32

Under the layer of hurt and disappointment, I was angry at Taehyung and myself.

Why did I care?

It was a foreign and weird feeling coursing through my body - Anger.

I didn't remember the last time I let myself feel such emotion. I had learned how to turn off all my emotions, becoming numb to everything and everyone around me.

Yet today, I felt hurt, disappointed, angry, and jealous.

Taehyung gave me laughter, smiles, and peace and now, in my heart, it hurt. It felt like he had taken all of that away. I wasn't supposed to care, but no matter how hard I tried to keep myself from getting emotionally involved, I had failed.

Looking away from the locked door, I stared down at my hand. I ran to my room, leaving the flowers behind.

A sigh filled with dejection escaped past my lips, and I turned away from his office, slowly making my way to my room. Walking inside, I found Jimin sitting on my bed, with my book on his lap. His head snapped up when he heard me.

"Jungkook?" Jimin questioned, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Placing the book on the bed, he motioned me to come forward. "What's wrong? I thought you were going to see Taehyung. Where are the flowers?"

Swallowing hard against the ball of sadness, I shook my head and brought the flowers close to my

chest, "He was with Nayeon."

There was silence at first and then he erupted. "What?" he said, getting up angrily from the bed.

"That little—"

"I didn't get a chance to talk to him. He didn't see me."

The image of them flashed before my eyes, causing a sudden wave of anger inside of me.

"Aww, baby… " I heard Jimin whisper beside me, his voice almost soothing. Swivelling around, I faced him, placing my hand over my chest.

"What is this feeling? I hate it. Is this what it feels like? Jealousy? If it does, then I don't like it."

Jimin's eyes reflected sympathy and understanding, he walked closer and placed both hands on my

shoulders, "What does it feel like?"

"It hurts. I feel hopeless. Sad. And angry. Maybe at myself, because I hate feeling like this."

Remembering the flowers that I had carelessly thrown away, I felt guilty.

Another confusing feeling.

Bending forward, I hugged Jimin and I closed my eyes with a sigh.

A tear escaped the corner of my eye, falling onto his shirt.

"I thought what we shared meant something to him."

"It did. I know it did. He is just too stubborn to admit it," Jimin argued.

But I shook my head in response. Jimin released a tired sigh and then I felt his hand on my shoulders.

"Tell me something," he whispered, "Why do you think you feel this way?"

I shrugged.

Jimin smiled at my response, "You feel something for him," he stated confidently.

I sucked in a sharp breath, my heart fluttering at his words, while my stomach twisted in knots. His words were shocking yet true.

Jimin was right, I did feel something for Taehyung.

Whenever he was near, my mind and body felt like they weren't my own anymore. When he was close, I felt light and liberated. And when he's far, my heart calls out to him, wishing he was close again.

I didn't want to admit it but Taehyung had become the reason for my happiness. He had given me happiness that I had never felt before.

He made me smile, without even trying.

My heart was at peace when I was with him.

I refused to admit that Jimin was right, he let out a small laugh, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Do you trust me?" he asked.

Taken aback by the sudden question, I nodded slowly. "Yes. Of course."

"Will you do whatever I tell you?"

Staring at him in confusion, I asked a question of my own. "What do you mean?"

"Just trust me, okay? I got this. Just go with the flow and do whatever I tell you."

I shook my head and gave him a serious look.

"Jimin, what are you talking about?"

"I'm sorry. Like really sorry. I will apologize more later."

He bit on his plump lips nervously and looked extremely guilty, I saw him wince and then I felt a sharp pain in my ankle.

Did he just kick me?

"Ow!" I yelled, bending forward.

"Sorry." Jimin pushed me down on the bed so that I was sitting.

I flinched at the pain and bent forward, rubbing a hand over my aching ankle.

I glanced up at Jimin and he pouted.

"What was that for?" I asked, completely stunned.

"Trust me, okay? Just bear with the pain. I'll be right back," he said, walking backwards. Before I could answer, he ran out of the room.

Jimin was crazy.

What will he do now?

***

Taehyung

Sitting back on my sofa chair, I watched Nayeon place her handbag on the coffee table as she took the seat in front of me.

"So?" I asked, feeling impatient.

Just when I had been about to go see Jungkook, Nayeon made her appearance. She was supposed to report back to me, but I had completely forgotten about it.

I had only been thinking about Jungkook and even now, all I wanted to know was whether he'd liked the flowers.

"Nothing much happened," Nayeon said.

I'd sent her to keep watch on the clubs, acting like a whore so she could report back to me with

internal information. So far, nothing has changed.

Sighing in frustration, I raked my hand through my hair. "Fvck."

"I'm sorry. I wish I could help more, but… "

"You've done more than enough. But I want you out of there now. It's getting too dangerous, and

every time you go there, you are putting yourself at risk. Your services won't be needed anymore,"

I told her.

She looked confused for a moment and then nodded. "What do I do now?"

"You are free to do whatever you want. I don't want you anywhere near the clubs, understood?" I replied, my tone firm.

Nayeon nodded, keeping her gaze down in respect.

Leaning back against the sofa, I crossed my arms over my chest.

"You can leave," I ordered.

"Oh." Her mouth fell open in shock. I knew what she was expecting, but she wasn't getting it.

Not today.

Not anymore.

Her eyes widened for a second, and she smiled, her expression turning seductive and sultry.

She licked her lips and then scooted forward, her short skirt rising higher in the process until her thighs were barely covered.

"Taehyung," she whispered, getting up from the couch and walking around the coffee table toward me.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance at her desperate attempt to seduce me.

A few days ago, I would have accepted her advances and bent her over my desk, my cock inside her in a matter of seconds.

But right now, all I could think about was Jungkook.

His sweet smile, his flushed cheeks, and swollen lips after my kiss.

He had taken over my mind and senses, making everything and everyone else appears bleak in comparison.

I raised a hand to stop Nayeon's advances when she leaned forward, showing me her barely

covered cleavage.

"Nayeon—" Before I could finish, the door crashed open, startling both of us. Turning my head, I

saw a breathless Jimin running inside.

"Jungkook," he gasped. "He's hurt."

My eyes widened and I quickly stood up, causing Nayeon to lose her balance and stumble.

"What happened?" I demanded, my voice filled with panic.

Jimin took a deep breath and glanced at Nayeon before answering. "He twisted his ankle bad and he can't walk. He's in his room."

I swore, rushing out of my office. I made my way to Jungkook's room and found the flowers by the floor and his door already open.

"Jungkook?" I walked inside. She was lying on his bed but quickly sat up at the sound of my voice.

"Taehyung," he said, and then I saw him wince, his forehead creasing in discomfort.

Rushing forward, I stopped in front of him. "Are you okay?"

"I'm all right," he said.

I looked down at his reddened ankle, then knelt in front of him, but didn't touch, afraid I might

hurt him more.

When he moved his feet closer to the bed and away from me, I placed a hand on his knee, stopping him.

"Don't move." Gently taking his foot in my hand, I inspected it. "Does it hurt when you move?'

"A little."

I looked up at Jungkook. He was staring down at me, seemingly confused.

Standing up, I bent forward and wrapped an arm behind his back and one under his knees, pulling him up so that I was cradling him to my chest.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm taking you to Sam. He will know whether you are okay or not," I replied, walking him out of

his room and downstairs to Sam's bedroom.

Jungkook was silent in my arms. When we got closer, I heard him sigh. "How did you know I was hurt?" he asked.

"Jimin told me you twisted your ankle. He said you couldn't walk," I replied.

"Oh."

A small smile appeared on his lips. It was faint and quick, but there. I stopped in front of Sam's

room and Jungkook leaned forward to knock at the door. It opened within a few seconds and Sam stood in the doorway. His eyes widened at the sight of Jungkook in my arms and he quickly moved back, motioning for me to enter.

"What happened?" he asked.

I placed Jungkook on his bed and stood beside him, "Twisted his ankle."

Sam knelt in front of Jungkook and inspected his ankle. His lips twisted thoughtfully and he asked Jungkook several questions while I hovered over, anxious and worried. The thought of him in pain didn't sit well with me.

The sense of protectiveness I felt toward him was a first. The need to keep him safe and happy was a primal feeling inside of me.

Every day it grew stronger until only he mattered to me.

"It's not bad. Nothing to be worried about. Just a very tiny sprain that won't even hurt after two

days," Sam said.

He looked up and smiled kindly at Jungkook, his brown eyes crinkling at the corners.

"I'll give you some pain relieving cream. Just rub it over your ankle twice a day until it doesn't hurt anymore," he said.

Jungkook nodded and looked up shyly at me as a faint colour tinged his cheeks. When he saw me staring, he quickly looked down nervously.

Sam came back with a small tube in his hand. "Here. This should help with the pain. Rub it gently over the aching area and it should do the work."

"Thank you," he said softly.

Jimin stepped into the room. "So?" he asked, walking straight to Jungkook.

Jungkook gave him a strange look and shook his head. "I'm fine," he replied before mumbling

something under his breath.

He stood up and wobbled a little. I instinctively wrapped an arm around his waist, pulling him

close to me.

"I can walk," he said, his voice coming out a little breathy.

"You shouldn't put too much pressure on your ankle."

Jungkook glanced at Jimin. "He can help me, I'm sure you have other things to take care of."

"Right. I'll help Jungkook. Don't want to disturb you from your work and all," Jimin added,

glaring at me.

Before I could answer, Jimin was already pulling Jungkook away from me and I had no choice but to let him go. As he stepped out of my embrace, I suddenly felt empty and already missed having his body against mine.

When they were out of sight, I nodded to Sam and then made my way upstairs. I saw Nayeon at the top of the steps, she smiled brightly, eyes shining.

"Taehyung," she whispered.

"You need to leave," I ordered, my voice harsh and unyielding.

"What?" she sputtered, her eyes widening.

"Exactly what I said. Leave. I don't want you here anymore." Nayeon was good at her job. She

was an asset but I didn't need her anymore, except for her work in the field.

"But Taehyung—"

"I told you, your services won't be needed anymore," I said through gritted teeth, punctuating each word so she understood the meaning.

Her mouth opened in shock. "You mean…?"

"You heard him. He doesn't want to fvck you anymore. So get lost."

At Jimin's voice, I closed my eyes in frustration and pinched the bridge of my nose. Taking a few

deep breaths, I opened my eyes to see him glaring at both of us.

Nayeon's face turned stormy and she twisted her lips angrily, then looked back at me, waiting. I

gave her a cold stare and crossed my arms over my chest, raising an eyebrow in question.

"I'm going," she snapped.

Her expression was cold as she walked around me. Nayeon was a cold-hearted bitch and she loved it that way and Jimin had to tread carefully before he got himself into trouble.

"Bye, Felicia," Jimin called as he rolled his eyes.

When I reached the top landing, Jimin stepped in front of me, blocking my way.

"I swear to God… if you are playing Jungkook…" He warned, anger glittering in his eyes.

"Why the fvck would you think that?" I growled, taking a step forward, completely outraged by his question.

He indicated where Nayeon had been standing moments ago. When realization sunk in, anger

deserted me and I winced at the thought.

"Nothing was going to happen," I said.

Jimin looked suspicious. "Jungkook saw you going into the office with Nayeon. He thought… he

was completely heartbroken, Taehyung."

Guilt coursed through my body and I swore under my breath.

"Imagine how you would feel if you saw Jungkook with another man," Jimin added.

The thought made me see red, my hands tightened into fists until my knuckles hurt. I gritted my

teeth, Jimin raised an eyebrow.

"Exactly," he muttered before heading back toward Jungkook's room.

I stared at his back and then leaned against the bannister, my mind filled with dangerous thoughts.

When I first saw Jungkook and proposed that he work for me, this wasn't what I had in mind.

He was supposed to work for me and I kept him close because I wanted to fvck him. That was my intention but it wasn't about lust anymore.

It wasn't about fvcking him and being done with it.

It was more, something I couldn't wrap my head around.

A feeling that I didn't understand.

But I wasn't against it anymore. I let myself bask in this foreign emotion, waiting to see where it

would lead me, hoping it wouldn't destroy either of us in the process.

Sighing, I raked my hand through my hair. I thought I was the only one feeling what was between us.

Jungkook felt it too and I had hurt him.

A connection so deep, so beautiful yet hauntingly dangerous.

It brought us peace, even through the pain.