Loving The Wrong Man (SD) ➸ Taekook ✓

- Forty-ninth -

"So you're going back to school?" Jimin asked, his eyes full of both hope and concern.

Jungkook placed a steaming cup of tea on the table and tucked his tray under his arm.

"Mmh, I don't really know if I'm ready, but I don't want to screw up my studies because of them."

Jungkook had been back at work for two days now, the soothing atmosphere in the café and the encouragement of Jimin and Yoongi creating a reassuring cocoon for the young man. Taehyung still checked on him regularly, ready to come and get him if the slightest wave of stress overwhelmed him. That was probably what reassured him most, having someone to worry about him and look after him.

Today the café was rather quiet, so Yoongi ended up joining the two friends.

"So, are you going to lodge a complaint against these boys?" asked the owner, his gaze darkening slightly as he thought of the assailants.

Jungkook bit his lip and stared at the ground, memories of that day flooding back into his mind. When he thought back on it, he felt so ashamed. No matter how much those closest to him told him that it wasn't his fault, that there was nothing he could have done about it, that five against one the result was obvious, he didn't agree. As far as he was concerned, he had been too weak. He was ashamed to have been attacked, especially as he suspected that Minhyu would speak of the event with pride. The thought made him nauseous.

"I didn't want to, but Taehyung insisted that we do it. I know they've all been expelled, and just telling myself I'll never see them again is enough for me. But Taehyung wants them to pay..."

Yoongi nodded contentedly.

"I agree with him." he confessed. "From your point of view, you just want to get it over with and I understand perfectly. But from an outsider's point of view, and especially from an adult's one, these kids need to understand that what they've done is wrong. It's not about revenge, it's about the future and education. If no one teaches them about right and wrong, and the consequences of their actions, then they'll do it again."

Jimin frowned.

"But guys like Minhyu will always do it again. It's in their blood."

Yoongi shrugged.

"Maybe, after all I'm not a mind reader, but at least we tried. One thing's for sure, we can't just let them get away with it."

On that point, the two teenagers agreed. In fact, even Jungkook wanted to press charges, only he was absolutely terrified. Terrified that Minhyu was out for revenge. Because he knew he was perfectly capable of it, and he wasn't ready to go through something like that again. Never again. So he was very happy to have Taehyung by his side. He gave him courage, he was his pillar.

"Anyway," continued Jungkook, "Taehyung has already started proceedings. I don't know much about it myself, so I leave it to him. He said he'd keep me informed..."

And that everything would be fine. the teenager thought, blushing slightly.

Suddenly, the bell on the front door tinkled, attracting the attention of the three men. And the two teenagers froze in place as they recognised the person who had just crossed the threshold of the café. A tall woman in a white suit with a tightly pulled bun, her cold gaze immediately fell on Jungkook. Yoongi felt the tension rising in the room, and his gaze drifted between Jungkook and the woman, before turning to Jimin, who shook his head. Okay, so that wasn't good news.

He wondered whether he should intervene, whether she was a threat. But just then, the stranger spoke up.

"You, out. Now."

Then she turned and left the establishment. Jungkook swallowed, a ball of stress forming in his stomach. What was she doing here? Why did she want to see him all of a sudden?

"Jungkook... Jimin called out to him, clearly worried about his best friend.

"Hyung, can I take a break?" Jungkook asked.

"Um, yes..."

Jungkook nodded feverishly, his hands visibly shaking.

"I'll be right back."

With that, he left the café without looking back, for fear of turning back. No, it was better to get it over with now.

When he arrived outside, he looked for her for a moment, before finally spotting her against the wall at the side of the establishment. He took a deep breath and moved towards her, trying to be as confident as possible. Even though he wasn't the least bit confident.

He finally reached her, and when she finally noticed his presence, she looked up from her mobile and into the boy's uncertain eyes.

"Mom..."

"Who gave you permission to speak?" she cut him off curtly.

He immediately closed his mouth, his lips sealing in shame. How did she always get the upper hand on him? He knew he too could be arrogant, so why couldn't he say a single word to her when she treated him like that?

There was a long silence between them, a silence the teenager didn't dare break. He had long since lowered his eyes, riveting them on his shoes as he fidgeted with his fingers. He could feel her gaze burning his skin.

She was angry, he could feel it. She was naturally not a very warm person, but he knew when she was angry. She was even colder and more terrifying than usual. And above all, her face was always devoid of the slightest expression.

Like the calm before the storm.

"You must have had a lot of fun, didn't you?" she finally blurted out, her words spreading like venom in Jungkook's ears.

He looked up immediately, incomprehension in his eyes.

"W-What?"

"I'm telling you that it surely was really fun for you too, huh?

He swallowed. He had no idea what she was getting at, and that worried him even more.

"I don't understand..." he murmured, his voice only coming out as a whisper.

The woman gritted her teeth, no longer even trying to hide her rage. She immediately grabbed her phone and rummaged around in it for a moment. When she seemed satisfied with what she had found, she turned it towards the teenager, who glanced at the screen.

And he heard his heart break in his chest. She had spared him the sound of the video, but he wanted to cry just looking at it. It was worse than the photo of the restaurant.

They were ruined. With this, Soyoon had enough to ruin their lives. What if, this time, Taehyung hated him for good? No, at this point, the whole world would hate him. His life was ruined. His relationship with Taehyung was ruined. Everything, absolutely everything was ruined.

"H-How..."

"Listen to me, you little shit." Soyoon cut him off again. "I'm going to be generous with you one last time, even though you clearly don't deserve it."

Jungkook simply stared at her, his eyes filled with tears. A lump had formed in his throat and he was having trouble breathing. He knew that a panic attack was just around the corner.

"I'll keep this video for myself if you disappear from my and Taehyung's lives. I'll give you one day to leave. If you ever disobey me, I'll publish the video. And I think you know the consequences it could have for you. And don't even think about telling Taehyung, otherwise the video will end up on internet. Is that clear?"

Jungkook didn't move, frozen in place, tears rolling down his cheeks.

"IS THAT CLEAR?!" she exclaimed, startling the teenager.

"Y-Yes..."

"Good."

She glared at him one last time before slipping away like a queen, leaving the poor boy behind, who immediately burst into tears.