✔️Mafia's Lover, Enemy's Prey

8. Behind the closed door

Taehyung was sitting in class, ready to submit the assignment that he would work on

Well, sort of last minute. He patted his pockets, rummaged through his backpack, but the USB drive with his project was nowhere to be found. His eyes widened in panic, and his fingers scrambled, pulling out notebooks, pens, even a stray candy wrapper, but no assignment.

He realized with horror that he must have left the USB drive on his desk at home.

When the professor approached, Taehyung bit his lip nervously. “Mr. Kim, where’s your assignment?” the professor asked, tapping his foot impatiently.

Taehyung stammered, “Uh... well... funny story, actually, you see, I... uh... misplaced it?”

The professor wasn’t amused. “Misplaced it? You mean you didn’t do it. I expected better from you. Maybe better reason? Carelessness like this will get you nowhere.”

His heart sank as the professor walked away, shaking his head in disappointment. Taehyung stared down at his empty desk, feeling the weight of the moment. His emotions got the better of him, and he bolted to the common washroom, locking himself inside. Once there, he slumped to the seat, sniffling and rubbing his eyes.

Meanwhile, outside the restroom, Jimin stood with his arms crossed, sighing dramatically. “Tae, come on, it’s not the end of the world!” he called through the door. “You always do this! One bad day and you turn into a mess.”

There was no answer, just the sound of quiet sniffling. Jimin shook his head, unfazed. “C'mon Tae. Just hand it in tomorrow, no big deal! Crying won’t make your professor magically like you.”
Taehyung had always been sensitive, often letting his emotions take over when things went wrong. So Jimin waited, giving his friend space to calm down.

After what felt like an eternity, Taehyung, his eyes puffy and throat sore from crying, pulled out his phone and dialed Seokjin’s number. The moment Seokjin answered, Taehyung couldn’t form words, only the soft sobs filled the line.

"Taehyung? Taehyung, what's wrong?" Seokjin’s voice, usually calm and composed, was suddenly full of panic. Without another word, Seokjin hung up and bolted out of his office, not even telling Yoongi where he was going.

At the university, everyone stared as Seokjin strode through the halls. He was dressed head-to-toe in black, looking furious and every bit like someone important figure, his presence demanding attention. Girls and boys alike whispered and gasped at the sight of him, his handsomeness and aura impossible to ignore. But Seokjin cared little for the attention, his only focus on finding Taehyung.

When he saw Jimin, who was sitting outside the restroom, Seokjin didn’t need to speak. Jimin stood, shocked by Seokjin’s sudden appearance, but silently gestured toward the restroom door. Seokjin approached and knocked softly.

“Taehyung,” he called, his voice unusually gentle.

The door creaked open, and Taehyung’s swollen eyes met Seokjin’s. Taehyung blinked, unable to believe Seokjin was really standing there.

Seokjin’s hard expression softened instantly at the sight of Taehyung’s tear-stained face and red, puffy eyes. He reached out, cupping Taehyung’s face with both hands, his voice low but firm. “Who made you cry, Taehyung?”

Taehyung hesitated, blinking away the last of his tears, unsure if he should answer. But Seokjin’s gaze darkened. “Tell me the name,” he demanded again, his voice laced with quiet fury.

“I-It was just the professor,” Taehyung answered, not wanting to make Seokjin more angry.

Without saying anything, he grabbed Taehyung’s hand and led him down the hallway.