EXCESSIVE | ᴋᴏᴏᴋᴠ

09

_____

Jungkook woke up early, eager yet apprehensive about his first day at the new job. He quickly got ready, putting on his best (albeit modest) outfit and left his dingy apartment. On his way, he grabbed a cheap breakfast from a street vendor - just a simple roll and coffee to keep him going.

As he entered the office building, Jungkook couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. The building was impressive, with sleek glass doors and a polished interior that seemed worlds apart from his current living situation.

He approached the reception desk and asked where he should go and what his duties would be. The receptionist handed him a map of the office and directed him to the human resources department for orientation. Jungkook thanked her and made his way through the corridors, feeling the weight of numerous eyes on him.

When he finally reached his workstation, he noticed that everyone was staring at him. The intensity of their gazes made him self-conscious. He wondered if there was something on his face and quickly checked his reflection in his phone screen. Seeing nothing amiss, he became puzzled and slightly uncomfortable.

Sitting next to him was a young woman who appeared friendly. Gathering his courage, Jungkook asked, "Excuse me, can you tell me why everyone is staring at me like that?"

She smiled kindly and introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Mina. I think they're staring because of what happened yesterday. People here believe that you might not last long in this company."

"Why would they think that?" Jungkook asked, genuinely confused.

Mina's smile turned a bit sad. "Maybe you don't know about Kim Taehyung. I've been working here for two years, and this company used to have a different owner. There was some conflict between him and Taehyung, and after that, Taehyung did everything he could to bankrupt the company. Eventually, he bought it out."

Jungkook listened intently as she continued, "The media portrayed Taehyung as a savior who provided jobs and saved the company, but they also said that the previous owner fired a lot of employees before leaving. Nobody really knows the full truth, but the conclusion people have drawn is that anyone who crosses Taehyung pays a heavy price."

Hearing this, Jungkook felt a chill run down his spine. He tried to reassure himself that Taehyung didn't know him, and surely wouldn't go to great lengths just because Jungkook had grabbed his hand.

Mina seemed to sense his unease. "Don't worry too much," she said softly. "Taehyung oversees many companies, and this one isn't his main focus. There's a CEO who manages things here. Just do your job well, and things might be okay."

Jungkook nodded, trying to calm his nerves. He hoped that Mina was right and that his encounter with Taehyung would be forgotten. But deep down, a part of him couldn't shake the feeling of impending trouble.

Despite the warnings, he decided to focus on his work. He was determined to make the most of this opportunity, no matter what challenges lay ahead. For now, his priority was to perform well and secure his position. He had a job, an apartment, and a chance to start fresh - he wasn't going to let fear overshadow that.

As he settled into his tasks, Jungkook couldn't help but glance around occasionally, noting the wary looks from his colleagues. He resolved to prove himself and show them that he was there to stay, despite any underlying threats.

Jungkook's first day was proving to be a baptism by fire. He sat at his desk, completely absorbed in his work, his fingers moving rapidly over the keyboard. Just as he finished inputting data for one report, his phone buzzed with another task from his supervisor.