It's you

Deception

The Amour headquarters stands tall in the far east of the city of Seoul. Accommodating about 100 employees, the four stories high building is designed with a pinch of French influence where the wall of the entrance is formed by bricks of numerous shades of brown. The fresh greenery of shrubs and carefully sculptured hedges surround it. The vintage wooden door opens and closes as the Amour employees arrive for work.

Jungkook idles near the entrance, sipping his coffee from a quick purchase in Starbucks. He bows in respect to the higher ups but he shoots a smile or two to his colleagues who greet him. Some female colleagues take their time to wander around him as long as their working hours have not started. It is not just his likeable appearance that attracts both men and women. Not definitely because of his infamous attitude or remarkable intelligence like Taehyung's.

Everyone there knows who Jungkook is to their Chief Executive Officer.

He is none other than Kim Taehyung's all day personal assistant. Or more personally, his precious childhood friend.

Jungkook likes to think otherwise.

Jungkook loves Taehyung more than just a childhood friend. He has been with the rich lad ever since primary school. They got into trouble together and they built this company together. They would risk their lives for each other.

The only difference is their true reason of being together.

While Jungkook perseveres for the sake of his love for Taehyung, the latter only sees him as a trustworthy companion who will help him find his long-lost brother. Jungkook always knew about Taehyung’s aim behind their friendship. Nonetheless, he would not stop trying to make Taehyung give up on it.

After all, Jungkook has achieved a special place in Taehyung's heart but not as glorified as where Taehyung holds for his long-lost brother. Jungkook is fine with that, because he is certain that the chances they will find the hyung are moving towards hopelessness. Jungkook can tell that Taehyung will forget and move on anytime soon.

It is so close. Jungkook can almost feel it.

That moment when Taehyung barely spares a thought about his search.

Then he met Kim Seokjin.

This Kim Seokjin was supposed to be an insignificant soul who would come and leave their lives forever. Somehow, as much as Jungkook wanted to deny it, the presence of Kim Seokjin has lighted a new fire in Taehyung's spirit. This has never happened before. Taehyung's nightmares became frequent again and he even started daydreaming in meetings.

Jungkook disliked it. He is actually afraid that all the years he struggled to make Taehyung forget, are slowly becoming useless.

How can he stay calm?

Taehyung refused to resign and enrol into high school at his age. He has plenty of opportunities to rise in the music world but he chooses to anchor himself and comb the streets of Seoul for his hyung.

It is unacceptable. And all of this won't have started if it's not because of Kim Seokjin.

That is why Jungkook lied to Taehyung. The first ever lie in their long preserved friendship.

Jungkook has no choice. He cannot chance another meeting between them.

He cannot lose Taehyung. Never.

As he would go for great lengths to support Taehyung, he would also do the same to make sure Taehyung stays as his own always.

Calling back Namjoon and using him as a leverage, Jungkook plays his cards well. Namjoon will definitely agree to Jungkook if it is to mend his broken relationship with Taehyung. Jungkook also hopes that Namjoon can be the hyung that Taehyung reallys needs instead.

The black car slolwy pulls over at the allocated area of dropping off. The first to alight is Taehyung, in his black long coat, covering his emerald top and black pants. Being the gentleman he is, he waves a goodbye at the driver who shyly nods in acknowledgment. Seconds after, he runs to the other side of the car and opens the door.

Jungkook is stood there, appearing as surprised as Namjoon, sitting laidbackly.

“We are here, Joonie Hyung,” Taehyung grins cheerfully.  “Let's go.”

“Y-yes,” Namjoon nods and climbs out of the car.

Taehyung taps the hood so that the driver leaves immediately. Namjoon keeps on staring at his young cousin who is behaving the complete opposite of his expectation. Wasn't he pissed off when Namjoon appeared at his home?

The act of Taehyung being nice is actually scaring him.

Namjoon begins to think he does not understand Taehyung at all. Jungkook on the other hand recognises Taehyung's poker face too well. He disposes his coffee cup and jogs towards the two men.

“Taetae!”

Taehyung lifts his gaze off the car that just left and faces Jungkook. “Oh, Good morning, Kookie. Look who is here to tag along with me.”

Jungkook scarcely looks at Namjoon, pretending that he does not expect the older lad's arrival.

“Yo, Jungkookie,” Namjoon smirks. “Happy to see me again?”

Jungkook looks at Taehyung before facing Namjoon. “Good morning, Taehyung-nim. Namjoon-hyung-nim. What brings you here, Hyung-nim?”

“Aigoo,” Taehyung drawls, inciting a disturbed look on both of them. “You do not know or you pretend not to know? Which one, Jeon Jungkook-ssi?”

That teasing question triggers a burst of nerve on Jungkook's forehead, easily agitating him with the same poker face. Too bad it cannot fool Jungkook as he is too accustomed to all types of faces and attitudes Taehyung is capable to do, thanks to the many years they are always together.

Jungkook raises both his brows, showing that he is immune to Taehyung's tricks. “What are you trying to say, Taehyung-nim? I'm asking because I don't know.”

Namjoon snickers at Taehyung. “I should have known. You are still pissed about me but here you are, trying to dump your anger on your assistant. Will you ever grow up, Little Tae?”

“Araso, araso,” Taehyung speaks carefreely and checks on his wristwatch. “I don't want to waste anymore time because I could have gotten here ten minutes earlier in my own car.”

“Then why weren't you in your own car? Why are you with him now, jinja?” Jungkook shoots the questions exasperatedly, trying to convince Taehyung that he does not know. “Didn't you say that you don't want anything to do with him? I don't understand any of this!”

“What?!” Namjoon acts offended, sounding angry. “Yah, what's your problem?!”

Taehyung is about to reply when Jungkook pulls him away from Namjoon and blocks his view. Taehyung looks concerned when Jungkook separates them. He searches for Jungkook's eyes as the younger lad's grip tighten around his wrist.

“Kookie.”

Jungkook does not give him the time or chance to say anything, as he leans closely and captures all of Taehyung's sight in his burning possessive stare.

“Did he hurt you? Did he say anything to offend you? Just be honest with me, Taetae. I can make him disappear this very second. Just say it. You know well I'm willing to do anything. Just anything.”

The young director is too captivated to speak. Despite his anger over Namjoon's recent intrusion in his life, Jungkook's intense display of protection overwhelms him. Taehyung suddenly has the need to grip on something for security and his hand involuntarily holds onto Jungkook's arm.

With his head hung low, the feathery brown hair curtained his face, Taehyung mutters poorly. “Hajima. Don't do anything.”

An unpleasant hiss is all Jungkook makes, but internally he is proud.

Jungkook has successfully made Taehyung submit to him.

Namjoon on the other hand is truly impressed by Jungkook's acting. He can really act and fool the genius Kim Taehyung. Actually, only another intelligent and multi-talented man like Jungkook can fool him. Seeing how Taehyung relies so much on Jungkook, Namjoon cannot believe his eyes.

Taehyung has grown to be a less stubborn, easily manipulated and complacent brat, just because he has Jungkook with him.

It is safe to trust Jungkook after all. Namjoon can foresee that Jungkook's plan will be a success. Taehyung will give up this café business and his search for his hyung. He will follow Jungkook and enrol to his desired music academy.

“As if I let this go,” Jungkook states firmly, with a sharp edge of hostility. “It's still my fault that he managed to get into your house after everything you asked me to do. I'll take responsibility-“

“I said, stop it, hajima.”

Jungkook snorts loudly. “He won't be the first one to suffer after kidnapping you in his car! Did you remember what I did to that same bitch who drugged you and brought you away with your car?! I don't care if he is your older cousin! I’ll probably drag him to the same mental hospital she is in-“

“Hajima!” Taehyung raises his voice, this time both his hands holding onto Jungkook's arm. “I went in that car myself, jinja! Aish! Just bring him to the guest office, araso?! Don't- Just don't even listen to your emotions!”

Instead of looking at Taehyung, Jungkook has already planted a deadly glare at Namjoon. Although he knows Jungkook is faking it, Namjoon can feel the burn from his intimidating eyes. Taehyung struggles and pulls Jungkook's face away to face him instead.

“Jebal, Kookie. Just bring him to the guest office. Promise me. You will do it. Araso?” Taehyung speaks in clear urgency as though Jungkook is about to detonate into an apocalyptic explosion.

Jungkook peels Taehyung's hands off his face and holds his hand instead. “I'll escort you first.”

“I'm fine by myself-“

Without Taehyung finishing, Taehyung is dragged by Jungkook and they both leave Namjoon by the road. The tall lad rests his hands on his hip as he watches the two lads diappear through the entrance door.

“Aigoo,” Namjoon removes his sunglasses and chuckles. “That overprotectiveness, isn't that too much? Is that really acting, jinja?”