The One He Tried To Forget | 18+ |

17

WARNING

This chapter contains implied assault which could be triggering for some readers. Please do not proceed if this subject matter is distressing to you. Also, despite our warning at the beginning of Chapter 1 and our request for readers under 18 to exit this story immediately, we are aware that some have stayed and continued to read. This warning serves as our final notice that this story is for a mature audience. If you are under 18 and reading this notice, KINDLY EXIT NOW AND REMOVE THIS BOOK COMPLETELY FROM YOUR PUBLIC AND/OR PRIVATE READING LISTS.

*********

Jin continued to half-carry and half-lead Jung Kook into the unit that they just entered. When they got to the living room, he lowered Jung Kook onto the fine leather sofa. He was eager to leave and he didn't want to linger for longer than he had to because he didn't feel brave being alone with his ex-boyfriend but as he turned to go, Jung Kook's hand shot out to grip his wrist. It wasn't a forceful hold, but it still had the power to freeze Jin in his tracks.

"Not here," Jung Kook rasped. "My bedroom."

Jin frowned.

"Take me to my bedroom, Jin."

"Mr Jeon, I got you home like you asked. I even helped you get inside your condo even though it's not part of my job description. This is where my charity ends. I'm not getting paid for all that I've done for you this evening. I told you I'm off the clock."

Jung Kook pulled Jin closer, his dark eyes swimming with a myriad of emotions as he looked at him. Jin could feel his resistance crumbling in the face of Jung Kook's expression as he slowly sobered up.

"Jin, please. I can't make it on my own. I've had too much to drink because I received unexpected news tonight. Please don't leave me to fend for myself just yet. Please!"

Jin was taken aback. In all the time that they were together, Jung Kook had never once begged Jin for anything. This was new territory, and Jin didn't know how to navigate it. And what was the unexpected news that Jung Kook received? Jin hoped it wasn't something bad that would affect Jung Kook's wellbeing.

Without another word, he lifted the other and helped him walk across the marble floor and down a brightly lit hallway towards the closed double doors at the end. Upon entering Jung Kook's bedroom, Jin was struck by how cold the room felt. No, not temperature-wise but atmosphere-wise. It was almost like the owner was merely occupying space for utilitarian purposes.

Jin had felt the same vibe when he passed through the front door and into the living room, and he was still unable to shake off the feeling that there was a distinct lack of warmth in the elegant quarters. It felt more like a show unit than a home.

Jin lowered Jung Kook onto the bed, and spun quickly on his heel to leave. But once again, Jung Kook's hand shot out to detain him by the wrist.

"I'm thirsty, Jin. And I have a headache. Can you get me something to help ease the pain?"

Jin wanted to flee badly. He didn't want to remain a second longer but his conscience wouldn't let him abandon someone in need of help, even if it was a former love. So he sighed, fumbled his way to the kitchen, and returned with a glass of water plus a couple of painkillers. As he held the items out to Jung Kook who was lying in bed, his phone began to ring but before he could reach for it, Jung Kook dug it out of the side pocket of his sweatpants.

"It's him again," Jung Kook uttered grimly after looking at the caller ID. He held the phone out to Jin grimly. "Put it on speaker."

"What?!" Jin was shocked. He was still recovering from having Jung Kook's fingers on his body when he fished for his phone.

"Put. It. On. Speaker."

The look in Jung Kook's eyes was mesmerising. Frightening but mesmerising, and Jin found himself doing exactly as Jung Kook ordered. He placed the glass of water and pills on the side table before taking his phone from the other man. He swiped right to answer Tae Hyung's call and immediately put him on speaker.

"Hello?"

"Baby, are you home? I've been waiting for your text but it never came. Are you still driving?"

Jin's mouth dried up as the look in Jung Kook's eyes turned dark and ominous.

"No, I'm not driving anymore."

"Oh good. I was worried. You were taking so long to get home."

Jin forced a laugh to pacify Tae Hyung. It sounded unnatural to his ears, and he hoped that the man wouldn't notice it. He didn't want Tae Hyung to continue worrying about him, although he was worried himself and wondered how soon he could leave.

"Jinnie," a rustling on the other end of the line let Jin know that Tae Hyung was lying in bed while talking to him, "have you given any more thought to my proposal?"

Jin watched as Jung Kook sat up in his bed, his eyes narrowed and his lips set in a thin line of disapproval. He realised that Jung Kook was upset.

He probably thinks I'm using my wiles again to trick another wealthy man into falling for me. His friends made it perfectly clear that all of them, Jung Kook included, believed that of me when we were at school, Jin thought as the humiliation he felt the day he went to the university to find Jung Kook washed over him again.

"Tae, I... I'm..."

"It's been two weeks, Jinnie. I think that's more than enough time for you to weigh the pros and cons of accepting me as your boyfriend. And you know the pros outweigh the cons."

There was a distinct flirtatious note echoing down the phone line. Jin closed his eyes and turned away. He didn't want to see the contempt on Jung Kook's face, didn't want to see the cruel smile when he decides to put Jin in his place.

"Lowlife scum like you should go back to the landfill where you belong. It's because of you that Jung Kook left. You were an embarrassment to him. A festering boil on his back. Go on! Get! And don't ever show your nasty face around here again!"

The hurtful words from that long ago day outside the university gates came hurtling back at Jin, and he remembered the pain in his chest as he stumbled away from his former friend and classmate. The memory was so vivid that Jin felt the same pain in his chest again. It took his breath away.

"Jinnie, you know I like you. I really like you, and I want to take care of you. Please let me take care of you. Let me cherish you."

"Tae..." Jin paused as he tried to align the words in his head. "I've made my decision."

"And?"

"I accept."

"Thank you, Jinnie! You won't regret this! Today is our first day!" Tae Hyung's happiness was palpable through the speaker.

"Now go to bed, Tae. I'll see you tomorrow night."

"With my jjamppong?"

"With your jjamppong."

"I really like you, Jinnie. I really, really like you."

Jin gulped. He knew Tae Hyung was trying to tell him that his feelings were more than that, and that he wanted Jin to say it back to him. But Jin couldn't bring himself to do it.

"I know, Tae. Sleep well."

There was a growl behind Jin as he hung up, and suddenly his phone was wrenched from his hand. He watched, as if in slow motion, as Jung Kook's arm went back before it pitched forward, sending the device smashing into the wall.

Jin gaped in disbelief as he stared at the broken pieces of his phone on the floor. He turned to rage at Jung Kook but before he could say anything, he felt himself being lifted off his feet and then thrown facedown onto the bed. His hands were forced above his head, and his wrists slammed together in a firm grip. He gasped from the pain.

"I think not, Kim Seok Jin! You are mine!"

And Jin's eyes widened in horror as Jung Kook pulled his sweatpants and briefs down.