Stolen sweetheart |kth × jjk| taekookff

36

Taehyung stood by the office window, arms folded tightly, staring out at the drizzle painting soft lines against the glass. After that birthday incident, they hadn't talked. So seeing the scene in front of him was triggering him in ways he couldn't describe.

He heard Jungkook's voice before he saw him.

"Thanks, Chulsoo. Just leave the files on my desk."

Chulsoo? Taehyung blinked and turned.

The man beside Jungkook was striking.

Tall, refined features, a pretty face. He looked like a model than a secretary — but the professional confidence in his posture made it clear he was more than just his looks.

"Mr. Kim," Chulsoo said with a respectful nod, voice low and smooth. "It's an honor to meet you. CEO Jeon has mentioned you quite a lot."

Taehyung's eyes flicked toward Jungkook, who was busy checking his watch.

Jungkook added casually, "He's new. Started last week. Has been handling things well."

Taehyung forced a smile, fingers curling slightly against his arm. "Right."

"Let's talk later?" Jungkook said, distracted, already halfway through his emails on his phone.

Taehyung's tone was clipped. "Sure. You always say that."

Jungkook glanced at him, briefly annoyed. "Tae, darling, later please."

Taehyung didn't respond. He turned around and walked out of the room without another word.

Taehyung didn't speak further as he walked out, his steps brisk, his jaw tight.

Behind him, Chulsoo glanced at Jungkook with slight hesitation. "Should I follow up on the marketing report, sir?"

Jungkook sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah. Email it to me by the evening."

Chulsoo bowed slightly and left the room without another word.

Jungkook remained still for a moment, the atmosphere lingering like a bad aftertaste. He hated when Taehyung looked at him like that — disappointed, distant, like a wound he couldn't reach to heal. It made him feel like a stranger in his own life.

But things were hard enough. The company's sudden losses, investor pressure, his own spiraling stress. And Taehyung's behavior lately wasn't helping. He didn't know what the hell was wrong — just that something had shifted again.

Later that day, the office was buzzing with preparations for the upcoming dinner party that Jungkook's father had insisted on — a "celebration" for landing the new international investor deal. Taehyung had overheard the announcement, not from Jungkook, but from one of the interns whispering in the hallway.

That stung more than he cared to admit.

Still, he got ready like always. He wore the soft cream suit Jungkook had once complimented him on. Hyunwoo was left with the nanny early that evening. Taehyung didn't feel like smiling, but he'd already gotten too good at pretending.

The party was held at the grand hall of the Jeon Corporation tower — everything glittered and sparkled under the chandelier lights. Soft classical music played while people in polished suits and dresses clinked champagne glasses and made polite small talk.

Taehyung kept his distance at first.

Until he saw Jungkook, standing by the far table surrounded by board members, a subtle smile on his face.

And Chulsoo — of course — standing right behind him, calm and observant, like an extension of Jungkook's shadow.

Taehyung's stomach twisted.

When Jungkook finally noticed him and walked over, Taehyung straightened his spine.

"Looking beautiful," Jungkook said lightly, eyes grazing over him.

"Thanks. You didn't tell me about the party," Taehyung replied coolly, taking a small sip of juice from the glass in his hand.

"I didn't think you'd want to come," Jungkook replied with a shrug. "Things have been...tense."

Taehyung scoffed under his breath. "Right. That explains why your new secretary knows more about your schedule than I do."

Jungkook's eyes narrowed slightly, but before he could say anything, a group of foreign investors walked up to them, congratulating Jungkook and pulling him into conversation. Chulsoo smoothly stepped in to translate and mediate, always at Jungkook's side.

Taehyung stood beside him — invisible.

Even when he smiled politely. Even when he tried to talk. Jungkook would respond only when others were present, his hand never reaching for Taehyung's like before, his eyes never meeting his for longer than a second.

It burned.

It fucking burned.

⸻

Toward the End of the Party

Taehyung had had enough.

He walked up to Jungkook during a brief lull in conversation, voice firm but quiet. "Can we talk? Now?"

Jungkook's eyes darted toward Chulsoo. "Can you give us a moment?"

Chulsoo nodded and stepped aside.

Taehyung pulled Jungkook near the corner of the hall, out of earshot. His chest rose and fell with slow frustration. "I've been trying, Jungkook. I've been patient. I've given you space. But I'm not a piece of your schedule you get to ignore."

"I'm not ignoring you," Jungkook replied tightly. "You're the one who's been cold to me for weeks. You shut me out. You snapped at me. And now you're angry I didn't chase after you hard enough?"

"You think I wanted to be like that?" Taehyung bit back, voice low and trembling. "I'm scared, Jungkook. I'm terrified. And you don't even ask why I've been avoiding your touch or why I cry in the nursery at night."

"You never gave me the chance," Jungkook snapped, then immediately regretted it.

Taehyung flinched. His lips parted to reply — but—

Hyunwoo's cries echoed through the hall.

Everyone turned their heads.

The nanny, who had just arrived with the baby for the final toast, was struggling to soothe him.

Taehyung's heart jumped.

He moved instantly, weaving through the startled guests, pushing past whispers and glances.

"Shh... baby, it's okay. Mommy's here," he whispered, scooping Hyunwoo into his arms.

The baby immediately quieted, still hiccuping between sobs, tiny fists grasping Taehyung's collar as he buried his head in his chest.

Taehyung swayed gently, holding him tight, not even looking back at Jungkook.

Their conversation ended –yet again with no mutual understanding.