Words- 3468

18 days later,

Taehyung halted when he heard a loud horn from his left. He was about to cross the street but at the very moment the traffic lights turned green and cars came rushing before him. A truck ran before him on the streets like a king. Taehyung unintentionally placed a hand on his heart, remembering his father died because of one of these giant vehicles.

A couple of minutes after he left the main road and slowly dragged his tired body through the alleys. His one hand was loosely clutching a portfolio and the other in his pocket. His whole day's schedule was replaying in his mind one by one. He went to two small companies today and one restaurant to apply for a job but all of them rejected him without any procrastination, like a 'most wanted criminal' tag was plastered on his face.

Taehyung sighed when a bright tteokbokki shop at the corner of the alley drew his attention. He remembered how he used to buy tteokbokki for his sister before, it was her favorite snack. He slowly dug out his wallet and seizured to peek inside but found only a note of ten won and some coins there and if he bought the food now, he couldn't use it for the bus fare in the following morning. So he sighed again, shoved that thin wallet inside his pocket, gave the snacks shop one last glance and kept on walking towards his home.

Within a minute, he came near the divided alleys of his and Jimin's house.

He thought of asking Jihoon uncle for some money, as he personally told him before to ask it anytime but Taehyung couldn't bring himself to go there after the tragedy. A part of him was still in pain, still couldn't get over the fact that the head of his family, the only source of income of his family was no more. Jimin was always there to support him but as Jimin got busy with his job interviews, they hadn't met in two days. Taehyung was still not prepared for asking his best friend for money. It was not that he was dying tomorrow, so he pushed the thought from his mind of visiting his friend's house and turned to go towards his own home.

After a corner, he could finally see the giant holding, shining on the street lamps. "Jyundai cars, by Jeon automobiles." Taehyung inaudibly pronounced. The car showing on the picture was their latest model, expensive and beautiful. Their brand ambassador Min Yoongi was proudly standing there by the car, he was looking like a diva.

"Jeon Jungkook." Taehyung spoke looking at the words 'Jeon Automobiles', his voice was just a bit louder than a whisper. "You moron, you ugly bitch, I'm regretting not killing you that day." Taehyung's nose flared as he continued to monologue like a drunk man. "Because of you, I can't get a job even in the pubs, nobody wants to go against the Jeon groups. Every morning my mom has to sell tofu at the market just for a couple of bucks because your company refused to give us dad's last salary. Because of you, my brother can't even apply for a private coaching. Because of you, we can't even buy books for my sister and because of you, our lives became hell." Taehyung's voice became wet as he continued to speak, a keen sob left out from his mouth as he tried to gulp a lump in his throat.

Taehyung fisted his hands and raised his eyes to the sky, so that a weak tear couldn't come out from his eye. The sky was clear above him, some stars were twinkling surrounding the moon. He took a long breath looking at the curved moon, and yelled, "It's you right, Jeon Jungkook? Sitting there on the top, counting my every steps. You're smirking at me like that day, huh? I want to tell you this, listen carefully you dick-head, I-hate-you. I hate you so f*cking much. F*ck you, go to hell and burn in brimstone fire."

Taehyung felt lighter, much lighter after cursing the moon aka Jeon Jungkook. He recalled his home, his mom, when his stomach growled in hunger. He hadn't eaten anything since the mid day, so he rushed to his house without delay.

"Opaa, why are you so late? We were waiting for you." Dahyun, Taehyung's sister, was the first person who greeted him from the doorway. His mother just smiled and his younger brother just glanced at him for a second and drowned himself in his books again. "Oppa, have you bought my books? You said, you'll bring them today." Dahyun's lips formed a hopeful smile, her eyes didn't leave his expressions.

"Yeah, I told you before but-" Taehyung released a sigh looking down, then said with a sad smile, "sorry Dahyun-ah, oppa will manage something tomorrow."

"What? But my professor told all of us to buy those books immediately before the third semester. Now what am I going to tell him tomorrow?" Dahyun grumbled which led her mother to come forward.

"Oh just stop it girl, let him sit first." Haesook, Taehyung's mother took his elder son's hand and made him sit on a chair near the dining table. Their house was not that big, there were only two bedrooms, one kitchen, two attached bathrooms and one common sitting, dining area and a small attic room in the roof, which was currently occupied by his sister Dahyun. "Taehyung-ah, you must be tired, so let's just eat first, hmm?"

"Mom, I-" Taehyung hesitated to speak something but his mother stopped him mid way.

"Taehyung-ah, tell your brother to sit with you too, I'm arranging the plates."

Taehyung didn't have to call his brother, as he came and sat near him without a word. Taehyung smiled looking at him, "Sunoo, ahm, how's your studies going? Do you need anything?"

"No." Sunoo replied looking down, "Even if I study hard, it's not going to help. We have no money to pay for my college and even if I did my graduation, no company is going to hire me, like they are doing with you."

Taehyung got stunned after hearing these pessimistic words from his always positive brother. He took some moment to gather thoughts then said, "No Sunoo-ah, you're not like me. You're way more meritorious than me. Please don't lose hope buddy, this hard time will be over soon."

Sunoo remained silent, looking at the corner of the table, absentmindedly scratching the wood. Taehyung's chest became heavy again, a lone sigh didn't make it eased.

"Dinner is here, mom made seaweed soup today. Let's dig in." Haesook placed a big bowl of hot soup in the middle of the table, along with the rice. "Dahyun leave your phone and come here, I'm not going to call you twice."

Their mother served them a quality portion of rice with soup. It was not plenty but enough to fill up their tummies. She put a single fried egg into his elder son's plate at the end which grabbed the others attention.

"What is it mom, you again forgot us and gave him all good food?" Dahyun put her chopsticks down on the table, pouting while looking at her mother.

Haesook deeply frowned seeing her daughter's misbehavior, "It's because your oppa needs more energy than you two. He helps me in the early morning duties when you two drool on the bed. I don't want to hear anything, just finish your food before ten and go to your bed. We also have to save the electricity."

Dahyun didn't stop there, "Why do you always defend him? I also help you in doing your household work. Aren't we three equal to you? Did you forget he's the one who hit that billionaire's son first and because of him we are all suffering."

The room became silent for a moment. Only the low sounds of munching could be heard from Sunoo's side. Haesook's eyes were piercing into the soup bowl and Dahyun pressed his lips together, still sulking.

"Ah! I forgot to tell you something," Taehyung grinned awkwardly, tried to lighten up the heavy air surrounding them, "I met Jimin today and we had tteokbokki on our way, God! I'm so full, I can't eat anything now, hahaha!" He got up instantly, bowed slightly before his mother and went to the bedroom he was sharing with his brother Sunoo.

At midnight, Taehyung couldn't sleep at all, so many things were running in his mind and the stomachache was also giving him a hard time to sleep. Sunoo's light snores were muffling through the room, he was in deep sleep. Taehyung sighed after some time and got up from the bed, put his glasses on, lighted up the table lamp and unfolded a newspaper to check out the job feed.

A sudden light knock at his door startled him. He slowly opened the door, didn't want to wake  his brother and met his mom. "Mom! Why aren't you sleeping?"

"How can I sleep when my baby's up?" Haesook whispered back and entered the room on her tiptoes. "Here eat it for now. Tomorrow I'll arrange something good, ok?"

"An apple? It's so big! Did you borrow again?" Taehyung said in amusement.

"No, your aunt Mido gave me today." Haesook forwarded the fruit but Taehyung hesitated to take it.

"Mom please give it to Sunoo tomorrow, he needs more vitamins in his growing years."

Haesook smiles, "You think about everyone except you but don't worry, she gave me three. Eat it now I know you're hungry."

"How did you know?"

"Because I'm your mom. I know every inch of you."

Taehyung slowly lowered his head then said, looking at his curled toes. "Mom, I got rejected again."

"I know it too, my son. Eat up the Apple, I have  some important things to say."

"What happened?" Taehyung asked after a bite.

"It's about the home loan. The last day of paying our home loan is over,  we have to pay the compensation money within ten days to save this house."

"How much is it?"

"Above forty thousands."

"Oh that's a huge amount."

"Yeah, I'm planning on selling my jewelleries but it won't cover up the whole sum."

Taehyung stopped munching and sighed for the 1000 times of that day. His mother loosely put her hand on his shoulder and said, "Taehyung-ah, we have reached the rock bottom now, I don't know how to say this to your siblings, they will be more upset."

"Mom, wait." Taehyung dug out a single paper from his cupboard and showed it to his mom. "See this, this is our only way of survival."

Hawsook's eyes enlarged, "But he won't accept it."

"I will make him to. Don't worry mom, just trust me. This is our house and we will live here forever." The firmness behind Taehyung's words gave her mother a tiny ray of hope, she just smiled with watery eyes.

Jungkook in this part 👆

Jungkook's mornings started with doing yoga and some other free hand exercises. Milk with egg whites in breakfast was a must after bathing and then some sneak peek on the newspaper, mostly on the business pages. His secretary came every morning to join his journey to his office, where they discussed the day's schedule and upcoming meetings on the way.

Jungkook took his father's position in their company after that incident, it took him more than two weeks to learn all the works, workers and most importantly public relations. Namjoon made it easier for him to learn things faster as he was his father's right and left hand man. Seokjin and two other directors helped him too and Jungkook was a fast learner, so it was also a benefit for him.

As the CEO entered his multistoried office building, wearing a pitch black suit, matching glossy black tie and a white button down, making the office his personal ramp, everyone greeted him good morning showing their best smiles, knowing that the young CEO would never smile back, because they hadn't seen him smiling once. Secretary Sejin followed his boss in his Huge office room, holding his laptop and other documents. "Sir, I have something to say." Sejin said after Jungkook sat on his chair.

"What is it?" Jungkook asked, raising his eyebrows but his eyes were on his desktop screen, opening the Microsoft windows.

"Um, I applied for a casual leave one month ago and the day have come, so-"

"When?"

Sejin hesitated before saying, "on Tuesday, the day after tomorrow, umm, for only ten days."

"Only ten days?" Jungkook's gaze finally left the screen and moved to Sejin. "Are you kidding me? Now where can I find a secretary for these ten days? It's impossible, I am sorry."

"But- but sir, the flight tickets are arranged and my wife will kill me if I say her no. I was delaying our honeymoon date because of the office work, then our sir died in the accident. Please understand sir, two months have passed after our marriage, she'll divorce me for sure if I won't take her to Hawaii." Sejin wanted to say more but Jungkook stopped him.

"Now what will I do in these ten days?"

Sejin came across the table near Jungkook and sat on his knees before him, "Sir, I'm extremely sorry."

"What are you doing? You're older than me." Jungkook helped him standing up and told him firmly, "Ok, I shall grant your leave, but first you have to search for a temporary secretary before the leave. Got it?"

"I'll sir, thank you. I'm going to arrange today's meeting with Hong brothers now." Sejin showed him his cutest grin and went to his desk. Jungkook just rolled his eyes and got busy again.

Taehyung in this part 👆

It was 11.30, when Taehyung entered the main gate of the  'Jeon group of Automobiles'. He came here before once with his father but now that he was alone, he felt a little bit nervous. After asking for an appointment at the reception, he finally could go upstairs after an hour. He was wearing a brown trouser and a light green pullover, this type of fashion was strictly prohibited in the office so he gained some unwanted attention from the office workers through his journey to the big boss's room.

He tightly closed his eyes and took a sharp breath before knocking the CEO's door. Then gathered all his might and entered.

Jungkook didn't say anything, didn't move from his chair, just watching the newcomer with cold eyes. His hands were folded, fingers were crossed in front of his mouth, covering the half of his face from the front.

Taehyung silently came forward and took a seat, licked his dried lips, slowly opened his foam covered portfolio, placed it on the table and spoke with his usual deep-husky voice, "I am Kim Taehyung."

"I know." Jungkook responded coldly, maintaining the same cold expression. His eyes never left the other's face as he continued to speak, "I know everything about you."

'Of course you will know, you f*cken' bitch, you've blocked every way for me.' Taehyung internally cursed him but spoke with a smile, "Please have a look at my educational certificates."

"I know these too. You have a masters degree in social science and a diploma in computer application."

"Ah, Zoology must be your favourite subject. I see." Taehyung said, readjusting his glasses.

"What does this mean?" Jungkook's intent gaze was inquisitive, his eyebrows raised at the question.

"You said I'm a cockroach last time, remember? And you know everything about me, so I guess you have a special interest in dissecting insects." Taehyung's lips formed a pout, nodded with a fake seriousness which made the other boy scrunch his nose.

"You came here just to waste my time with your stupid jokes? Your time is up, you can leave now."

"Wait no." Taehyung immediately placed a paper over his file and pointed out the details, "Here's a form, your father Mr Jeon gave my father when he recruited as his driver. Here it's clearly written that if any employee dies before retirement, the company will give some money to the family or else give a job to a qualified family member."

Jungkook raised the form before his eyes to look clearly, then put that paper down, twitching his mouth he said, "Oops, I'm sorry but you won't get anything from it. I'm rejecting these types of unbeneficial company regulations from now on."

Taehyung's heartbeat slowed down, "But the former CEO gave this to my dad and I thought you're very fond of your father as you came to argue with us at my dad's funeral, so-"

Jungkook's eyes became darker hearing his father's name from the other boy's mouth, "Don't trigger the limit of my patience Kim. It will only take some minutes to throw you out from here… Leave."

Taehyung's nails were digging into his knees, his lips became dry as he recalled his mother's pain, his brother's pessimism and his sister's frustration. He got up from his seat and took his portfolio but didn't go from there, instead he said with a raspy voice, "Jeon Jungkook, listen carefully, I'm giving you 24 hours. If you don't give me a job or the money, then I will call the media here, tell them that Jeon groups are nothing but a big scam, they treat dead employees like shits, they refused to give the last salary to a dead employe just to show off their rage and-" He paused for a moment, eyes were fixed on the man sitting across the table like challenging him, "I'll commit suicide in front of them."

"What!" Jungkook frowned in surprise and gritted his teeth angrily, "Are you threatening me?" It was his first time that a person was talking with him like this, it was the same person who had dared to punch him right on his face just a couple of weeks ago.

"You left no choice for me." Taehyung maintained the same pace.

"Get out of your imagination stupid boy, I'm not giving you anything." Jungkook growled, fisting his mont blanc pen.

"I'll come back tomorrow. If you want to save your company from scandals, then think wisely; Bad Boy." Taehyung winked biting his lips, in a mocking manner, which made the CEO's blood boil at its extreme and he saw him desperately searching for something on the table.

It took a couple of seconds for Taehyung to realise what the other boy was up to. His eyes got bigger when he saw Jungkook's hand held a slim glass, full of water and turned his angry gaze on him. He quickly rushed to the door and got out within a second. At the same moment, the glass hit the closed door hard and smashed with a loud noise. The water and the glass pieces scattered all over the place. "Get out you bastard, get the fuck out of my sight." Jungkook's roaring echoed through the sound-proof walls of his office room.

Taehyung placed his one hand on his chest after hearing the noise. His heart was beating rapidly, his eyes got doubled of their size, lips parted to release some heavy breathing, "What a lunatic! Gosh! He almost killed me there."

"Excuse me, you're blocking the doorway." A man in his late twenties, said from his back. Taehyung blinked twice, seeing an extremely beautiful man before him. He closed his parted mouth when the man spoke again with his velvety soft voice, "Can you please move a bit, so I can enter the room?"

"Yes. I mean no, no. I mean please don't go there now. The man inside has gone crazy, throwing things like a lunatic, he can even bite you, so don't go now." Taehyung whispered in a serious tone.

"Oh really? Then I shouldn't go in there now." The man whispered back, mirroring his expression, "Is it because of you, that he became crazy?"

"I guess it is." Taehyung grind awkwardly.

"Ah! Then you should also go from here now, what if he comes out and bites both of us?"

"You're right Mr-"

"Kim Seokjin. And you?"

"Kim Taehyung."

"Nice." Seokjin smiled heartily.

"Nice meeting you too. I'm going then." Taehyung bowed, sensing that man must be a high ranked employee because he was wearing three piece suits and an expensive pair of shoes. His father taught him to identify a person's position in society, just from his shoes. He was surprised when Seokjin bowed back, smiling.

Taehyung's mood enlightened immediately and he left with a mixed emotion.

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