Fake, My Soul

Chapter 24: The Bogeyman Wants You

Everyone sat down in worry as Hoseok detailed what he had noticed the past few weeks. When asked why he didn't say anything, the man just told them that he didn't want to worry anyone until he was completely sure.

Now that he was almost 100% certain, he felt it was the right time to say something about the matter.

"Someone is tailing you, Taehyung, I managed to misdirect them a few times, and I got some information, they're trying to figure out who you are, how much you make, all that," Hoseok said as Jimin gripped Taehyung's hand tightly.

"It's my Aunt, I bet you it is," he said, hints of anger lacing his voice.

"I am almost sure it is," Hoseok said, "They want to know who you are and what you do, they mostly want to know how much money you have, I managed to grab his attention before he caught you going into your office, maybe wear plain clothes next time so that he thinks you're the janitor and not the...,"

"You can tell them," Taehyung said softly.

"The Chairman,"

"I KNEW IT!" Namjoon bellowed, "HA! Thank Cheerios, Krispies, and all the Holy Breakfast Food Items while cursing Mint-Choco!"

"How are you my brother, again?" Jin asked as he scrunched his nose in embarrassment.

"Shut up," Namjoon said as he turned red, "And, sorry, but this is also very, VERY, good News for us,"

"How so?"

"Father thinks that Grandpa is the Chairman, he wants to wrestle the rights away by claiming that the Old Man is senile and can't run anything,"

"What? Why? Grandpa has been doing an amazing job, even when, after, Gran, well, yeah,"

"I know, but Father just wants money, he used to be good at business strategy and seeing reason, but, he's gone a bit on the deep end, I heard him muttering about taking the CEO position from Grandpa as well,"

"Grandpa isn't the CEO though, we have a trusted person in that position, he's the stand-in Chairman, legally, but in the eyes and knowledge of all employees, he's the Chairman," Taehyung admitted.

"As long as Father doesn't suspect anything other than Grandpa is the Chairman, that's good, I think we should keep it that way, look, we'll talk more tomorrow if you're free, Taehyung as today is hang out day, but, I want to help stop the development in Daegu, not only is it going to hurt a lot of people in their lives and jobs, company-wise I don't see anything prospering financially either, this is all an attempt at power-play,"

"Hoseok, before those two get too distracted and start talking shop, what about our stalker?" Jin asked.

"I have a hunch that it's your father or another company exec who wants your positions," Hoseok replied.

"Why would our own father stalk us?" Namjoon wondered.

"He wants you to slip up, especially you, Namjoon,"

"Why?"

"Why do you think?"

"He thinks you've gone soft, he thinks you're not good enough for his vision," Jin answered for him.

"As for you, Jin-Hyung, it's about control, and, I have another hunch which you won't like,"

"And that is?"

"He wants to get rid of Jungkook,"

"WHAT!? WHY!?"

"Think about my and Jungkook's social status,"

"What's wrong with it?"

"Oh, Jin-Hyung, you and Namjoonie are far too kind, how you two ended up as you did and not spoiled assholes, I'll never know,"

"Choice," Namjoon said, "We made a choice, don't get me wrong, being wealthy is nice and it helps a lot with life, but, substance, ethics, emotions, connection, we value those things, what good is money if you're just a dick about it? That's our view, anyway,"

Everyone just nodded their heads in agreement.

"Any way, I'm going to assume that he wants to get rid of Jungkook, maybe get Hyung a different partner, one with more money and a 'better' social standing?" Namjoon finished.

"Yes, pretty much what I'm surmising, for now, but it's probably to make sure you two aren't doing anything against the company, I am not fully 100% certain just yet, so," Hoseok said.

"Hobi-Hyung," Taehyung started, "If I make a request, would you consider it?"

"Depends on what it is,"

"I want to hire you,"

"To?"

"To be my P.I,"

"Pardon?"

"Hyung, you're really good at looking at the finer details in things, it's why you're an amazing dancer, but you have empathy, and a very highly perceptive ability, you work things out, I've seen you turn unorganized routines into perfect synchronizations, and I'd appreciate it if you could do that for me,"

"Taehyung, I'm not trained to be a P.I, I don't even know the basics of law nor do I know how to sleuth,"

"Can you do it on the DL? Figure out a way,"

"I,"

"Please, Hyung,"

And for the life of him, Hoseok couldn't say no to Taehyung's pleading baby eyes that he had dubbed the 'Ta-Ta Mic Face', given that Taehyung had pulled that face various times when he wanted something and he started it while holding a microphone during their Noraebang (Karaoke) sessions early on in their friendship.

"Sigh, fine," Hoseok said, "I'll look into rules and laws and do what I can, but I can make zero promises, what do you need me to find?"

"Who sent them and why, what are their plans? What do they know about me and about my brothers and Jungkook?"

"OK,"

"How much should I pay you?"

"You want to pay me?"

"Yeah, it is a job,"

"Wow, I mean, I don't know, how much are P.I's normally paid?"

"Depends on their ability, some P.Is charge 40'000 won an hour, others can go up to ten times that amount,"

"THAT MUCH!?"

"Yeah,"

"I, just go with what you think is right,"

"How about we start at 100'000 won an hour, you log in what hours you work and how long it takes, what you use, what you spent money on, all that, I trust you, obviously, and I'll give you the starting amount for the first forty hours now?"

"Taehyung,...that's too much money, I can't take that,"

"But you can, you're my friend and I trust you,"

"Taehyung,"

"Hyung, I know you need this, I know about the dance studio needing repairs and upgrades, and that the rent for it is coming on to overdue, please accept it, this way, we both get help in what we need,"

"I, OK, thank you,"

"Finally, Detective Hobi is on the Case," Jungkook said somewhat childishly making the others chuckle.

"I'll start tomorrow, but bear in mind that I will work this around my dance classes," Hoseok said.

"I know," Taehyung said, "Dancing is life,"

"Too damn right,"

"Hyung, I mean it, thank you,"

Hoseok just nodded his head at him.