𝘐𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘖𝘧 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦.

ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ ᴏꜰ ᴄʜᴀꜱᴇ.

Jeongguk sipped the wine lavishly as he sat back in the Mercedes, gazing at the busy people rushing here and there. It was a weekday, surely the hustle bustle ran through the streets. 

Not even that early in the morning, yet people seem to be in a hurry to get to their jobs. Jeongguk wonders if he was not in his Family Business, what would he be as an ordinary human with the need to earn for basic necessities, the struggle to wake up early each day for the daily bread. 

It's not like he had never had to struggle, Jeongguk's life as the Leader was never easy. His father had been killed under unusual circumstances, a secret he wishes to unfold. The wars he fought to get what was his, what belonged to him was worth the talk.

But now all he remembers is, it was years ago. Jeongguk had just returned from school. When all of a sudden the first thing he came across was his father's dead body lying back in the mansion. Everyone told him he died due to natural causes, but Jeongguk being an insider knew what had really happened.

The World thought the undefeated Leader had died but only Jeongguk knew he was killed. Right from then, life started to hit hard for Jeongguk. He was pushed to fight for the seat far too early. Though he did it with flying colors, it was all that anger in him rising, building in slowly like a drop to full ocean drowning him. 

The pride factor that ran through his veins that even him, even that son of Jeonghyan, whom the members of high deemed as nothing of importance after the Leader’s death could also do something. 

He wanted to prove to those bastards who stole from him that Jeonghyan, who put all his faith, beliefs and ideals in his creation was sure to succeed. Turning his eyes away, he glances at the delicacy in the glass. 

"You okay, bud? " 

Jeongguk feels the cold touch of a hand on his shoulder. Hoseok, his caretaker, knew him more than Gguk knew himself. For him the younger was an open book. Looking at the male besides, he couldn't help but smile in relief. At least throughout each up and down in story, he wasn't alone. 

The man sitting near him was the proof. 

"Yeah, Hobie Hyung," Jeongguk calmly assured. The furrowed brows easing up with the words. 

Right after Jeonghyan’s death, Hoseok had been given responsibility of being Jeongguk's caretaker. A man completely unknown to the other Jeons and riches of the Golden Empire. Things never changed in between them. 

For Jeongguk, the stranger felt more like home than any other member of the Family. 

He's grown big from that teen to this adult, yet nothing's changed. Now that he realizes Hoseok has not changed one bit, maybe it be his looks or behaviour.

"You are as handsome as always. " 

And that surprised the red haired, a bit taken back by the words. “What's gotten into you?” Hoseok asked, surprised, as his eyes threw suspiciously glances at the younger. “I know we Koreans can have high beauty retention but damn you just seem to take that to the next level.”

Hoseok chuckled, his lips softening to a light smirk. “So boy, get right to the point.” He continued, paying attention solely on the raven haired. 

“I really mean it.”

“Yeah yeah.” The older rolled his eyes, waving his hand dismissively in the air. “Tell me already Jeon,” Hoseok said nonchalantly, gaze returning on the glass door of the Cafe.

Jeongguk shook his head with a knowing smirk. “Need a can right now.” With no response from the red haired, Jeongguk walked out striding towards some nearby shop. A few wons coming out of his pocket just enough to pay for the can of Banana Milk.