Pleasure and Pain (Under Editing)

Chapter 20: A Game of Power

Chapter 20: A Game of Power

The polished mahogany desk gleamed under the soft office lighting, a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere that hung in the air. Taehyung, perched on a chair facing Jungkook's desk, surveyed the scene with a cool detachment.  He had just orchestrated a masterful maneuver, calming the storm that threatened to engulf the company, and now, he was enjoying the afterglow of victory.

“You were cool there, to be honest,” Taehyung commented, his voice laced with a hint of amusement.

Jeongguk, leaning back in his chair, smirked, his fingers drumming a playful rhythm on the desk. “Hooh, did I make you fall in love?” he teased, his voice dripping with mock seriousness.

“As if that would happen,” Taehyung sighed, a playful roll of his eyes adding to the lighthearted banter. He settled further into his chair, his posture radiating confidence.

“Then, what's your plan now?” Jeongguk asked, his gaze sharp and inquisitive.

“Nothing really, you were able to calm down the storm building in this company. I think your presence alone would make them realize that I didn't kill Jungkook or whatsoever to take his company,” Taehyung grinned, his words laced with a subtle hint of arrogance.

“Well, you are appearing out of nowhere, taking your husband's position, and even making decisions that they wouldn't agree with. They would really think that you have done something to ruin this company,” Jeongguk retorted, his voice laced with a hint of concern.

“It doesn't matter whatever they think about me. I have only one goal to do, and I will make sure to reach that goal,” Taehyung responded, his voice hardening as he met Jeongguk's gaze.

“Your love for your husband is insane, don't you think?” Jeongguk inquired, his voice laced with a hint of admiration mixed with apprehension. “Did it even cross your mind that it would cost your life? You are making an enemy of the most insane person I could think of,” he added, his tone laced with a hint of warning.

“Whatever it costs to reach that goal, I would sacrifice it. I will take down that bastard with my own hands,” Taehyung's eyes blazed with a fierce determination, a fire that sent a shiver down Jeongguk’s spine.

“Well, it doesn't really matter to me. It's not like I would have fun interrupting you,” Jeongguk shrugged, a nonchalant facade masking his growing unease.

“Anyways, you have to get ready for 4 meetings coming in a row today,” Taehyung said, smoothly changing the subject.

“What?!” Jeongguk exclaimed, his voice rising in protest as he slammed his fist on the desk.

“What, what?” Taehyung asked, feigning confusion as he tilted his head, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“You didn't say anything to me like that!” Jeongguk scowled, his frustration mounting.

“I didn't think your opinion matters,” Taehyung responded, a smirk playing on his lips.

“If you'd tell me I have to attend a lot of those stupid and boring meetings, I should have not come here at all!” Jeongguk retorted, his voice laced with anger.

“That's why I told you, your opinion doesn't matter,” Taehyung sneered, his teasing tone adding fuel to the fire.

“What do you mean it doesn't matter? I'm the one who was in command of this body. I was supposed to do anything that I wanted,” Jeongguk argued, his voice laced with a sense of entitlement.

“And I'm the one who will lead you, do you forget that?” Taehyung simply shrugged, his voice calm but firm.

“I don't care, I won't attend those meetings,” Jeongguk replied, rolling his eyes in defiance.

He almost flinched as Taehyung leaned forward, his hand reaching out to grip Jeongguk's collar. The touch wasn't harsh, but it held a subtle power that demanded Jeongguk's attention.

“If you do your best, I promise that I will give you a present,” Taehyung whispered, his voice a seductive murmur as he gazed at Jeongguk with a smirk on his lips.

“That 'present' better satisfied me, or else, I would have taken that chance to fuck you so hard until you can't walk,” Jeongguk grinned, his gaze lingering on Taehyung's lips before meeting his eyes.

“That's why you better do your best, love,” Taehyung teased, his lips brushing against the corner of Jeongguk’s mouth before he pulled back, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Anyway, you should do something down there, it was so obvious. It's not like you can go outside with that,” he giggled, his words a playful jab at Jeongguk's obvious arousal. He turned away, his laughter echoing as he walked away.

Jeongguk cursed Taehyung under his breath, a wave of frustration washing over him as he felt the uncomfortable bulge in his pants.

-----

The man, his breath ragged and shallow, was bound to a thick wooden post, his hands secured by ropes. His shirt, soaked in blood, clung to his body, a stark testament to the brutal beating he had endured. He struggled to maintain his balance, the ropes constricting his wrists providing the only support he had.

Blood, sweat, and tears.

The relentless beating had left him bruised and bleeding, his body aching with every movement. The cold air did little to alleviate the sweat that beaded on his forehead, a testament to the physical and emotional torment he was enduring. He begged for mercy, his voice hoarse and strained, but his pleas fell on deaf ears.

They wouldn’t listen, their faces devoid of any compassion.

“Byun Haesoo, 34 years old, a convicted criminal, and charged with murder. So that was you,” a cold voice echoed, devoid of any emotion. “It was easy to get your information, I don’t understand why you won’t speak at all. Look at what you’ve done; you just make yourself suffer even more.”

“L-let... me go,” Haesoo rasped, his voice barely a whisper.

“Just how much your loyalty is? It’s not like we don’t know who paid you, but we just wanted to assure you that we are on the right path,” another voice said, a hint of smugness lacing their words.

“I-I... didn’t do a-anything to all of you...” Haesoo stuttered, his mind struggling to grasp the situation.

“Well, that’s true; you didn’t do anything to us. But you see, you targeted the wrong person. You should have not involved yourself with him, and nothing of this would be necessary,” the voice continued, a sense of satisfaction evident in their tone.

Haesoo’s mind was a blur, but he understood their reference to Kim Taehyung, the man he had attempted to kill. He hadn’t anticipated this, this brutal retribution. He had conducted a thorough background check on Taehyung, finding nothing that would suggest he was a threat.  Taehyung might be part of an influential couple in the industry, but that didn’t mean he was dangerous. From Haesoo’s perspective, Taehyung was just the son of a wealthy family, nothing remarkable.

That’s what Haesoo had believed, leading him to accept the job Hyusuk had offered.

So why? Why was this happening to him?

Taehyung shouldn’t have any connections to powerful figures in the industry, as it was common knowledge that he hadn’t even lasted in his position after marrying.

“You must be thinking, it was Kim Taehyung who was behind this, didn’t you? To make you overthink even more, it was in fact....” the voice paused, a dramatic silence hanging in the air. “Not him,”

Haesoo was stunned. There was no way this was true. He was certain it was only Kim Taehyung who could have ordered this, as his husband was still haunted by his past and couldn’t protect himself. That was what Hyusuk had told him. There was no way Taehyung’s husband could have orchestrated this, right?