CH 4

"Sir." Taehyung calls out while standing in front of his desk. The ravenette pauses his typing and looks up, doe eyes meeting the almond ones.

The elder slightly clears his throat to end he doesn't mess up and then places a stack of papers on the CEO's desk.

"I have finished the task you assigned me,sir."

Taehyung smiles feeling proud of himself for having accomplished such a big task in such a small amount of time. The accomplishment however, doesn't bear his hardwork. Since the true architects of the files remain hidden within the labyrinthine depths of the cyber department of the Mafia.

The hazel eyes watch intently as Jungkook's keen pairs scan the contents of the file, each page meticulously crafted to reflect the illusion of Taehyung's diligent work.

"Mm, okay. Prepare the documents with which we are taking off today."

The secretary nodds thoughtfully but almost in a blink ,pauses his moves.

Wait we? Us?

"S-sir ,we, as in you and I ?"

The doe eyed looked at him with a disgusting expression before standing up from his seat.

"Is there any other man beside you and me in this room Mr Kim?"

The elder fixes his goggles, internally preparing himself for some lecture but the boss doesn't do the same. Rather drops another bomb of question which Taehyung could swear is the hardest situation to handle on Earth.

"Did you not check my schedule today before typing it in the file? It was clearly written where we are heading to."

And Taehyung feels this is the last day of his job. The last moment with the Jeon in his room, and unfortunately the first time of his failure.

"Did you Mr Kim?"

'No. Never. John and Mark was handling it and I was busy on a webseries yesterday.'

" Yes sir I did. B-but I can't remember ac-actually."

The younger sighs before glaring back right into the hazel pairs but gets stunned how he had to arch his head upwards to match the eyes.

Jeon Jungkook, one of the wealthiest CEO of South Korea was blessed from birth with a marvellous height of 5'6 and he never grew any taller than that. His short body and utterly petite frame does make him look less masculine despite the sleek black suit and heavy watch he wraps around along with the ridiculously expensive cologne which only adds to his dainty presence.

The man in front however is above 6 along with a muscular physique and sharp facial features. And that only man is his secretary. A secretary taller and more chiseled than his boss, making the CEO look tiny beside him. Walking behind him would only make people assume Taehyung to be his bodyguard. I mean they aren't wrong.

Jungkook shrugs from his thoughts before heading towards the wooden heavy door and pulling it open. While heading out, he cautiously runs his eyes up and down giving a sideways glance at the man and compares their shoulders.

And the CEO finds his head near the secretary's shoulder level; awfully embarrassing. But atleast, the man 's stupid and dumb unlike him, smart and confident - Jungkook assures himself though a small frown evident on his pale complexion.

Taehyung follows the boy wondering where can normal business folks ever head at, on a random working day.

His arms laden with files precariously balanced in one hand, he failed to notice the cleaning cart parked just outside the door. With a distracted glance on the way, he inadvertently collided with the cart, sending it careening forward and causing its contents to spill across the hallway.

The sound of clattering bottles and scattered cleaning supplies echoed through the corridor as Taehyung stumbled backward.

Passing a sheepish smile to Jungkook, he finally managed to gather everything up, leaving the hallway in a state of temporary disarray before continuing on his way.

The ravenette's taken aback at the clumsy encounter. He stares at his secretary in awe,not understanding how he could manage his life with this brain and personality. It's intriguing. The boxy smile guy is so intriguing , he reminds him of someone he once knew. Rather he once was.

"Oh, look who it is," a tall dark boy sneers, nudging his companions. The black big eyed boy flinches before increasing his pace,not wanting to be a topic of discussion again.

"Avoiding me, geek?" The other jokes, eliciting more laughter to the group.

'Passed the test again huh? That's what makes you proud right?'

'Well, not much difficult for a fag like you. Pleasing teachers for marks.'

'Hey, don't say that. He's gonna cry. Oh, are you gonna cry babyboy?'

The petite male, with his glasses perched on his nose and his textbooks that always decorates his hand shuts his eyes close before trailing school corridor faster, hoping they would lose interest and leave him in peace.

But the taunting continued, escalating with each passing moment.

Suddenly, the doe eyed feels himself yanked and slammed into the locker, the metalic concrete frame piercing through his pale shoulders.

"Pl-please leave me, J-Jason."

A thin wicked smirk adorns the bully's face,

"Why don't you teach us some of your magic tricks for acing tests huh?"

The victim cowers his head praying for all this to draw an end but the other continued to stare down at him, a bunch of others laughing at the back.

"Please, I-I have classes an..."

"There's still five minutes geek. Just do onething, hand over your project file. I wanna check what's in your filthy head."

The little man's breath caught in his throat as he braced himself for what was to come. He had endured Jason's torment for far too long, the bruises on his body serving as a constant reminder of the pain he endured these three months. Three months of new school. Three months of torture.

"I-I can't. That's cheating."

Without warning, Jason lunged forward, his fist connecting with the boy's stomach with a sickening thud.

"Pathetic," Jason sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think you're so smart, but you're nothing but a weakling."

The blows kept coming, each one more brutal than the last, as Jason unleashed his pent-up rage on his helpless victim. The bunny eyed tried to fight back, to defend himself against the onslaught, but it was futile-Jason was too strong, too relentless in his assault.

As a small lump of the victim lay on the floor, Jason advanced his fingers towards the boy's shirt.

"N-no. Not my badge."

It was a badge of honor, a testament to his commitment to excellence and his unwavering dedication to his studies which made him the top student of the school, with a brilliant score in each subject.

The little guy watches with widened orbs how the other clutches the metal piece,pulls it out and in the blink of an eye, he founds his hardwork's reward into two broken halves ~just like his heart.

The injured figure trips into the washroom wall, whimpering in between. The cleaning staff halted his hands staring at the battered boy, blood dripping off from his pale chin, eyes absorbed in warm tears, little fingers clutching broken pieces of some badge.

As if someone has splashed a crimson stroke on a white canvas, painting a scenery of danger and pain.

"What happened to you boy?"

The younger doesn't reciprocate.

"W-who are you?" He asks softly causing the boy to look up.

"I-I am Je..."

.

"Jeon Jungkook. CEO of Jeon Enterprises." The black suited male pushes his card to the hands of the security guards of the tall building.

Taehyung gasps at the sight. Not at the Jeon Jungkook in black sunglasses but at the polished signboard hanging at the gate of the building he's standing at.

...Sunshine Meadows Orphanage and Academy ....

The Mafia couldn't recall if he was hired to serve his boss here. As per the studies he has done, Jungkook does share a part of his time in donations, but today.... like a random Tuesday?

As he stepped inside, he couldn't help but be struck by the tranquil beauty that surrounded him-the lush greenery, the vibrant blooms of flowers, and the laughter of children echoing in the distance.

Making his way towards the main building, Taehyung marveled at the architecture-a stately structure adorned with intricate carvings and grand columns, marked with alphabets and numbers.

The walls seemed to radiate with a sense of warmth and compassion, inviting him to step inside and discover the wonders within.

Not so suitable place for a man thriving in darkness.

But atleast, it's better than the office cabin.

Entering the building, Taehyung was greeted by the sight of bustling activity-the sound of students' laughter mingling with the gentle hum of conversation, the aroma of home-cooked meals wafting from the cafeteria, and the colorful artwork adorning the walls like a tapestry of dreams.

But it was not the lively atmosphere that caught Taehyung's attention-it was the sight of Jungkook, surrounded by a group of young girls, their faces alight with joy and gratitude.

Taehyung watched in awe as Jungkook patiently listened to their stories, his smile as bright as the sun as he offered words of encouragement and support.

'He got time to waste?'

Jungkook turned to face Taehyung, his eyes sparkling with a mixture of pride and humility

"I come here every week to volunteer," he explained, gesturing to the girls around him.

"These girls may not have much, but they have so much love to give. It's the least I can do to help brighten their day."

The secretary hums, knowing well it's the worst possible place he ever could be...amidst kids, noise and chaos.

Jungkook, accompanied by two guards following him walked over to the playground and signalled Taehyung to follow which he did, only to palm his ears tightening them as they got closer to the ground.

The noise assaulted his senses like a barrage of cannon fire. He gritted his teeth, his disdain for the chaos evident in the furrow of his brow and the set of his jaw.

To him, the laughter of children was nothing more than an irritating cacophony-a reminder of the innocence he had long since lost.

Reaching the ground, the CEO places himself on a bench under a tree, the large expanse of the ground enabling the fresh air to circulate, gentle breeze to blow.

Taehyung however scanned the entire field in seconds and spotted a quieter place devoid of all the little idiots howling for no reason.

Just as he was about to retreat to the safety of his office, a small figure darted out from behind a corner, blocking his path.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed in irritation as he recognized the mischievous grin of one of the girls.

Before Taehyung could react, she reached out and made a grabby hand, giggling gleefully as

Taehyung recoiled in surprise.

"Hello!" the girl exclaimed, her laughter echoing off the walls.

Taehyung's irritation boiled over into anger as he scowled down at the kid, his patience wearing thin.

"Watch it, kid," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "You don't want to mess with me."

The little obstructor only frowned at the statement.

"You are so mean. Are you really like this uncle?I got my test result today. And I got an A. Don't you think I should get an icecream from you? Oh,K-kookie is calling you uncle. Do you know why?"

'She can't stop. Can she?'

Processing who this 'Kookie' might be, Taehyung turned his gaze to his boss looking directly at him with an unreadable expression.

"No, I don't know why."

"So you want to know why?" The girl chirps back.

'Not really!'

"Y-yes. Let's go to him." Taehyung picks up the girl , heading towards the CEO on the bench. He displays a smile which apparently appeared cringe to the younger. But what else can the mafia do?

After all, even in the darkest of times, laughter can be the greatest weapon of all.

"Sit." Jungkook exclaims, straightening his posture.

And the secretary follows the instruction after cautiously putting down the girl.

"How was your test Eunji?" The CEO asks, face lightening with excitement.

"I got an A."

"You didn't cheat, right cutie?"

Eunji's smile faltered slightly as Jungkook's words sank in, eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by Jungkook's direct question. After a moment of hesitation, she averted her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.

Jungkook reached out and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his expression filled with understanding.

"Cheating may seem like an easy way to succeed in the short term, but in the long run, it erodes your character and undermines your achievements. It's important to remember that every challenge you face is an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities and values. Promise me you'll never cheat again."

"I-I won't." The girl splutters out, fumbling at the promise.

"That's my girl."Jungkook motivates her before reaching into his pocket and pulled out a box of chocolates, offering it to her with a warm smile.

"Eunji, here's a little something for your promise," Jungkook said, his eyes twinkling with kindness.

Eunji's face lit up with surprise as she immediately accepted the box with a widening smile.

"But there's one condition," the elder added playfully.

Eunji tilted her head, curious. "What's that?"

Jungkook grinned mischievously. "You have to promise me that you'll share the rest of these chocolates with your friends," he said, gesturing to the remaining chocolates in the box.

Eunji laughed as she reached out. Before leaving for her friends, she turns back at Taehyung who had been observing them since a long time.

Interpreting his big eyes to be drooling on her chocolates, she offers one to the man .

"Uncle, did you ever cheat in tests?"

Jungkook attentively looks at Taehyung who stutters to recall the past.

"Huh? I-..."

.

.

"Psst, what's the answer to number five?" A short guy asks, whispering in the loudest voice a man can ever acquire.

"Fucker, it's Annual!"

Another guy chimmed in ."It's definitely 'B,' trust me," he whispered back, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

"But wasn't number four and three B too? Are you guys sure?"

"As sure as swimming in air dude."

An almond eyed guy with messy locks of hair tousled on his forehead rises his head at the chaos. Being the leader, he glanced around the room with practised precision, ensuring that the coast was clear before carefully unzipping his jacket just enough to reveal the hidden book.

His heart leaped into his throat as he quickly snapped his jacket shut, his movements so smooth that no one would suspect a thing.

As the teacher passed by, casting a suspicious glance in his direction, his breathed a sigh of relief, his secret safe for another day.

With a satisfied smirk, he returned his attention to the exam, confident that his meticulous planning would ensure his success, one way or another.

However, he finds his physics book incapable to supply the printed questions.

'Shit! Today's chemistry paper.'

"Tiger,pass it!"

"Take my place in toilet cleaning duty next week?"

"Agh Basterd. Fine."

"We could actually die if sir finds it out."

"Well, we are still alive and that's all that matters!" The almond eyed says, rustling through the pages, sitting at the last bench. Farthest from the dark charcoal irises of the teacher.

"GET UP YOU TWO."

The other guy slightly gasps and subconsciously hides his face. The book owner however rolls his eyes at the invigilator, only enhancing the man's fury.

"Why's a book with you?"

"Coz it's mine." The almond eyed replies, earning a pinch from his benchmate, silently telling him to shut up.

"So you dare to say you didn't cheat huh?"

"I...

.

.

"I didn't cheat." Taehyung softly answers to the girl.

.

.

.

...In the realm of life, the two stand apart,...

...One tainted by deceit, one pure of heart....

...Yet both, in their own way, strive for success,...

...But only one finds true happiness....

As the girl slowly leaves, Taehyung shifts back to his boss.

"Um sir, what's your business in volunteering?"

The younger smiled a little and it was the first time Kim Taehyung found his boss can smile too, quite like a toothy grin of a rabbit.

"Actually when you are strong, you never know how hard it is for the weak to strive in a world like this,Mr Kim. Specially, these girls. Imagine a child with no family, a flower with no petals, a  day without daylight. Even if they are taken to orphan homes, do you think they won't be bullied? I'm glad my Tiger is strong in school and doesn't go through it."

"Your Tiger?" Taehyung asks in a low growl, unprepared to hear his nickname from the smaller.

Jungkook blinks twice.

"Minho's nickname it is.Why?"

"O-oh."

The CEO checks the time and rises up, fixing the shiny black fabric adorning him.

"I'm going to their office to sign my papers Mr Kim. You wait here for now."

The elder hums.

Jungkook prepares to leave but turns back for a moment.

"Oh yea. Uh, you did quite a good job today. The assignment wasn't easy for a newbie like you."

This time Taehyung smiles before clearing his throat. "Thank you, sir."

'Wait, this is what normal folks should say right? To show gratitude or something!'

.

.

.

.

The secretary sits there for a few seconds in utter silence, letting his thoughts flow , thinking back about the smaller boss and his actions.

Letting out a small breath ,he leans back onto the bench, roling his head sideways and cracking his arms.

He takes out a familiar box from his pocket and picks out a death stick and slips it inside his lips before lighting it up. The hazy smoke instantly calms his nerves despite the cancer threat pasted on the material.

Few minutes later, having contented with the toxin in his lungs, he reaches for his phone and dials a number.

"Yes boss?"

"Sunshine Meadows Orphanage. Track all the transactions of it from Jeon Enterprises in these years."

"You want the entire sheet boss?"

"Yes by today. And postponed today's plan on Jeon."

"S-sir?"

"Yes. It's a big fat company and we can pull a lot from it. Unless I have control on his bank account and hack his transactions, there's no benefit in taking down his life."

...------------:::::------------....

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