Author POV

Taehyung slowly opened his eyes, greeted by the unforgiving brightness of the morning sun stabbing through the curtains. His head pounded like a construction site, a cruel reminder of last night's indulgence in a little too much alcohol. He groaned, trying to recollect the scattered memories of the night before. Flashes of yesterday's incidents, him getting into a fight with the bartender, then Mr. Jeff and Jimin taking him back home. And maybe he was right that he might be in Jimin house lying in one of his guest room's. 

Just as he was about to sink back into the bed, seeking refuge from the punishing light, he felt a sudden shock—a bucket of icy water splashed over him. He shot up, gasping and shivering as the cold water jolted him awake. His initial confusion turned into boiling anger when he saw a man standing before him, grinning as if he had just won the lottery.

"What the hell?!" Taehyung roared, his voice hoarse from both the hangover and the surprise wake-up call. "Who are you, and why did you just pour water on me?"

The man's smile didn't falter. "Good morning, sleepyhead. I'm Kim Seokjin, your brother's boyfriend."

Taehyung's blood boiled even hotter. "Brother's boyfriend? You mean, my brother Namjoon?" He scanned the room for Namjoon, finding him stepping in just as Taehyung's temper reached its peak.

Namjoon quickly intervened, placing a hand over Seokjin's mouth and whispering something to him. Seokjin's smile faltered for a moment before he corrected himself when Namjoon stepped back, Seokjin cleared his throat and corrected himself. 

"Ah my mistake, I meant to say I'm Namjoon's secretary. Just here to assist with some work-related matters, that's basically his younger alcoholic troublesome brother, Mr. Kim Taehyung."

Taehyung's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and irritation. He kicked off his shoes, grabbing one in each hand and hurling them at the two men. Namjoon ducked smoothly, while Seokjin sidestepped with surprising agility for someone caught off guard.

"Hey, hey, calm down!" Namjoon exclaimed, holding his hands up in surrender.

Seokjin nodded vigorously. "Yeah, let's all just take a deep breath and start the day peacefully."

Taehyung narrowed his eyes, not buying the sudden change of story. "And what about the water?" he demanded, still dripping wet and now thoroughly irritated.

Before anyone could respond, Jimin sauntered into the room, his eyes widening at the sight of Taehyung drenched and clearly furious. "What's going on here?" he asked, a hint of laughter in his voice.

Taehyung glared at Jimin but couldn't hold back a smirk. "These two idiots decided it was a good idea to douse me with cold water this morning."

Jimin burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. "Oh, I wish I could've seen that! But come on, Taehyung, don't kill them. We need them both intact."

As Jimin's laughter echoed through the room, Taehyung couldn't help but crack a smile despite his annoyance. Maybe his hangover wasn't so terrible after all if it brought about such ridiculous antics.

"Next time you two better, just use an fucking alarm clock," Taehyung grumbled, but there was a hint of amusement in his voice.

Jimin grinned mischievously. "Or maybe we should film it next time. It could go viral!"

The idea made Taehyung chuckle despite himself. "As long as I get my revenge later."

As he lay back on his damp pillow, he couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, having these chaotic people around wasn't entirely awful. As Namjoon informed Taehyung to get ready for their lunch with their father today, only making Taehyung roll his eyes.

---

Taehyung stepped out of the shower, the warm water having done little to ease the lingering tension from his hangover. Thoughts of Ji-eun flitted through his mind, a pang of guilt tugging at his heart for the harsh words he had spoken to her. Yet, he quickly pushed those thoughts aside, convincing himself that she deserved his honesty, even if it had been a bit too harsh.

As he dried off and dressed in one of Jimin's spare outfits, he couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The upcoming 'lunch' meeting with their father always felt more like a business obligation than a family gathering. The strained dynamics between them were a constant reminder of their distant relationship.

Descending the stairs, Taehyung found Jimin lounging on the sofa, sipping his favorite black tea. He arched an eyebrow at Jimin's relaxed demeanor. "Aren't you supposed to be at your clinic today?"

Jimin shook his head, a lazy smile playing on his lips. "It's Sunday, Tae. Even I deserve a day off sometimes."

Taehyung chuckled, a hint of envy in his voice. "Must be nice."

But something which couldn't go unnoticed from Taehyung's gaze was to a photograph on the glass table in the living room, a picture of a woman smiling brightly. It caught Taehyung off guard, knowing Jimin was known for his playboy persona, never taking any relationship too seriously. Seeing a picture like this in Jimin's living room was unexpected.

Was there more to Jimin's life than met the eye? Or was it simply a fleeting moment captured in time?

"Alright then, Dr. Park," Taehyung teased, walking over to give Jimin a quick pat on the shoulder. "I'll see you later. Don't burn the house down while we're gone. And thanks for the outfit,"

Jimin rolled his eyes playfully. "I make no promises."

He turned to Jimin looking at him silently, who was busy scrolling through his phone while sipping on hic warm cup of black tea. Taehyung shrugged off the curiosity, focusing on the task at hand. Seokjin and Namjoon appeared, reminding Taehyung of the impending lunch with their father. He straightened his cuffs with a playful grin. "Let's get this over with."

The car ride was filled with light banter and occasional updates on their respective lives. Seokjin mentioned some upcoming projects he was working on, while Namjoon shared news about a recent breakthrough in his research. Taehyung wasn't interested in listening to any of their other conversations related to THE KIM'S business or why their father wanted to meet them.

All he could think about her whereabouts?

When they finally arrived at their destination, a fancy restaurant that screamed exclusivity, Taehyung couldn't help but feel a twinge of discomfort. The lavish setting, combined with the formal atmosphere, only served to reinforce the idea that this wasn't going to be a casual family gathering as always.

They all settled on the VIP reserved table, with their father as he started talking about the business related stuff with his brother, while Taehyung was just  busy looking at his plate. Which was served with all type of delicious dishes, but it all tasted like cardboard to him.

"Dad I had received a call from the orphan center.... about,"

As Namjoon bought up the topic about the Orphan center, which grabbed Taehyung's attention making him look at his brother, waiting for him father response. When his father just hummed making Taehyung not a bit surprised from his reaction.

"Please ask someone to handle it, We have a business meeting in Tokyo the same week." Making Taehyung scoff at his words, which were just lies. Total lies. He knew why his father always avoided the talks that included the Orphan center built by his wife.

"I will look after it..." Taehyung interrupted his father making him look at him younger son with a frown eyebrows, "You heard what I said, Taehyung," 

"I did, but I will look after the Orphan center," He said without sparing a single glance at his father and continued chewing his food, even though he wasn't every well invested in the taste. But as his father heard that he kept his spoon and fork down from which he was earlier having the steak.

"There is nothing so special or important for you to attend whatever will be happening in that place so you better join me and your brother in the meeting," he said looking at Taehyung who finally placed him cutlery down and looked at him after with most disgusted and unbelievable look.

"Nothing Important? Do you even remember, it's Mom's birthday dad, on that day." Making his Father sigh at his son's emotional words, as he tried to speak something but Taehyung just cut him off.

"For fuck sake I am not joining you on this meeting or whatever, cause I care for my mother even if she is not with us anymore, not like you who only cares about his fucking meetings and whores." Taehyung burst out on his father, making him father clench his jaw.

"Language, Taehyung." His father warned making Taehyung get up from his seat without even finishing the food, "I am done, and thanks for the meal Mr. Kim"

"Back at the table Taehyung I am not done talking yet!" Mr. Kim yelled at his son who just walked out of the VIP section and out to his car where Mr. Jeff and Seokjin waited for them. But were surprised to see just Taehyung coming out off the restaurant all furious.

"Master Kim? Everything alright?" Mr. Jeff asked looking at him, "Give me the keys Mr. Jeff. I will drive by myself." He declared making him and Seokjin exchange confused glances.

"But Master-"

"Please, I don't wanna argue just give me the K-E-Y-S." He cut off Mr. Jeff's words and without anymore words he gave him the keys with any more questioning. As he sat by the drivers seat and drove out of the restaurant gates.

 ---

Y/n let out a sigh of relief as she sat down on the bench, grateful for the chance to take a break from the suffocating confines of the teddy bear mascot costume. She peeled off the furry head, feeling the cool air against her skin as she reached for a protein bar from her bag. Taking a small bite, she glanced around at the bustling street, lost in her own thoughts.

Her gaze lingered on a young family walking by, their laughter and the innocent joy of their daughter tugging at something deep within Y/n's heart. Memories of happier times with her own parents flooded her mind, memories that now seemed like a distant dream.

But soon her thoughts drifted to IU, whom she had comforted earlier and tucked into bed again after she got heavily drunk in her house, before leaving for her part-time job.

Before she could delve further into her thoughts, a familiar voice interrupted her reverie. 

"So from a waitress to a Teddy bear, funny?"

Y/n looked up to see Kim Taehyung, or as she mentally dubbed him, "Kim Jerk," standing by his flashy car with his trademark smirk in place. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes, deciding that ignoring him was the best course of action.

"Kim Jerk, I mean Kim Taehyung," she retorted, emphasizing the playful insult before shaking her head. "I'm just working to pay the bills. Can't say the same for you and your fancy cars."

"Yah, talking the person who likes to break the same fancy car's headlights. Tsk." Making Y/n sight at his ego dripped words.

Taehyung chuckled, pushing himself off the car and walking closer to where she sat. "Touché. But hey, at least my job doesn't involve wearing a giant bear costume." She looked turning her head away from him.

Taehyung chuckled at her reaction, the sound sending a shiver down Y/n's spine despite her best efforts to remain unaffected. "But I must say, you make a rather cute teddy bear."

Y/n narrowed her eyes, crossing her arms defensively. "Is that your way of complimenting me or mocking me?"

Taehyung's smirk widened as he pushed off the car, stepping closer to her. "A bit of both, perhaps. But don't take it too seriously, sweetheart."

Y/n bristled at the endearment, her dislike for Taehyung bubbling to the surface. "I'm not your sweetheart, Kim Jerk." He raised his one eyebrow, "And I am not a Jerk, Miss bold."

That nickname was enough for her face to heat up. More like she was blushing but she ignored that thought thinking it was too suffocating in that costume. Before she could argue anymore with him, the boss of the shop she worked at called out to her, signaling it was time to get back into the mascot costume. With a nod, Y/n prepared to slip back into the suffocating bear suit.

"Okay so, I shall head back flashy car to my comfortable bed. Try not to scare your costumers too much with that bear head."

Y/n saw him getting into the car, as she returned back to her part-time job as a mascot performer every Sunday provided a much-needed source of income, but it wasn't without its challenges, especially on warm days like today.

But again she noticed that he didn't move the car from it's place when she saw him suddenly getting out of the car. She watched as he strolled into the shop, his presence lingering in the air like an annoying itch she couldn't scratch.

Y/n was focused on serving customers when she sensed someone's presence beside her. Glancing over, she froze, her eyes widening in disbelief. There stood Kim Taehyung, but not in his usual arrogant demeanor. No, he was dressed in a teddy bear mascot outfit, complete with a giant head that obscured his features.

Unable to contain her laughter, Y/n doubled over, clutching her stomach. 

"What hell are you doing?"

---

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[A/n: Now from here things gonna get spicy and bitter at the same time! SORRY NOT SORRY..]