Master's ( Jungkook / BTS )

Episode IV: The Red Carpet II

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      Both Taehyung and Yoongi spotted us in the crowd immediately and walked over, along with their dates.
     "Glad to see you could make it, my dear friend," Taehyung chuckled, "I was worried that all those years being a complete recluse might've made an event such as this to be... well, a bit scary for you."
     As Taehyung spoke, Jungkook kept his composure. And when he finished speaking, Jungkook swiftly countered. "If anybody would've been scared to show up tonight, I would've guessed it'd be you. You know, considering all those recent scandals surfacing with you and this mystery woman of yours." There was a look of satisfaction about his eyes and, seeing as though he had wiped the smirk right off Taehyung's face, I could guess where it came from.
     "Do you believe everything the media says?" Taehyung asked. This time, less confidently.
     I took this time to take an actual look at Taehyung's supposed fiancé. She was rather young to be getting married. By the looks of it, she was barely out of high school. Probably why I couldn't find any real information on her, she hasn't had any time to build her name. There was no denying her beauty, which she displayed so delicately with her noticeable timidness, and despite the topic of her husband-to-be's controversial antics being brought up she seemed absolutely fine.
I made eye contact with Yoongi and he gave me a small smile. I gave him a smile back. His date stood by his side and had her arms around his. I don't recognize her from anywhere, but she was also very pretty- and of age, if I may add.
I noticed one other person. A lady standing far behind Taehyung and the rest of them. I first noticed her when we got out of the car and she seemed to see me as well. I thought it was all in my head at first, but now that I see her again I know it isn't. She's staring at me. She's been staring at me, ever since Jungkook and I've arrived. Why was she staring at me? The only thing I could think of was that she didn't particularly like what I was wearing, but how silly of a reason would that be for someone to stare at another with such distaste.
"Lina," Jungkook's sturdy voice called for me.
     "Hmm?" I looked up.
     He furrowed his brows, "Is something wrong?"
     "I-" I looked down for a second. "No, sir. Everything's fine, sir."
     "Well, aright then. Come on, we have to get going." He began to walk down the red carpet.
     "Actually-"
     He turned around, "Yes?"
     "Who's that woman over there?" I pointed in the direction I saw the lady last.
     He looked over and looked confused. "Who?"
     "Her-" I turned around to point the lady out but was surprised to see that she was no longer standing there.
     Well, now I felt like an idiot. Jungkook looked at me and shook his head.
     "Let's go, Lina." He turned back around and continued his way down the carpet and I carefully caught up to him.

     There were camera's and lights flashing everywhere. As I walked down the carpet by Jungkook's side everyone crowded around to get a picture. With interviewers shouting and photographers throwing their camera's in my face, I felt overwhelmed by all the commotion. I just didn't know where to look or which direction to go. If it weren't for Jungkook, I definitely would've been swallowed up by all the chaos. He guided me so effortlessly, like he was made for this. When we made it to the end, that was where the bulk of the press were.
     Jungkook stood behind and grabbed me by my waiste, which took me by complete surprise. He noticed my reaction and quickly pulled away "It's only for the pictures, calm down."
     "I'll try."
     "Smile and look pretty... like you usually do," He whisper the last part.
     "What was that, sir?"
     He coughed, "Just smile for the cameras."
     The thought that maybe that was Jungkook's attempt at flirting with me made me laugh a little. I didn't even mind, it made my smile more genuine for the photos.
     "You look handsome as always, sir." I happily linked my arm in his.
     A peculiarly dressed guy in a bright blue suit and matching fedora made his way down to us and came in for a high five. I was confused at first then realized that he must be an acquaintance of Jungkook's. Then, I was confused even more when the two came in for a hug.
"Alright, alright, alright. How's my main man doing, all back from the military and everything," his electric personality matched with his ecstatic fit.
Jungkook patted him on the back. "It's nice seeing you again, hyung," he laughed. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Whoever this guy was, Jungkook didn't seem to be phased at all from physical touch. The same way he doesn't seem to mind my touch.
"Let me introduce you to Ah Lina." I smiled and bowed my head. I looked up and the smile on this guy's face suggested something, but Jungkook quickly shut down any suspicions, "my assistant."
"Oh, I see," he winked, "assistant."
"Yes, assistant." Jungkook stated plainly.
"Well, Miss Ah," he took off his hat and I immediately recognized him as the mystery guy from the old photo of the guys I found online. "I'm Jung Hoseok, but you can just call me J-hope." He winked. What a playful personality this man had.
"Very nice to meet you, sir." I smiled.
"Sir?" He chuckled. "What am I, your grandpa? I'm not that old." He patted me on the back a little too roughly.
"Sorry." I guess being around Jungkook for this long has me subconsciously speaking at an elevated level than I'm used to.
We continued making our way down the walk way, occasionally being stopped for photos, and at the end I saw the lady from earlier being interviewed. She was stunning. Everything about her, to her sterling black hair and flawless long legs, the way she held her self, screamed Model Status. What did someone like her want with someone as lowly as me? I just didn't get it.
She noticed me staring and I looked away, hoping she didn't actually see me. She excused herself from the interview and walked towards my direction. Crap.
I must have looked pale in the face, because J-hope took one look at me, looked around, saw exactly who was coming our way and said under his breath, "oh, no" before hiding behind Jungkook and myself.
Well, that can't be good.
Jungkook also noticed and I felt him reach for my hand. He took it and he protectively pulled me behind him.
"She's going to try to provoke you in some way, that's just the kind of person she is, but whatever she says, don't let it get to you. You don't have to reply." Jungkook spoke softly.
Provoke me? Who even was this lady? Whoever she was, I decided it was best to trust him in that moment and ask questions later.
"Hello, Jungkook." I shivered as both her voice and smile reminded me of fine silk- her voice steady and smooth, her smile soft and stunning.
"Jieun," he greeted.
For a split second her smile faltered as she looked at me with distaste, just to be replaced back with a gorgeous smile. "And who may this be?" She asked.
"This is Ah Lina, my assistant." He introduced me and I bowed my head to her.
"Your assistant... of course!" She laughed. "For a second there I thought you had replaced me with her, Oppa." She continued to laugh. Something about her laughter made me feel uncomfortable. I didn't find anything about this situation particularly that funny.
"I'm not your Oppa." He said coldly.
She stopped laughing and smirked, "You haven't changed at all. I really should've known better than to think you would be with a woman as ordinary and plain as her, if I can even call her one. She looks too innocent and child like, doesn't she." She had no shame at all in her words and it showed.
I stepped back. I knew that I shouldn't have let her words cut so deeply, but they did and now I suddenly felt embarrassed for Jungkook, embarrassed that he had to show up to such a high status event with me at his side. He should be walking down this carpet with a girl like Jieun on his arm instead.
There was no noticeable anger on Jungkook's face. As usual, there was no noticeable expression at all, but the way he grabbed my hand and held on tightly showed his true emotions. I watched him in awe. Why didn't he just show his true feelings instead of keeping it all pent up inside?
"Don't speak as though she isn't here."
Jungkook's defensive word caught her off guard, "I'm just saying, considering that you were once head over heels for me, your taste in women is rather refined. It'd be a shame to see you settle for anything less, although, I'll admit it can be quite difficult to find anyone as great as me. I'd like to see anyone try to prove me wrong," she said with the upmost confidence.
"I already have." He took his hand, my hand still in his, and put it in the pocket of his suit jacket. "Let's go, Lina. There's a sudden foul taste in the around here."
Jungkook began to lead me away, but got stopped by another interviewer. "Wait, wait, wait! Mr. Jeon, do you think you're capable of successfully taking your mother's position as the head chairman of Jeon Inc?"
He paused and looked down.
"Mr. Jeon?" The interviewer continued to press.
"Are you kidding, it's impossible to replace the excellent way Dr. Jeon ran things," Jieun rudely stepped in. "But of course, he can always try." She scoffed.
You know, I could handle all her hurtful comments when they were directed towards me, but seeing her bad mouth Jungkook, a man who has done nothing wrong, pushed a button in me that I didn't know I had.
"I actually believe Mr. Jeon will prove to be a great successor to Jeon Inc. And the people of Korea can full heartedly entrust their well beings to the company. I'm very confident he'll make a good chairman," I pulled my hand away from Jungkook's and stepped in front of her.
Both the interviewer and Jieun were surprised by my sudden comment.
"And you are?" The interviewer asked.
"Ah Lina, Mr. Jeon's assistant."
All the reporters and photographers gathered around us. Over all the shouting, I heard one person clearly.
"Mr. Jeon! Mr. Kim! It's been awhile since we've seen everyone of the big three together. Can we have a picture please."
Everyone looked at each other. Everyone knew there was no backing out of it. Not with this many people. Out of all of us J-hope seemed the most enthusiastic about it.
"Alright, alright. Let's give the people what they want," he chirped.
After him both Taehyung and Yoongi joined, followed by Jieun. Jungkook and I kind of got pulled in against our will.
"Excuse me, could you step out of the picture please?" The photographer pointed at me.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry." How naive of me to think I would be invited into the picture. Of course they just wanted them, they were the stars of the event after all.
I stepped out of the picture, but got pulled right back in by Jungkook. He took me by my hand and said, "She's with me."

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A/N:
What did I say, eh?? I actually updated on time. Yayyyyy.
Sorry about the long wait.
~Lena