Smoke & Mirrors || [ BTS Jeon Jungkook ]

CHAPTER 1 || lonely.

It wasn't my first time flying, but today I was extremely anxious. My mother was no longer around to comfort me and offer words of encouragement. I felt so lonely since her passing, and it had only been less than a month. I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I would spend the rest of my life without ever holding her hand or hearing her voice again. It had been twenty-three days and seventeen hours since I received the call that changed my life forever. After the hospital notified me of the incident everything else was a blur. My best friend had been staying over and drove me to the emergency room. When the doctor entered the waiting room, his face expressed everything I needed to know.

She was gone. My beautiful and kind mother was stolen from me by a careless asshole. This type of grief and anger was felt once in a lifetime, but it would never fade.

A drunk driver ran the red light and crashed into the driver's side car door of her vehicle. She had been returning from work in her small two-door BMW, and he was behind the wheel of a semi-truck, there was no chance of survival. However, he walked away unscathed. They informed me that she died on impact, but what they did not know? Was that a part of me also died that evening.

The following day, my father sent his condolences via his assistant and asked to be granted permission to take care of her funeral arrangements. Without hesitation, I agreed. There was no way I could do everything on my own. I was barely sane, but I had to be strong because it wouldn't get any easier.

My mother always told me that my father wasn't a bad man; he was only a busy man. And that he wasn't a great father, but he still had good intentions. Our communication with one another was minimal throughout the years, but he financially supported me and always sent gifts for birthdays and holidays. Although I'm sure his assistant picked out the gifts and signed the cards, it's the thought that counts. Right?

As I turned the page of the book in my hands, I let my seat back to get more comfortable. I was doing more reminiscing than reading. I flipped the page and thought back to my graduation. My mom was so proud that day. She had lost her voice when I walked across the stage to receive my diploma. She couldn't speak for two days and was hoarse for three more. I made her tea and honey every night until she got better.

I sighed and glanced out the window. The sun was setting, but there were ten more hours to go before I landed. So, I opened my bag and took out two sleeping pills. I turned up my airpods and soon drifted off to sleep as the soft relaxing music played. The thoughts were too painful right now. I'd rather sleep than think of the past.

"Ha-lo, Miss Choi. I am Park Seo-Yeon," She said in heavily accented English. I groggily awoke to a smiling flight attended, shaking my shoulder. "We have landed, welcome to Seoul." Seo-Yeon was very pretty and sharply dressed in a dark navy suit. It looked tailored and above a flight attendant's paygrade. I nodded as she continued to smile happily. It was so broad that it made me cringe inwardly; it looked painful and unnatural.

"Okay. Thanks," I muttered and tried my best to raise the corners of my mouth in return. I had failed miserably. Whatever expression seen on my face made her hand retract, but the Joker-Esque smile remained.

"Please, quick-quickly, this way," She grabbed my bag and ushered me towards the front of the plane. "Chief Choi is expecting you in Gangnam in foor-tee minutes," She said as we carefully took steps down the small stairs. I almost fell on my face; the railings were my saving grace.

I wanted to laugh because I was in PUMA slides struggling to keep balance, and Seo-Yeon walked effortlessly in three-inch heels.

"So, you're accompanying me there too? That's nice of you," I said, bowing my head in thanks.

"I will accompany you everywhere Miss Choi. I am your personal assistant," Seo-Yeon replied matter-of-factly with a tilt of her head as well. Her ponytail swayed, and her heels click-clacked on the pavement as we walked towards the hanger then headed towards a black Audi with tinted windows.

"Oh no. I think you're confused. Mister Jung always took care of me when I visited Korea as a child," I informed her, pointing towards the jet. "He actually helped me with everything when I got on the plane," I looked over her shoulder, wondering where he was now.

"I see. Perhaps, the information did not get passed along as it should have," She looked downward. "I believe Gung Jung wanted to take care of everything for your flight after learning of the passing of your mother. He has been retired since five years now," Her eyes met mine, and for the first time her exaggerated smile looked more genuine... sad even.

I quickly blinked before tears could fall. "Ah, thank you."

"You are welcome, and I promise to take care of you. Please take care of me too, Miss Choi," She bowed, and I nodded. My "personal assistant" passed my bags to the driver and got into the opened door.

During the car ride, I switched out my PUMA slides for white Nike Air Force One's. Then I took down the messy bun on top of my head and brushed my hair. I hadn't seen my father face-to-face in ten years, and since I was in a black sweatsuit, I could still try to put just a little more effort into my appearance. I was jet-lagged and tired, but my heart rate sped up as the car slowed to a stop in front of a towering building.

Not even a building, it was a goddamn skyscraper. I gulped. Weren't we going to my dad's business office? Where the hell were we? It's no way he could afford to be right in the heart of Gangnam's business district. I mean yeah, I did fly on a private jet... but that could have just been a job perk or favor from one of his super-wealthy friends. Because even as an American, I knew how expensive property was here. Was my dad, like rich-rich now?

No... no, no way. No. Hell, no. He had only told me that he had been doing well for himself over the phone. "Doing well" my brown ass.