Chapter 13: The Investigation Starts

The station crackled with unspoken tension. A clandestine investigation had been initiated, targeting Yeon Saebo. This operation was shrouded in secrecy, deliberately kept from Lia's knowledge. Jungkook, ever the strategist, had personally selected the agents involved, ensuring their anonymity and minimizing the risk of leaks. The very existence of this mission was a whispered secret, a shadow lurking in the corners of the organization.

"Jungkook, you're always so busy," Seunghan remarked, placing a friendly arm around his friend's shoulder. "Why don't we relax for a bit? I heard it's your day off tomorrow."

That's what Seunghan said the moment he saw Jungkook come out of the Administrative office.

Jungkook, however, remained steadfast. He gently removed Seunghan's arm, his voice firm but measured. "I can't," he replied. "I have something important to attend to."

Seunghan, undeterred, continued to tease, his voice laced with playful concern. "Don't be like that, Jungkook. You'll get lonely if you keep working all the time. You're good-looking, you know. People would be all over you."

Jungkook, unfazed by the playful banter, simply stated, "I'm not lonely. I have someone important waiting for me."

"Yes, you are," Seunghan countered, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Everyone knows you live alone."

Jungkook's response was unexpected, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "That's true, but my boyfriend is living with me now."

Seunghan's eyebrows shot up in surprise, his jaw dropping slightly. "Huh? Boyfriend? Don't tell me that gorgeous guy you brought here was your boyfriend?" he asked.

Jungkook, seemingly unperturbed by Seunghan's astonishment, replied, "Oh, that's right. Why?"

"Wait, why are you so nonchalant about it? Don't you like... uhm, I don't know... maybe upset?" Seunghan inquired, his voice laced with curiosity.

"Because it's not a secret," Jungkook explained calmly. "And I'm proud to have a boyfriend like him. Is there something to be upset about?" he added.

Seunghan, still struggling to grasp the situation, said, "I mean, you know, there are a lot of people who respected and admired you. They might get disappointed if they found out about this." he said.

Jungkook's confidence remained unwavering. "It doesn't matter to me. As long as I'm happy, that's all that matters. Why would I care about people's reactions? It's not like they can do anything about it. Besides, I'm lucky to have a boyfriend who is the most handsome in the world."

Seunghan, though still slightly bewildered, acknowledged Jungkook's perspective. "Well, if that's what you say. I'm just surprised to find out about it. Also, I'd like to apologize for what I said in the restaurant. Now it makes sense to me why you reacted that way."

"It's okay," Jungkook responded, his tone forgiving. "I don't really mind that much."

Seunghan, relieved by Jungkook's acceptance, smiled. "I see. I'm glad to hear that. I'll get going now. It seems like you're busy." He patted Jungkook's shoulder and left, leaving Jungkook to his thoughts and the weight of his responsibilities.

"Oi, Jungkook, come here for a minute!" Jimin called from the administrative office, his voice echoing through the hallway.

Meanwhile, Taehyung found himself alone in the cabin, feeling a pang of loneliness. The silence amplified the unfamiliar surroundings, a stark contrast to the bustling life of the slum area he was used to. He wandered into the kitchen, peering into the well-stocked fridge, unsure of what to eat. His culinary skills were limited, and the abundance of ingredients overwhelmed him. The quiet solitude of the cabin, though luxurious, felt strangely isolating.

Just as he was contemplating his culinary options, the doorbell rang, breaking the silence. He approached the door and peered through the video doorbell, seeing a woman in her 40s, who he recognized as the maid Jungkook had mentioned.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Kim," the woman, Seo Sook-ja, greeted him through the video doorbell. "I'm Seo Sook-ja. Mr. Jeon has sent me to make meals for you."

"Oh, I see," Taehyung replied, opening the door. "Good afternoon, too." He bowed his head respectfully, feeling a sense of relief at the prospect of a warm meal.

"Is there a specific dish you'd like me to cook for you, Mr. Kim?" Sook-ja asked, entering the kitchen, her movements efficient and practiced.

"Well, I'm not really sure what to eat, though," Taehyung admitted, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment.

"Then I'll cook anything Mr. Jeon told me you would like," Sook-ja replied, her smile warm and reassuring.

"Uh, okay," Taehyung mumbled. "But how did you know I wanted food?" he asked, as it was later than his usual afternoon meal.

"Mr. Jeon informed me that I stay in the cabin not far away from this place, so I could come if he contacted me," Sook-ja explained, her voice soft but clear.

"Yeah, but how did he know about it as well?" Taehyung was genuinely confused.

"Ah, it seems like you're unaware, but Mr. Jeon has cameras that are connected through his phone, so he can be aware of your situation whether he's far away from you or not," Sook-ja explained, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Besides, it was also to make sure if there would be an unknown person who would come here. And if those cameras detected something was off in this place, it would set an alarm to notify him."

"I see," Taehyung muttered, understanding now why Jungkook had advised him to stay in this place. The security measures were impressive, a testament to Jungkook's meticulous planning.

"If there's anything you want, just tell me right away so I can make it for you," Sook-ja offered with a warm smile.

"Okay, thank you," Taehyung replied, returning her smile.

He then went to the living area, feeling a sense of comfort settle over him. The knowledge that he was safe and secure, even in Jungkook's absence, brought a sense of ease. He began to feel more at home in the cabin, the silence no longer feeling oppressive but rather a welcome respite.