♣️Within the Forest♣️(Jikook)

♣️Chapter 9♣️

"- and after our routes are sealed off we can easily establish our trade house there. No one would suspect anything because the upper part would be a regular textile factory while in the underground basement we can continue to store our delivery. So what do you think?"

"Uhm-" Namjoons awkwardly coughed, staring at Jeongguk to respond but the later was lost. His physical body was present but his mind kept on wondering back to Jimin's frightened face.

"Jeongguk!" Namjoon glared at him, not knowing the internal battle going inside his heart. He wasn't sure what he could name this feeling but he could feel his inside burn, a very nasty and unwanted feeling crawling up his throat, making his heart ache as he recalled the same frightened face. Jeongguk has never felt this uncomfortable before, like he wanted to scratch his face because of the conflict going around his head.

"I'll think on it but I need to be alone right now" Jeongguk replied bluntly and stormed out without giving a shit about the dumbfounded people in the conference room.

Namjoon stormed right after him, already aware of what happened a few hours ago back at the mansion. To be honest he did expect Jeongguk to flip out soon because his behavior with the little one was not something the old Jeongguk would do.

Before Jeongguk could sit down, Namjoon had already chased him.

"What on earth is wrong with you! Do you know how hard we wanted that alliance and you just blew it off!"

"I didn't fucking blew it off! I said I'll think on it and let them fucking know!" Jeongguk replied back ignoring the look of disbelief plastered over his hyungs face. He didn't bother glancing back as he poured himself some wine.

"What's bothering you? You've been in a foul mood since the morning and it's honestly getting annoying"

"I'm a respectful and feared man in the underworld. People think twice before even crossing my path. I have a fucking image to keep and today!... Today I was about to ruin it- just because of that boy!"

"I know what happened but I really don't see why you lashed out on him for no apparent reason and cut the crap that your cloths got dirty because they're covered in blood at the end of the week if not on that day"

"I had to take a bath and get changed again! Just think of the rumors that would have spread if I was late to a meeting. Being punctual bus one thing my father stressed out the most! Because for him a man who don't punctual is useless. People would start thinking me of being lazy, incompetent and weak. And I as hell don't want those rats to think I'm slacking off and find it as an excuse to defeat me and especially not because of that boy! It was just supposed to be simple. His mother helped me and as per my promise I'm taking care of her son but if he's gonna affect my reputation things won't be pretty."

"Still the way you reacted was out of line, especially knowing how difficult it is for him to adjust here with us! With people! A new environment! He doesn't know shit about what's going on but as far as I've seen he's trying to blend in and learn our ways and yet you go around scaring him. Just think for a moment how scared he might be feeling from inside because of not knowing what's going on but he's keeping a brave face on for us but if you're going to go around acting like a dick then I don't know how to respond to that. Just because he doesn't show us how he's feeling that doesn't mean we should turn a blind eye!" Namjoon frustratedly yelled out, grabbing Jeongguks attention, who had now finished his 2 glass.

"I'm not going to change myself for him or anybody! I've worked hard to built up this image and there's no way in hell I'm letting it all get blown away"

"Do you think I'm happy?" Namjoon asked all of a sudden surprising Jeongguk by his random question.

"Elaborate?"