Chapter-13

Author's pov:

Tuesday

The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow on the wooden table where Mr. Jeon and Jungkook sat, each with their own fruit smoothie bowl in front of them. The soft clink of spoons against ceramic accompanied their random talks.

"What's the plan for today?" Mr. Jeon asked, sipping his orange juice, his tone light but curious.

Jungkook reached for the juice pitcher, pouring himself another glass. "Classes until three," he replied casually, then added, trying to keep his voice even, "and then I'm meeting Tan."

He focused on his glass, hoping the slight blush rising to his cheeks wasn't obvious. The last thing he wanted was for his father to catch on to his growing crush. Knowing him, that would only lead to matchmaking efforts and talks of marriage.

"Ah, your new friend," Mr. Jeon said with a small nod of approval. "Good. By the way, let's have dinner tonight. You can pick the restaurant." He winked, the playful grin on his face suggesting he was in a particularly good mood.

Jungkook raised a brow, curiosity flickering across his face. "Dinner? What's the occasion?"

Mr. Jeon leaned back in his chair, his smile widening. "I've got a meeting with the Elysian company today," he said confidently. "And I have a good feeling about it. We've collaborated plenty of times before, and I'm certain we'll land their campaign this time too."

"Why are you so sure?" Jungkook asked, tilting his head, genuinely curious.

Mr. Jeon chuckled, resting his arms on the table. "Because Jimin values consistency and trust. Over the years, we've built a reputation for delivering results exactly the way he wants. Plus, the campaign involves a luxury lifestyle theme, and our agency specializes in that. We've never given him a reason to look elsewhere. I'd say it's a safe bet."

Jungkook nodded, understanding the logic, but his father wasn't done yet.

"Besides," Mr. Jeon added, his smile softening into something closer to admiration, "Jimin is... extraordinary. To achieve what he has at his age is nothing short of incredible. He's sharp, creative, and relentless in his pursuit of excellence. It's always an honor to work with him. Honestly, anyone who gets to collaborate with Jimin's company is lucky."

'He will never get bored talking about this guy, will he? But Tan must be so proud of his cousin.'

Jungkook smiled slightly, shaking his head. "You really admire him, don't you, Dad?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Mr. Jeon replied, laughing. "You'll understand when you meet him someday. He's not just a businessman-he's a visionary."

Jungkook's smile lingered, a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Well, I hope your meeting goes well, Dad. Good luck," he said earnestly, raising his glass in a small toast. Mr. Jeon returned the gesture, his grin bright and confident.

•

Taehyung was leaning back in his chair, stifling yet another yawn as he flipped through fabric swatches. He scribbled quick notes in the margins of his sketchbook, his concentration faltering. His focus wavered, and he pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to stay alert.

Namra entered the office quietly, carrying a steaming cup of coffee. "Thought you might need this, sir," she said with a soft smile, setting the mug on his desk.

Taehyung looked up, his tired eyes lighting up at the sight of her. He gave her a small smile as he took the cup from her. "Thanks, Namra," he said casually, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. "You always know what I need."

Namra smiled back, her cheeks coloring slightly. "I try," she said with a hint of amusement, though she quickly turned her attention to her notepad.

Before Taehyung could respond, the phone on his desk rang. He sighed and reached for the receiver, giving Namra one last glance. "Hello?"

It was Falynn, her voice calm and professional. "Mr. Kim, just a quick reminder-the production team is waiting for your finalized fabric list. We need it as soon as possible to move forward with the samples."

Taehyung closed his eyes for a second, running a hand through his hair. "Got it, Falynn. I'll wrap it up soon."

"Thanks," Falynn replied before hanging up.

Taehyung placed the receiver down and met Namra's gaze. "Guess I've got a bit more work ahead of me," he said, his voice still light. "You always make it harder to focus."

Namra chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I'm sure that's not true, sir."

With a small smile, Taehyung took a sip from the coffee, feeling the warmth seep through him. "Alright, let's dive back in," he said, focusing back on the fabric swatches. "By the way, can you check with the creative team on the prototypes? We need them to speed things up a bit."

Namra nodded, pulling out her phone. "Of course. And don't forget, there's the Fusion meeting at 2:00 PM, and then Luxe around 4."

Taehyung nodded absently, already back to work. "Got it. Thanks, Namra."

As she left to handle the tasks, Taehyung ran his hand over his face, trying to get a bit more energy for the day ahead.

•

Jin sat at his desk, his sleeves rolled up as he scanned through the latest project reports. His office, though still new to him, was already buzzing with work. The sleek, modern decor felt both inviting and daunting as if silently reminding him of the high expectations that came with the title of Vice President.

His assistant, Mr. Ahn, knocked lightly before stepping inside, holding a tablet in one hand and a folder in the other.

"Good morning, Mr. Kim. Just a quick update," he began, placing the folder on his desk. "The collaboration team, led by Manager Han, has left for a kickoff meeting with Elysian, regarding the fall/winter collaboration. They'll finalize details on the model lineup and discuss preliminary plans."

Jin nodded, setting the report aside. "Good. Keep me posted on any major updates from that meeting. And let me know if they need my input."

"Will do," Mr. Ahn replied. He glanced at his tablet and added, "Also, you have a department head meeting at 3 p.m. to review progress on the marketing campaign for next quarter. I've prepared a summary of the key points for you."

"Great, thanks," Jin said, leaning back slightly. "Anything else I should know?"

"Yes," He said with a small smile. "Your lunch meeting with the finance director has been moved to 12:30 instead of 1:00. And the design team is waiting for your feedback on the revised budget for the campaign."

"Alright, I'll go through the budget in a bit," Jin replied, reaching for the folder. "Thanks, Mr. Ahn."

He nodded, giving him a polite bow before leaving the room. Once alone, Jin rubbed his temples and muttered to himself, "No pressure, right?" He straightened up, returning his focus to the documents before him.

It was only his second day at the company, and his brother had already entrusted him with managing a collaboration with a major client like Elysian. The weight of responsibility was evident on his face. This was their first partnership with Elysian, and the pressure to ensure everything ran smoothly and successfully was overwhelming.

He groaned, "You got this, Seokjin."

•

Dayaan stood beside Jimin, one hand resting on the back of the chair while the other pointed at the screen displaying Fusion's proposal. Jimin remained seated, fingers laced together as he leaned back slightly, studying the data with a critical eye.

"They're missing a cohesive social media narrative," Dayaan noted, his tone firm. "The branding seems fragmented. I think it'll fall flat with a younger audience."

Jimin exhaled through his nose, nodding slowly. "Exactly what I was thinking," he agreed. "We need something that flows seamlessly across channels. A story they'll remember, not just ads they'll scroll past."

Jimin's thoughts wandered briefly to Luxe. Their proposals had always exceeded expectations, bringing creativity and precision to the table.

'Will they do it again this time?' he wondered.

Before he could voice that thought, a soft knock on the door interrupted them. Falynn stepped in with a composed expression. "Mr. Park, the Luxe team has arrived. Mr. Jeon is here to see you."

Jimin straightened, professionalism slipping back into place. "Alright," he said calmly. "Dayaan, let's pick this up later."

Dayaan nodded, gathering his tablet. "Got it, sir."

As Dayaan headed toward the door, Jimin turned to Falynn. "Send Mr. Jeon in." His focus sharpened, ready to tackle the next phase of the day.

He buttoned his blazer and stood up from his seat as Mr. Jeon walked in, led by Falynn. A bright grin adorned the older man's face as he set eyes on Jimin, who, in contrast, greeted him with a faint smile.

Jimin's usual composure faltered the moment he saw Mr. Jeon. His mind raced back to Jungkook-the boy he had successfully avoided thinking about until now. But not anymore.

"Jimin!" Mr. Jeon beamed warmly, stepping closer with enthusiasm to greet him.

Clearing his throat, Jimin pushed away his annoying thoughts and painted a polite smile on his face. Professionalism was the key.

'Forget about the boy. Stay focused.'

"Hello, Mr. Jeon. How are you?" Jimin asked as they shook hands firmly.

"Oh, I'm doing great! And you?" Mr. Jeon chuckled, admiration gleaming in his eyes as he observed the young CEO. People who achieved success early in life fascinated him-visionary, driven individuals who inspired others. And Jimin was precisely that.

"I'm doing well, thank you. Please, have a seat," Jimin gestured toward the lounge area, subtly signaling Falynn to bring refreshments. She responded with a knowing smile before gently closing the door behind her.

Mr. Jeon settled comfortably onto the couch, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Ah, it feels good to be back here after such a long time."

Jimin mirrored his smile and took the seat across from him.

"So, how's business going, sir?" Jimin began, steering the conversation into familiar territory.

"Business is steady, thankfully," Mr. Jeon responded warmly. "And how about you? Elysian seems to be shining brighter every season."

"We're doing well, sir. There's always room to grow, though," Jimin replied modestly.

Mr. Jeon nodded appreciatively. "Ah, ambition is a beautiful thing. And how's everyone at home?"

"They're well, thank you for asking."

"Oh, that's wonderful!"

Mr. Jeon's phone buzzed in his pocket, catching both their attention. He excused himself and pulled it out, smiling when he saw Jungkook's name on the screen, immediately answering the call.

"Hello?"

Jimin leaned back in his seat, clasping his hands together, idly passing the time while Mr. Jeon took the call.

Since yesterday, he had been doing his best to push thoughts of Jungkook aside. He knew it was better not to get involved with him-after all, their views were completely different.

But there was something about Jungkook, something that intrigued him, though he couldn't pinpoint what it was. The most frustrating part was not even knowing why someone he had barely met twice had such a hold on his mind.

'No, no, no. Stop thinking about him. Focus, Park!'

"Alright, I'll pick you up. Enjoy," Mr. Jeon said, ending the call.

"Sorry about that," Mr. Jeon apologized with a smile. "That was my son. He's going out with a new friend, and we have dinner plans. He was just wondering if I could pick him up."

'He's going out with Tan again?'

"Oh, I see," Jimin replied with a forced smile, wishing Mr. Jeon wouldn't continue talking about his son.

But Mr. Jeon continued without hesitation, clearly proud of his child. "My son, Jungkook. He's doing great with his studies, and he has a love for art-painting is one of his hobbies. I really hope he'll take over the business one day."

Jimin's smile wavered. He didn't want to hear more about Jungkook, but he couldn't bring himself to stop the conversation. He just nodded along.

"That's great to hear, sir," Jimin said, his voice polite but distant. His mind, however, was swirling with a thousand questions he wished he could silence.

"He's grown a lot. He's at MAYE University now. I'm so proud of him," Mr. Jeon added, his tone full of pride.

Jimin clenched his jaw, trying to hold his composure. He shut his eyes tightly for a second, silently telling himself to focus. But Falynn's timely entrance with refreshments was a welcome reprieve.

"Mr. Jeon, please have these," Jimin said smoothly, gesturing to the tray as Falynn set it down. "We can move on to discussing the proposal after this."

Mr. Jeon smiled graciously, "Thank you, Jimin."

The atmosphere lightened as they shifted focus toward their business conversation, Jimin couldn't be more thankful to Falynn for showing up at the right time.

•

The game lounge buzzed with energy, vibrant neon lights bouncing off the walls. The sound of beeping arcade machines and occasional victory cheers filled the air. Tan and Jungkook stood at the VR racing station, grinning as they adjusted their headsets.

"Are you ready to lose?" Tan smirked, tightening his grip on the controller.

Jungkook scoffed, sliding the headset over his messy hair. "Talk big after you don't crash into a wall this time."

"That was strategy, not bad driving," Tan quipped confidently.

The race began, holographic cars speeding through twisting tracks projected on the giant screen. Tan leaned forward, his jaw set in determination, while Jungkook swerved aggressively, clearly enjoying the chaos.

"You're reckless!" Tan shouted, narrowly avoiding a crash.

"And winning," Jungkook grinned, nudging Tan's car just enough to throw it off track.

Tan groaned as Jungkook crossed the finish line triumphantly. "No way. You cheated."

"Pure skill," Jungkook declared, pulling off his headset.

Tan shook his head. "Rematch later. Let's try something I can actually win at."

They moved through the lounge, challenging each other at basketball hoops, foosball, and air hockey. Tan managed to redeem himself with a decisive foosball victory, throwing his hands up dramatically.

"See? I'm not completely hopeless," Tan grinned, basking in his victory.

"Okay, okay," Jungkook laughed, "I'll give you this one."

After a few more rounds, they collapsed onto a nearby couch, catching their breath. "So, what's next?" Tan asked, wiping sweat from his brow.

Jungkook's eyes sparkled with a sudden idea. "Oh, I know a place!"

And fifteen minutes later, they stood inside a vibrant karaoke lounge, the room dimly lit with shifting neon lights. Tan plopped onto the plush couch, scrolling through the song selection on the touchscreen.

"Are you sure about this?" Tan teased.

Jungkook stretched confidently. "I was born for this stage."

Tan laughed, selecting a high-energy pop song. The upbeat music filled the room as Tan launched into the lyrics with surprising enthusiasm, his voice clear and strong.

Jungkook clapped along, laughing when Tan threw in dramatic dance moves. "You're a natural!"

"Jealous?" Tan smirked between verses.

"Maybe," Jungkook grinned, leaning against the couch.

As the song ended, Tan struck a triumphant pose. "Top that," he challenged, breathless.

Jungkook grabbed the mic, eyes gleaming. "Watch and learn."

Choosing a smooth R&B track, Jungkook's deep, velvety voice filled the room. He sang effortlessly, his eyes glancing at Tan as he moved closer, subtle but intentional.

Tan caught the look and smirked. "Trying to impress me, Jeon?"

"Is it working?" Jungkook shot back smoothly, not missing a beat.

Tan chuckled, shaking his head. "You're impossible."

They spent the next hour belting out songs, from cheesy duets to loud rock anthems that left them breathless and laughing. At one point, Jungkook grabbed Tan's hand mid-song, twirling him playfully.

"You're ridiculous!" Tan laughed, stumbling slightly.

"And you're having fun," Jungkook grinned.

Tan shook his head, amused. "Unfortunately, yes."

As they left the lounge after two hours, the cool night air hit their flushed faces. Tan stretched, his breath visible in the chilly breeze. "That was wild," he admitted.

"Glad you trusted me," Jungkook teased.

A loud grumble interrupted them. Tan rubbed his stomach sheepishly. "I need food."

Jungkook chuckled. "Where to?"

Tan grinned mischievously. "I'll take you to my favorite spot."

They walked to Tan's sleek black car. The chauffeur opened the door, and they slid into the back seat.

"Take us to the usual place," Tan instructed smoothly.

Jungkook relaxed into the seat, watching the city blur past. The vibrant glow of high-end boutiques and bustling nightlife gradually faded, replaced by quieter streets and smaller shops.

Jungkook frowned slightly, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Where are we?"

Tan's lips curved into a knowing smile. "A place you've probably never been."

The car finally stopped in front of a modest Starbucks tucked between two brick buildings. It was far from the grand, sprawling locations Jungkook was used to. The warm glow of the sign and the inviting scent of coffee wafting through the air gave it a cozy charm.

Jungkook blinked. "This is your favorite spot?"

Tan nodded. "Yup. Cozy, quiet, and they make the best caramel macchiato."

Jungkook laughed softly as they stepped out. "You really are full of surprises."

Tan grinned. "I know."

•

"Isn't it totally welcoming?" Tan asked as they stepped into Starbucks.

The familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, blending with the faint sweetness of pastries. The café wasn't as grand as the lavish Starbucks outlets in the heart of the city, but it had a cozy charm. Warm, dim lighting cast a soft glow over the wooden tables, and the quiet hum of an espresso machine filled the space. Unlike the bustling high-end coffee shops Jungkook was used to, this one had a slower pace, a more personal feel.

Jungkook glanced around, taking it all in. It wasn't what he expected, but if Tan loved this place, there had to be something special about it.

A man stood behind the counter, his ash-blond hair tousled messily, strands falling over his forehead. A black mask covered half his face, but his sharp blue eyes remained focused on the computer screen as he punched in orders.

Tan approached the counter with his usual easygoing energy. "Hello!" he greeted, flashing a familiar smile.

Hearing the voice, the man looked up. His eyes softened, and though the mask concealed most of his face, Tan could tell he was smiling. "Hey! Good evening. The usual?"

Tan chuckled. "Of course." Then, turning to Jungkook, he asked, "What do you want, Kook?"

Jungkook nearly choked on air. His heart stuttered at the nickname, heat creeping up his neck.

'God, his voice makes my name sound way too good.'

"I-" Jungkook started but suddenly froze, his eyes locking onto the man behind the counter.

'Those blue eyes.'

He blinked, staring harder, his mind scrambling. That hair, that eye color, the way he carried himself-it was too familiar.

'Jaemin!?'

"Jungkook?" Tan nudged him lightly, pulling him out of his thoughts. "What do you want?"

Jungkook quickly forced a smile. "Yeah-uh... I'll just get a Cappuccino." His voice came out more strained than he intended.

The barista-Jaemin, if Jungkook's instincts were right-didn't acknowledge him, simply nodding as he tapped the order into the system.

Jungkook smirked. 'Huh. Why would he say anything? I put him in his place that day.'

Tan accepted the receipt and grinned at the barista. "Thanks, Jaemin! See you later!"

Jungkook's expression faltered. 'Does he know him?'

As they moved toward the pickup counter, Jungkook found himself unable to mask his shock. "You know that guy?" He kept his tone casual, but his fingers twitched against his hoodie's fabric.

Tan nodded, resting his elbows on the countertop. "Jaemin? Yeah, he's an old friend of mine. Such a sweet guy."

Jungkook almost scoffed. 'Sweet? That creep?'

"Oh, I see," Jungkook said, biting back the urge to argue.

Tan's eyes lit up as he reminisced. "We were in the same class until I switched schools when I was twelve, I think? We played together a lot."

Jungkook nodded, feigning interest, though his mind was racing. 'So, they're childhood friends. Great.'

Tan continued, "Even after I changed schools, we stayed in touch. We hang out sometimes after his shift ends." He gestured around the café with a fond smile. "Honestly, coming here is the best part of my day."

Jungkook clenched his jaw. 'So they're close.' He wondered if Jaemin would mention him. Not that it mattered. He had already exposed himself as a creep, so it would only backfire on him.

Tan suddenly eyed Jungkook's drink choice. "Hey, why'd you just get a Cappuccino?"

Jungkook shrugged. "Having dinner with my dad later."

"Oh, nice."

"Yeah," Jungkook added offhandedly, "he had a meeting with Elysian today."

Tan perked up. "Really?"

Jungkook smirked at his reaction. "Yup. He's confident that... uh... your brother... Jimin? Yes, Jimin! He is very confident that Jimin will love his proposal and they'll collaborate again."

Tan let out a laugh. "Impressing Jimin-hyung isn't easy, I'll tell you that. He's the definition of a perfectionist."

Jungkook listened, amused, as Tan launched into a rant about his older brother. "Like last week, after I won my match? Jimin-hyung praised me but also kept pointing out where I needed improvement. He wants me to be perfect-like him."

Jungkook chuckled. "So he's the strict type?"

"You have no idea." Tan shook his head. "But I love him more than Taehyungie-hyung, so it's okay." He laughed at his own confession.

Jungkook's eyebrows raised. "Your brothers were at the match?"

"Yeah. Actually, I think they were sitting somewhere behind you." Tan said, recalling them sitting somewhere around Jungkook, when the latter was cheering for him.

Jungkook blinked in surprise. "Huh. I don't remember seeing them." He mentally cursed himself-if he had stayed longer, he could have seen Jimin and Taehyung.

Their drinks were placed on the counter, and Tan grabbed the tray. As they walked to an empty table, Jungkook found himself glancing back at Jaemin, who was now busy taking another order.

As they sat down, Jungkook tried to shake off his thoughts, but he kept zoning out, his fingers absentmindedly tapping against his cup.

"Jungkook."

He didn't hear him.

"Jungkook!" Tan waved a hand in front of his face, making him snap back to reality. "What's up with you? You keep spacing out."

Jungkook blinked. "Huh? Nothing, I just-"

Tan followed Jungkook's gaze to Jaemin, then turned back to him with an intrigued smirk. "Ohhh. You like my friend?"

Jungkook's head snapped up so fast it nearly gave him whiplash. "What? No!" His voice was so sharp it made Tan flinch.

Jungkook immediately winced. "Sorry, I didn't mean to-" He groaned, ruffling his hair in frustration before quickly taking a sip of his Cappuccino to hide his embarrassment.

Tan found it hilarious. "Jeez, relax." He leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm. "If it's not that, then what's up?"

Jungkook hesitated, weighing his options. He decided to tell him-part of it.

"Well... after your match that day, some guy approached me. Looked a lot like your friend over there." Jungkook stole a glance at Jaemin. "He was acting really weird. Kept insisting on knowing my name. He even showed up at my university later, called me by name without me ever telling him. It freaked me out."

Tan's expression shifted to concern. "That's creepy."

Jungkook nodded. "Yeah. That's why I was staring-he reminds me of that guy."

Tan patted his hand reassuringly, his touch lingering for a second too long. "Hey, you must have been really scared, Kook..."

Jungkook's breath hitched at the unexpected warmth, his heart drumming against his ribs. "Y-Yeah, I'm okay."

Tan offered a small smile. "But I assure you, Jaemin isn't like that. He's been my friend for years. It must be a misunderstanding."

Jungkook had expected that. Of course, Tan wouldn't believe him. It was good that he had decided on not telling him about the exact incident.

He forced a smile. "Yeah, you're probably right. Just seeing him brought back that weird memory."

Tan gave him an understanding nod. "That's okay. Just focus on your Cappuccino."

Jungkook forced a small smile, but deep down, he knew it wasn't a misunderstanding. He was certain Jaemin was the same creepy guy who had approached him that day. The eerie familiarity of his eyes, his hair-everything matched. It made Jungkook uneasy, and the fact that Tan was so close to him only made it worse. He didn't like being in a place where Jaemin worked, but for Tan's sake, he had to tolerate it. At least for now.

𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁𐄙𐄁