LOVE HAS NO AGE ✔

Chapter 19

How are you all!? Just prepare yourself to read this chapter ok! 

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Time skip: 1 year

In just one year, everything in Taehyung's life changed. The playful, goofy ball transformed into a serious and cold person, and it all stemmed from Jungkook's involvement in uncovering the mastermind behind the conspiracies aiming to bring down his company.

After Taehyung's mother left, he began to feel incredibly lonely in the big apartment. To escape the solitude, he started spending most of his time outside, partying with friends. Despite the lively environment, Taehyung missed his mom and Jungkook terribly. With no one to support him through the hardest times, he turned to alcohol to numb his stress and pain.

The pressure of his career was mounting, and Seojoon's friends did everything in their power to make Taehyung feel worthless. They never missed an opportunity to bully him, using harsh words that tore at his mental health. They spread malicious rumors throughout the university, isolating him further. Now, no one wanted to talk to him, and he felt more alone than ever.

One day, Taehyung met up with his old school friends, who were also struggling with stress and used alcohol and drugs to cope with their pain. With no one else to rely on, he found solace in these friends, even though their methods of coping were destructive. Taehyung's once vibrant and joyful spirit seemed to fade with each passing day, replaced by a hollow, aching void.

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Flashback

Taehyung was aimlessly walking down the street, lost in the whirlwind of thoughts running through his mind. Suddenly, a shout interrupted his reverie.

"Hey! Taehyung-ah!"

He turned around to see his old school bench partner, Bogum.

"Hey, Bogum! What are you doing here? Weren't you in LA for higher studies?"

"Oh, that's a long story. Come on! Let me introduce you to my new friends."

Taehyung nodded, relieved to have a distraction from his overthinking. They walked over to Bogum's friends, and Taehyung was shocked by what he saw. Bogum's friends were all dressed like bad boys and girls. Bogum had been an introvert in school, with no friends due to his shy nature, so seeing him with such a group was surprising.

Bogum approached the group and said, "Hey guys! Meet him! He is Taehyung, my school buddy!"

One of the girls stepped forward and said, "Hey, Taehyung! You are so handsome, dude!" She slid her fingers from his forehead to his jawline, making Taehyung uncomfortable.

He stepped back and said, "Thank you! But I don't like skinship, so please!"

"Hey May! Come on, don't scare the boy away!" Bogum interjected, trying to ease the tension.

May chuckled and said, "Relax, dude! I am not going to eat you!"

Taehyung looked at them nervously, feeling out of place but trying to be polite. "It's okay, I just... I'm not used to this."

Bogum smiled reassuringly, "Don't worry, Taehyung. They're good people. You'll get to know them."

Taehyung nodded slowly, still feeling a bit uneasy but grateful to have someone to talk to. He hoped this encounter might help distract him from his troubles, even if only for a little while.

"Hey Bogum, introduce us to him!" one of the others said, nudging Bogum.

Bogum grinned and began the introductions. "Yes! So, Taehyung, this is Cole!"