The Escort S2

Part 42: A beautiful man inside and out

Jungkook's POV

"Wow! That's crazy, Kookie," JJ says, responding to hearing who Triton is.

"Although, we've never gone head-to-head with them, I know what they're about. Their CEO Triton Teoki is one sick ruthless bastard. He's only 30 years old. He took over the company from his dad when he died. It's hard to believe, but The Triton Company was once well-respected in our industry. That was, of course, when Teoki's father was alive. But now they're feared and hated by most."

"Kookie, you can count on me." JJ says as he walks over and opens a top cabinet off the butler's pantry. My head is down as I review some early morning text messages. Although I don't see him, I hear a familiar sound - the rattle of cellophane - and immediately know what that is. My head jerks up and JJ is standing in the middle of the kitchen with his hand deep in a bag of cheese thingies. Oh shit!

Before I can part my lips to speak, I hear a loud gasp coming from behind. Tae rushes forward towards JJ with a crazed look in his eyes. JJ's brown eyes are circled in white and I'm certain he has no idea what is going on, but he knows it's not good. The last time I saw that look in Tae's eyes, I ended up kicking someone's ass.

I watch the entire scene play out as if it's in slow motion. JJ knows he's the target and turns to run as Tae lunges at the cellophane bag of cheese thingies. As Tae grabs the bag, JJ tightens his grip on the bag. Suddenly, there's a loud explosive pop and it's raining cheese thingies.

"What the fuck are you doing with my cheese thingies?" Tae yells. "Kookie bought those for me! Now look what you've done." JJ is confused and not sure what's happening but evidently cheese thingies are off limits.

"Tae, he didn't know and aren't you revved a bit too high?" I say calmly, not wanting to add any more fuel to the blaze that is Tae. Something's going on with him and we need to get to the bottom of it.

"Don't tell me to calm down!" Tae hisses. "I'm tired of everything changing around here. I can't count on anyone!" What? Okay he's feeling scared and threatened. I wait for him to finish and for the burning coals in his eyes to simmer down before speaking.

"Sweetheart, it sounds like something big is going on and it's not about cheese thingies." Tae stands stunned and breathing hard.

"Sorry," JJ says, "but I've been feeling stressed out since I broke up with Kyle and I found these when I couldn't sleep one night. I didn't know that they –" Tae's head whips up as he focuses on JJ.

"What? You broke up with... Kyle?" Tae covers his mouth with one hand. JJ shakes his head and Tae moves over to him.

"I'm sorry, JJ. I shouldn't have attacked you. I was awful." Tae then takes a bowl out of the cabinet and begins gathering all the cheese thingies that landed on the counter and other clean surfaces. Once the bowl is full, he hands it to JJ. I watch and smile.

"Uh, thanks. Uh, there are two full boxes in the back of the butler's pantry lower cabinet." JJ says and Tae smiles.

"Okay guys, I'll order more for you both," I add, as Tae hugs JJ and kisses him on his cheek.

"Uh, I gotta get ready for class, but I would like to talk to you about it later, Tae, uh if that's okay. I mean if you have, uh, the time for me," JJ shares shyly.

"JJ, I'd be honored to listen and support you in any way I can. I will always make time for you." They smile and JJ makes his way to his room.

I reach out my hand to Tae who takes it and I guide him onto my lap. "Baby, what going on?" He pulls in a deep breath and tells me about Lisa and dad.