Taehyung wasn't done with Yeonjun and Soobin, his eyes blazing with a mixture of frustration and annoyance. But Jungkook appeared, his expression thunderous.

"Leave them alone, Tae," Jungkook commanded, his voice low and even. "I'm not in the mood to see their faces right now.”

Soobin and Yeonjun didn't hesitate, and left. Taehyung turned to Jungkook, his curiosity piqued.

"What happened to your face?" he asked, nodding toward Jungkook's bruised lip.

Jungkook gingerly touched the sore spot.

"I got punched," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact.

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "That's obvious, but who punched you?"

Jungkook hesitated, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "A girl."

Taehyung's eyes widened in surprise, “But why? Tell me everything," he demanded, his voice laced with amusement.

Jungkook sighed, settling into the story. "I kissed her," he began. "And she punched me."

“After all that drama, you went up to kiss a girl and got punched by her? Woah,” Taehyung said.

“I thought she would kiss me back.” He replied.

“Why? Did she show interest in you?” Taehyung asked.

“No. But Girls always kiss me back. How can someone not kiss back someone like me?” Jungkook asked.

“There is certainly someone, who didn't.” Taehyung's incredulous laugh burst forth.

“Don't laugh, I really thought she would kiss back, like all the girls do.” He said.

“What possessed you to do that?"

Jungkook knew Taehyung was thinking of his usual coping mechanisms.

"I know you get furious, and sometimes that fury turns into...other things, like you craving for angry sex,” Taehyung said, "But that doesn't mean you go around kissing random girls."

Taehyung can't even imagine that Jungkook kissed Y/n. Jungkook shook his head.

"It wasn't like that, Tae. I just wanted to kiss her."

Taehyung's expression softened. "Seriously?"

Jungkook nodded. Taehyung sat beside him, his interest piqued.

"Start from the beginning," he encouraged.

“That's everything there is nothing more to tell.”
___
Jungkook's gaze scanned the office, searching for Y/n.

"Has Y/n come in today?" he asked his assistant.

"No, sir. She's absent."

Jungkook knew why. He left the office, flowers in hand, and headed to Y/n's house. Upon arrival, he was greeted by Y/n's mom. He handed her the flowers and used his charm to enter the house.

Y/n's mom and sisters fawned over Jungkook. Y/n descended the stairs, surprise etched on her face. Jungkook's eyes locked onto hers.

"I need to talk to you," he said, rising from the couch. "Privately," he added.

Y/n nodded."Let's go outside."

She led Jungkook to the lawn.

"Your family is sweet," Jungkook said.

Y/n's eyes searched his eyes, "What is it? Why did you come all the way here?”

Jungkook's expression turned serious.

"About last night..." Jungkook's eyes pleaded for understanding. "I'm sorry, Y/n. Truly sorry."

“And why are you here?"

"I wanted to know why you didn't come to work," Jungkook said.

Y/n's voice turned resolute. "I'm not coming back after what you did. You think you can use your power to exploit employees? I guess you been doing the same like your brother and father,”

Jungkook's face fell. "I swear, Y/n, I have no history of exploitation or harassment. My record is clear."

"But why did you kiss me?”

Jungkook hesitated.

"I wasn't sure what I felt at that moment. I'm not good at handling my emotions. I thought it would be...right, but it wasn't."

Y/n's eyes narrowed. "Explain how it was ‘right’?”

Jungkook took a deep breath. “I thought we would become friends,”

“So you kiss your friends?” She asked.

“Yes, I mean no. Like I don't have any friends because of that. I do kiss the female friends which end up with them not being my friends anymore. The only friend I have is my cousin.” He said.

“Cousin is your blood, that's why he is the only one who tolerates your personality.” she exclaimed.

“I just don't know, I just wanted us to be friends. And I just kissed. But I promise to never do that again."

Y/n studied Jungkook's determined expression.

"Never?" she pressed.

Jungkook's voice was firm.

"Never."

Y/n's shoulders relaxed.

"Okay."

“Did you forgive me?” He asked.

“Not really, and I don't want to be your friend.”

Jungkook's eyes lit up with relief, as she looked calm.

“Then do you want to be more than friends with me?” he asked with a smirk.

She shook his head and crossed her arms. “At this point, your apologies are just meaningless.”

He smiled, “I am just kidding, I will see you tomorrow at work.”

She nodded her head. He left her house and sat in his car. He put his head on the seat, and he wanted to kiss her again. But the fresh bruise on his lip reminded him to stay in his limits.

The way he feels about her has never happened before. But he knows this will lead to nothing. “Stupid move Jungkook. On the top, why did I come here to apologize? It was good that she left work.”
____

Taehyung was looking for Y/n in the office, he spotted Y/n sipping coffee.

"Mind if I join?" he asked.Y/n shrugged. Taehyung slid into the chair. He is glad she is here today.

"Missed you at the office," he said. “Why didn't you come yesterday?”

Y/n's gaze dropped. "I was mad at Jungkook," she admitted. Taehyung's eyebrow arched.

"Interesting. You skip work because of a tiff with the boss.” Taehyung said. “And Jungkook? He is still your boss.”

Y/n's eyes flashed. "I'm done with Jungkook. I don't know if I should even work there."

Taehyung leaned in. "You should work here... for me."

Y/n's lips curled. "What makes you think I'd stay for you?"

Taehyung's smile grew. "Let's just say I'm a better reason to stay than Jungkook is to leave."

Y/n's cheeks flushed. "You're not helping, Taehyung."

Taehyung chuckled. "Maybe I am."

Their gazes locked. As the conversation flowed, Y/n realized her feelings for Taehyung went beyond friendship.

Her heart skipped a beat.

Was she developing feelings for her coworker? She doesn't want to work here but only comes to see him.

Other employees surrounded them, curious.

"Hey, Taehyung, what's your full name?" one asked.

"Kim Taehyung," he replied.

A colleague's eyes widened. "Mr. Jeon's cousin is Kim Taehyung! Are you—"

Y/n swiftly intervened. "Kim and Taehyung are common names. Coincidence."

The group laughed. “Right, right, he is too simple to be the owner.”

Taehyung's gaze met Y/n's. He lied because Y/n already had a set image about himself and he wanted her to know how wrong she is to judge him without meeting him.

___

Jungkook finds himself again on the floor where Y/n was working. He wanted to see if her mood was normal or not. He knows she came today, he saw her earlier but it was not enough.

Taehyung noticed Jungkook's lingering presence.

"Something we can help you with, ‘Boss’?" Taehyung asked. “How come you came to this floor for the third time in a day?”

"Just keeping an eye on you, Tae.”

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. Taehyung grasped the back of Jungkook's neck. "I know you're up to something. What is it? I am just two years older than you, I raised you so don't play with me."

Jungkook shrugged. "Nothing."

Taehyung's grip tightened. "Spill."

Jungkook chuckled, wrapping Taehyung in a playful headlock.

Y/n's eyes widened. "Mr. Jeon, stop! You're abusing your employee!"

Jungkook and Taehyung froze. "Y/n, no! We're just messing around."

Jungkook released Taehyung. She came closer to Taehyung and checked his neck. Taehyung smiled a little as she was touching his neck to make sure it didn't leave any mark.

She turned to Jungkook. “Why are you like this? Who do you think you are? Just because you are boss doesn't mean you can hurt anyone.”

"I wasn't. Tae knows I'm harmless." Jungkook approached closer to Y/n, concern etched on his face.

"Y/n, listen—"

Y/n crossed her arms.

"You are so disappointing,”

Jungkook turned to Taehyung.

"Tae, tell her. She's misunderstanding."

“Tell what?” Taehyung asked.

Taehyung's eyes widened in alarm. “Truth.”

"Not now, Kook."

Taehyung hesitated, unsure how Y/n would react.

“Will you? Or should I?” Jungkook asked.

"Y/n, can I talk to you for a minute?" Taehyung asked.

Y/n nodded. "What is it?"

Taehyung took a deep breath. “I lied to you.”

Y/n stared at his face. “About what?”

"I'm friends with Jungkook. Close friends. I didn't tell you because you were angry.” Taehyung lied again. But he didn't want to tell her his identity just her.

Y/n's eyebrows shot up. "How can someone like you be friends with him?"

Taehyung's eyes sparkled. "We've known each other since childhood."

Jungkook shook his head, but he didn't say anything. He knows Taehyung and he will do whatever he wants.

Y/n's expression softened slightly.

"I don't get it. You're so... calm and kind. He's..."
Taehyung chuckled. "Opposites attract, maybe?"

Y/n's gaze lingered on Taehyung.

"I still don't understand. How do you both even hang out?” She asked.

“He used to party a lot but he is so called ‘retired’ now, he has done everything.” Jungkook said. It's true that Taehyung used to go out a lot and he has tried everything, now he just wants a slow life. It was hard to get away as all his friends and cousins are always partying.

“He got mature but you still act like a 19 year old.” She replied. “And Taehyung Why did hide that you were friends with him?”

“Because you hate him, and I thought you would hate me too.” Taehyung said, with big eyes.

“Why would I hate you?”  Her tone turned soft as she smiled, “I will never hate you.”

Jungkook's expression fell down. Is she close to him for her to say that like that?  He couldn't help but feel angry at their interaction.

He looked at the time. “The lunch was over 18 minutes ago and you both are still here.”

Taehyung looked at Jungkook's sudden mood change. “Taehyung, you don't need to destroy the environment for other employees here. And miss Y/n, be professional for once. Or you are only interested in gossip.”

Jungkook said and then he left. Taehyung followed him and asked what happened but Jungkook was ignoring him. Jungkook entered the lift, “Jungkook I am talking to you.”

“You are close to her? Are you both dating?” He asked. Taehyung got silent. “Taehyung do you have any idea how much I hate her? I can't even tolerate her in this office. I am letting her stay just because of you and you are telling me that you like her too? Woah, I will never tolerate someone like her with you, she is unbearable-”

“Hey, hey, stop here. Y/n and I are friends,” (Just for now) Taehyung replied.

“Wait, so there is nothing going between you and her?” Jungkook asked.

“No,” Taehyung replied.

Jungkook calmed down, “She is getting into my head, I am thinking of sending her to another state.”

“Another state but why?” Taehyung asked, surprised.

“I just don't want to see her face. Everytime she comes In Front of me, she fucks up my day.” Jungkook said he doesn't want to be near her. He hates this restless feeling, he hates having the desire to touch her but not being able to do that. He can't tolerate seeing another man lingering near her.

It was clear that he wasn't in love with her. Jungkook has been in love in the past, he knows how it feels, and what he was feeling right now was certainly not love. But hate? He was not sure.

__