Chapter 9: A Brewing Storm

After Jungkook left the office, Taehyung leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the polished surface of his desk. His sharp eyes flickered toward the intercom.

"Min-Yu. Inside. Now."

A moment later, the door opened, and Choi Min-Yu stepped in with his usual smirk, though there was a hint of unease in his eyes. "Yes, sir?"

Taehyung's gaze was unreadable as he stared at the man who had been his secretary for years. "Stay in your limits," he said, his tone dangerously calm. "I don't care about the nonsense you spread, but from now on, keep Jungkook's name out of your mouth. Do you understand?"

Min-Yu's smirk faltered. He had been working under Taehyung for years, and not once had he been reprimanded, let alone warned. His fingers curled into fists at his sides, and his mind immediately jumped to one conclusion—Jungkook.

It was all because of him.

Min-Yu clenched his jaw, his pride wounded. Taehyung had never interfered before, never cared about what was said in hushed whispers around the company. But now, after Jungkook entered the picture, things had changed.

"Understood, sir," Min-Yu muttered, bowing slightly before storming out of the office, anger burning in his chest.

Jungkook, unaware of the storm brewing, was in the break room, making himself a cup of coffee. The rich aroma filled the air, but his thoughts were far from relaxed. His mind was still occupied with Taehyung, with last night, with the way Taehyung had looked at him before being dragged away.

Just as he was about to take a sip, the door to the break room slammed open.

"So, the new boy thinks he owns the place already?" Min-Yu sneered, stepping in with a few other employees watching from the doorway. "Did you really think getting close to the boss would put you above the rest of us?"

Jungkook raised an eyebrow, unbothered. "Excuse me?"

Min-Yu scoffed, stepping closer. "What, you think we don't see it? The way Taehyung suddenly protects you, as if you're special? You must be really good at spreading your legs—"

Before he could finish, Jungkook's palm met his face with a sharp, resounding slap.

The entire room fell silent.

Min-Yu staggered back, holding his cheek, his eyes wide in shock. Jungkook's jaw was clenched, his fists trembling with rage. "Watch your mouth, you pathetic excuse of a man," Jungkook spat, his voice dripping with venom. "If you think you can talk about me like that and walk away unscathed, you're dead wrong."

Min-Yu's nostrils flared, and he lunged forward, but before anything more could happen—

"Enough."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop as Kim Taehyung stepped inside.

His presence was commanding, his expression unreadable, but the underlying fury was evident. His eyes flickered between Min-Yu and Jungkook, taking in the situation immediately. The air grew tense as everyone held their breath.

"What the hell is going on?" Taehyung's voice was low, dangerous.

Min-Yu, regaining his composure, straightened up. "Sir, I was only—"

"I didn't ask you," Taehyung cut him off coldly before turning to Jungkook. "Are you hurt?"

Jungkook blinked, momentarily taken aback before scoffing. "I don't break that easily."

Taehyung's gaze darkened before he turned back to Min-Yu. "You. Get out of my sight before I make you regret every word you just said."

Min-Yu's face paled. He opened his mouth to protest, but one sharp glare from Taehyung had him retreating immediately. The other employees scattered, leaving only Taehyung and Jungkook alone in the room.

Silence settled between them.

Taehyung exhaled slowly before stepping closer, his voice softer now. "You didn't have to slap him."

Jungkook chuckled humorlessly. "And let him get away with talking like that? You might tolerate it, but I don't."

Taehyung studied him, his gaze flickering with something unreadable before he finally spoke. "Next time, let me handle it."

Jungkook tilted his head. "Why? You're not my boss outside of this office."

Taehyung smirked, but there was something dark and possessive in his eyes. "No, but I am your boss here."

Jungkook held his gaze, unyielding, before finally exhaling through his nose. "Whatever you say, boss."

But even as he walked out, he knew—this war between them had only just begun.