Forbidden Love ➸ Taekook ✓

- Forty-fourth -

Jungkook was out of strength. For over an hour he had been struggling in vain with the rear doors of the car into which he had been savagely thrown. He had watched helplessly as the car pulled away from the Jeon house. But if they thought they were dealing with a weak and fragile teenager, they had been sorely mistaken. The boy had put up a violent fight, screaming, biting and even throwing himself at the driver, nearly killing all three of them. They had to stop and tie him to the seat, but again, he had not been lacking in spirit the whole way.

However, he had reached the end of what he could give. Because hope had gradually faded, giving way to a deep emptiness and questions that had only increased his distress. What if he couldn't get away? What if Taehyung couldn't find him? What would become of him? Would he be forced to marry a man he didn't love, to spend the rest of his life with him in a country where he didn't even speak the language?

Tears welled up in his eyes again, and although he didn't want to show any weakness to his captors, he couldn't stop them from flowing. He was so scared. He wanted the protective warmth of Taehyung's arms. He missed his hyungie. He found himself completely alone, with the uncertainty of ever returning home. It was just terrifying.

It took another hour before the car finally stopped. And when the door opened, Jungkook had become extremely calm. Like a terrified little puppy. He was dragged out of the car by two of his tormentors, who dragged him towards a huge villa. They were obviously no longer in Seoul, but Jungkook had been too busy trying to escape to pay any attention to their route. He had no idea where they were.

The door to the" villa suddenly burst open and John rushed out, looking visibly shocked and panicked.

"Jungkook!

He ran towards them, and stopped in front of the young man.

"I-I'm sorry..." he stammered. "I had no idea about any of this... I just heard you were coming... I'm sorry... I never..."

Jungkook didn't look at him, turning his head in another direction, resting his empty, reddened eyes on one of the rosebushes in the garden. His ignorance was painful for John, but understandable. He had wanted them to part on good terms, or at least cordially. After that, it was evident Jungkook would be angry with him.

One of the guards tightened his grip on the boy's arm, making him wince involuntarily.

"Let him go." John ordered. "And leave him to me. I'll take over."

"But Sir told us-"

"He's not here. In his absence, I'm in charge."

The man hesitated at first, but seeing John's cold look, he finally let go of Jungkook, and the two guards walked away without making any further fuss. John waited until they had disappeared before refocusing his attention on Jungkook, who still hadn't deigned to look at him.

"Follow me Jungkook, it'll be dark soon and you might catch a cold."

At first, the teenager thought about not listening to him and just standing there, but after a moment's thought, he decided he'd rather be inside the house than outside, at the mercy of those guards who might come back. John seemed less dangerous to him.

He followed him silently, not even bothering to observe the inside of the house, which seemed cold to him anyway compared to his home. His home. He wanted to go home. Where his other half was waiting for him.

John stopped in front of a door, moving aside a little to let Jungkook through.

"This is one of the guest rooms." he explained. "You can stay here... for now."

Jungkook didn't reply, staring at the door with a disinterested expression. John sighed.

"Jungkook, I'm... I'm really sorry about this whole situation. I never wanted this..."

"It must please you." spat the boy, his first words for several hours. "All you wanted was for me to be separated from Taehyung."

John's eyes widened, before an offended look took over his face.

"Jungkook, all I ever wanted was for you to be happy."

The boy couldn't contain a sneer.

"I thought you were a good person. I was wrong."

John didn't have time to reply as Jungkook suddenly opened the bedroom door and slammed it behind him. He heard a small click, even indicating that he had locked it.

The room was clean, simple, in beige tones and apparently unused for some time. However, Jungkook didn't pay the slightest attention to it. No sooner had the door closed behind him than he threw himself onto the bed and finally released all the tears he'd been holding back. He burst into tears, curling up on the cold sheets.

"Hyungie..." he cried, in a heartbreakingly fragile voice. "I'm scared... I'm all alone... Come and get me..."

It was at times like these that he was painfully reminded of his warmth, his tenderness, his love. He remembered their childhood, or rather his own. Because he had always been a child compared to Taehyung's maturity. And yet the man had always looked after him, protected him, showered him with love. And now they found themselves far from each other. Torn apart. Frightened.

His crying had subsided and his tears had dried on his cheeks when, a few hours later, when night had finally fallen, John came knocking at his door again.

"Jungkook, dinner is served..."

No answer. The teenager didn't move, not even bothering to turn his gaze towards the door. He had no intention of submitting to the will of his captors. Whether he liked it or not, John was one of them. As long as he kept him locked up here, close to him, he'd be on the bad guys' side.

"Jungkook, I know what you're thinking, and I can't blame you, or even contradict you." John explained with a sigh. "I can't go against my father's wishes, that man... is much more terrifying than you can imagine. But if you won't do it for me... do it for him. I hate to say it, but he'd hate to see you like this. And I'm sure he wouldn't let you starve."

Jungkook gave a weak smile. It was true, Taehyung would rather die than let him go hungry. And the man would surely be lecturing him if he were here.

The bedroom door finally opened, and John could only feel relief when he saw Jungkook come out. He looked away, however, as he noticed the dried tears on his cheeks.

"This way."

John led him into the dining room, where the table had been set, with its many dishes, each more appetising than the last. Jungkook sat down, but nothing appealed to him. He wasn't hungry. He was nauseous.

Neither man started to eat. Jungkook kept his gaze fixed on his plate, while John couldn't look away.

Then suddenly, tears began to roll down the boy's cheeks.

~🍁~

Kookie 🥺