself against the back door of his luxurious black Lamborghin,posture saying he had nothing to prove,arms crossed with quiet authority across his broad frame, chatting effortlessly with a good looking stranger. The space between them barely existed,their ease betraying more than just a passing acquaintance.
Jungkook's lips had a slight downturn,barely enough to register as an emotion,thinking how that stranger lacked the usual age to be Kim's prey as he had an eye for younger boys. He couldn't help but wonder if he meant something more to Kim,judging from the cloying way he was staring at him,a rare bleak from the gloom and pride he wore like armour.
Why did he even care who Kim fucked as long as he kept him the hell away from him? Head down and pace brisk,he wove his way out determined to make a quiet exit. Jungkook angled his head away while walking past but a rough voice cut through the air, halting him.
" Jeon?"