Jungkook's POV

"So how do you feel coming back home?" The guy with dimples asked me while we sat on a round table, catching up for the time we had lost.

"It's good. As of now." I replied, cutting the red meat from the knife and enjoying its texture. 

"Great. I thought you would run back to London crying because you wouldn't be able to put up with your father's discipline." Taehyung joked, and the entire table erupted into a fit of laughter except me. I shot him a glare, warning him already that I didn't find a teensy bit of humour in his words. If people thought he was funny , I actually pitied their sense of humour.

We were sitting at Namjoon's house, in the centre of his massive garden filled with flowers and trees. Hadn't it been Gracia, his wife who invited me and requested me to have dinner before we left for Bangkok, I wouldn't have been sitting in the middle of flowers and grass. These floral fragrances irritated my olfactory senses, because they were so beautiful that their presence almost suffocated me.

“I am sure he won't leave now. He surely has found a reason to stay.” A strained voice that belonged to Sohee drew everyone's attention. She had a bad throat and it was difficult for her to speak anything but that did not stop her from throwing her iconic remarks.

Namjoon and Gracia were quick to turn their heads and look in my direction, while Taehyung and Sohee shared a mysterious smile among themselves to irritate me even more. I swear if this conversation was heading towards the direction I am thinking of right now, I would chop them with my bare hands, without caring if they were my friend or sister.

“What reason? What is it?” Gracia asked curiously, eyeing Sohee. With dark brown hair and pale skin she was one of the most gorgeous women I had ever met. And as beautiful as she looked on the outside, she was beautiful inside as well. 

Kim Gracia was a great journalist and brave publicist who wasn't afraid to bring the truth of dark issues that scares most in front of the world. There was hardly any news in the world that had the ability to not reach her ears. She was skillful, smart and undefensive in whatever she did. 

And suiting her well was her husband, my friend and my business client, Kim Namjoon. Being the best architect Korea could ever have and being the sole owner of the Kim architectural firm wasn't something that a person could handle very easily. But he did. He handled both with immense ease and comfort. Little did everyone know that all that looked bright on the outside led to the dark world of BDSM that belonged to him. He owns a sex club in the city that not many know about, where he lets his architecture side take creative control allowing him to paint his wife in different shades of red as he unleashes his dominant side. 

Knowing how thin is the line between abuse and BDSM culture, Gracia took in all his darkness to give him the light he needed. They love each other too much and sometimes I feel nothing but hollow seeing them so madly in love, wishing something like that in my life too. But I am too fucked up to treasure a beautiful thing like this.

“Not what. Ask who it is?” Sohee continued munching a carrot.

“Okay then, who is it?” Gracia asked leaning on the table giving Sohee utmost attention as if there was nothing more important in this world than that.

“Kim Y/n.” A combination of gasp and applaud came from the married couple in front of me. 

“She's speaking bullsh-” I started but was interrupted by my sister.

“Okay then why are you wearing her ring around your neck?”

When I looked down I realised her ring that I wore as a chain around my neck. Fuck, I should have hid it and now for the first time I don't have any reply to shut the mouth of my bratty sister. Even with a bad throat, she's speaking too much for my liking. 

I threw a glare on her, silently asking her to shut her mouth and not cause a problem for me in front of Joon and Gracia.

Just when I was about to pin her with my words, Gracia cleared her throat.

“Is there something that we are missing here?” 

“It's nothin-” I say, but Sohee is quick to interrupt me. An irritated sigh leaves my lip. She knows how agitated I feel when someone interrupts me and she's doing exactly that to get on my nerves.

“It is.” She says with a girly giggle. “I feel my brother and Y/n have something brewing between them.”

“Okay.” Gravia clocks a brow towards me. “Let's hear about Y/n then. Are you sleeping with her? What is she like?”

There's absolutely no point in hiding things from Kim Gracia when she's one of those people who can find a person lying just by looking into their eyes. And there's absolutely nothing that I can do to hide details when there's already so much spilled by my very own sister.

“ First- I don't think I am answerable to any of you about my equation with her and I am definitely not discussing my sex life here.” I put my point firmly and clearly. As much as I am keen to show Y/n off as my girl, I don't want her to feel betrayed about this, without discussing it with her. Owing to her friendship with Sohee, I don't want to spoil the dynamics between them by letting my sister know that I am sleeping with her best friend. If Y/n feels she wants to share, she is free to do so. “And secondly she's a wonderful, beautiful and insanely talented girl.”

“Look at you.” Gracia says with a teasing smile forming on her lips. “You are so whipped.”

I roll my eyes at her comment. Me and Y/n have already made it very clear that it isn't going to be anything else than sex between us. 

“I am not.”

“You are.” Gracia interjects, looking at me with her hazel eyes. “Might I mention how you rejected the invitation to come to our sex club. Honestly, I was a bit confused and taken back initially. But now I know. Can't believe you are the same Jungkook who never spoke a word about any girl, appreciating her. And here you are, appreciating her like she's your treasure. Might I mention, you are wearing her ring around your neck.” her voice radiates happiness. “I am so ready for Jungkook 2.0. Can't wait to meet this girl who has you wrapped around her finger.”

I glanced at Namjoon, who had been sipping on his juice this entire time, but his eyes radiated mischief. “No one is whipped. And no one has me wrapped anywhere. Get your head out of it, Gracia.”

“That's what they all say.” Namjoon says in a low whisper for the first time in the entire night.

“See, Master Joon agrees.” Gracia, winks at her husband who gives her a smirk as she uses the word he likes her to call him in their bedroom. These guys are wild. One of the wildest I have known.

But they also love each other to the moon and back. Knowing how much they have suffered in their past just to be together and then seeing them together still strong and rigid as ever makes me wonder if true love exists like it does in Y/n's books.

“You guys can't keep your hands off each other can you?” I scoff.

“We will talk about this when you get yourself a  girlfriend, Jeon. I think you are one of those who wouldn't be able to even breathe without their partners.” Gracia throws me a mocking smile.

“Hell nah. First of all I am not interested in this relationship stuff at all and even if I get into one, I am sure I won't be such a cringe.” I tease.

“Everything seems cringe until you do it with your partner. When you do it with someone you love, everything seems cute.” Gracia says back either the same humour to continue our banter. I like how she doesn't get offended easily and wipes off everything with her savage replies. She's a year younger than me but her comebacks are sassy as ever.

“Diverting from this conversation.” Namjoon clears his throat taking a serious tone. “Who have you decided to represent your company in Bangkok?”

“Me of course. Why would someone else represent my company when I am the CEO.” 

I frown as I see Namjoon and Gracia passing a look at each other.

“You might have slipped this article. But-” he opens his phone to show me the latest article. “-Mr Hanja released this note earlier this morning that he doesn't want any CEO representing their own company. They rather want a fresh face representing them.”

Wrinkles crease on my forehead as I hear this new information. There's absolutely no chance that I would have missed this information. Fuck, I had been busy all night and this morning so much that I forgot to check the updates. Not that I regretted any moment with Y/n, but now I needed to find a solution.

“Why is this decision made at the last moment?

“Apparently Mr Hanja wants to give a chance to new talent as well as it’s a test of how a company can handle a newcomer. Hence he doesn't want a CEO or anyone from their own company representing them.”

I close my eyes, a bit of migraine striking my temple. I look over at Sohee but she already has her hands up when she sees me.

“I can't. I have a bad throat. I don't think I have the strength to represent you in a room of thousands of people.”

“Then who will?” I close my eyes, thinking of all the possible candidates who are capable of representing us, but no one comes to my mind.

“Kim Y/n.” Taehyung says, making me snap my head in his direction. “She has all the required allocations for representing your company. She’s the university topper. There’s no better choice than her.” He’s right. She is capable. I know. “But-” he stops gazing nervously as if he's just going to drop some big information. “-Her mother, Kim Aurora is also pitching so will she agree to do this.”

Fuck it completely slipped off my mind that her mother would also be competing. Earlier I was sure I was going to get this deal but suddenly I am not so sure. But I am not one of those people who gives up so easily and I am determined to convince Y/n to be on my side. And I will.

“Don't worry about that. I am not giving up unless I talk to her.”

—---------

The drive to her house was short but full of anxious thoughts on whether she would agree to accompany me or not. I needed her, my company needed her and I somewhere had an idea that there wouldn't be a better option than her to present my company at such a big stage. Nobody ever said no to me but somehow asking her seemed like something very difficult to me.

Parking my car in front of her gate I rang the bell tapping my feet until the door was opened by the warm and welcoming smile of grandma Aria.

“Hello, Ms Aria. Is Y/n home?” I keep my tone casual and confident, not to show any hints of how excited or nervous I am at the moment.

“She is in her room with her friend.” Just when I was about to comprehend who this friend of hers was, I heard a male shout from upstairs. Without caring about how desperate I might look right now, I ran through the steps.

When I reached her room, the door was already open and her room was pitch dark as I could see her room from the hallway. But the sight in front of me when I reached inside her room had blood rushing through my brain.

Ivan had his hand wrapped around her while she was hiding in his chest as they watched a stupid horror movie. His hand was wrapped around her arm as he himself tried not to get scared by the jump scares but failed miserably in doing so..fucking coward.

Even though they were in a decent position, I hated how close they were sitting for my liking and every time there was a jump scare, Y/n would lean more closer to him. I clenched my fist, trying not to throw a punch on this guy. Even though Y/n had already mentioned that he wasn't interested in girls I couldn't take a risk with any kind of living species in the world. She was too pretty and too beautiful..and she was mine. I should be the one who consoles her while she is scared. I should be the man whose arms should be wrapped around her.

Brushing my fingers through my hair, my jaw clenched. Fuck I was so fucked.

A frustrated groan left their lips as I switched on the lights of the room, illuminating them brighter than required and completely blinded their screen.

“What the fu-” Ivan started complaining, but stopped mid sentence when he saw me glaring at him. My eyes narrowed at him glancing down at his palm that rested on her thigh. If he didn't take his hand from her I was sure I would chop it into pieces and feed him. Lucky for him he removed it the exact moment I was about to break his arm.

“Mr Jeon.” He said nervously, standing up from the couch while wiping the crumbs of wafers on his pants and holding his hand out to me for a handshake. 

As much as I crave nothing but breaking his hand at the moment, I look at the girl on the couch, who's still trying to process if this is real or not. 

Shaking my hand with his I give him a firm shake, applying more pressure than required to let him know who I am. 

“I am Ivan. Nice to meet you.” He greets and rubs his neck while looking down, intimidated. “We met at Mr Kim Taehyung's party but we didn't have a proper conversation. I am-”

“I am in a hurry. I have something serious to discuss with Y/n. So it would be good if you can leave us to talk right now.” I make my point clear before he wastes my time further. I don't care if I look like a pathetic jerk right now, I am not here to take introductions and waste my time on him. Nevertheless he is already topping my red list.

“Oh.” He says in a low voice and takes his hand back. “I-I will leave you then.” He stumbles upon his words and leaves the room, making me and Y/n be the only two people in the room.

My temper is still high, but I try to relax myself a bit before I face Y/n who has been sitting with her face having a surprised expression since the time I entered the room.

Her face looks pale as if she has seen a ghost. Her movements are rigid and she is sitting on the couch like a statue with a wafer between her lips. I take a seat right next to her, but control the urge to set her on my lap even though we are alone.

“Y/n.” I click my fingers in front of her eyes and she blinks rapidly for the first time in a while. Unsure of herself, she timidly touched my arm, making me almost crack a smile.

“Are you real?” Her words came out in a muffled way as she chewed on her wafer before swallowing it. Reaching over to her soft lips, I brushed the crumbs off them and she flinched slightly on the sudden contact.

“Yes, Cupcake. I am real.” 

“But how? I thought you already left for Bangkok.”

“I didn't. I am here to convince you to come with me.” I bring my hand back to myself and gaze straight into her eyes. Ironically how much I try, I have found lately that I can't lose my temper with her. Something about her eyes, about that soft gaze she holds and soft voice that she talks in instantly makes me calm. 

“Me?” She points at herself making sure she heard the right words. “Why do you need me there?”

“Actually there's a last minute change. The contractors want someone else rather than the CEOs to present the contracts.” I stop mid sentence while she looks at me still confused yet not joining the dots. 

“Why would they do that? The company that pitches should be the one to represent their idea, isn't it? It's their hard work all together.”

“You are right. But as you know how easily things can be tampered on the basis of connections, they want their board to be neutral and they are keen on judging the new talent that each company can represent as their face.”

“And you want me for it?” She finally connects the dots.

“Yes. I want you to represent me and my company in Bangkok. I can't ask Sohee as she isn't well-”

“Wait. What happened to her?” She asks in a rush, the blood of her face draining as if she heard the most shattering news.

“Relax. She is just having a bad throat infection. Her voice is strained and she can't really speak properly.” I explain in an attempt to calm her down. The anxiety in her body seems to calm down as she realises it isn't something really worse that happened to her. “ So as I was saying, I can't ask Sohee as well nor can I ask anyone from my company to represent us. They have strict guidelines and they don't want anyone from the team but only a new face to represent each company.”

“That's weird.” She frowns. “I haven't heard of any company with that ideology.” 

“I know.” I nod while agreeing with her. “But this client believes that a good proposal should be in such a way that anyone can explain it. I know it's weird but that's how he and his company works. Moreover, I can't argue because if I do, it will show my incompatibility to bring something good on the table and I don't give anyone a chance to point the finger at me. When I am present I am the best in the room.”

A gulp leaves down her throat and I realise that I might have just increased her anxiety with my words. 

“Then you shouldn't choose me. You should choose someone better who can make you get the contract. I don't think I will be able to do that.”

I absolutely hate the thought that she thinks there's someone better than her. Aside from whatever we have between us, I can't deny the fact that she's one of the most deserving candidates for representing my company. She's the university topper, an avid reader. With big medals for business on her name, she's the smartest in the country right now. And somehow I don't feel bad to accept that she's the only one who I can see myself head on in upcoming years. Considering the allocations that I had in business when I was her age, she just falls a few behind but I somehow know that she has that capability of surpassing me as well. 

She just needs someone to show her what she really is. Someone who can bring her confidence back to her that she stripped herself off. During our dinner date on the cruise when I told her that I wanted to be her companion, this is exactly what I meant. When I made her portrait , this is exactly what I wanted. I wanted to show her how much she had in herself inside out. I wanted to tell her how wrong her perception was about herself when she was the best out there.

“I know you can.” I say it in a firm manner to let her know that I don't doubt her abilities a bit. “I am choosing the best person to represent my company Y/n. I wouldn't have made this decision if I weren't confident in you. And I don't doubt my decisions.” She stares at my face, looking for a hint of humour, but I hold her gaze pinning her with the confidence I have within her.

“Are you sure?” She asks in an irresolute manner.

“I am. But-” I run my fingers through my hair, before continuing. I need to tell her that if she agrees with this, she would be competing with her mother's company. Knowing her she seems the one to rather avoid than challenge her mother. “-there are four companies that are competing for this contract. Your mother's company happens to be one as well.”

Her mouth stays agape as she hears my words. She wouldn't have imagined herself to compete against her own mother. 

“Are you sure? How am I supposed to compete against her? I am going to be the ultimate heir, right? How am I supposed to pitch against my own company?” She blabbers, her forehead coating with a sheen of sweat as anxiousness fills her veins once again.

“Calm down.” I whisper, pulling her closer to my body, and pull both of her legs on my lap, softly caressing her skin. “I know this is a tough decision to make. Hence I wanted you to know who your competitors are.” I knead her muscles, releasing some tension from them that appear too stiff under my touch. “Has your mother asked you to represent her?”

A small sad smile passes through her eyes. “She will never ask me to represent her. Just like you, she is also a perfectionist. And she still considers me as a child who has a long way to go. My ranks, my allocations are too minimalistic for her. She doesn't think I am a candidate for being an heir yet. So it's obvious she wouldn't choose me.” She smiles in my direction, but somehow that beam and light in her smile doesn't reach her eyes. It's fake. “You shouldn't choose me as well. I am sure there are many people better than me.”

I clench my jaw, hating how under confident she is about herself. One of the major reasons being her mother. It's true anyone would only want the best for their company, but Kim Y/n is the best representative for this project. And I am choosing her for her abilities and not for my affinity towards her. I am surprised her mother hasn't chosen her to represent her company. She should be the one who believed in Y/n the most and give her an opportunity to build her confidence but as successful as Kim Aurora was, she was also a very competitive and cunning woman. 

Everyone wanted the best for their companies, and Kim Aurora had just lost a diamond in search of gold. But I was keen on making this diamond shine.

Knowing how vile and sly Kim Aurora was, who would go to any lengths to win, I was sure it would be fun to make her lose to her own daughter. 

“I am confident in you, Y/n. It's either you or no one.” 

“Mom wouldn't be happy. She doesn't want me in public and just imagine how embarrassed she would be if she found out that her daughter is representing someone else rather than her own company.” She closes her eyes and exhales, her fingers holding her hair strands in a clutch.

“You can either satisfy your mother or show the world what you are capable of, Y/n. This world will not stop for you and wait until you come out of your cocoon and be comfortable with things. Things in this world won't go according to what your mother wants when everyone is breathing down each other's neck. This world is highly competitive and it's in your hand if you want to grab this opportunity and shine or stay in your comfort zone. To shine you will need to push yourself. The world will not know how capable you are of or how deserving you are until you show them what you have in you. All your ranks, all your medals, all your allocations are of no use if you cannot show why you got them.” I pause shortly, to release her hair from her hold. “And about your mom, I don't think she would be unhappy or angry seeing you perform on such a big stage. Any parent would be happy to witness their child's progress.”

My words are a bit bitter but that's the truth. If she's going to hide her talent with the fear of what her mother would feel, she's actually missing flair for nothing. I wonder why her mother doesn't want her in the public eye, when Y/n has all the abilities to be a suitable heir.

Passing her tongue over her dry lip, she stares at me.

“What about my university? I am on a deadline.”

“It will be taken care of. Don't worry about that. I have some connections. Your worries are only a call away.” I say, assuring her she has nothing to worry about.

A hopeful feeling passes over me, as she nods, still thinking about something.

“You don't have any reason to deny me, Cupcake. But if you still don't want to, I can understand.”

“It's not that.” a frustrated sigh leaves her mouth before she grabs my hand that's massaging her leg. “What if I let you down. You yourself said that you are the best, what if you lose because of me?”

I pass her a soft smile. “I am sure you won't let me down. But if things don't go our way, at least you will gain experience and I am sure I have the ability to compensate for the loss.” I let my thumb caress her knuckles. “So is that a yes? Will you come with me?”

I saw a slight tilt of her lips, something I hadn't seen the entire time while I spoke to her.

“Yes. I will.”

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Sorry for the delay but finally the issue with wattpad is sorted. Will publish other chaps tomorrow since I want to see how wp is responding so that we don't get any issue again.

Tysm for waiting for me. Love you 😍