IN THE NAME OF LOVE | TAEGUK

ten.

—jeongguk's perspective.

as taehyung and his friend disappeared into the kitchen, my eyes wandered around the small yet cozy living room, precisely analyzing it.

however, there wasn't much to analyze since there were barely any decorations, just some most needed things a living room has to contain. a small lcd television, a fireplace, a tuxedo couch, a little coffee table in the middle and a brown nylon carpet spread over the wooden floor.

i sighed, feeling sad and guilty as most of their hard-earned money was already hiding inside my father's wallet. since my father's one of the most powerful men in the country, it was a well-known fact that he also owned a small piece of the taxes and rents collected from the citizens. citizens like taehyung and jimin.

guess, that's the main reason why taehyung probably needed the money that urgent?

i sighed, observing the small room until my eyes landed on a photo frame fixed on the bare wall of the room, portraying jimin and taehyung in it.

they both were laughing while looking at each other with their hands thrown over each other's shoulders. they seemed to have a really strong friendship. probably jimin was taehyung's new family after his parents left him. 

but i still couldn't understand why they would do this to him. taehyung's such a sweet guy and i was sure he was also a very nice son to his parents. he didn't deserve to be treated like that.

i bite my bottom lip, my gaze travelling down to my feet as i felt my eyes tearing up. "jeongguk, your water— hey, are you okay?" taehyung's gentle voice startled me as i quickly blinked my eyes, trying to hold back my tears.

i looked up at him, meeting his worried gaze. "i'm fine, thanks for the water." i flashed him a small smile, taking the glass of water he was holding in front of me.

"are you sure?" he asked before sitting down beside me. "i mean, your face is clearly proving the opposite, you know?"

i chuckled. "no, i am fine, really." i managed to speak without stuttering and mentally sighed in relief once he smiled back a pretty, pretty smile.

"hey guys, i would have really loved to spend some time with you, but i have to head to work, i'm really sorry." the hectic voice of jimin echoed through the small living room as he threw a coat over his body.

"huh? today? i thought you were free today?" taehyung asked, his voice coated with confusion.

"i know, i know." taking his shoes out of the shoe rack, jimin sat on a small stool in the foyer area, buckling his shoelaces as he sighed. "but my boss messaged me recently and told me that he needs help at the gas station." he explained while grabbing the key from the key holder.

taehyung groaned. "can't he ask someone else? you're always the one who makes overtime!" he whined.

jimin sighed, yet again. "taehyung, i- we need money. the rent is due this month." the beta spoke with a stern voice this time and again, the feeling of guilt ran throughout my body. "well, i have to go—"

"wait!" raising myself from the couch, i stopped him, who looked back at me, confused as i continued searching in my pocket. "here, take this please." i spoke once i found some money while he just stared at it with big eyes.

i looked at him as he shook his head. "no, i can't take this, jeongguk—"

"please, i'm trying to help you as a friend." i sighed. "and i'm sure you need it more than i do." i approached him, almost begging while he glanced at the money for a short amount of time before facing me again.