BunBun Mine // taekook

Chapter 42

The velvet black accessories lay scattered on the emerald green grass. Not a single one was broken. A tall man kicked them under his expansive leather shoe. He pulled a bundle of shiny money notes from his pocket and handed it to the elderly shopkeeper. The old man hesitated to take the money, clearly conflicted. Holding Jungkook's frail body close to his chest, the man said,

“My wife was scared by your harsh voice and the lies you told him. None of the accessories are broken, I just ruined them. You can’t fine someone without causing damage, so I’m giving you compensation, please take it.”

The shopkeeper's face turned pale when he saw the man in front of him, his wrinkled skin becoming ashen. Recognizing the man in shiny formal suit, he stammered, “Do t-these break when they fall on grass? I-I was just saying things. You don’t need to give me money, sir. It’s thanks to your father that I can set up a shop at the fair every year. I didn’t know this boy was your wife.”

Jungkook turned his head to look at Taehyung. The man had become visibly thin. His eyes were sunken, lips darkened, and jaw tight. His once radiant golden-bronze complexion had grown dull. Jungkook realized that this condition was the result of Taehyung’s extreme neglect of himself during the election period and his time as a minister. Without a word, he leaned into Taehyung’s chest like a doll.

The bustling fair crowd was looking at them now. All eyes were filled with excitement as they focused on the police, bodyguards, and the leader Kim Taehyung. Whispers filled the air—speculations about Jungkook being his spouse. Clearly, news of this had not yet reached the district level. The marriage of the council's eldest son was unknown to most of them.

Taehyung caught fragments of the murmurs while glancing at Jungkook's pale face. He turned to the vendor and asked, "Do you have the cosmetic? Pack twenty dozen of them. Jungkook, show me which ones you like with your hand."

Jungkook was dumbstruck. What would he even do with so many accessories? Caught off guard by this extravagant request, he hesitated.

"I don’t need them." He murmured timidly.

Taehyung released him from his embrace and asked sharply, "Why not? Then why did you come to the fair? You’ll absolutely take some. By the way, where are Jimin and your that stone faced brother? Driver uncle said they came along with you."

Jungkook’s unsettled eyes darted around. They were nowhere to be seen. Where could they have gone? He had assumed they were close by, but he had been so absorbed in admiring the stationery that he had forgotten about them entirely.

"Maybe they’re around somewhere," he said faintly.

Taehyung gave a crooked smile. "Focus on the accessories. I bet my dear uncle is gearing up for another heart attack."

Startled, Jungkook exclaimed, "Why would my appa have a heart attack?"

"Because of your brother."

"What did my hyung do now?"

"You’ll find out in time. Now, pick the ones you like."

Jungkook pointed to three bracelets and some earrings in red, green, and golden colours, saying, "I’ll take these."

Taehyung’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the younger and said with fiery intensity, "What! Do you think your husband is stingy? Do you have a dozen kids at home to care for that you're being so frugal? A boy fresh out of high school shouldn't be this calculating. Let go of your father’s miserly habits, you must have got these by DNA paste. He couldn’t throw a proper wedding for his only son yet always telling my bun, my precious son, my fragile baby, bla bla, which is why he married you off after your exams to avoid public gossips about his miserliness."