Hearts Aligned || Jungkook × Reader✔️

Chapter 26:Bittersweet

22th January, 2025

[At HYBE Building]

JUNGKOOK'S POV

"Good morning, Mr. Seong!" I bowed as I entered the head of PR's cabin. The elderly man, sitting behind his desk and typing on his laptop, briefly glanced up before gesturing to the chair opposite him.

"Jungkook! Come in. Take a seat," he said with a serious expression on his face and I complied.

"You must be wondering why you've been called to my office so suddenly, right?" he asked, sliding his glasses up his nose.

Of course, I am. Mr. Seong is the head of Public Relations, someone I rarely interact with unless there's something critical. Is there a bad rumor? A controversy brewing? What could this be about?

"Certainly, I am. What is this about, Mr. Seong?" I asked, my thoughts racing.

He leaned back in his chair looking at me with his sharp gaze. "The internet is blowing up with photos and videos of you. Are you aware of that?"

My brows furrowed. "What photos?"

He turned his laptop toward me, the screen flashing with Twitter notifications. "Take a look yourself," he said.

I scrolled through the feed. A sense of dread started to creep in as I saw the pictures. Images of my car, the one I frequently use and there were several posts about me entering Golden Crust Bakery. None of these photos has my face, thanks to my mask and beanie, but... a video.

The caption says,
'Jeon Jungkook's Secret Girlfriend???
21/01/2025❤'

It's a video from yesterday, when I dropped Yn at her bakery. I clicked the video and there was Yn, just got out of my car, walked in front of her shop and waved at me with a smile. The cameraman was behind my car, so it captured Yn's face but not mine, only my tattooed hand can be seen as I waved back at Yn.

Those paparazzi bastards! Looks like they've been following me to the bakery lately.

"These pictures..." I started, my heart thudding in my chest. "None of them show my face. Not even the video. And a lot of people dress like me, a lot even have the exact tattoos like me, specially people who like cosplaying. So I don't see the issue. Why are you showing me this?" I tried to keep my voice neutral, though a hint of nervousness seeped in.

Mr. Seong chuckled softly, though there's no humor in it. "ARMYs have eagle eyes, Jungkook. Look closely. You might have missed the small detail but they won't. See that reflection in the side mirror of your car? Your face is right there, exposed."

I took a closer look at the video and my stomach dropped as I realized he was right. My face was reflected in the side mirror of the car.

"Right but even the reflection is not clear because of the fog. One can barely tell it's me," I said, still trying to grasp at some sort of defense.

"And what about the license plate of your car? It can be clearly seen in the video," he shot back. "Everyone knows that car is yours. You've been seen driving it too often for people not to connect the dots."

I fell silent. His words are true, true enough to leave me speechless.

"Okay, fine. Let's say it's all edited. The public might just think it's all fake. But the company knows it's not. We know you're somehow linked to that young girl who owns that bakery. And from what I've seen, you've been protective of her. You're making it too obvious. Now, tell me, Jungkook, what's your relationship with her? Is this just a compensation deal or...... is there more?"