The Perfect Chemistry || Jungkook FF [Complete ✔]

Chapter 14 | "Control yourself, kid."

"Losers finally assemble."

Ruben, the boys' classmate, entered the frame looking thin and grumpy. His normally pale skin was even paler than usual, and his face was drawn tight with fatigue. His brown eyes were ringed with dark circles. He had never been the type to comb his hair, and it was always naturally dishevelled. His unruly locks were sticking up in all directions, making him look like he had just awoken from a deep sleep.

He was typically accompanied by his confidant, trouble.

"Do you need some energy drink? I swear I saw Hoe-suck limping when he lifted that small, empty box." He smirked.

"Get lost, Ruben." Jeongguk warned.

"Can't. I'm a student here." Ruben grinned.

"You are not part of the exhibition. So leave." Naomi interfered, much to his dismay.

He glared at her. "Tsk... Looks who is talking. Outsiders," He surveyed the gallery and uttered in disdain, "This is such a waste. We all know this charity event is nothing but a fluke. You are just feeding off the rich," he sauntered towards the others and scoffed,

"You all are just being the rich pawn. You sell it to the rich, they don't have to pay tax, and everyone will be going to be damn happy at the end of the day." He grinned wryly.

The room fell into a resounding silence as he spoke the bitter truth.

Jeongguk's anger began to swell. He was already a walking calm Hulk, but Ruben's tone only stoked the flames of his rage. Jeongguk marched a foot but was instantly blocked by Y/N. She shook her head, a clear signal not to cause any more commotion.

"My oh my... isn't it the nerd," Ruben sneered, changing his target, locked on Y/N. "Acting as his bodyguard huh? "Ruben's eyes sparkled with mischief as he continuously basked in his own foolishness.

"Tell me... are you a good f- buddy?"

In a split second, a fist smacked his face. He staggered back, groaning in pain. He stumbled, eventually falling to the ground as the girls watching the altercation let out a collective shriek.

But he quickly got back to his feet, his expression a mix of anger and pain. His fists were clenched and he lunged towards Jeongguk, grabbing his sweater collar and raising his arm, ready to retaliate with a punch of his own.

... until Professor Namjoon then shouted from across the room.

"Ruben!"

His voice was loud enough to stop the impending brawl and calm both boys down. Ruben released Jeongguk's collar and spat, "You are lucky... for now."

He glared at each and every person in the room before marching to the exit, his heavy footsteps echoing off the walls. He paused midway, lifting his foot and viciously kicking several boxes on the floor, sending them flying in all directions and creating a chaotic mess.

With a satisfied smirk, he finally turned and left with the door slamming shut behind him.

"Tsk. Petty." Hoseok huffed under his breath.

Professor Namjoon shook his head in frustration, as he was well aware of Ruben's lack of manners and his tendency to start an unnecessary conflict. All the faculty members knew.

He placed a hand on Jeongguk's back and said, "Control yourself, kid. Anger is hard to control. Especially facing people who can't control their stupidity."

His professor's wise words eased him, a little bit.

Everyone then went back to their tasks, undeterred by the mini-drama that had just occurred. They were determined to make sure the opening day of the exhibition went off without a hitch.

Later that evening...

As nightfall approached, Jeongguk, along with his team members Taehyung and Hoseok, were still working diligently to rearrange the exhibition room.

However, their progress was abruptly hindered midway when Professor Namjoon accidentally shattered a sculpture pedestal. This incident caused a considerable delay in their efforts, leaving them with much less time to finish the task.

Taehyung, feeling the exhaustion of the night, poutingly asked Jeongguk, "Can we take a break now?"

"Tae, you go first. I think I need to finish this."

"We should go together. You haven't been resting since this morning. Come on man. Take a rest, charge yourself up and we will come back early in the morning." Suggested Taehyung.

Jeongguk heaved a deep sigh and slowly pivoted towards Taehyung. Fearful of being reprimanded, the poor man swallowed down the lump in his throat. He was then met with an icy side glance from Jeongguk.

"If you want to eat, just go. If you want to go home, just go. If you want to sleep, just go." Jeongguk said in a gruff voice.

Hoseok and Taehyung shared a look of worry as they watched Jeongguk work tirelessly, his exhaustion apparent. He pushed on despite the emotional and physical fatigue for unknown reasons. But his determination was unmistakable, like a driver speeding down a highway.

Hoseok and Taehyung decided to try to persuade Jeongguk to take a break, but more gently this time.

"Jeongguk-ah. I know it's been a stressful day today. But I think-"

Jeongguk's phone chimed in his pocket. He fished it out and read the incoming email.

FROM: Woojin00@gmail.com

MESSAGE: "Oppa..."

Jeongguk read down the whole message, his brows arched and then he cussed out loudly.

"The F-!!!"

His rage had been simmering all day, and the message seemed to be the final spark that set off a wildfire.

He balled his hands into tight fists before snatching a paint can and hurling it at the wall. The can exploded in an eruption of red, the colour of fury. It mirrored the rage blazing in his eyes, which were bloodshot with fury.

Hoseok's eyes widened in fear as he watched Jeongguk's sudden outburst of violence. His heart raced aggressively. He had no idea what was going on. Taehyung was standing a few feet away, his body rigid as he felt a chill run down his spine. He too had never seen Jeongguk act this way before and it scared him.

Then, a small frailed voice disturbed the chilling silence in the gallery.

"Gguk-ie...?"

"What the f- do you want!?"

Jeongguk whirled around, his expression morphing from rage to off-guard. His voice had been harsh and cutting before, but it quickly dissipated into a gentle murmur as soon as he recognized who it was.

"Y/N-ah..."

To be continued...