Crushed And Bond

Chapter 20: Unveiling Truths

As Jungkook guided Minhyuk home, a palpable silence hung between them, punctuated only by the faint echo of Minhyuk's discontentment.

Sulking in silence, Minhyuk's disappointment was palpable, his earlier anticipation of chocolate treats unfulfilled yet again.

Jungkook observed his nephew's downturned expression with a mixture of amusement and empathy, knowing all too well the depths of a child's longing for a simple pleasure.

With a heavy sigh, Minhyuk huffed as he flung his school bag onto the couch, his frustration evident in the petulant set of his shoulders. Without a word to his uncle, he stormed off towards his room, the weight of unmet expectations weighing heavily upon his young heart.

Jungkook, watching Minhyuk's tantrum unfold with bemused resignation, shook his head in silent amusement. Retrieving two large bars of chocolate from the refrigerator, he held them in his hand, a peace offering extended in the hopes of bridging the chasm of disappointment that had arisen between them.

Carefully approaching Minhyuk, Jungkook presented the chocolates with a gentle smile, the corners of his lips quirking upwards in amusement at the sight of his nephew's transformation.

Minhyuk's eyes widened in delight as he caught sight of the tempting treats, his earlier sulkiness dissipating in an instant as he eagerly reached out to claim the offering. With a happy squeal, Minhyuk snatched the chocolates from Jungkook's hand, his face lighting up with unbridled joy as he thanked his uncle with genuine gratitude.

Jungkook chuckled softly at the sight, his heart warmed by the simple pleasure of bringing a smile to his nephew's face. As Minhyuk savored the sweet taste of the chocolate, Jungkook couldn't help but remember the events of earlier.

"Minhyuk, Do you know who was the man with Jiyeon earlier?"

Sucking on his chocolate, Minhyuk answered, "I think that was her father?"

Bambam is Jiyeon's father.....

____

Jungkook sat in his office, his mind swirling with questions about what he had seen at Jiyeon's school and what Minhyuk had told him. Bambam was Jiyeon's father? Then who was Jiyeon to Lalisa? The thoughts buzzed around his head, threatening to overwhelm him.

After a moment of contemplation, Jungkook made a decision. He needed answers, and he needed them now. He called in Kim Yugyeom, his stupid trusted secretary.

A few moments later, Yugyeom entered the office with a professional yet playful smile. "You called, boss? What can I do for you?"

Jungkook nodded, his expression serious. "Yugyeom, I need you to gather all the information you can about a guy named Bambam. And I need it as quickly as possible."

Yugyeom's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Bambam? What's going on?"

Jungkook hesitated for a moment before replying. "I just need to know more about him. It's important."

Yugyeom was confused. What was up with Jungkook and Lisa now. He wanted to ask about that to Jungkook but when he opened his mouth to do so, he was met with a glare. So with his tail between his legs, he ran away.

"Got it, boss. I'll get right on it."

As Yugyeom left to gather the information, Jungkook couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. He hoped that the answers he sought would finally bring some clarity to the situation.

_____

A short while later, Yugyeom returned with a folder in hand. "Here's everything I could find on Bambam, boss."

"Thank you, Gyeom," Jungkook said, his mind already racing with plans. "I'll take it from here."

Yugyeom nodded, a knowing look in his eyes. "Let me know if you need anything else, boss."

As Yugyeom left the office, Jungkook sat back in his chair, gently turning the folder in his hands. Every information about Bambam was provided there, from his birth to present. Although Jungkook had first thought that Bambam was Lisa's partner in life, he had later got to know that he was just her business partner through some sources. So, if Jiyeon was Bambam's daughter, then Lalisa must be her aunt, not related but as father's friend.

Jungkook looked down upon the folder on his hand and he began reading intently, date of birth, birth place, his history with his ex-wife....

What? Why would Yugyeom but this in? And with so much detail..

Jungkook shook his head at his friend and skipped to the next paragraph. Bambam had a wife named Mina, Hmmm, okay and they had a 4 years old son.

What? Jungkook got confused and and he read the information again to see if he had made a mistake but it said the same thing, Bambam had a son? Then who was Jiyeon? Was she not his daughter? Then who was Lalisa to Jiyeon?

Jungkook got into a deep thought.Fuck! he was supposed to find answers not get himself into another riddle.

____

Lalisa sat in her office, her eyes fixed on her laptop screen, but her mind was elsewhere. Memories of yesterday's meeting with Jennie swirled around her, along with the unsettling revelation she had been given. Yusung's death was not a result of her surgical carelessness—it was a planned murder.

How could this be possible? Lalisa wondered, her thoughts spinning in confusion and disbelief. She gently massaged her temples, feeling the beginnings of a headache creeping in from the weight of her thoughts.

Glancing up at the clock, Lalisa realized it was time to pick Jiyeon up from school. With a sigh, she packed up her belongings and made her way out of the office, leaving behind the unanswered questions that weighed heavily on her mind.

____

As Lalisa arrived at Jiyeon's school, she spotted her daughter sitting on the familiar bench, her backpack beside her. However, there was an unexpected scenario this time—Jiyeon was alone, Minhyuk nowhere to be found. Lalisa approached her with a smile, her heart warming at the sight of her daughter's happy face.

"Hey, Jiyeon! How was your day?" Lalisa asked, bending down to Jiyeon's level.

Jiyeon beamed up at her mother. "It was good, Mommy! I had fun."

Lalisa nodded, glad to hear that. "Where's Minhyuk?"

Jiyeon pointed towards the classroom building. "He went back to the classroom. He forgot something, and his uncle went with him."

Just as Lalisa was about to respond, Jiyeon pointed behind her with excitement. "Look, Mom! There they are!"

Lalisa turned around, expecting to see Minhyuk and his uncle returning from the classroom. However, she only saw Minhyuk standing there alone, his uncle nowhere in sight. Confusion flickered across Lalisa's face for a moment before she composed herself.

"Hey, Minhyuk! It's nice to see you," Lalisa greeted warmly, exchanging pleasantries with the young boy.

Minhyuk smiled back, waving goodbye as Lalisa and Jiyeon made their way towards the school gate. Unbeknownst to them, Jungkook watched from behind a nearby tree, his expression determined as he observed the interaction between Lalisa and Jiyeon, yet again...

'I have to know who Jiyeon is?'

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{a/n: We are halfway through the story..}