Fake it, till you make it

Chapter 10: The Devil's Bargain

Chapter 10: The Devil's Bargain

The morning air hung heavy with unspoken tension. Taehyung felt a knot of anxiety tightened in his stomach, the memory of the previous night's events still fresh in his mind. He found solace only in the quiet moments, like when Jungkook had drifted off to sleep after their shared dinner.

"What's the matter with you? Are you okay?" Jungkook's voice startled him, breaking through his thoughts as he stood in the kitchen, a glass of cold water clutched in his hand, his mind racing.

"Huh?" Taehyung stammered, his brain still preoccupied. "Uh, I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed," he mumbled, forcing a smile.

"Then why don't you go back to bed? It's still early, 8 am," Jungkook said, taking the glass from Taehyung's hand and taking a long drink.

"Couldn't sleep, to be honest," Taehyung confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe we should roam around Seoul. You promised you'd tour me, right?" He tried to change the subject, hoping to distract himself from the lingering unease.

"I'm sorry, not now. I wish I could, but I really can't spare the time right now because of my schedule," Jungkook said, his tone apologetic.

"But you're the one who made the promise, Jungkookie," Taehyung whined playfully, trying to lighten the mood.

"I know, but maybe next time, yeah? I promise I'll take you to the most beautiful places here, places you'll love," Jungkook said, ruffling Taehyung's hair affectionately.

"Will Ilene and Gyu come with us? I think that would be fun," Taehyung said, his words laced with calculated innocence. He was playing the role of the oblivious friend, hoping to ease Jungkook's suspicions.

"Why do they have to come? It's your moment to enjoy new things. I don't think it's necessary to bring them," Jungkook replied, his face hardening at the mention of their names.

"But wouldn't it be odd if it's just the two of us? I mean, they're your family, Jungkook. Besides, I really don't mind if they come with us," Taehyung insisted, pushing the issue.

"What's the matter with that? It's not like it would be a problem for you," Jungkook said, his gaze fixed on Taehyung, his expression unreadable.

"Won't you get into trouble because of it? I mean, they might think you're prioritizing your best friend over your family, which could lead to some rumors," Taehyung said, his voice laced with concern. "I don't want them to think you're mistreating your family, Jungkookie. After all, that's something you wouldn't do to them, right?" He was intentionally pushing the buttons, wanting to see Jungkook's reaction.

"Even if I were that kind of person, I'd make sure I wouldn't get caught," Jungkook said, a playful grin spreading across his face, but there was a hint of seriousness in his tone, almost menacing.

A shiver ran down Taehyung's spine. It was as if Jungkook's words held a chilling truth, a glimpse into a darker side he had never seen before.

"Stop joking around, Jungkookie," Taehyung said, trying to laugh it off, wrapping his arm around Jungkook's. "You sound scary when you say things like that."

"Did I scare you? I'm sorry about that," Jungkook apologized, but his voice still held a chilling undercurrent.

"Why won't you bring me to your work?" Taehyung changed the subject, trying to steer the conversation back to safer ground.

"You'd just get bored there. Besides, I have to go somewhere else before I go to my company," Jungkook replied, his voice evasive.

"Where to?" Taehyung asked, his curiosity piqued.

"To a friend of mine who owes me something. He said he'd pay today, but he's sick, so I'll go to his place instead," Jungkook explained.

"That's so kind of you, Jungkookie," Taehyung said, a forced giggle escaping his lips. "Then I guess you should get ready. But make sure to buy something for me, okay?" He teased, letting go of Jungkook's arm.

"Sure, I'll buy you anything you want," Jungkook said, pecking Taehyung's forehead.

Taehyung smiled, but the warmth faded as soon as Jungkook left his sight.

 
-----

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Jungkook said, his voice echoing through the desolate, abandoned building. He had entered through a dark alley, pushing aside a tattered curtain that served as a makeshift door. The room was a chaotic mess, a testament to the violence that had taken place within its walls. The single dangling lightbulb cast flickering shadows, illuminating the scene of a man bound to a chair, his hands tied above his head.

"To see you here, dressed like that, I can't believe you're willing to risk everything," the man said, his voice trembling, not from fear, but from exhaustion.

Jungkook stood in the center of the room, his sharp features illuminated by the dim light. He was dressed in his usual formal attire, a black blazer with long white sleeves, paired with black slacks.

The man, Namjoon, had been subjected to a brutal three-night ordeal. His breathing was shallow, the only sound in the room, a testament to the relentless torture he had endured. They had beaten him, but they had stopped just short of killing him. They wanted him to suffer, to break him.

"I don't think I ever bothered you, I have no idea why you'd do this to me," Namjoon said, his eyes fixed on Jungkook, his voice filled with a mixture of anger and confusion.

"You see, Namjoon, the person you robbed at the train station was someone important to me," Jungkook said, removing his blazer, revealing a more dangerous aspect of his nature.

"I don't understand what you're talking about," Namjoon replied, his gaze following Jungkook's every move.

"That's bad of you. You should at least check your target before you act. You might accidentally offend someone," Jungkook said, a chilling smile playing on his lips. He slipped on a pair of brass knuckles, the metal glinting in the dim light.

"Did I offend you?" Namjoon sneered, his voice laced with defiance.

"Not really," Jungkook said, his smile widening. "But you pissed me off." He grabbed a fistful of Namjoon's hair, forcing him to look at him.

Namjoon groaned in agony as Jungkook's grip tightened, pulling his head back. Jungkook shoved a picture in front of Namjoon's face. Namjoon was confused for a moment, but then recognition dawned in his eyes.

"Ah, I remember now. That person was ethereal, he looked so rich that's why I robbed him. You know, I was lucky with how much he had," Namjoon said, his voice dripping with arrogance, testing Jungkook's patience. "Did you perhaps give him those? Too bad, I already sold them."

"It doesn't matter. I could buy him twice those prices, twice what you stole from him," Jungkook said, his voice calm but laced with a dangerous undercurrent.

"Then why are you still upset?" Namjoon asked, his voice strained.

"You touched him, that's why," Jungkook said, his eyes boring into Namjoon's, sending a shiver down his spine.

"That's it? Possessive, aren't ya?" Namjoon sneered.

"Ah, that's right. That's why I'm going to cut your arms to make sure they won't work again," Jungkook said, his smile turning into a chilling, almost predatory grin.

"Fuck you! Argh!"

Namjoon screamed in pain as Jungkook's fist connected with his jaw, the force of the blow sending a wave of shock through his body.