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Jin made his way down the stairs and entered the dining area where he found Joon, Hoseok, and Jimin. Hoseok was engrossed in a conversation with the morning maids who were setting up the breakfast. Hoseok carried a few dishes around the table, and noticing him, Joon and Jimin started to assist him. The trio seemed to be enjoying themselves, chatting, and laughing at something.

Jin who was quietly observing the scene felt a wave of anger welling up inside him. This was supposed to be his moment with Joon, not Hoseok's. This space was meant to be his, and now Hoseok was seamlessly taking charge. He walked towards the dining table where Hoseok greeted him with a smile while placing some dishes on the table.

The conflicting emotions within Jin intensified as he tried to navigate the discomfort of witnessing the bond between Joon, Hoseok, and Jimin, a connection that seemed to have replaced the one he once shared with Joon.

"Good morning hyung."

"Good morning Hobi."

"Good morning Joon, Jimin." Jin smiled and Joon responded with a greeting. However, Jimin stared at Jin and looked away.

"Jimin, Jin greeted you.", Joon said to Jimin who looked at him with annoyance.

"Good morning, Seokjin." Jimin gave a fake smile.

"So, what's for breakfast?" Jin asked as he plonked himself beside Joon much to Jimin's annoyance. Hoseok felt a tinge of pain but he let it be.

But Jimin couldn't let it go. "That's where Hobi sits. After all, he is Joon's husband. You can sit in another chair or the floor is spacious if you are feeling adventurous." Jimin said his eyes shimmering with anger and mockery.

"Jimin...behave", Joon warned but Jimin scoffed and rolled his eyes. Jin clenched his fists and tried to get up but Joon stopped him. "It's okay Jin. You can sit. No big deal." But to Jin it was like a game he won against Jimin and Hoseok.

Hoseok smiled and sat at another chair. He felt his appetite disappearing away but he maintained a smile. Inside he felt a little pull towards sadness.

"So, Seokjin, I say we go to office together?" Jimin said giving a sly smile.

"Hyung, are you feeling better to go to office?" Hoseok asked sincerely.

Jin faked a fatigue. "Actually. I was thinking of..."

"Coming to office, right? That's a great idea Seokjin. After all you don't want to be sitting at your brother-in-law's house all by yourself...doing nothing, right? You have Jung Mansion for that...." Jimin chuckled at his own joke. Jin wanted to strangle Jimin but controlled himself.

"Mochii...don't", Hoseok nodded his head. There is no controlling Jimin.

"Jiminah, Don't force Jin. Let him rest...And Jinnie, you can stay as long as you want." Joon said as he placed his hand on Jin's making both Hoseok and Jimin uncomfortable. Jimin looked at Hoseok who looked at Jimin and gave a forced smile.

"Hyung, I am only saying for his own good. Uncle Jung told me to assist him so that he can know all about the business. And I am sure, Seokjin has a little bit of self-respect and integrity....left in him, right Jin?" Jimin gritted his teeth as he looked at Joon and then at Jin putting him in place.

"Jimin is right. I should be going back to home Hobi. This isn't right." Jin said his face filled with sadness while in his mind he wanted to strangle Jimin.

"Aah Jinnie. Jimin is just being silly. Don't think much. This is your home too." Joon spoke up. "I will inform Hwan uncle." Joon declared as he got up from the chair.

"But...but...what about office? I need a secretary and Hwan uncle asked Jin to assist me." Jimin said trying to get Jin out of the house. Joon had still not spoken about what happened to Jin and he was behaving weird since yesterday night. Jimin needs to find out. Meanwhile, Jin had another plan in mind.

After breakfast, everyone prepared to kick off their day, each with their thoughts running through their minds. As Joon, Jimin and Hoseok were preparing for the day, the maid approached Hoseok, announcing the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Jung at the Kim Mansion.

"How's he?" Jae asked Hoseok, panic written on her face. Hoseok responded with a smile, embracing his mother. Hwan was seethign with anger who stood beside his wife.

"Eomma, hyung is fine. He is resting.", Hoseok said as he asked the maid to call Jin.

Hoseok was consoling his mother when Jin casually strolled down the stairs.

"Eomma, Appa, what brings you here?", Jin asked.

Hwan, visibly upset, snapped, "Don't you have any shame, living at your brother and brother-in-law's house like this?"

Hoseok was taken aback by his father's anger, thinking the relationship between his father and Jin was fine. Jin, nonchalant, retorted, "Oh, why would I? It's not like I asked to stay here. Hobi and Joon asked me to stay until I heal."

"You've become shameless, Seokjin. Staying here, instead of your own home," Hwan barked.

"Appa, please... I asked hyung to stay," Hoseok tried to reason, but his father cut him off.

"Oh, stop it, Hobi. Can't you see that..." Hwan began, but Joon's voice interrupted.

"I asked Seokjin to stay here," Joon declared. Jae and Hwan turned around to find Namjoon staring sharply at them.

"Namjoon, it's not necessary for Jin to stay here. He has a home," Hwan insisted.

"Uncle, it's fine. Jin is family. He can stay here as long as he wants," Joon smiled at Hwan and Jae, then turned to Jin. "Jin, you're welcome in this home for as long as you want. No one can drive you out of Kim Mansion. Well...I'll see you all later," Joon said, bowing and walking out of the room to his office without waiting for a reply leaving everyone stunned.

*********

Later in the evening, Hoseok began preparing dinner in the kitchen. Seeing Hoseok working diligently, Jin decided to offer his help. He wanted to impress Joon, to somehow regain the connection they had lost.

"Need a hand with anything, Hobi?" he asked with a friendly tone.

"Hyung? You need anything?", Hoseok asked as he began preparing dinner.

"No. Just wanted to help you out." Jin said.

"Umm...sure hyung." Hoseok, appreciating the gesture, welcomed Jin's offer.

They began working side by side, preparing ingredients and cooking. Jin took the opportunity to talk to Hoseok, sharing some stories about childhood making Hoseok chuckle. Even though Jin was mean to Hoseok, he let it go. All he wanted to do was see his older brother smile. All the while, Jin kept a watchful eye on Hoseok, hoping that his efforts would catch Joon's attention when he walked in.

"Why aren't the maids preparing dinner?"

"I asked them to take evening off. Since we all work in mornings, I don't have the time. But in evening, I make sure that I make the food for me, Joon and Jimin. After all, we need to be self-reliant." Hoseok said innocently but to Jin it was a taunt towards him. But he chose to ignore.

"Hobi...I need to ask you something."

"What is it hyung?"

"I mean we never really talked after...you know." Jin said making Hoseok look up from his chores.

Hoseok nodded. "Hobi...were you forced to marry Joon?"

"In a way...", Hoseok admitted. Jin always knew Hoseok harbored feelings for Joon so he purposely avoided the question.

"I knew it...I am sorry Hobi...sorry you were forced into this marriage." Jin's eyes began to well up.

"Hyung...its fine. Its not your fault. You dreamt of being a model. I don't blame you. No one blames you."

"Joon did...Joon blamed me. Eomma, Appa, everyone did. I know that very well."

"No hyung. Joon forgave you. If he didn't he wouldn't ask you to stay here." Hoseok looked at his brother's face. He paused before asking his brother. "Hyung, what really happened that day? Joon didn't tell me anything. He avoided the question."

"I...I had an accident."

"How?" Hoseok's eyes went wide.

"Forget it Hobi. It's my fault. I always end up making a mess of myself."

Hoseok hugged his brother that made Jin cringe inside. Hoseok pulled back and smiled at his older brother who was looking sadly at him. "Hyung, don't think like that. We don't blame you for anything."

Jin clasped Hoseok's hands. "I am sorry Hobi." Jin wiped his fake tears. "But I want to ask you something."

"What?"

"Are you happy with Joon?" Hoseok didn't know how to answer the question. What if he said yes which was the truth? How would Jin feel? It would probably hurt him even more. Before Hoseok could frame an answer, they heard a voice. "Hobahhh. I am hungryyyy." It was Jimin who was whining loudly.

"In here, Mochi...", Hoseok replied. Jimin walked into the kitchen and saw Jin and Hoseok. He knew something was wrong.

"What's going on?"

"Ummm...nothing Mochi. Just me and hyung talking...", Hoseok said smiling.

Jimin gazed at Hoseok and at Jin. Yup, something was definitely wrong. He could feel it.

"Seokjin, tomorrow onwards I hope you will be coming to the office. The work is piling up and Eileen can't handle everything. Uncle Hwan too asked you to resume your work. No excuses."

"Jin hyung, are you sure you can go?", Hoseok asked his voice filled with concern.

"He has to Hobah. It is your dad's orders and shall I say Mr. Jung Hwan of Jung Corporation's orders especially if he wants to take over his company back?"

"But Jimin...", Hoseok words was cut off by Jin.

"It's okay, Hobi. I will go." Jin said as he looked at Hoseok and back at Jimin. "Okay Jimin, I will resume office tomorrow."

************

That night, Jimin was staring at Joon.

"What happened?" Jimin questioned Joon, a hint of concern in his voice.,

Joon, seemingly nonchalant, replied, "What do you mean? Nothing happened."

Jimin, eyeing Joon with suspicion, warned, "Kim Namjoon, you better not be thinking of cheating on Hobi."

Joon, looking sincere, stated firmly, "I would die before I do that."

Jimin's eyes sent a warning, "Cheesy line, hyung... but for now, I'll trust you. Now spill it. What's going on with Seokjin?"

-----------

TBC........

Happywala weekend.