{ new chapter! ✉}
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● BTS - Black Swan ●
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You sigh loudly.
Some people standing behind you gave you a stupid glance, some unbothered as they continued whatever they were doing before. It was a new day today, Monday.
But your mind was stuck on yesterday.
The whole wedding hassles and preparations had been weighing over you these past months. But now that the marriage concluded, it was done. Oddly you didn't notice Mrs Choi at the wedding but when you asked around, some workers confessed that she was busy around.
Then why didn't I see her?
You had no answer because she was the wedding planner and it was her duty to be there at the wedding. You even took the time to talk with Seokjin about it, asking him about his aunt but he had only shaken his head and ensured you it was fine.
That he would work it out.
You didn't trust him that much and it was your duty to sign off the contract and end the deal. But it was hard to contact Mrs Choi, given her number was out of reach whenever you called her.
"Dear passengers, the subway has reached its destination. Please wait for the beep before the doors open. Exit carefully."
The voice of the intercom spoke, pushing you out of your thoughts. People began to shuffle with their stuff in an attempt to be ready to leave and some remained unbothered. The train screeched to a halt and waiting for your turn, you exited carefully.
As usual, you had memorized the way towards the office where you work. It was a few minutes walk so you hurried your pace, wanting to grab a morning coffee very much.
"Good morning miss."
"Good morning sir."
You greeted and nodded the security guard who cared enough to show a small smile. As an employee, you made sure to always greet the guards whenever possible because they were always kind to you. More than your co-workers themselves.
Entering the office lobby, it was as if everyone was surprised to see you. Skipping the urge to roll your eyes, you began walking inside, still feeling many eyes on your back.
Stupid people. Always gossiping rather than working.
You would give them a piece of your mind but it was useless because no matter what you do or say, they would never stop believing stupid rumours.
"Did you heard what happened last week?"
"Of course. It was one of the spiciest news around the office for a while."
"Shh. I can't believe Mr Park's son was arrested because of her."
You slowed your walking, pausing for a moment to consider if you should correct them. But again, did they ever care about you? No. They won't even believe that you were harassed so with a shrug you headed to the cafeteria.
Some whispers and footsteps followed and while you ordered your latte, you heard the same group of people talking behind you.
"Yeah, I heard it too. Our leader is found guilty of trying to harass her."
"Huh? I thought she tried to throw herself on him?"
"You guys don't even know the real truth. Apparently, she was in the store room searching for some papers when Mr Park followed her and closed the door."
You heard some gasps and disbelief scoff among them but the same guy continued speaking.
"He tried to convince her to accept him but she had rejected him many times. So Mr Park used some force and violence on her but thankfully, she defended herself well and our group found her being strangled by Mr Park so we rushed to help her."
"I heard Mr Jeon was really worried? But again, he had sent her to the locker room so he must be guilty."
"Do you know that Mr Park stalked her many times? We searched his things and found numerous pictures on his phone. It's truly scary."
Many gasps followed by whispers of agreement.
"Then do you mean she was being assaulted all this time? And I thought so wrong of her."
Someone hummed.
"I am shocked and disgusted that we thought Mr Park was a good leader and trusted him. Such a creep."
"Hey, you think we should apologize to her? I mean we are guilty too."
"Should we? I am ashamed."
You couldn't help but smile, knowing that they finally knew the truth. You silently gestured to the cashier and told her that you were paying for their drinks because you were quite happy.
They didn't notice you paying and you took this chance to grab your drink, walking away to your cabin. Everyone who saw you gave you shocked faces and stares but ignored them all.
"Miss Yuna?"
You turned around at the call of your name, eyebrows perking up as you realised your boss was walking towards you with a broad smile. You smiled back.
"You look happy today. Did something good happen?"
"Not particularly. Just trying to thrive."
He nodded, his head bobbing to the office before he grabbed the door and opened it for you. You thanked him and entered, settling down at your table.
Jungkook did the same, his eyes still fixed on you which you were yet to notice. He knew that your best friend's absence would make you sad and seeing your tries made him glad.
"Miss Yuna, I need to show you something."
"Hmm?"
You asked without looking up, trying to arrange the stack of files on your desk which needed to be reviewed. Hearing some shuffling on the other side of the table, meaning that Jungkook was also busy with something.
"Here."
Another file appeared and you stared at it, dumbfounded.
"What is this?"
"The file you wanted to see."
You frowned in confusion. Since when did you ask for a file? You couldn't remember and the confusion must have been visible because Jungkook cleared his throat before speaking.
"The file you wanted to see before you quit. Remember?"
Wait.
The memory of you being disappointed, arguing with Jungkook before you quit your job came rushing into your head. You gasp, your eyes widening before looking at your boss.
"Why are you giving me this now?"
"Last week when you confronted me about the file, I decided that it was time to share with you. I went to grab the file and tell you about it but when I came back, you were not here."
Jungkook took a shaky breath and you carefully watched him.
"I asked for you around and it was over ten minutes but you were nowhere to be seen. I thought you went home but your stuff was here and I couldn't help but worry if you were too angry to be in the same room as me."
And all this time you thought he was dumb and too selfish when he was only looking out for you. Jungkook closed his eyes, bowing his head like a lost puppy.
"I asked the group of workers who were nearby and they told me they saw you entering the locker room but one of them saw that bastard entering the room as well. We all rushed to the storeroom but it was locked and I was extremely worried for you."
He began rubbing his face, "I-I thought I lost you when I saw you blacked out on the floor that day. It was like a nightmare coming true."
You gulped, finding it hard to accept that Jungkook thought of you quite highly to the extent he was affected that much. Walking over to him, you awkwardly patted his shoulder.
He was still seated and this was the only way you could offer him comfort because he looked guilty, like everything had happened because of him. To your surprise, Jungkook stood up and pulled you in a hug.
"S-Sir?"
"I am sorry it's all my fault. I should have told you everything properly instead of making you suffer. I didn't even realise how he was making your life hell from the beginning until I got the news. I am sorry for failing as a boss."
His words touched your heart and you rubbed his back, slightly comfortable enough to hug him back without being flustered. It was the first time he was being so intimate with you, given his naive behaviour.
"It's not your fault sir. I was too persistent and blind to realise your concern for me and that's why I landed in trouble."
"I should have been careful and protected you."
You tsked, pulling away.
"Look, sir. Such stuff always happens with me and since we are on good terms now, I am glad."
"Really?"
"Yes." You nodded, "even though you think you failed as a boss, you helped me right? Plus you comforted me like a friend so don't worry about it anymore."
He stared at you for a while before nodding, his cheeks slightly going scarlet. You held in a laugh, noticing how flustered his face was when he realised his reaction to hugging you.
You grabbed the file he gave you, carefully tracing your palms over it before deciding to open it. Inside was filled with some papers and you scanned your eyes over them, reading aloud a line which caught your attention.
"Kim and Kim Industries surging as one?"
You looked at Jungkook who nodded gravelly.
"The Kim Industry of trades owned by Seokjin's father and the other Kim enterprise owned by Mr Kim Ji Hoon is secretly deciding to become one."
Your eyes darted back to the file, realising the reason why you still didn't hear the news on television or anywhere else. Your eyes slightly widened when your brain connected the dots and you almost dropped the file but Jungkook caught it.
"That is bad. This is bad sir."
"I know. Once these huge companies become one, they would overtake our Jeon Company which my father has worked hard to built."
"But isn't Jin your friend? Why doesn't he help?"
Jungkook shook his head.
"He does not want this contract to happen as well. But Seokjin has only 25% of the company share so his denial is not enough. We need more vote of rejection."
"Then the rest of 70%?" You asked.
"45% is owned by Mrs Kim, mother of Seokjin and 30% is owned by Mr Kim."
"Why is it that Seokjin's mother has more share than his father?"
It was extremely odd how their shares were divided unevenly because you thought Jin was the owner of their company.
"That was one of her condition before their marriage, that her share in every company would be more than her husband so in case they divorce or anything happens, Mrs Kim can have insurance."
You nodded.
"That's both brilliant and stupid. Why doesn't Mr and Mrs Kim have a good relationship if they are married?"
"That I don't know. Only Seokjin does and he doesn't want to talk about it to anyone."
Your head was spinning now, too much information at once. You never realised how messed up these powerful families were, until today. Now you felt bad for Seokjin, knowing that his life is nothing easy.
"So when will this news be released?"
"Soon. Can happen anytime."
"I have a doubt. If Mrs Kim owns most share then why she is agreeing to sign the deal? What's the profit for her?"
Jungkook turned to face you, his face full of grimace.
"That's where the problem starts. Mr Kim Ji Hoon has a daughter which is their only heir. So they want Seokjin and their daughter to marry while converging the two Kim company into one."
Your head was filled with numerous thoughts and horrors but something else was bothering you.
"Did you say the daughter of Kim Ji Hoon?"
"Yes."
That was screwed up, really badly. You began fiddling with your fingers, the thought disturbing your emotions. How could this happen? Maybe it was a mistake, it could be someone else too.
Jungkook noticed the change in your mood and he grabbed your hands.
"What-"
"This is bad sir. Extremely bad. More than bad."
You began pacing around the room, your thoughts going in a wreck because everything seemed to flip upside down.
Jungkook stood where he was, frowning.
"Why?"
"Because,"
You fixed your stare on him, dreading to tell your prediction but it was important for him to know.
"Their only daughter is none other than Kim Eunji, my rival."
A/N: the real drama starts now :)