CHAPTER 3

Taehyung and Jungkook entered the makeup room. Cheng was hovering over the table, turning around when they came in. “Hey, hyung” Taehyung nodded and said, “Hey”, sitting on the chair. “Who’s this?”, said Ji Cheng, picking up makeup brushes and eyeing Jungkook at the same time. Jungkook didn’t like the way Cheng “sized him” up. “My new manager”, Taehyung said, leafing through the script.

“Um, hi. Nice to meet you”, Jungkook said. Cheng scoffed and continued applying makeup. Jungkook wondered why he was so hostile against him. After a few minutes, Cheng finished and Taehyung got up to wear his costume. Taehyung pulled his shirt over his head, and wore the one for shooting. His perfectly sculpted torso was exposed for a moment, and Cheng stared at it. Jungkook averted his eyes, but he saw Cheng’s face. He had a very lustful...possessed expression on his face.

Before Jungkook could point out or do something, Taehyung walked out of the room without a word. “Nothing to worry. He’s not a fan of talking”, Cheng said. Jungkook nodded and followed his boss.

Jungkook was in awe seeing Taehyung’s acting. He had never understood how actors bring a particular emotion in them. It was an emotional, heartbreaking movie, and he felt the same pain the actor was supposed to feel. He looked around, and found that many staff were even crying. At the parting scene, a tear slipped from Jungkook’s eye.

When the scene was over, Jungkook jogged over to where Taehyung was sitting and handed him water. “Thanks” Jungkook smiled. Director Joe walked towards them. “I think today’s shooting was enough. We’ll continue tomorrow”, he said. Taehyung nodded. “What’s next?”, he asked Jungkook, who scrolled through the notes in his phone. “Um...a meeting with the CEO” Taehyung stood up, wiping the sweat off him. “We can’t be late”

He went to his makeup room and removed his costume, wearing his own clothes. He adjusted his hair in the mirror and walked out. Jungkook started to follow him, but Taehyung said over his shoulder, “Bring my script. I left it on the couch in the makeup room” As Jungkook turned around to get the script, the door closed. He turned around again to see Cheng standing there. “What?”, he asked, bending to pick up the script. Cheng came forward face to face with him. “Don’t mess with him” Jungkook was puzzled. “Don’t what? What are you talking about?”

“He’s mine, you understand?”

Before Cheng could say anything further, Jungkook hurriedly opened the door and left.

He couldn’t help but think if there was something going on between his boss and Cheng.

...………...

They arrived at the meeting hall to see Jimin and Jin standing outside. Trustees of the company, members of the board, and other few actors and singers which had a share in the company were already seated in the meeting hall.

“What are you two doing outside?”, Taehyung asked, adjusting his suit. “Waiting for Your Highness, of course”, Jimin said.

“The shooting took time”

“Come on, we’re gonna be late. Which CEO comes late to his own meeting?”, Jin said.

“You”, Jimin said. Taehyung chuckled.

As the three went in, Jungkook wondered whether he should go in or not. He figured managers or agents weren’t allowed in confidential meetings, so he walked back to his cabin inside Taehyung’s office. He suddenly remembered that he didn’t even inform Yoongi about his job. He sipped his coffee as he dialled his number. “Hello?”, Yoongi said. “Hey, hyung. I got a job!”

“What!? Wow! We should celebrate tonight. What job, though?”

“In JinHit. As Kim Taehyung’s manager”

Jungkook heard Yoongi’s chuckle. “It’s a tough job, but I’m sure you can handle it”

“That’s what everyone keeps saying. I actually don’t see what’s tough”

“Well, managers or secretaries need to be on call 24/7. They could be called anytime. And they should he ready for any kind of work. If the boss says to pick up his clothes from a shop, you gotta do it. You need take care of him, remind him to do stuff even though he sometimes remembers his own stuff. You know what I mean?”

Jungkook nodded. “Yeah, I get what you mean. But I’m totally free. So I know I’m good. Besides...the salary is good. I can clear my dad’s debts one by one and pay my mom’s rent” He heard Yoongi sigh through his nose. “You should forget about your dad, and concentrate on your mom. Perhaps go visit her”, Yoongi said. Jungkook shook his head. “No. My dad will know that I’m in the city somewhere. I don’t wanna meet him”

“Yeah, it’s fine. I’ll help you cut ties with your father, if that’s what you want”

Jungkook smiled. “I just need a lawyer, not a rapper” Yoongi chuckled. “You know what I mean”

“Yeah. I know you’ll help me get through it”

...………...

After 2 hours, the meeting was over.

Taehyung and Jimin walked Jin to his office, talking. They reached Jin’s office. “So, Sunshine Restaurant?”, Jimin asked. “Not now. I got work to do”, Jin said. “Hey, you mean I’m free? I’m asking at dinner”, Jimin said. Taehyung chuckled. “Yeah. At 8”

As Jin closed the door of his office, Jimin held Taehyung's hand. “Hey, let’s go to my office” They both walked down the hallway and entered Jimin’s office, which was next to Taehyung’s. “What is it, Jimin?”, Taehyung asked as Jimin closed the door. “Have you visited your parents recently?” Taehyung was surprised by this question. “I thought I made it clear that this topic was never to be discussed again. Anything related to my parents is never to be discussed again”, he said angrily.

Jimin came forward. “I know, but your mother called the other day. She said you should visit her”

“And why would I do that? She knows how much I was tortured by father”

“She’s the only one who cares about you”

Taehyung turned his head away. Jimin cupped his cheek with his hand and made Taehyung look at him. “You can visit, only if you want to. No one’s pushing you, okay?” Taehyung nodded, smiling. “I just...I can never forget how he tortured me. She didn’t even save me once”, he said. Jimin nodded, linking foreheads with Taehyung.

“And I can’t forget the cane marks left on your back”, Jimin said.

...………...

The office door opened, and Jungkook saw Taehyung enter. He stood up and went to him. “Do I have to know what the meeting was about?” Taehyung shook his head. “It was a meeting with the shareholders of the company”

“Oh”

Taehyung sat in his chair and opened his laptop. “I’ll leave at 7:30. You can leave with me” Jungkook nodded. “Yeah. We have to celebrate my first actual job” Taehyung nodded, but didn’t press who’s he going to celebrate with. Jungkook went back to his cabin and continued his work.

At around 7:30, Taehyung stood up and packed his laptop. The door opened and Jimin stepped in. “You royal carriage is here to pick you up, Your Highness” Taehyung laughed. “I was late one time, Jimin” Jimin chuckled. “I don’t need any excuse to make fun of you, but this one’s really good”

Just then, Jungkook came out of his cabin. “Oh, hello. You must be Jungkook”, Jimin said, shaking hands with him. “I-I love your songs and movies”, Jungkook stammering, over with excitement. Jimin chuckled. Taehyung smirked. “You didn’t fangirl over me” Jungkook blushed. “I..uh..I” Jimin laughed, ruffling Jungkook’s hair. “He’s just messing with you”, he said.

Taehyung, Jimin and Jin arrived at Sunshune, where Namjoon was already sitting at their table. “How come you’re always here first?”, Taehyung asked, sitting down with Jimin. Namjoon chuckled. “I’m fast” Jimin chuckled. “That’s no explanation” Jin picked up the menu. “Don’t bother my baby” Taehyung and Jimin laughed watching Namjoon blush. “Hey, it’s a public place”, Jimin said. They othered food. Just then, the door opened and two men walked in, looking around for a table to sit.

Jimin nudged Taehyung, who almost dropped his fork. “What?” Jimin raised his eyebrow at them. “Isn’t that your manager and Min Yoongi?” Taehyung, Namjoon and Jin turned to look at Jungkook and Yoongi, who took a table opposite their’s. “So that’s your new manager?”, Namjoon asked. Taehyung nodded. “Yeah, but what’s he doing with such a big rapper?” Jin shrugged. “It’s a small world. Let’s eat” They chuckled. “All you think about is food...”, Taehyung said. “...and Joon hyung”, Jimin finished. They laughed as Jin hit Jimin playfully under the table.

Jungkook became conscious, and looked down at his hoodie from time to time. Yoongi noticed his nervousness while ordering food. “What’s wrong, Kook?” Jungkook pointed at the table opposite them. “My boss, the CEO and Park Jimin are sitting right opposite us” Yoongi looked at them. He didn’t know who the fourth man with them was. “So what? Don’t be conscious. Professional life has nothing to do with personal life. Unless they include the same people”, Yoongi said. Jungkook nodded. Their food arrived and they started eating.

Yoongi looked at them again, and saw Jin feed the fourth unknown man. What?!, he thought. Jungkook saw Yoongi stare at something. “What, hyung?” Yoongi shook his head, coming back to his food. “Nothing. Just thought I knew someone”

Yoongi heard a click somewhere behind him.

He turned around to see what it was, but there were only people eating food.

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