A million thoughts swept through Jungkook’s head when Saerin told him that Taehyung called in sick the next day. What happened so suddenly? Was it serious? Did he need help? Was he really sick?
An instant urge to go to his house enveloped him, gnawing at his chest and burning his skin inch by inch. And the loads of self-restraint used to strangle it nearly drove him insane.
He couldn’t keep his focus for more than a second, couldn’t think of anything work related, didn’t care about anything work related. Eventually, he locked himself in his office, drinking, smoking, staring at the walls until they seemed to close in on him, as if they would squash him.
And when that happened, he sought for Jimin. If anyone knew something about Taehyung was him, his best friend.
He dismissed two customers who attempted to talk to him as soon as he stepped into the bar with a wave of his hand and explored the packed room for a sign of Jimin. He changed his target to Saerin, since he couldn’t locate him, and accosted her at the counter. “Jimin. Where’s Jimin?”
Saerin’s countenance wrinkled with a pattern of furrows at the boss’ restless behavior. “At the casino, as far as I know, sir.”
Jungkook took off right away, and with his rapid gait, he was soon entering the casino. He detected his target at the small counter, chatting and giggling with Yoongi, and neared them. “Jimin.”
The said man lurched back and immediately dropped his head. “Sorry, sir. I’ll continue working.”
“No. It’s not that. Is Taehyung really sick?”
All traces of his apologetic expression vanished at his question, and his eyes mounted to merge with his. “Yes.”
“What does he have? Fever? Sore throat?”
“I’m not sure...”
A spasm flew by Jungkook’s face. “How can you not know? Didn’t he tell you? Didn’t you ask him?”
“Um, he just said he was feeling under the weather.”
The incredulity Jimin’s vague responses and faltering demeanor planted within him intensified, and he realized. Jimin would only tell him what Taehyung wanted him to. “Never mind.”
Yoongi waited until Jungkook strolled away enough and laid his eyes on Jimin. “Wow. You really suck at lying.”
“What—What do you mean? I didn’t lie!”
Yoongi chuckled at his extravagant, uneasy reaction. “Yeah, right.”
Jimin gave up on his act rather quickly, and his shoulders drooped in defeat. “Fine. But I didn’t actually lie. He’s sick. It’s just another type of sickness.”
“What does that mean?”
“You won’t tell Jungkook, right?”
“No.”
“Taehyung can’t concentrate on his work because of what happened. He still feels too sad. And he thought he should take a day off since he can’t work, anyway.”
“Why does he feel sad, exactly?”
“Don’t go there,” Jimin sighed. “Taehyung himself doesn’t know.”
“Okay.”
🥀
As the next day came by, Jungkook was nearly counting down the minutes to go to work and check on Taehyung. From afar, of course.
But when Saerin informed him that Taehyung wouldn’t be coming in again, something exploded in his core, and he suddenly found himself in a frenzy. There was no way he would let another day pass without checking up on him.
YOU ARE READING
Royal Ace Lounge
Fiksi Penggemar●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; he...
