His Buried Past| Taekook

Chapter 7

Plastering a pleasant smile on his face, Jungkook stepped out of the car in front of Baekhyun's home, Namjoon and Jimin behind him. The party was a large and grand affair. He could already hear the band playing classical music, and people in elegant clothing were milling about with flutes of champagne in their hands. As he was led through the entry to the ballroom, he immediately saw Baekhyun and Chanyeol standing together, smiling and speaking with a man whom he recognized as being a possible candidate in the next election. As he strode to greet the couple, he saw Baekhyun's eyes raise and meet his, before being welcomed again with that bright and boxy smile, so familiar it makes his heart ache.

"Mr. Jeon, so glad you could make it tonight!"

Clasping the smaller man's hand, Jungkook returns the smile, "I'm quite glad as well. Thank you for inviting me. It seems like a lovely party."

Chanyeol chuckles, "My husband can never resist the opportunity to go overboard."

As they exchange polite small-talk, Jungkook becomes aware of a slim dark figure leaning against a wall across the room. Discreetly glancing at the man, he can see that it is V, again wearing a mask. After excusing himself and directing his hyungs to mingle in an effort to gain more information, he grabs a glass of champagne and makes his way around the room, stopping here and there to speak with various influential men and women he knows. One famous supermodel decides to attach herself to his arm, cooing and pouting up at him when he attempts to pry her off.

Seeing another figure approach V as he's still leaning against the wall, Jungkook recognizes the man as the other guard present during his meeting with Baekhyun. The man is speaking quietly in V's ear, with V giving a graceful shrug in response. The man looks irritated, before turning and walking away. Deciding to take advantage of the clingy supermodel on his arm, he leans down to her ear. "What do you know about that masked man over there?"

Seeing where he's gesturing, the woman gives a grin, happy to indulge in gossip. "That's Baekhyun's favorite bodyguard, everyone knows that! No one knows his name though."

"Does anyone know why he wears the mask? And does he ever speak, or just stand there looking like a grim statue?"

She giggles, "No one's ever seen his face, and I've been to several of these parties and never seen him speak to anyone except for Baekhyun and Chanyeol, along with that other bodyguard of theirs."

Nodding, Jungkook tuned her out as she began to flirt with him. He had zero interest in people like her, who were only interested in him for his money and power. As he continued to watch V, he saw the man push off the wall and slip out the exit. Prying the annoying woman from his arm, he excused himself and followed, trying not to be too obvious.

Following the figure down a hall, he was relieved when the noise of the music and loud hum of conversation became quieter. Turning the corner, he frowned in confusion when he noticed that V had disappeared. Looking around, Jungkook wondered if he'd missed a door the assassin could have slipped through. Continuing down the hallway he was in, he noticed french doors to a balcony. 'If I can't follow him, I can at least get away from the party for a bit.'

Clasping the handle, he was relieved to find it unlocked, and opened the door to step out into the night air. The balcony was overlooking the gardens in the back of the house, and the only sound outside was the trickling of a decorative fountain below. Taking a deep breath, the ravenette tilted his head back, looking up at the stars in the night sky.

"You're quite far from the party Mr. Jeon. Were you perhaps looking for something? Or someone?"

Spinning to face the intruder, Jungkook was startled to see the same masked figure he'd followed in the first place. V was standing in a dark corner of the balcony, his head tilted in curiosity.

Thinking of a quick response, Jungkook cleared his throat, "I was just looking for a break from the crowd."

The masked figure peered at him, "Hmm, you seemed to be enjoying it quite well last I saw. You were getting quite close to that woman."

Jungkook was surprised at how deep and smooth the other man's voice was. He was so entranced by the sound, it took him a moment to realize the other sounded...irritated? Was V interested in that annoying model?

"No, I'm not close to her at all. I was just exchanging pleasantries with her. To be honest, parties aren't my thing."

V hummed in agreement, "They aren't really a favorite of mine either."

Jungkook gave a small smile before peering closely at the shorter, "So you already know my name, but I haven't been introduced to you."

The masked assassin gave a quiet laugh, "I'm quite sure you already know who I am Mr. Jeon. You probably had been briefed on me before coming to that meeting. If you hadn't, then you need better people working for you."

He gave a rueful grin and shrugged, "Alright, I know you're called V," wandering closer, he extends his hand, "So V, I'm Jeon Jungkook. It's a pleasure to meet you."

V gives a considering look at the proffered hand before clasping it in a firm grip, "I think it's too soon to say whether it's a pleasure or not Mr. Jeon."

Jungkook smiled, amused by the assassin. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me what the story with the mask is?"

The smaller man gives a grin at the question, "I guess you could say that Baeki-hyung values my safety a great deal."

Raising an eyebrow at the statement, Jungkook is about to prod for a clearer answer when he hears a throat being cleared behind him. Turning to face the door, he sees the cold face of Baekhyun's other bodyguard. The shorter man gives him a look that would freeze a lesser man's heart, before looking at V. "It's time for us to be leaving. Now."

V looks at the older man for a moment before shrugging, "Alright hyung, if you say so." As he walks past Jungkook to leave, he leans in, his breath teasing the taller man's ear as he whispers, "You should hope that you never see my face. If so, it will be the last face you ever see."

Jungkook turns to look at the dangerous assassin, and is about to question the threat when V waves his slender fingers in a farewell, and gives a bright and beautiful boxy smile. The taller feels his heart clench painfully at the sight, and is unable to say a word as the masked figure exits. The shorter bodyguard watches him with a dangerous look for a moment longer, before he disappears as well.

Left alone and frowning in the dark, Jungkook lifts a hand to press at the pain in his heart, 'What the hell was that?'

AN: Oh my gosh, I can't believe there are people actually reading this! Thank y'all for reading my story, I love and appreciate all of you! I apologize for any errors, it's 3:30am here and I'm falling asleep! I purple you! 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜