~20240105
Jungkook blinked his eyes as he stared at the smiling figure in front of him. Taehyung looked at him head to toe and smirked. "So this how Mr. Jeon Jungkook looks like at his home. Although I remember you wearing casual wear during our first meets but that didn't quite make sense y'know... Umm.. won't you welcome me in?"
Jungkook robotically moved away making way for Taehyung who stepped in while thanking him. He looked around the house. "So... Where was I? Ya... the outfits. They didn't quite fit. Your suits describe you and now this. The real you."
Jungkook stared at the male before composing himself. He was about to speak but Taehyung beat him to it. "Before you say anything, I wanna thank you." Taehyung smiled genuinely and forwarded the little bag in his hand towards Jungkook. "Thank you so much for that day. And I am sorry I didn't say this before."
Jungkook was at loss of words as see stared at Taehyung in daze. He is not used to Taehyung being so raw. He has been open lately compared to before but now, all he could see was the real Taehyung he always talks about. Not a single muscle that moved on his face that includes his smile or the words he spoke had been so real, so raw and so genuine.
And Jungkook is sure, that the person standing in front of him right now is the real Taehyung, who has been hiding behind the walls.
He didn't know what to answer after Texting thanked him. He took the bag out of Taehyung's hold and looked inside. He smiled picking up what's inside and rolled his eyes. "A CELIO perfume? Classic Kim Taehyung gift. But still, thank you." He put the perfume bottle back into the bag and put it not so gently on the couch.
"Please, make yourself at home." Jungkook pointed at the sofa before making way towards the kitchen and returned with a bottle of water.
"Thank you. It's so hard to look at you like this." Taehyung smiled, taking a sip from his bottle. He looked at the bag next to him.
Jungkook scoffed and took a seat, a little far from the other. "I have a lot of questions. But first, how did you fi--"
"This is the last perfume my mom made before the accident." Taehyung interrupted him as he took the bag. On the other hand, Jungkook felt his breath hitch in his throat at the information.
"This is so precious to me. I kept this one solely to myself without recreating it to the world." He put the bag away at it's previous spot and looked at Jungkook. "So, imagine how grateful I am to you that I am giving you this."
Jungkook frowned lost in thoughts before clenching his fists. This only added to his previous worries. This is the reason he wanted to stay away. And suddenly everything felt like a switch. Like a trigger.
He was running away from what? From this naive man infront of him who is baring his emotions out in open? He scoffed at the thought, he wanted to get back in control. He can't keep this going.
What triggered Jungkook to think this way? Was it his ego as usual? Or the emotions he suddenly felt?
Whatever it is, he wasn't going to give in.
"Taehyung-ssi... Don't you think you are a little late to thank me?" He leaned back on the sofa while smirking. "And I don't wanna accept it."
"Hmm... Just so you know Jungkook-ssi, I am stubborn as you are if not more." Taehyung challenged.
"Hah... Impossible."
"Oh, it's so on Jungkook-ssi." Taehyung smiled, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back on the sofa, snuggling a little into it making himself comfortable. He looked around the living room, nodding his head at the impressive designs.
"You have such a beautiful house. If you had a painting there, it would elevate the chandelier more and in turn the room itself." He pointed at the empty wall across him.
"Remember the painting from the auction? That'd be perfect. Oh, another thing I need to thank you for. Thank you?"
"Still a no. Just give it up. I will think about it when we go on that date." He joked at the end.
Taehyung rolled his eyes, shaking his head. He frowned when he saw packed bags in the corner. It suddenly clicked. Jungkook is leaving and this will probably be the last time they'll meet. He blinked his eyes and looked at Jungkook then back at the luggage.
"Date you say..." He scoffed and turned his gaze away from the suitcase and got up. He walked towards Jungkook who stared at him in confusion. He stood right in front of him and held his hand out.
Jungkook looked at his hand and raised his eyebrow questioningly. Taehyung bent forward and held his hand pulling him up to stand.
Jungkook frowned slightly in confused as he watched Taehyung take a step closer.
He looked straight into Jungkook's eyes, his breath subtly caressing his face.
"Just ask me anything. Anything in the world and I'll put it under your feet. This is what you told me, remember?" Jungkook nodded mechanically.
"Will you really do it, Jungkook?" His gaze filled with intensity, yet nothing could be decipher med on his face.
Jungkook took a step forward and leaned in. "Try me." He whispered against Taehyung's lips. Jungkook could feel who the grip on his tighten at the action. He smiled, an almost smirk at the effect and took a step back letting go of his hand.
"You are so obvious. You are gonna ask me to accept your thank you. Anything except that, okay?" He winked playfully but Taehyung kept staring at him, confusing Jungkook.
"Stay."
"What?" Jungkook smile left his face as stared at the unblinking man infront of him, who took a step closer.
"Don't go. Stay. Wherever you planned to go, don't."
"Why?"
Taehyung felt his heart skip at the question. He wasn't expecting that. Why? Why didn't he want Jungkook to go? He didn't have the answer himself. What was he thinking when he uttered those words. He took a step back frowning, lost in thoughts.
Jungkook's condition was no less with the matching frown on his face. "Why don't you want m--" They flinched at the loud noise of ringtone. Jungkook looked at Bright's name on the screen and excused himself.
Taehyung rubbed his face, taking a deep breath. He drank some water and composed himself. "What just happened? Ugh... All this because he is not accepting my gratitude."
"I'll be there as soon as I can. Ya. Bye." Jungkook returned to the living room, disconnecting the call.
"I have somewhere to go. We should cut this meeting or whatever short Taehyung-ssi."
Jungkook uttered as he put on his jacket and took his car keys. Taehyung held onto his gift and followed him out and then to the lift. Finally, they reached the parking lot.
"I didn't bring my car. So, how about you take me with you?"
Jungkook halted in his steps when he heard Taehyung.
"I have an other option too. You accept my thank you, take my present and I call my driver to pick me up. So...?"
"Haha... Nice try Kim. But no." Jungkook unlocked his car and got into the driver seat. Taehyung almost poured and sat in the passenger seat next to him.
"Are you kidding me right now? Seriously?" Jungkook asked in disbelief. Taehyung shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, getting comfortable in the seat.
"I still won't accept. So, it's better if you stop this."
"Like I said, I am very stubborn."
"Okay. Fine." Jungkook nodded to himself. "I have to warn you. It's gonna be a long journey."
"I love long drives. It's been so long I went to one."
"If you say so. Put your seat belt on." Jungkook start his car as soon as Taehyung put on his belt.
"Where are we going?" Taehyung asked 10 minutes into the journey.
"Busan."
Taehyung jerked his head towards him and widened his eyes. "I thought you were kidding when you said---"
"I would've argued with you to my heart's content and finally win then send you off with your driver but it's an emergency. I can't wait for your driver to arrive. This is my only option."
"Ugh... Fine. I'll call the driver once we reach." Taehyung groaned looking out of the window, crossing his arms on his chest.
Jungkook paid no heed to the man, concentrating on his driving.
They were half way into the journey when Taehyung fell asleep. The sun was close to disappearing between the mountains by the time they reached.
Jungkook parked the car infront of a mansion and hurriedly stepped out not bothering to wake the man next to him, who flinched when the other shut the door.
He frowned looking at his surroundings. He stared at the mansion and got out of the car, stretching his neck.
"Mr Jeon is here too?" He muttered under his breath when he saw Bright's car parked right next to theirs. "Of course, it's about work. That's his emergency."
He sent his location to his driver and asked him to pick him up. He stepped towards the mansion talking out loud. "Jungkook-ssi, you brought me to this unknown place and left me in the car. How rude? I'll leave the present in your car and take my leave."
Hearing no reply he peeked hesitantly. "Jungkook?"
"Omo... Who is he? Oh my god... This is the first time my son brought someone along... "
Taehyung cursed himself for not being careful about another presence there a she watched the middle aged woman rush towards him in excitement.
"Are you his friend? You have friends too? Wah... You are so handsome."
Taehyung bowed hesitantly, not knowing what to do.
"Mom, stop it. This so wrong. You told you had an accident. I rushed here leaving everything behind. This not the way." Jungkook walked towards them, while shaking his head in disappointment. "And yes, this is my friend Kim Taehyung." He pointed at Taehyung and winked at him discreetly.
"Mom?" Taehyung whispered before bowing to her. Properly this time. "Hello. I am Kim Taehyung. Nice to meet you Mr Jeon."
She stared at him without blinking, not returning his greeting. Taehyung stood there awkwardly, chewing on his bottom lip. He wasn't good with all of this at all.
"Mom?"
"He looks like a doll." She poked Taehyung's cheek in awe. "Is he real? Omo."
"Mom stop it!! You are making him uncomfortable."
"Huh? There's nothing to feel uncomfortable about. He is like my son. And anyone would want that extra mother's love. Right Tae?"
Taehyung tried to smile at that but managed to nod a little.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Before Taehyung could even breath, she continued. "See? He is not."
Jungkook kept staring at Taehyung, hoping his mom doesn't say something that might offend the other or worse, trigger a sad emotion. He was already used to his extrovert mother but he knows how Taehyung is. He just starting letting Jungkook get a peek through his walls.
"Alright, mom. I am hungry. Why don't you go make dinner while I talk to Taehyung here?"
She nodded eagerly and looked at Taehyung. "I am gonna make so many dishes. Get ready to eat yummiest food in the world." She announced and left the room.
Jungkook was about to talk to Taehyung when they heard another voice. "Eomma, I told you not to scare me like this. Now, hyung will kill me if he comes here. I---"
Taehyung jerked his head towards Bright who was coming downstairs and halted in his steps when he saw him. "Mr Kim?" He bowed 90°.
"Mr Jeon?"
Jungkook rubbed his temple cursing under his breath for not thinking through this part. What was he thinking when he brought the introvert Taehyung to meet his loud and extrovert mom? And how did Bright being his brother skipped his mind?
Taehyung stared at Jungkook and Bright back and forth before he understood what was going on.
"Eomma is in the kitchen Brightieee!!!!" Bright's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment when he heard his mother scream from the kitchen.
End of Chapter 18
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