Always

XII. Restriction

Months passed by and a downpour came.

Pictures of Yoongi and Daeum, a rising actress circulated on the internet. Articles were everywhere and they have concluded that the rapper and the rising actress had been secretly dating for two years and are on a private relationship. Yoongi was called into the head office of Big Hit.

"Why am I here?" Yoongi asked politely.

"We've made new rules for you, Yoongi." The man on the desk representing the agency did not even bat an eyelash.

"Look, Yoongi. Let's not beat around the bush here. No matter how you deny it, we know the truth."

"Is that why you circulated those old pictures?"

"I have a job to do. Part of that is protecting the group from any harm." The man admitted. The way the man spoke the word harm was malicious.

"You've been with them for almost ten years. You and I both knew how and what Jimin is. That boy wears his heart on his sleeves."

Yoongi clenched his fist under the table. The man used the word boy to refer to Jimin and it sounded sexually offensive. But he held himself.

"I cannot afford that everything will crumble to dust. You all have worked so hard to be where the group is right now."

Yoongi remained silent. He felt so powerless in front of the man. The man was right. But he didn't have the right to publish and fabricate stories.

"There are a lot of upcoming shows and of course the tour. I am laying down these restrictions. You are both restricted to interact on stage, during interviews, even in your apartment. You don't want me to assign a bodyguard inside the apartment, right? That would invade the privacy of the other members. I trust you would do something to end this nonsense."

Yoongi's look was menacing. He hated himself for not being able to defend Jimin. He knew he is at their mercy at the moment. He didn't have anything to fight back. He owed and still owes the company for making his dreams come true. But they are crossing their lines.

The members were at the living room watching a tv show when Yoongi arrived. He looked at Jimin sitting in between Namjoon and Jin. The younger waved and smiled at him, but he didn't react. Yoongi walked past the group without even saying hello and headed directly to his studio.

Namjoon and Jin stared at each other. Jimin silently headed towards Yoongi's studio.

Jimin stood at the door. He didn't know what to say or where to begin. Yoongi did not even turn around to look at him. He was slouching at the chair looking at the ceiling, eyes closed. He could tell something was really off. He wanted to ask Yoongi about the pictures, but he could also tell it wasn't the right time.

"Is there something wrong?" Jimin said softly.

"Just tired." His voice cold.

Jimin approached Yoongi and put an arm on his shoulder but Yoongi flinched from the hug. Jimin gasped from Yoongi's reaction. He wanted to ask why. He wanted Yoongi to talk to him. He wanted Yoongi to say something rather than giving him a cold shoulder. But he kept mum.

"You know where I am when you are ready to talk." Jimin walked out of the studio. He closed the door gently and let the tears roll on his cheek. Pain in his heart.

***

"Why don't you ask Yoongi for the truth? For God's sake, he is your boyfriend. It is his job to tell you the truth and it is your right to know the truth." JK exclaimed. His hands on his waist. He took the box of tissue and handed it to Jimin who had been crying silently over the past days. In fairness to Jimin, he didn't let the problems get in the way with his work. He goes to practice room for their rehearsals everyday as if there is nothing going on between him and Yoongi. The two youngest maknae were at Jimin's room.