❝𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐥𝐲, 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐝𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬.❞

The meeting room was filled with thick silence, not a single person dared to utter a word. The stoic expression of their boss who sat blankly at his seat and the bruise on Jimin's jaw indicated the tensed atmosphere. Jungkook meekly gazed at the pictures of the woman everyone's curious about - his gaze stiffened at one picture of the woman smiling whilst looking at the man beside her.

Jaehoon.

She appeared euphoric and now that he looked carefully at the man beside her... Jaehoon looked like someone he could never become. The face is the same but the person isn't.

"I'm planning to marry Seora." Jungkook glanced upwards and spoke out in a blank tone, his voice devoid of any emotions while the other members of the team had their jaw dropped at the revelation.

The members glanced at Reika who choked on the water she was drinking and stared at the male with astounded expressions. Her breath hitched as she oggled at him with widened eyes.

Normal reaction for a woman who was chosen to be the bride for the heir of the Jeon empire. She was always cherished by Jungkook's parents and they wished to get them married.

Jeon Jungkook was a dutiful son, he would've done anything his father ordered him- whether to kill someone or marry the woman of his choice. But now, things have heavily changed, his father is gone and marriage?

The thought never occurred in his head until the brunette of a woman who happened to know the secret to his dream, appeared like a wave of cool zephyr and flipped the entire roadmap of his life created by his father.

In a way, he was pleased. For once, he could have some control on his life, he wasn't tied up in the hands of his father like a puppet.

You need to be strong.

Jeon Empire can't have a weak heir.

It shouldn't hurt you.

Those were the words of his father he could vividly reminicise, when he got shot for the first time. He was trained to be ruthless, to be inhumane, to be bloodthirsty and now when he looks at this woman, he couldn't make out how he'll treat her? He doesn't wish to hurt her but considering his demeanor, he wasn't taught to be soft...

How will he fucking pretend to like her?

"Hold the fuck up, Jeon! You're not going to destroy your life for this!" Namjoon stomped his palm on the porcelain table, the sound of the impact reverbating through the silent room. Concern was visible on his face as his brows ceased in dismay. The said male was rubbing his temples but the elder's loud voice brought him out of his trance.

He loosened his tie and opened a button of his shirt whilst clenching his jaw, "My life resides in Heaven and she is a major part of it." He muttered nonchalantly.

"Fucking fantastic." Sarcasm dripped out of Hoseok's voice as he eyed the male, followed by Jin's smirking and Yoongi scoffing in disbelief. Jimin and Taehyung were rendered speechless by their boss's decision.

"You sound quite lovestruck for someone to be in the mafia." Yoongi teased, only to earn a glare from the younger, followed by Reika.

"I suppose you happen to know that I don't believe in that sickening concept or perhaps, should I throw a dagger and let you understand?" Yoongi raised his hands in surrender whilst shrugging his shoulders. Jin chuckled at the ordeal, everything appeared to be comical to him.

"Alright, I believe you but does that woman want to marry you? Don't tell me you'll pretend to be Jaehoon or some crazy shit." Jin questioned, his tone dripping of suspicion as he cocked his brow towards the youngest.

"Well, he did exactly that." Jimin chimed in unable to defy his interest in gossip, especially if that involves drama.

"She will agree to marry me, I'm certain." Jungkook smirked, his maddening expression wasn't something to take lightly. He appeared interested, way too invested in all of this. Everyone in the room could make it out and it certainly, was going to be one hell of a journey.

Before anyone could speak anything, Reika got up from her seat unable to subside the incruciating pain she was feeling. "I... I need some rest, I don't feel so good." She stammered and left the meeting room, Taehyung's gaze followed her every move as he looked at her with concern.

"You're cruel, you must know that." Taehyung gritted his teeth speaking towards the man sitting with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Enlighten me about something new, hyung. Reika is like a sibling to me, you're aware of that." He answered instantly taking up the elder's sour expressions. He knew Taehyung was protective of Reika but that doesn't give him the right to question his decision.

"Good luck pretending to be a 'lovestruck' man, Jeon. Well, I assume you don't even need to pretend, considering your mannerisms." Hoseok teased the youngest and the others chuckled, only the meeting to be dismissed after a few more important discussions about the implementation of the plan.

-----

The enraged woman stood silently at the edge of the balcony. She pulled out a cigarette and put it in her mouth whilst searching for her lighter in her dress but to her dismay nothing seemed to be working for her.

"Ah... Fuck it!" She removed the stick from her mouth and released a breath, swaying the strands of her hair in frustration.

"Searching for this?" The voice of the male caught her attention as she glared at him.

"Pass me out today of your lectures on 'no smoking', Taehyung." She passed him a bored glance as he chuckled at her expressions.

"You can butcher your lungs, just for today." He spoke out as she lightened the lighter but looking at his face, her mood soured even more. She threw the lighter in rage making it break into pieces.

"Leave me alone!" She ordered in a loud voice but he didn't leave his spot.

"You won't go? Fine, I'm leaving." She announced, about to leave but he held her back by holding her arm. She glanced at his hand on her arm and then shot the coldest glare at him.

"You cannot beg for love, Reika. Move on, that's all I have to say." He spoke out staring straight into her grey orbs and left the place. He knew she was hurting by the sudden announcement of Jungkook's marriage but it was high time for her to come out of the bubble that the male holds any affection for her. He wasn't capable of being attached with anyone other than his parents, even the woman he's set to tie the knot with...

Taehyung was certain, she was just a diamond coated deal to Jungkook, nothing more and nothing less than that. He was afraid of opening his heart to anyone in the fear of leaving them hurt or worse, witnessing their dead bodies, Taehyung knew that fact.

-----

The 'great plan' brought Jeon Jungkook standing in front of Mrs. Lee's house for the second time in a day. His eyes were brimming with exhaustion with the events of the day but he had his priorities set. The ruthless man even went to the florist to purchase a bunch of rare blue orchids for his 'date'. He patiently waited for the door to open, only for his eyes to get struck upon Seora, who had a smile engraved on her face.

How did she manage to have a matching outfit with him? Beige pants and a plain white shirt.

Something just shifted in his head, oh that's his ability to think because this is the first time after all their meetings that he saw her without tears in her eyes. She swiftly took the flowers from his hands, her eyes twinkling with awe as she smiled endearingly. Words weren't enunciated but the silence was worth a million unsaid words, like some torn pages of a forbidden romance that wasn't meant to be.

He was bewitched to the point that he didn't even notice Mrs. Lee's warning gaze.

"Shall we go?" She questioned, as he scrutinized her. The royal blue colour of the flowers beautifully complimented her skin. He made a mental note to have a premium membership of the flower shop because he's certain, he's going to buy those flowers on a regular basis for a while now.

'The florist deserves a raise.' He chuckled thinking to himself as she slowly held his hand, the small of her palm fitting perfectly in his large hand.

He stared at their connected hands and wondered, 'I'll make sure she feels secure with me.'

He particularly ordered his guards to give him some privacy, it's been a while since he drove his Bentley. Crazy for a man who doesn't travel a mile without his chauffeur, was playing 'chauffeur' for this woman.

Her smile suddenly disappeared as she looked at the car and she left his hand, swiftly taking her seat inside as he opened the door for her. The sudden vanishment of the warmth of her hand left him in splits.

"Are you uncomfortable?" He couldn't help but ask her as she glanced at him and shook her head as 'no'.

Something went off in a moment.

He manoveured the car towards the bakery, trying his best to not appear suspicious. As he parked the car, the woman was eerily silent by now. Her hold on the flowers she was once so happy about, was tightening.

"Seora, is everything alright?"

"Yes." She answered and they made their way inside.

A/N

I genuinely want to buy myself some blue orchids, ASAP. (No one will buy for me. #sedlife 🤡)