When the day rolled into Friday, Jungkook was exhausted—emotionally and physically. Work had been demanding and he had only shown up at the studio once.

Jungkook pushed the reports aside with a deep sigh. He missed the studio already. Being back there and holding the camera reminded him why he fell in love with photography. It was a place he could forget everything and be the person he wanted to be. Sometimes made him wonder if all these struggles were worth the hassle. He had no answer.

He was a little bummed out after his recent conversation with his father. Jungkook despised the control the old man had over him. He was and still acted like a tyrant. Jungkook hadn't expected his father to invite him into his office with the board members present.

Jungkook might not have been ready, but now he at least knew what was on his father's mind. He had outright told Jungkook that he was too young to take over and pushed him the papers he has to sign that would put his father back in control. Hoseok had fumed beside him but Jungkook stopped him from saying anything.

Sometimes he wished his father was like Hoseok's father, who let his son take over. Though he remained as a Chairman, he made Hoseok a major shareholder and took the back seat. Uncle Heesung was a great man.

Jungkook agreed he was young and he didn't bother to give up the control, but it was the way his father said it. It was as if his years of hard work were nothing. He...was nothing.

Hoseok hyung was right. He had to decide what he wanted. Suddenly the youngest wasn't sure if taking over the company was what he wanted now that he got a taste of what it feels like to follow his passion. But everything was happening way too fast for him.

When the evening came, so did the dread of the phone call. He was in no mood for the conversation with his estranged sister, whom he didn't even know. Jungkook didn't know what made him anxious. He was afraid of how this would turn out. Does she despise him just like she despises his father? What was she going to tell him?

The door to his office opened and Hoseok slipped in with a solemn face. He promised to be here during the call. The youngest did not support his father's views in so many things. His father was a narrow-minded, controlling prick. Excuse his emotional outburst. But that was the truth. His father was an embodiment of things Jungkook doesn't want himself to be.

Jungkook didn't even have the time to compose himself when the call came through.

"H-hello." Jungkook's heart banged against his rib cage and he wondered if it was audible to the others. His hands trembled. Hoseok squeezed his arm, rubbing a smooth circle over the back of his palm.

"Mr. Jeon, thank you so much for making time to take this call," Mark greeted. "Ms. Jeon is here with me today."

Jungkook swallowed. Sweat coated his forehead and his breathing grew erratic. "Hi." He was glad his voice didn't waver.

"Hey..." Her voice was soft, oddly familiar.

The silence stretched on both ends, settling awkwardly between them. Fortunately, the attorney cleared his throat and continued, "Your grandfather will clearly state that his assets should be divided between the living children of Mr. Jeon Jungwoo. She wants to know your thoughts on this issue."

"I...I understand that," he said. His gaze flicked to Hoseok as he squirmed in his seat. "I...ah—"

"I wish we met under different circumstances." Her words flow in fluent Korean. It had a distinct, thick accent to it like she wasn't native Korean. "Well, if I had my way, we wouldn't meet at all."

Jungkook sat dumbfounded, certainly not expecting her to be open about her feelings.

"Oh, I have nothing against you, Jungkook. It's just that...I don't want any drama. You get what I mean." She laughed nervously.

Jungkook swallowed. "I think I understand."

She sighed audibly. "I don't care about the inheritance. I make enough on my own. Ah, so...uh, I'm sorry I'm nervous."

"I-It's okay."

"It's weird." She laughed again. Somehow the sound eased some of his nerves. "Anyways, what I wanted to say is...ah, why don't we discuss this between us? Like, two adults. Talk and sort it all out. What do you say?"

Jungkook relaxed further. "Sure," he replied, a small smile stretching his lips. "I-I'd like that."

"Cool. Ah, I know it's too soon and this isn't how I expected us to meet. If we ever run into each other, I mean. But maybe it was our destiny after all." Her laughter was more relaxed this time. She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry if I sound too business-like. But ah, I don't want this all awkward and weird. I'd like to get to know you, Jungkook. I'll understand if you don't want to. I mean...it's understandable. I-I—"

"I'd love that." He cut her off. Beside him, Hoseok beamed at him and squeezed his shoulders with an encouraging nod. "I mean...ah, we don't have to be strangers. I-I don't want us to be strangers."

"Oh, I...I'd love that too."

This time silence stretched between them wasn't so uncomfortable. A flicker of hope bloomed in his chest. Perhaps, this wouldn't be that hard.

"Okay, so, now that's the case, Mr. Jeon I'll share Ms. Jeon's contact details with you. We'd appreciate it if we can keep this information between us."

"Yeah, sure," Jungkook readily agreed, his smile more genuine and relaxed.

If he could work this out with her, it would benefit both of them. Perhaps, they could figure a common ground to make this work. They had a long way to go, but it was a great start. This could have gone wrong in so many ways and Jungkook was glad it didn't. She sounded so mature and her thoughts resonated with some of his own. Maybe they would get along just fine.

When he smiled at his hyung, he felt like the invisible weight had lifted off his chest. Everything will be okay.

***

"Why the fuck would you do that?!" Katy yelled, eyes wide and chest heaving as soon as the call ended.

Porshiya just shrugged with a smug smile. "What did I do?"

Jimin on the other hand was clutching his sides. All the tension he sported a while ago had vanished and he was just as amused as Taehyung. They were in their studio breakroom again.

"Y-you gave him my contact details."

"I did."

"You fucking told him that I want to get to know him."

Porshiya cocked her head to the side. "I did."

"And you fucking spoke to him in Korean."

Her best friend cackled. She literally cackled like a witch she was. It was a mistake to use a throw-you-under-the-bus card for the call. Katy was furious. So what if she had grown anxious and chickened out at the last minute. So what if she couldn't follow through with her plan. So what if she forced Porshiya to pretend as Jeoni instead. Porshiya shouldn't have done this. This wasn't how it was supposed to go.

"You wanted me to speak to him and I did. The deal is done, chicka."

"Oh, I love when this happens," Tae chirped. "Can you fuck this up and complicate it any further?"

"You nailed the call by the way," Jimin praised her.

"Thanks boys!" Porshiya preened.

Katy ignored them and continued to scowl at Porshiya. "Fuck you! You ruined it." Now how was she supposed to do this? She wished for the ground to open and swallow her. "Why would you speak in Korean?"

"First of all, as much as I'd love to, we already established we both don't bat for the same team. Second, I did what I had to do and you can thank me later." She tapped her nose infuriating her further. "And you're forgetting that he knows me. I've talked to him only in English so I figured he'd know it's me the moment he heard my voice."

"But I don't speak Korean."

"You'll do just fine." Porshiya ruffled Katy's hair and stood from the couch, stretching like a cat.

Katy scowled. "I hate you."

"No, you don't. Now move your ass. We have a lot of work to do and for once I'd like to go home early and have that bath, which is overdue."

Katy jumped to her feet, still pouting. "I'm joining you and you're going to give me a massage."

"What if I don't want to?"

"You will," Katy smirked. When did Porshiya ever say no to her?

"Bitch."

"That I am."

"Am I the only one enjoying this way too much?" Jimin piped in. "Just when I think things can't get any worse, she had to go and do that."

"Shut up," Katy hissed. "I regret sharing my crib with you."

He rolled his eyes. "Correction, it's my crib and you're the one who kicked up a fuss whenever dad tried to put us in different cribs."

"Oh, I remember this one. Papa Park says she never used her nursery." Tae chuckled as they both stood, smoothing their clothes.

"Whatever," Katy huffed, folding her hands across her chest. "If I had known you'll grow up to be an asshole I wouldn't have done that."

"Ditto." Jimin flicked his finger on her forehead and skipped off with a bounce in his walk.

Taehyung shook his head. "Wait until Aera and Yoongi hyung hear about this. You're the funniest."

"I hate you."

"I love you too, little bubble." He kissed her cheek, exiting the room.

Katy collapsed on the couch with a groan. Why is this happening to me? Just when she thought she had everything under control, she had to go and get herself into another maze. Now, don't get her wrong. Creating mazes were her specialty. She loved them even as long as it was other people who lose their way. But her friends occasionally bested her and she now found herself in one of the messes she created.

"Perfect!" She growled. Just what she needed. She was already on edge knowing she would meet Hobi at the show, which was drawing faster for her liking. She chewed at her nails, an old habit she tried hard to quit and succeeded for a while before picking up again recently. What do I do?

So much for her reputation as the devil. Why did she go and fall in love with the enemy? Hoseok hated the Mins. At least, she thought he did. Both Jung Heesung or Jeon Jungwoo never bothered to hide their disdain whenever they ran into Yoongi or her father in social events. They barely acknowledged each other. So it was safe to assume Hoseok and Jungkook would follow in their footsteps.

She sighed again. This is a mess.

Katy suppressed the urge to scream and throw things. Why are things so complicated?

Because you made it so. A small voice spoke inside her head. You had to go and fall in love with him and if that isn't enough your smitten ass had to say yes when he proposed. If that isn't enough, you had to suggest you both got married immediately.

"He didn't have to agree. He's at least a year older than me and he should have known better than to marry a stranger," she griped.

He's just as smitten as you.

Katy sighed dramatically. "Fine. I'm Katy Min, fucking Min. This is what I'm gonna do. As much as I hate it, I'm gonna suck it up and do it." She stood after a small pep talk and rolled her shoulders. "I got this. I can do this."

I have to do this.

"I know you can do this," Jimin poked his head back in. "If you're done with your pep talk, can you come out? We have to get this shoot out of the way."

Katy rolled her eyes and followed him out.

"The royal gala will be postponed by the way," he informed her. "Yoongi hyung can't come earlier. So we might push it to November."

Katy nodded. "Sounds good. I don't want people to know who I am, yet. I can't risk Hobi finding out before I even had a chance to reconnect with him."

Jimin patted her back. "I've already drafted the postnup. I'll get him to sign it after the show."

She frowned, looking at him. "That is—"

He stopped her before she finished the sentence. "I know what I'm doing, Jeoni. Don't argue with me in this. I'll let you speak to him first. But I'm getting it done my way."

Her shoulders slumped. "Okay."

"Don't worry. He wouldn't find out who you are and if he doesn't care for your background it shouldn't matter to him. Besides, it's beneficial to him too. He's a rich asshole who would want to protect his assets as well. It makes sense."

"If you say so."

"Stop pouting, you look ugly when you pout."

"Hey!" She hit his shoulder, but he only laughed before walking off. She needed Aera. Needed to grumble and rumble all about her friends bullying her today. Needed that bucket of ice cream and cuddles so she can wallow in self-pity. Aera would tell her that she was being overdramatic. So what if she was overdramatic.

Life wasn't fair for her. Her own parents didn't want her. They dumped her at the first chance they got and if it wasn't for Papa Park, she'd have ended up alone in some stupid boarding school and who knew what would have happened with Jungwoo putting her up for adoption. Katy tried to shake off the depressing thoughts.

In a way, she was grateful for the things that happened. She found a family much better than her biological one. She had no right to complain. Life was way too kind to her for being an outcast. With a sigh, she dragged her feet to the set and grabbed her camera. A sense of calm settled in her chest and she found herself smiling as she stared at the equipment.

She looked up and caught Taehyung smiling fondly at her. This was her world, where she belonged. Her people, her family, and her everything. And she loved them.

She returned his smile that said she was fine. He nodded subtly as he turned his attention to the model he was working on. This was enough. So what if Jungkook didn't want her in his life? What if Hobi didn't want her? She had them and she knew she would always have them.

Pulling her professional mask on, she started barking orders as the models lined up for the next round of shoot.