Bound by Colors

Chapter 5

Jimin sat on the bench, staring at the roses, lost in thought. It was his favorite spot at the university, a place he always retreated to when stressed. The fresh scent of roses calmed his nerves. He had to leave, but where would he go? With no close relatives left after his parents died in an accident, it felt as if his entire family had vanished. If he stayed in the city, Taehyung would find him in no time. He shivered, remembering this morning's incident—the way Taehyung held him, the obsession in his eyes. He was so unpredictable no one knew what awaited him next.

He had to get away as soon as possible.

Jungkook approached him, having called him several times without a response. He knew Jimin would be here. Everytime he's sad he would come here.
Jimin was sitting lost in his thoughts and he looked stressed.

Sitting beside him. Jungkook asked,  "What's bothering you?"

Jimin looked at him and smiled

"Nothing. How was your competition?" Jimin deflected, trying to change the subject.

"What do you think?" Jungkook replied with a playful smile.

Jimin smiled back. "Like always, you won."

Jungkook grinned proudly. "Yeah, now as a prize for my victory, tell me what's wrong."

Jimin tried to sound casual. "Nothing, sunbae. I’m just tired."

Jungkook took Jimin’s hand gently. "Jimin, aren’t we close?"

His touch was gentle, and the look in his eyes was comforting—unlike Taehyung's. Taehyung's touch made him shiver, his gaze made Jimin's heart tremble and feel suffocated.

"Jimin," Jungkook called softly, "So we aren’t close?" He pouted.

Seeing Jungkook pout, Jimin smiled, and Jungkook smiled too. "We are close, sunbae. You are my... closest friend," Jimin said, looking down to hide his emotions.

"Friend?" Jungkook stood up, crossing his arms. "You broke my heart, Jimin."

Jimin stood up too. "Sunbae I —"

"Don’t call me that," Jungkook said, looking away.

Jimin's eyes welled up. He was already so stressed over Taehyung, and now Jungkook was mad at him. Jungkook glanced at him and smiled.

"Call me hyung, okay?" he said.

Jimin looked at him, his eyes shining with tears.

"Oh my god, Chimmy. I’m sorry, I was just kidding," Jungkook said, patting his shoulder. Jimin sniffed, blinking fast to control his tears.

"You're so cute, Chimmy. What would I do with you?" Jungkook said, pinching his cheek. "Okay, from now on, you’ll call me hyung, and I’ll call you Chimmy. Okay?"

Jimin nodded.

"Good," Jungkook said happily. "I’m going to visit my granny. You wanna come?"

This was a chance, but Jimin didn’t want to get Jungkook involved. Maybe if Taehyung didn't know he was with Jungkook, it could work.

"Would you like to go?" Jungkook asked again.

"Is it okay with your grandparents?" Jimin asked hesitantly.

"Of course, granny will love you."

"Okay then, hyung, can you pick me up from the back gate of the university?" Jimin asked.

Jungkook looked confused but nodded. "Okay, done," he said, walking away. Jimin knew he had to avoid being seen by the driver waiting for him at the main gate.

---

The driver had been waiting for Jimin. It was already 6 PM; Jimin was supposed to be there at 5. The secretary had strictly ordered him to take the boy home with care. He had heard about Taehyung’s temper and knew he could lose a limb or two if he failed. He tried to find Jimin but to no avail. Hesitant, he called the secretary.

"Is the boy home?" the secretary asked.

"Sir, Mr. Park is missing," the driver reported.

"What?" the secretary yelled. "What were you doing, you bastard? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on him?"

"Sir, I did. He was taking his classes; there was nothing unusual. I went to eat."

"Find the boy within an hour before Mr. Kim’s meeting finishes," the secretary ordered, ending the call.

The secretary called his men. "Find the boy. I’m sending you his information."

He was outside the meeting room, sweating coldly. If Taehyung found out, he would be dead. He had underestimated Jimin, thinking the boy was too timid to run. He ran a hand through his hair. "I have to find him before Taehyung finds out."

At 8 PM, the meeting was over, and Taehyung was in a hurry to get home. The secretary stood with trembling hands.

"Sir, the boy... ran away," he stammered.

Taehyung looked at him sharply, storming towards him and grabbing his collar. "Didn't I tell you to take care of him?" he said, jerking the secretary violently.

"I’m sorry, sir. I’m trying to find him."

Taehyung yanked him, causing him to stumble. "If you want to keep your silly head, find him in an hour!" he shouted

" Yes, sir" he bowed running out of the office.

Taehyung threw everything on the floor. "Why Jimin? I was trying to be kind, but you..."

He took his phone and called his private detective. "Find this boy as soon as possible," he ordered.
"I’ll find you, Jimin. I’ll never let you leave once I find you," he said, his eyes filled with determination.