14

Jungkook

I awoke to the sound of continuous knocking, it vibrated through my ears and I groaned.

Blinking again, I stared at the door in confusion.

Why was I in my room?

Wasn't I in the basement?

I'm back to feeling nothing.

Numb.

Letting my head fall back on the pillow, I let out a loud sigh - It must have been a dream. A beautiful dream.

But then my eyes widened when the rest of my memories came crashing back.

Taehyung had let me go and apologized for his behaviour.

He had bandaged my wrists and brought me food.

Pushing the comforter away from my face, I looked up, but quickly closed my eyes against the bright sunlight streaming into my room. The day before was blurred and everything felt surreal. When I heard the rapping against the door again, I called out without thinking, "Come in."

But as soon as the words left my mouth, I tensed. Quickly sitting up, I brought the covers up to my chin and stared at the door nervously. I saw the knob turning and then the door slowly opened.

Oh, no! What if it's Taehyung?

I trembled slightly in fear but when Jimin poked his head in, my muscles relaxed and I sagged against the pillows in relief.

"Jungkook," he whispered, walking into my room and closing the door behind him.

Jimin ran to me and sat down on my bed, his expression filled with worry.

"Oh my God, we were so worried!" he exclaimed, taking my hand in his. When he saw the bandages, a shocked gasp escaped his lips.

"Oh, Jungkook," Jimin whispered.

Jimin was Hae-sook's son, he was a few years older than me, we instantly connected. Apart from Hae-sook, Jimin was someone I had begun to trust.

"It's okay. I'm okay," I mumbled, withdrawing my hand, not wanting any more attention drawn to it.

"Jungkook, it's not okay. How could he do that to you? When we heard you were brought to the basement, I think my mom almost had a heart attack!" He rose to his feet, putting his hands on his hips.

I began to weep, but stopped myself, wiping away the tears. My chest ached at the thought of Haesook being worried, I looked down sadly.

"He thought I was a traitor," I whispered as tears started building in my eyes. I sniffled, blinking the tears away.

"I know," Jimin replied, sitting back on the bed again.

"We know, Jungkook. It's clear as day you aren't. But Taehyung is stubborn. If he suspects that you are a spy, he isn't going to let you go."

I nodded, "But he did let me go. And he apologized for treating me badly. So, I don't understand."

I saw his eyes widen in shock and then he smiled again. Placing his palm over my hand, he gave it a gentle squeeze.

"Taehyung is very unpredictable. But if he apologized, which he never does and he let you go, then he probably really meant it. So, don't worry too much. You are safe now."

His voice was soft, and I found myself relaxing, any doubts quickly evaporating.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

Jimin nodded and gave me a small smile.

"Yes. I'm sure. Trust me, babe, Taehyung never apologizes. I mean, it's weird that he did. That should pretty much erase all your doubts."

With Jimin's reassurance, I felt light and my shoulders sagged in relief. "Thank you," I whispered, turning my palm over to hold his hand.

"It's okay. Mom is very worried about you. Taehyung told her that you won't be working today. She sent me to check up on you," Jimin explained.

I couldn't bear the thought of Hae-sook being worried about me. Pushing the comforter away, I struggled out of bed and stood up.

"I want to see her."

But Hae-sook had been, all I wanted to do was hug her. I needed her comforting touch and soft smiles. I felt like a child desperate for his mother. In a short time, she had become a second mother to me.

I never had anyone hold me when I cried.

Most importantly, no one had ever been worried about me.

"Okay," Jimin said, his voice snapping me back into the present.

"See you downstairs." He gave me a quick hug and then walked out of my bedroom, closing the door.

***

As soon as I walked into the kitchen, Hae-sook gasped.

"Oh, my sweet child. I was so worried!" She crushed my body to hers, holding me tight.

"Hae-sook, I can't breathe," I managed to say.

She instantly loosened her hold and took a step back.

"Let me look at you." Before I could say anything, Hae-sook grasped my face in her hands and turned it left and then right, checking for bruises. When she didn't find any, she took a step back and inspected me from head to toe.

"I-I'm okay," I mumbled, the lump in my throat growing tighter. I thought my words would calm her, but when she saw my bandaged wrists, her eyes grew stormy.

"Stubborn man, I told him you were innocent. Took him long enough to realize his mistake."

She hissed, lips pulled down in a sad frown.

Taking a step closer, I wrapped her in my arms and gave her a hug. I took in a deep breath, her jasmine perfume filling my nose and instantly soothing me.

"As long as he believes that I'm not a traitor, then I don't have any problem," I said. "I'm okay. Really."

After a few seconds, she finally nodded.

"Sit down. Jimin and I are almost done with lunch," she said, pointing at the stools by the bar and Jimin brought me a plate of toast, eggs, and potatoes.

I nodded and ate in silence as I watched Jimin and Hae-sook working in the kitchen.

I was slowly eating, mostly pushing the food round my plate when Jimin spoke, his words made my breath catch in my throat.

"Mom, I have a question. Why do the Kims and Jeon's hate each other so much? I mean, I know it runs deeper than just two jopok groups fighting. But I never asked why."

I choked, coughing, I placed the glass on the counter and brought a shaky hand to my mouth. Both turned toward me, looking concerned, I slowly waved my hand, letting them know I was okay.

Actually, I wasn't okay.

I could barely breathe.

"Oh dear, it's a long story," Hae-sook said, sighing.

Straightening my shoulders, I instantly perked up. I knew our families hated each other with a fierce passion but I didn't know why. A few times, I had heard Byungchan talking about the Kims and how they would wipe out the Jeon family if they ever had a chance.

Clearing my throat, when Hae-sook gave me a strange look, I quickly made an excusem, "I would like to know too. When I was.. down there and Taehyung thought I was a spy for the Jeon's, he was really furious. Mad. I was wondering why."

"He truly hates them."

Wiping her hands on her apron, she walked toward the bar and sat down on a stool.

"Jimin, darling, you were still a baby then. There was a big fight between the two families. They were always enemies, but after that night… " Hae-sook paused and shook her head sadly.

"Jung-ho invaded the estate. Seung Won, Taehyung's father, wasn't home." A tear escaped Hae-sook's eye.

"It was bloody, so many men died that night and poor Se Ah, Taehyung's mother. She was killed by Jung-ho and then left a note on her body. It said, 'Let that be a lesson for you.' She was pregnant." Hae-sook broke off and started crying, her sobs filling the room.

Placing my trembling hands over my thighs, I squeezed them hard, forcing myself to stay still and listen to the rest.

"She was five months pregnant. Seung Won and Se Ah were so happy. They were having a boy. But everything ended that night. And poor Taehyung," Hae-sook continued with a hoarse voice, her words breaking my heart. "Taehyung saw everything. He was hiding under the bed. Poor boy, he was only seven and saw his mother being murdered before his eyes. Nothing was the same afterwards. Darkness filled the house. Se Ah, our light, she was gone. She was our queen. It broke everyone's hearts. Eventually, we all learned how to move on again. But Seung Won and Taehyung were never the same again."

My cheeks were wet with my silent tears.

My heart constricted in pain and my chest swelled with the grief that consumed me.

How could my father be so heartless?

My mind fogged up, I felt my lips quivering as I tried not to cry out loud.

It was too much. Too much pain filled my chest.

I was truly the enemy.

I will never survive if they find out the truth.

"Taehyung didn't talk for three years," Hae-sook said. "Didn't show any emotions, and Seung Won, he totally shut down. When Taehyung finally spoke again, his first words were, 'I will avenge my mother.' Since then, that has been his goal. He vowed to kill every Jeon family. To make them all pay."

She choked through the tears and buried her face in her hands, chest heaving almost painfully with the force of her cries. "Jimin, your father died then, too. He died while trying to protect Se Ah. I didn't just lose my best friend, I also lost my husband that day."

The kitchen was silent for a few minutes, only our sniffles and cries filling the room. I closed my eyes and brought a hand to my mouth as I wept, my body trembling.

Goosebumps rose on my skin and my breath hitched.

"I hope Taehyung makes them all pay," Hae-sook said, bringing her head up as she wiped at her tears, "They all deserve to die, every last one of them."

Her words were a slap to my face, I froze for a moment, holding my breath. I let it out in a whoosh and stood from the stool. I brought my hand to my stomach, rubbing it gently, trying to get rid of the sick feeling. Hae-sook and Jimin watched me, probably thinking I was crazy.

I felt crazy, and I'd begun to lose my mind.

Breathe, Jungkook, breathe.

My chest felt tight, painfully tight.

Clenching my fists tight, I gasped for air as I entered a fullblown panic attack.

My eyes were wide in terror as I stumbled back a few steps.

My stomach twisted so painfully that I thought I would puke. My body tingled.

My eyes widened and it felt like my heart would burst, I felt as if I was being stuffed into a small box.

Numbness

swam through my whole body.

Everything muted around me and the only words that kept ringing through my ears were, Jung-ho killed Taehyung's mother. My father had killed Taehyung's pregnant mother. It felt as if I had sunk deep underwater, I suffocated as I tried desperately to take air into my lungs, but they burned with the pressure.

"Jungkook?" Hae-sook asked, her voice filled with concern as she stood up.

My body felt cold.

Outside.

Air.

Breathe.

Now.

I pressed my hand hard against my burning chest and quickly swivelled around, running out of the kitchen. I hit a rock hard chest. I stumbled as a strong hand grasped my arm, pulling me straight up again.

My vision blurred with dizziness and I felt my head rolling back slightly.

My head snapped up, I met cold bluish-steel eyes.

Only one person had these beautiful captivating eyes.

Taehyung.

As I stared into his eyes, Hae-sook's words rang in my ears, causing me to whimper in fear and pain.

He vowed to kill every Jeon family.

And I was a Jeon.