Chapter Text
♠️
Ghost
Something that no longer belongs in this world. By definition, a ghost is an apparition of the dead, the soul of someone who died, who is believed to be an inhabitant of some unseen world, occasionally appearing to the living in bodily facsimile.
But there could be more to the word/term "ghost" than merely a wandering soul.
It is when feelings and emotions pass through you and you feel nothing at all; you go silent, lose empathy, your conscience— your soul.
It is when you feel like you've died but you're in fact, still alive.
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The dead have nothing.
The dead commit everything to the ground.
Earth to earth,
Ashes to ashes,
Dust to dust.
To be a living ghost is to live without having anything to your name— it is when you have nothing to lose but everything to gain.
***
<you can play this as you read.>
<Present day, Seoul>
It's four o'clock in the morning, and all the sky is blue. It is that time of day when the sun is just about to rise and the heavens appear to be devoid of all color but dull indigo and gray as it starts to catch light.
Taehyung stands by the full glass windows in a spacious high-rise apartment, peering down at the world beneath his feet, wearing nothing but a pair of pants and the silk red robe he had been sleeping in for the past ten years.
<messages>
From: S.J mechanic
<: You're coming, right? I need another guy, Jihoon bailed on me at the last minute. Fucking star just landed and gave the green light for you to join the team. Event starts at 7 and ends at 8, your boring job starts at 10. You have plenty of time. See you, kid.>
—
Taehyung took a deep breath and tucked his phone back into his pants pocket after going over the message he had just received. Then he lifts his gaze to the bleak sky, collecting his old lighter, a pack of cigarettes, and the ashtray from the nearby coffee table before sitting in the alcove, lighting a cigarette, and bringing his attention back out the windows.
"Ah, I'll really never get tired of this sight," the man who had just woke up said as he approached Taehyung, gently taking a few strands of the latter's long straight hair that reaches all the way down to his waist, letting the silky strands slip through his fingers as Taehyung handed him the lighter and pack of cigarettes.
"Good morning, hyung," Taehyung mutters without glancing at the man.
"Is it?—a good morning, I mean? Saw a guy running out crying from your room last night, and by the way he looked, it doesn't seem like he was able to last at least a round of your rut." The other man says, lighting his own cig.
"Did he wake you up? I told him to leave quietly, but I guess he didn't listen. I'm sorry, hyung." Taehyung replies, taking a drag of smoke before eventually turning to his side and facing the guy, shutting his eyes as the other leaned closer, placing a delicate peck on top of his head.
"It's alright. Are you okay, though? You basically spent this cycle all on your own." The man says with a worried expression on his face.
"It's fine... I'm used to it anyway."
"Mhm, if you say so. Are you planning to go to work? You still have a day left of your cycle leave, right? Not to mention today's date... Why not just rest for now? I'll leave work early and then I'll come with you to—"
"No need, hyung. Besides, I also have some work to do. Just buy something nice for our dinner later, and I'll wait for you." Taehyung says, putting out his spent cigarette on the ashtray as the man does the same.
"Alright then... Take a shower, I'll make breakfast before we go." The man replies as he smiles back at Taehyung, watching him head towards the bathroom.
...
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"You don't have to do this for me all the time, hyung; I think I'm capable of fixing my own hair by now," Taehyung says, now seated in front of the vanity, staring in the mirror at his and the kind man's reflections as the latter ties his hair up in a neat ponytail.
"I know, but I'm not really doing this for you; it's utterly self-serving on my part. In fact, fixing your hair in the morning is like free therapy for me, so basically—you're the one doing me a favor here."
"Free therapy? Hah, I didn't know psychiatrists needed therapy. Doctor, are you even qualified to own a clinic?" Taehyung quips as the man playfully rolls his eyes at him.
"Well, I'm not sure... You tell me? Am I not good enough to run my own clinic?" the guy asks as he brushes his fingers through Taehyung's hair.
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"Doctor, Lee Soo-hyuk... I'm just kidding, you are the best—of the best in your field. Now, can I leave? Is my hair finally to your liking?" Taehyung asks as he rises up, turning to face the man who has been with him—taking care of him for the past ten years: Lee Soo-hyuk, the same alpha who frequently stopped by the coffee shop Taehyung used to work for when he was still in high school.
...
<Flashback 10 years ago>
Taehyung has no clue how he ended up back at the hospital, but he's here now, sitting in the corridor, waiting for the paperwork he has to sign for his deceased father so they can proceed to the funeral.
He hasn't gone back home—he doesn't even know whether he still has a place to return to—but Taehyung thinks that none of that matters anymore. He's basically moving on autopilot, his thoughts floating aimlessly and loudly inside his head, and he has no strength left to care for himself.
He has no one, and he has to survive on his own from now on.
"Taehyung-ssi? Is that you?"
Taehyung snaps out of his stupor when he hears his name being called, and when he shifts his gaze up, he sees a familiar young alpha, staring at him with his face full of concern.
"Soo-hyuk hyung." Taehyung mumbles under his breath, and the next thing he knows, he's shedding tears again—this time in the arms of someone else.
<End of Flashback>
...
"There, it's done— pretty," Soo-hyuk says after tying Taehyung's hair and brushing the non-existent dust off his shoulders. "I'll see you later, okay?"
"Alright. Take care, hyung," Taehyung says, taking one last glance in the mirror before grabbing his keys and walking out the door.
***
<you can play this as you read.>
The past is in the past.
What's done is done.
People often hurl such remarks as consolation to pass on their shallow sympathies, like: how unfortunate, that must've been hard, it's okay, it's all in the past—it's over now.
Bullshit.
Taehyung believes that, while others may mean well, it is always easy for them to make everything sound so easy, and to say such rubbish since they have never walked in his shoes and have no idea how it feels to actually experience the horrors he has gone through.
They do not know what it is like to be alive while being completely dead on the inside.
And so he left, following the words of a certain old man before, who told him to live as if he doesn't exist— yes, that's precisely what Taehyung did.
He had shut himself out of everyone he knew in high school in order to start over. After his father passed on, he immediately enlisted in the military and served for 21 grueling months; when it was done— to his surprise, Lee Soo-hyuk, whom he had barely known before, welcomed him home.
Up to this day, Taehyung still has no idea how or why Soo-hyuk did it, but he stayed by his side and managed to make him get his life together.
Soo-hyuk helped Taehyung pass his GED, and pulled some strings for him to finally get into Hanyang University, which eventually led him to earning his degree.
Others may say Taehyung has no shame for taking advantage of the first person who offered him assistance, but back then and even now, he has long gone beyond the need to be concerned about what others have to say about him behind his back.
He must survive— that's the only thought that kept Taehyung alive.
< Lev. 24:19–21 : “Anyone who injures their neighbor is to be injured in the same manner: fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. The one who has inflicted the injury must suffer the same injury. Whoever kills an animal must make restitution, but whoever kills a human being is to be put to death. >
Taehyung continued to exist as an empty shell, devoid of all emotions except his unrelenting rage, which had been fuelling his seemingly unquenchable hunger—like a ravenous beast hiding in the shadows, waiting for the day when he could exact his revenge on those who made him suffer.
When that day comes, Taehyung swears he will be the bigger demon, and the others will have no escape—They. Will. Be. Devoured.
***
Taehyung's footsteps echo as he enters the quiet columbarium, stopping in front of Kim Taesoo's niche, carrying a small bouquet of white lilies and a box of cheap fried chicken he bought on his way here.
"Hi... It's been ten years, dad. That's 120 months—3,652 days... Sorry, for only coming here today. Don't worry, from now on— you do not have to wait." Taehyung says, gazing at Taesoo's photo behind the glass as he hangs the flowers next to his father's niche. Then he sat on the floor, opened the box of fried chicken, grabbed a piece, and bit into it.
The feast is about to begin. Today— on the 10th anniversary of Kim Taesoo’s death, and the day when Taehyung died as well.
***
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< Commentators: >
<"We are now here at Inje speedium for the 2023 supperrace championship! Ah, it's still early in the morning but I am sweating badly already!">
<"That's right! I can feel the heat even from here, and we're not even starting yet! Gosh, who do you think will take the lead this year?" >
<"Oh, my bets are on our very own Park Joo-hyuk, of course! Park started karting since he was 19, and he just got back here from Hungary—..." >
With only two hours and a half to spare before he clocks in at his desk job in Seoul, Taehyung found himself here at Inje Speedium, sans the corporate attire he had been wearing earlier; dressed down to his old faded blue jeans and green team shirt, long hair tied in a bun, hidden under his cap; surrounded by the group of mechanics he used to work part-time for back in his senior year in Hanyang.
Did he purposely approach the crew after he happened to hear that they're Park Joo-hyuk's family's official mechanic?— Maybe? Nonetheless, nobody knows the answer except for Taehyung himself.
<... "Aside from his achievements, Park, as we know, is also friends with the newly elected vice mayor and, of course, one of the country's most sought-after bachelors, Jang Minho, son of retired governor Jang Jong-suk...">
Smirking under the face mask he's wearing, Taehyung then approaches the car that the famous Super 6000 racer— also an 'old acquaintance' of his— Park Joo-hyuk will be driving.
<...."Park and Vice Mayor Jang attended Apgujeong High School, as did actor Shin Hae-in, who just got married recently — congrats to him — and famed video creator Ahn Seung-hoon... Wow, talk about an elite circle! Not to mention, they're all alphas! Ahh... I'm jealous, can someone tell me where I can apply so I can be their friend too?">
<Well, you can try to ask Park Joo-hyuk later— oh! They're here! There's Joo-hyuk-ssi over there! Finally, it looks like we're about to begin!>
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.
"How's your side? Good?" Lee Insung, Taehyung's former colleague and now the chief of Joo-hyuk's pit crew, asks.
"All good, chief," Taehyung says, standing back and watching Joo-hyuk chat to his manager before waving to the audience and putting on his helmet. "By the way, chief... I'm not 'officially' in the team right? I mean, you do know I have a real job, and I would really like to remain as a private individual." Taehyung adds, glancing at Insung on his side.
"Yeah, right... You don't need to remind me about that, kid. Even if I wanted to add you, I've already submitted the official list months ago." Insung says, rolling his eyes at Taehyung. "Ahh, I'm still upset that you left us after graduating. Don't let it get to your head, but it's really hard to find a person just as naturally skilled as you in this industry these days. Then again, at least your lines are open, and I can still phone you in case of emergency... So, thanks for not bailing on me, kid, unlike that brat Jihoon who decided it's a good idea to get drunk the night before a major gig like this. Gonna beat the shit out of that punk once I see him." Insung continues as he pats Taehyung on the back, nodding towards the track just as the race is about to start.
<you can play this as you read.>
"That's alright, chief. I'm not that busy anyway... Oh! Can I go wish the 'star' good luck? I'm a big fan of his, y'know?" Taehyung responds.
"Go ahead, just be quick, we need to get to the next pit stop before it starts," Insung says before turning and calling the team assigned to the first pit stop, while Taehyung simply smiles. 'Go easy on Jihoon, chief. Who knows, maybe our poor omega got drunk and met an alpha in rut who is—unfortunately— no match for him.' Taehyung thinks, remembering the guy who ran out crying from his room just this morning.
Park Joo-hyuk has just entered the car as the countdown begins, and Taehyung is walking up to the passenger side of Joo-hyuk's vehicle, knocking on the window— finally meeting the gaze of one of the demons he hasn't seen in person for the past ten years.
Joo-hyuk turned to face him with the same dumb expression, and when Taehyung lowered his face mask, the racer's eyes instantly widened.
"Huh? W-wait— you?!" Joo-hyuk says despite the fact that nobody could hear him now that he's inside the car.
"Boom." Taehyung quietly mouths, his lips twisting up to a smirk, keeping his eyes at Joo-hyuk as he steps back, watching the latter's face slowly lose its color.
<... "Three! Two! One!">
<BANG!>
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"Ah shit!" Joo-hyuk hisses, stepping on the gas pedal a few seconds later than usual due to shock. Nonetheless, he needs to move forward. His eyes remain fixed on the rearview mirror, slowing down, still trying to confirm if it was the same damn ghost from his past he saw just now.
"You've gotta be fucking kidding me... That couldn't be him, right? What would that guy even do in a place like this?!" Joo-hyuk screams as he absentmindedly steps on the gas pedal harder, speeding up even more.
"N-no— no, wait... That was definitely him... I know that face... It's him... He was wearing my team's shirt... H-he touched my car... He— no, no, what did that fucker do to my car?!!!"
...
"Oh, it looks like the star missed the stop," Taehyung says, keeping his eyes fixed on the screen as Joo-hyuk speeds past the pit stop. "I guess I'm no longer needed, chief; do you mind if I go ahead? Sadly, I can't afford to be late at work today."
"Fine, we'll take it from here. Take care on your way back... Thanks for your help, kid," Insung replies, patting Taehyung on the shoulder while his attention is locked on the big screen.
"Mhm... It's me who should thank you, chief." Taehyung quietly says as he walks away, disappearing in the crowd, taking off his cap, his long hair fluttering beautifully in the air as it drops.
**<BOOM!>**
'One down… Easy.' Taehyung smirks to himself as his shadow gets eaten up by the burning red-orange light caused by the massive explosion from behind.
***
"Oh my god, Tae! Have you heard the news? Look, that racer guy Park Joo-hyuk got into an accident just this morning at Inje speedium!" Choi Woo-shik, who now happens to be Taehyung's coworker, says, as he rushes towards Taehyung's desk here in their office.
"Do I look like I'm interested, Choi?" Taehyung replies, giving Woo-shik the cold shoulder as usual.
"Tch, I'm just saying— I mean, you know I'm a fan, and weren't we just talking about his return to Seoul a few days ago? What are the odds, right?" Woo-shik sighs when Taehyung still didn't pay him any mind, eyes locked onto the screen of his computer. "Are you really not curious about what happened?" What exactly are you, a robot?”
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.
"So... Did he die?" Taehyung asks, pausing what he's doing as he finally glances at Woo-shik on his side.
"Nope. Dude is still alive— though, I guess his career's over now. Both his legs got caught up in the blast..." Woo-shik says, his usual cheeky grin gone this time. "How unfortunate, right?" Woo-shik continues, his voice dropping a few octaves lower; staring— watching as Taehyung shifts his attention back to his computer.
"Go back to work, Choi." Taehyung simply replies.
***
In a hotel room somewhere in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul, an alpha is getting ready for his engagement party to be held in the hotel's grand ballroom.
"Are you feeling alright, sir?" Lee Jun-yeol inquires, watching as his 'new' master leisurely browses through his phone while sitting in front of the vanity table.
"Mhm... As I can ever be, I guess." The now 28-year-old, Jeon Jeongguk, says, grabbing the small pill container on the desk, taking a few pieces and crunching them down with his teeth as he places his phone down, still with the news discussing the tragic accident that happened at Inje Speedium just this morning on the screen.
"He's back— finally... Ahh, what perfect timing... Guess I should also get moving," Jeongguk says as he slips on his suit jacket, a devil-may-care smirk curling up on his lips.
♠️
<You can play this as you read.>
Things that hurt you change you, and if the pain is too deep, it will continue to haunt you.
Taehyung's now at home, here in the apartment he's been sharing with Soo-hyuk for the past—what? Five—six years? After he was done with his military service, Soo-hyuk basically never left his side; Taehyung's grateful of course, but there are still times that he thinks of Soo-hyuk's kindness as burdensome.
However, he still couldn't leave— after all, Soo-hyuk has been, and still is, his safety pin.
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.
"Guess, he's stuck in traffic." Taehyung mutters to himself, glancing at the wall clock since Soo-hyuk still hasn't arrived yet.
Taehyung lights a cigarette while waiting, sitting on the alcove next to the full glass windows, staring at the bright flickering city lights below. He then checks his phone—specifically, the article about the earlier 'accident' involving Park Joo-hyuk; and then takes a long drag of his smoke, resting his back against the wall.
Conspiracy boards, crazy walls, or murder maps, you know the kind of board that's often used as a backdrop feature in thriller or detective films, where a collage of media from various sources is affixed to the wall and frequently interconnected with a string to mark connections?— Well, Taehyung doesn't have that. He never needed that, to be exact.
He has this skill—like a photographic memory of some sort, he didn't pay attention to it back then; he simply thought he had a good memory, that's all; but it turns out that he actually has it, once he sees something, it sticks with him, and the memory never leaves.
He didn't need any fancy board just to keep up with the news about those guys that he's after. He didn't even need to investigate or spy on those bastards because every single one of them seems to be so hungry for attention, that the information about them, what they're doing or what they're up to just comes to Taehyung even if he doesn't do anything.
By simply following the news, Taehyung found out that Joo-hyuk became a professional car racer, Shin Hae-in, an actor, Ahn Seunghoon, video creator; Baek Byunghun, the loan shark is now a businessman in partnership with Hwang Daeshik the owner of the textile mill Kim Taesoo used to work for; and Jang Minho—Jang Minho is now one of Seoul Metropolitan Government's vice mayor.
All of them are doing so well in life that Taehyung finds it absolutely sickening.
And so Taehyung made it his goal to destroy it—obliterate every single one of those who had laughed when he had lost everything—when he had fallen and been trampled on the dirt.
They didn't know when to stop. None of them drew the line. They took everything just because they can— and they all got away with it unscathed.
That's just unfair isn't it?
But not anymore.
It's finally time for them to pay back what they owe.
It will hurt— it will hurt so much that they'd rather wish to die instead, and if they do, die— well, Taehyung wouldn't really mind that happening as well.
That's the plan, actually— death.
What goes around comes around, as the old saying goes: an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.
Taehyung doesn't really care if things gets messy, or if his hands get dirty— at this point, his rage has already fully consumed his humanity, and he knows that after what he did to Joo-hyuk this morning, there's no turning back— the little satisfaction he felt just made it more impossible for him to stop.
Yes, he had waited long enough.
Since God had clearly chosen to turn a blind eye, Taehyung swore he would take it upon himself to seek retribution.
He will be it— if karma is a person.
Park Joo-hyuk, Shin Hae-in, Ahn Seung-hoon, Jang Minho, Baek Byunghun, Jeon Jungho, Hwang Daeshik, Hwang Shin-hye and Hwang Sehun— whoever that omega whom 'that' guy mentioned that day when they parted is.
Yeah right, THAT guy.
<You can play this as you read.>
'Crazy bastard.' Taehyung muses, leaning his head back, thin smoke slipping past his lips as he breathes, once again thinking about that man— that lunatic whom for whatever reason, only came to basically bring the worst in him.
And he never left.
That man made certain that he would not be forgotten, despite the fact that Taehyung had spent more time resenting him than actually being with him.
It's not like they're still meeting or seeing each other, no— Taehyung had never talked or interacted with that guy since that day he left their old school.
It's just that every now and then—maybe once or twice a few months, when the seasons change, from spring to summer, fall to winter; whenever Taehyung walks whatever random pelican crossing he needs to cross around Seoul—he sees him—walking past him, as if making sure Taehyung knows that he's still existing.
It happens like a scene from some bad cliche film; when the signal lights switch from red to green, and the scent of oud, spice and wood hits his senses with the gentle drift of wind, Taehyung becomes aware that- that person is near even before he could actually see him.
Despite this, their eyes never met.
They kept on walking past each other as if they were perfect strangers who weren't familiar with one another.
And that man's scent will fade as if it was never there, leaving nothing but the memory of his traces on Taehyung's skin.
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<phone buzzing : one new mail received>
Taehyung then sighs and puts out his cigarette before checking his phone and the new email he just received—and as soon as he reads it, Taehyung feels like a bucket of ice-cold water has been dumped over his head.
Tomorrow.
Highschool reunion.
Celebration.
Engagement.
Wedding.
Jeon Jeongguk.
"This fucker," Taehyung's eyebrows twitched, his jaw tensed, as he stared at the message for a few more seconds before spitting out another curse under his breath.
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"Oh gosh— I'm home! Sorry, I'm late, I got stuck in traffic for like two hours, can you believe it? Did you wait long? You hungry? C'mon, let's eat—" Soo-hyuk's panicked ramblings were cut short when he noticed Taehyung's clearly displeased expression—which is unusual, because since leaving the military around eight years ago, Taehyung's expression has almost always been nothing but frigid; well, he does smile occasionally, but that's it. "What happened?" Soo-hyuk asks, setting his bags and the food he brought on his way home on the counter before approaching Taehyung.
"N-nothing." Taehyung blinks, shaking his head a bit and standing up as he slides his phone back inside his pocket. "I guess, I'm just hungry... I'll set up the table, let's eat hyung." Taehyung says, dismissing the subject as he walks past Soo-hyuk.
***
The party's over— the guests whom he hasn't even met at least once before have all left and Jeongguk is still here in the hotel, drinking whiskey in the bar, seated next to the counter with Jun-yeol behind him, standing guard.
"You can go ahead, Jun. I already know my way around here." Jeongguk sighs, finishing the whiskey left in his glass before calling the bartender to get another round.
"I am fine, sir... But don't you think you've had enough?" Jun-yeol asks out of concern, flinching when the younger alpha suddenly winces, curling down and gripping his chest. "Sir?—"
"Hah... Apparently, I'm still not drunk enough... Were the invitations for that shitty reunion sent out already?" Jeongguk asks, huffing out a lungful of air as he sits up straight again.
"Yes, sir."
"Will he come?" Jeongguk inquires, aware that Jun-yeol knows precisely who he's referring to.
"I'm not sure, sir... But what I do know is that he received the invitation," Jun-yeol responds.
"I see... And what about that 'other' thing?" Jeongguk asks again, his eyes darkening as he raises his gaze at Jun-yeol.
"Everything is in place, sir; all you have to do is simply say the word."
"Good... Ah, is there any news about my soon-to-be wife? I’d like to meet her at least once— y'know, before the big wedding my old man had planned." Jeongguk says, keeping a straight face, tightening his grip on the glass of whiskey in his hand.
"I heard Ms. Kang is still in New York, but will be returning to Seoul in two days; should I arrange a meeting with her, sir?" Jun-yeol asks.
"Yeah... And make sure to prepare everything."
"I will, sir."
"Yo! Jeonggukkie! Jun-yeol-ah! Phew! I thought you guys had already left, good thing I checked the bar... Oh! Congratulations on your engagement, by the way, but where's your fiance?" Woo-shik exclaims, bouncing over to Jeongguk and Jun-yeol at the bar. "Wait, don't tell me you attended your own engagement party all by yourself? Haha! Guess you've got yourself one hell of a soon-to-be Mrs. Jeon, huh?" Woo-shik chuckles, patting Jeongguk on the back as he sits.
"Shut up. It's not supposed to be a party anyway, just some dumb announcement. *Sigh* What brings you here, by the way? You could've just called, no?" Jeongguk asks, breathing deeply again.
"Well, yes... But I got off work early, so I figured I'd drop by... Anyway, have you seen the news?— Not about your engagement, of course... Y'know, about what happened to one of those guys— Park Joo-hyuk?" Woo-shik asks, his tone a bit darker this time.
"Mhm... What about it?" Jeongguk replies.
"Nothing... I'm just curious, I guess... So, did you do it? Or was it finally— him--.."
"If I remember it correctly, knowing who's who isn't part of your job, beta." Jeongguk says, his eyes turning red as he turns towards Woo-shik. "However, since it appears that I'll require more of your services soon, then fine— I'll tell you... It wasn't me—unfortunately." Jeongguk then gets up, placing a hand on Woo-shik's shoulder and leaning closer to the beta's ear. "That's why, from now on, you better make sure that his hands stays clean," Jeongguk adds, lightly squeezing Woo-shik's shoulder as he heads out of the bar, with Jun-yeol following him from behind.
"H-hey! Isn't it a bit too late for that now? Please, you don't understand; that guy's even scarier than you think! — Ugh! I'm seriously getting too old for this!" Woo-shik groans when Jeongguk ignores him, leaving him with no other choice but to just raise his hand to the bartender and order himself whatever strong drink he'll surely be needing.
***
<you can play this as you read.>
Taehyung is now in his room, lying on his back on the bed with his phone held up to his face, once again staring at the email invitation he received.
"So... He's getting married, huh?" Taehyung mutters as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath— and from there, he finds himself taken back to that day, that night when he first met the same alpha who's apparently set to marry in a few days.
He can still remember it vividly in his head as if ten years ago was only yesterday. It was dark in their school's indoor swimming pool, and the only light illuminating the whole place was the faint reflection of the moon passing through the gym's awning windows.
There, a stranger stood at the edge of the pool, his crimson eyes sparkling against the blue moon; his scent of oud, spice, and wood. "Name—tell me your name," the stranger asked, and back then, Taehyung had no idea that the encounter would lead to him getting caught in the deep quagmire, through which he has since been unable to crawl out of.
—
"One, ten, or a hundred years... It doesn't matter when, but I promise you, I will make them all pay—for each of the tears and blood you shed the night before today,"
"Bullshit."
"KIM TAEHYUNG!— This isn't the end, so you—you cannot die just yet.
"Ah... I know. Don't worry, I won't die— until I get to kill you myself,"
—
"All that talk— and for what?" Taehyung couldn’t help but laugh bitterly at himself, "Well, who cares? He's about to wind up the same as everyone else anyway."
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.
Well, that's what Taehyung said before falling asleep last night, and yet here he is now, standing like a complete idiot outside the lavish restaurant mentioned in the invitation he received for this stupid reunion—or whatever the true reason behind this stupid get together is.
He'd already smoked half a pack of cigarettes but he still couldn't decide if he should actually proceed.
As much as Taehyung wants to deny it, the sudden news has really been bothering him all day.
Jeon Jeongguk is getting married— he's getting married to someone who isn't him. Well, it's not like Taehyung wanted to get married to the guy— no, that's not it; but then again, a part of him still hoped that Jeongguk hadn't forgotten all about him.
Because if that's the case, Taehyung thinks it's just not fair.
'How dare he?' Taehyung curses in his thoughts, lighting another cigarette, pacing back and forth, hidden in a dark alley just in front of the restaurant where the same guy who's causing this absolutely unpleasant feeling he's having.
Taehyung thought that after everything that had happened, he'd be ready to face anything and everything—that nothing could possibly faze him—but all it took was a single email announcing Jeon Jeongguk's marriage for him to come running here, about to reveal himself, most likely in front of the same people he'd been plotting to punish.
"Hah... This is stupid," Taehyung whispers to himself, a sour sneer twisting up on his lips as he rests his palm on his forehead and subtly glances towards the restaurant where Jeongguk is; the place is so bright that it's blinding— it's disgusting.
"Fuck you—all of you," Taehyung says as he puts out his cigarette; he turned around, getting ready to leave, when he heard the sound of someone's hurried footsteps approaching.
<you can play this as you read.>
"K-Kim Taehyung? It's you right?"
'Ah, shit... Did he really have to come out right now?' Taehyung scoffs, not even trying to conceal his distaste at being caught just as he is about to leave the place. "Yeah... It's been awhile, huh?" Taehyung says, his tone cold and flat, empty gaze meeting Jeongguk's frenzied ones.
"Tae... Wow, you really came... What are you doing out here? Come on in! The others are there. I'm sure they'll be happy to see you." Jeongguk says, stuttering nervously, while Taheyung remains standing completely still, staring at him. "Uhm... Y-Yoongi hyung and Jimin hyung... They've started dating y'know? They're here too— Oh, and Joon hyung? He has his own talent agency now... He's managing Seokjin hyung and Hobi hyung's careers... You probably heard all about them already since they're both famous... Ah! Seokjin hyung gave out his signed albums to everyone, there's still a few left so uhm—.."
"Jeon Jeongguk." Taehyung cuts off Jeongguk's random ramblings on topics and people Taehyung isn't really interested in.
"Yes?" Jeongguk asks, scratching the back of his neck, with a rather sheepish smile on his face.
"Am I scaring you, alpha? " Taehyung asks.
"W-what? No... No, of course not! I'm really happy to see you Tae—"
"Really? Then, can you tell me why you're acting like a dumb kid who just found his favorite toy— looking so damn terrified to lose it once more? +" Taehyung smirks, taking long strides towards Jeongguk, grabbing the collar of the latter's shirt—pausing—gaze burning red, looking the other alpha straight in the eyes before smashing their lips together, feeling Jeongguk's hesitation at first before returning his bold gesture.
Taehyung kept his eyes open, as did Jeongguk, the latter's pupils switching from amber to red as he pulled Taehyung closer by the nape; grunting and pushing Taehyung's back against the wall, parting his mouth, his tongue shamelessly invading Taehyung's mouth, letting his scent reek all over the place as if aiming to drown all of Taehyung's senses.
Rough, hot and just so—damn—greedy.
Nothing has changed, Jeon Jeongguk's kisses still feel the same, and so does his taste; bitter, sweet, and so treacherously enticing, Taehyung absolutely hates it— loathes it, especially after finding out now that it still has the same bizarre effect on him after all these years— it's appalling.
"Get off me," Taehyung growls, pushing Jeongguk so hard that the latter staggers to his feet.
"Tae..." Jeongguk says, looking so fucked out already, staring at Taehyung with those deceitful puppy-like eyes of his.
"Please don't let one meaningless kiss get to your head," Taehyung sneers, "I only came to wish you best fucking wishes, Jeon, and that's all there is to it..." Taehyung continues, swatting Jeongguk's hand away when the latter tries to reach for him again.
"Am I supposed to believe that?" Jeongguk asks, crimson eyes locked on Taehyung.
"Yeah... Think of this as you seeing a ghost by chance— a rare encounter; something that won't ever happen again. Sleep on it tonight and forget about it tomorrow." Taehyung replies dryly, flipping his long straight hair to his back as he takes a step towards Jeongguk, placing a hand on the latter's shoulder and leaning his face closer to the other alpha's ear.
"You know that not even God can make that happen now; you are asking for the impossible, Taehyung." Jeongguk says sternly, closing his eyes and turning to his side, nuzzling his face against Taehyung's hair and breathing in deeply.
"Then maybe it's about time you start praying— read the damn bible, seek help, or whatever... Try harder, Jeon... From now on, let's not run into each other anymore— you know what I mean, right?" Taehyung whispers as he walks past Jeongguk, leaving the other alpha staring at his back, watching his hair sway beautifully like a dream as he walks further away from him.
"H-hah... If you really wanted me to leave you alone, then you shouldn't have come here at all— though I doubt that would make any difference. Sorry, I am at my limit now— and I am done holding back..." Jeongguk's breath stutters as he chokes out a laugh, clutching his chest tightly, while his eyes remain on Taehyung.
"Welcome back— gwisin... I will see you again soon.” Jeongguk smirks as he licks his lips, savoring the sweet—sweet taste Taehyung left him with.
***
<you can play this as you read.>
It's been three days since Taehyung last saw Jeongguk; he's tried to forget about it as if it were a drunken mistake, despite the fact that he hadn't had even a sip of alcohol that day.
He did it on impulse— why? Maybe he's curious to see how Jeongguk will react when he sees him again after all this time.
In his head, Taehyung imagined that Jeongguk would look at him the same way Joo-hyuk did when he saw his face for the first time in ten years; he wanted to see Jeongguk be shocked beyond belief, he wanted to see him be so damn afraid so he could taunt him— trample him down to the mud just like what he did to him back then when Taehyung desperately asked for his help.
Except that didn't happen.
Yes, Jeongguk's eyes were filled with fear, but it appeared to be for a completely different reason.
Y'see, Taehyung wanted Jeongguk to fear him— his existence and all the things he could possibly do, and yet the kind of fear he saw on Jeongguk's eyes looked like he was more afraid of himself than Taehyung— and Taehyung didn't like that at all.
Still, what's done is done.
Taehyung made an impetuous mistake, one he has vowed never to do ever again.
He's already started; he's even managed to take down one of his targets and he will do it again and again until there's none of them left; but for that to happen, Taehyung knows that he should not allow himself to appear vulnerable again.
.
.
.
Taehyung is now at home, waiting for Soo-hyuk so they could have dinner together. He's lounging in the living room, browsing on his phone while the t.v runs just to serve as some sort of background noise.
More minutes passed and Taehyung's still scrolling on his phone; and then, an article popped up, announcing the big news regarding the merging of two great families and their businesses, following the marriage of Ennead's Jeon Jeongguk and KDC's Kang Sohee.
They dubbed it the "wedding of the century."
Taehyung desperately wanted to laugh, but for some reason he couldn't, so instead he just bit his lips hard—so hard that he even drew a bit of blood.
There's a live video attached to the article and Taehyung clicked on it before he could even think, it appears that the wedding has just concluded. The new husband and wife look so damn dazzling in each other's arms.
The perfect alpha with his perfect omega.
Suddenly, Taehyung felt a strange and sharp pain in his chest, causing him to jolt up to his feet, loosening his tie thinking that would help him breathe, yet it did nothing.
Taehyung's eyes seemed glued to his phone screen, unable to move or look away as the camera zoomed in on Jeon Jeongguk's face. The alpha is all smiles, dressed to the nines, holding his dear wife, whose face has been blurred since she apparently prefers to remain a private individual.
Taehyung had already noticed it that night three days ago, but seeing Jeongguk now, he can tell more clearly how the latter aged like fine wine; he's grown taller, looking sturdier, prouder— fitting more into the mold of a man wielding so much power.
Nonetheless, Jeongguk's eyes remain the same. He's looking at the camera as if he's looking right into Taehyung's face.
And then Jeongguk smirks, winking at the camera and silently mouthing something so out of place, especially considering tonight's event— Deuteronomy 32:35.
<... T.V. PLAYING...>
<Breaking News: Apgujeong High School explosion kills at least eight and injures dozens, officials said. The explosion occurred inside one of Apgujeong High School's main buildings, during a reunion for the school's retired instructors... — The cause of the explosion is still unclear....>
Taehyung's eyes then widened as he turned from his phone to the television screen, watching the live footage of their old high school building collapsing, engulfed in huge, harsh flames that seemed to have reached the dark heavens.
"Pfft.... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Taehyung doesn't really know why, but he suddenly burst out laughing, crouching on the ground, dropping his phone while clutching both his chest and his stomach, tears streaming down his cheeks as he cackled like a lunatic.
"H-hah... You little shit." Taehyung muttered under his breath as his laughter started to fade, picking up his phone and glaring sharply at Jeongguk's face on the screen.
—
<... Deuteronomy 32:35
35. It is mine to avenge; I will repay. In due time their foot will slip; their day of disaster is near and their doom rushes upon them.”... >
—
♠️
<you can play this as you read.>
"N-no... No—NO!!!!!!!" Hwang Sehun's screams reverberate throughout his Gangnam Seoul apartment as he thrashes whatever display and furniture that stands in front of him, groaning and cursing in rage as the live footage of Jeon Jeongguk's wedding plays on the television screen.
Jeon Jungho's words are absolute. No one should question it—no one has the right to complain—but that doesn't mean Sehun agrees with everything—because surely, this time, he doesn't.
The marriage announcement came so suddenly that Sehun didn't even have enough time to prepare for it.
Marriage essentially means business for families like the Jeons, like an auction where the highest bidder wins and the price paid is a more lucrative partnership that is beneficial for both families involved.
Sehun knew from the beginning that Jeon Jungho would never consider him as a potential mate for his sole biological son and heir, Jeon Jeongguk, and yet Sehun never gave up hope—he continued waiting and waiting for the perfect time to seize the man—the alpha, his omega yearns for the most.
But now, even that little hope is gone.
Jeon Jeongguk got married in a snap, while Sehun's locked up here in his own apartment by his mother.
<door opening...>
"*Sigh* Child, will you please stop this already?" Jeon Shin-hye says as she walks into Sehun's practically destroyed apartment unit.
"H-how could you..." Sehun asks, kneeling on the floor, his hands soaked in blood from smashing almost every piece of his furniture. "HOW COULD YOU?!!!" Sehun cries out, his face a mess as he lifts his gaze to his mother. "YOU TOLD ME TO WAIT—I DID! YOU TOLD ME—YOU PROMISED ME THAT HE WILL BE MINE IN THE END, AND NOW HE'S MARRIED! HE'S MARRIED TO WHOEVER THAT FUCKING BITCH IS!" Sehun continues to lash out, throwing a fragment of the already broken vase on Shin-hye, who effortlessly evades it.
"You're wasting your time throwing a tantrum like this, child," Shin-hye says as she moves calmly towards Sehun, her gaze fixed on the pitiful sight of her son sobbing on the floor.
"H-how long have you known about this?" Sehun asks, gritting his teeth and balling his fists tightly, ignoring the tiny glass shards buried into his skin.
"Oh please, don't even try to put the blame on me," Shin-hye says, rolling her eyes as she takes the only unshattered bottle of wine and glass from the nearby desk and pours herself a drink; then she takes a seat on the couch, crossing her legs as gracefully as she always does before taking a sip of her drink. "None of us heard anything about it until the day before the engagement announcement. You were in L.A back then, and that damn Jungho just spat out the news like it's nothing, over breakfast... Bet not even Jeon Jeongguk himself was prepared for it, he only met his wife basically two days before the actual wedding." Shin-hye says, leaning back on the couch as Sehun stands up.
"Why?" Sehun grumbles, still clenching his fists tight. "Why did he have to get married so quickly?!! Hyung— Jeonggukkie hyung hasn't shown any interest in anyone in a long time, and now suddenly he has a wife?! Get fucking real, mom! It doesn't make any sense! I will talk to the chairman! He's fond of me, right? We're family, so maybe I can still convince him to--.."
"Listen to me! Jeon Jungho, that man has never considered you—or even I—as his family," Shin-hye interjects, staring Sehun in the eyes. “He's only kept us around because doing so works better for him— for his image, his damn name... He cannot appear as he is without a perfect and happy little family on his back, or he'll be the society's laughingstock... So do not misunderstand; that man is only treating us well because we're his last chance after he's failed with his first one, and he cannot afford to be seen as someone who has been abandoned for the second time." Shin-hye continues as she drops her glass of wine on the floor, getting up and cupping Sehun's face, pressing their foreheads together.
"You have no idea what I had to go through just to get us here, that is why I would never let you—my own son— to screw up everything. Jeon Jeongguk is Jeon Jungho's son. That man is just like his father. They're both sick in the head, so while you still can, try to forget about whatever petty feelings you have for him— he is, after all, already married to someone else," Shin-hye says, watching Sehun's eyes widen in disbelief.
"W-what are you saying? You know I can't do that, mom! Jeongguk hyung is the only one I want... H-he's the one for me... I want him— I love him--.."
"SHUT UP!" Shin-hye exclaims, taking a step back just to land a hard slap on Sehun's face. "You do not love him, do you hear me? So you better get that word out of your fucking vocabulary!" she exclaims, grabbing Sehun's collar and pulling him closer, her expression softening as she stares at her son's startled face. "You do not— you can't possibly love that man... But that doesn’t mean you can't want him and have him... Marriage in this world that we're in is nothing more than a ruse. Be strong, cunning, and wise... Jeon Jungho will leave everything he owns to his only biological son, which means that once the old man dies, we would be left with absolutely nothing." Shin-hye says, gritting her teeth as she speaks, "There are many ways to get a man— even more, an alpha, especially if you're a dominant omega. If you don't want to say goodbye to the kind of life you have right now, you need to pull yourself together and stop letting a simple marriage spoil your resolve," Shin-hye continues, now looking firmly into Sehun's eyes.
"That marriage just secured Jeon Jeongguk's position as Jeon Jungho's heir. Everything his father owns is basically already his, plus whatever shares he just earned by marrying the only omega daughter of the Kang family... Do you understand what I'm saying?" Shin-hye asks, now tightly holding both of Sehun's hands. "I am not telling you to give up on him... All I need you to do is be a little more patient. The more power Jeon Jeongguk possesses now, the more you will benefit in the future... Just like a parasite waiting for its host to fatten up—just like your mother. You will wait for your turn." Shin-hye asserts, catching Sehun as he sobs and falls into her arms once more.
"H-he's mine, mom... He will be mine— no one else, but mine."
***
<you can play this as you read.>
"So— I guess you're my husband now, huh?" Kang—no— Jeon Sohee remarks, now sitting beside Jeongguk in the car, on their way to their new house as a married couple.
"Seems like it, yeah..." Jeongguk says, his expression looking frigid as he peers out the window.
"Since we'll be living under the same roof, will we also share one room?" Sohee asks, her eyes now locked on her phone.
"If that's what you prefer," Jeongguk responds as the car stops in front of their house, which is one of Jeon Jungho's properties in Gangnam.
"Are you kidding me?--"
"Get off now and rest, and I'll see you later—wife," Jeongguk says, finally taking a look at the omega beside him.
"You're not even coming?" Sohee scoffs.
"Not tonight," Jeongguk replies, turning towards the car window and sighing as he hears the car door slam shut and he is at last left alone.
"Where to, sir?" Jun-yeol who's in the shotgun seat asks, glancing at Jeongguk through the rearview mirror.
"Let’s just go, Jun."
.
.
.
It's late at night, and the place is supposed to be closed by now, but there really isn't a single locked door that just a few bucks can't unlock.
Jeongguk is now in the columbarium, gently touching the already wilted white lilies hanging beside one of the nooks.
"He finally decided to come here, huh? You must be feeling so happy now— uncle," Jeongguk says, gazing through the glass at Kim Taesoo's photo.
"We did it, uncle... We waited, and he really came. Didn't I tell you? Taehyung will never forget... I once told him to not let his anger be cheap, his kisses be more expensive and that's exactly what he did... Now I can afford to take both of it— all of it... You'd be fine with that, right? Uncle... It's okay for me to take him, right?" Jeongguk says, smirking to himself as his fingertips trace the surface of the thin glass in front of him.
***
<you can play this as you read:>
< 2 weeks later >
.
.
.
Taehyung already sensed that something was awry when he learned that the daughter of their company's former chairman had recently married and that the new son-in-law had apparently taken over the business.
Everything then started making more sense.
Having gone through the most arduous roads in life, Taehyung learnt early on that there is no such thing as a coincidence in this world.
So it turns out that it wasn't a coincidence that he's been working for Kang Raewon’s company for a year already— Kang Raewon, who is Kang Sohee's father; Kang Sohee, who is now Jeon Jeongguk's wife.
It wasn't a coincidence that he—an ordinary office employee—was strangely, promptly promoted, becoming the chairman's personal secretary, just after Jeon Jeongguk's wedding.
It's no coincidence that he's now standing outside the chairman's office.
Taehyung takes a deep breath then lifts his gaze to the door plaque, which bears the name of KDC's newly appointed chairman—Jeon Jeongguk.
Taehyung then smirks and shakes his head for whatever reason before opening the door.
.
.
.
"Good morning, Chairman Jeon," Taehyung begins, not liking the fact that he's actually straining to keep a straight face.
"Ah... I wasn't informed that my office is haunted... Right now, it appears that I'm looking at a ghost," Jeongguk responds, grinning all wickedly as he raises his gaze towards Taehyung.
'Bastard.' Taehyung thinks, clenching his jaw, balling his fists tightly on his sides as he lets out a silent sigh. "Am I scaring you, sir?" Taehyung asks, not wanting to even consider giving Jeongguk the upper hand in this particular situation.
"Do I really look like I'm scared? You've been asking me that question since the first time we saw each other again outside the restaurant..." Jeongguk says, still beaming as he leans back in his swivel chair.
"Why? Does it bother you?" Taehyung asks, with his eyes fixed on Jeongguk, mentally cursing the other alpha and the pompous air around him, now that he's behind the chairman's desk.
He truly is one of them—Jeon Jeongguk is just like the others, succeeding in life without ever having the slightest taste of hell.
"Mhm... I'm not sure..." Jeongguk replies as he loudly taps his index finger on the desk, his eyes shifting from amber to red. "So— can you bring me my coffee Taehyung-ssi? Iced americano, no sugar, no cream, make it as cold and bitter as the way you kissed me three days before my wedding." Jeongguk adds, and Taehyung couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
"Pfft... With all due respect sir— but can a brainless, cowardly little puppet like you handle it?— The bitterness, I mean." Taehyung says, hating how stupid he is for even working here with the Kang's, unaware that the previous chairman's daughter will end up being his highschool pet's pretty little housewife.
"Oh my..." Jeongguk snickers menacingly, "Don't get me wrong; I don't mind if it's just the two of us, but if we're in front of others, I suggest that you watch your mouth. Here, I am no brainless puppet of anyone—I am now the chairman." Jeongguk says as he taps on his own name plate on the desk.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude—chairman... Nonetheless, you are still a wimp to me, unfortunately." Taehyung says as he walks casually towards the man who appears to have changed a lot just two weeks after getting married, now proudly sitting on the title and the seat he's always meant to be in from the beginning.
"Wars aren't always won by brute force, Kim biseo (secretary), you have to use your head. You have to be patient as well... I am sure you know exactly what I mean," Jeongguk says, his gaze following Taehyung's movements, watching as the latter leaned forward, one hand flat on his desk and the other taking the ends of the necktie he's wearing.
"You're still as crafty as ever, Jeon 'Sajangnim,' just a few days ago you appeared in front of me looking like a lost kid, but look at you now— talking like a proud king," Taehyung sneers, refusing to look pathetic in front of the man he once foolishly thought might free him from his all his sufferings.
"Of course... I've waited long enough for this after all... I promised something to someone once upon a time— long, long ago— and yet he disappeared," Jeongguk pauses, absentmindedly gripping the edge of his chair's armrest tightly. "Then he came back, kissed me, and vanished like a ghost once more... Would you believe me if I said the ghost looks exactly like you, Kim biseo?" Jeongguk asks, brushing his tongue against his cheek as Taehyung lightly tugs on his necktie, eyes shifting down to his lips.
"Oh really? Well, isn't that interesting?" Taehyung asks, his stomach churning for some reason as he inhales the other alpha's strong scent, which is now reeking all over the office. "Tell me—me, working in this company... Was it all your doing?" Taehyung inquires, carefully piecing the puzzle together, recalling how he received a call from the Kang's a year ago without him applying directly for a position.
"And if it was, are you gonna quit?" Jeongguk asks, watching as Taehyung twirls his tie around his delicate long and slender fingers.
"Heh? If I do quit, what are you going to do then?" Taehyung asks, immediately seeing a crack in Jeongguk's seemingly unfazed demeanor. "Oh my, don't tell me you lured me here with the intention of finally fulfilling what you promised? If so, wouldn't that be too absurd? It's been ten years, Jeon," Taehyung adds, laughing dismissively at Jeongguk.
"Why? Didn't I say I am a man of my word? Ten years or whatever, I still meant what I said before: I will get you out of your hell hole in exchange for that one thing I desperately—desperately wanted the most," Jeongguk mutters, his gaze darkening as Taehyung stares him down, then playfully kisses the end of his necktie.
"Success looks so—so good on you, Jeon, sajangnim..." Taehyung grins once more; he was about to get up when Jeongguk pulled him back by his collar.
"Come back to me, Taehyung... I will give you everything," Jeongguk proclaims, clenching his teeth, as if unable to suppress whatever aching need that has been bubbling up inside of him.
Taehyung then froze, loathing how the past ten years had just raced across his mind without warning.
All the many nights he's spent holding himself to sleep, wondering if he'd even make it to the next morning.
Freezing cold winters and scorching hot summers, there was no in-between.
Him, watching as everyone else's lives fell into place except for him, who was left, confined inside the deepest pits of hell, which the heavens seemed to have condemned him to be in.
Struggling for no apparent cause, with barely any chance of remuneration.
For ten years, Taehyung has become that person no one remembers, standing behind the bright lights, staring at those people's backs, watching in the shadows.
He was the one who left, yet he felt as though he was the one who was left behind.
His existence then faded in everyone else's minds.
He couldn't do anything but to remain frozen in time, rotting away, allowing the thought of eventually getting revenge as the sole purpose of his existence.
And now this man is back again in front of him, spitting rubbish as if they're still the same naive high school kids.
Taunting him— tempting him, trying to jumble the pieces Taehyung has spent years assembling onto the board, just so he may witness the demons from his past suffer the same way as he did when they crushed him before.
'Is this fucker, for real?' Taehyung muses as his eyes burn red, feeling the same rage he felt for the other alpha back then. "Everything?" Taehyung probes, his tone clearly tinged with both hatred and bitterness.
"Everything," Jeongguk promptly replies.
"Even that seat?" Taehyung sneers, still eyeing Jeongguk who's in his fancy swivel chair, sitting like a mad king.
"This and more. Just as I promised you before; this time, I will give my all to you, Taehyung." Jeongguk proclaims, letting go of Taehyung's suit, guiding him around his desk, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath as Taehyung casually sat on his lap—the only place Jeongguk had wanted Taehyung to be in since ten years back. "If you're up for it— and if you want it, you can have everything, in exchange for that one thing, only you can give." Jeongguk adds, trembling hands now caressing Taehyung's cheek. 'Finally— you're here... You're now within my reach. You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this...' Jeongguk laments, refusing to even blink, terrified that if he does, then Taehyung will once again disappear.
"And what is that?" Taehyung asks, leaning his head to the side; strangely amused by Jeongguk's pitiful expression, he even allows the other alpha to bury his face against the crook of his neck, urgently holding him as if he had no intention of ever letting him go again.
"Be my secret. My pretty nasty little secret... Just until I'm able to 'really' take everything— until I crush this blasted world of gold you detest to fucking smithereens," Jeongguk says with much confidence, prompting Taehyung to burst out laughing.
"Hah— are you asking me to have an affair with a married man and play this cliché forbidden office romance, Jeon sajangnim?" Taehyung scoffs as Jeongguk puts his arms around his waist, bringing their bodies closer together and tenderly brushing his long hair off his shoulder.
"Yes," Jeongguk answers, with a tone as brazen as ever.
There isn't a trace of doubt in Jeongguk's eyes, and even if Taehyung tries to refute it, it doesn't change the fact that it has just made him more curious, as if he hasn't learned anything from the time before.
'What is this guy planning?'
'What exactly does he want from me?'
'I hate him.'
'I want to crush him—ruin him—until he begs on his knees and breaks down pathetically.'
'But, this is good— way too good... I wonder how long he can keep up this level of acting.'
Taehyung's thoughts are now whirling madly inside his head; he's still not sure what this encounter will do to him in the end, but one thing is certain: Taehyung would rather drop dead than give Jeongguk the satisfaction of seeing him run away again.
"Mhm... Then what will I get in return?" Taehyung asks, curious of what will happen if he considers this cruel man's tempting proposition.
"Revenge," Jeongguk responds, all the disdain he felt before resurfacing like a vicious tempest, driving him even more insane.
Back then, he wasn't able to do anything— but now he can.
He can have him—this man, the cause of his seemingly unquenchable thirst and the object of all his unspeakable desires. Kim Taehyung.
"Eh? Just that? What if I tell you that I can work on that all on my own?" Taehyung hisses, grabbing Jeongguk's hair and roughly tugging it back. "What else can you give me, Jeon?" Taehyung asks once more.
"Me. Though I'm not sure if it counts... You have always owned me after all," Jeongguk replies, beaming with those old glints of lunacy in his eyes—those eyes that had once convinced Taehyung that Jeongguk sees him and him alone.
'What an awful fucking liar.'
"You're sick," Taehyung chuckles bitterly, finding it ridiculous that Jeongguk hasn't changed even after ten years. He's still the same nutcase who Taehyung cannot read.
"That I am... You know that already," Jeongguk says as he cracks a baleful laugh, once again acting like the madman that he truly is.
And Taehyung hates it— he hates how Jeongguk still has the audacity to laugh at him like this. 'Fine. If you want it that badly, I guess I wouldn't mind bumping you up on my list.' Taehyung muses, remembering the old adage, 'Keep your friends close and your enemies closer,' and deciding that he wouldn't mind going that route now that Jeon Jeongguk has entered the picture.
"Mhm... If I were to accept your offer, then what would I be? Your mistress? Lover? Bed warmer?—"
"No... You'll be the ghost in the new chairman's office. The ghost who owns all of me— My Gwisin." Jeongguk says, grinning as if he's already won, and that just fueled Taehyung's anger more— reminding him of the things he surely didn't want to remember.
**'I do not know him, chairman... I caught him sneaking in from the back and so I— I followed him, and then we ended up here... I'm sorry... I tried to stop him,'**
As the memory of that cursed moment flashed through his mind, Taehyung felt something inside him snap; causing him to get up from Jeongguk's lap, yanking the latter up by the collar and violently hurling him towards the huge wooden shelf just beside the chairman's desk, just like Jeongguk had done to him that day.
Now sprawled on his ass on the floor, books, together with the other wooden and glass displays then fell on Jeongguk's head, causing him to bleed from his head, blood streaming down to his face and his neck.
Then, their eyes met; and there, Taehyung hopes that the look he has on his face right now could at least show that he isn’t the same pathetic boy he was back then.
"Is there anything else you'd like me to bring you besides your coffee, Jeon Sajangnim?" Taehyung asks, his eyes wide and dark red, watching Jeongguk smirk and reach up to touch his injured forehead.
"Yeah... The first aid kit, I guess," Jeongguk says, his gaze shifting from the blood in his palm to Taehyung's bewitchingly beautiful face.
"Why? Did anything happen?" Taehyung asks, his voice tense, but still he keeps a straight face.
"Nothing much... It appears that I just fell on my own," Jeongguk smirks, his gaze never leaving Taehyung.
"Alright then, I'll be right back," Taehyung replies, bowing politely before exiting the chairman's office.
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