𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐁𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 | 𝐓𝐚𝐞𝐤𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐅𝐅 | ✔

In which he is determined to break his ego

In Which He Is Determined to Break His Ego

Taehyung stood frozen, his spine stiff, palms slightly clammy at his sides. The air felt heavier now—charged, electric—as Jungkook walked toward him, hands tucked casually into his pockets. With Joshua gone to attend a call, silence had wrapped around the room like a noose. And it was deliberate—Taehyung could tell. Joshua had left them alone on purpose.

The tension between them was thick enough to touch.

Taehyung tried not to squirm under Jungkook’s gaze, but the intensity in those dark eyes bored straight into his skull, unsettling him. He hated this. He wasn’t someone who flinched, let alone trembled under someone’s stare. And yet, here he was, feeling intimidated by a man he’d so confidently labeled a “rich, spoiled brat.”

It bruised his pride.

Meanwhile, Jungkook was more than entertained. Watching the silver-haired beauty squirm in his presence was nothing short of delightful. It fueled his ego. He liked the power shift. Liked it a little too much.

He stopped in front of Taehyung, who was suddenly more interested in the floor than in anything else. With a smirk, Jungkook tilted Taehyung’s chin up with his index finger, forcing eye contact.

“I think someone owes me an apology… Don’t you, Taehyung?”

Taehyung's breath hitched. Jungkook's finger against his skin was soft, but it sent shivers down his spine. The black onyx of Jungkook’s eyes felt hypnotic—dangerously beautiful.

He blinked quickly, snapping out of the trance. “I think so too,” he replied coolly, his voice steady. “Don’t you, Jungkook?”

Jungkook cocked an eyebrow, a low, humorless chuckle escaping his lips.

“Do you think I should apologize for your behavior?”

Taehyung bit his lower lip, the sharp edge of his teeth pressing into soft flesh. He was losing his calm, and Jungkook could see it. It amused him.

“I think,” Taehyung started again, his voice tight with restraint, “we both owe each other an apology. It wasn’t just me who acted out.”

Jungkook’s eyes dropped to Taehyung’s lips, now red from the biting, and something flickered behind his gaze—something he masked quickly.

“Oh, really? Because I don’t recall misbehaving,” he said with a mocking tilt to his voice, withdrawing his hand.

Taehyung gritted his teeth. “I suppose I’m the only ‘rich, spoiled brat’ here, right, Jeon?”

Jungkook opened his mouth to respond, but the door opened abruptly, cutting him off.

Joshua entered with a shorter man beside him. “Jungkook, this is Min Yoongi, our Executive Director.”

Yoongi extended his hand, and Jungkook shook it politely.

“Nice to meet you, Jungkook,” Yoongi said calmly.

“Likewise, hyung. I can call you that, right?”

Yoongi nodded with a faint smile.

Joshua turned to gesture at Taehyung. “And I see you’ve already met Taehyung. He’s one of the best secretaries you’ll ever have, Jungkook—I guarantee that.”

Taehyung smirked, clearly pleased by the compliment. Jungkook wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off his face.

“I’m looking forward to it,” he said with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Yoongi, sharp as ever, noticed the silent exchange between the two younger men. Without saying anything, he gently grabbed Taehyung’s wrist and pulled him out of the room.

“Hyung—my hand,” Taehyung protested softly, rubbing his wrist once they were outside.

Yoongi glanced at him, gaze softening. “What was going on in there?”

“He started it,” Taehyung mumbled, still pouting.

Yoongi sighed, letting it go. He knew Taehyung's temperament—his walls, his coldness, and how he only lowered them for a select few. He simply ruffled Taehyung’s hair.

“Come on. A certain midget is driving me insane. You’re the only one who can handle him.”

Taehyung laughed quietly and followed.

---

Two days later.

Jungkook had officially taken over as CEO. A board meeting was held, and the majority of directors voted in his favor—not that he had any real competition. Still, it felt good to have the support.

Taehyung had been assigned as his personal secretary.

And he had been avoiding Jungkook as much as humanly possible.

Not because he was scared. Of course not. Just… slightly intimidated. That was all. Just a little.

That evening, as the sun sank toward the horizon, the sky bloomed with hues of pink, orange, and soft lavender. The city glittered below, buildings casting long shadows under the golden hour glow. Taehyung stood by the window of the CEO’s floor, one hand resting on the railing, eyes closed as the cool breeze kissed his cheeks.

He breathed in deeply.

These sunsets calmed him. Made him feel less heavy.

But the peace didn’t last.

His phone vibrated. Another text. Another missed call.

Hwang Hye Soo.

His chest tightened. The name alone sent him spiraling. He had hidden so well—so perfectly—and yet, Hwang had reappeared at a business meeting just days ago. That smirk, that look in his eyes... it haunted him still.

Tears welled behind his brown contact lenses. He blinked rapidly, but they fell anyway—warm streaks down his cheeks.

He brought a trembling hand to his mouth, muffling a sob. Panic fluttered in his chest. He glanced around. No one had seen him.

Or so he thought.

Across the room, hidden just out of sight, Jungkook watched in silence.

His brows drew together as he saw Taehyung quietly cry alone, wiping his face like he was ashamed of breaking.

And for a moment, Jungkook didn’t feel proud or smug or competitive.

He just felt… concerned.

He didn’t know what had hurt Taehyung—but a strange urge stirred inside him. A desire to walk over, wrap him in his arms, and whisper that he didn’t have to be strong all the time.

That he wasn’t alone anymore.

---
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