30

"Don't try anything sneaky", Jimin warned to Jin as they headed to Jung Corporation together.

"Aye Aye Boss", Jin mocked Jimin who simply rolled his eyes and started the car to Jung Corp. As days passed, Jin became a member of the Kim Mansion much to Jimin's annoyance. But surprisingly, Jin didn't do anything.

Be it at Kim Mansion and at Jung Corporation, Jin followed Jimin's orders dutifully which made Jimin both suspicious as well as surprised. This isn't the Jin he knew or everyone knew. In fact, he was getting along with everyone. People started liking him and his looks and diplomacy got him praises from every colleague.

Jimin knew this was somewhere like a calm before the storm. He knew Jin was up to something. But right now, he couldn't do anything but wait for Jin to make a move. However, at Kim Mansion things were not looking great especially after Jin started staying with them. The air was palpable and it was evident. There was this tension between everyone but each held their emotions to each other. What was Jin planning? One could only wonder.

"Eomma you need to help me." Jin spoke on the phone. Jimin was in a meeting making Jin free for some time. So he called up one person he could trust now....his mom who was ranting about how much she missed her son.

"Help you, how? Jinnie, I don't understand why you are staying at Kim Mansion."

"Eomma, can you meet me at CY café at 6 pm? I need to ask you something."

"Jinnie, you know how much appa is angry with you. It's been more than a couple of weeks. Why are you still staying there?"

"Eomma please..."

"Okay." . Jae hung up the phone as they agreed to meet. She needed to see her son, talk to him. Hwan was warming up to Jin until Jin stayed at Kim Mansion. Things were not looking good. She wanted to convince Jin to come back at Jung Mansion but she couldn't force Jin. This was the second time Jin attempted for a suicide. The doctor said such suicidal thoughts can be harmful and it is not good to leave such people alone. At least at Kim Mansion, Hoseok and everyone can keep an eye on him. She also knew if Jin was at Jung Mansion, Jin and Hwan would not be easygoing on each other and things would get worse.

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

"Get in the car." Jimin barked to Jin.

"I am going to meet my friends. And....I do know how to call a cab. You go home." Jin said as he strodded along the road.

"What friends? Where are you going?", Jimin asked his eyes scrutinizing Jin.

"None of your business." Jin retorted.

"It is my business. Remember, Joon hyung told me to drive with you to and fro from office.".

"Well, I am not a kid and I will talk to Joonie. Now you go...shooo", Jin scoffed as he began walking.

"I am your boss, Seokjin...get in the damn car", Jimin was seething.

"The working hours are 9-5. And ohhh...its 5.15.", Jin smirked and started to walk again.

"Fine...Go to hell for all I care", Jimin turned on the ignition of his car and started driving to his home.

***********

At the CY café

Jin was waiting his foot tapping nervously. Within a few minutes, he saw his mother walk in. he hugged his mother missing her comfort and support so much.

"I miss you Eomma".

"I miss you too. Come back home Jinnie. Why are you doing this?"

"I will Eomma. But before that I need to ask you something."

"What?"

"Is it true that appa made Hobi the sole CEO and Jimin the COO?"

"Hmm...when you left...he made changes in his agreement." Jae confirmed.

"And is it true that he made changes in his will and made Hobi the sole owner of Jung property?", Jin asked.

"Will? He made the changes in his will? He said it's an agreement for the board of directors." Jae was seething with the brand-new information. "Jin I am so sorry I didn't know".

"So where does that leave me Eomma? I need to beg to Hobi and Jimin for every penny for the rest of my life."

"No baby...It's just that...you know appa...and how stubborn he is...Look...I..I...will ask appa to change..."

"No..." Jin said sadly.

"No?", Jae asked.

"No eomma, I don't think appa would ever agree to it. He hates me, I knew it was all just bullshit. He hates me that I still love Joon. All the explanation he gave me about gaining his trust is just bullshit."

Jae placed her hand on Jin's hand. "Son...Your appa doesn't hate you and I am sure he will change the will."

"Then why did he remove my name Eomma? I am, is, and always will be the firstborn son...Now I am just the unwanted son."

"No Jinnie, don't ever think that. You are our son, my firstborn...my pride. The joy of my life."

"Then why Eomma? Why does everything happen to me? I met the love of my life...I lost him. I thought I had a career I lost that too and now...I tried to kill myself but fate had another plan for me...I thought I can finally have a life and support my father but I am out of that too...I am a loser Ma." Jin began tearing up.

"You are not a loser....honey. Please, if only I could do anything but you know your father. I can try talking to him."

"You know that won't work Eomma, he always gets his way", Jin said defeatedly.

"What can I do, son?"

Jin nodded. "Forget it Eomma. You can't do anything. You are powerless in front of Appa."

"Jin...you have to trust me."

"Then, I need that document, Eomma."

"What?"

"The will...dad's will, the agreement where he made Jimin the COO and Hobi the CEO. I need it". Jin's eyes which was sobbing a minute ago had turned into something more – anger, revenge, victory.

Jae's eyes went wide. "Jin?"

Jin clasped his mother's hands as his eyes went soft again. "Eomma please...I need it. I need to change it. I cannot let Jimin boss me around. And now I have lost Joon and now my company to Hobi. Eomma please put yourself in my shoes. You are the only one I can rely. You are the only one I can trust. And you are the only one I have right now."

"But Jin...", Jae thought what Jin is asking her to do. He is her son. She was torn between her son and husband. Jae sat quietly in the cafe, her eyes fixed on her son who sat across from her, his shoulders shaking with each sob. She could feel her heart wrenching at the sight of him in such distress. It was a stark reminder of the turmoil that had consumed their family in recent days.

Hwan had always been a force to be reckoned with. His stubbornness and insistence on having things his way had been a constant source of tension in their household. He gave Jae everything, but at what cost? Jae had grown accustomed to bending to his will, sacrificing her own desires for the sake of maintaining peace within the family standing and supporting her husband at every step. But there were limits to her patience, and she had reached her breaking point.

The recent events surrounding Hwan's will had brought everything to a head. Jae couldn't comprehend why Hwan had chosen to exclude Seokjin, their eldest son, from any significant role in the family business. Sure Seokjin had always flaws but who didn't. He is more than capable of leading the company alongside his brother, Hoseok. Yet, Hwan's decision to appoint Jimin as the COO felt like a betrayal to the first son — a deliberate slight against their own flesh and blood.

She knew that she could no longer stand idly by and allow Hwan to dictate the course. She was either in or out. She took a deep breath and met her son's tear-filled gaze. Jae knew talking to Hwan wouldn't be easy. But for her son, Jae was prepared to face anything.

"But what will you do with it? And Jin...if your appa finds out...then.."

"Eomma trust me, I know what I am doing", Jin assured.

"But..how did you know he has a will?" Jae asked.

"I overheard him talk to Eileen. She asked Appa that now that I am back if he will change his mind about the will."

"And?"

"And...he said he will think about it."

"See...this means he will change his mind once you show him he can trust you." Jae said hopefully thinking that would change Jin's mind.

"Are you kidding me, Eomma? How will I learn with being just a secretary, taking calls, handling emails and bringing in Jimin's coffees? I should be the one taking meetings, handling clients...not him. He doesn't spare a moment to bring me down." Jin paused for a dramatic effect.

"Eomma, please you are the only one I can trust. You are the only one I have."

"Okay...but where is the will?"

"I don't know." Jin said.

"What? How do you expect me to find the will...", Jae reasoned but Jin cut him off.

"I don't know Eomma, may be in our home safe, maybe dad's office. I don't know." Jin was frustrated with all this discussion.

"Okay...okay...I will find it. Give me some time." Jae said.

Jin was relieved. His plan is working wonderfully.

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

Later that evening at Jung Mansion:

Hwan was reading a book in his bed when Jae sat near him.

"Hwan?"

"Hmm" came a reply from Hwan whose eyes were still on the book.

"Is it true that you changed our will?"

Hwan looked at Jae his eyes curious as to how she got the new information.

"Who told you that?"

"Never mind who told me...is it true, Hwan?"

"Hmm...I can't trust Jin again Jae. And now that he is living with Hobi and Joon. He is doing everything I don't want him to. God knows what's wrong with that kid." Hwan sighed.

"He tried committing suicide twice Hwan. He needs to be around people and Joon made the right decision by making him stay there."

"He has people here too Jae...and we are his parents,", Hwan reasoned.

"Are we, Hwan? If so, tell me the truth. Did you make Hobi the sole owner of the entire Jung property?"

Hwan didn't say anything and Jae knew she was right. "He can't handle everything Hwan. He is still a kid."

"He is a responsible kid. He is a responsible son...and so is Jimin...something which I always wanted Seokjin to be. But...he failed me. Now he has a chance to gain my trust and he is blowing it off again."

"But that doesn't mean you must keep him off the will".

Hwan closed the book and sighed. "What do you want me to do Jae? Let him blow all my hard-earned money? If he wants to be part of Jung property, if he wants to be in the will, he needs to earn it." Hwan placed the book on his side of the table and laid down to sleep. But Jae couldn't sleep. She couldn't let her son be alone in this world.

Suddenly, they heard a thud outside the Mansion. "What was that?" Hwan got up from his bed and went to the balcony. "Who is it?" But there was no response. Hwan went to look outside the balcony. But there was no one. Suddenly, he saw a shadow moving around. He ran out of the bedroom. "Hwan wait." Jae followed him downstairs but Hwan stopped her. "Wait here Jae."

"But Hwan."

"I said wait here." He went to look outside the home and called out his security guard. "So-jin", he called out as Hwan walked hurriedly towards the security guard's cabin.

"So-Jin", he called out the security guard who came running from his cabin.

"Did you see someone?"

"See who sir?"

"I heard someone jump", Hwan said as he heard another sound of someone running coming from behind. He ran towards the sound and looked around with his security guard tailing him.

"Sir? Please go inside." The security looked around the area for a few seconds but didn't see anyone. Hwan went back inside his home. After a while, his security guard walked in, "Sir, there is no one here."

Hwan sighed. "Sir? Should we call the police?", the guard asked.

"No...Its fine. Maybe time to up the security."

"Sir I am so sorry. I made a round of the mansion and just came inside to have food."

Hwan contemplated for a couple of seconds and nodded. "Maybe it was my imagination. Well...you go have your dinner." The old man nodded at his boss and went back to his cabin. Hwan looked around his mansion one more time. Shooing away his thoughts, he went back inside where Jae was waiting. "Who was it Hwan?" Jae asked her face full of concern.

"No one. I missed him. Maybe it was my thoughts. Come on. Let's go." Hwan walked with his wife back to his room, his mind etched with thoughts.

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

This is a filler chapter but an important chapter.

Enjoy.

A double update for you guys....