EXCESSIVE | ᴋᴏᴏᴋᴠ

17

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Jungkook stood in front of the mirror, carefully adjusting the collar of his shirt. Today was an important day—his first day at a new job.

As he walked through the bustling city streets, Jungkook couldn’t help but feel a mix of emotions. On one hand, he was grateful for the opportunity that Yoongi had given him; on the other, he still couldn’t shake off the slight disappointment that he would be working as a waiter instead of pursuing his dreams in music. But, he reminded himself, every step forward was a step in the right direction, and this job was a necessary part of that journey.

When Jungkook arrived at the hotel, he was taken aback by its grandeur. The building was enormous, with a towering facade of glass and marble that gleamed under the morning sun. The entrance was lined with polished columns and adorned with intricate carvings, giving the entire place an air of luxury and opulence. The revolving doors were made of spotless glass, and as they spun, they reflected the hotel’s grand name, etched in gold lettering above: "The Imperial."

Jungkook paused for a moment, taking it all in. The hotel was far more luxurious than he had anticipated, and for a brief second, he wondered if he was truly ready to work in such a place. But he quickly shook off the doubt. He had come this far, and he wasn’t about to turn back now.

Pushing open the heavy glass doors, Jungkook stepped into the lobby. The inside was just as impressive as the exterior. The floors were made of gleaming white marble, and the ceiling was adorned with a massive crystal chandelier that sparkled like a thousand diamonds. The reception desk was made of dark wood, polished to a high shine, and behind it stood a row of receptionists, all impeccably dressed.

Gathering his nerves, Jungkook approached the desk. He was about to ask for Min Yoongi when a familiar voice called out to him.

"Jungkook! Over here!"

Jungkook turned to see Yoongi walking towards him, a warm smile on his face. Dressed in a chef’s uniform, Yoongi looked slightly different from the casual man Jungkook had met in the park, but his friendly demeanor was the same.

"Yoongi-hyung!" Jungkook greeted, returning the smile. "I was just about to ask for you."

Yoongi chuckled. "No need, I’ve been keeping an eye out for you. How are you feeling? Nervous?"

"A little," Jungkook admitted, glancing around the grand lobby. "This place is… something else."

Yoongi nodded, understanding. "It can be overwhelming at first, but you’ll get used to it. Come on, let’s go see the manager. He’s the one who’ll officially get you started."

Jungkook followed Yoongi through the lobby, his eyes still wide as he took in the luxurious surroundings.

Yoongi led Jungkook to a set of double doors at the back of the lobby. They entered a corridor lined with doors labeled with various managerial titles. At the end of the corridor, Yoongi knocked on a door labeled "Manager."

"Come in," a voice called from inside.

Yoongi opened the door and gestured for Jungkook to enter first. Inside, a man in his early forties sat behind a large desk, his appearance as polished as the surroundings. His nameplate read "Manager Kim."

"Manager Kim, this is Jungkook, the young man I told you about," Yoongi introduced, smiling at the manager.

Manager Kim looked up from the papers on his desk and studied Jungkook for a moment. "Ah, yes. Jungkook, is it? I’ve heard good things from Yoongi here. He says you’re reliable and hardworking."

Jungkook nodded, standing straight. "Yes, sir. I’ll do my best."

The manager smiled, seeming pleased with the response. "Good. We need people like you around here. We’re short on waitstaff at the moment, so if you’re willing, I’d like you to start today."