⤷MASQUERADE || Jeon Jk FF ♡

part; ¹³

The air in the boardroom was thick with anticipation and tension. The four men seated around the long, polished table were no strangers to each other, but today, an unspoken rivalry hung in the air, as if daring anyone to make the first move. The room itself was grand—high ceilings with intricate chandeliers casting soft light, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the bustling city, and the subtle scent of leather and wood polish filling the space.

Jaehyun was the first to break the silence, leaning back casually in his chair. A mischievous grin danced on his lips as he glanced over at Taehyung, who sat across from him, exuding a calm, confident aura. Taehyung was dressed sharply in a navy suit that complemented his dark eyes, his expression unbothered yet alert, as if he was merely waiting for an opportunity to turn the tables.

“So,” Jaehyun drawled, his voice carrying a teasing lilt. “Looks like you and Y/N were quite the headline, huh?” He tapped a finger on the table, a playful smirk forming as he watched Taehyung’s reaction. “The media’s been having a field day with that little moment of yours on the balcony.”

Taehyung’s lips twitched upwards, a low chuckle escaping him. He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other as he gave Jaehyun a knowing look. “You know how the media is, always blowing things out of proportion,” he replied smoothly, his voice dripping with nonchalance. “We were just talking, and someone with too much free time decided to snap a picture.”

Jaehyun’s grin widened as he tilted his head, his gaze never leaving Taehyung’s face. “Is that so? Because from what I heard, there were some pretty heated discussions going on between you two.” He raised an eyebrow, his tone light but with a hint of suggestiveness. “Not to mention, the chemistry was practically palpable.”

Taehyung laughed, a rich, amused sound that filled the room. “What can I say?” He shrugged, his smile charming yet calculated. “Some people just like to imagine things that aren’t there. Y/N and I were simply having a professional discussion. As for the chemistry,” he paused, his eyes gleaming with a playful challenge, “maybe I’m just good at making an impression.”

Jaehyun shook his head, his laughter joining Taehyung’s. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s all it was,” he teased, but there was no malice in his tone—just the banter of two men who knew each other too well.

Across the table, Jungkook remained silent, his expression unreadable. Dressed in a sleek black suit, he exuded a sense of authority and calm that made his presence almost intimidating. His dark eyes, however, flickered with something else—something dangerous—as he listened to the conversation unfold. He wasn’t interested in playing these games, but he knew how to bide his time. There was a subtle tension in his clenched jaw, his hands resting on the armrests of his chair as if he was holding himself back.

Yoongi, on the other hand, leaned back lazily, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. Dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, his appearance was deceptively relaxed, but his sharp gaze missed nothing. “You know, Taehyung,” he drawled softly, his voice smooth as silk, “you must really enjoy the spotlight. First, the picture with Godfather, and now this. The media’s practically eating out of your hand.”

Taehyung’s eyes shifted to Yoongi, a hint of something dark flashing in his gaze before he masked it with a calm smile. “Is it a crime to enjoy a little attention, Yoongi? After all, they’re the ones who put me on the front page—not me.” He spread his hands slightly, his smile turning almost smug. “And if it helps our business image, why not? It’s all about the optics, isn’t it?”

Yoongi’s smirk deepened, his gaze holding Taehyung’s. “Right, optics. Just make sure you don’t get too caught up in them. People have a way of turning things against you when you least expect it.”