Jungkook rushed to his bedroom, tearing through his closet finding the box easily. He was well organized and it didn't take time at all to locate the contents he needed so badly. The small box held the notes he received over the years he cared so much for.

My secret Santa.

His hands shook when he sifted through the notes, comparing the handwriting with the one he had in his hand.

Same.

He'd stared at the handwriting for years that it had ingrained in his memory. He'd spend hours trying to put a face for his secret Santa. A soft sob heaved out of his chest. It was indeed her. He sagged on the floor, crossing his legs as he stared at the note. All this time.

Jungkook clenched his jaw. He didn't even know how to react now that he found the truth. Why?

All these years she had been a major part of his life and he never knew. The person he came to care for had been his sister. She'd changed her name, but that was all that changed. Why would she even care for him? And that too without expecting anything in return.

Well, if I had my way, we wouldn't meet at all.

Her words echoed in his head. She wasn't planning to reveal her identity. If it wasn't for this will, she'd have never contacted him, he realized.

Jungkook didn't understand. He was five years old when he received his first gift. How could she even think of something like that when his father had shunned her away? Why?

Tears streamed down his cheeks. He didn't deserve the kindness. Not when he had given her nothing in return. The gifts he had bought over the years stared at him from their designated space in his closet. He chuckled humorlessly. There were twenty gifts, one for each year. Every time she sent a gift, he bought one in return and stored it in his closet, hoping he would find her one day.

The first gift was a sketchbook, the second year it was a toy car. Every year he bought something, hoping he'd find the person sending him gifts so he can return the gesture. Twenty years later, he was still searching for them and now he found her.

He couldn't believe his luck. One of the reasons he accepted their offer to become their photographer was to get close to Taehyung so he could ask him who ordered the Vante sweater. Now it all made sense. It was fucking exclusive because his sister ordered it for him. She made sure there was only one piece in the world.

Jungkook couldn't really bring himself to complain. He understood her to need to hide this secret. He understood her fear of rejection. She feared Hobi hyung would hate her if he knew the truth. Honestly, Jungkook didn't know how his hyung would react to this truth. Though she hadn't admitted to him, he knew she feared him too.

She had been running and hiding all these years from him, yet she was keeping tabs. Tears pooled in his eyes again. The very first camera she bought him smiled at him from its cozy place. The one that encouraged him to pursue his passion for photography. And years later, here she was once again handing him the opportunity to live his dream.

How would Jin hyung and Hobi hyung react to this news?

Should I tell them?

He shook his head immediately. A strange sense of protectiveness surged inside him. He promised. She didn't reveal her identity to him, but it didn't take a genius to put two and two together. Now that he could finally put a face to the person who had been in his life as a silent supporter, he really couldn't complain.

She said she had reasons. How could he even blame her for wanting to stay away? Their father signed the fucking papers for adoption. Is that what happened? Is that why she changed her name? So she must have known.

Fuck.

That meant...Park Jimin was none other than her attorney Mr. Park. He must be the son of Park Jihyun his father's men talked about. He never connected the dots before. Jungkook gasped as the realization dawned. No wonder Jimin had been distant after their initial meetings. He knew the truth. They all knew the truth. Now he knew why Jimin or the others hovered around them whenever they talked.

Jungkook pegged Jimin's distance for being not interested in him. He blamed himself for being too obvious initially. Though he had reigned in his fanboy slash crush antics, he always felt Jimin keeping him at an arm's length. But now he understood why he was wary of him.

They let him in because they knew who he was. She let him closer because she knew. Robert's words replayed in his mind. She never allowed anyone to touch her equipment. He firsthand saw how frightened they were around her today. But she let him. She let him do whatever he wanted like the good sister she was.

Jungkook wiped the tears. As much as he wanted to confront her, tell her that he knew, he couldn't do that. At least not yet.

What if she shut him out again?

What if she left Hobi hyung?

"Master Jeon?"

Jungkook whipped around and jumped to his feet. He wiped his face hurriedly as he closed the closet door and exited it to see his butler standing in the middle of his room.

"Mr. Jeon wants to see you."

"What does he want now?" Jungkook couldn't help the disdain leaking from his voice. After all, his father was the root cause of all these issues.

He shrugged off his suit jacket and swiftly changed out of his shirt, opting out for a comfortable baby blue long-sleeved t-shirt that hid his sleeve tattoos. It was Hobi hyung and Jin hyung's gift because he always wanted a tattoo. His father had been enraged when he got the tattoos during a short break after graduation. His father and the PR team had forced him to hide the tattoos forever saying they can't have the face of their company running around with tattoos.

"I do not know. He's in his office."

"Okay. You can leave." Jungkook checked the time. He had to go back. He shouldn't have left the studio, but he couldn't wait that long with a storm raging in his chest. The thought of meeting his father distracted him enough to focus on the present. He schooled his features as he strode to his father's office on the ground floor, knocking once before entering.

"Ah, there you are."

"Can this wait? I have to be somewhere," he said eying the Wang and his minions. This must not be good.

"Why? Meeting someone important?"

"Something like that." He didn't bother to sit.

"What is important to you that cannot wait?" His father hissed. "This matter is far more important than your romantic life."

Jungkook chuckled. If it were any other time, he would have followed his orders like a well trained puppy he was. But the evening's revelation had put him on an edge. "I'm an adult and I'm allowed to have a private life. Before you ask, that isn't the reason I'm heading out. I have other interests too you know."

"Whatever it is, it can wait," his father snarled.

"You're wasting my time, dad. You already made it clear you don't see me as a potential person to take over. Why would you even bother with me?"

"That's enough. Is that why you're being disrespectful these days? I've worked for decades to bring this company to where it is. I'm ready to give you responsibility doesn't mean you deserve it."

"I didn't ask for it," Jungkook shot back.

"I said that's enough." His father eyed his subordinates. "Wang here has a lead on your sister. Her name is Porshiya Jeon. Does the name ring any bell?"

Jungkook let the surprise show and stifled the laughter. Wasn't her last name John? And if he remembered correctly, her parents were well-known doctors who traveled the world. He saw the smug smile on Wang's face. "You're the one that fathered her. Shouldn't you be the one knowing all this stuff?" he retorted.

His father scoffed. "I'm doing this for you. The sooner we find her the sooner the company will be yours."

"No, it will be yours," he stressed. "Don't think I don't know what's on your mind. You want me to transfer the shares to you legally so you can remain as the major shareholder of the company."

"And that is the right thing to do."

"What if she doesn't wish to disclaim? What if she isn't willing to accept your proposal?"

"I have my ways." His father waved him off. "She was a mistake. None of this would have happened if it wasn't for her. I showed her kindness and she owes me for taking care of her all these years. I'll handle this situation."

She took care of herself. He wanted to shout.

"What if she doesn't agree?"

"I have my ways, boy," his father smirked. "She won't leave Seoul without signing the papers. She'll be dealt with accordingly."

Jungkook clenched his fists. You won't get anywhere near her.

Wang and the others laughed suggestively at his comment. "I agree, sir. She's just a kid. That Park might be a trouble, but we got this."

No. He wouldn't do shit. Jungkook wanted to scoff. Jimin would incinerate them if they got anywhere near her. The man was dangerous with a temper as hot as fire. Jungkook knew that much. Robert could really get chatty during work and thanks to him Jungkook knew more than he should.

Proposal his ass. Even if she didn't want the inheritance, he wouldn't let her disclaim it. As he glared at his father, his chest tightened with determination. She didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve this. They didn't deserve this. He'd protect her at any cost.

Jungkook clenched this jaw staring down at the man he called his father. "She wouldn't have existed if you hadn't cheated on mom. Stop blaming her because you couldn't keep it in your pants," he hissed. Before his father could say something he continued, "If you'll excuse me, I have more important things to attend to."

If he meant the words as a bite, it didn't have the desired effect. Jeon Jungwoo suddenly laughed, then directed his gaze to Wang. "He's my son, isn't he? He's got the bite."

Jungkook pursed his lips.

"Anyways," his father directed to him in a bored tone. "You'll attend the Seoul Fashion Week with Song Jae-Hwa. Mr. Song saw you in an event and approached me with a proposal." Jungkook's eyes widened in horror as he realized where this was going. "I think it'll benefit our company. Minseok will share her contact details with you."

"I'm not interested."

"I wasn't asking for your opinion."

Jungkook folded his hands across his chest. "I'm going to Seoul Fashion Week but not as a guest," he informed. "I wasn't going to tell you this, but I'm one of the photographers who'll be photographing the show. And I don't have time for dating or relationships. You better stop whatever shit you have planned, else I'll do it myself."

He didn't wait for his father's response. Jungkook pivoted on his heel and left his office and the stupid subordinates. He didn't know where those words came from. The Jungkook from a few months ago wouldn't have lifted a finger if his father had something similar. But he supposed people changed. He changed or was changing. Perhaps he was finally realizing the four walls of his office or the bedroom didn't have to be his future. He saw firsthand what an arranged marriage did to his parents. He didn't know who Jae-Hwa was but he already felt resentful toward her.

Jungkook knew he wouldn't be happy nor he could bring himself to be around women in a romantic sense. He hadn't thought about the future. But it was time he set his priorities straight. For his own good and the sake of the others.

***

"Taehyungie?"

Her soft voice pulled him from his furious slumber. "Can't you see I'm hiding from you? Get the fuck out."

Katy slipped into the room with a look of a kicked puppy. "I'm sorry, TaeTae."

"Sorry?" he growled. "Now you're sorry?"

She looked down at her feet, hunched her shoulders, and appeared smaller than she was.

"You called my work shitty and sore to eyes. I understand you're frustrated but that's no way to treat me, Jeoni. I haven't touched your phone nor did any of this shit. You didn't have to take it out on me. I'd have sucked it up but you talked about my work. You know how much it hurts to take a dig on that."

"I'm so sorry," she sniffled, her tears falling free. "I was being shitty. I know I shouldn't have but I wasn't thinking straight."

"You're right you weren't. And how old are you, Jeoni?" She didn't respond, fidgeting with the hem of her oversized Vante sweater. "You're not a child anymore. When you don't like something you talk like the adult you are. You know exactly how stressful I get during these shows. You know how important this is to me."

She continued to sniffle, wiping her cheeks but never meeting his eyes.

"I have you here because I trust you, Jeoni. I trust you more than anyone to shoulder these responsibilities with me. Do you realize we did nothing productive all day? You even went as far as to take it out on the staff. That's a big NO, Jeoni. You know how I feel about these things. That was completely unprofessional."

He ran a hand through his unkempt hair and turned away. A silence settled between them with her occasional sobs infiltrating the space. A few more minutes passed and none of them made a move to talk. Taehyung clenched his jaw.

"Can you stop crying?"

He saw her shaking her head from the corner of his eye. He let her cry for a few more minutes before giving up.

Taehyung sighed. He was weak for her tears, for anyone's tears for that matter. He couldn't let anyone cry especially if he knew he was the cause of it. "Come here." He lifted a hand, not meeting her gaze and beckoning her over.

She shuffled on her feet and wasted no time in climbing on the couch with him. She scooted closer, throwing her legs over his lap before clutching at his shirt and burying her face into his chest as the dam broke. Her body shook with her sobs and his hands wrapped around her small frame, pulling her on his lap.

"I forgive you," he whispered. "It's okay. Just...don't do it again."

He rubbed her back as she continued to cry.

"Wanna talk about it?" he gently probed.

She wordlessly slid the phone to him. Taehyung unlocked the phone, knowing what she meant. He opened her messaging app and scrolled through the text, gasping when he saw the last few texts.

"Why would they take it this far, Tae? Am I that bad?" she croaked. "You know I wouldn't mind if this was someone else. This is...my brother. You know how important this is to me. He asked me if I was drunk. I can't even bring myself to face him anymore. It's not funny. Why would they take it this far?"

"I'm so sorry, bubble. I'll give him an explanation now."

"No. That's okay." She took the phone back. "I'll tell him the truth."

"Truth."

She nodded. "I'll tell him my Korean is shitty. I'll apologize and I'll tell it was my friends."

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'll talk to Posh tonight, okay?"

"It's fine," she sniffled. "I'm sorry I was being a shit. I'll do anything to make it up to you."

"Anything?"

She nodded in affirmation.

"Including giving up your exclusive rights for Vante's female clothing line?"

She met his gaze before lowering it. "That too. If that's what you want. I don't deserve the rights after what I said."

Taehyung deflated. That was so unlike Jeoni. "Hey..." he called gently.

"I'm so sorry. I was being unreasonable and no matter how hard things were it was wrong for me to say those hurtful things to you. I was stressed lately and I took it out on you."

"Hey... look at me."

"I'm so sorry."

He cupped her cheek, forcing her to look at him. "I said I forgive you and I meant it."

"I hurt you."

"You did and you apologized."

"It isn't enough."

"That's for me to decide, isn't it? Come on, little bubble. Stop crying now. We've had far worse fights than this."

"But I never said those things to you before. That was inexcusable."

"I said I forgive you, Jeoni. But you can make it up to me by wearing only Vante designs for a year."

"No other brands?"

"No other brands for a year," he confirmed.

Katy frowned. "That's not a punishment."

"I haven't finished yet," he smirked. "These are the unisex designs I'm releasing soon. So, you'll wear them and be my model for my designs. You'll post actively on your social media and be the face of this unisex line." He held a finger before she could say something. "For the rest of your life or until I decide I need a new face."

"That's-I'm not...I—"

He shushed her. "You called my designs shitty. So, it's only fair that you go out there saying my designs are the best and encouraging people to buy it, don't you think?"

Katy scowled, staring at him. "I'm your photographer. I can't be your model. You don't like anyone else photographing your campaigns."

"You already solved that situation for me, sweetheart. Did you forget you signed our little Jungkookie? And he's already taken over my campaign."

"I...TaeTae," she whined.

"Do you want me to forgive you or not?"

"You said you already forgave me."

"But you hurt me and you deserve a nice ass whooping. Since I'm being nice and generous, I think this will be more fitting." Guilt trapping her was easier than he thought. He could see her wanting to refuse but fighting over a sense of guilt.

"Fine," she grunted. "Only for you."

"Of course. Do I look like a fool to share the prestigious Min heir with the others? You're exclusive to Vante."

She rolled her eyes hitting his chest playfully.

He knew how much she hated being in the limelight and he couldn't think of anything better to get her back. Perhaps he could even get Jungkook to be the male face of his campaign. The siblings would look so good together, all cute and squishy. A plan began to form in his head. What a better way to bring them together. He should talk to Jimin soon.

"I'm sorry, TaeTae. I mean it."

"Shh...stop now. I know this entire thing is stressing you out. Take a deep breath and slow down, okay? You're not alone."

They stayed silent for a while.

"What if he hates me, TaeTae?" she mumbled.

"Didn't you hear what Jin hyung said? He still loves you. That doesn't mean he can't be angry. You know what to do."

"I really love him."

"I know."

"And I'm sorry."

Taehyung chuckled. "Are you gonna keep apologizing all night?"

"I will if I have to."

He shook his head. "Let's call it a day. I'll ask them to reschedule the shoot."

"No." She stopped him, "I asked Jungkookie to take over the shoot. We don't have to cancel."

Taehyung relaxed, an invisible weight lifting off his shoulders. "Okay. Do you wanna go home now?"

She shook her head. "Stay here, please."

"Okay. Let's stay then." He adjusted her in his lap. "Promise me that you won't act immaturely again."

"I promise."

"We're family, Jeoni. I agree Posh overstepped with that last text. But it could be a genuine mistake and you could have asked her right away. You know she wouldn't do something to ruin it on purpose."

"I was stressed and wasn't thinking clearly."

Taehyung hummed. "Relax now. I hate it when you cry."

"I love you, TaeTae."

"I love you too, my little bubble."

Poor Katy keeps running into one trap after the other. Lol. I enjoy writing their banters. I love Taehyung in this fic. Hope you like it too.