The Guy Next Door | JJK × Reader

Honesty

Jungkook's P.O.V

I rushed to my office as soon as Kwan called me. 
As I walked through the reception area, I saw a bunch of policemen and the income tax officers checking every paper in the office. 
Mr. Kang walked towards me and reassured me that everything is clear and they're just about to leave. 
"As soon as we get a clean chit, we will sue Owen for defamation and slander." A familiar voice said.
"Dad!" I said as I hugged him. I completely forgot he was coming. 
"I admit I was a little afraid but I knew he won't win." I added.
"It's okay to be a little afraid sometimes, Jungkook, it means you care about our company." Dad said as he lightly patted my back. 
"You worked hard to build this empire and I will make sure that I work hard too and take this to the next level." I assured him. 

"Sir, we're cleared. Shall I call at Lee Industries?" Mr. Kang asked. 
"I'll do it." I said and walked over to the reception. 
"Call Lee Industries and ask for Mr. Owen." I told the receptionist. 

"How does it feel being inspected, Jungkook?" Owen asked.
"Aw you won't even say hi to me?" I said, with a strong hint of passivity. 
"So you finally gathered the guts to take my name and openly accuse me." I added. 
"I have to say, I'm surprised. A year ago you couldn't even take my name. Now you'll see what happens if you try to slander me in public." I said and gave the phone to Mr. Kang to talk further.

I and dad proceeded to sit in my office as the lobby was quite crowded.
After a few minutes, Mr. Kang entered my office. 
"Sir, I just spoke to Mr.Owen's lawyer, they're willing to settle outside of court." He informed us.
"I want him behind bars again Mr. Kang." I ordered. 
"Sir, he could easily pay the bail money and come out like last time. Here's a better idea, I will make sure that the settlement will include a lot of money and a public apology." He suggested.
"Fine, donate that money to an orphanage." I told him. 
Mr. Kang nodded and left.
"I'm so proud of you, Jungkook. You're handling this so well!" Dad said, flashing a proud smile.

Author's P.O.V

Owen felt devastated, yet again. He paced across his office, trying to digest the utter humiliation he once again had to face. 
He sat in his chair, his gaze fell upon his childhood picture which was placed on his desk. 
It was a picture of him and his late mother, painting and laughing. 
He had an epiphany.
He then realized, he never wanted the fame or the money. 
He took over from his dad because he was their only son. He had zero interest in being a businessman as opposed to Jungkook. 
Years of insults from his dad and the constant comparison with Jungkook had made Owen resent him.
Then it hit him,
It wasn't Jungkook's fault.
Jungkook was never the enemy. His father was.
His father is the one who didn't allow Owen to follow his dream of becoming an artist.
His eyes scanned across the walls of his office where his masterpieces were hanged very beautifully, but sadly, never appreciated the way they should have been. 
He finally decided to quit. 
The frauds he committed were the desperate attempts he made only so he could surpass Jungkook and finally get some validation from his dad but things took a turn for the worse when he got arrested. 
His father bailed him out but the look of disappointment in his eyes killed Owen inside. 
He had finally had enough and decided to follow his heart. 

*Next Day* 

Jungkook's P.O.V

We all sat in the living room, watching the news as Owen publicly apologized for having made false claims. That bastard lied and said it was a misunderstanding. 
I was fuming with anger until Y/N held my hand, which calmed me down. 
After his apology, he said something which I did not see coming.
"I have officially decided to quit and I no longer associate with Lee Industries." He declared.
We all sat there in shock. No one spoke. 
"I can't believe this. He's quitting?!" Namjoon said. 
"It must be one of his manipulation tricks." Yoongi sighed and shook his head. 
"I think he is serious" Taehyung said, "When I met him, it didn't seem like he really cared for his company, it was more about his self-image. Since his reputation is tarnished after being arrested and this recent humiliation, quitting seems to be the only option he has." He added.

The doorbell rang, I walked over to open the door. 
It was the man we were talking about.
"Can I come in?" Owen asked, unable to look me in the eye.
"What are you doing here?" I practically yelled.
The boys came and stood next to me.
"I needed to apologize in person and talk to you." He said as he continued looking everywhere else but at me.
He was wearing a casual shirt and pants, not a three-piece suit he used to wear. 
"Wow you look like a completely different person." Taehyung said as he observed Owen from head to toe. 
"Come in," I told him and asked him to be seated. 
"Here, have some water." Jimin gave him a glass of chilled water. 
"Thanks" Owen said as he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. 
He gulped the water down in seconds and placed the glass on the table in front of him. 
"So you quit for real?" Namjoon asked.
"Yes," Owen began speaking..
"I'm sorry, Jungkook. I am not a bad guy. Yes, I did some bad things but that's all I knew from the time my dad started to train me so I could take over his business someday. Just like you took over from your dad. The only difference is, you belong in this industry and I don't. You are such a natural at this and I was faking everything.
I wanted to paint, travel the world, have my paintings shown at galleries, marry a nice woman, and have kids." He said with hopeful eyes.
"My dad was a good father, he made sure I got everything I wanted in life but he had a lot of expectations from me and, ever since my mom passed away, he became an addict. He started gambling and drinking. He became abusive towards me. I saw him manipulate his way to the top. And I thought that's how business is done. I tried to manipulate Taehyung, but at the end of the day, good always triumphs over evil and I got arrested. I did all this so that I could get the validation from my father that I sought ever since I was a child. But what did I get from him instead? More insults and humiliation. I deserve it now but I didn't deserve it back when I was not committing any frauds." 
He took a deep breath. 
"I have a girlfriend, she lives in Daegu. She didn't know about the dark side of my business so when I got arrested, she was shook to her core and came to visit me. She threatened me if I didn't stop, she will leave me. But after my dad bailed me out, the look of disappointment in his eyes killed me inside, It ignited this fire inside me and without thinking about the consequences, I made false claims against you, and uh you know the rest..." He finished. 

Everyone had mixed feelings about his story. The room went silent as we processed this new information. 

"I forgive you, Owen." I stood up and walked towards him. 
I shook his hand, giving him a comforting smile.
"You do?" He asked, totally surprised. 
"Yes. I'm sorry you had to endure all that abuse from your father. I hope you get some help to recover from it." I said, "I really hated you, you know? For coming after me, my company and my friends." I said as I lightly punched him in the arm. 
"I'm sorry." He giggled but his face fell again.
"I'm really sorry everyone." He looked at the boys, asking for forgiveness. 
"Well, if Jungkook can forgive you, then so can we. Right guys?" Jimin asked.
The boys nodded. 
"I'll leave now." Owen said as he grabbed his bag. 
"Where are you gonna go now?" I asked.
"I'm going to Daegu to propose to my girlfriend. And after that, I am moving to Paris with her." He said with a smile.
"Well, let us know when you'll have a painting exhibition here in Seoul, we all would visit." Namjoon told him. 
Owen nodded with a smile.
I walked Owen to the door and as soon as he was about to step out, I stopped him.
"How did your dad react? When you told him you were quitting?" I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

"He cried, for the first time since my mom passed away. I told him how bad he made me feel and that I forgive him for raising me like that. He hugged me and told me to follow my dream. He really surprised me, Jungkook." Owen said, almost tearing up.

"You surprised me too, Owen." I said as I patted his arm. "That's the beauty of being honest with yourself and others. It makes us see things for what they really are and not what we assume them to be. I've forgiven you, I hope you forgive yourself too."

"That will be hard after all the harm I have caused and all the bad things I have done, but, I'll try. Thank you Jungkook." He gave me a smile and left.  

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I'm feeling some heavy emotions after writing this chapter 😂🙈
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