A Way To Your Heart - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

2 month later:
"I said this before and I'm saying it again. I. Will. Go. With. You."
Taehyung sighed, palming his face at seeing how persistent Jungkook was.
It's been two months. So that means they exceeded the deadline of their three months deal.
Life has been pretty normal for both of them— it's just that Jungkook was being a bit more busier than before, but that doesn't mean he didn't give time to be with Taehyung. Once he returns, his arms will be ready to embrace the other for a warm hug, a reason why Jungkook always want to ditch all his works and go back home.
He'll talk and talk about his works, to which Taehyung's always ready to listen them all without any complaints, sometimes giving him encouraging words, sometimes comforting him with a hug when he told him about how his work gets hard sometimes, sometimes cooking some simple dishes— which he learned from his mother recently eventhough he's not good enough in it yet— for the younger when he say he's tired, and Jungkook would just look at him in endearment— certainly a way to forget his exhaustion from work.
And Taehyung, while Jungkook went for work, he would take his camera and go out to some nearby places with nice views where he can take pictures of and spend his time editing them to post it on the social media accounts and websites he recently started. His works haven't get recognized by many people yet, but the few little compliments he get from people who've seen his works and Jungkook, of course, who can't stop complimenting how good his pictures are after he showed him some— those are enough to make him happy.
Maybe because this is what he always wanted to do, for the moment, he's really enjoying what he's doing.
Although he doesn't really want anything from his parent's properties, he couldn't dare to decline when his father said everything they've earned and everything they have right now is only for him— which is true in another way, because he is their only son now whom they could their everything to. And taking the fact that they've tried their best to let him live a life without the lack for anything in the future, all he could do was to accept it. Their happy smiles after he finally accepted it was all that matters to him.
And now, he made up his mind that he'll continue doing what he's always dreamed of— travelling, which can also be a good way for taking photographs.
So after thinking about it for the last two weeks, he finally decided to suggest Jungkook that he wants to go to Japan— the place that holds the first number in his wishlist of places he wants to visit.
But he never thought Jungkook would be insisting to go with him when he suggested about going to another country.
"Jungkook, you said you have works piled up for you for the next three months. How are you gonna leave them all just to go with me? You said your new project is important."
"I can let Hobi Hyung manage it for a while tho."
Taehyung just shook his head, Jungkook can be so stubborn sometimes. "Don't give him more works than he already has. And you're the one who said the company needs you the most at the moment."
"But I don't want you to leave me. I won't be able to see you if you go without me."
Taehyung couldn't believe Jungkook really used his weak point to make him agree, not to mention the pout and puppy eyes he purposefully brought out.
"It's not like I'll be leaving you forever. It's just for three weeks."
Well, it looks like the puppy eyes definitely works everytime— it's like a weapon, because Taehyung is now speaking with a calmer tone than before.
"Yeah, it's only three weeks. It's such a short time so nothing's gonna happen in the company if I leave for only three weeks."
Taehyung just laughed at the way Jungkook's eyes brightened up saying it. "Will you be okay tho? I don't want you to ignore your work because of me."
"Will you be okay if I ignore you because of my work?"
"That's not the same thing."
"It is. In fact, shouldn't you be happy that I chose you over my work?"
Taehyung chuckled, "I know I should be but– I don't know... I just feel like you don't really have to leave your important works just for me y'know. I would still understand you if you can't go with me even if I asked. "
"If you're not with me, I might indulge myself into work too much not to miss you more and it might affect my health. I might get eye bags and dark circles around my eyes. I might get shoulder pain and back ache from working too much. You don't want that, right?"
And Taehyung could just laugh at that while Jungkook took his hand, gently holding it, "I don't want to stay here without you. I'll be lonely. So it's better to go with you."
"But–"
"I've been thinking about this since a while," Jungkook interrupted with a smile before Taehyung could start complaining. "I was thinking of going on a trip with you and relax for a while after the current project is over, but I don't think this project's gonna be over anytime soon. Works have been too much lately, so I thought my head would need a rest for sometime. I was already about to ask you if you want to go on a trip with me once everything is over, it's just a coincidence that you brought this up now. It doesn't matter if my work is over or not for now, we're gonna return soon anyway so why don't we go now hmm?"
Taehyung just sighed. He can't win this, can he?
It's not like he wants to go without Jungkook. Of course he wants to be with him too, he wants to go with him and spend time together, he just didn't want to become a reason for Jungkook to distract himself from his work too much. Jungkook is the CEO of a company afterall. He has a huge responsibility to take over in his head in such young age. And the company needs him the most.
But knowing Jungkook has been working so hard for the past months, Taehyung thought, yeah maybe he absolutely need some rest because he definitely notice how Jungkook was getting thinner than before.
And it saddens him to see Jungkook trying hard not to doze off while trying to talk to him at night with that big smile until he fall asleep from exhaustion. Even now, he can't even count how many times Jungkook has yawned since they got on the bed. Those eyes that already turned red and the drooping eyelids tells how badly they want to close. But there he is, still talking to him.
He knew it's a lot of work for the younger and it's not something easy to get done with easily, but by the fact that Jungkook still tries his best to give him the needed attention and time eventhough he's tired, he thought, if he's not around, Jungkook would have more time to get some rest he needed.
But guess he was wrong all the way. He was too slow and dumb to realize his presence is actually Jungkook's best relaxation.
"Fine then. Let's go together."
And he could just giggle at how Jungkook screamed excitedly at his answer. The way Jungkook wrapped his arms around him for a tight hug and the mumbling thank you's on the crook of his neck was enough for Taehyung to realize he made the right decision.
Jungkook looks happy and excited.
So is he.
‐‐‐
"What? So you mean you're gonna leave all these works and going for a trip with your husband?"
Jungkook sighed, he kinda felt bad for Hoseok who almost look like he just lost a billion in gambling hearing the news.
He knows it's been hard for Hoseok as well. But he's the only person he can trust to. Though Hoseok jokes around often, when it comes to work, he does it all this heart and never disappoint himself to bring the perfect outcome. And that's also one of the reasons Jungkook can be at ease to leave the works to him without any hesitation, because he's sure Hoseok can do it perfectly.
But he didn't think much about how hard it's going to be for Hoseok if he leave the company when he insisted Taehyung on going with him.
He could've just let Taehyung go alone since he had so much work but he still insisted. He didn't want Taehyung to leave him and didn't care for anything at that moment.
Yeah. Guess he made a mistake.
"Well, yeah, I guess," he nodded and Hoseok dropped his shoulders.
"So you planned to make me a skeleton with panda eyes?"
"A what?"
"You already made me look like a panda with these dark circles. Now you're planning to make me a skeleton by giving me all your works as well. So basically I'm gonna become a skeleton with panda eyes."
Jungkook felt so bad for laughing but he couldn't help when he actually imagined a skeleton with panda eyes wearing what Hoseok wore at the moment.
"Is this funny to you?"
"I'm sorry, hyung," he apologized, pressing his lips together trying to control his laugh.
And just then, they turned towards the door when they heard a knock.
"I'm not late, am I?"
"Yoonji-ssi," Jungkook stood up when he saw Yoonji by the door. "Of course you're not. Please get in."
"Oh come on. I told you to drop the formalities already," Yoonji smiled as she took her seat on the chair in front of Jungkook.
The project Jungkook is working on is the one with Yoon Company. since Mr. Min gave the responsibility to Yoonji, she's been working with him.
"What would you like to drink, Yoonji-ssi?" Hoseok asked, half bowing, reluctant to look at her.
"Oh, it's okay. There's no need. I just had coffee before coming here," Yoonji smiled, checking the other from head to toe.
"Then, I'll take my leave," Hoseok was about to go out of the room after a bow but Jungkook stopped him, asking him to sit on another chair— which he did, but after looking at the two awkwardly.
"So you're really going on a trip with Taehyungie? When?" She asked after taking off her glasses.
Yeah. Jungkook already told her about it. That's also the reason why he called her over so they can talk before he leaves.
"Hmm... maybe after 2 days? I don't know. He said he'll decide."
And Yoonji chuckled, clearly imagining how her best friend might've boss around Jungkook. But she's happy Jungkook is letting him do whatever he wants tho.
"Well... I called you here because I wanted to tell you something," Jungkook started. "Since I'll not be here, I'm gonna let Hoseok hyung take over the project for the time being. But don't worry about anything. I trust him. So what I mean is... I know you've already met each other often here but I wanted to formally introduce him to you— not as my secretary but as your partner for this project, since he's gonna take my place and you're gonna work together with him from now."
Hoseok almost drop his jaw when Jungkook concluded. He knew there's gonna be more work, adding Jungkook's part to his already piled up work as well. But he never thought Jungkook would actually let him work with Yoonji too.
He gulped as he turned to look at Yoonji who's already looking at him with a smug face.
That's it. He can't look at her in the eyes since that day.
Yeah. They've actually met before, once. Not formally, but rather more like an embarrassing meeting.
It's was one evening before their project even started, Hoseok was taking his dog for a walk near a beach.
It was weekend, he had his day off and his dog likes playing with water so he took him out to beach. The weather was nice that day, with the cold breeze blowing and the calming sounds of waves soaring up the seashore, everything was great and cool until his dog ran away once he removed the leash off from his red collar.
He panicked and ran after the unexpectedly fast runner tiny little fluff. But while he was trying to catch his breath when his dog finally stops running, he dropped his jaw, mouth forming O-shape with his eyes wide open in shock when his dog let out his load all over a pair of sneakers by the shore.
He stilled in disbelief, looking blankly at his dog wagging his tail excitedly as if he just created a masterpiece over the sneakers.
But what do he do now? The sneakers looked like a woman's, she might've left it there to go play into the water.
He was about to turn around to look for the owner so he can apologize when he heard a sudden scream. He almost jolted out when he saw a young lady with short running towards the sneakers, staring at them with a face that actually screams 'disgusted' more than her screaming voice.
"MY SNEAKERS!!! NOOOOO!! I BOUGHT IT JUST A WEEK AGO!!"
Oh, so she's the owner. He couldn't see her face that much clearly since her wet hair covered almost half of her face. He was about to apologize when,
"YOU! Is he your dog?" She pointed her finger on his dog happily looking at both of them.
Hoseok instantly bowed 90° at her before he can take a look of her face, with guilt and embarrassment in his voice, "I'm really really sorry. He's not normally like this. I don't know what's gotten into him today. I'll... I'll buy you a new pair of sneakers. I will buy just the same one like yours if you want. I'm really sorry."
He frowned, lifting his head up when he heard no response from the lady only to find her staring at him.
"Jung Hoseok-ssi?"
"Huh?" He realized. Now that he's looking at the face clearly, he recognized who she was. "M-Min Y-Yoonji-ssi?"
She just laughed, "woah, the world is really small huh?" She looked at the dog wagging his tail at her, then on her spoiled shoes, and then at Hoseok who was looking at her with his mouth wide open.
Hoseok wished he could just dig himself under the sand. It's more embarrassing now that he recognize the person is actually someone he knows– no, she's his boss's business partner's daughter. He met her when Mr. Min invited both Jungkook and him to dinner along with her.
Wow Jung Hoseok. Which type of hell did you just step in?
"I'm... I'm sorry. I really am," he apologized again with another bow.
"It's fine, actually. It happens sometimes, y'know," Yoonji said with nod. "Ah, you can even add this to your most embarrassing moment of your life book." She added and it made Hoseok to bow again.
"I'm really sorry. I'll buy you a new pair of.. of the same sneakers."
Yoonji just crossed her arms, "you don't have to buy me that. I have plenty of them anyway."
And just when Hoseok was about to say something, "instead, buy me something to eat. I'm hungry."
Hoseok was surprised, but he agreed anyway. He was in the wrong afterall. He should've let his dog do his business before, he kinda felt bad for his dog too— he must've been holding it for too long that he ran away once he unleashed him.
"Hey, wait."
He braked his feet to turn when he heard her yelling when he started walking forward after putting the leash back on his dog.
"Give me your slippers. I don't have anything to wear."
"Huh?" Hoseok took a second to realize. Her shoes are ruined. "Oh yeah sure. I'm really sorry." He quickly took them off to give it to her.
That day, he walked barefoot, went to a restaurant to buy her food barefoot but turned out he didn't bring his wallet with him, then walked through the market barefoot— until Yoonji bought him a new pair of slippers.
He insisted on buying her new shoes later but she refused and ended up being the one to buy him a new slipper instead.
From that day on, he was too embarrassed that he couldn't face her afterwards. When their project started, they always crossed paths here and there during meetings, break times and many more. But he always tried to run away from her in embarrassment and avoided nearing her as much as he could.
But now, he's gonna take Jungkook's place while he's away so that means he's gonna work with her.
That's one of a hell offer he would want to exchange with his life no matter what.
And he's not liking the way she's looking at him right now with her smug face either.
"Jung Hoseok-ssi? How's your dog?"
And he almost chocked into his own saliva while she chuckled.
She's really enjoying this, isn't she?
"Woah, you know Hyung has a dog?" Jungkook's eyes formed a big round, surprised.
"Yeah. I saw him once. He's cute." She replied, pressing her lips to suppress her smile.
"I know right. Hyung really like dogs so much. He takes really good care of him."
Yoonji turned to look at Hoseok who almost look like he's going to pass out anytime from embarrassment. "Looks like he does take care of his dog really well. Am I right Jung Hoseok-ssi?"
Hoseok sighed, giving up at the way she emphasized the word 'really'. "Yes. I do. Haha," he faked an awkward laugh.
Yoonji seem to know the awkward silence after that, so she turned towards Jungkook. "Oh, for your trip with Taehyungie, what was the place?"
"Oh, it's Japan." Jungkook smiled, remembering how excited Taehyung was this morning while talking about what all the things he want to do in Japan.
"Oh really? If it's in Japan, I can contact someone to arrange a good place for you both to stay. I used to live there with my grandmother so I know quite a few people who can help you. I can contact a tourist guide for you if you want. There's someone I personally know. He's a good person so you can trust him."
Jungkook smiled, overwhelmed by the offer. "Thank you so much. I think I'm gonna owe you a lot. Y'know... this and the works here as well."
"Oh come on. I'm just helping you because I want my best friend to enjoy and you're his husband so of course why not? And for the works here, it's my responsibility. There's no owing anything by anyone here, alright?"
Yoonji stood up, so as both Jungkook and Hoseok.
"Please tell Taehyung not to get too excited. He'll burst the house." She laughed along with Jungkook. "And enjoy your trip. I know he really likes traveling. So hope you'll let him have his happiness."
"I will." Jungkook said with a smile as she disappeared when the door closed behind her.
‐‐‐
"Jungkook! Are you not done yet? Hoseok hyung is waiting."
Taehyung peeked through the half opened door to look for Jungkook.
It's the day they'll leave for Japan and Hoseok offered to drop them to airport.
Hoseok already met Taehyung and surprisingly, they became close so quickly once they exchanged some chats about the cartoon characters they used to like in their childhood and some of their favorite foods.
Taehyung was so excited that he already went outside the house to stand by the car. But he had to come back again since Jungkook was taking more time.
"Oh yeah. I'm done. Let's go," Jungkook walked out of the room, putting on his jacket as he walk.
"Hold on!"
"What? What's wrong?" Jungkook paused when Taehyung stopped him by putting his hand over his chest with a serious face.
"Is that handsomeness on your face? This hot look looks like how my husband would look like."
Jungkook ended up chuckling, he never expected that.
"Yeah. Like what you see?" He smirked and it made Taehyung to giggle.
"Yeah. So much."
"Well, I like what I'm seeing as well. You look handsome. As always."
Jungkook was about to touch his lips with Taehyung's when,
"YO! YOU CAN DO THAT WHEN YOU REACH THERE!! I'VE BEEN WAITING OUTSIDE FOR LIKE HALF AN HOUR ALREADY! DO YOU WANT TO MISS THE FLIGHT?"
They jolted when Hoseok barged inside showing his wrist watch to them as if it'll be visible to the two from upstairs.
It was already late for their flight to be honest, and they understand why Hoseok look frustrated. He had done so much for them by offering them to drive for them till airport.
They apologized as they paced up their steps downstairs but still couldn't stop giggling as they linked their arms.
"Check if anything is missing. ID? Passport?" Hoseok said as they stood in front of the airport.
"Everything is alright. It's all with us. Don't worry hyung." Taehyung smiled.
"Well then. Enjoy your trip. Have fun and take care." Hoseok smiled looking at the excited two.
"We will. Thanks hyung," Jungkook smiled as well.
"No problem. And don't worry about the company. I'll manage everything. Although you're gonna see a skeleton with panda eyes in the company building when you come back."
And they laughed together with Jungkook apologizing again while Hoseok just shook his head saying it was a joke and that he don't have to worry.
They bid their goodbye to Hoseok with Taehyung giving him a hug before entering the airport.
"Do you remember that time when we went to Malta? It was also like this," Taehyung asked when Jungkook wrapped his arms around him once they settled with their seats inside the plane.
Since it's a first class flight, of course they got a place to lie down comfortably and Jungkook just plopped down beside Taehyung to cuddle.
"Of course. How can I forget that?"
"I never thought we would be going together like this again. It's the same but now, it feels so different than before," Taehyung said as he run his fingers through the other's hair.
"Well, that's because we weren't cuddling back then but now we are," Jungkook snuggled closer earning a giggle from Taehyung.
"And you were so annoying back then."
"And you were trying to kiss me while I was asleep."
"I told you I wasn't trying to kiss you."
"But I wanted to kiss you so bad that time tho."
And silence after that. The red tint over Taehyung's face was still clearly visible under the dim light of their cabin.
"Why didn't you do it then?" Taehyung asked, voice almost like a whisper.
"I could get a hard slap from you if I did. You were so fierce that time."
Taehyung chuckled at the reply. It's true tho. With all the teasings and smirks, he really found Jungkook so annoying that time. He can't even imagine the change in their relationship in such a short time. Last time, they were fighting over almost anything, and now they're in each other's arms tightly with so much love in their eyes.
"But I won't slap you now tho."
And that was enough for Jungkook to close the short distance between their lips he'd been dying to close. Lips melting with each move while their hearts dancing to their own beats, they enjoyed the warmth from each other. They smiled through the kiss, being overwhelmed.
"We look like we're on a honeymoon trip now more than our actual honeymoon trip we went before."
Jungkook chuckled at Taehyung's statement, nuzzling his nose under the other's neck and tightening his grip around the waist.
"Then let's make this the actual honeymoon. Let that one in Malta be a mere ordinary trip."
And Taehyung laughed as he snuggled closer towards the younger.
"Yeah."
It's only a two hours flight but they enjoy their little time being with each other, talking about random things and laughing over little jokes.
They're really looking forward to their trip together in Japan.