Chapter 5 — Coffee Wars & Corporate Chaos

The morning sun streamed through the glass walls of the Jeon Enterprises headquarters, catching the faint golden hue of Taehyung’s hair as he strode in like he owned the place — which, technically, he didn’t. Not yet, anyway.

In his hand? A tall, overpriced caramel latte. In his other hand? A smug smile.

Behind him, his assistant Jimin panted like he’d just run a marathon. “Sir, the meeting starts in two minutes!”

Taehyung didn’t break stride. “Fashionably late is still fashion, Jimin. Besides…” he paused dramatically in front of the elevator, “…Jungkook will be there. It’s always worth making him sweat.”

By the time they reached the top floor, the elevator doors opened to reveal Jungkook — perfectly tailored black suit, tie knotted like a textbook example, and an expression that said I’ve been up since 6 a.m. running this empire while you were perfecting your hair.

His eyes dropped to Taehyung’s latte. “Seriously? That’s what made you late? Caffeine over contracts?”

“Correction,” Taehyung replied, stepping inside the meeting room, “this is not just coffee. This is motivation in a cup.”

The conference table was already full of department heads pretending not to watch the verbal ping-pong. Yoongi, Jungkook’s assistant, subtly slid him a second coffee. Jungkook took it — and without missing a beat, replaced Taehyung’s caramel latte with his own plain black Americano.

Taehyung froze mid-sip. “What the—”

“You’re welcome,” Jungkook said smoothly. “Sugar clouds judgment.”

Jimin gasped. “Sir, he—he stole your coffee!”

“Jimin,” Taehyung said solemnly, “call security. Tell them the CEO is committing caffeine-related crimes.”

A few department heads coughed to hide their laughter.

By the end of the meeting, Jungkook had meticulously dismantled three of Taehyung’s “innovative” marketing proposals — and Taehyung had retaliated by suggesting Jungkook personally star in the next product advertisement because “no one embodies the seriousness of a washing machine quite like him.”

Lunch Break: The Canteen Incident

It should have been a peaceful lunch. Should have.

Taehyung carried his tray toward the executive table only to find Jungkook sitting in his usual spot.

“You’re in my seat,” Taehyung said.

“This seat doesn’t have your name on it,” Jungkook replied.

“It does,” Taehyung said, pointing to the tiny engraved plaque beneath the table edge. “See? Kim Taehyung. Reserved.”

Jungkook glanced down, unfazed. “I had it removed this morning.”

Jimin whispered, “Sir… he did.”

Taehyung narrowed his eyes. “Fine. I’ll just… sit here.” He dropped into the chair beside Jungkook, a little too close. Close enough that their elbows brushed.

For the next ten minutes, they both ate in complete silence, each determined not to be the first to move. It was a ridiculous power game, but neither of them ever lost these.

Until Jungkook quietly leaned over and murmured, “You always leave the pickles. Still hate them?”

The fork froze in Taehyung’s hand. He hadn’t told anyone in years about that. He forced a smirk. “Observant, aren’t you?”

Jungkook didn’t answer — just went back to eating, as if the slip hadn’t happened.

Office Gossip — The Email Catastrophe

At 4 p.m., a company-wide email went out with the subject line: Jeon Jungkook’s Secret Hobby Revealed!

Attached was a photo — clearly taken by Taehyung — of Jungkook in the office gym, mid-yoga pose, wearing sweatpants and a very un-CEO-like expression of concentration.

The building buzzed with laughter.

Jungkook emerged from his office fifteen minutes later, holding his phone like it was Exhibit A in a court case. “You sent this?”

Taehyung grinned. “Anonymous leak.”

“You watermarked it with your name.”

“Oops.”

Jungkook took a slow, deliberate step closer, leaning in until Taehyung could feel the faint heat of his breath. “Two can play this game, Kim.”

For a split second, the banter faded — replaced by a sharp tension neither wanted to acknowledge. Then Jungkook straightened, smirk in place, and walked away.

Taehyung let out a breath he didn’t remember holding.

That night, as he packed up to leave, Jimin tossed him a small paper bag.

“From the pharmacy downstairs,” Jimin explained. “The lady said it’s the vitamins you like…?”

Taehyung’s smile froze for the briefest moment. “Wrong order. Must be for someone else.”

He threw the bag into his drawer, locked it, and walked out.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***