Growing up as orphans, Taehyung and Jungkook were inseparable, navigating the hardships of life in an orphanage side by side. Their bond was a lifeline, making the challenges of their childhood bearable-until everything changed. Jungkook was discove...
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Chapter 6
Jungkook's parents and Aera's presence had faded, leaving a quiet void in the mansion. Their visit, though brief, had stirred a subtle shift in the atmosphere, particularly for Taehyung. The air, once thick with anticipation and the weight of unspoken expectations, now felt lighter, infused with a strange sense of uncertainty.
As Jungkook's family departed, Aera, with a gentle smile that held a hint of unspoken longing, assured him.
"Take your time deciding, Jungkook. I don't mind waiting." Her words were laced with a quiet hope.
"That's right, Jungkook," Sunhee chimed in, her voice warm and encouraging, "You're lucky to have her. Don't lose your chance." Her words, while seemingly casual, carried a subtle weight, a gentle nudge for her son to consider Aera's affections.
Jungkook, however, remained stoic, simply sighing in response. His mind, still preoccupied with the demands of his career, seemed distant, oblivious to the undercurrents of emotions swirling around him.
"Make sure to watch your health, Jungkook," he reminded him, his voice laced with a gentle worry, "both physically and mentally."
"I know, Dad, I'm not a kid anymore," Jungkook retorted, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Geonwoo, his eyes catching Taehyung standing amidst the staff, approached him. He ruffled Taehyung's hair, a gesture that was both unexpected and endearing.
"Please take care of my son," he said, his voice softening, a genuine plea in his tone. "He's a hard-headed person, which made it difficult for us, his parents, to discipline him. I hope you'll watch him for us."
Taehyung, taken aback by the gesture, could only stammer, "Oh, uh, I-I will." He felt a warmth spread through him.
"Thank you," Geonwoo replied, his kindness evident.
Jungkook, however, intervened, "Dad, leave my staff alone!" He glared at his father, his voice laced with a protective instinct for his staff, a subtle assertion of his own authority.
But Geonwoo only chuckled, "I know, I'll leave now. See you again." He then followed his wife into the waiting van.
"Goodbye, Jungkook, see you again," Aera said, pecking his cheek before going in a separate vehicle.
As the van carrying Jungkook's parents pulled away, Sunhee, his mother, couldn't help but comment,
"I know you're an oddball, but you sure are odd with that guy maid of Jungkook's." Her words, laced with a hint of amusement, carried a subtle undercurrent of curiosity.
Geonwoo, seemingly amused by her observation, giggled, "Do you think so?"
"Yes," Sunhee replied, her voice laced with playful teasing, "You're way too kind to that guy. It's not like he was the only guy staff Jungkook had. You're enjoying his presence too much."
"I mean, at least there was someone who was kind of the same age as our son," Geonwoo retorted, his voice carrying a hint of conviction. "He might understand Jungkook and get along with him."
"And what's with the sudden change of your opinion?" Sunhee inquired, her voice laced with curiosity. "You usually get along with my plans for Jungkook."
"Well, I came to realize that maybe we should not pressure Jungkook to marry someone he doesn't love," Geonwoo explained, his tone thoughtful, his words carrying a weight of newfound understanding. "It would just add stress to his mentality."
"I understand that, but you see, our son is at the right age and mature enough to get married," Sunhee sighed, her voice laced with a hint of worry. "But still, he's so focused on his work that he can barely think of himself."
"Well, you don't have to worry," Geonwoo suggested, his voice carrying a reassuring confidence. "I'll try to resolve that issue. For now, let's take things slowly so we won't pressure him."
"Fine," Sunhee agreed, her voice subdued, her initial reservations giving way to a hesitant acceptance of her husband's newfound perspective.
Back at the mansion, the staff resumed their chores.
"Mr. Jeon Geonwoo surely likes you," Mrs. Singh remarked as she washed the dishes, her voice carrying a note of observation.
"Do you think so?" Taehyung replied, drying the utensils, his voice laced with a touch of uncertainty. "I think he was just being kind, though."
"Well, he's kind, but not like that," Mrs. Singh stated, her voice firm. "It was almost as if he trusted our boss to you."
"That's right, Taehyung-ssi," Yebin, one of the maids, chimed in, her voice filled with a playful curiosity. "Mr. Geonwoo was definitely kind, but he definitely likes you."
"If I were you, you should take that as an advantage to get a higher salary than your usual," Eunhye teased while carefully putting the plates in the plate rack.
"Oi, what are you saying?" Mrs. Singh scolded Eunhye. "Do you want me to hit you with a pan?"
"What? I'm just telling the truth," Eunhye chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief.
"I'm jealous," Minseo sighed playfully as she vacuumed the floor. "If I am just as good-looking as Taehyung, I might become a superstar."
"I know, right?" Yebin added, her voice filled with a shared amusement. "Even our boss seemed to like him as well."
"It's not like that," Taehyung tried to reason, his voice laced with a touch of defensiveness. "Maybe they thought it was just odd to have a guy maid in this place, that's why."
"Ehh, but Madam Sunhee also has taken a liking to you," Minseo retorted, shaking her head. "She complimented you, which is a sign of her acknowledgment of you. She was picky, you know; we could barely make her approve of whatever we were doing."
"I was flattered by that as well," Taehyung admitted, his shyness evident, his cheeks flushing slightly.
"Well, to be honest, you are handsome," Eunhye said. "I couldn't believe you would choose this kind of work."
"Oh, this was just like a part-time for me," Taehyung replied, his voice carrying a note of explanation. "I just needed extra money for my expenses while waiting for my application in the company I applied for."
"Which company is that?" Yebin asked, her curiosity piqued.
"Oh, the Nexis Corporation," Taehyung retorted. "I've heard that they gave employees high salaries; that's why I wanted to give it a try, though; I don't have that much knowledge about that company; I needed money."
"Huh? But that's Mr. J─" Yebin started, her voice trailing off as Jungkook's voice echoed from the stairs.
"What's happening here? I could hear y'all voices upstairs," Jungkook said, his presence commanding attention, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity.
The staff, startled, immediately bowed their heads.
"It was nothing important, sir," Mrs. Singh responded on their behalf.
"I see," Jungkook said, his voice carrying a note of casual authority. "I'll get going now. I may have some friends to come over later."
"We understand," Mrs. Singh replied.
Jungkook looked at Taehyung, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Have a nice day at your work, Mr. Jeon," Taehyung smiled warmly, his voice carrying a note of sincerity.
"Thank you," Jungkook smiled gently.
And this time, he patted Taehyung's hair, as his endearment for him.
