Forbidden Love ➸ Taekook ✓

- Forty-seventh -

The next two days were long for Jungkook. He stayed locked up in the room he'd been assigned, lying on his bed, staring at the only window in his room. He had tried to open it when he arrived but it was locked. Probably because they knew that, despite the height, he wouldn't hesitate for a moment to jump out and escape, even if it meant breaking a leg in the process.

John hadn't really spoken to him since their famous discussion. That evening, they had parted without saying another word to each other, even though Jungkook knew that he had hurt him deeply. There was nothing pleasant about hearing from someone you like that you'd rather die than be with them, and he knew it. God, if Taehyung had said something like that to him, he had no idea what he would have done. On the other hand, it was he who had made the first move. If it had been up to Jungkook, nothing would probably have happened between them, because of his shyness. Coming back to John, he had made a few approaches, notably to invite him to eat with him. The teenager had refused, and they ended up taking his food to his room.

Jungkook was beginning to go mad. He was bored out of his mind, and the absence of Taehyung and the rest of Bangtan was beginning to weigh heavily on his heart. He just wanted to find them, but his future seemed increasingly uncertain. Especially as he still hadn't met John's famous father, Lim Kwan. He knew nothing about this man, and yet he was terrified of him.

Jungkook bit his lip. He'd already been here two days. He knew it was already two days too long, both for him and for the Lims. It was surely in their interests to get him out of the country as quickly as possible. Once in the States, he would be entirely at their mercy. By staying here, they were taking the risk that Bangtan would find him. That Taehyung would find him. Because once the man got his hands on Jungkook, he would never let him go. It would be impossible for Lim to get him back.

Jungkook closed his eyes, deciding to combat his boredom by taking a nap, the only activity he'd had to offer for the last two days, since he didn't even have a book or two to read to hand. However, his sleep was quickly interrupted by noises in the corridor. Something heavy was rolling across the tiles. The person passed down the stairs, making more noise on the way down, and then, a few minutes later, the noise started up again in the same way. Jungkook frowned, openly intrigued. Nothing had happened here for two days, just him and John; he hadn't even bumped into the few housekeepers doing the cleaning and cooking. Motivated by his curiosity, he got up and discreetly opened the door to his room.

There was no-one there. He decided to venture out a little further, sliding down the corridor to the stairs and tiptoeing down them. However, he stopped dead before he had descended all the steps, his gaze catching on all the suitcases cluttering up the entrance. And in the middle of them was John, talking to one of the employees. They felt someone watching them, and stopped talking to turn to Jungkook. The employee quickly disappeared.

Jungkook couldn't help but widen his eyes at the sight of all the suitcases. His heart sank and he struggled to hold back the tears. It could only mean one thing.

"So today's the big day...?" he asked, his voice breaking at the end of his sentence.

John's gaze swept over the suitcases, then nodded.

"Yes, the flight to New York is in three hours."

Yes, Jungkook really wanted to cry. He suspected that the guards were waiting for them outside, ready to pick him up and throw him forcibly into the car if he tried to escape. They would force him onto that plane, which would deprive him of his freedom forever. From the man he loved.

"Ah, I see you have a lot of luggage. As I've got nothing, I suppose that's enough for us two."

His remark was lame, but Jungkook couldn't think of anything better to hide his discomfort. He wanted to cry and scream, but he refused to give John that pleasure. Or anyone else. If he was to remain their prisoner, he would at least do so with his head held high. He wouldn't lower his gaze in front of them.

A wave of sadness passed through John's eyes and he lowered his head, almost ashamed.

"I've been thinking a lot about our talk." he admitted in a whisper.

Jungkook, intrigued, went down the few remaining steps to listen to what he had to say. Seeing that he had his attention, John continued.

"And... even though your words were very painful, I can't help thinking they're right. It hurts me to admit it, but I did wrong too."

It took him a few seconds to find the courage to meet Jungkook's eyes, but when he did, he saw that the boy was staring at him in surprise.

"You're right, Jungkook. I can't control your life. I can't make you love me, and I especially have no right to keep you away from him. Even if I find it hard to accept your relationship, it's nobody's business but yours; I've no right to interfere."

He paused, Jungkook literally hanging on his every word.

"I'm going back to New York alone. You're staying here."

The young man froze, his mouth half-open and his eyes wide, as if he'd just seen a ghost.

"...What...?"

"Hm. I've sent Kim a message. He should be here any minute. I'll be gone by the time he does."

The two stared at each other for a long moment, without either of them saying a word. Eventually, however, John moved closer and took the teenager in his arms. Jungkook didn't react at all, still finding it hard to believe what he'd just heard.

"I don't think we'll be seeing each other again. But the story with my father certainly won't end here. I'll leave you to fight this battle."

He didn't give Jungkook time to recover his senses, ordering the employee to help him load his suitcases. The boy watched them silently, standing there in the middle of the entrance. When all his luggage had been loaded, John turned to him one last time, their gazes grazing each other before he slipped away, closing the door behind him for good.

The house fell back into the silence that Jungkook had come to hate. He hated this place with all his heart. He had stayed there longer than he would have liked. But he sincerely thought that when he finally left, it would be to give up his freedom for good.

However, when the door opened again, his chest tightened and he let out the tears he had been holding back for two days.

"Darling!"