Please... Love Me

48

"Where is your Uncle Bogeum?" Jungkook asked as he stepped inside Jannie's room, his gaze scanning every corner until his eyes landed on the closet where Seokjin was hiding.

On the other hand, Seokjin was sweating profusely, his heart pounding like a drum, desperately hoping Jungkook wouldn’t notice him. The moment Jungkook turned his back, Seokjin let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Before Seokjin could fully relax, Jannie spoke up. "Someone called, like an emergency—" she started, trying to explain to her father. However, before she could finish, Jungkook was already dialing Bogeum's number, his frustration growing by the second.

Ming Yu, who had followed them into the room, stood silently in the corner, watching the tension unfold between father and daughter.

"Where are you? You really left my daughter alone here?!" Jungkook's voice was sharp and laced with anger as he spoke on the phone. "What if that bastard comes to get her? What if something happens?!"

Wtf- Whose bastard?? Kookie..
Seokjin bites his lips , trying to stop himself from breathing..

Jannie bit her lip, her mind racing. Of course, it was her fault! Jungkook had come home earlier than expected—it was only 6 PM, after all, and Bogeum hadn’t even returned yet.

"Kook, my mom was here and she said she doesn’t have her keys to my apartment. She needed me to come home right away. I'm sorry, I was about to call you, but it only about 10 or 15 minutes when I leave Jannie alone. I swear, I’m really sorry! my mom is upset," Bogeum muttered rapidly into the phone, almost tripping over his words in his haste to explain himself.

Of course he was lying. His rushed tone was too defensive, and his attempt to cover up his absence only made things more suspicious. "Janniiiie!" he murmured under his breath, frustration clearly mounting in his voice.

Jungkook, clearly irritated, listened for a moment before responding, "Okay... but at least call me, or wait for me, or Ming Yu, before you leave Jannie here, or anywhere! Got it? This is the last time, Bogeum. Goodnight!" His voice was a mix of anger and exhaustion.

Jannie, sensing the tension in the air, turned toward her father, trying to soften the situation. "Dad, I’m fine! I’m a big girl now. I can do it alone," she protested, trying to reassure him.

Jungkook, however, wasn’t convinced. He frowned, his concern deepening. "No, Jannie, it’s not about that. You don’t understand—there are bad people out there. People who do bad things."

Jannie’s eyes narrowed slightly, confused. "That doesn't include Daddy, right Appa?" she asked, her voice small but sincere.

Jungkook froze, caught off guard. "No! That’s not what I meant, sweetie. Your dad is-
a good person—"

"So, can Daddy visit me here?" Jannie interrupted, a hopeful look in her eyes.

Jungkook's face paled, his mind racing. "No! I—Jannie, can we not talk about this right now?" His voice was strained, the subject clearly a sore one for him.

Jannie, sensing the tension, sighed. "Okay... I’m sorry, Appa. Can I sleep now? I don’t feel well," she said, turning her back to her father and pulling the blankets up around herself. Her tone was soft, a sign that she was trying to move on from the conversation.

Jungkook sat on the edge of the bed, looking at her with deep concern, but his gaze lingered for a moment before he sighed. "Goodnight, sweetie," he said softly. "If you need anything, I’m right here."

"Goodnight, Appa. Goodnight, Uncle Ming," Jannie murmured, her eyes already half-closed.

"I'll get you some food and milk so you have a medication, I'll be back sweetie, have some rest now"
Ming Yu exchanged a silent look with Jungkook, both of them understanding the weight of the situation, but neither knowing how to ease the growing tension in the room. It was clear to them both that something was wrong, and that Jannie was caught in the middle of a conflict she didn't fully understand.