Fluffy, gray clouds ranged over the sky as Taehyung sat at the back of the bus on his way to work.
He went to take his car earlier, but chose to follow Jungkook’s advice and not drive to work again. He would be in no place to drive after drinking just two glasses of neat whiskey, anyway.
Of course, it took him longer to arrive, though the presence of his best friend outside of the three-story building brought a smile to his lips, instantly forgetting any kind of frustration he felt while on the bus.
“Hey, Tae!”
“Hey.”
They mutually destroyed the distance between them and held each other in a warm embrace.
“Why didn’t you take a taxi?” Jimin asked as he withdrew.
“I wanted to give a chance to the bus, but it was as awful as I remember. Too many people, too loud, too many stops. I’m not doing that again.”
Jimin’s shoulders trembled with the chuckle he produced. “Yeah, I bet it was awful. You know you can sleep over at my place anytime you want if my cousins aren’t in town to visit me. Otherwise, they won’t let you sleep.”
“Yeah, I remember.” Taehyung snorted as he shuffled towards the entrance. “Thank you, though. Oh, I forgot to ask yesterday. How was Honsu? A jackass?”
“Ugh, you have no idea.” A long sigh burst out of Jimin. “He’s so annoying and sarcastic. He sees everything as competition.”
“I’m sorry you have to take advice from that shithead. You should tell the boss if he keeps being unhelpful.”
“That’s the thing. He’s so good at his job, Tae,” Jimin said as he pushed the glass door open. “I got that customer because of his advice.”
A flood of warmth instantly struck Taehyung’s form upon entering, cocooning even his bones. They were at the heart of winter, sure, but holy shit, it was cold. “I don’t think Jungkook will care about his behavior if he’s helping you and doing his job properly then.”
“He definitely won’t. How was Kanjin?”
“Didn’t I tell you yesterday before you left?”
“No, you were too busy talking about the boss, remember?”
Taehyung threw him an incisive look at the irony he picked up on under his emphatic pitch. “I most certainly did not do that.”
“Hello, boys,” Saerin greeted as she walked past them.
Both reciprocated the greeting without stopping, traipsing across the lounge to get to the changing room.
“Anyway, Kanjin was great,” Taehyung carried on. “He’s so cool and sweet and gives great advice.”
“I’m glad.” Jimin aimed a bright smile at him, then used his ID card to open the door. “Hello everyone.”
Taehyung parroted him as he absorbed the few people chilling in there. A mild hardness solidified the vibrancy of his expression the moment he locked eyes with Honsu, who was already nailing him down with a stare.
“How come you still have your job after breaking the rules?” Honsu questioned with a sneering lift of his brow.
“What rules?”
“You bought a drink for a customer.”
“There isn’t a rule that says we can’t,” Taehyung fired back with equal contempt.
“Yeah, but your goal is to make money for the business.”
“And I did. He ordered the most expensive bottle of whiskey for me.” Taehyung reveled in the immediate displeasure that sprawled over Honsu’s features, a smirk dangling on the tip of his lips in victory. “And you really should mind your own damn business.”
YOU ARE READING
Royal Ace Lounge
Fanfiction●Business owner Jeon Jungkook, an inexpressive man, with a heart as cold as steel, recruits new employees for his host and hostess bar. He falls upon a shrewd, ravishing man --- an angel and a menace at the same time, and he knows at first glance; h...
