[Quick recap: Jennie and her father invited Vmin to her b'day party, Jungkook went to Tae's hotel to convince him to not go there, but our Vaby bear is stubborn, he went there wearing the same tie Jk had tied his hands with. Let's see what they do now🙃]

  Getting an invitation from mafia boss Min Kyunghoon to his house and Jungkook visiting him twice to tell him to not go, Taehyung figured something was off. He was trying not to let all his life drama cause him to lose his mind, had almost decided to forgo the entire thing that happened during his visit in Canada in favour of his mental peace but it was his curiosity that had pushed him to go and see it by himself. 

  "The legendary Kim Taehyung!" Hoseok greeted him at the front door, "Oh my gosh you're finally here!" He said sunnily, his eyes darting from him to his friend, "And Park Jimin? The gay icon of Korea! I'm so elated to see you." 

  "Ohh God." Jimin chuckled at this fanboy, feeling a bit shy though it was nothing new to him. 

  "You're cuter in person." Hoseok's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. "Please come in. Miss Jennie is waiting inside." 

  The blonde guy talked so fast, like rapping, along the long corridor, that the actor duo had to put all their attention to hear him. The one-sided conversation was mostly on their acting and aesthetics and how he used to go to the movie theatre secretly after bunking classes. Jimin was replying in monosyllables, nodding seldom but Taehyung was silent all the time. 

  Soft lighting from every surface, soft and comfortable music feted when they stepped through the wide door of a luxurious hall room. Jennie was there on the dance floor, like the core of a lotus surrounded by her friends. Her face alighted with joy when she noticed them, then raising her hand beckoned them over.  

  Her friends scattered like petals when they neared.

  "I was waiting for you." Said she stretching her hand out. In a black and white sleeveless dress she was looking elegantly beautiful.

  "Happy birthday." Taehyung took her hand and kissed. "The flowers were absolutely beautiful." 

  Her eyes widened with glee, "I'm glad you liked it."

  Taehyung nodded with a slow grin and glanced at Jimin. Jimin got the hint, approached her with his signature heart melting smile and handed her a little silver box of Rolex they'd brought for the birthday girl, "Happy birthday, cutie." 

  "Oh my, it's so pretty! Thank you so much!" She cooed at her gift and then asked them to have some drinks and feel comfortable to ask anything for. 

  When they were having this small talk Taehyung's eyes skidded through, scanning the room. A five tier pink and gold birthday cake was kept at the centre, encircling hundreds of rainbow themed cupcakes and cookies. Not a single kid was present there to pay attention to; the straight-face middle ages were busy talking with each other and some young boys and girls, who seemed to be her friends, had gathered there dancing in waltz.

  But he couldn't find any traces of Jungkook which had him disappointed and it reflected on his face. 

  "Hey Jennie," Jimin may have guessed, so he asked on his behalf, "Your bodyguard doesn't seem to be around."

  "My bodyguard?" Jennie looked at him and then at the blonde who escorted them in, "Hobi-ssi?"

  "Oh I forgot to introduce myself," Hoseok from their side said, "Hi, I'm Hobi. Her official bodyguard." He shook Jimin's hand briefly, and then Taehyung's.

  "Nice to meet you. But I was talking about the other. Jkay." Jimin told them. 

  "Ohh Jkay? He must be here…. Ah, there he is." Hoseok drew their attention to the open bar at the corner of the room which wasn't quite noticeable from the dance floor because of its dimmed lighting. 

  And that was when Taehyung caught sight of Jungkook, looking dashing in a black jacket and high ankle boots, sitting on a high stool staring directly at him. Expression unreadable. 

  "Taehyung-ssi," Jennie said and waited until the addressed person cut his eyes to her. 

  "Yes,"  

  "This song is nice." She kept beaming at him, her eyes soft, expectant, "Would you like to dance with me?" 

  "Um," Taehyung ran his tongue over his lip,  searching for a quick excuse to reject, "Actually,"

  Jimin saw his face and laughed a little, "C'mon Tae. Say yes. It's her birthday, you've to grant at least one of her wishes."

  Nervously Taehyung licked his lower lip again, "Actually I'm not good at dancing—"

  "He is actually very good at dancing," Jimin ignored his death glare and added, "But a bit shy to admit it." 

  Jennie covered her mouth with her fingertips, giggled, "I didn't know he'd be so shy around girls."

  Jimin said, "Trust me, he is." 

  It took effort but Taehyung stopped his eyes from rolling.

  "Please, Taehyung-ssi. For once. For me." Jennie made her eyes round, puppy-like while waiting for a positive response. 

  "All right." Trapped, "But only a song." 

  "That'll be fine." She took his hand, passing through the dancing fingers as she led him to the centre. 

  The song was nice indeed; 'It’s Alright, This Is Love' by Davichi. 

  Taehyung dropped a hand to her waist when she took her position before him. The other hand hugged her knuckle lightly as their bodies vibed with the slow soft rhythm. He fought an urge to not look in that direction and ignore Jungkook, but it was like some demagnetized force that pulled his eyes to his and locked them together. 

  ♪….You came to me with the wind like the swaying flowers…. ..You knocked on my heart, I love you… ..♪

  Years ago he wanted to tell him all these, but couldn't. Now that he was so near to him, still he couldn't. He'd broken his heart, his soul, something fragile inside that'd never be repaired. 

  Never. 

  Jungkook's eyes never left his and he didn’t hide it.  His ability to breathe was almost stolen for that moment when Taehyung walked in wearing his necktie which absentmindedly left there in the hotel room. He knew The stubborn boy wasn't going to take the flight he'd booked for him and was coming straight to the party ignoring his warning, Seokjin had told him everything, but he didn't tell him Taehyung would put on that cheap piece of cloth in this high class party, just to mock him? 

  And yet, despite all that, he wasn't angry with him at all. He was just….. He didn't exactly know what it was. 

   ♪…..Look into my eyes
   Keep this trembling feeling, hug me…♪

  The song entered the second verse. He saw Taehyung wrapping his hand around Jennie's back and pulling her closer. The moment her hands braced his neck Jungkook jerked his head toward the other side of the bar, to the cabinet of liquor. Not looking actually. It was unnecessary—he thought. Why did they need to grind their bodies while waltzing when they didn't even know each other very well? 

  Suddenly his throat craved for some alcohol. He'd never drank openly before but today he ended up ordering two raw shots of whiskey for himself. 

  ♪....My heart hurts when I see you
  .........My flawed heart and my love
  Will you accept it? Me?....♪

  Taehyung frowned when a young couple got close to them while dancing, blocking the view of the bar's, mostly Jungkook's. If he closed his eyes, he could still see Jungkook, but as he was there his eyes ardent more of his sight, mind restless.

  Move. Move you stupid people—he didn’t say that because that'd look rude. Instead he tightened his fingers around Jennie as he craned his neck to look past them. And Jennie, getting the wrong impression, let her body loose and encircled her hands around his neck like a garland, letting her head fall on his chest. 

  Their hearts were beating rapidly—for different reasons. 

  When the dancing couple finally moved away he saw Jungkook had reared back, his back was touching the counter, watching him and him only, holding a glass of whiskey which seemed to break and scatter if he added a little more pressure. The penetrating gaze in his dark eyes portrayed how disturbed he was, definitely not liking his presence and him doing what he was doing, and Taehyung thought it was actually good. 

  Good that he had actual emotions.

  Jimin was watching him for several long moments, wondering if his friend was really hiding something from him or he was just overthinking. Insofar as he'd seen him, he knew Taehyung wasn't the person who'd pay too much attention to someone he just met. He never talked about his past life and barely shared much about his present, he was a private guy and Jimin respected him for that. But right now the way he was looking at that particular guy named Jkay, was something very concentrated, as if they knew each other for a long time or falling for him unknowingly. 

  In conclusion: whatever the thing Taehyung had on Jkay it must be huge.

  Jimin put on a smile, approached Jungkook saying 'hey' and took the stool beside him. Crossing his legs polishly, he ordered a martini for himself and tried to make an easy conversation while his drink got prepared. 

  "They're dancing way too close, right?" He said directly, side glancing at Taehyung and Jennie. 

  Jungkook lifted the glass to his mouth, waited for a second and downed everything in one go. The fluid must have burned deep inside his throat, however he neither flinched nor said a word. 

  Jimin twisted the metal ring on his finger and studied him closely. He seemed to be a tough guy, but couldn't be more than Jimin. He thought of pushing him a little more. "This happens with me every time. I don't know why I get jealous when someone gets intimate with him." When the other made no reaction he said in a pout, "Do you think it's normal?"

  Jungkook took another glass of whiskey from the counter and like the first one consumed it whole. This time, though he wasn't looking at him, he opened his mouth to answer him, "They're just dancing."

  "Close dancing." Jimin murmured suggestively, brown eyes were difficult to read, glinting with a speck of inquisitiveness while staring at Jungkook. 

  "Why are you saying all these to me?" Jungkook asked quietly. 

  Jimin said, "Thought maybe you too were feeling the same as me."

  "What!" Jungkook tore his gaze off Taehyung and finally put his attention on Jimin, "Why would I feel like you?" 

  "Sorry to say but," Jimin took a healthy swig of his martini, his face twisting in a scowl as the notoriously strong liquor hit his throat, igniting a fire. He sighed and pointed a finger at Jungkook, "You seemed kinda sulky. Your body seemed stressed. That's why I asked." 

  Sulky? Was he? These words made him huff, "Definitely not."

  "Not even-" Jimin bent his fingers in a way that left a little gap between the index finger and thumb, "A teeny, tiny bit?"  

  "No." Said Jungkook and sighed looking down. But it was hard to not look at Taehyung when he was so near him, so he lifted his gaze and continued observing him attentively. 

  That said enough. 

  Great job Jiminie,  your job is finished here. Now you've to fuel the fire on the other side to see the final result— Jimin smirked while taking another long sip. Gosh the liquor was strong, enough to set the mood.

  "Do you like him?" A low deep voice rang in his left ear, making him almost choke on his drink. Tilting his head back he saw a guy around his age with platinum blonde hair staring at him. He was sitting there all this time though Jimin didn't notice maybe because of his casual white tee with blue faded jeans, which were totally odd, informal for this party. However the rich radiant skin of his and those warm brown eyes that were currently on him gave off an aristocratic aura that made him no less than anyone present in the room.

  Moreover, he was cute. 

  "Who?" He enquired after scanning his face thoroughly. 

  The owner of the smooth deep voice spoke again, "Him." The dark brown pupils of his travelled toward his friend. He was asking him about Taehyung. 

  "Like him? I love him." Jimin waited for a moment and said, "But he doesn't love me the way I do. Because he says he doesn't want to lose me. And he says weird stuff like lovers cannot be friends, friends shouldn't be lovers, so we must skip the romance part and stick to being good friends." He laughed not knowing why he was saying all these to a stranger. He just had a shot, that couldn't make him tipsy. Maybe it was that guy's beauty that he had drunk a moment ago…… Yeah. He stopped laughing abruptly and asked softly, "Weird, isn't he?"

  "And a liar."

  "Huh?"

  "He lied to you because he couldn't reject you on your face." Said Yoongi and glanced at the said person who was still holding her step-sister close while dancing. 

  "Aah!" That's when it clicked Jimin's mind, "Why didn't I see it this way before?"

  "You were blinded by love." Yoongi stated. 

  Jimin laughed again, his body shaking with the vibration of his laughter. If it continued for a while, he'd surely fall off his stool. "I am blinded by his cuteness. What do I do, I've an obsession with cute things." 

  Yoongi found him slightly strange. He'd probably ignore him if he hadn't come with the guy his sister wanted to marry. A moment ago he saw him glancing at that guy intensely and the next moment he came here to talk about him with Jungkook! And now all of a sudden he was laughing like a maniac. 

  What was he? 

  "By the way You're from here?" Jimin asked when his laughter dried 

  "Partly." 

  Jimin arched an eyebrow, "Partly?"

  "Born in Korea, raised here." Said Yoongi.

  "Aah, that's why your Korean accent sounds like google translation." Again a wave of laughter bubbled up in Jimin's throat, he bit his tongue to suppress it. "Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you." 

  Yoongi didn’t look offended. If anything, he looked amused. "Who said you could offend me? I don't even know you."

  "That's right, we must have done our introduction first." Jimin uncrossed his legs turning fully at him, "Jimin Park, professionally an actor."

  "Good." Said Yoongi while shaking hands. 

  "Yeah good." Jimin shrugged and twirled the ice in his drink then tossed back the last, "Have anyone told you that you're kinda cute?  Like a kitten?" The other made no reaction, he went on, "I like cats and kittens. And cars. All the cute things in the world."

  "Obsessed?"

  "With cats and racing cars? Yeah."

  Yoongi hid a smile and watched him curiously. Jimin was an attractive extrovert, not annoying. How easily he'd pulled so many words out of him which he usually avoided saying. And of course his smile was pretty. Not only because of his nice white teeth, but his full lips that were so pink it looked like they would taste like bubblegum. 

  He shook his thoughts and said, "Alonso or Max?" 

  "Uh?" 

  "Talking about the Grand Prix."

  "Max Verstappen" The fanboy inside Jimin came out instantly when his favourite racer was mentioned. "Man, he's a God!"

  God or what, Yoongi liked him too. 

  "Cool then," He said, "Let's go to T1 tomorrow and cheer for him together."

  Jimin's eyes instantly turned into the shape of saucers, lips parted in an O. "Wow man! The hell sure." A cute guy had just asked him out to where he'd already planned to go—what could be more fortunate than this?  "So, can I call it a date?"

  It occurred to Yoongi that Jimin was also a bit of an overthinker. He smirked as he heaved himself off the stool, glancing at him for the last time he said, "If you call friendly outings a date, then it's a date. See you tomorrow, Jimin."

  Jimin! 

  Butterflies started fluttering in his stomach and he zoned out for a second. 

  "Hey cutie," Just before that guy went out of sight he called him from behind,  "You didn't say your name?"

  Yoongi tilted his head a little, "604325885."

  "What?" What the hell! Jimin took out his phone quickly noting down the numbers. "6043? Wait! My brain doesn't work well with numbers." He yelled, but that guy had already escaped through the nearest door and he'd no idea what was behind it. 

  Would it look inappropriate to follow him? 

  "25885." Said Jungkook and when Jimin turned at him he repeated it. 

  "Thanks Jkay." Jimin said after saving the number as 'Cutie cat asked me for a date'. 

  "No problem." With that Jungkook left him sitting there and went to the other side where Hoseok was at. 

  Hands crossing over chest Hoseok was watching Jennie and his dancing partner— Jennie looked happy and that made him smile. That smile stretched at Jungkook when he approached. "Senior, have you met with Kim Taehyung? He looks unreal in person."

  Jungkook ignored the words and inquired, "You remember what I told you earlier?"

  Hoseok's lips puckered, "Yeah, but are you sure it won't reach the boss's ears?"

  "Of course not. Trust me."

  "Wish I could trust you enough." Hesitantly Hoseok said while looking around then his gaze stilled at Jennie, "If she asks for me, tell her I went to change my clothes." 

  "Yeah." Jungkook chose not to say anything more, just saw him jogging towards the staircase door and vanished behind it. He sighed and turned. 

  Jennie was saying something like, "There are so many things I wanted to say. Don't know where to start….." Taehyung wasn't paying attention to it, his mind and gaze never leaving Jungkook when he saw him talking with Hoseok —what were they talking about—he was damn curious. And then when he saw him approaching them directly, he casually ducked his chin to the other side. 

  "Excuse me a moment. If you've fully enjoyed the dancing, please proceed to the dining room, Mr. Min is waiting for you." Jungkook said in an unbroken clear voice, turned on his heels and walked to another room attached to this hall. 

  Was it necessary to say 'If you've fully enjoyed dancing?'— Taehyung twisted his mouth. 

  "Come," Jennie's hand braced his arm, gently tugging, "You haven't met my dad, he's an amazing person."

  "Sure he'll be." And he came here to meet him. 

  "Umm but, where did Hobi-ssi go?" Jennie moved her eyes around but couldn't find any traces of her bodyguard. 

  Taehyung remained silent and beckoned Jimin over who rejected with a single swipe of his hand and mouthed to him that he wanted to have more drinks before dinner. With the worry that this guy would end up getting completely drunk, Taehyung followed Jennie's lead to that other room. 

  Red, gold, black. 

  The dinner area swaddled in these colours. The table was heavy with food and wines: mulberry, fruit wines and rose wine. Some elderly looking men and women were having them. Jennie went straight to the end of the table and said fondly to the man sitting there, "Dad, he's come." 

  "Kim Taehyung?" Kyunghoon raised to welcome their special guest. 

  "Yes." Taehyung gave him a small smile, formal like, appropriate to an introduction. Strictly avoiding eye contact with Jungkook who was standing just beside him. 

  "Nice to meet you." Kyunghoon took his hand and gave it a squeeze. 

  "You too, Mr Min." Taehyung said quietly and pulled his hand away. Then took the chair he was offered, quietly. Jennie took her seat across from him, right to her father while Jungkook remained standing behind him which made him a bit uncomfortable.

  Now Jungkook could see him but he couldn't. 

 The food had been served on a green porcelain plate intricately modelled with fine gold foliage. He picked up his fork and knife but paused before mincing the steak—the aroma was overwhelming but he didn't know why suddenly he was feeling a loss of appetite. 

  "Isn't the food tasty?" Said Kyunghoon, "Why aren't you eating?"

  "No, it's delicious." Unwillingly he took a small bite and looked at Jennie when she spoke. 

  "Dad, he might be missing Korean food." 

  "Then help him with some Korean dishes." Kyunghoon gave him a present smile, "Son, feel free to ask for anything you want. We'd be delighted if you shared your wishes with us."

  "So nice of you. Thank you so much." Taehyung returned the smile. 

  "Here-" Jennie forwarded a small bowl of kimchi and served some with her own hands, "Have some radish kimchi, Korean made."

  "Thanks." He relaxed his tensed muscles a little, took a sip of the delicious champagne that was served in a trumpet shaped flute; the crystal that was so clean and fine it showed prisms in his overhead chandelier. 

  Classy and cool like him. 

  The only conclusion he drew at that moment was that these people weren't as bad as Jungkook had described; Mr. Min seemed quite a gentleman and Jennie was so nice with him all this time. He wondered what made him say all these ridiculous things about them. Was it because he got jealous of his success, trying to make him fall by ruining his reputation? 

  He shook his head looking down. That couldn't be. But……After what he'd done with him it wouldn't be a surprise if Jungkook were really upto ruining his career. 

  "we're having such a wonderful evening aren't we?" Kyunghoon's voice almost made him flinch but he controlled his expression. 

  "Yes Mr. Min."

  "On this behalf I have a proposal for you."

  "Proposal?"

  "A business proposal you can say."

  Tension rose inside him, it showed up in his face with a deep frown, "Mr. Min I guess you've heard that I'm an actor, not a businessman." 

  "You'll be, from today, just by agreeing with my proposal." Kyunghoon crossed his fingers before him with a serious unreadable face. "May I request something from you?"

  Hesitantly he said, "Yes." 

  "My daughter Jennie is a big fan of yours if she hadn't already talked about it." 

  "She did."

  "And she wants to-" 

  Suddenly before the mafia leader could finish the power cut had made the whole room pitch-dark and a pin-drop silence followed. 

  Kyunghoon groaned and muttered, "What the hell is going on? Who turned the lights off? Jecob," He said to his bodyguard present there, "Check it right now."

  The guests stayed in their position, panicking some, unable to see anything through the darkness.

  "Wait." Everyone's attention was directed towards Jungkook when he held his phone's torch up. Others followed the gesture until they'd got enough light to see each other's faces.

  "What happened?" Kyunghoon said, looking at Jungkook. 

  "It seems like the power has gone out."

  Kyunghoon groaned, "Then go and turn on the power generator." 

  "I've already texted Hobi, he's looking into this matter." Said Jungkook calmly. 

  "Hobi? Isn't there anyone else present?" 

  "Yeah but they're not skilled electricians like Hobi." Jungkook reminded him of Hoseok's job before joining their group. 

  "Alright." Kyunghoon sounded so done when he laid back on his chair. Was it supposed to happen today? On his daughter's eighteenth birthday celebration party? Their guests, including some VIP ones were all panickingly whispering in the hall, he could hear their voices from here. Most importantly, his daughter's birthday gift, which he'd promised to give on this day, seemed to take some more time to be prepared. "Jkay, tell Hobi to make it quick and Jacob, you go to the basement and help him out."

  His bodyguard bowed before rushing through the door. 

  "Please wait a minute, it'll be fixed." Kyunghoon put on a smile, apologised to his guests for this Impede. 

  "There's a candle," Jungkook drew their attention to the middle of the table, "Let me light it for the time being." Intentionally or unintentionally when Jungkook rushed forward his hand hit the glass that Taehyung had beside his plate, it fell, spilling the rest of the champagne on his lap. 

  Taehyung froze. The low light at least did a nice job hiding the embarrassment, however the wetness of the liquor through his pants, making him pretty uncomfortable. 

  "Taehyung-ssi, are you alright?" Jennie asked, concerned. 

  "Uh y-yes. I'm fine." He kept his expression carefully neutral. 

  "What the hell are you up to, Jkay?" The mafia leader was exasperated with anger,  "Apologise to our guest now."

  "Yes boss." Jungkook bowed apologetically toward him and Taehyung. Then talking a napkin from the table he bent almost his half over his lap to dab out the wetness, "I'm extremely sorry,"

  "It's-" Taehyung opened his mouth to tell him it was okay but found his words stopped by the startling touch of Jungkook's fingers against his inner thighs. When a thumb subtly brushed his crotch area he sucked a breath and forgot to let it go. 

  And he could hear his heart beating against his ear. 

  "For causing all this trouble." Jungkook's breath flowed with the strong whiskey he was having earlier, intoxicating his brain cells. "Please forgive me for my clumsiness." Jungkook raised his eyes to meet his, "Sir."

  Stop. 

  He pushed his hand and got up. "It's okay." He said quickly, clearing his throat, "I'd better go back to my hotel now." 

  "Taehyung-ssi, no," Jennie's eyes flared in the low light when he looked at her, "It's not even an hour you've stayed."

  Kyunghoon said to him, "Son, let us take you to a comfortable room where you could change your clothes and rest." 

  "Please don't mind. Not feeling quite well actually." Said he to both the father and daughter. 

  Kyunghoon gave him a look that was disappointingly calculating. Then clicked his tongue and replied, "I had something very important to say but it seems like we'll have to postpone our talk till the next time." 

  Taehyung nodded. 

  Kyunghoon said, "Jungkook, it is your fault to make this gentleman unpleasant. So go and arrange a nice van and send some of our guards with him."

  "I shall personally escort him to his hotel for compensation." Jungkook said in the same serious voice but his movement showed much excitement as if he'd achieved what he was wishing for. "Please come with me. Sir." 

  Taehyung didn't ask him why he sent Jimin in another car. He wasn't asking him what was the reason for that ugly little skit he played to get him out of there. He was just looking at him sitting on the backseat of his Mustang. Thinking that while driving at the speed of 50 mph how he held himself always so controlled. 

  "You ruined my day." He broke the silence when it became unbearable. 

  Belatedly the reply came, "I said sorry to you evidently."

  "Really? Seriously? After doing it intentionally, how could you just say sorry and walk away clean?" Taehyung  enquired, sounding incredulous. "And why were you touching me, like a pervert? Were you asked to do that?"

  "Sorry."

  "Don’t you dare say sorry again." The anger remained, "I told you not to appear before me, why don't you vanish from my mind and let me breathe?"

  Jungkook slowed his car until it stopped on the roadside. Hands coming off the wheel unfasten the seat belt. Half-circling the car he shoved himself into the backseat, slammed the door and met his eyes. 

  "I tried to do that." He grunted softly, "Told you to run away from here but you didn't listen. Why aren't you doing as I say Taehyung? Wasn't it evident enough that the old man was trying to do something tricky with you?" 

  "Don't try changing the subject."

  "You need to know his motives. He's pushing her daughter to you, making plans to trap you in his game so that you'll marry her."

  The soft worry in his voice stressed the other because he'd long forgotten Jungkook's soft side that ever existed. 

  "Yeah?" A dry, ironic smile curved his lips,  "You think I'm a fool? Of course I won't agree to it. She's just so much younger than me. Not my type. And most of all I've no plans to get married for at least twenty years."

  Jungkook's gaze travelled to the low ceiling of the car and then back to him, "Look, you don't know him, that's why you're saying this so casually. These excuses won't work on him." 

  "Let me think about that. It's not your concern." 

  "It is my concern because it will make me regret it for the rest of my life."

  Wordlessly Taehyung stared at him. 

  Jungkook let the silence hang for a few seconds before holding his hand, just above his wrist, very delicately, "Please, for God's sake get the signs and go away from this country." It wasn't easy for him to push him away all the time yet it was needed. "Seoul is a much safer place for you, I've my men there who'll protect you. You deserve to be happy, Tae, please."

  "I am happy." Taehyung tried to sound bold, though he didn't seem to have energy to raise his voice. "I am content with my life. My health is good. Earning enough. I no longer feel depressed because of a criminal."

  "Criminal?" Jungkook's brow was furrowed, and his eyes were narrowed with the sudden pain. 

  Pain was the only thing Taehyung wanted him to feel. "Yeah, that's what you are." His eyes hard on him, unblinking, "Bloody murderer."

  Jungkook sucked a breath. Every word Taehyung had thrown at him was true, he couldn't deny it yet couldn't accept it. Taehyung perhaps had discovered his weakermost point, so attacking him there again and again until Jungkook could no longer bear it and step back.

  "That's it," Taehyung looked in the opposite direction. Fingers of his left hand tightened around the door handle, "I'm not willing to stay a moment with a runway criminal."

  Before he could open the door Jungkook's grip on his wrist got firm, almost squishing. 

  Sharply Taehyung turned and saw his eyes had changed from soft to hard, as if the remaining pain had burned them whole, leaving only the soulless ashes behind. 

  "The hotel is still far away. I'll drop you there." He said coldly. 

  "You don't have to. I'll call a cab." 

 Jungkook muttered coldly, "It's impossible to find a cab within half an hour here. And it is not safe to roam alone on the highway. You might get hit by a drunk driver, or it could be worse."

  Taehyung pulled his hand instinctively, but couldn't release it from his firm grip and it only fueled his anger. "You're talking about my safety? You? Who stabbed me in the back, tried to kill me so you could clear all the evidences from the police?" 

  "I did, yes." Jungkook closed his eyes, burying his frustration he opened them, "To get rid of you, of course. Still I'm doing it to get rid of you because I don't want to see you everyday before my eyes."

  Taehyung's throat tightened, heat picked up his face, ears felt burning and his veins tried to pop out where he was held.

  "You hate me this much?" He whispered. 

  "You can't even imagine it." Jungkook whispered back, not moving, not even to breathe. 

  Taehyung had to swallow the lump in his throat to speak again, "Then leave my hand. It's hurting." 

  It surely was hurting, Jungkook didn't realize, panickingly he left his hand and saw the reddening marks shape of his fingers over his tender skin. He glanced at his eyes, though lost his voice to apologize for it. 

  He did it again. 

  Being hurt he hurted him again in a way that was never going to soothe. Now Taehyung was going to hate him more which he thought he would totally deserve. 

  The rest of the journey was silent. Taehyung did one thing other than biting his lip to the point it bled, he rolled the window down only a couple of inches and threw out the tie he was wearing, letting it fly down on the roadside behind, like his past.

___________

Sorry guys, for being inactive last month. My eyesight has gotten worse from using my phone at night in low light. I'm having a dry-eye disease, my tears aren't producing enough and it makes my eyes dry and red from time to time. So I've stopped using my phone at night(my writing time😏)  and trying to write in daylight which isn't helping much to develop the plot.

Thank you so much for all your love. I'm trying hard to write fast and complete the story as fast as I can, hope you'll understand and wait for the next chapter even if it takes more than a week.

Purple you armys. Take care💜