My Destiny | Taekook

Prologue: O, Woeful Day

Song: Serendipity

The flowers in the forest were beautiful. Their petals danced gaily in the breeze, creating a myriad of vibrant colours. The air was perfumed by the heavy scent of camellia and carnations, carrying with it the slightest hint of spring, gifted by Persephone herself. A boy was playing among the flowers, excitedly hopping over carnations that when patched together, would form a rainbow.

"Master Jungkook, it's time to return. Your father would be displeased if you were to be late," Yemin, the boy's babysitter, coaxed. Jungkook did not reply. He was inspecting a butterfly that fluttered elegantly from one flower to another. Yemin reminded him that he had to return to the mansion in thirty minutes. Jungkook still had no reaction.

The bushes to Jungkook's far right rustled, distracting him from tracking the movements of the butterfly. Upon hearing someone humming a songlike tune, he dove into the opposite bush. He waved at Yemin to join him quickly. Yemin briskly walked over. "Master Jungkook, what are you doing?"

"Shh! They're here!" Jungkook pulled Yemin down to kneel beside him. Jungkook pried the bush slightly open to have a clearer look. A child who looked to be around the same age as Jungkook stood in front of the flowers. The child wore a glow of happiness, humming a lively tune. "Ahhh!" the child suddenly let loose a shriek of horror. Jungkook, startled, tumbled backwards. He quickly returned to his spot behind the bushes.

The child blustered, "Who did this to these flowers! They are all killed!" Jungkook winced at that remark. The child knelt beside a flower, touching the petals as if joy were woven and fashioned into those petals. Then out of nowhere, the child was reduced to tears. Jungkook was stupefied. Is this kid seriously crying over trampled flowers?

"Master Jungkook, we have to leave now. Your father would not tolerate tardiness," Yemin commanded. Jungkook knew that too, but he was hesitant to leave. An inner voice reminded him of what was important. Work over play. No play before work. Jungkook sighed, finally giving in to his moral compass. Yemin held his tiny hand, leading them back towards the limo, and away from the child.

~

"Jeon Jungkook. You are late by one minute and thirty-two seconds," Jungkook's father seethed.

"I am sorry," Jungkook apologised, quickly adding, "... Mr Jeon."

"Where were you?" Jungkook's father sat at his worktable, which meant his eyes were level to Jungkook's. Yet his father's blazing eyes reduced Jungkook to a speck of dust.

"Playing in the garden," Jungkook mumbled quietly.

"Answer the question in full sentences. Say it loud and clear," Jungkook's father said dryly.

"I was playing in the garden, Mr Jeon," Jungkook said primly. He tried to stop his voice from trembling.

"Is that true?" Jungkook's father looked at Yemin. Yemin nodded, covering up Jungkook's lie.

"Finish an extra set of paperwork by tomorrow," Jungkook's father gruffly said as he tossed a pile of paperwork towards Jungkook. The papers fell to the ground in all directions. A sea of white sprawled at his feet, reminding Jungkook of the vast empty space in his life. Jungkook held back his tears as he picked up the sheets of paper.

~

Jungkook's right hand ached from writing for hours. He switched to his left hand - his father taught him to make use of both hands so that he could complete as much work as possible. Yet, Jungkook had only filled in half of the paperwork that was due the next day. The tower of paperwork stretched high above Jungkook, higher than any dream that Jungkook could hope to achieve. But how could he complain? His father only wanted the best for his son.

Jungkook was born with a silver spoon. His parents owned Jeon Corporations, the richest company in South Korea which dominated most of the markets. It was their most remarkable achievement, and his father would do anything to ensure that Jungkook was ready to take over their company when the time came.

As such, ever since Jungkook could pick up a pen, he was assigned paperwork to fill in on a daily basis. While other children painted rainbows with colourful markers, Jungkook scribbled words that bled from the tip of a black pen. If there were any errors with the paperwork, Jungkook's father would force Jungkook to redo the entire set. It was harsh treatment, but Jungkook's father firmly believed that Jungkook would only grow up to be capable if he was strict with him. Thankfully for Jungkook, while his father taught him responsibility and drive, his mother nurtured his kindness and empathy.

The door closed with a click. Jungkook stopped writing and turned around. "Mrs. Jeon!" Jungkook exclaimed in delight. His mother smiled. It was a smile that lit up his dreary world. She walked over and ruffled Jungkook's hair, seemingly amused as she said, "Silly boy. You only need to call me that around your father."

"Alright mum," Jungkook hummed.

"Still filling in your paperwork?"

"Mhm!"

"Do you want to go for a walk?"

"I don't think I'll be done anytime soon," Jungkook pouted.

"You can always take a break," Jungkook's mother cajoled, her eyes twinkling.

"Alrightyy."

Jungkook's mother held his hand. Mother and son, they walked out of the mansion. Jungkook took a deep breath of the fresh-scented air. It was nice to leave the suffocating atmosphere of the mansion from time to time. Moments like this reminded Jungkook that life was not all about work; that he was breathing, and human.

Jungkook's mother made sure no one was looking before she knelt on her knees in front of Jungkook. Warily, she inquired, "Jungkook... where have you been going for the past few days?"

"Mum... I-I don't know what you mean," Jungkook stammered.

"You can tell me. I have seen you and Yemin go into the forest for the past few days."

Jungkook stared into his mother's eyes. They were full of earnestness.

"Alright... I have been..." Jungkook pondered how not to come across as weird. I have been spying on a child?! "... playing with another child who lives in the forest," Jungkook finished. Well, I have not even talked to the child, much less know their name, but a white lie doesn't hurt anyone.

Jungkook waited for his mother's smile to turn into a frown. His mother only looked curious as she probed, "Would you take me to see this child? I'm rather curious as to who captured my son's heart." Jungkook heaved a sigh of relief. "Sure thing, mum," he giggled.

~

"That's them!"

Through the window of a wooden house, Jungkook spotted the child reading a book. A woman, presumingly the child's mother, was sitting across the table. His mother chortled, "My, I have never seen my son so excited in such a long time." She stood behind Jungkook, squinting her eyes at the window to have a look.

For a moment, Jungkook thought he had heard his mother stumble backwards. There was a long period of silence.

"Mum?"

"Jungkook. Let's go home." Tremor laced her words.

"Why?"

"Jungkook. It's late. Let's go."

That was the last time Jungkook saw the child.