RED STRING REWRITTEN

24

[Jungkook's Office - morning ]

(The office is quiet except for the faint hum of the air conditioner. Papers are scattered across the large oak desk. Taehyung, sleeves rolled up, is standing near the window, checking files Jungkook had asked him to review. Jungkook leans back in his chair, watching him.)

Jungkook: (teasing) "You look more like my secretary than my friend. Should I start paying you?"

Taehyung: (without looking up) "Pay me in food. I'm starving."

Jungkook: (smirking) "That can be arranged."

(Taehyung turns suddenly to hand over the file, but Jungkook stands at the same time to take it. Their steps clash-both stumble forward. Jungkook's hand shoots out, catching Taehyung's wrist to steady him. The files slip, scattering across the floor. In the small chaos, they end up too close-faces inches apart. From afar, it looks like they're kissing.)

Taehyung: (frozen, whispering) "You... you're too close."

Jungkook: (softly, not moving away) "Maybe I don't want to move."

(The tension is thick, eyes locked. But before either can process, the office door slams open.)

[ Mr. Jeon enters]

(Jungkook's father, Mr. Jeon, storms in, his sharp eyes widening at the scene. His expression darkens instantly.)

Mr. Jeon: (furious) "What the hell is going on here?!"

(Taehyung jerks back, stumbling a step away, his face pale. Jungkook turns sharply, trying to shield Taehyung from the intensity of his father's glare.)

Jungkook: (defensive) "It's not what you think-"

Mr. Jeon: (cutting him off, voice booming) "Not what I think?! From the door, it looked like my son was about to disgrace this family with a... with this nonsense!"

Taehyung: (stammering) "S-Sir, I... it wasn't like that. I was just-"

Mr. Jeon: (snapping, pointing at him) "Quiet! Don't you dare speak! Do you think you can get close to my son just because you hang around his apartment? Do you think I'll allow trash like you near him?!"

(Taehyung flinches, guilt and hurt flashing across his face. Jungkook's fists clench, anger rising.)

Jungkook: (stepping forward) "Don't talk to him like that!"

Mr. Jeon: (turning his wrath on Jungkook) "And you! Have you completely lost your mind? I raised you to take over everything I built, not to ruin yourself chasing after some boy with no standing!"

Jungkook: (voice sharp) "He's not just some boy! He's-"

Mr. Jeon: (roaring) "ENOUGH!"

(The silence after the shout feels suffocating. Taehyung swallows hard, his eyes glassy. He looks at Jungkook, then at Mr. Jeon, then quickly grabs his bag from the chair.)

Taehyung: (softly, to Jungkook) "I... I should go."

Jungkook: (reaching out) "Tae, wait-"

Taehyung: (stepping back, voice trembling) "Don't. Please... don't."

(Without another word, Taehyung bolts out of the office. Jungkook takes a step to follow, but Mr. Jeon grabs his arm, yanking him back.)

Mr. Jeon: (icy) "Stay right here. You're not running after him."

Jungkook: (yanking his arm free, furious) "You can't stop me!"

Mr. Jeon: (glaring, voice low but dangerous) "If you walk out that door for him, Jungkook... you will regret it. This is your last warning. I won't tolerate disobedience again."