Bo$$ - BTS FanFic *** Completed

Back in the Day

The employee lounge was filled with filled with EyeBright's Executive Team, the rest of the employees for both locations given the day off as they all waited to find out what the company's fate was after the press conference. Dez had expected the air to be tense with worry, but it was cozy and chill, much like when they spent their evenings in the library or living room at home. All of them sat on the floor, Dez in Namjoon's lap while she played slap hands with Taehyung. She was winning, being able to distract him with flirtatious looks while she turned her wrists and slapped his hands that were hovering over hers. Namjoon lifted Dez off of his lap, planting her on the floor and calling Yoongi over to wrap himself around her from behind while he went out to check the internet for info regarding the company once again.

After just a few short minutes, Namjoon came back into the lounge with large eyes and a finely-dress elderly woman with her arm linked into his. Taehyung took advantage of Dez's shocked state to slap her hands, then giggled childishly as he won the round and got up from his seat. Approaching the woman, he kissed both of her cheeks and smiled brightly down at her before addressing the group.

"Hey, guys! This is Saundra! I met her a while back, and she has expressed interest in investing in EyeBright for a while now," he looked down at her again, confusion crossing his face, "What are you doing here, Ahjumma?"

"Wait," Dez stood up, pointing her finger in the air as though a lightbulb was illuminating above her head, "You're the woman from the street! Outside the salon when Tae and Joon were picking me up for a date!"

"You remembered!" Saundra laughed from her chest, letting go of Joon's arm to clasp her hands in front of her chest. "I remembered that I had your card after recognizing Taetae in one of your ads on TV." She took a hold of Taehyung's hand, patting it like a doting grandmother, "When I called to talk about investing in the company, he was the one who answered, and met with me. We started talking about art, since that was my late husband's wheelhouse, and became friends."

"Umm," Hoseok broke in, "What brings you here today, though?"

"Oh yes!" Saundra perked up, remembering, "I saw your press conference on TV again this morning, and I knew I had to come down here right away!" She let Tae lead her to a comfortable chair, sitting down as Dez scooters forward to face her, "My Charles was an artist," she began, "But he didn't make money at it because of his talent, even though that should have been enough. He made his fortune because he met our Gerald." She smiled wistfully, "Gerald was head of a premiere gallery in New York, and more handsome and charming than you could ever imagine. He saw everything I saw in Charlie, and although it was very taboo, they secretly fell in love. When they came to tell me, I thought my world was over." She looked around the room at each of the people there, willing them to understand, "But it wasn't. It had just begun.

"Charlie had told Gerry so much about me, shown him pictures, and Gerry had fallen in love with me as well...just seeing me through Charlie's eyes. No one knew about our relationship, but I was so in love with those men, and they loved me and loved each other in ways people only write poems and stories about. They were perfect. We were perfect...but we always had to hide what we were."

Jimin came up, sitting on the armrest on Saundra's chair and wrapping a gentle arm around her shoulder, "That must have been very hard," he said sympathetically.

"It was," Saundra agreed, "So when I saw you all, fighting for your right to love each other, and to run your amazing company your own way, I made a decision."

"Saundra?" Dez asked, eyes wide, wondering what this sweet old woman was about to do.

"I'm going to give you whatever you need to make it happen," Saundra looked Dez in the eyes, giving her a soft smile, "Charles and Generald made more money than one person could ask for with their galleries and museums, as well as with Charlie's art. I have no family and no need for so much cash to go to waste. I want to become a major shareholder, after your group's shares of course, and make sure that the world doesn't decide to punish you or make you stay hidden."

"That's quite a large amount," Namjoon intoned softly, "Especially if our other investors pull out after today."

"I have more than enough," Saundra waved him off, "And I know that at least Nellie won't be pulling out. I've already spoken to her."

"Nellie Foxx?" Dez asked, thinking back to her original investor, the eccentric woman who started everything.

"The very one," Saundra nodded, "She's been a friend of mine for decades. Cheats at poker, but otherwise a very sweet gal."

Jimin laughed, hugging Saudra tighter to his side, "Ahjumma! You're incredible!"

Saundra turned to him, cupping his face, "And you are as adorable and charming as my Gerry was," she smiled, "Your speech today made me remember the great loves of my life. Thank you for helping me not forget them, Jimin."

"Hey," Taehyung cut in, "That's my ahjumma," he pointed at Jimin, "Get your own. I'm not sharing her scones."

"Those scones were from her?" Dez asked astonished, "They were delicious!"

Tae's mouth dropped open, realizing his lie, "Well I'm not sharing them with anyone else!"

"Settle down, Taetae," Saundra laughed heartily, "I'll only make scones for you, love." She turned to Jimin conspiratorially, "For you, I'll make cookies."

Everyone laughed as Tae pouted, Kookie hugging him from behind and tickling him until he smiled. They all stayed and talked more with Saundra about her husbands, learning about the love she had shared with them. They played pool and foosball and games while they talked, ordering Korean takeout and explaining all of the dishes to Saundra as she tasted them with delight. After everyone was full and happy, Saundra stood and grabbed her handbag.

"Go home," she told them, giving them they same grandmotherly look she had given Taehyung when she arrived, "There's nothing anyone can do waiting here that's going to change the outcome tomorrow, or even next week." She looked at Namjoon, "I'll be expecting a phone call from you tomorrow, to hash out the details and make our agreement official," she grinned, earning a compliant nod from him.

Taking her things, she allowed Tae to walk her down to her car after giving everyone a quick peck on the cheek and promising to them that everything will work out just fine.

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