A SMILE IN THE MIND || VK

3

Jeongguk being shocked was an understatement. The man couldn't utter a word completely. He had wide eyes and his mouth was left a little ajar. He was in an utter daze. He didn't know what to say after looking at the man in front of him. Thanks, to the mask he had been wearing right after he got out of the car. He covered his facial expressions. He was brought back out of his daze when he heard someone clearing his throat. 

He immediately regained his posture and maintained his expression, stoic. He was a professional bouncer after all. 

"So Jeongguk-" Namjoon looked a bit hesitant now but he continued anyway. " He is Kim Taehyung, My cousin, a Little to be exact." Namjoon introduced Jeongguk to the person who was clinging to Namjoon for his dear life. He looked child-like yet cute in those oversized clothes. 

"He is 22" Namjoon then stated, making Jeongguk acknowledge the fact that he is a year younger than him. 

Jeongguk wasn't going to say anything but he could sense the discomfort in the air. "Look Jeongguk, he isn't going to be a trouble for you. You just have to help him follow his routine. He is quiet and timid so, he won't mostly bother you at all. You just have to make sure he is not left alone in dark areas or on rainy days. He is afraid of them." Namjoon expressed, hugging the boy to himself, who wasn't ready to face a stranger. 

Jeongguk said nothing. He had a lot of things running in his head. He wasn't in the state of mind to choose. On one hand, he has to be there for his daughter and on the other hand, he has to take care of his daughter along with a man, who is a little with better pay and facilities. He sure has heard about littles but he never came across one. 

"If it's a yes, I'll explain to you further about your work. If it's a no, it's still fine." Namjoon smiled, hoping for the best. 

Jeongguk sat there silently, quietly observing the boy in front of him. " I have a daughter" He blurted out outta nowhere making Namjoon arch his brows to see if he heard it right. 

"What-" Namjoon tried to confirm if he heard that right. "I have a daughter, sir. She is my first priority. I can't leave her alone for this, though it doesn't sound bad" Jeongguk stated. Namjoon bit his lips and silence engulfed the room. 

After 5 mins, Namjoon shifted in his place and saw how the little one fell asleep in his arms. He looked at Jeongguk, who sat there, attentive. A lot of thoughts ran through his head as well. As Jeongguk mentioned, he can't be selfish to let the daughter drift away from his father in the initial stages but he trusts no one but Jeongguk in this matter. 

He nodded his head when he thought of something. " Jeongguk, you can move in with me," he said out loud, making Jeongguk look amused at him this time. "No, sir. I can't do that. That'd be wrong." Jeongguk stated, politely, not intending to invade anyone's privacy. 

Namjoon shook his head trying out to explain to the younger. "I completely understand that you have a daughter that is your priority as much as taehyung is to me. I have no problem if you move in with her here. I live alone here. Taehyung's parents would visit him every week or two. there wouldn't be any trouble. I can raise your pay if you need. Everything is on me, You just have to be there for him. Give him company though he doesn't ask for it. He is not at all hard to handle, count me on that." Namjoon insisted with pleading eyes, trying to stop Jeongguk from denying anything further. 

"This is the only thing I am asking, Jeongguk. Be here for a week, spend time with him. After that, if you don't like the job, you are free to live. I promise I wouldn't hold any grudges" Namjoon joked, trying to clear the tension between them.

Jeongguk licked his lips, behind his mask and looked down on his lap. This is gonna help him pay off the debts he has, and buy new stuff for Ji-ah. As much as he thought about it, It sound bad and what could possibly go wrong? This was better than being a bouncer which is quite risky to deal with.