Jeon Jungkook

The low hum of the engine and the familiar rush of the city streets should have cleared my head by now, but my mind was stuck on the morning’s conversation with my father. I kept replaying it over and over, a storm of emotions swirling through me. Anger, frustration… and something else I didn’t want to admit.

“You can keep your job, Jungkook. I won’t fight you on it anymore.”

It was the one thing I’d wanted for years. Freedom from my father’s constant disapproval of my career—the late nights, the danger, the unpredictability. He had always pushed for me to take over one of the family businesses or at least settle into something more ‘respectable.’ But my job was my life. It was my passion, and nothing else came close.

Yet, here he was, offering me exactly what I wanted—but with a condition.

Marriage. To a girl of his choosing. I didn’t even know who she was, and it didn’t matter. It wasn’t the idea of marriage itself that bothered me. It was the principle. The audacity of my father thinking he could control me with one final string attached.

But maybe that was the point.

As I pulled up to the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, I couldn’t shake the bitterness that clung to me. My father had handed me freedom with one hand and shackled me with the other. I was no better than Taehyung.

I slammed the door of my car shut, heading inside where the fluorescent lights and chatter of the station usually helped clear my thoughts. But not today.

“Jungkook! You’re here,” Eunwoo’s voice cut through my brooding, his usual upbeat tone jarring against my mood.

“Yeah,” I muttered, forcing a nod his way as I made my way toward my desk.

The day was already in full swing. Eunwoo, always the friendly and dependable one, was talking to Lee Hana, one of our newer recruits. She was sharp, smart—maybe a little too sharp for her own good. She always looked at me a little too long, her eyes lingering in ways that told me she was interested in more than just work. I didn’t have time for that.

“Jungkook, we’ve got a new case,” Eunwoo said, tapping a file on his desk. “It’s a tricky one. A series of break-ins in Gangnam, but nothing stolen. The homeowners say nothing was out of place.”

I tried to focus on what he was saying, but my mind kept drifting back to my father’s words. The freedom to live my life how I wanted… All I had to do was marry this girl. A simple transaction. Why did it feel like a betrayal of everything I stood for?

I leaned back in my chair, rubbing a hand over my face as Eunwoo handed me the case file.

“You okay?” Hana asked, her voice softer than usual as she studied me. She had a way of looking at me like she could see the cracks, like she could tell when something was off. I respected her. She was good at her job, even though she was still a junior. But I wasn’t blind to the way she sometimes lingered near my desk or the way she smiled when she caught me looking her way. I wasn’t interested. Not now. Probably not ever.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I muttered, flipping open the file and scanning the reports.

“Doesn’t look like you are,” she pressed, leaning against the desk beside me. “Something on your mind?”

“Just work,” I lied, trying to shake the conversation with my father from my thoughts.

Hana shrugged, leaning a little closer. “If you say so. But if you need to talk…” Her voice trailed off, leaving the offer hanging in the air.

I didn’t have time for anything like that. I respected her—she was sharp and driven, and in another life, maybe things could be different. But my first priority was my job. It always would be. I could indulge in one-night stands whenever I felt the need, seeking out temporary escapes without the strings of commitment. I could handle casual relationships, even if they were fleeting. But something long-term? I didn’t have the time or the desire for that kind of distraction.

My life was about solving cases, tracking down criminals, and serving justice. I’d learned that the hard way. Years ago, I broke up with my ex-girlfriend because my passion took precedence over everything else. Relationships were messy, complicated, and took energy I simply didn’t have.

Commitment to my job, I reminded myself, was the only commitment I could afford.

But this marriage…

Pros and cons, I thought to myself. What’s the worst that could happen?

My father had spent his life controlling me and Taehyung, manipulating us to fit into his vision of the perfect family. Taehyung… he’d always been the obedient son. Even when our father gave his blessing for Taehyung to marry Miso, it came with a condition. They could only marry if Taehyung agreed to stay in the family’s main house. Taehyung had wanted to move out, start his life with Miso on his own terms. But he’d sacrificed that for our father’s approval.

And now, here I was, standing at the same crossroads. My father was offering me the freedom to live my life where I wanted, to do the job I loved without interference—but only if I married the girl he had chosen for me.

It wasn’t fair.

I am Jeon Jungkook, not Kim Jungkook. Ever since I graduated and decided to pursue a career in law enforcement, my father had made it clear how he felt about it. He lectured me about family image and reputation, insisting that as a Kim, I was expected to uphold the family name. The Kims were powerful and respected, and to him, being a police officer was beneath that legacy. It was a constant source of conflict between us.

In defiance, I chose to use my mother’s last name, Jeon. She had always supported my decision to follow my passion, even if it worried her. My mother believed in me when no one else did, and that meant everything. She never pressured me to take the traditional path. So, I adopted Jeon as my last name, a way to honor her and everything she had done for me. I would make my own name in this world, even if it meant standing against the tide of my family’s expectations.

But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. If I agreed, I could save myself from more family drama. I could tell her to live her life, and I’d live mine. Separate lives under the same roof. It wouldn’t be that hard. She could do whatever she want ; I’d focus on my job. It could work.

I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes for a moment. Maybe I should just accept the deal. My father had always controlled us, but maybe this time, I could turn it in my favor. If it gave me the freedom to continue being a detective without his constant disapproval… maybe it was worth it.

“Jungkook?” Eunwoo’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. “You good?”

I blinked, shaking off the fog in my head. “Yeah. Sorry. What were you saying?”

He gave me a strange look but didn’t push further. “We were saying that we should probably head out to check the latest crime scene. You coming?”

I nodded, standing and grabbing my jacket. I had more important things to focus on right now than my father’s games. The case would give me the distraction I needed.

But even as I followed Eunwoo and Hana out the door, my father’s words echoed in my mind. Maybe it’s time to give in. To play his game. Just this once.

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                          Min Arin
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As I settled into my office, the gentle hum of the air conditioning mixed with the soft clatter of keyboards and the distant chatter of my colleagues. My office was a testament to my hard work—walls adorned with framed accolades and photographs from significant corporate milestones. It was both a sanctuary and a reminder of the weight of my responsibilities as the Senior Manager of Operations.

Taking a moment to organize my thoughts, I opened the reports on my desk, ready to dive into the day’s tasks. With multiple meetings scheduled and an overflowing inbox, I knew I had to stay focused.

My assistant, Jiwon, knocked lightly before entering, her expression brightening the otherwise serious atmosphere. “Good morning, Arin! I’ve compiled the quarterly sales figures for your review. The marketing team is looking for your insights on a potential strategy shift.”

“Thank you, Jiwon,” I replied, accepting the folder from her. “Have they proposed any specific changes?”

“They're suggesting a rebranding campaign, but they're still analyzing consumer data. I think they’re anxious about the competition,” she said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Would you like me to arrange a meeting with them later today?”

“Yes, that would be helpful. I want to ensure we’re aligned on our strategy moving forward,” I instructed, my mind already drifting to the discussions I would have later. Jiwon nodded and left the room, leaving me to my thoughts.

As I immersed myself in my tasks, I engaged with colleagues throughout the morning, discussing project timelines and business strategies. Each interaction reminded me of the weight of my responsibilities, but I couldn’t shake the underlying anxiety regarding my upcoming marriage.

Suddenly, my office door swung open, and Yoongi, my elder brother, stormed in, his demeanor agitated. “Arin, we need to talk,” he said, his voice thick with concern.

“What’s wrong, Yoongi?” I asked, surprised by the urgency in his tone.

“How can you agree to this marriage arrangement? You’re sacrificing your happiness for Dad’s ambitions!” he exclaimed, his frustration palpable.

“Yoongi, please,” I replied, trying to keep my composure. “This is a strategic decision, and you know how these things work.”

“A strategic decision?” he echoed, disbelief etched on his face. “You’re marrying someone you don’t even know! How can you think this is a good idea? This isn’t just business; this is your life!”

I leaned back in my chair, feeling the weight of his words. “I understand your concerns, but I can handle it. You need to trust me. If anything goes awry, I promise I’ll let you know.”

“Trust you?” He ran a hand through his hair, his frustration evident. “I don’t want to lose my sister to this mess. I’ve seen how Dad manipulates us. I won’t let him do that to you!”

“Nothing will happen,” I said firmly, meeting his gaze. “I’ve made my decision, and I’m confident in it. I appreciate your concern, but I can navigate this. It’s my choice.”

He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Arin, you’re smart, but love isn’t something to gamble with. I want you to be happy, not trapped in a situation you’ll regret. This arrangement could hurt you more than you realize.”

I felt a pang in my chest. “I’m not going to regret this, Yoongi. This is the best option for our family, and I can manage it. I promise.”

He sighed heavily, his eyes softening. “Alright, I’ll support you, but only if you promise me one thing: if it gets too much, you’ll come to me. I can’t lose you to Dad’s greed.”

“Of course, I’ll keep you in the loop,” I replied, feeling a mix of gratitude and guilt. “You’ve always looked out for me.”

Yoongi gave a curt nod, though I could still see the concern lingering in his eyes. “Just remember, I’m here for you, always. You deserve happiness, not just stability.”

As he left, I took a deep breath, feeling the tension dissipate slightly but still burdened by the enormity of my decision. I turned my attention back to my desk, where a new thought sparked in my mind: I needed to learn more about the man I was about to marry.

I opened my laptop and typed “Kim Minho’s son” into the search bar, but all I found were articles about Kim Taehyung, his older brother, who seemed to be quite the media sensation. Frowning, I tried again, this time searching for “Jeon Jungkook.”

A flood of articles appeared, each headline more impressive than the last: “Young Detective Solves High-Profile Cases,” “Jeon Jungkook: The Rising Star of the Seoul Police,” and “Meet the 25-Year-Old Who’s Making Waves in Law Enforcement.”

I paused, my heart racing. Jungkook was two years older than me, and at just 25, he had achieved so much in his career—gaining respect and recognition for solving complex cases. It was remarkable, especially since he’d begun his journey at just 22. A pang of admiration mixed with apprehension coursed through me. What kind of man was he? Did he want this marriage as much as I did?

As I clicked on an article featuring his picture, I was about to delve deeper when there was a knock on my office door, snapping me back to reality. “Come in!” I called, quickly closing the tabs on my screen.

An employee from the marketing department entered, clutching a folder. “Hi, Arin. Sorry to interrupt. I need your signature on these reports.”

“Of course, just leave them on my desk, and I’ll take care of it,” I said, shoving aside my thoughts about Jungkook and our impending marriage for the moment.

As I signed the documents, the earlier conversation with Yoongi echoed in my mind. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this arrangement might lead to something unforeseen. I just hoped I wouldn’t lose myself in the process.

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