Things can only get better: Taekook short story

Part 2

Tae got off the bus, walking to the big glass doors of Jeon Corp. He was in awe; this will be his workplace now. He smiled widely and entered. "Good morning Taehyung, glad to see you here bright and early." Tae saw the person who approached him at graduation, Kim Seokjin (27, new projects manager, which includes graphic design department), also in jeans and a pink short sleeve t-shirt, with bright pink sneakers. He bowed politely, "Morning Mr Kim, I am very excited to be here" "No need for formalities, Taehyung, we are a big family here and you can just call me Jin, Jinnie or hyung" the older replied with a wide smile. He really is impressed with the younger and feels proud to have grabbed him for Jungkook's company. They walked through the building, Jin showing Tae where everything is, then to the department where the graphic designers work. "Lisa, Jisoo, Jimin, Bogum... Let me introduce you to your new colleague, this is Kim Taehyung, top graduate of SNU." Everyone smiled and greeted the blushing boy, all being so friendly. "You can call me Tae, much less formal" He replied with a boxy smile, making him look even more beautiful. "So happy to meet you Tae, excited to work with you" the smaller brown-haired boy said, Jimin (24) he thinks. "Min Yoongi (26) is the department head; he will be here later as he is in a meeting," said Jin. After introductions, Tae was shown to his workstation, his jaw dropping. Everything was state of the art, best equipment, newest technology and so much space. Every station was almost as big as his living room. He was super excited.

Jin took him to HR department where he was met by someone he never thought he would see again.

"Tae this is Jung Hoseok, our HR manager......" "Tae?" "Hobi?" Aaaahh and oh my words and how have you beens and I am so happy to see you agains! The two friends hugged, they haven't seen each other since Hobi (26) finished high school and went to study in America, although did try to keep in touch over the phone, for a while at least, until Minho put a stop to it. Jin just stood with his mouth open, ok, so, they know each other then. After calming down they chatted a small bit, then got to the reason Tae was actually here, to get all his information on the system of Jeon Corp. Jin left, saying he will meet Tae again in an hour. Meanwhile Taehyung felt such a relief, he knew he could trust Hobi and get part of his "escape from Minho" plan working.

"Hobi hyung, I am sorry I lost contact with you. I got myself in a mess and I hope that this job will be the first step of getting back my life. I will need your help though. I need you to please not put my full salary on my paysheet and not pay the full salary into one account." Hobi sat back in his chair with a serious expression. "Tae, are you still with that bastard Minho?" Tae lowered his eyes, feeling ashamed. Everybody warned him when things got bad the first time, but he didn't listen. "I had no way out hyung, he took every cent I had, completely controlling my every move, isolating me from everyone I knew. This is the first opportunity for me to get away, if I can put money to one side that he doesn't know about, then when I have enough, I can leave. For now, I have nothing, he gave me 5000 won for the month to feed myself, he took the rest of my stipend my parents still sent me till now. I know when I get my first salary, he will check my paysheet and make sure I have nothing left. But if he finds out...." Hobi looked at the scared face, who went pale and that is when he noticed the bruises. "Taehyung, is he beating you?" "Hyung, please, just..." "Pull up your sleeves Taehyung" Hobi ordered in a deep voice, this was not his sunshine friend now, this Hobi was scary. 

Tae slowly pulled up his sleeves, just a bit, showing some of the bruises. "There is no fucking way you are going back there, you will come with me to my house, I have a spare bedroom." "Hyung, no, it will put you in danger, please, just help me with that, I will figure out the rest by myself" Hobi sighed, trying another angle "Tae, if you need me, here is my number..." "NO! I am not allowed other numbers on my phone! If he sees..... Please hyung, just give me time, please, I will figure it out" "This is bullshit Taehyung! I am NOT seeing you get hurt anymore, are we clear?!"

 Before Tae could answer, the door opened, and a black-haired young man looked in. "Hobi hyung, what is wrong?" Tae quickly pulled down his sleeves to cover his arms, keeping his head down, not making eye contact with the new person, what if he heard what they were talking about. "Hey Jungkook (25), sorry, I just got a little FRUSTRATED with someone who doesn't want to listen to REASON!" Tae just kept his head down. "Kook, this is Kim Taehyung, your new graphic designer, Tae, this is your boss, Jeon Jungkook" Tae's head snapped up, he quickly got to his feet, eyes wide, seeing the extremely handsome man, black-hair, gorgeous face, kind dark eyes and bulging muscles under his casual black T-shirt, tattoos running down his arms. He bowed and greeted "Good to meet you Sir, thank you for the opportunity" 

Jungkook looked at the most beautiful human he has ever seen, and the name, it rang a bell... This was the friend Hobi always talked about, the one that was trapped in a bad relationship. What a cutie pie, he thought, who would want to hurt this boy? Jungkook bowed as well with a big smile "It is me that is honoured that SNU's top graduate chose my company, I am very happy to meet you Taehyung, and please, just call me Jungkook, we are not into formalities here, except when you are in trouble, then I am Mr Jeon" Jungkook smiled a bunny smile, drawing Tae's blue eyes to Jungkook's lips and he couldn't help blushing. Definitely cute, thought Jungkook, seeing the blush. "Hobi, anything I can help with? It seemed that there is an issue with someone or something?" Tae looked at Hobi with pleading eyes, not to reveal anything to Jungkook. Hobi sighed, shaking his head "Thanks Kook, but I will take care of the issue, don't worry." Jungkook looked at Hobi, knowing it had something to do with the beautiful boy, who now had a scared looked in his eyes, while looking at Hobi and Jungkook. "Ok, I trust you, tell me if I can help, ok?" 

With that Jungkook left, Tae fell down on the chair, his head in his hands, shaking slightly. "Tae, please, promise me, if it gets worse, just tell me, please" Hobi begged with a soft voice. "I don't think it can get any worse" Tae said softly to himself, but Hobi heard. "I will do as you ask with regards to your salary, Tae, tell me what must go where and what must be on your paysheet" Hobi said resigned. But he knew he will talk to his friends tonight at their weekly dinner.