“I love the sunrise because each morning it’s a reminder that I have another day to spend with the man of my dreams.”

Chapter 10: Upset

Taehyung woke up because his phone kept ringing. Well, he didn't even realize he had fallen asleep. But he enjoyed his sleep, though. He wished it would always be this peaceful and comfortable every time he fell asleep. And he appreciated that he woke up in Jungkook's arms which also gave warmth to him. If he could just stay in Jungkook's arms, he was sure he wouldn't regret that. Maybe, he could live in peace at least once.

"Good Morning, love; got a beauty rest?"

Wow, he doesn't want to stand up or do anything. He just wants to stay with Jungkook, that's it. He loved hearing that husky voice in the morning; it sounded so sweet and comforting for some reason. He couldn't help but snuggle his face in Jungkook's chest.

"Morning too, Jungkookie," he uttered while giving a lowkey hint to Jungkook to scoop his body even closer.

Which seemed to work because Jungkook pulled him closer as if there was space between them. A blush crept into his cheeks when he felt Jungkook peck the top of his head.

"Don't think you should answer your phone? It's been ringing the whole time." Jungkook told him.

"I can just turn it off, though," Taehyung was obviously annoyed based on his tone.

"What if it's important? I'm pretty sure you are an important person in your family," Jungkook said while caressing Taehyung's hair.

"They would surely just scold me or something, that's where they're good at." Taehyung frowned.

Jungkook chuckled, pulling away from the hug to look at Taehyung's expression.

"Come on, can't I just stay here for a moment? It's not you'll get arrested if you let me stay here, you know." Taehyung pouted.

"I'm sorry, love, but that's something I can't do. Your parents will surely do something to make sure you'll come back to their place no matter what. We don't want to get in trouble, right?" Jungkook said that in a most calming way so Taehyung wouldn't get mad. "So, why don't you take a look on your phone, hm?" He smiled softly.

"Fine," Taehyung sighed in defeat and stood up to check his phone. "Dad was looking for me, I'll go now." He grabbed his sweater that was on the floor for some reason.

"I'll take you there." Jungkook offered, removing the blanket on his body.

"No thanks, I'll get a cab instead." Taehyung replied as he wore his shoes.

Jungkook simply watched Taehyung who seemed to be eager to get moving.

"Are you sure? I have time to take you to your house." Jungkook attempted once again and sat down on the bed with his eyes still focused on Taehyung.

"It's okay, I can handle myself," Taehyung didn't even bother to look at him. "Thank you for letting me stay here. I enjoyed my day." He sighed.

Taehyung was startled when Jungkook suddenly pulled him by grabbing his waist.

"Are you perhaps upset with me, baby?" Jungkook asked in a most sweetest voice he could ever have.

Taehyung turned around and sat down on Jungkook's lap.

"It's not like that, Jungkookie," he uttered. "I'm just sad because you seemed to be afraid of my parents. Everyone's like that," Taehyung mumbled.

"Babe, I'm not afraid, I'm just being cautious. We both know what's your parents capable of. For now, can you get along with them? I promise, once everything is ready, I'll take you away from them. However, today is not the right time, just bear with them a bit, okay?" Jungkook smiled as he grabbed Taehyung's right hand, pecking the back of his hand

"Alright, I understand," Taehyung finally smiled.

"Thank you for understanding, love," Jungkook giggled.

"I'll get going now, see you soon," Taehyung said as he stood up.

"Okay, at least text me once you've arrived safely," Jungkook uttered still his eyes focused on him.

"Sure, I will," Taehyung softly pecked Jungkook on the lips which obviously startled the latter.

He giggled before running away from him. Jungkook sighed as Taehyung left the cabin. He scrolled down on his phone, posting sleepy Taehyung.

The clock chimed, announcing the passage of another hour.  A text message pinged on Jungkook's phone; it was Taehyung. A smile touched his lips – Taehyung was at the mansion now. He wondered if Taehyung had encountered any obstacles on his journey.

Taehyung entered the grand foyer, the polished marble floor reflecting the crystal chandelier’s light. His mother stood with her arms crossed, her gaze sharp and accusatory. 

"Where have you been, Taehyung?" she demanded, her voice laced with a chilling coldness that sent a shiver down his spine. The scent of lilies, usually a comfort, felt suffocating in the tense atmosphere.

Taehyung rolled his eyes, a gesture of weary defiance.

"When did you start caring where I go?" he retorted, already turning towards the sweeping staircase.

"I asked you a question, Taehyung," his mother repeated, her voice tighter now, the glacial calm threatening to shatter.  Her usually impeccably styled hair seemed to bristle with anger.

"It's none of your business," he snapped, his voice echoing in the cavernous hall. "If you really knew me, you wouldn't have to ask." He felt the familiar sting of resentment, a constant companion in his relationship with his mother.

His mother's next words were a poisoned dart. 

"Is it true you have a… poor friend?"  The disdain in her voice was palpable, a thick, suffocating layer over the already tense air.

Taehyung raised a skeptical eyebrow. "And if it is?"

"Don't you feel ashamed?" she pressed, her voice dripping with contempt. "You should befriend people like us."

The anger flared in Taehyung's chest, a lump of hot, burning coal.

"Like us? People who only care about money? You don't know me, Mother. You weren't there when I needed you." He felt the weight of years of neglect and emotional distance pressing down on him. 

"You need to understand your place, Taehyung," his mother insisted, her voice tight with the unshakeable belief in her own superiority. "You're a Kim. We are powerful in this country."

"And I hate being a Kim!" Taehyung exploded, the carefully constructed dam of his composure finally breaking. "All you care about is money! Money, money, money! I want to live my own life! Stop controlling me!" His voice cracked with a mixture of anger and despair.

His mother's response was a mirror image of his own outburst, a furious counter-attack. "Don't you dare besmirch our name! You're ruining our reputation!"

Taehyung's voice was raw with bitterness. "I don't care! Do whatever you want. Ignore me, just like you always have." The polished surfaces of the hall seemed to amplify the harshness of his words.

"Stop seeing him," his mother commanded, her voice hardening.  "You're getting married, Taehyung."

The final straw.  Taehyung's eyes burned with defiance.

"What if I don't? What will you do? Force me to marry someone I don't love? I'm not you, Mother. You married Dad for his money." The silence that followed was deafening, broken only by the rhythmic tick-tock of the clock.

His mother's face twisted with rage. "You'll regret this. I'll make his life a living hell."

Taehyung's voice was cold, devoid of emotion.

"Go ahead. I'm ashamed to call you my mother. I wish I wasn't a Kim. It's all so… disgusting." He turned and climbed the stairs, leaving his mother standing alone in the opulent but chillingly empty hall.

Reaching his room, he sank onto the bed, the plush fabric offering little comfort. He picked up his phone, the cool glass a stark contrast to the burning anger within him, and scrolled through his social media feed, the vibrant images a jarring counterpoint to the bleakness in his heart.

He needs Jungkook...