1/2

As Seokjin finished reading the disgusting article, more than ten others showed up at the bottom. He then heard his phone ringing and he immediately picked up after seeing who it was.

"Hoseok? What is going on?" he asked. Jimin got up and left the room, giving Seokjin privacy.

"Listen, before you say anything, I didn't set this up, okay? This must've been operated by someone else. The media was forbidden to even get close to the hall, so someone had to sneak that reporter in. Not only that, but there's a dozen articles already. Therefore, it wasn't just one person who was listening to us." Hoseok said, pausing to let his mind think.

"Fortunately, up to now, the articles are only talking about that, they didn't see you and I returning to he car and didn't record us either. That's a relief. I've already spoken with the companies of the articles and each of them are getting sued for recording without our consent. That and going against the basic rules of the establishment. So, if everything goes as planned, the articles should be taken down by the end of the day."

Seokjin nodded quietly, "Uhm...do you think maybe we can meet up? Please?"

He didn't need to ask twice, for Hoseok was already on his way to him.

***

"This is common among celebrities, isn't it?" Seokjin asked, looking down as he played with Hoseok's hands.

Hoseok had picked him up and taken him to one of his favorite spots to relax. It was a cabin an hour away from the city, where he went to relax a few times a year. Seokjin was still shaken up by the whole mess, so he knew he had to take him somewhere calm and relaxing. And it worked. Seokjin looked calmer, and he wasn't as pale as when he had picked him up. He had consoled him when he shed a few tears from how horrible and constricted he had felt.

Hoseok sighed, "Yes, unfortunately so. New articles get published every day, and a simple rumor will spread like wildfire. Some praise you, but the next day they stab you in the back and make up anything they can to make you look bad. This isn't my first scandal, i've had far worse. I'm just waiting for the one where they accuse me of being a pedophile for being with you."

Seokjin looked up at that, shaking his head. "But you aren't! I'm literally twenty-four."

"Yes, but they don't know that. They could be thinking i'm an old bastard trying to have some fun with a minor. News outlets will do anything to get their article trending so they can get a raise. And since we have freedom of press, we can't do anything but let them. I took action and got them to get taken down, but that was because I have the money and power to do so. Not everyone is that fortunate."

They sit in silence for a few minutes, until Seokjin speaks up, smiling bitterly, "Thank you."

Hoseok looks at him, "For what?"

"For—everything! You have taken me in so easily. You've treated me so nicely. You did this for me. I've never had anyone care for me as much as you have. It...feels nice to be appreciated." he said with a shy smile.

Hoseok smiled and leaned closer, giving him a soft kiss.

***

"Sir—"

"What?! What is it this time?!"

The brunette male gulped in fear as he saw his boss raging in anger. "T-The articles have all been taken down. Mr.Jung has put out a statement saying that the information was taken without consent and that he's taking legal action towards everyone who writes any more. He had prohibited that from happening and sued every news station who wrote an article. We've gotten messages saying you will have to pay for them since it was your idea in the first place." he said, his voice trembling at the cold gaze his boss gave him.

His boss grabbed the phone on his desk, entering a number. He waited impatiently until the other person picked up.

"Yes Sir—"

"Tell those gold-digging pests that I won't give them a single penny. Write this down—This is a message from Kim Taehyung. I will not be giving you any money, as i'm the reason you get money anyway. I give you the clout you need to save your dying newspaper. I will not be paying anything and you will not speak of this. If I see or even hear anything of me being remotely connected to these articles, I will personally make you disappear. Is that clear?"

"Ah, y-yes Sir."

Taehyung hangs up and puts the phone down. "I need to be alone."

The brunette nodded quickly, bowing before speed walking out the office.

Taehyung rubs his face in frustration. "I should've known Hoseok was going to do something against the articles." he slams his fist on the desk, slightly cracking the glass. "Damn it. If Seokjin finds out i'm the one behind the articles, he definitely won't want to see me again."

He thinks for a few minutes before making a call. A few hours later, a man in all black walks into his office.

"I've heard you've requested my services, Sir Kim." he said, standing in front of the desk with his hands behind his back.

Taehyung turned around in his chair, facing the tall man. "That is correct. I've heard you're good with computers?"

The man nods, "I guess you can say that."

"Well, I want you to trace a few news stations. You know, hack their systems to monitor every single action they take." Taehyung said, his hands on the desk.

"Is there a specific action you want me to monitor?"

"Just make sure to alert me in case they try to make a move on me, wether it may be for me or against me. I expect a lot from you from what i've heard, therefore, you're in it for a good payment and a good time. Mr. Moon, how'd you like to work for Kim Corps?"

____

i've seen people taking this story of their reading lists and stopped reading and it kinda hurts but i guess that's what comes with writing badly :( or being a writer in general

i'll try to better my writing for you guys and for myself cause it's sad to see people stop reading your story. i'm sorry if it's not as good as it was or if you don't like it anymore.

but to those of you who are still here, thank you. thank you to those who left too, since they've at least given my book a chance. ☺️ i'm continuing for you! 💜💜 and thank you for 16K!! 😭😭💜💜💜