57

Everything that I was happy about over the weekend, turned to ashes when Monday came and bit me on my bum.

I opened my laptop only to be bombarded by meeting invitations from people I had to check the organisation chart for. And I did have a pile of invitations on Friday too, except that I didn't show up at the office because of my boyfriend. I claimed to be sick and no one questioned me. On second thought, Mr Min must have accepted my request so readily because of what happened on Thursday.

Everyone was probably terrified of the liability such an incident could cause. And they were right. How the hell did that bastard manage to break into the premises and get on the floor, find me and then almost assault me with nobody else there to help? It hinted at some top-notch planning. To be honest, that asshole had been so confident from the start about our so-called destiny that it wasn't a revelation that he actually planned this to the T. Had Jungkook not returned and opted to make a complaint, I was certain that the police wouldn't have believed me either.

Not that I wouldn't have kicked Neureva's ass then. I needed that asshole dead for doing that to me. But I also appreciated the privacy of not letting anyone else know. It was enough that I had to live with it every day. I just wanted to go back to the way things used to be. I wanted Jungkook to rock my world. That was my state of mind.

Seokjin had arrived at work as usual, but he had been pulled into Mr Min's cabin first thing. And I already fucking knew what the hell was going on. He was getting chopped for having such a haunted brother. Much of it would be his fault, because I did tell his tin-can head that his brother was messed up. But he just wouldn't take it at face value.

I should be branded stupid but maybe I understood where he came from when he tried to save his brother. I didn't condone it. But I pitied the fool.

My hands were uncooperative as fuck as I scrolled through my calendar, devastated by the dog crap piled on my day. I would have to shift a few meetings to make sure I didn't choke and die. Stupid management. Instead of dealing with the main issue: the security breach, they were fucking around with me.

I drove a nervous hand through my hair, biting my lip. Requesting backup. I really needed another location. This is not my area! Headquarters!

I picked up my phone and texted Jungkook immediately. Before the sizzling in my brain short-circuited.

'I have so many meetings! Am I going to be interrogated?'

His reply was quick. 'I've spoken to most of the management already. They won't bug you.'

I wanted to cry when I read that line. I desperately typed back. 'I have a meeting with Mr Min right now. Please can you come?'

'On my way.'

I wiped the sweat off my forehead, taking a deep breath as I returned to Cirq and typed a dutiful 'Okay' to Mr Min's request.

Usually, I wasn't this afraid to face him even when I did the worst of things to his reputation. Yet, this time, it was different. I was about to be turned into sausages and grilled every time I opened my mouth in defence. He wasn't cruel, but my God did that man fuck me up when he scolded me. The only reason I needed Jungkook there was because he was a witness and his presence would force Mr Min to be softer towards me. I was using Jungkook for his authority and I was not ashamed.

Strategist who? Haerin all the way.

Fuck my life. When were the fiascoes ever going to end? I'd have to be buried under Neureva with a wanted plaque at this point.

"Miss Kang," Mirae huddled closer, sliding her laptop towards me. "I have an urgent query on this case file. Can you help me out? I think the prices tagged for the medicines aren't matching the VEVO records. Could the drugs be wro—"

"Mirae," I interrupted, standing on my feet as I smoothed my trousers. "Sorry, I have an important meeting right now. Can Namjoon maybe help her out?" I looked around.

His head propped up, "Oh." He looked at Mirae and then at me. "Sure, Haerin."

"Thanks a lot." I grinned and showed a thumbs-up to Sohyun. She blushed, half confused.

My body just owed it to her. It wasn't because she was a bitch. Well, in more ways than one, she had been a big female dog to me. But right now, with that know-it-all man, she was just a girlfriend who was about to be jealous watching Namjoon teach Mirae something. God knew that if I had been where she is and Jungkook was forced into this, I would feel a teeny tiny fire in my ass too.

My legs were jelly, waiting by the door until Jungkook appeared around the corner, his feet quick.

He looked so crisply cut in that formal jacket and trousers that I was in disbelief that we actually had a thing going on behind closed doors.

"You okay?" He stepped closer than he was allowed. I immediately jumped back, warning him with my index finger.

He stalled, getting the cue.

"For now." I shrugged, tearing my fingers through my hair. "I swear I'm a boss girl. I know my way around this. I just—"

"One look. That's all I'll need if you want me to take over." He assured me, and I nodded, my teeth still grinding my lip.

I whirled, reaching for the door of the meeting room but Jungkook opened it first, gesturing for me to walk in.

I cleared my throat, praying I didn't land horizontally on the floor from the panic. My broken hip would be bigger news then. All to their advantage.

"Morning, Mr Min," I said and then looked at Seokjin's dropped jaw. "Seokjin," I said through gritted teeth.

He chased his eyes away, guilty.

"Morning, Haerin." He fixed his glasses, getting out of his chair to shake hands with the man following behind me. "Take a seat, please."

Jungkook proceeded to take a seat next to Seokjin. I pulled a chair next to him.

Mr Min didn't have his usual laptop sitting in front of him to type like a madman while he shot me down. Today, he was fully prepared for the knockout round. I gulped, hands gripping my trousers for help.

"You're aware why I've called you, aren't you?" He began, glancing between us.

I nodded.

"Just to make it clear," He pushed his glasses back on the hedge of his nose, "On Friday, I was called into an urgent meeting by the CEO and a few directors. Although, Mr Jeon was not available on Thursday, people from his department were. I was informed that a colleague from my team had been assaulted by an intruder. Fortunately, Mr Jeon arrived for timely help and handed over the man to the authorities."

Fuck.

I closed my eyes, the story sounded so much worse from his perspective.

"The intruder was taken into custody after Mr Jeon and my colleague filed an official complaint and had the man taken away." He continued, eyes darting to me suddenly. "Is that what happened, Haerin?" In the final sentence, his voice softened.

"Yes..." I breathed shakily, face baked with heat.

"And who was this man who intruded? Did you know him?"

I gulped. "I—I knew him as Seokjin's brother. Right?" My head snapped at Seokjin. His face stiffened, head lowered as he only nodded.

Mr Min released a tough breath, disappointed in Seokjin. "Your statement to the police says that Seokjin's brother stalked you before and even tried to push you in his car once on the way to the office."

Jungkook's eyes slightly dilated, head turned to me questioningly. I didn't dare look at him.

Well, damn me.

"Yes, he did."

"And is that why you left me and Mr Seo that day on the way to the cake shop? Because that guy was standing outside the office?" Mr Min said, his tone finding the annoyance quickly. "I did see him standing there."

Fuck! He was too observant!

"Yes." My voice was pathetic.

"I'm—I'm very sorry to hear what happened. Are you okay? Were you hurt?" Mr Min wasn't one to stutter. So to hear him rough on the edges of his nerves was weird.

I shook my head fast. "He didn't hurt me. I locked him up on the third floor." I confessed hastily, "Mr Jeon helped me too!"

He looked at Jungkook for a second before returning to me. "It's a relief that you weren't hurt. I hope you know that I'm there for anything you need."

"Yes, thank you, Mr Min." I smiled softly.

"Well, do you?"

I glanced up, "Yes, I do..."

"I don't think so. I think I had been talking to myself when I told you that you must inform me of incidents related to Neureva or the team." He cut, his cybertron mode on.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

"Do you have any idea what it feels like always hearing things from outside and never yourself? I sit like a moron in front of people, learning about my assistant manager! About things I could have dealt with had she just contacted me first."

Oh my god. His voice was rising. Oh my god. Someone, launch me into the sky!

"Mr Min, nothing happened!" I implored, "I'm safe! And Mr Jeon was there to help me. Also, I thought someone stalking me was too personal to share with you—"

"Not when that man is your colleague's brother." He snapped, eyes glaring at me. "I'm happy that you're not hurt. And I'm grateful that Mr Jeon was there to help but this is not how I wanted to know this. This is not it."

I bit my lip.

"Answer me."

"Yes, Mr Min," I responded, slightly shaken by how angry he sounded. He had never been this angry with me before.

"I don't think you understand, Miss Kang. I really don't think you do." His crossed knuckles were turning white.

"I do, Mr Min!" I straightened, voice raspy from the rush. "I do understand."

"No you don't. This isn't the first time we've had this conversation." He slammed. "You're always going off on your own. I wouldn't expect it from Seokjin, when his brother is the culprit. Of course, he didn't tell anyone and tried to save a criminal. Career and reputation are not of importance to him. So I won't ask him."

I saw Seokjin's face crush and my heart panged.

"But you." He lowered his voice. "What is wrong with you?"

Oh fuck this shit, man.

Was there a chance to run and hide?

"I'm sorry, Mr Min."

"No you're not." He snapped, louder. "You haven't learned."

"I have—"

"No you haven't!" He shouted so loud that the table rattled.

I flinched, backing into the chair.

I didn't have the chance to gasp or retaliate because Jungkook was already on his feet. His body leaned over, hand twisting Mr Min's collar.

"Lower your voice when talking to her." He growled, dark and authoritative.

What the actual fuck was this man doing?! Did he think this was some dark romance shit or what?

I grabbed his pant leg under the table, trying to pull him back stupidly.

"Jungkook!"

He froze. His grip squelched on the buttons of Mr Min's collar, eyes locating me. I could feel the panic in my gut when he glared. But his gaze softened too quickly.

He let the collar go, sending him thundering in his chair.

"I apologise. I shouldn't have raised my voice." Mr Min, suddenly smaller, fixed his collar. He couldn't even look me in the eye.

"Sorry, Mr Min!" I bowed, desperation burning in my throat. "I'm really sorry! But I really thought that I could do this on my own—I clearly could not. I'm sorry for disappointing you!"

"That's—that's fine." He cleared his throat.

"That is not." Jungkook sat back in his chair. My eyes met Seokjin's, who was confused beyond repair at what he was seeing.

"Have you ever considered why she doesn't tell you?" Jungkook continued and I swear I wanted to dig a hole in the ground and suffocate. "You don't sound like a confidante."

I hesitantly let the fabric of his trousers go but he seized my hand under the table. He placed it on his knees, thumb grazing my knuckles protectively.

There was a rotting silence to that question.

I gulped.

Why was he so mad?

"Mr Jeon—"

"Please work on your way of addressing issues with her. It's clear that she is afraid of disappointing you." Jungkook snapped and my face lit up like a fireball in a second. "I noticed this during her data breach incident, too. You seem to be unaware of how much pressure a normal person is eligible for. Then too, you were merely interested in making her slog and complete her productive task rather than piece out her breach and learn anything else. An employee stays because of his employer. I hope you understand that."

Oh my god.

He was taking this too far. I was about to menstruate from the panic: my newly acquired ability.

My fingers found the fabric of his trousers, twisting my nails into them. "Jungkook...please..."

"Mr—" Mr Min began, flustered and confused by the sudden dynamic between us. He glanced at me, "—I apologise, Haerin. I didn't mean to burden you. Why don't I arrange for a meeting to discuss our collaborations better?"

"Yes, yes." I nodded rapidly, "I'm really fine, Mr Min. I swear."

I shot up in my seat. Jungkook did the same.

"I'll excuse myself now." I bowed and whirled around, marching out of the meeting room, my face on fire. My body was throbbing. From a lot of things. From being abashed, patronised, impressed at being defended and furious at how far Jungkook took it.

I could feel him right behind me, walking at my pace.

My head snapped sideways, "We need to talk."

"We sure do." He said and the fuse lit my ass.

The tone. The fucking tone of it. It sounded like he was equally curious about something too. What did this fucker have to be curious about? What did he even want to know after doing what he did?

I didn't wait. I charged towards the best place where I could get enough privacy to smack the shit out of this man. His cabin.

Ironic. I mean, how do I even go into his own space and question him?

But this was me. Haerin. I'd kick his nuts and sacrifice my sex life if he needed it.

Through the elevator, I kept quiet, my hands folded at my chest. He didn't speak a word either. Once we were on the third floor, I didn't even look at anyone else.

"What were you even thinking?" I turned to him, once we were inside his cabin.

Jungkook shut the door after himself, his chin lowered but his eyes looking at me. I couldn't lie. That looked hot. I was tempted to just forget my fury and kiss him there.

But whoa ho, Haerin. Grab the reins of your pussy. Do not get swayed like that.

"What do you think?"

Huh. What attitude do we have here? He wasn't mocking me. He wasn't happy either.

"You took it too far." I clenched my trousers beside my waist. "You shouldn't have—"

"Watched you get disrespected like that?" He raised a brow, and god, I wanted to kill the Jeonalisa out of him. "Your manager clearly didn't think even once before using that tone. With me right there."

"I know he was wrong to shout," I argued, taking a step towards him but he was already moving towards me. "But that did not give you the right to grab his collar like that!"

"It gave me every right. That bastard yelled." His jaw shifted. No fun in those eyes. "You flinched."

"I flinch all the time!" I threw my hands up. "Look! I'm flinching now!" I made quick shifts in my hands, raising them up like I was about to be hit.

He didn't laugh. I tried to laugh nervously but it was clear I was freaked out. So I had to stop.

"The point is," I shrugged, giving that fuckall behaviour a rest. "He's not a bad person. He's always supported me. And this was just his way of showing his concern—"

"His concern?" He scoffed.

I snapped my finger at his face, eyes dark. "Don't cut me down. Do not do that."

For a moment, I thought I had lost the battle. His face shifted, darkened. But he did not speak. His lips set in a line.

I took that as my cue to continue.

"You know what happens to people who physically assault others in a corporate setting?" I placed my hand on my hips, my neck craning into his eyes. "Unemployment. Termination. You and I both would get kicked out!"

"No, we won't." He urged, grabbing my arms and taking me closer to his body. "Do you know what happens to him when he yells at you like that?"

"Jungkook, I'm not saying you're wrong!" I twisted myself out of his hold. "I'm just saying that you don't know him better than I do!"

"Better than you?" He growled, scowling.

"Yes! He isn't that type of guy! He meant well!" I tried to hold my voice but it was shaking. "And it was my fault. I was the one who didn't inform him that Taehyung had been stalking me. I should have told him!"

"I don't give a shit." He mouthed those words so cruelly that I stalled for a second. "If you didn't want me to stand for you, why bring me at all? To warm that fucking seat?"

"You don't have to warm anything!" I stamped my heel. "I did wrong. I didn't tell him. He was bound to snap. But you didn't have to grab his collar! Don't you get it?"

"I don't. Because that's the only way he should be warned." His hands were in my hair now, grip tightened over my skin. It didn't hurt but I could feel his confusion and anger. "I swear to god, Haerin. If a man even fucking lays his eyes on you the wrong way, I'll lose it."

"Jungkook!" I hopped on my feet nervously, punching his hand repeatedly. "Listen to me! That man is not like that! You break the jaw of anybody else but not him."

His eyes narrowed, "What the fuck do you mean 'anybody else but him'?"

"I don't mean anything." I pushed at his chest because he was too close. But only I stepped back. That macho didn't even budge. "He's not that kind of person, that's what I'm saying."

"So you defend him now? In front of me?" He looked shocked.

"He's just someone I've known longer than you."

I shouldn't have said that.

I shouldn't have.

Because the moment the words left my mouth, I saw his eyes widen. Realisation. Hurt. Maybe even anger flaring a bit. His hand let my face go. Too fast.

Back up! Stupid girl! Back the fuck up!

"I didn't mean it like that." I stepped forward but he stepped back, his hands shaking at his cuffs.

"I don't want to know what that means." He said, turning away from me. "You should leave. I'm really on edge right now."

"Wait! No!" I tried to grab his coat but he stepped away from me. Instead, he rounded his desk and sat down, veins too shaky on the back of his hand.

But the way his chest heaved, I knew that I had pissed him off. Way to go, Haerin. You're terminally single at this rate.

My hands trembled at my sides, my stomach dropping so fast I thought I'd whiplash. I stepped towards his desk, placing a careful hand on the flat surface.

"Mr Jeon..." I cooed.

Not a good choice.

His eyes snapped up, angrier and then back to the screen, he was adamantly typing for.

"I'm sorry, okay? You're getting it wrong! I meant it as the fact that you can be assured I'm safe!" I tapped my heel on his carpet in muffled thuds. "Not like—" he slammed his hand on the space bar so hard, my voice choked. "...that..."

"Haerin," he said softly, "Don't push me. I'll calm down in a bit. Please...just go."

I didn't say a word. I turned and left, scared as shit. I didn't know this could happen.

I had thought that there was nothing that could break us apart. But I messed up. I said the wrong thing. I shouldn't have opened my mouth so stupidly.

Was he about to rethink this relationship? I wouldn't blame him.

I closed the cabin door behind me, finally letting a tear slip.

Fuck me.