A devotedly religious boy and a workaholic seem like an unlikely match, but fate has a way of surprising us.
Kim Taehyung is firm in his beliefs, possibly even uncomfortable with the LGBT community, while Jeon Jungkook, a confident bisexual, embrace...
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Chapter 8: The Interview
The family meal together finally concluded, leaving Taehyung with a sense of relief and a quiet exhaustion. As he waited outside Ha-eun's house for his cab, she called out, her voice warm with affection,
"Taehyung-ah, I hope you'll visit us again soon, when you're less busy."
He offered a slightly strained smile and replied, "I'll try."
Ha-eun added, "Next time, stay longer. We'd love to spend more time with you."
Taehyung chuckled awkwardly, the cab arriving just in time to break the slightly strained farewell.
"I'll go now, Eomma," he said, opening the cab door.
"Sure, see you next time, and may God protect you," Ha-eun replied, her smile soft as she watched him depart.
As the cab pulled away, Taehyung let out a long sigh, the tension of the day slowly melting away. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling the stress begin to dissipate. Then, his phone buzzed—a notification about his job application. A quick glance revealed he'd passed the screening process. A wide smile spread across his face as he realized he was moving on to the interview stage.
"Excuse me, sir, could you take me to this address instead?" he asked the driver, showing him the new location. The driver nodded, and Taehyung settled back, anticipating his next stop.
His destination was a clothing store. He needed something formal for the interview; his current white shirt, while clean and crisp, wasn't quite interview-appropriate. He chose a sophisticated pair of gray trousers and a well-tailored blazer.
"Is there anything else you'd like, sir?" the cashier asked, after scanning his purchases.
"No, that's all," Taehyung replied.
"That will be ₩350,000. Cash or card?"
"Card," Taehyung responded, handing over his credit card. The transaction completed smoothly. Slightly embarrassed, he asked, "Would it be alright if I changed here?"
"Certainly, sir," the cashier replied, handing him back his card. "Here's your card."
"Thank you so much," Taehyung murmured, heading to the fitting room.
After changing, he bowed politely to the cashier, who returned the gesture. He checked his phone: only 30 minutes until the interview. A wave of nervousness washed over him; this was a major company, a significant opportunity. He hoped his preparation would be enough.
He arrived at the company building, his heart pounding slightly. At reception, he inquired about the interview location.
"The interview will be in the HR department on the fourth floor. The team manager will be conducting the interviews," the receptionist informed him.
"Thank you," he said, a grateful smile touching his lips.
The elevator ride was tense. He tapped his foot nervously, fiddling with his fingers. Just as the elevator doors closed, another person entered. Taehyung felt a flicker of familiarity, a vague sense of recognition, but he couldn't place the person's face. They exited on the fourth floor, but parted ways immediately.
Taehyung overheard a conversation as he walked down the hallway.
"Oi, Jimin, come here! The director is already here!"
"Alright, I'm coming," a weary sigh followed.
Taehyung shrugged it off, taking a seat on the bench in the waiting area. Fewer applicants than he expected were present, a stark reminder of the fierce competition for this position.
Finally, the call came. "Okay, the next applicants may come in."
It was his turn. He stood and entered the HR department, his breath catching in his throat. And there, sitting across the large desk, was Jungkook.
Jungkook looked up, a faint smile playing on his lips. Taehyung felt a blush creep onto his cheeks. Jungkook's office was surprisingly warm and inviting, sunlight streaming through a large window, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air. The desk was impeccably organized, but a single, slightly crumpled piece of paper sat near a sleek, silver pen, hinting at a touch of controlled chaos.
The interview began. Jungkook's gaze, though professional, held a warmth that made Taehyung feel oddly comfortable. He asked insightful questions about Taehyung's experience, his voice a low, smooth baritone that sent a pleasant shiver down Taehyung's spine. Jungkook listened intently, occasionally nodding, his dark eyes seeming to absorb every word.
When Taehyung stumbled over an answer, Jungkook didn't interrupt, instead offering a subtle encouraging smile that eased his nervousness. At one point, Jungkook leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his gaze intense yet playful.
"Tell me more about that project," he murmured, his voice dropping to an almost conspiratorial whisper.
As Taehyung explained, Jungkook's gaze lingered on him a beat longer than strictly professional, a subtle spark in his eyes that Taehyung couldn't quite decipher. He found himself captivated, momentarily forgetting the weight of the interview. When Taehyung finished,
Jungkook leaned back, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Impressive," he said, his voice laced with a hint of something more than just professional admiration.
There was a playful glint in his eyes, a subtle challenge in his tone, as if daring Taehyung to impress him further. Taehyung hoped Jungkook would realize that he is in this office to have interview and not to flirt with him. Well, at least it didn't creep him out or something, he felt eased with Jungkook.
After reviewing Taehyung's resume, Jungkook announced, "Okay, you're done. You'll receive an email if you're accepted." He paused, then added with a disarming grin, "But I have a feeling you'll be hearing from us soon." He subtly gestured toward the slightly crumpled piece of paper on his desk, a silent invitation.
"Thank you," Taehyung replied, bowing his head before departing, his heart pounding with a mixture of relief and a strange, exhilarating flutter.
Relief flooded him as he left. He opened his folder, remembering Jungkook's earlier subtle gesture. A small piece of paper slipped out, a note written in Jungkook's familiar handwriting. A smile spread across his face as he read the words:
Wait for me outside, it'll be my break later. Let's have a meal together. ─ ♡ Jungkook
He carefully placed the note back in his folder. Waiting for Jungkook didn't seem like such a bad idea after all.
