Jungkook's life has always been a delicate balance between the surface-level normalcy and the shadowy world of his family's dealings.

While the public sees him as a calm, collected young man, the truth is far more complex.

Beneath all that exterior lies a person constantly at war with himself, consumed by thoughts of you and his responsibilities—especially those tied to his father's connections.

His father, a well-established and influential figure in the underground world, had never exactly hidden his line of work from Jungkook. But growing up, Jungkook had tried to distance himself from it, convincing himself that he was nothing like his father. Or so he thought.

But now, as Jungkook stands at the gym, wiping the sweat from his brow, his thoughts drift to the conversation he's been avoiding. The truth is, he's always been tangled in the underworld, whether he likes it or not. And as much as he tries to ignore it, he knows the world he was born into is never far behind.

The buzz of his phone pulls him from his thoughts. He sees his father's name flash across the screen, and instinctively, he tenses. It's never good news when his father calls, and yet, there's a strange sense of inevitability about it. Jungkook presses the phone to his ear, his voice steady, masking the irritation bubbling inside.

"Jungkook," his father's voice booms through the line, rich with authority. "We need you to take a trip. Norway. There's a meeting with a new buyer. Weapons trade. You'll handle it. It's important."

Jungkook leans against the weight rack, a low sigh escaping his lips. The last thing he wants to do is fly to Norway and sit through another one of these meetings. But he knows better than to argue. When his father gives an order, there's no room for negotiation. He can't say no.

"I understand," Jungkook replies, his tone neutral.

"Good. The buyer's been asking for a while, and it's time we seal the deal. You'll be representing the family. I expect you to be sharp."

Jungkook's fingers tighten around the phone as his mind momentarily flashes to you. He pushes the thought away, frustrated with himself for even letting you linger in his mind at a time like this. He's gotten better at compartmentalizing his emotions, at least when it comes to his work. But this... this is different.

"Yeah, I'll handle it," Jungkook says, forcing his mind back to the task at hand. "When do I leave?"

"Tonight. Be ready. We're finalizing the deal tomorrow."

His father hangs up abruptly, leaving Jungkook standing there with the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He could ignore it, pretend like he's just going on another business trip—but deep down, he knows what's really happening. The stakes are higher now.

As the gym fades into the background, Jungkook's thoughts shift again. He can't stop thinking about you, about how you vanished without a trace. He wonders if you're still out there somewhere.

His grip tightens around the dumbbell in his hand, as the thought crosses his mind—If I find you...

He doesn't finish the thought, but the meaning lingers. He could lock you away, keep you close, where no one could take you from him.

It's a terrifying thought, one that makes him sick with guilt and desire all at once. But it's what he feels—what he wants.

The urge to have you, to keep you from slipping away again, is overwhelming. He can't control it. He's not even sure if he wants to.

Jungkook brushes off the thought, tossing the dumbbell back into its rack. He has no time to dwell on this. He has a trip to prepare for, a deal to oversee, and a part of himself he's still trying to bury deep down. He grabs his bag, leaving the gym with his usual cool demeanor—calm, collected, as if nothing is bothering him.

But inside, there's a storm brewing, one that he can't ignore. And it's only a matter of time before it all comes to a head.

—-

As Leah navigates through the bustling mall, you trail behind her, hands shoved into your jacket pockets, feeling lighter with each step.

Leah's on a mission today to find books for her school requirements, so you follow along as she makes her way toward the bookstore. The shelves inside are stacked high with neatly organized rows, the faint smell of paper and coffee mixing with the quiet hum of students browsing. Leah darts between aisles, pulling books from shelves, her voice rising above the chatter.

"Okay, I need two anatomy books and a physiology guide," she says, flipping through a few pages in a book she's holding. You don't even have to ask if she knows where everything is; she's a pro when it comes to this.

You take a deep breath, looking at the rows of books around you. The vibe here is calm, a welcome break from everything else. After a few minutes of aimless wandering, you end up by a shelf full of novels, trying to decide whether or not to pick one for yourself.

"Found them!" Leah's voice calls out, pulling you from your thoughts. She grins, holding up a couple of thick textbooks. "Let's go check out."

You nod and follow her to the counter, your fingers absently brushing over your belly.

"Alright, books are done," Leah says, her tone chipper as she places the books into a bag. "Now, let's go baby shopping. Im thinking we buy gender neutral clothes since we don't know the gender yet."

You shrug, agreeing.

The two of you make your way over to the baby section. The racks are full of soft fabrics and pastel colors. You run your fingers gently over a onesie only to freeze, staring into a distance seeing her—Iseul.

Leah frowns. "What's wrong?"

Iseul's gaze locks onto you, and her eyes widen in shock. She freezes, her mouth parting in disbelief.

For a moment, you can see the mix of emotions cross her face—confusion, fear, maybe even guilt.

She drops the small bag in her hand, and it falls to the ground with a soft thud, bringing you back to reality.

Her eyes flicker over her shoulder, as if searching for something—or someone.

"You can't be here. Quick. Hide." She mouths those words. You spot the wave of shock when she notices your belly though.

You're about to drag Leah away when you see Jungkook walking out the jewelry store. His gaze scanning the area with a calm, almost detached expression. His presence immediately pulls at your chest, and a wave of panic crashes over you. You haven't seen him in months.

You instinctively take a step back, heart pounding. Forget hiding. You have to run. You can't let him see you—not now.

Iseul stands in front of her brother, their height difference evident. It's clear that she's distracting him.

But is it working though?

You turn to Leah, your voice steady but hurried. "We need to go, now."

Leah doesn't question you. She follows you as you quickly make your way toward the store exit. You keep your head down, your heart racing in your chest. As you pass by the aisles, you glance over your shoulder one last time, catching a glimpse of Jungkook's face glaring at Iseul.

You don't know what's going through her mind, but one thing is clear—she just saved you.