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dainty lotus

⚘ winter . 18+ ⚘• navi . m.list . recs . kofi •latest series: eliteslatest fic: ghoul: consign

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Iii. DECEPTION | JJK [M]

iii. DECEPTION | JJK [M]

You are irreplaceable in his life, and so is he in yours.

Mayhap, it's time to change that. The moment he aimed his gun at your head, where the trigger could go off at any second; there, you immediately knew you are very much replaceable. So you take matters into your own hands; walk out of his life and away from him as soon as your work contract with him ended.

But Jung kook hates not having your presence near him, and who said you get to walk out his life just like that? You promised not to leave him.

So, why did you break the promise?

Plethora of deception.

PAIRING : Jungkook × Reader

GENRE : Dark Romance, Friends to Lovers, Enemies to Lovers, Drama, Action : Gang AU / Organised Crime AU / Elite AU. *Eventual yandere themes.

RATING : Mature

DISCLAIMER : This story is a work of fiction. Description of the BTS members in this story does not reflect nor portray them in real life. Everything in this story only fits in imagination and does not apply outside of imagination.

WARNING : This story deals with mild description of violence (mass attack / war & against woman).

WORD COUNT : 7.4k+

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💌 Note from winter :

thank u for 700+ followers !

i think chapter 3 is jusr a filler chapter but idk why i hate to write this sm that i keep on postponing, procrastinating and delaying writing this 🥲 i hope this ch doesnt seem too boring or anything bcs i really tried to rewrite everything until im satisfied in hopes that you lots will be satisfied as well 🫶🏻

t/n : not beta-ed by anyone. proofread using grammarly.

we r really getting into the depth of this story at the very fucking slowest pace 💀

💌 what is winter listening to? :

deception playlist on spotify for full experience.

DEDICATION : To my old self as you are the reason the story exists and to my present self as you have rewritten it.

Art.

A skill at doing a specified thing, typically one acquired through practice.

“Just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive.” – Criss Jami.

Art of deception.

The colour of Taehyung’s face drained, leaving him pale with dread. He looked at Binna with his eyes full-blown, pupils dilated and it made her smirk, knowing she easily got ahold of his darkest secret; the key to his downfall, in her hands.

“If I tell (Y/N) that you helped Rika to escape back then, do you think you’ll still have the privilege to stay by her side?” Binna derided. “You’re no better than my son.”

The room fell into deep silence and the tension thickened. Taehyung hung his head low, which Binna took as he was ashamed of himself. He should, she deemed. He pushed you to the pit of doom and yet he shamelessly stood by your side, claiming he was your ride or die.

“Craftsman of destruction,” Taehyung mumbled.

Binna scowled. “What?”

A burst of deep, and hearty laughter escaped Taehyung’s throat. His head that was hung low was now thrown to the back. His laughter continued to the point it terrified the older woman but it wasn’t fully the laughter that terrified her— If Binna thought she had the upper hand, she had been utterly wrong the entire time; The mocking smirk tugged at his lips said it all.

His laugh was taunting and mocking. Taunting and mocking the older woman like she never had before. It was humiliating.

Taehyung breathed out a loud sigh before his laughter came to an abrupt halt. His eyes instantly fell on Binna. Taehyung’s gaze was full of malice, and it took every ounce of her to not turn away, and leave the apartment at once - but she knew better than to do so. Running away was never her principle, the Jeon’s, nor will it ever be.

Death is inescapable, inevitable.

“That’s what he meant,” Taehyung laughs in realisation. “One who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive…”

Binna looked at him, confusion was evident on her face. She chose to stay silent than speak with an unhinged Taehyung.

“I’ll let you play this game, Jeon,” he began. “But I tell you what? You’ll lose this game. It was fun deceiving you with my acting but it was funnier when I wiped that smug grin off your face. You need more than this to destroy me— to blackmail me?”

Art of deception; acting.

“Ah, is this your way of gaining information? Throwing random accusations at people, study their reactions, and if you hit the bullseye, you’ll dig more out of them? I’m surprised that method still works. I see you love taking risks.”

“Shut up, Taehyung.”

“Lame.” He blurted. “Does it make sense to you, Binna? You know what I want. I want (Y/N). If there’s anyone that I should be helping, it’s her, not Rika, which I did help her for the past months.”

“I don’t do things that don’t benefit me therefore why should I help that witch?” He added. “I would be more than glad to help Jungkook instead. Help him find Rika, keep her from escaping, and let her live her life in the hell of Jungkook. Not only will that benefit Jungkook, but it will benefit me.”

It would benefit him more than she could ever imagine, but that would be too easy of a life.

Taehyung hated Rika— No, he loathed her. Binna wasn’t oblivious to that fact.

“Nothing else to say? To defend yourself?” He mocked. It was foolish of Binna to use such a method on Taehyung. It has to take more than threatening to bring him down, she should’ve known. Her abortive plans wouldn’t have worked either way even when she’s using you against him.

Taehyung was a powerful man and that’s a fact she dreaded. He seemingly has no weakness because his weakness was his strength.

“Baseless accusations or maybe useless insider’s information, huh?” It’s times like this when Binna wished for the ground to crack open and swallow her whole. No words left her mouth after Taehyung had opened his. Not only was it annoying but it was humiliating because she knew what Taehyung said was true. Partially.

Taehyung walked toward her with purposeful steps, eyes burning with vengeance and determination as he spoke. “But, you know, if I really were to plan all this whole catastrophe, don’t you think it will set him off? Everything will fall out of its place and Jungkook will be all vulnerable. He won’t be able to handle his beloved company, he will have too much on his plate.”

Voice thick with venom, he continued. “And that’s when I’ll strike. Take away all of his fortunes, wealth, his everything, and he’ll be left with nothing but dust.” A dark chuckle left his lips as he imagined his words. “It is my dream to see him crumble, after all.”

Taehyung doesn’t need Jungkook’s wealth, fortunes or anything because he had everything. He’s a successful and powerful businessman of his own. He wasn’t a member of Jungkook’s gang; he dealt with business and Jungkook being the successful businessman he was, both of them then made a deal and eventually became a business partner. It was not long after the deal was established then, that Taehyung found out about Jungkook’s underworld business.

He owned an organised crime group along with other six leaders. A criminal syndicate. The given name of the said group was Sinistres. Despite the information Taehyung had of the Sinistres, he had never met the other six leaders. His knowledge of Sinistres was limited and Jungkook wanted to keep it that way. The only thing Jungkook told him about the other leaders was that they all handled their own business or criminal activities in another region. In special cases, some of them expanded to another country.

Organised crime groups stayed in their places as long as there was no provocation from other groups, mostly focusing on their own community, but selective groups strive to attack and take over other groups, showing off their strength and power. One of them being The Swans. The last war that broke out was between The Sins and The Swans. Although the root cause of the war was The Swans themselves, they were on the losing side; They lost hundreds of men while trying to take down The Sins.

It was an ambush by The Swans.

While The Sins were out for a mission, The Swans took it as an opportunity to attack their headquarters as nothing but a playful provocation or perhaps, a warning, though it was reported that Sloth, one of the Sins, was at the headquarter, The Swans didn’t seem to hesitate to strike, resulting great damage at Sins’ headquarter.

The question as to the aftermath of the ambush was left unanswered, unknown. If there’s one known thing about The Sins, they always keep everything lowkey; their movements, their activities, and yet they were the most infamous organised crime group in the whole nation. According to an insider, Sloth was taken away during the ambush and was held hostage by The Swans or Sloth had died. There were still words spreading around saying Sins were still seven. Until today no one knew the real truth other than the fact that Sloth was missing in action.

Despite the low-key profile The Sins had been keeping, it ended when they decided to counterattack. Greater damage was done to them; hundreds of men were either heavily injured or killed. The Sins didn’t leave anyone uninjured; it’s either heavily injured, close to death or worse, killed.

They were merciless.

The monster of the fight was said to be Wrath; Living up to the name, the sin unleashed their wrath as they slaughtered everyone with no mercy. It was the fact that Wrath was one of the most feared people amongst organised crime groups, but The Swans seemed to not mind or might have forgotten that fact. The other sins had to pull Wrath out of Swans’ territory before it became a worse crime scene - as if the situation wasn’t as bad as it already was. Wrath would turn the world upside down just to find and wipe The Swans off the earth and their underlings who dared to touch, what’s more, to injure Sloth.

Fortunately, The Swans managed to escape even before Sins’ launched their attack and they now were all missing with no trace. Unfortunately, there will be many eyes watching and observing The Swans’ movements, even trying to track them down.

It was what Taehyung had found out; with his own ways, of course, since Jungkook would never open his mouth about this side of the world he’s dealing with or around it.

Taehyung’s attention came back to Binna, pinning her with his burning gaze as he spoke. “You’re all bark, no bite, Binna.”

Tick, tock.

“But me? I don’t bark. I straight up bite. Take this as a friendly reminder, hmm?” He smiled, but it wasn’t anything friendly. It’s threatening. “Try me and the consequences won’t be too pleasing.”

Tick, tock.

He brought his gaze down to his wristwatch, looking at the time. The time was ticking like a bomb as Binna stood in her spot like a statue. Her eyes followed Taehyung’s movement as he walked back to his seat, reaching out for his glass of water. Thousands of thoughts ran through Binna’s head but she kept herself composed. She has the option to just walk out of the apartment but she knew Taehyung wasn’t finished with his threat.

Oh, how she wished she didn’t step into Taehyung’s apartment.

She had blindly walked into the lion’s den.

“I wonder if (Y/N) knew the real reason as to why you took her years ago.”

Playing a game with Taehyung was like playing with fire but with a twist; one’s bound to burn but it will never be Taehyung.

Taking a sip of the water in the glass that he was cradling.

“You’re heinous.”

Taehyung’s words lived rent-free in Binna’s head, replaying every second possible. Her talk with Taehyung ended with that sentence, and now the sentence, with the same voice, same pitch, replayed in her head. A heavy feeling of guilt and remorse weighed her down with every repetition.

Guilt of what?

She didn’t know.

Or more like, she ought to not know.

Powerful force took Binna out of her train of thoughts as her body collided with another, causing her to slightly lose her balance. The grip on her forearm managed to keep her from the impact but she still struggled to stand up straight, her knees seemed to have given up from the haunting thoughts and flashbacks.

“Oh my god!” A masculine voice gasped. “My apologies, Madam Jeon.” It’s a voice she was familiar with but her blurry vision and messed-up mind made everything seem so hazy. She blinked once, twice, before slowly regaining her focus.

A guy. Oh.

“You look… tired and pale, Madam…” He voiced out with concern. “Are you alright? Do you want me to drive you home?” Cat-like eyes scanned Binna’s face worriedly, looking for any hint of pain or discomfort.

“No, I’m fine,” she squinted her eyes, finally making out the face of the familiar voice. “Jimin.”

Ah, Jimin. She shook her head in an attempt to spin everything into places.

“You should continue with your work. I’ll be fine on my way.”

Jimin didn’t seem to be persuaded enough by her words as he hesitated, his eyes bounced between Binna and his cabin. Sighing softly, Binna spoke again. “I’ll be heading home with my chauffeur.”

She smiled softly. “Don’t worry.”

Jimin visibly loosened up upon her words.

Jimin was a beautiful man, pretty; that’s what Binna thought when she first saw him. Jungkook was recruiting new men to, what he claimed, tighten the security. One glance was all it took to know that Jimin wasn’t the man suitable for what Jungkook had wanted but then again here he was, working for Jungkook. Jimin’s physique wasn’t as big as Jungkook’s criteria for his usual men, in fact, he was average. Muscles at the right place— perhaps from working out— but not enough to fit in Jungkook’s expectations.

Hell, he didn’t even have any experience in fighting.

But perhaps he has some now.

There wasn’t any exception made on him —for him to be working for Jungkook. It was his luck and skills that brought him to this day. Jungkook was observant and he saw potential in Jimin. As cliché as it sounded, that was it.

Jungkook was observant.

And he’s also an exploiter.

Jimin was a man with IQs and EQs above average, and a face carved by the god himself. He’s a cunning man. Jungkook knew Jimin would be of use for establishing deals and negotiating, and he was right. Jimin has his ways with people, from luring them into the trap to bringing them down by only a few words. He proved himself to be a useful man for Jungkook.

And now he’s Jungkook’s right-hand man, his most trusted man.

The delicious aroma of spicy stew filled the air as the stew was boiling. The savoury and pungent smell tickled Rika’s nose as she was chopping. The sweet-spicy smell combined with the smell of newly cooked rice, hot and steamy. Finishing her chopping, she put in a generous sprinkle of green onions before turning the stove off. The stew was thick and flaming red with a slight bit of orangey. It was a mouth-watering sight to behold.

Rika walked to the rice cooker with a bowl in hand. It was to kill time or her boredom, the reason she was in the kitchen and cooking dinner for herself and Jungkook. Footsteps approached her as she filled her bowl with rice. She knew it was none other than the housemaid, Mrs Chang or Nana.

Nana was cleaning the rooms on the second floor when she caught a whiff of spices. Someone was cooking. It was two weeks ago when Jungkook had ordered her to not cook dinner for him, only for Rika, and since it’s not her who’s cooking, then it must be Rika. He usually ate outside or missed his meal completely.

“Miss Rika,” Nana called out. “You don’t really have to cook…”

“It’s fine. I was bored anyways,” Rika told her. “I’ll wait for Jungkook before eating.”

“You don’t need to,” Nana shook her head softly. “Jungkook won’t be eating dinner here.”

Rika frowned. “Why not?”

“It’s what he has been doing since you came back, miss.”

Oh, that’s so very considerate of him. Might as well let her out to get some fresh air instead of being kept like a trophy and doing nothing like a doll in this huge house. Huge yet empty.

“Is that why the dinner portion is always for one person?” She noticed that.

Nana nodded which made Rika’s frown deepen. Back when she was with Jungkook, he would never skip his dinner no matter how busy he was. It was a sweet thought if it wasn’t for the fact that he was not technically in love with her. She was nothing but like a pig to slaughter. Now, he doesn't bother to do sweet or romantic gestures anymore. Not like she cared but it got her thinking; what changed?

She thought Jungkook’s portion of food was saved in the fridge only to be heated later. Never did it cross her mind that he ultimately avoided eating dinner at home. It’s not even just dinner. Jungkook went to work from morning until night every day. The only meal he had at home was breakfast, that too, occasionally.

Rika contemplated before asking again. “Even when (Y/N) was here before too?”

She needed to know. She needed to know what happened while you were here with the devil who was once your angel.

Nana tensed as your name left the young mistress’s lips. Rika noticed it. She knew how close you were with Nana — how close you and Jungkook were with Nana.

“He never…” Hesitation was evident but Nana braced herself. It was an unpleasant memory. “He never even eats (Y/N)’s cooking. Ever since you left he has never touched nor eaten the food she made.”

Sombreness swam in her eyes as she stared at the dining hall that was not too far of a distance from her. She looked ahead with a sad expression and said. “But if only he knew that his everyday breakfast; the pancake he’s so fond of was made by (Y/N) willingly with love as the secret ingredient. He had always loved her cooking, and I’m convinced he knew that was her cooking but kept it quiet and enjoyed it while he could but then again maybe he truly didn’t know.”

An air of melancholy surrounded them as Nana continued with a heavy heart. “But how could everything change overnight…?”

That night changed everything. Every last bit of hope was destroyed.

Flashback.

What’s the most powerful emotion of a human?

Anger.

Fear.

Surprise?

Anger was arguably one of the most powerful emotions. Anger could be both destructive and constructive. Anger was a natural, involuntary response from the brain, an adaptive response to threats.

Anger is a powerful emotion if not handled properly. Any emotion can be powerful if you let them control you instead of controlling them. Control is power, and power is the ability to control. When an emotion is deemed to be powerful, one needs to know how to control it. Failing to control your emotions leads to destruction.

And that was what happened to Jungkook.

You have always been a cautious person. You were careful to not trigger Jungkook. Growing up with him, you knew he developed anger issues but he’s currently working on it albeit that doesn’t give you a free pass to not be cautious anymore, given that one of his most prized possessions was gone, you sensed the anger in him every time. He may be calm outside but there’s always a limit to someone’s patience. Work wasn’t easy on him either. Now that Rika escaped and out of Jungkook’s security, anyone could abduct her and use her against Jungkook.

And one thing he hated was being threatened.

Work wasn’t easy on you either. You agreed —or were coerced to— and signed the NDA contract with Jungkook hence your everyday work was to track down Rika, her location, her movements, and her whereabouts. But like what had just been said, work wasn’t easy on you. Finding Rika wasn’t as easy as you had thought given that Rika was alone or accompanied by her lover only but maybe you were wrong all along.

Every time you almost obtain Rika’s exact location, the radar would always get disturbed. Not only it’s infuriating you but it’s stressing your brain. Someone was backing her up, you came to that conclusion. But it wouldn’t be too shocking. Looking back and analysing her escape plan, it wasn’t her pattern.

You also came to the conclusion that the person— or people— that helped Rika was an insider of Sinistres.

You have never underestimated your expertise in your field. You know what you were capable of, and whatever you weren’t capable of, you always try to make it your capability. Although all of these assumptions were just assumptions, they weren’t baseless, but regardless of anything, you wouldn’t tell a single soul a piece of your mind.

Tracing and tracking was your ultimate skill but not everyone knew of it. Your work progress couldn’t be disturbed by a no one. Your security, your codes, your patterns, not anyone has been able to figure and breakthrough before. Not even the community of Sinistres. The one who has been messing with you was someone with a higher intelligence level.

They managed to crack the code you could not.

They managed to break the pattern you could not.

They managed to do the things you could not with precision and perfection.

If it wasn’t a slap to your ego.

You couldn’t afford to make yet another mistake.

Time was ticking like a bomb for both you and Rika, but it was as if it was ticking faster for you. As if it’s ticking louder for you, repeatedly raising the anxiety in you. You were working on trying to figure out which wire to cut off and which not to deactivate the bomb.

Were you protecting Rika or were you protecting yourself?

Myself, of course.

From what? Or rather, who?

I’m protecting Rika.

Are you really? You’re working against her right now.

The time was ticking like a bomb only for you.

A soft calling of your name brought your attention back to reality. You had been staring into the space with a glass of water cradled around your fingers. The rim of the glass never touched your lips even though that was the intention. You put down the glass on the marble table as you brought your gaze to the voice.

“Nana,” you smiled.

“Something bothering you? You were out of it for a while,” she voiced her concern. “Is everything alright?”

No. Not at all— was what you wanted to say but a soft whisper of ‘yes’ came out of your mouth instead.

“Are you going to make dinner today?” Nana asked with hesitation thick in her voice.

You let out a sigh. “Not like he will eat it…”

At least not after Rika’s disappearance.

“Well? Maybe if you cook his favourite food, he will eat it?” Nana tried in an attempt to enlighten the mood. Her voice was light as she suggested.

But the outcome was dark.

If Nana could see the future, she wouldn’t suggest what she had just done. She would quickly oblige because little did she know that was the worst suggestion, the worst plan. As if she was pushing you to your own catastrophe.

It set Jungkook off. It was one of his triggers.

Explaining how you ended up here; pinned on the wall with a hand around your neck, dangerously strong enough to halt your lung from getting air supplies. A pair of eyes full of malice stared right into your soul.

“J-Jungkook—” You choked out.

Food was scattered everywhere. From bowls of rice to plates of his favourite food, everything has become a waste now as they made contact with the floor. Plates and bowls broke into pieces, and utensils were scattered around in random spots.

“You’re quite a brave woman aren’t you, (Y/N).” He drawled but each word was thick with venom as his grip tightened. “Instead of doing your work, you cooked dinner. Not the usual dinner, it’s what Rika used to cook and my favourite food. Tell me, what’s your purpose of cooking this and what’s the purpose of you being here, alive and not dead?”

Tears started to gather in your eyes from the pain of his words and the lack of air. His words cut deeper than a knife. His words affected you more than anyone, and he knew that.

But it made you want to laugh at his face too.

If it wasn’t for you, Rika wouldn’t know his favourite food, wouldn’t know how to cook it the way he liked it, wouldn’t know anything. You cooked everything he claimed to be his favourite before Rika. You cooked everything first before it was called “Rika’s”. Everything Rika did to make him happy was a copy and paste from you, from your list, your notes.

You stayed in your spot, didn’t try to stop him, words were unable to be spoken, albeit it was threatening to spill. Your vision began to blur with tears as your lungs were burning from lack of oxygen.

A single tear escaped your eye.

In an instant, you felt the suffocation around your throat lessened. The dark orbs of his that were once filled with pure unadulterated rage and malice have turned to something else. It’s unreadable— unreadable emotions swirled in his eyes. His eyebrows crashed together as he retreated his hand slowly.

Was it guilt?

Remorse?

A loud call of Jungkook’s name echoed throughout the house. It was the deep voice you were familiar with. Heavy footsteps were heard storming into the area you and Jungkook were in.

A few minutes ago.

The only language in the car was silence, accompanied by the faint sound of the engine. Through the window, Binna stared ahead at the verdant panorama. She was in the car along with Taehyung. The young man wanted to tag along for the sole purpose of business negotiations with Jungkook. Ever since Rika ran away, things were starting to go downhill on the latter’s side and he hadn't been answering the calls so Taehyung had to go and meet him personally.

As for Binna, she was a mother, and it was morally right to be concerned for her own son. Rika wasn’t her concern but she was linked to Jungkook, she was his happiness and the love of his life that he claimed her to be.

The car passed the long roads surrounded by nothing but verdant scenery and entered the spacious open area where Jungkook’s mansion was located.

“His yard is like a blank canvas,” Binna commented suddenly, making Taehyung lift his head to look over what she meant. “With the tiniest and shortest stroke of paint.”

It was the garden you had built. That was the only paint on the big blank canvas.

A humorous chuckle escaped Taehyung’s lips as he returned his focus to his device. “He’s a busy man. Decorating his yard is probably the least of his concern.”

It’s always the same excuse, why did she even bother asking? Letting out an uninterested hum, she asked. “I heard Jungkook is planning to move out?”

Taehyung halted his action and frowned. “Where to?”

“Not sure.” Binna shrugged. “Jimin told me that he might move to somewhere more remote.”

“Jimin told you.” He repeated. “As if his current location is not remote enough.”

His last sentence came out as a mumbling but Binna heard it clearly but she made no comment on it. She agreed with him.

“Maybe it was one of his backup plans in case of anything,” Taehyung said and brought his attention back to his phone. “Let’s just ask him once we arrive.”

“If he is at the house,” Binna said, sharply emphasising the possibility of her son being somewhere else but the mansion.

“Surely (Y/N) will be there,” Taehyung said as a matter of fact.

Binna cast a side glance at the young man. “That’s not the point.”

“It is the side point. If Jungkook isn’t around, (Y/N) will surely be around and able to answer your questions.”

“Jungkook is always out and about for work, and (Y/N) is his right-hand woman.” She doesn’t know why she was bothered by this whole conversation. “There is still a possibility of her not being there at the mansion. You sound so certain she’ll be there as if she’s jobless.”

Taehyung stilled before slowly lifting his head but kept his gaze ahead, not turning to face Binna. “You forgot that Park Jimin is also Jungkook’s right-hand man.”

“Still—”

The screen of his device blackened as he turned it off and shoved it into his pocket. Just as if he knew they'd arrived, the chauffeur announced their arrival at Jungkook’s house. The announcement cut off Binna’s arguments immediately.

“We’ve arrived, madam and sir.”

Taehyung didn’t wait for the chauffeur to open the door as he immediately got out of the car. Fixing his suit, he walked into Jungkook’s house.

Thankfully the door was not locked.

Binna looked at Taehyung’s figure walking into the house, bewildered. With a sigh, she stepped out of the car when the chauffeur opened the door. The ring of her phone halted her steps. She took out her phone from the purse and checked the caller ID.

A frown found its way to Binna’s forehead as she read the caller ID.

Jung Hoseok.

She answered the call and pressed the phone to her ear. “Jung Hoseok.”

“Binna,” a man’s deep voice was heard as he repeated the formality. His voice was void of any friendliness. “I’ll get straight to the point; Beware of Kim Taehyung.”

A pause, and then, he added. “Keep a close eye on him. It’s better if you could get a hold of his weakness too. Keep this from Jungkook too.”

Then, the line was cut off.

Binna sighed. Her thumb scrolled through her contacts to search for the person. Once she found the contact she immediately made a phone call. Connecting to call after a few rings, the other person greeted Binna formally but the latter didn’t have the time for formalities.

“Details of Kim Taehyung.”

Taehyung strode into the house and he was met with everything but the people of the house, not even Mrs Chang was in his sight. He battled with himself whether to just wait or call Jungkook. He was sure there were at least Mrs Chang and you at the house. He knew everything that happened between you and Jungkook and knowing the man, the rule was established; he forbade you from leaving this house until further notice.

Not long after, Binna joined Taehyung in the living room.

“Are they not around?” She asked.

“The door was unlocked when I came in,” Taehyung answered.

“Mrs Chang should be somewhere around then,” Binna suggested. She called out the elder’s name only to be responded with nothing but silence. Another attempt and still met with silence.

Taehyung sauntered around the spacious area but stopped when he heard faint hasty footsteps heading towards the living room. He turned in the direction of the footsteps and there was Mrs Chang.

Binna looked relieved as she approached the nanny. “Mrs Chang—”

“M-Madam! Taehyung,” she was out of breath and frightened. “(Y/N), J—Jungkook, he—”

As soon as your name spilt from her lips, Taehyung became alert. “What happened?”

He tried to not show his panic but it involved you. His voice was stable and clear but his heart was palpitating wildly against his rib cage. The world be damned, you were the only thing that mattered to him. You were the only calm and peace in his life.

Mrs Chang could only point towards the dining room. She couldn’t trust her quivering lips to form a sentence correctly. She was horrified and guilt weighed down her heart.

Had she not suggested anything, this wouldn’t have happened.

Taehyung left the living room as his feet took huge steps at a time. Within a couple of strides, he arrived at the dining room and, he was met with a dreadful situation; you were pinned to the wall by Jungkook. Tears gathered in your eyes but you put up no fights against the bigger figure who’s pressing you to the wall.

A loud call of his name left Taehyung’s lips. Heavy footsteps stormed into the room and almost immediately the pressure around your neck was gone completely. A huge sense of relief washed over you as Taehyung pulled you into his arms.

“Are you out of your goddamn mind?” He snarled. Taehyung was livid. The way the veins on his neck were prominently popping out and his voice turned harsher and rougher gave it all. “Know where the line is drawn, Jeon. I won’t hesitate to kill you if you cross the line. Touch a strand of her hair again, consider yourself dead.”

You heard a faint gasp but you couldn’t make out who it was.

“Is that a threat, Kim?”

“You can take it as one or I can make it a challenge.”

Jungkook’s face hardened. He hated being threatened and Taehyung hit just that.

You clutched on his dress shirt in desperation, signalling him to stop and he understood. A pained expression was all over your face and he hated it. He hated the fact that despite the pain you went through, you were still letting Jungkook off the hook.

“Might I remind you that (Y/N) belongs to me, bound by the contract. Stay. Out. Of. This.”

“Maybe you need a reminder that (Y/N) is your childhood friend. Your only friend that has known you since you were 10. She should be someone who’s precious in your life, and you’d do anything to protect her and not attack her.”

Taehyung’s words made you burst into silent tears. Everything was a mess; nothing was right.

Perhaps, letting Rika go was not the wisest decision. The most foolish choice you had ever made.

If only you didn’t let her escape. your relationship with Jungkook wouldn’t have—

Taehyung’s soft squeeze on your arms pulled you out of your intrusive thoughts. Your eyes gazed at his arms that were holding you close to him. He held you with great security, it filled your body with a sense of calmness. Everything around you doesn’t seem to matter. It just faded.

You felt safe in his arms.

You felt safe from Jungkook.

No…

You shouldn’t.

Right?

You should not.

How could you?

That would make him a monster.

“Everything he said that day, he meant it. Fail to bring Rika in front of him in the time period he had set, you will die in his hand.” Taehyung stared into your glossy eyes.

“N-No, he wouldn’t.” You told him.

“Why are you lying to yourself, (Y/N)?”

Jungkook was the definition of the word safe but now you felt anything but safe whenever he was present. His presence doesn’t give you the comfort, the giddiness it used to. You have always walked on thin ice around him ever since.

He had proved that friendship held no importance.

He had proved that you were replaceable.

Useful while it lasted, discarded when useless.

End of flashback.

“That night changed everything, and I remember everything crystal clear. After that incident, Jungkook stormed out of the house with Madam Binna following him. Taehyung brought (Y/N) to her room and aided her. There was a little bickering between them but it toned down soon after and that was when Taehyung finally left.”

Nana assisted Rika with her plating and went over to prepare the table. It was silent for a few moments and Rika didn’t dare to speak another word as well. As if paying respect, she swallowed any questions she had and remained silent. She went over to the table for her dinner.

“Later that night…” Nana began again. “She came into my room. No words were exchanged but all I knew she was seeking warmth and comfort and I didn’t hesitate to give her exactly that. That night was probably the quietest she had ever been. She was so vulnerable that I didn’t dare to speak. I was afraid to speak. The last time I spoke, I brought her to her own catastrophe.”

The utensils were placed on the table, and the plates of dishes were served for Rika. She sat on the chair and picked up a spoon. Nana continued. “She manipulated herself.”

Rika immediately halted her actions. She looked over at Nana with confusion clear as a day on her face. The nanny took it as her cue to continue again. “She told herself lies after lies that Jungkook didn’t mean what he said; that he said those in the heat of the moment; that he was stressed and tired. She told herself those lies and her mind processed them as the truths.”

“I… I didn’t know what to do,” she stammered. Clearly that past still had a strong emotional effect on her. “It was devastating for me. I put her in this situation and I couldn’t do anything to help her.”

“Nana…” Rika softly called. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“That’s what (Y/N) told me too,” she said. “But it’s hard. Every day I live with the guilt of knowing I had ruined a precious friendship. I had taken away any chances left to fix the friendship.”

Rika rose from her seat and walked over to Nana. She felt like she owed Nana a hug and she did just that. Arms wrapped around her neck, Rika whispered. “It’s not your fault, Nana. Never was. You were always there for (Y/N) and that’s enough.”

With a shaky breath, she whispered. “Everything is my fault.”

Had I not run away.

“Go, Rika.” You breathed.

“What—”

“Take my car and go!” You repeated with slight urgency in your voice. “Jungkook’s car is coming at a high speed. Take my car right now and drive to wherever you were planning to.”

Rika’s eyes bounced between you and a bunch of cars coming their way, clearly baffled at your decision. She tried to pull your forearm but you quickly backed away.

“I can’t leave Jungkook.” You muttered, head lowered. “I grew up half of my life being by his side. Leaving him is the last thing on earth I would do.”

“But Jungkook will—!”

“I’ll deal with Jungkook.” You cut her off. “But this will be the last time, Rika. Jungkook will eventually find you, with or without my assistance. I’m merely buying you time.”

The sound of the cars’ engines was nearing you and your heartbeat was becoming clearer in your ears. You could see that Rika wanted to protest but before she had the chance to, you ordered sternly.

“Get in the car now!”

You sacrificed yourself for her sake.

The amount of love you have for Jungkook was out of the world. In her entire years of living, not once has she witnessed a person to have ever loved someone, the way you loved Jungkook. Your love for him or even his whole existence was irreplaceable in your life. Your love for him was strong. If you were given the option of whether to live with luxury alone or to die in poverty with Jungkook, you’d pick the latter.

‘I’m the cause of her suffering’

The sun has set down from the sky, exchanging shifts with the stars as now it was the stars' job to brighten up the night sky. Working people were probably battling traffic jams as they rushed to their homes. It’s been hours since the sun had set, and Jungkook has yet to return.

In her room, Rika paced back and forth relentlessly as she held a phone to her ear. She has been dialling the same number over and over but it would direct her to the voicemail.

“Answer the damn phone,” she grumbled.

She glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. It has passed midnight a few minutes ago. Huffing, she dialled the number again for the last time — before she completely gave up. Her mind was in a state of mess. The person she has been calling wouldn’t answer her calls and she was walking on thin ice as she waited for Jungkook to come home.

The original plan was to call the person after Jungkook had returned and headed to bed but not a single thing went accordingly. She received no information that Jungkook would be home late. Usually, his men would kindly inform her of his delay but not today.

Right when Rika was about to pull her phone away from her ear, the other person picked up. “Taehyung!”

“What is so important that you blew up my phone?” Taehyung spoke. From the tone of his voice, it was clear that he was irritated.

“Where’s (Y/N)?” She went straight to the point.

There was a pregnant silence before he quipped. “I’m hurt. You call me just to ask about her?”

“Answer my question, Taehyung.”

“Hmm, should I?” He drawled.

“Please,” she pleaded. “Tell me where she is. I need to meet her. I owe her and I plan to repay her.”

“No.” He said with a clipped voice. “You can repay her by sitting obediently like a doll at Jungkook’s house. Do not plan another escape, marry Jungkook and maybe start counting your days.”

“I’d rather kill myself than die in his hand,” she bit back.

“Go on,” he didn’t miss a beat. “I want to see you try.”

Rika went silent and he knew it was nothing but empty words. It amused him. Rika was nothing but naive and innocent— selfish and a fucking coward.

“Just… Let me meet her,” Rika muttered softly. “Please. I want to know if she’s fine and well.”

“She’s fine,” he answered.

“I don't want to hear it from you. Anyone can lie. I want to hear it from her. I want to see her saying that she is fine. I beg of you, please,” she pleaded desperately, hoping it would change Taehyung’s mind.

But who was she kidding?

She was speaking to Kim Taehyung.

The Kim Taehyung.

Not the businessman Kim Taehyung, but the Sins, Kim Taehyung.

The Sins; one of the most powerful and feared gangs in the history of the crime organisation. A group that used the seven deadly sins as their code names.

Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Envy, Greed, Lust, and lastly, Gluttony.

Their real names and identities were unknown and kept as classified information. Only authorised people have the access to their information and that too, was a small group of people. The Sins were known to be very secretive yet deadly. The stories that followed the Sins have never been the brightest ones. They were a bunch of predators and their targets were nothing but prey. The stories and rumours that followed them would always be nothing but negative.

Kim Taehyung was one of the predators.

Which? She doesn’t know.

Everyone knew Taehyung as a respected, powerful businessman, but everything was nothing but an act. It was a masquerade. He has been deceiving everyone. He was Jungkook’s enemy. They did not belong in the same circle. Taehyung had been with Jungkook for the longest time, and he presumably already had gathered enough information to use against Jungkook or the simplest term; his weakness.

But knowing Taehyung, he liked to pretend inferiority— which in this case was to work under Jungkook— and encourage his ignorance. Attack your enemy when he is unprepared, appear where you were not expected.

Was Jungkook really oblivious to the act Taehyung had put up?

Did he really not know?

Did you not know, too?

The biggest enemy was Taehyung but you and Jungkook had no idea.

She should tell them—

Silly.

She did not survive this long only to die in Taehyung’s hand.

No matter how Taehyung would always have the upper hand. He had Jaehyun, Rika’s lover, wrapped around his fingers but even without him, Taehyung could easily overpower her.

Those who knew too much needed to be silent, by hook or by crook.

Taehyung was a monster second to Jungkook in Rika's eyes. He was a heartless and cruel person, but at the end of the day, he was still a human. A human with each their own weakness.

But does she dare to call it his weakness?

Taehyung disguised his weakness as his strength. He perfected his imperfection, hence he became perfectly imperfect.

You.

You were his weakness. The only person who owned the soft spot in him was you.

"You won't meet her, talk to her, and that's final," Taehyung declared. "How about you worry your little head with the wedding preparations?"

"Screw. You."

"You should really learn to think before you speak, Rika. Naive and dumb as ever," he said. "It's fine, perhaps you are tired and forgot about it. I'm just going to remind you that I'll be coming to the wedding."

"Even Jaehyun will be coming," he added.

She knew Taehyung was wearing that stupid smug grin on his face. "N-No, he won't... Please, don't let him come to the wedding. Don't drag him into this mess!"

"Sadly, you don't get to make the final decision."

The call ended.

"You–" She pulled her phone away from her ear only to see that he had ended the call. "God damn it..."

She paced around the room again as she tried to reach Taehyung again. Her thoughts were all over the place. She glanced at the clock again and she froze.

Why didn't she hear the door creak open?

The moment her gaze fell on the clock, it also fell on the familiar figure at the door. Panic crawled into her body as colours drained from her face.

"Who were you talking to?"

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