Purple Tiger [Taekook] ✓

Chapter 12

Jungkook slumps back on the chair as if all strength had left him. His heart pounds and every breath starts to hurt. He wasn't expecting what Mina just confirmed to him.

"I'm so sorry...I thought Taehyung already told you..."

Mina isn't just pretending; she really feels guilty. Full of tension, she sits across from Jungkook and looks at him desperately. She has clenched her hands into fists and placed them on her thighs. Nervously, she chews on her lower lip and hopes that Jungkook will no longer keep quiet. Because, this prevailing silence between them, is much worse than reproach. But, to her surprise, Jungkook remains calm without any accusation.

"It's all right, you couldn't have known. If it were me, I would have assumed that Taehyung told me about it too...but he didn't..."

Jungkook doesn't feel anger, much more a disappointment that Taehyung kept it from him. But, the longer he thinks about it, the more he realizes that they've never really talked about their past, let alone their previous relationships.

After all, he has also refused to tell Tae anything about Yuna's mother. In this train of thought, the feeling of disappointment slowly dissipates and turns into a feeling of uncertainty instead. There are definitely some things that urgently need to be clarified in their relationship.

"No, I should have been more careful. I'm really sorry..." Mina apologizes in a voice that threatens to break away at any moment.

Jungkook doesn't want to blame Mina and he lets her feel that by placing a hand on hers, slowly unclenching the fist with his fingers to hold it tight. He wants to take away some of her guilt, which actually works through this small gesture.

Mina takes a deep breath, releasing the lump in her throat that was threatening to turn into a waterfall.

"Please, go on about what you came for. Is Taehyung in trouble?"

"No...well...actually..."

She struggles to find words and exhales audibly. After her sigh, Jungkook begins to understand that this conversation isn't about Taehyung alone, but also about herself.

"I'm sorry, it wasn't fair to pressure you like that. Please, start all over again. I'll let you finish from now on."

Her smile is tinged with relief and gratitude, and indeed the words in her head gradually begin to form into meaningful sentences.

"I made a mistake, Mr. Jeon...and I want to apologize to you and Taehyung."

She has managed to suppress crying, but not that one tear that rolls down her cheek like a shining pearl. Jungkook continues to hold her hand, patiently waiting for her to start talking further on her own.

"Hyo-seop was planning to win him back, but Taehyung didn't want to hear that. He tried to make it clear more than once but Hyo-seop still didn't want to believe it. Unfortunately, he then dragged me into something that I feel very guilty about to this day."

Jungkook nods wordlessly, though he's internally charged with tension and dozens of questions.

"He wanted me to spy on Taehyung because he didn't want Hyo-seop to be a part of his private life anymore. In return, he offered me money that I desperately needed. You know, I also have a little daughter. She's just three years old...but unfortunately she has to grow up without a father...and...I have to take care of her alone."

Jungkook is very surprised that Mina also has a daughter, but for this very reason, he can understand her actions in a certain way. He himself would do anything for Yuna's well-being. A few years ago, he had money troubles of his own, but he made it out of the deep hole. He wishes the same for Mina. He may be mad at the time, but not at her, but at that fucking asshole.