The CEO and the Angel: A short story

Part 8

Taehyung tried to open his eyes, which felt like they were glued shut, his fingers moving frantically as he couldn't lift his arms. Throwing his head side to side, he tried to get rid of the confusion in his brain. He suddenly felt a light touch on his hand, his favourite voice calming him down. "Love, calm down, I will help you first. He felt the restraints on his wrists loosen, then a wet cloth slowly wiping his face. He finally could open his eyes, and the first thing he saw was the face of his Koo, his love, smiling a bunny smile, hair dishevelled, eyes tired, but smiling non the less. "Hello sleepy head, welcome back." He leaned in and softly kissed the petal lips. "How are you feeling love?" Tae blinked his eyes, focusing finally on his surroundings, he was in hospital, and he felt like death warmed up. "I feel like crap, Koo" He whispered, making the other laugh softly. "I know angel, but you will feel better soon, here have some water, small sips, ok?" Holding the glass with a straw, Jungkook helped Tae drink some water. "Are you in pain love? Do I need to call the doctor?" Tae shook his head. "What happened Koo? Last thing I remember is your face and then darkness through the most excruciating pain I have ever felt" Jungkook took a deep breath, explaining everything that happened. "If it wasn't for your Kevlar vest you would have been dead, Tae" Jungkook's voice broke after the last sentence, tears stinging his eyes. "We always wear them on D-day, or any day we are in contact with possible suspects. We all have been shot at more than once, but this time, I was completely blindsided, and my lack of attention almost cost me my life. Is everybody else ok? Did Jihoon get away?" "Everybody is ok, BG and M as well, Jihoon was caught before he could even get out of the boardroom. Minyuk passed away in the room, the autopsy said it was an induced heart attack, seems like Jihoon was prepared for any eventuality, he put the drugs in Minyuk's water, which caused the heart attack, distracting us all to let Jihoon escape, but you stopped him, almost at the cost of your life. Don't ever do that again, Kim Taehyung. I can't lose you, I can't live without you" Tae looked at the face of his bunny love, feeling the pain and truth in those words, as he felt exactly the same. "I won't, I promise Koo". Tae pulled on Jungkook until he was on the bed with him, Tae's silver head lying on Jungkook's chest, safe in the elder's arms, his hand on his waist, holding him close. Jungkook kissed the silver curls again. "How long was I asleep Koo?" "Just a day, baby, you were shot yesterday at half past 3, and it is now only quarter to 1. You did wake up a bit late last night, but they gave you some pain meds and you were out again. Till now. But you look much better than last night. You were screaming and fighting everybody, that is why your hands were restrained. But when you woke up now you were calm, so I could take the restraints off." Tae nodded, trying to remember the first time he woke up, but no luck, he must still have been mostly sedated at that time.

The door opened and Jimin and Yoongi walked in, holding hands, Jimin smiling through some unshed tears, looking at his friend. "Hey Chim, I am ok, don't worry, see, all better already" Tae smiled at him, his real and honest boxy smile. "You scared me Taetae, you scared me to death" "I am sorry Chim, I really did not expect to be shot" Jungkook's hold on Tae's waist tightened, he did not want to hear that anymore, he didn't want to hear about his heart almost dying. He softly pressed his lips on the other's forehead, making the blue eyes close in pleasure and affection. His home. The door opened again and Hobi, Jin, Namjoon, Bogum and Minho entered. Everybody was so happy to see their friend up and smiling. They stayed for about 30 minutes, until the doctor came to check on Tae, so they all went home for a while, to get some much-needed rest, the past 24 hours has been hell to all.

Tae slept for almost 5 hours again, his head on Jungkook's chest. His calm breathing caused Jungkook to also fall asleep, finally resting a bit now that the worst is over.

They woke up when the nurse was pushing in a trolley with food and also Tae's meds. Right on her heels the older gentleman, the director walked in. Tae immediately sat up and bowed his head slightly "Director" he greeted. "Hello V, very happy to see you awake and looking much better" "Thank you Sir, I am too, believe me" Tae said with a soft smile. "V, I am not going to waste your time or mine, I came to give you an answer on your request of 3 days ago. You know the effort and money the company poured into you, your extra training, facilities, and resources for you to do your job. You still have 4 years on your contract as you know." Tae felt his eyes starting to tear up, he was not going to be able to leave the company, 4 years, 4 more years in which he won't be able to be with his bunny. He felt his heart break. Jungkook felt the other's anguish, having an idea what this was all about. "Yes Sir, I am aware..." Tae could not finish the sentence, his voice breaking, his throat closing up. Jungkook held him, trying to calm him, his heart was breaking as well, their hopes disappearing into thin air. "I have spoken to the board, and they agree, you have to work for us till the end of your contract. But...." Both young men looked up.... "But?" Tae asked softly, a small flame of hope starting to burn. "But it will not be as team leader anymore. Because you are the best we ever had, the board wants you to head the new branch we will start in Seoul, in 3 months. This will be the centre of the Asian sector, and you will head it, with me teaching you all the finer points. Then, when you are ready, you take over and I will retire." Tae looked at him, mouth hanging open, Jungkook looked confused, what does this mean? "So, I will not work in the field anymore? Go on assignments? I will stay here, with my Koo?" It was almost too good to be true. "Yes, exactly. You will live a normal life, with the person who I can see loves you the most in the world, and you love him as well. I have honestly never seen such a love, you are both fortunate, and the board and I agreed, you gave enough, you have risked your life enough times now, have been shot or injured enough now. So, after your 4 years end, you can either renew permanently, or you can leave, it will be your choice." "I don't know what to say Sir, except thank you, thank you so much" Tears falling down Tae's cheeks, Jungkook hugging him tight, not too much, his shoulder and chest still hurts like a bitch. "It is my honour V. You will have to come to base to debrief the new team leader, BG and introduce our new initiate, Choi Soobin, aka C. So, get well soon, I will see you on the 15th at the company, oh and the board wants to see you as well then, to make the new appointment official" The director smiled at the two, who was still a bit in shock, bowed sand left. After about 10 seconds two loud shouts were heard. The director threw back his head and laughed out loud.