Conclusions, conclusions, conclusions everywhere

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JUNGKOOK looked uneasily at his husband who was getting ready.

"Must you go?" He asked, tensed.

Taehyung fixed his tie and cuffs. Smoothing his hair, he spoke to Jungkook's reflection.

"Something in my conversation with Uncle Yoongi the other day stirred the need to voice out the injustice that I've been subjected to. Frankly, I don't care if Seokjin had anything to do with my expulsion from the company but the firm owes me, nonetheless. I won't demand too much, of course. I just want to bleed them a little bit."

He smirked as he turned to face Jungkook who still looked concerned.

"Please don't do anything rash, darling."

"Don't worry about that, Kook. The most I might do is ruffle some feathers. All I want is a reaction," he assured him, patting his head.

Jungkook pouted. "I hope that in the quest for a "reaction" as you call it, you don't land yourself in trouble."

"Now what makes you say that, love?" Taehyung grimaced, sitting down next to him.

Jungkook caressed his cheek fondly. "You just have that vibe of a troublemaker, which makes me afraid and yet, excited."

"Oh, really?" Taehyung teased, inching closer to him.

"Oh, yes," Jungkook murmured, before closing the gap between them.

*

"Have you booked our tickets, Wheein?" Hoseok called out from the drawing room, as he set the table for breakfast.

"Yes, for the day after," she called out from her bedroom. "Remember to pack lightly; it's not a holiday."

"I will. Breakfast's ready!"

She emerged from her bedroom, tying her hair into a shiny knot at the back of her head.

"Thank you for your hard work!" She exclaimed as she dug into the pancakes made by Hoseok.

"I will need to go down to the station and issue the release of Hansol. What's your agenda for today?" She asked.

Hoseok munched quietly before answering. "I was thinking of looking into Mr. Kim's old files to see if any of their old employees had someone called Juri. Just so that we don't make the mistake of putting the blame on Yerim before we can explore all possible sources of evidence."

"Good thinking," Wheein murmured, her mouth full of food.

Hoseok finished his breakfast before Wheein. He picked up his dish and put it into the sink to wash. He slung his jacket over his shoulder, carrying his briefcase in his other hand.

"I'm leaving. See you at the station," he said, closing the door behind him.

"See you," Wheein called back, mouth still filled with food.

*

Taehyung stood outside the building that housed Kim Enterprises. A nostalgic smile was embroidered on his mouth as he took in the whole view. It looked like nothing had changed, everything still in its same place. The same receptionist at the lobby desk, the same colors in the interior of the office. However, he walked in the office a new man.

A few heads turned as he walked into the elevator but nobody got in the elevator with him.

After the doors closed, the entire floor burst into lively chatter, most of which revolved around the Prodigal Son, Kim Taehyung, returning.

In the elevator, he snickered to himself as he mulled over the effect he had on the people of the first floor.

When he reached the thirteenth floor, the elevator doors opened with a ding.

Taehyung sighed deeply as he stepped out of the elevator.

"You got this, Tae," he asserted to himself in a low voice.

He strode into the headquarters. He noticed a couple of the greyer heads turn slowly in his direction as he walked towards Seokjin's office.

"Kim Taehyung-"

"Mr. Kim, is that you?"

"Did you see who-"

"Oh my goodness, I cannot believe-"

Taehyung acknowledged each comment with a nod and a disarming smile. However, his sharp eyes were reserved only for the mahogany door behind which was Seokjin's office. Or, Namjoon's office, as he remembered it. When he reached the ante-chamber that separated the rest of the headquarters from the office, he heard someone cough behind him.

"Your name and business, sir?" Asked the young boy sitting behind the desk that faced the office, a glass barrier behind him that offered a semi-transparent view of the rest of the floor.

"Who ... are you?" Taehyung asked, smiling slightly. "I thought that Ms. Ahn was the secretary. She was the secretary the last time I was here."

"Ms. Ahn recently quit. I am her replacement, sir."

Taehyung was no fool to see that this young boy was just an intern, thus hiring him and firing the glamorous Ahn Hyejin (Namjoon's personal secretary) was lighter on Seokjin's pocket. He was appalled by how cheap Seokjin could get but he couldn't expect any better.

"I am Kim Taehyung, here on personal business. And you are?"

"Oh!" The boy stood up, bowing. "Apologies, sir. I didn't know it was you, there was no appointment-"

"Of course, you didn't. You weren't there when I worked here," Taehyung said pleasantly. "You didn't tell me your name."

"It's Lee Chan, sir. You may wait inside, I'll notify Mr. Kim till then," said Chan, dialing a number on the telephone.

"He isn't in there?" Taehyung asked.

"No sir, he went for a meeting with the board about an hour ago. He should be back any minute, however. He must be on his way now."

"Thank you," said Taehyung. Chan nodded and went back to calling Seokjin.

Taehyung turned to the door and paused for a moment, as he laid his palm on the knob. After a minute of contemplation, he turned it.

He did not expect to see Inspector Jung Hoseok at Seokjin's desk, perusing through some files.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kim. This is a pleasant surprise," Hoseok said, smiling genially.

"Inspector Jung, this is something rather out of the blue, even for you."

"I have permission from Mr. Kim Seokjin to search for anything helpful among the late Kim Namjoon's papers. I hope you don't mind," he explained.

Taehyung shook his head, as he relaxed into the plush sofa.

"I don't. I had some personal business with Seokjin and according to Fresh-Face outside, he should be back soon."

Hoseok hid a smile and went back to going through the files.

"Didn't you allege that your father sent a letter asking you to come back and join the business?"

"Yes, he did. I believe you have my reply to that?" Taehyung answered, crossing his legs.

"Yes, we received it the day after Mr. Kim's death," Hoseok said, flicking through the pages of a yellow file. "The thing is, Mr. Kim had a habit of keeping a copy of the letters he wrote. I suppose you knew about this, right?"

Taehyung nodded, wondering in which direction was Hoseok steering this conversation.

"There's no copy of his letter to you. Do you have the letter on you?"

Taehyung's tensed face rested. "I don't, it's back in my place at Busan. However, I do think he must've refrained from doing so; Seokjin can be a snoop. In fact, he has a history of snooping. Take my example, for instance."

Hoseok smiled uncomfortably. Even though he didn't like the way Taehyung had twisted the way the subject went - it felt manipulative - he couldn't deny that it had been a touchy one. One that challenged Taehyung's innocence. However, Hoseok wasn't one who took sides, his job prevented him from doing so (and rightfully so).

"I'm sorry," he said, tactfully.

"It's not your fault," Taehyung immediately said. "You weren't there and it doesn't pertain to this case after all."

Hoseok wondered if it did but couldn't give it much thought because Seokjin entered the office just then.

"Oh look, here's Mr. Kim. Fancy you getting rid of glamorous Ahn Hyejin for a cheaper option. I should've expected it," Taehyung sneered as Seokjin bowed in acknowledgement of Hoseok, who copied him.

"So that you could flirt with her only to let it slip jokingly that you were gay? I don't think so," Seokjin cooly said.

"C'mon, let me have my little joke," Taehyung pouted.

"It's a rather cruel one, especially for the ladies," Hoseok pointed out as he browsed through Namjoon's emails.

"Thank you," said Seokjin, with an annoying told-you-so look plastered on his handsome face. He continued:

"Now, if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me why you decided to stroll into my office without appointment?"

Taehyung cleared his throat. "I've been thinking for a while over something Uncle Yoongi said, about me seeming contented with the life of a householder. If you didn't know, I haven't held an occupational position for quite a period of time. Jungkook earns enough to keep food on the table and I help him with his work at times, but that's about it. I have myself to blame, for I wasn't as brave as Jungkook to work while being openly gay. Of course, he also has the upper hand since he runs his own company, which has been a moderate success."

"Get to the point," Seokjin said, checking his watch.

Clearly someone had a packed schedule for the day, Hoseok noted. He acted as if he wasn't paying attention to the obviously personal conversation before him.

"I'm getting there, tiger," Taehyung said, unamused. "To be very frank, I hate it. This wasn't the sort of life I had cut out for myself when I was young. Hence, after much thought, I have decided to join the family firm."

Seokjin, who had raised a glass of water to quench his thirst, froze. The water in the glass was tilted dangerously, and any little movement might make it drip down on his expensive suit.

Hoseok gave up pretending as if he wasn't listening and gaped at Taehyung, who was pleased with the effect his words had caused.

"It's true, brother dear. I will have - what do they call it - a finger in the pie, too. Of course, as a very junior partner. You will still be the boss, don't you worry about that."

"Ridiculous," spluttered Seokjin.

"This is quite the surprise. Are you sure about that, Mr. Kim?" Hoseok asked, realizing later that he sounded like a very nosy journalist.

"Oh, yes, I'm quite sure," Taehyung confirmed. "I just need Seokjin's, ah, blessings."

"Come now, Taehyung. You cannot be serious," Seokjin tried to reason, failing at keeping his composure.

"Do you have a problem with me joining the firm, Jin?" Taehyung asked, smiling mischievously.

"O-of course not! I am fond of you and all-"

"Are you?" Taehyung cut in.

Hoseok's eyes flitted between the two of them. Would he have to prevent some sort of family brawl yet again? He could be wrong but it looked like Taehyung was trying to goad Seokjin into submission for his personal pleasure. 

"Nevertheless," Seokjin continued, ignoring the jibe. "It's unlike you to even sit behind a desk. Remember all those times under Uncle, when you were a pain in the neck to him? You couldn't sit still and finish one excel sheet without making at least ten trips to the office. How can I expect you to turn into a new leaf?"

"Fair point." Taehyung said. He scratched his chin in mock thought. "What do you suggest then, boss?"

Seokjin's upper lip twitched in dislike to the tone. "We could, er, divide up the shares. It seems most plausible."

"Thinking of buying me out, huh? Going to keep the safe ends all to yourself, huh? Fine, do it your way, then," Taehyung said, getting up. There was no contemptuous glint in his eyes anymore.

"You were right," he said, inching closer to Seokjin. Hoseok slowly got up.

"I couldn't stand working in this atmosphere. Not because it isn't my style, but because working under a slinky little turncoat like you makes my skin curl. Go ahead, throw every worthless gold mine that we own or every speculative deal Father invested at me. Make your inexperienced secretary make up a little list (which I guarantee, will not reach the end of the page) with all the oddballs for your odd cousin! Retain your petty guaranteed profits. I could care less. Anyways, I will leave with Jungkook after the funeral. It's just five days."

"If it's because of the murders-" Seokjin began.

"The murders?" Taehyung snorted. "Not in slightest. It feels like they got what they wanted, didn't they, Inspector?"

Hoseok didn't answer.

"In fact, it looks like the murders worked very, very well for you, cousin dear," Taehyung said.

Seokjin's eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to insinuate, Taehyung?"

"It was a harmless observation," Taehyung breathed.

The silence that followed pierced the air like a shard of ice. Hoseok bit his lip as he slowly maneuvered out of Namjoon's desk.

"I will take your leave, Inspector," Taehyung said, not breaking eye-contact with Seokjin. "You seem like a smart man and I wish you luck on finding the murderer. Hopefully your mind is as narrow as some of us."

"Thank you," Hoseok said.

Taehyung and Seokjin engaged in yet another battle of glares, before the latter broke the silence.

"Is that all?"

"Unfortunately, yes," Taehyung said, his tone equivalent to iced venom. He turned swiftly and left the office.

Seokjin huffed: "I apologize for the debacle that just took place. I'm very embarrassed. I hope it wasn't the same for you, Inspector."

"It's alright," Hoseok shrugged. "Has Ms. Kim also requested for her inheritance? One month is almost over."

"Not really. I haven't brought up the question and she hasn't broached the subject. And given her current condition-"

"We cannot expect an immediate response," Hoseok finished.

"Yes."

Hoseok sighed. "I thank you for your cooperation. I think I gathered enough information today. By the way, was there a Juri ever employed in your service?"

Seokjin clucked his tongue. "I don't think so. Why don't you confirm with Ms. Son?"

"We did. I meant as an employee in your company."

"Not really. At least, I cannot recall. And I cannot possibly be counted to remember every employee's name. Didn't your search among the records show anything?"

"It didn't show anything that was worth digging into ... so, no mention of Juri."

Seokjin pursed his lips. "I would love to go into more details regarding the case, however, I have another meeting in ten minutes. I hope you don't mind me leaving again."

Hoseok shook his head. "I was leaving, anyway. Thank you for your time, Mr. Kim."

Hoseok picked up his briefcase and was about to leave, too, when he heard Seokjin whisper something that made him stop.

"Who were they?"

Hoseok turned back to see a man who looked older than he actually was. Seokjin looked up and Hoseok wondered if it was a trick of the light when he saw his eyes. Because, he could have sworn that he saw a hint of tears in the proud man's eyes.

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