A Taste Of Midnight

84

The meeting room was bathed in a warm but artificial glow, the soft hum of overhead lights filling the silence as Jungkook entered. Conversations hushed immediately, and all eyes turned toward him.

Dressed in a sharp suit, Jungkook carried himself with the same confident air he always had, but there was something different about him-something none of the staff could quite put their finger on.

He took his seat at the head of the long table, setting down his leather-bound planner and glancing around the room. "Let's get started," he said, his tone calm yet authoritative.

The team launched into their presentations, discussing quarterly reports, upcoming projects, and market strategies. Jungkook nodded occasionally, his gaze sharp and focused as he listened. But as the meeting progressed, a quiet sense of unease settled among a few of the attendees.

It wasn't his demeanor-Jungkook had always been composed and attentive. It was... the atmosphere.

"Doesn't it feel different?" one of the junior executives whispered to her colleague, leaning in as the meeting carried on.

"What do you mean?" her colleague murmured back, keeping one eye on the screen displaying the slides.

"The meetings," she said, glancing toward the windows. "They used to be in the mornings, remember? Sunlight would pour in, and everyone would wake up instantly. Now it's all... artificial lights and evening vibes."

Her colleague frowned, stealing a glance at Jungkook, who was flipping through the agenda with a steady hand. "You're right," he said softly. "He used to insist on morning meetings to 'set the tone for the day,' or whatever he called it."

"And it's not just the timing," she continued. "It's him. Doesn't he seem... different?"

The colleague hesitated, studying Jungkook more closely. It was subtle-the slight change in his posture, the way his presence seemed heavier, more commanding. Even his complexion looked different, though it was hard to tell under the dim lighting.

"He does," the colleague admitted finally. "But who's going to question it? The guy's still brilliant."

"True," she said, leaning back in her chair as the presentation continued. But the nagging feeling in her chest didn't go away.

As the meeting wrapped up, Jungkook stood, addressing the room with his usual mix of confidence and professionalism. "Good work, everyone," he said, his voice carrying just enough warmth to balance his firm tone. "Let's reconvene next week with updates."

The staff began gathering their things, murmurs of conversation rising as they filed out. Jungkook stayed behind, his hands resting on the edge of the table as he stared at the projector screen.

Lisa, his secretary, lingered near the door. "Do you need anything else before I head out, Mr. Jeon?"

Jungkook turned to her, his expression softening slightly. "No, Lisa. Thank you. Go ahead and call it a night."

She nodded, hesitating for just a moment before leaving.

Once the room was empty, Jungkook exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. The evening meetings weren't just a matter of convenience-they were a necessity now. The sunlight he used to welcome had become an enemy, a reminder of how much his life had changed.

He glanced toward the windows, the blinds drawn tight to block out the lingering rays of the setting sun.

It wasn't easy, hiding the truth. But for now, it was necessary.

Adjusting his cufflinks, Jungkook left the meeting room, his steps echoing softly in the empty hallways. He might be different now-his habits, his demeanor, even his very nature-but as far as the world was concerned, he was still Jeon Jungkook.