Author pov:
As the meeting came to a close, the energy in the room began to shift. The discussions that had once been filled with the weight of business and decisions now ebbed into a more casual atmosphere. The serious talk of numbers and future plans faded into the background, and the tension in the air softened.
Jungkook's father, who had been the steady anchor of the meeting, suddenly glanced down at his phone. His expression shifted from focused professionalism to something more neutral, and he excused himself quietly. "I need to take this," he said, before stepping out into the hallway to answer the call.
With his departure, the room became notably quieter. Namjoon, still busy on his phone, Jin, however, didn't make any attempt to engage in the idle conversation that had begun to float around the room. His gaze was cool and focused, his presence like a distant wall, as if he was physically present but emotionally absent. He occasionally glanced at Jimin and Jungkook, but it was almost a look of observation rather than interaction.
Jungkook, noticing this, exchanged a brief look with Jimin, and he could feel the weight of the silence between them. It wasn't the kind of tension that could easily be ignored. It was the kind that clung to the air, thick and palpable. Jungkook had been aware of it since the first time they'd met.
Jimin, as usual, didn't show any outward signs of discomfort. His expression was calm, his posture relaxed, but Jungkook could see The tension between the two was an unspoken truth that hovered in the background like an old scar that hadn't quite healed. Jungkook wished he could do something about it, but he knew better than to push. Jimin had his own reasons for not confronting it.
Namjoon finally finished his phone call, his eyes shifting between Jungkook, Jimin, and Jin. "Tae is on his way. He'll pick you up and take you home," Namjoon said to Jin, the words spoken with a casual familiarity that suggested this was routine.
Jin gave a small, almost imperceptible nod, His expression was still cool, his features composed as he adjusted the cuff of his shirt. "Thanks," he replied, his tone just short of polite, but there was nothing warm about it.
Jungkook, sensing the shift in the room, couldn't help but ask, "Is something going on, Mr. Kim? Are you headed somewhere else?"
Namjoon smiled lightly,"No, not exactly. I have another meeting in a bit, but Jin doesn't like attending those," Namjoon said, his voice softening as he looked at his partner. "I asked my brother to pick him up so he doesn't have to stay. Jin doesn't need to be there, and I think he'd rather be home."
Jungkook noticed the way Namjoon spoke about Jin, how he understood him so well. There was no mistaking the affection in his voice, even though it was understated.
Namjoon again get a call and Jin nodded you can attend, after few seconds, namjoon said "sorry guys I have to go,"he looked at Jin and said "babe ,why not you can wait at cafed area ,i can told tae that you are there".Jin nodded, and after good bye kiss namjoon said "bye mr. Jeon ,mr.park,let's meet soon". they said good byes and namjoon left.
After that, The room was thick with unspoken words . Jin sat with his usual stoic expression, his silence louder than any words could be. Jimin fidgeted, stealing glances at Jin, his mind racing with questions. Jungkook, ever the professional, broke the silence.
"Mr. Jin," he began, his voice steady, "may we join you? We don't want you to be alone."
Jimin blinked, surprised by Jungkook's offer. He hadn't expected such a gesture from him.
"Okay."Jin said.
Jimin and Jungkook exchanged a look, both taken aback by Jin's unexpected consent. Without another word, they followed him out of the room.
§∆§
As they entered the café, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee enveloped them. Their stomachs growled in unison; it had been hours since they'd eaten, surviving solely on water during the meeting.
At a corner table, Jin sat in contemplative silence , his coffee cooling beside him, on the other hand, Jimin and Jungkook engrossed in their meal, their laughter and chatter filling the space between bites.
Suddenly, Jimin's fork paused mid-air. His gaze fixed on something—or someone—across the room. A smile tugged at his lips as he stood abruptly. "Kim Taehyung!" he called out, his voice carrying across the café. Taehyung also looking at jimin side and suprise to see him.
Jin's brow furrowed in surprise after hearing his brother- in- law name. He turned to where jimin looking, How did they know him.
Jungook, equally puzzled looking at jimin said direction,but after looking at his friend he said, "Hey, Taehyung, over here!" Taehyung face lighting up upon seeing his friends and he came to their direction.
Taehyung walked into the their table, without noticing his brother-in-law,"Hey, Jimin! Jungkook! What are you both doing here?"
Jimin stood up and embraced Taehyung warmly. Jungkook followed suit, pulling him into a hug as well. "We're in a meeting with clients," Jungkook explained. "What brings you here?" .
Before Taehyung could respond, Jimin interjected with a teasing smile, "Let me guess, you're here for an investigation?"
"Why would I be here for an investigation?" Taehyung asked, his tone laced with confusion.he never think about lied he said to jimin .
Jimin shrugged nonchalantly. "Well, you're a high-ranking officer in the police department. It's unusual for someone in your position to be here during working hours unless you're on a mission or taking leave."Taehyung and Jungkook shared a look, realizing what jimin has said.
Jungkook began to cough nervously, now Jimin's words hits his mind like rock,He had never told Jimin that Taehyung wasn't a police officer. At the time, it seemed harmless to let the lie slide, but now, how could he explain this to Jimin?
Jimin, noticing Jungkook's discomfort, quickly offered him a glass of water. "What happened?" he asked, his concern evident.
Jungkook took the water, drank it, and sat back down. "Nothing, I'm okay," he replied, trying to mask his unease.
Jimin nodded and sat down as well, gesturing for Taehyung to join them. Up until now, Taehyung hadn't noticed Jin, but the sudden sound of Jin's voice startled him.
"So, Taehyung, what was your work?"
Jin's voice sliced through the air—cold, calm, and laced with disbelief. He wanted to know why his brother-in-law had lied about being a police officer.
Taehyung's looked at said direction, his heart raced at sudden voice of confrontation ,it felt like a thunderclap in a quiet room. He stared at Jin, wide-eyed, as if he'd seen a ghost.he never expected to see his hyung with their friends.
Jungkook, unaware of Taehyung's true identity, panicked. "Mr. Kim... he's a police officer." He doesn't want to reveal the truth now.
Taehyung's throat tightened. He coughed, trying to mask his discomfort. But then, Jin burst into laughter.
"Haha... he is... he is a police officer... haha," Jin chuckled, his voice dripping with sarcasm.Taehyung's face flushed crimson. He lowered his head , without saying anything.
Jikook exchanged glances, confusion clouding their faces. Jimin, however, turned to Taehyung, his eyes narrowing.
"Yes, he is—a high-ranked police officer," Jimin retorted sharply.
Jin's laughter intensified. Jungkook's brow furrowed. Why was Mr. Kim behaving this way? And why was Taehyung looking like he knew mr. Kim ?
Jin finally spoke, his tone still mocking. "Haha... he is not. Tae is not a police officer."
Jimin anger simmered, because he taught his friend had been insulted; and jungkook looked panicked because his lie was about to be exposed.
Taehyung met Jimin's gaze and nodded solemnly. "Jimin, ....I'm... I can explain it."
Jungkook's heart sank. How could Taehyung betray him in front of Jimin?
Taehyung and Jungkook exchanged a nervous glance, both gulping in unison.
Breaking the silence, Jin spoke again. "Mr. Jeon, and Mr. Park sorry for interrupting, but it's true Tae is not a police officer. He is my husband's brother. Why could he be?"
Jikook's jaws dropped. The pieces clicked into place. Kim Taehyung, Kim Namjoon, Kim Seokjin... Kim, Kim, Kim... Jungkook stared at Taehyung, stunned. "Are you Mr. Kim Namjoon's brother, the next kim heir?"
Taehyung nodded, his expression unreadable.
Jungkook's mind raced. Taehyung was his childhood friend, but they had grown closer in university, sharing the same department and interests. Both knew their families were affluent, but they had never discussed this. And now,....".
Jin broke the tension. "Tae, do you already know Mr. Jeon and Mr. Park?"
Taehyung nodded again. "Hyung, Jungkook is my childhood friend, and recently, Jimin also became my friend."
Jin raised an eyebrow. "Oh, I thought you told me everything about you, but it seems you don't... and also, when did you become a police officer?" His voice was cold yet teasing.
Jikook exchanged looks. Jimin's expression was unreadable. Jungkook stepped forward. "Jimin... I can explain..."
But Jimin raised a hand, silencing him. "Later."
Jungkook and Taehyung lowered their heads, the weight of the situation pressing down on them.
Jin observed the scene, understanding the depth of the situation. He chose not to add fuel to the fire.
Taehyung spoke up. "Jimin...".
Jimin interrupted, his tone firm. "Mr. Kim Taehyung, we can talk later. And I think you have to drop Mr. Kim Seokjin home. He has already enjoyed the show enough." The room fell into stunned silence.
Without waiting for a response, Jimin gathered his belongings and walked toward the café area.
Jungkook turned to Jin. "Mr. Kim, I'm sorry on behalf of Mr. Park. He didn't mean to say that."
Jin waved a hand dismissively. "No... it's fine, Mr. Jeon ".
Jungkook glanced at Jimin, who was already out of sight. Jin and Taehyung followed his gaze.
Jin spoke again. "Mr. Jeon, I think you have to go now. Jimin... I mean, Mr. Park is come with you, right?"
Jungkook nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Kim, for understanding. We can meet soon."
Jin nodded and offered a small smile. Jungkook turned to Taehyung. "Taehyung, I'll call you later."
Taehyung nodded, and Jungkook headed toward the exit.