Chapter Text
Past.
The sky was exceptionally beautiful today—or maybe it has always been beautiful but you just didn’t pay much attention.
The gentle rays and the summer breeze were everything you need in the name of seeking calmness. Today was another day of your escapades with Jungkook. His father along with his mother was out of town for some business. Jungkook’s parents have assigned guards and tight security for us but that doesn’t stop us from having our freedom.
The grass under you moved in steady waves accompanied by the sweet song of crickets and the chirps of birds as you sat next to Jungkook and pulled your knees to your chest, your chin resting on top of them. Jungkook turned his head as he stared at the side view of your face. Your eyes were lost in admiration of the scenery ahead of you.
“Will you ever leave me?”
You raised your head at your friend’s sudden question.
“Hmm,” you playfully tap your chin as if you’re pondering seriously over his simple question. “Maybe not in this life, Kook.” You giggled.
It’s a promise, you told yourself. If you were given two options and one of them was leaving him then you’ll choose the other option. Leaving him would never be an option.
“Promise?” He asked his eyes that held an entire galaxy looking at you hopefully as he extended his pinky at you.
“Only if you promise to not leave me.” You told him.
You stared at him, your pinky was already extended to him, waiting for him to seal the promise with you. Jungkook didn’t ruminate about it as he intertwined his pinky with yours, a wide smile tugging on his lips.
“Promise.” Sweet little promise.
But how could you not know that promises are meant to be broken and how easy it is to break likely more than one because promises are empty words.
Present.
“You’ve done your part. Get out of this house, (Y/N).”
Because now? Leaving him is a choice.
It’s the voice you are familiar with albeit it has changed a bit over time as he matures, his voice drops a pitch lower. The owner of the voice stands confidently at the entrance to your bedroom in his black three-piece suit that is pressed to a T and his hair is styled with care.
It’s none other than Jeon Jungkook.
It’s a choice to walk out of his life because you either walk out of the door and out of his life or he’ll walk the life out of your body.
This man - who has always been against the idea of you leaving the house without him - is now asking, no, verbally forcing you to get out of his house. His voice can be very cold, demanding even. His calm demeanour can fool anyone but dare mess with him, there’s no mercy. You’ve been by his side for years now, you are supposed to be numb to it because growing up with him didn’t raise you to be a weak bitch.
But this time, just this time, you can’t help but feel a tug on your heart. It’s the painful feeling of knowing how easy it is for Jungkook to get rid of you after years simply because of your one mistake and yet you still hope that he’s bluffing, that this is just a joke - but Jungkook doesn’t do jokes - you still hold onto that promise but news flash, he breaks his promise.
You know it’s time. It’s the time for you to finally leave, to finally be free. Your time is up.
Your punishment is over.
“With pleasure, Jungkook.” Your voice is soft as the smile you had always worn tugs on your lips.
The look on his face shows that he is taken aback by your tone and the smile you had on your face which you sure differ from what he had thought of.
He shouldn’t.
You had always been the one to never question him, never question his action and his decision, always complying with his words but little did he know, walking out of his house would be no sooner said than done if that means freedom to you, out of his confinement.
Let’s go back to the basics, shall we?
First question, are you in a relationship with Jungkook? No.
Not even in a complicated relationship? For Jungkook, no.
For you, yes.
You are nothing but a punching bag for Jungkook - Not literally.
The relationship between you and him was destroyed seven months ago. Today, seven months ago was the day your freedom got taken away, you sealed a deal with the devil but today, you manage to pay for your sins. Jungkook throws the relationship both of you had cherished since the age of nine out of the window after that one mistake you made seven months ago.
You would say your relationship with Jungkook is strained but Jungkook would say it’s nonexistent, it doesn't exist anymore.
Growing up with him for almost 13 years, you both tend to care for each other despite everything but Jungkook stopped caring since 7 months ago, in contrast to you who still care until now - Which also happens to be the reason why you were stuck here - that’s why his next sentence caught you off guard.
“Where are you going to stay?” He asks as if his cold mask slips for a moment.
Your mind must be playing with you - blame it on the lack of sleep - why does he care? You let silence be the only language in the room for a moment before you finally speak with a controlled voice, you try not to appear weak and small in this situation. Back then you always had the right of either answering or staying quiet but for the past couple of months, you’ve been answering to his order, you either answer or… answer.
Your right to speak for yourself is taken away and trampled on so you answer with what was expected to be the answer but now you’re not tied to Jungkook in any way anymore. If Jungkook expects to have his answer from you, especially at this time, then he’s wrong. You’re not going to answer him with what he expected to hear.
“Rika has returned and the contract automatically ends,” you tell him. “Which means my life after is none of your concern.”
You didn’t spare a glance on Jungkook as your only focus right now is to walk out of this house before Jungkook changes his mind - which is unlikely to happen but one can never be sure and it’s better safe than sorry - Your movements are hasty as you shove your necessities into your luggage.
If you are to follow your heart, you’d just walk out without bringing anything other than a phone and purse but luckily you always think and make decisions following what your brain thinks is the best.
The last time you followed your heart, you got yourself into chaos.
Jungkook is silent. He didn’t even utter a word after you but he also didn’t walk out of the room like you thought he would after completing his mission of telling you to get out of his house but instead he just watches you. His dark brown eyes follow your every movement. You don’t need to lift and turn your head to him to see that he is doing so.
You can feel his gaze on you. You’re familiar with the feeling of his gaze on you, looking at you out of hatred, anger and vengeance.
Only for now.
Soon you’ll forget the feeling of having his eyes on you. You did enjoy having his eyes on you, watching your movements literally every minute, every second for the last 7 months but now, his eyes are going to be on another woman, back to the rightful one.
Rika.
You pull your luggage and stride towards the door. You’re grateful that Jungkook let you stay in his house instead of locking you up in his basement but you’ll leave every bad thing behind in this very house and you’ll bring only the good ones - though there are not many, almost little to nothing— and start anew. You had even considered going for rebirth but maybe no, not now.
It’s the end of the chapter and the beginning of a new chapter.
—//—
Your feet betray you. You aren’t supposed to be in front of this oh so familiar door but you are here, there’s absolutely no reason for you to avoid meeting this particular person but you just can’t bring yourself to face her when you are clearly planning to leave the country without telling her.
“(Y/N)!”
The door swings open and you watch as the owner of the voice smiles gleefully upon your arrival. You mirror her excitement as she opens her arms, inviting you for a hug. After your mother, this lady has always been your safe place, the person you seek comfort and love. She treats you like a daughter she never had and you treat her like a queen.
“Aunt Binna,” her name comes out as a soft whisper as you melt in her arms. After the incident in Jungkook’s house, this is the only thing you need, a hug. A hug that only she can provide.
Aunt’s hand comes up to caress your back before she breaks the hug and invites you in. She runs back to her kitchen to turn off the stove - which she almost forgot she had it on - and returns to the living room.
You observe her living room, empty and quiet living room. It became a habit - that you pick up from Jungkook - for you to observe your surroundings, despite being at a certain place ever so often.
Jeon Binna, wife of Jeon Junghoon. A renowned fashion and interior designer who’s married to the business tycoon; the CEO of Jeon enterprise, Jeon Junghoon and the marriage was blessed with a son, no other than Jeon Jungkook.
Aunt Binna lives alone after her husband died. Aunt lives in a penthouse, 50-story luxury apartment, the highest floor, yes there. She lives in luxury, bathes in it even but loneliness still takes over sometimes. Jungkook is busy and so are you. You could only visit her at certain times which is when Jungkook gets a call from her to come to visit her and bring you along.
The owner of this building used to be her late husband but since her husband has died, the ownership has been passed to her as stated in his will but she doesn’t want to involve herself in the business world at her age. She offered Jungkook the ownership but at that moment, he said he already had a lot on his plate so it’s better for her to keep it first, once things get less hectic, he’ll take over. His mother agreed and last month, he finally stepped in.
From your peripheral vision, you notice that Aunt is scrutinising you. Surely, she must’ve noticed the pale look on your face since you didn’t have the time to put on some makeup to cover the tiredness on your face. After leaving Jungkook’s house, you were in your car when you got a call from Aunt Binna and your feet just pressed the pedal and brought you here immediately - blame it on your strong nature to comply with her wish - hence, here you are, bared and tired.
Aunt takes a seat next to you on the couch as she takes your hand in her warm ones. You are met with her worried eyes. “Honey, are you okay? Is everything good? You look so pale.”
No. I just got kicked out by your son.
“Yes, I’m good and everything is fine, don’t worry. Just a bit tired from work is all,” you tell her.
You didn’t lie though, it’s true that work has been exhausting you to no end but all your hard work has paid off now that you’ve done your part as per what Jungkook said. But you see, Aunt Binna is a very sceptical person. The look on her face clearly says ‘I know everything's not fine but I’m going to let this slide because you are tired and that’s exactly what she said before changing the topic.
“I’ve cooked dinner for us, let’s eat?”
Having meals at Aunt’s house, especially dinner when the sun is setting down, has a special spot within you. Aunt Binna had an open view dining room which gives people a view that is nothing short of magnificent and breathtaking. It’s a cherry on top with the interior design of her dining room. It doesn’t shock you when you get to know that Aunt designed and decorated her whole house. Aunt Binna is a famous designer - interior design and fashion design that is.
The maids are coming in and out of the dining room to prepare the table with mouth-watering dishes that you are sure are cooked by Aunt herself. Apart from being good at designing, Aunt is a master at cooking. You had always loved her cooking that you would literally eat anything as long as it’s cooked by her and luckily Aunt had no problem with cooking for you. She would be more than glad to prepare a whole buffet for you.
Once all of the maids exit the hall, the two of you take a seat opposite each other. Your face brightens up at your view - the mouthwatering dishes - and Aunt notices it as she chuckles. “I cooked your favourite, Honey.”
A maid comes in with a bottle of wine in her hands, she pours for Aunt before coming to you. As the maid leaves, Aunt Binna starts a conversation.
“When are you planning on getting married to Jungkook?”
Bless your soul, you are lucky you haven’t started eating nor drinking because you would’ve choked - though you did choke on your saliva. You clear your throat and reach for the wine glass. Sometimes you forget that Aunt Binna had made it her mission to set you and Jungkook in marriage ever since you both were 15.
“We’re not even dating, Aunt,” your lips immediately touch the rim of the wine glass as the fruity liquid fills your taste bud wanting nothing more than to not converse with this topic again.
“Mhm, keep telling me that, Hon.” Aunt teases. “You guys grew up under the same roof for years, you know him better than any other woman and I know my son had a little crush on you back then.”
Yeah, that’s back then. It’s past tense. Present? He hates me to the core.
“No other woman knows how to take care of Jungkook like you do, (Y/N) and I’ve seen the way he looks at you with a passionate gaze every time the two of you come to visit me. His gaze is on you as if you would disappear the moment he took his eyes off of you.”
You mean a passionate gaze of malice and his gaze is always on you to serve as a warning to not do anything that shouldn’t be done.
“You helped him so much after his father’s death and not to mention even back then when his father was alive. You did more than I could ever, (Y/N). It would be great to see the two of you get together.” She smiles warmly at you. You see the shining hope in her eyes that you didn’t have the heart to crush it but you know you have to, sooner or later.
“Rika is not the problem right? She ran away months ago and I’m sure he’s over her.”
At the mention of Jungkook’s lover, you freeze. Eyes looking over to Aunt Binna only to see her staring at you intently, waiting for you to respond.
“It’s great that my existence in his life is appreciated and made an impact on him but,” you sigh. “He only sees me as a friend and nothing more, Aunt Binna.”
Or you could say, “as a friend” was months ago because now, your relationship with Jungkook is nothing more or less than a pure boss and employee relationship.
—//—
Past.
“Welcome!”
A saleswoman greeted you and Jungkook with a huge smile on her face, her red lips made her pearl white teeth shine brightly. You mirrored her enthusiasm as you smiled and nodded at her, acknowledging her presence and effort.
Jungkook walked into the boutique without minding the saleswoman and straight to what he’s here for, suits are what. You quickly trailed behind him and called the previous saleswoman to assist Jungkook.
“Pick something for me,” he ordered you.
It has become a routine for you now to pick out some suits for Jungkook. The man didn’t argue with your choice as he simply paid for everything you had picked for him. The only time Jungkook got involved in picking was when it came to you, your items. He would pick everything for you and you would, likewise, just go with it though at least he picked out items according to your taste and type.
The nicely tailored suits were hung on metal bars in expensive wood open wardrobes, all of them were sorted out by colour codes and types of fabric. You knew what type of fabric Jungkook preferred as well as what colour suited him the most and the ones that he personally liked.
Jungkook is the epitome of perfection and nothing short of perfect in any department. Face? Body? Talent? Skills? He’s nothing short of those and was a walking perfection. In this case, anything he wore would look good on him and honestly at this point, what’s the point of you choosing suits for him when he literally could just buy the whole store because he rocked every piece of clothing.
“Your girlfriend got a great taste, sir.” The saleswoman commented, making you freeze. You looked over your shoulder to see Jungkook’s reaction, you know well he doesn’t like it when people talk about his girlfriend - which is obviously not you - and you most definitely know he doesn’t like it when the “girlfriend” the saleswoman had referred to was you.
He was frowning as he lifted his gaze from his phone.
The saleswoman noticed the tension so she immediately corrected herself, “Oh, I mean your friend! Your friend got a great taste, sir…”
God, please blind your eyes because you wished you weren’t looking at Jungkook when the saleswoman corrected herself because immediately you saw the hate and malice grew in his irises when he heard the saleswoman.
To say your heart was crushed by his reaction was a vast understatement but then again you had betrayed him, betrayed his trust so you should’ve expected this reaction from him but it didn’t stop you from feeling painful heartache.
“She’s my assistant.” He corrected her with a glare and returned to his phone, probably reading and sorting out his emails.
The saleswoman gasped and looked over you sheepishly as she muttered an apology. She did the same to Jungkook but he barely acknowledged it. You waved it off with a kind smile.
He had thrown the term friendship out of his life.
—//—
Present.
“… and you know how deeply in love he is with Rika, he won’t be over her in such a short period,” you add. “But maybe he won’t be thinking about love at this time, he’s been quite busy lately - with business it is.”
Handling the underground business and his company at the same time could be tiring and now that Rika is back and you are resigning from your position as the CEO’s personal assistant, he ought to get busier with no assistant. You just hope by now Jungkook had already selected a few candidates with the potential to fill in your place.
“Oh, and I’m leaving the country soon,” you apprise her with a pretty smile adorning your face. You are excited to finally fly out of the country and meet your friend which is long overdue.
But oh you are unaware of how the air has changed as the dear aunt’s face drops.
“Whatever do you mean, (Y/N)?”
The loss of the cheerful tone in her voice as it is replaced with seriousness makes you shift in your seat. It’s a pity that the dear mother has no knowledge of the contract you had signed with Jungkook. He has been keeping you around only for a purpose and only that which is to find and bring back Rika.
It’s safe to say that Jungkook had to lie to his mother - to keep you around him - stating that you are staying at his house because of important work. It’s a relief that Aunt believes it and she’s more than happy to have you stay close with them or specifically, Jungkook since your apartment is a bit far away from their housing area albeit it’s still near Jeon Enterprise.
Aunt knows that you are a close friend of Jungkook along with Taehyung and of course, she knows that you work with Jungkook even with the underground business he’s handling. You are involved in everything Jungkook is involved in, creepy much but it is what it is. The two of you are joined at the hip since kids.
In Aunt’s view, you are the backbone of Jungkook that the man has yet to realise its true worth.
You didn’t want to tell the truth to Aunt because, one, you cannot, two, what good will come out of you telling her about it. Honestly, you’ve known what the consequences of your action would be seven months ago, you didn’t commit such actions without knowing the consequences and you certainly have no intention of dragging other people into your mess. You started the chaos and you’re going to end it all by yourself.
“My work contract with Jeon Enterprise has come to an end and I don’t intend on renewing it.”
“Why so?”
“Planning to pamper myself by travelling,” you grin to yourself.
It’s been long overdue, your wish is. If it wasn’t for the incident seven months ago, you would’ve been travelling around the world by now.
—//—
It’s been a week since Rika has arrived. She has been staying at Jungkook’s place. It’s also a week after she had learned that you used to stay at Jungkook’s place but later on was kicked out.
Aunt Binna had finally decided to pay his son a visit - something she rarely does unless it's an important and urgent matter - after she’s done accompanying you with your shopping and fulfilling your needs for the vacation you had yearned for, though it takes a lot of convincing because you are keen on declining Aunt’s inclination to spend her money on you.
The destination of your vacation remains unknown to Aunt Binna. She had asked you once but you didn’t want to tell her. This vacation you seek is to breathe fresh air after long being caged and now that you finally gain your freedom, it’s only natural that you don’t want people to know of your whereabouts.
As for Jungkook, he is rather… anxious.
Now that you are out of his house, it’s hard to keep an eye on your whereabouts. He tries reaching out for you from calling to as far as leaving texts and emails - it is not something usual for him to do so because he always had you right under his nose - but it’s just either it didn’t reach you or you’re ignoring him.
The latter assumption isn’t very convincing given that you never ignore him but the stunt he pulled the other day mayhap changed your attitude towards him. He didn’t blame you for the cold shoulder you’re giving him right now but he’s really anxious. True that he kicked you out of his house but it didn’t mean for you to walk out of his life.
His cold personality is nothing new to you, you practically grew up with him and his many flaws - one being having an aloof personality - so why does this time seem to affect you?
Simple,
Because his efforts aren’t really seen by you.
Aunt Binna had given you a new phone as a gift since you are adamant about not wanting to be bothered during your vacation albeit that’s camouflage because the truth being Aunt is making sure that Jungkook couldn’t reach you.
Honestly, you didn’t think of not wanting to be bothered as far as changing contact numbers and phone but Aunt did manage to convince you that it’s more peaceful that way. She understands that you need to breathe fresh air at some point and clear your mind.
Aunt Binna stares through the car’s window as the sun washes the garden with a golden glow, insects and birds are thriving in the garden maximally. It’s the garden which she vividly remembers that it’s you who had built, sown and practically grew all on your own for Jungkook.
“Being around nature often brings forth calmness to you.”
It’s your words and it shows that you care so much for Jungkook to the point it appears too much but it’s never too much to care for people that you love, right?
The car comes to a stop in front of Jungkook’s house entrance. The exterior of his house portrays calmness and peace - in the middle of nowhere, secluded to say - His house is built around the trees, protecting them. The clean exterior of his house promises warmth and comfort which contradicts the fact that the owner of the house is rather aloof, anything but warm and comfort.
Aunt Binna steps out of the car and makes her way to her son’s door; short stairs leading to the brown mahogany wooden door. Aunt presses the bell to alert her presence and waits for her son to show up. A few seconds later, she hears a faint female voice before the door finally opens. She is greeted by a tall, model-like woman with a brown waist-length straight and silky hair. Her face carries the look of an innocent and naive person but that if it wasn’t for the hate that Aunt carries for her because surely she’s nothing but a cunning woman.
Rika.
Aunt immediately scowls at the sight she is greeted with. Rika is the reason for Jungkook's changes in behaviour and attitude for the past few months. He’s gotten colder and more distant than ever. If it wasn’t for you who had been supporting him, Aunt would have to watch his son drown in his own misery. If Rika hadn’t left him, they would’ve probably started a family of their own and Aunt would’ve been blessed with grandchildren.
But, no.
Aunt Binna doesn’t want grandchildren that come out of Rika, that had any blood and genetics of the young woman. She wants them from you and only from you. She only trusts Jungkook with you and no other woman. If Jungkook ends up with another woman then she wouldn’t acknowledge them.
It’s always you and has to be you.
You’ve done so much for her and Jungkook. She appreciates you so much but why is her son so blind? Can’t he see how much you care for him? - is what Aunt Binna always thinks of. You take care of him whenever he’s not well or injured due to some business, take in all of his anger whenever things didn’t work his way, help him to be more expressive - but sadly Rika had to ruin your progress - and you always show nothing but loving and caring gestures to him, be it subtle or obvious.
“So, this is why (Y/N) left,” Aunt scoffs as she glares at Rika who already seems nervous.
“Ma,” Jungkook comes out of nowhere. He looks around his mother to look for any signs of you but to no avail, he finds no one other than his mother but he still voices his question just in case his mother knows of your whereabouts.
“Where’s (Y/N)?”
“Did you kick (Y/N) out because of this woman?” Aunt Binna ignores her son’s question as she deems it’s a waste of time to answer it.
Jungkook closes his eyes as he inhales before sighing. “We made an agreement that she will leave once the work is done, Ma. It has nothing to do with Rika.”
“Enlighten me, why is she here?” Aunt crosses her arms. “Because the last thing I remember is that she left you, ran away a week before the wedding. Practically humiliating you and our family name.”
Jungkook lets silence become the only language as Rika’s eyes shift between the son and the mother. Aunt sighs as she doesn't receive an answer from her son.
“You really don’t deserve (Y/N), Jungkook. As a friend or as someone special, both of them. She took care of you like a precious diamond, loved you with all her heart and yet you never once appreciated her or even acknowledged her worth.”
Aunt takes a step closer to Jungkook. “Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on,” she hisses at him.
Rika’s eyes widened but Jungkook wears his mask skillfully as he didn’t show that he is taken aback by his mother.
“Once (Y/N) returns, it’s best if you don’t meet up with her or even try to find her because if you do, I’ll cut off any contacts you have with her.”
“Is that a challenge?”
“It’s a promise.” Aunt glares at him. “I’ve planned to set a date for her with someone… Someone who’s worthy of her.”
Is it an empty threat? Or is it a real one? She doesn't know.
She doesn’t want you to be with someone else other than her son and only her son. Although her son is a piece of shit that doesn’t mean anyone out there is better than him. But then again she also wants you to be with someone you truly love, someone who could bring happiness to you and shower you with nothing but love and affection.
As if Aunt Binna has triggered a wrong switch, her son is immediately inches away from her face. Jungkook glares at his mother.
“If you only plan to rile me up using (Y/N), you better know it’s not a wise choice,” he whispers. “Leave. Her. Alone.”
His words make his dear mother break into a laugh. He shouldn’t feel threatened by his mother’s words but the tinge of possessiveness that he felt says otherwise. One thing Jungkook doesn’t like is being threatened or felt threatened, it won’t end nicely.
“Why so? I’m merely helping her find her happiness. She’s free to date anybody in the very first place but guess what, she chose not to because of you but I’m sure now there’s nothing holding her back since you have Rika.”
She chose not to.
Jungkook only manages to stare at his mother in silence. Aunt Binna has nothing more to say so she gladly turns around to leave.
“Have a great day, son.”
—//—
Jungkook eyes his left side of the bed. Rika is sleeping peacefully. Her little snores become the only sound in the quiet bedroom. He loves it - the little snores Rika makes while sleeping - but it was back then, hearing it now doesn’t give him the same effect as a few months ago.
Or does it ever give him any sort of effect?
Everything around him is empty and emptier without you but his mind is never empty of you. You are always one of the many thoughts he had in mind.
His morning would always be greeted with you holding a cup of coffee in hand, ready for him to down it to his throat and inviting him for breakfast which he would always avoid but you managed to make him because it’s simply you. You know how to handle him even while the relationship between the two of you is obviously strained because of that incident.
Missing you wouldn’t be a crime given that you and he share a deep bond. Did you really just break your promise? How could you? You’ve been by his side for years and the same goes for him but now you’ve left him without telling him whatsoever. He had asked you where you will be staying after he kicked you out the other day only for you to act so cold to him.
He should find you—
No, he shouldn’t… Right? He has Rika now. She should be his main priority now. Everything is falling back into place except this time, there’s no you.
Where did you go?
Why did you break the promise?
Guilt crawls on his skin as it eats him up. The incident that takes place seven months ago flashes in front of his eyes like a fast-forwarded movie.
The fear in your eyes.
The trembling hands and quivering lips.
The pool of—
Jungkook quickly pulls himself back to reality as he feels Rika shifting. He gets out of the bed and heads towards the bathroom. A nice shower would clear his head, he hopes.
divider
“Good morning, sir.”
“Good morning, Nana.”
Nana— or Mrs Chang is the housemaid, an old woman that Jungkook and you are close to. Mrs Chang has been taking care of you and Jungkook since you and Jungkook were kids. She’s a loving and caring woman, it reminds you of your grandma that’s why the two of you started calling her Nana.
Mrs Chang exits the room once Jungkook has settled down on his chair. He stares at his breakfast that was prepared by Mrs Chang. It’s his favourite; soft soufflé pancakes with a cup of black coffee.
Rich golden honey syrup drips exquisitely from the top to the sides of the pancakes. It’s decorated with some berries and dusted with powdered sugar on top of the tower of pancakes. The pancakes are puffed, browned and heavenly sweet - even without tasting it yet. Aside from having a black coffee, pancakes are the start of his day but this is not it.
He picks up his utensils and cuts the pancake into preferably bite sizes as he eats it. It tastes bland even with all the sweets that had decorated his plates. The pancake is good but it didn’t spark his taste buds because he knows this isn’t the one he always had, it is not made and cooked by you.
Pull yourself together, Jungkook.
His quiet breakfast is interrupted by Rika. She slides her arms around Jungkook’s neck from behind and nuzzles her face into his neck. Jungkook breathes out her name as he puts down his utensils with a clink.
“Can I go out for a while, Jungkook?”
“No.” He didn’t miss a beat as he voices sternly.
“Whyyy?” She whines.
“Because I have to go to work.”
“I’ll take the guards with me—”
“When I said you can’t go out, you can’t. Which part of “you can’t” did you not understand, Rika?” His voice is dripping with irritation. “For now, I don’t want you to leave the house without me.”
“You once left me. I won’t let you do it twice.” It’s a promise.
Because you left me, I almost lost (Y/N).
—//—
Past.
It doesn’t take long for your life to be flipped upside down or in this case, Jungkook’s life - or preferably he called it a plan. It doesn’t take long for your plan to be interrupted and ruined.
His life doesn’t centre on love or on this particular woman but he needed these two for a purpose. The airport was a runaway with the metal birds. It’s a starter for people that seek hope and adventure on another ground. But now, Jungkook wanted nothing more than to destroy airports.
Once he’s at the airport, it was packed with a swarm of people. It’s the busy hour right now and he couldn’t afford to cause a ruckus with all eyes around. His eyes scanned his surroundings to find the familiar figure. He ordered a few of his men to split up and search around.
“Jungkook, her flight is almost departing. Gate A-32,” your voice rang in Jungkook’s earpiece.
“Gate A-32,” he ordered his men with a flick of his wrist and they immediately got into action.
Men in black suits started to fill in the airport. People were giving weird and confused stares as they saw those men in black but they knew better than to care about others. Jungkook had ordered them to find his fiancée that had run away and that’s the only thing they would focus on.
Jungkook was about to head to the gate that you had mentioned but he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. “Wait, Jungkook,” he looked over his shoulder and met eyes with Taehyung, his friend.
“A-32 is a domestic flight. Rika wouldn’t be so stupid to run away within this country,” Taehyung frowned. “Did (Y/N)—”
“Fucking hell,” Jungkook cursed under his breath. He hastily tore off his earpiece. You were ruining his plan and buying time for Rika. Are you her accomplice? Why are you helping her?
“Jungkook, it’s not (Y/N)’s fault—”
“Shut the fuck up, Taehyung.” Jungkook glared at him, shutting him off. “She’s messing up on purpose!”
“Why would she even do that?” Taehyung snapped at him. “Are you hearing yourself right now? She has no motive to do so!”
Jungkook regulated his breathing. Taehyung might be right but he couldn’t handle any mistakes at this crucial moment and this mistake coming from you was unusual as you rarely made a mistake but then again you’re a human with weaknesses. Maybe he’s just being irrational right now.
Taehyung’s earpiece began to buzz off. He heard your voice trying to connect to his earpiece. “Taehyung? Can you hear me?”
“I can’t get a hold of Jungkook— Did something happen?”
“(Y/N), it’s not gate A-32,” he said. “Relocate her.”
“What—”
“Gate A-32 is a domestic flight, (Y/N). Are you sure she’s there?”
“Shit, hold on!” He heard you ordering your subordinate to relocate Rika and search every gate. “She was at gate A-32 just now— How…”
“She is buying herself some time. She’s definitely not alone.”
“She’s… Her tracker is at gate B-40 now. Be mindful this is just her tracker, have people outside of the airport as well just in case what you said is right.”
Taehyung immediately jumped into action and pushed Jungkook to run to the gate you had just mentioned.
“Gate B-40, Kook. I’ll be outside just in case she escapes from this airport,” he told him. “Go!”
—//—
“Still at the waiting area of gate B-40?” you asked one of your subordinates.
They were all equally busy, pressured and stressed as you were. Their eyes were moving from one monitor to another, trying to find Rika in the midst of busy crowds. The sound of keyboard clickings filled the room.
This might be your speciality - to hack, in general - but surely everything would take time and now you have to get access to the airport’s security system just to find Rika through the surveillance cameras and with the help of her tracker she doesn’t know of - You hope she doesn’t know. Jungkook had installed the tracker in Rika’s phone without her knowledge - just a normal thing for Jungkook - so it’s a plus point for this situation.
Who would’ve thought…
“Yes, she’s still there,” one of them answered as he was in charge of watching over the tracker’s location. The others were still trying to find Rika through the surveillance camera.
A frown was visible on your forehead. You pinched them as you tried to think of a reason for Rika to suddenly elude Jungkook. He treasured her like he had never before. You couldn’t think of any motive as to why Rika suddenly wanted to run away and to add to it, it’s one week before their wedding. If you were confused by this situation then Jungkook was twice confused.
Your eyes began to scan all over the monitors in the room. Rika’s figure has not been found yet but it was believed that she’s in this airport and hopefully, still. A surge of anxiety was starting to eat you up as the longer you scanned the monitors, the harder it was to find Rika; there were too many people at this hour.
You were about to move from the monitor to another one when your eyes caught a familiar figure in one of the monitors. The frown on your face grew harder at that. You squint your eyes to get a clearer vision as you close the distance between you and the monitor.
You’ve never felt the worst feeling of panic.
“Rika is not at gate B-40…” you muttered under your breath.
One of your co-workers caught what you just said. “But her tracker is still at B-40,” he said, his voice clear of confusion as to why you said that.
All of this was staged. Rika had planned all of this carefully and rather cunningly. What Taehyung said was true; she’s not alone and she’s buying time for that person. You refuse to believe your assumption might be right because if it was, Rika was one step away from escaping.
And you fucked up real bad.
“Entrance— The airport's second entrance, check that monitor!” you told them. “Fuck, where are Jungkook’s men?!”
They were supposed to guard outside of the airport too!
“(Y/N), that’s Rika!” your subordinate gasped. “But why is she—”
“Rika isn’t planning to depart from this airport,” you told him as you rushed to the door. “Trace the car Rika is using, send it to me and inform Jungkook, ASAP!”
Your subordinates quickly get into work. “Close down the road Rika is using. Do anything as long as the road is empty.”
—//—
The feeling of adrenaline rush in your body was indescribable. Your hand was placed on the gear stick while the other was on the steering wheel, your foot was pressing the accelerator pedal hard as you sped off in order to get to Rika or at least to stop her car from going any further.
After some time speeding off the road, you saw a familiar car, a black Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupé. You could be wrong but you were confident it’s Rika. Yes, she couldn’t be the only person that owned that car brand and model but the car was specifically Jungkook’s. The logo of his notorious gang and company was embedded on the car - it’s a must for every car that he owned to have those - and the number plate? It was specifically designed by Jungkook.
Not wasting time any further, you didn’t hesitate to make a drastic turn. The car you’re aiming at was in the opposite lane. You clutched the steering wheel and spun it to the maximum. You’re driving against the current in order to stop Rika’s car.
The mission is to stop Rika from leaving.
The adrenaline rush once again pumped in your body as you were speeding up towards Rika’s car. The luck was on your side because the road was already empty and it’s all thanks to your subordinates’ effort in getting it done using whatever ways. You wouldn’t want to cause damage to the public property and people around. You stared up intensely at Rika’s car that’s a few metres away from you, heading furiously towards you with no hint of slowing down as it seemed.
You drifted your car to make a roadblock in hopes that she wouldn't get past you. The only way to get past you is to crash your car and that alone was enough to cause damage to her car and slow her down, you hope Jungkook and his men were already on their way and not so far from your location.
To your surprise, Rika’s car came to an abrupt halt. The sudden press on her brake pedal left drift marks on the road. You immediately threw yourself out of your car and ran towards Rika’s car.
“Jungkook and his men are already on their way to you, (Y/N),” Jake, one of your subordinates, told you through the earpiece you had on. “I told him about Rika’s actual plan and he immediately got out of the airport, don’t do anything rash, just hold her off for some time.”
divider
As soon as he got alerted by your subordinate, he wasted no time as he got out of the airport. It’s safe to say he may have bumped into some people and caused them to fall to the ground but he didn’t have the time to help.
He sped off the empty road to get to your location. He assumed it’s your order to get the road closed down.
But maybe he was too late.
He saw your car sped off from your location but you were still there. The car Rika had used previously was abandoned. Rika took your car and left.
Why weren’t you stopping her?
Rage and anger took over his body. He finally arrived at your location and immediately got out. He strode to you with big and long steps.
You heard cars coming in your way, you knew it’s Jungkook. You inhaled a good amount of oxygen as you closed your eyes, ready to face his wrath. The view of your car being driven further and further was what you saw once you opened your eyes again. Courage and braveness were what you needed right now but you couldn’t afford to have them. You felt an object being pushed to the back of your head, enough to command you to turn around.
Once you were sure your car with Rika in it was out of your sight, only then did you turn and faced Jungkook. The object you felt at the back of your head was a gun, Jungkook’s gun. The mouth of the gun was now a few inches from your forehead. You summoned leftover courage you had - you prayed you have - and spoke with a surprisingly clear voice, contrasting your trembling hands.
“I’m sorry, I was careless to let her escape.”
The trigger goes off.
—//—
Your past will always haunt you, taunt you in the evilest way. Regret will eat you alive for every second thing you do that is against your will, you have control over the matter but you chose the wrong way. Does Jungkook have control over his actions in the past? Perhaps not, but then again is his action against his will?
No.
Jungkook’s eyes shoot open.
The hideous past of you and him is still fresh in his mind. The guilt always eats him up every night, even after seven months. Jungkook rests his head on the steering wheel as he tries to regain himself, his self-composure. Sometimes, he couldn’t help but stare into space and reminisce about the past. He takes a deep breath before pulling up his body to sit up straight and start his car.
He wished he had not acted irrationally back then.
—//—
It’s easy to describe Jeon Enterprise building, simple, really. The building is massive and clean. Most furniture in the building is either black, grey or beige. Jungkook arrives at the lobby and immediately gets into the elevator that specifically heads to his office floor. He is greeted by the receptionist which he replies with a simple nod and proceeds to the elevator.
The ride to his floor isn’t time consuming and he arrives at his floor after a few seconds. His floor is spacious compared to other floors. His father had designed the building himself and Jungkook didn’t make any changes ever since he took over his father’s position. He enjoys it too, working alone on the floor, no distraction whatsoever. That’s what makes them father and son, similarities in preference.
They say, always expect the unexpected - but where’s the fun in that? The element of surprise is what Jungkook fancies. After all, that’s how you take down your enemy. But he certainly doesn’t like to be surprised and he most definitely didn’t expect to be greeted with a piece of envelope presented on his desk.
Your resignation letter.
When he is walking down the hallway, he misses the empty cabin of yours. Your cabin is empty; the desk is cleared, no files or documents, just the company’s original properties which are the computer, the mouse and the keyboard. The letter of resignation is placed neatly on top of his desk, too neat to his liking.
He reads the content of the letter even when he knows it’s just a letter of you announcing your last day of employment - which is today - explaining your reason; personal reasons along with some praises to your co-workers and the company.
Jungkook is anything but rational right now. His mind is a mess but he’s unsure of the reason - because of your departure, perhaps? It wasn’t stated in the contract he made seven months ago that you have to resign from your position and end your contract of employment with Jeon Enterprise once you’ve found Rika.
But then again, there’s nothing stopping you from doing so. Originally your contract of employment ended seven months ago, exactly a day after Rika had escaped. You renewed it because it was included in the contract Jungkook made you sign seven months ago that you have to continue working with Jeon Enterprise.
“You’ve read the letter, son?”
Jungkook is too absorbed in his thoughts to the point he didn’t hear the footsteps of his mother nor did he hear the door to his office being opened. Aunt Binna is leaning against the wall near the door. She’s wearing a long black leather coat that reaches to her ankle and a belt secured on her waist. Her face is adorned with a pair of sunglasses and red lipstick. Her hair is tied back to a low bun, leaving a few strands to fall on the left side of her face.
Aunt takes off her glasses. “I sent that letter on her behalf.”
Jungkook immediately raises his head and stares at his mother with a bewildered look on his face. “Why?”
“It’s her choice to resign,” she shrugs. “I only helped with sending the letter to you.”
Jungkook heaves a heavy sigh. “Never mind, Rika is back. That’s all that matters.” He leans back to his chair, pinching his eyes close. Aunt heard him, of course, and she couldn’t help but to feel angry at her son. She scoffs as she crosses her arms.
“Why is she back anyway? She left you, Kook,” Aunt reminds him. “You’re overlooking the important thing right now. (Y/N) left the country to god knows where! Aren’t you worried?”
“I love Rika so much, Ma. I can’t let her go,” he bares himself.
“Well, you might love her but I hate her— Maybe I loathe her even more after knowing the real reason why she escaped!”
“What—What do you mean, Ma?” he frowns.
“God, I don’t know why (Y/N) kept this as a secret from you,” Aunt Binna sighs. “She loves you too much to not tell you the painful truth because she doesn’t want to hurt your feelings.”
Jungkook's frown deepens. His mother glares at him and puts back on her sunglasses, clearly ready to leave the room. “Maybe back then if you had asked (Y/N) what truly happened, you would’ve known.”
Aunt looks over her shoulder. “You’re a smart man, Kook. I hope you have not become a fool because of Rika and I hope you have a solid reason as to why Rika is back.”
—//—
Past : A week after you left.
The studio apartment was quite spacious; the bedroom, kitchen and living room were all in one space. Taehyung moseyed around his temporary little apartment. He’s used to living in a mansion but new experience doesn’t hurt especially when he’s doing this for you.
“(Y/N) suffered enough to get you back, Rika,” Taehyung drawled. He’s in no mood to talk actually, but Rika has been blowing up his phone so he had no choice but to pick up her calls. “Now that she’s free, I have no intention of keeping your little affair.”
He hummed over something Rika was saying over the phone. “She doesn’t know that I knew about this,” he smirked when he heard Rika throwing a string of curses at him but his playfulness dissipated in a blink of an eye.
“You made my (Y/N) suffer. You and Jungkook… Both of you made her suffer.”
They said anger is the bodyguard of sadness; it’s true. Anger started to spark in his veins as he remembered the tears that had fallen from your eyes while having a gun up to your head. He’s angry that he couldn’t afford to do anything back then and he’s sad that those images, those memories would stay in his mind forever.
Taehyung mastered the art of masking one’s emotions, be it by face or by voice. He’s angry but couldn’t afford to snap at Rika, at least not now. Anger is a powerful emotion.
“We are supposed to be together by now, you know? Me and (Y/N), I mean,” he continued. “If it wasn’t for your reckless action, I would’ve had her in my arms now…”
Rika continued throwing profanities at Taehyung but he didn’t mind her of course instead, he continued. “But it’s fine, you’ll suffer in her place now.”
The playfulness seemed to have come back as it was evident in his voice. “I’m giving you a chance, Rika, since (Y/N) wouldn’t want Jungkook’s love of life to suffer, right?” He pouted, his tone mocking. “So, now everything depends on how he gets to know about this; either from the mouth of others or yours.”
He moistened his lips before he hissed out his opinion. “The latter option is better.”
He didn’t let Rika continue any further so he ended the call with one touch. He returned to the app he had opened before picking up Rika’s call. The resume button was pressed and the audio was loading before it started playing again. It’s a conversation between two individuals. Taehyung had his earbud on one side of his ear as he listened to the conversation tentatively.
“Jungkook has given you everything, Rika. Why are you betraying him?”
Your weak voice, your desperate voice which Taehyung knew that you were on the verge of tearing up - not out of sadness but rather out frustration, confusion and even anger - filled the room. He had replayed the audio for god knows how many times. It’s to the point he had remembered each and every sentence of the conversation.
He’s waiting for the perfect time to drop the bomb.
The conversation was still going on when he heard a knock on his door, breaking his concentration but he was bound to be disturbed at this time because the person he had been expecting had finally arrived. He knew exactly who’s behind the door without even opening the door yet.
Taehyung walked towards the door and with a happy smile, he opened the door.
“Aunt Binna,” he called. “Pleasure seeing you.”