HEARTBEAT | VKOOK - Chapter 13: Chapter 13
You are reading HEARTBEAT | VKOOK, Chapter 13: Chapter 13. Read more chapters of HEARTBEAT | VKOOK.
The brightness practically hurt his eyes at this point. But the constant urge to glance over at every opportunity he could find had the boy ignoring the long time after the sun dipped away.
A frown settled on Jeongguk's face as his eyes trailed down the words of the screen— the tense atmosphere pushing the younger to the depth of depression and shoulders dropping in disappointment once he noticed that the offer wasn't up to his choices.
The raven haired male was seated on the couch of the living room, a laptop on his lap as he went through the many links that appeared on the screen, attempting to find the perfect opportunity that fit his choices.
Jeongguk knew that giving up wasn't an option. He had the wish to fix his life that was once ruined by his father. He wanted to fix himself. So here he was, sitting on the living room couch with a laptop on his lap, face pulled into a deep frown as he looked through the many links that appeared on the screen, attempting to find the perfect job opportunity that fit his choices.
Jeongguk was tired of being looked down on, he wanted to fix his life on his own and be financially independent, something his father could never be. However, Jeongguk never blamed him due to the only fact that he was his father. Although he was the only one who ruined his life and made him do things against his will, which also led jeongguk to lose himself, Jeongguk could never bring himself to hate the man.
But now, he wanted to find himself, find his own true colors. And even if it meant losing his father, he could bear the pain. However, he couldn't bear the pain of losing himself and working for someone else like a mindless robot, like a dead boy without dreams.
Jeongguk had always dreamt of a perfect life as a child, how it felt like to be a perfect family. His life tore apart the day his mother died, and his dreams were shattered the same day when his dad turned his back on him and blamed him for it every day. Jeongguk did everything he could possibly do to get his father back, since he was the only one Jeongguk had. However, nothing seemed to satisfy the old man except for when he hit his own child.
Jeongguk became accustomed to it all, to his dad beating him up until he passed out. Jeongguk thought his dad would come back to him that way. However, the man simply became more abusive towards him.
Jeongguk saw it all but never complained. A part of him hoped he'd realise his mistakes and come back to him. However, the man simply never changed.
Now, Jeongguk wanted to change, he didn't want to be the same boy who would tolerate everything and ruin his own life for someone who never gave two fucks about him. Jeongguk wanted to build his own life just like he wanted.
As much as Jeongguk wanted to fix his life, a part of him also wanted to show Taehyung that he wasn't what he seems like. That he could be like him too if he wants. Jeongguk was chasing the opportunities to fulfill his wishes, to show the arrogant male that he could be the same too.
Jeongguk just needed time to change, to build his life again, this time not by his father's will but by his own. He wanted to design his life again, just like he once wished it to be. Although he couldn't replace the certain moments of his life, moments where he had his mother or when he lost her, he could fix himself— he could be a better version of himself.
It wasn't until the sound of his stomach grumbling broke through the silence of the room, he finally looked away from the monitor and blinked a few times to adjust to the dark. Jeongguk leaned back in the couch and rubbed his temples softly, the frown on his face not faltering as he thought of the ways to find a job.
The ravenette closed the laptop and placed it away on the coffee table, stretching his arms and slouching back in the couch with his eyes closed as he exhaled deeply. The male ran his fingers through his raven locks, ruffling his hair before sitting upright.
The boy had gotten so lost in his computer and barely noticed the time. It'd been like five hours or more since the boy began searching for job offers. He had applied for a few too that sort of fit his choices. However, he wasn't sure if he could get the job or lose it to someone else.
Jeongguk reluctantly got off the couch and flicked the lights on and made his way to the kitchen, lazily pulling the box of cereal from atop of the fridge and pouring some into the bowl that sat on the counter already.
The ravenette leaned against the kitchen counter and scrolled aimlessly through Twitter, liking a few tweets and following a few accounts. A loud buzz echoed through the silence of the apartment, taking Jeongguk by surprise as his phone rang out of blue, the exasperating ringtone resonating around the whole apartment and disrupting the peace.
Jeongguk frowned. He couldn't recognize the unknown number and decided to answer, his thumb swiping the answer button and pressing the phone to his ear, "Hello?"
"Good evening, may I speak to Jeon Jeongguk?" A female voice spoke through the phone, making the ivory skin between Jeongguk's eyebrows crease as his frown deepened.
"Yes, speaking."
"Hello, this is Kim Corporations calling. We are happy to inform you that you've gotten the position as the personal secretary of the CEO Mr. Kim. Please tell us what would you like your salary to be."
"Wait, are you serious?" Jeongguk was beyond surprised to hear such an announcement, an astonished look embedding on his features as a small smile crept up to his lips.
"Yes, Mr. Jeon. You've been selected for the position by our CEO Mr. Kim."
"Um— I don't know actually." Jeongguk mumbled sheepishly, scrunching his nose as he rubbed the nape of his neck with his hand, straightening his back. "It'd be better if we discuss it later? I don't know if I'm qualified enough for this."
"Well... we do need the spot filled urgently but how about you come in for an interview first?" The lady suggested, "We'll see then at the interview, if you're qualified enough, we'll discuss the salary."
Jeongguk pursed his lips, creasing his brows as he contemplated his thoughts. He really was in need of a job, however he never filled out the job application for Kim Corporations. It was as though he was pushed forward to the take the job out of nowhere. How was he even selected when he didn't even fill out the forms? Was he willing to take the chance?
The boy was too lost in his head to think of a possible reply. Was he capable of working with the CEO? Certainly not, but he could give it a try. "When will the interview be?"
The sound of papers rustling resonated through the phone for a brief moment before the lady spoke up again, "Tomorrow at 9 in the morning. Would that be alright with you?"
"Yes, of course." Jeongguk muttered, eyes casting down to the ground and gulping nervously, wondering if he did it right.
"Then it's settled. Thank you, Mr. Jeon. Have a good day." The lady chimed, earning an awkward nod from Jeongguk who soon realised that the lady couldn't see him.
"You too." He murmured before a soft click was heard from the other line, meaning that the woman hung up. Jeongguk sighed heavily, leaning back against the kitchen counter and creasing his eyebrows, deep in thought.
How did they even get my number? And how in the world am I selected for the personal secretary when I didn't even sign up for it? What the hell!
Jeongguk placed his phone aside and buried his face in his hands, rubbing his face as he thought of the possible ways to look presentable for tomorrow. He bit down on his bottom lip, a smile spreading on his lips as he thought of the possibility of him getting the job.
Although he was delighted to get a job, a part of him was still a little anxious about it since he didn't really apply for such a position. However, aside all those facts, Jeongguk felt happiness bubbling in his chest.
So Jeongguk's first instinct was to grab his phone and dial his best friend's number, eagerly waiting for him to pick up the call. His doe eyes were glimmering in enthusiasm like diamonds in the sky, slightly jumping on the balls of his feet and teeth gnawing over his bottom lip, attempting to suppress the smile on his face which displayed his bunny teeth.
It wasn't long before the older answered enthusiastically, "Hey ggukie!"
"Hyung! You won't believe what actually happened today." His voice was laced with happiness, the grin never leaving his lips as he spoke through the phone.
"What happened, Jeongguk? Are you okay?" Jimin was taken aback by surprise, concern evident in his voice, which earned him a soft chuckle from the aforementioned male who shook his head.
"I'm okay, hyung. It's just that. . .I got a call from the Kim Corporations for an interview! I'm selected hyung!"
"Wait what?! You're selected?!" Jimin attempted to act surprised, a smile growing on his lips when he realised that his plan worked.
"Yes! They need a replacement for the CEO's personal secretary and they chose me for it. Like. . in a way it's unbelievable. I don't recall ever applying for that position but they selected me out of nowhere. It's kinda weird but. . I don't know whether to be happy or to be suspicious." Jeongguk mumbled, anxiety evident in his tone as he attempted to collect his thoughts, brows creased slightly in a frown.
"Jeonggukie, it's gonna be alright. You're just overthinking. Maybe it slipped out of your mind. I've seen you applying for a couple of jobs anyway. But it's great to hear that one of them selected you!"
"Yeah but I'm just selected for now. I didn't get the job yet you know." Jeongguk muttered, eyes pinned to the ground and a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Don't worry, Jeongguk. You'll get this job! I believe you!" Jimin attempted to cheer up his best friend, who suddenly turned gloomy at the mere thought of not getting the job.
"I guess..." He muttered, voice cracking slightly and almost inaudibly before clearing his throat, "When are you coming?"
"It'll take a while, Jeongguk. My dad needs a hand for some business works. So I won't be able come in the next two weeks. It's pretty pressurizing but I'm okay!" Jeongguk could practically imagine Jimin smiling to assure him that he's perfectly fine.
"Well, I miss you. I'm looking forward to seeing you again."
"We could facetime sometimes you know if you're really missing me so bad." Jimin chuckled, his laugh resonating through the phone, making a smile appear on Jeongguk's face at the sound of it.
"Now?"
"Uh... not now, gguk. I'm kinda busy doing some paper works. Maybe sometime later, please?" Jimin requested, voice saddening. Jeongguk pursed his lips, but nodded, only to realise that Jimin couldn't see him. He slapped his forehead softly and muttered a, "Okay, as you wish hyung."
Jimin hung up after bidding Jeongguk a farewell and telling him to call him later at night. Jeongguk then walked back into the living room and slouched down on the couch, throwing his head back on the couch and closing his eyes as soft breaths left his slightly parted lips. He really needed a break. He had spent the whole day attempting to find a decent job on the internet and filling out different forms of the jobs that suited him. He could only hope for the best.
A frown settled on Jeongguk's face as his eyes trailed down the words of the screen— the tense atmosphere pushing the younger to the depth of depression and shoulders dropping in disappointment once he noticed that the offer wasn't up to his choices.
The raven haired male was seated on the couch of the living room, a laptop on his lap as he went through the many links that appeared on the screen, attempting to find the perfect opportunity that fit his choices.
Jeongguk knew that giving up wasn't an option. He had the wish to fix his life that was once ruined by his father. He wanted to fix himself. So here he was, sitting on the living room couch with a laptop on his lap, face pulled into a deep frown as he looked through the many links that appeared on the screen, attempting to find the perfect job opportunity that fit his choices.
Jeongguk was tired of being looked down on, he wanted to fix his life on his own and be financially independent, something his father could never be. However, Jeongguk never blamed him due to the only fact that he was his father. Although he was the only one who ruined his life and made him do things against his will, which also led jeongguk to lose himself, Jeongguk could never bring himself to hate the man.
But now, he wanted to find himself, find his own true colors. And even if it meant losing his father, he could bear the pain. However, he couldn't bear the pain of losing himself and working for someone else like a mindless robot, like a dead boy without dreams.
Jeongguk had always dreamt of a perfect life as a child, how it felt like to be a perfect family. His life tore apart the day his mother died, and his dreams were shattered the same day when his dad turned his back on him and blamed him for it every day. Jeongguk did everything he could possibly do to get his father back, since he was the only one Jeongguk had. However, nothing seemed to satisfy the old man except for when he hit his own child.
Jeongguk became accustomed to it all, to his dad beating him up until he passed out. Jeongguk thought his dad would come back to him that way. However, the man simply became more abusive towards him.
Jeongguk saw it all but never complained. A part of him hoped he'd realise his mistakes and come back to him. However, the man simply never changed.
Now, Jeongguk wanted to change, he didn't want to be the same boy who would tolerate everything and ruin his own life for someone who never gave two fucks about him. Jeongguk wanted to build his own life just like he wanted.
As much as Jeongguk wanted to fix his life, a part of him also wanted to show Taehyung that he wasn't what he seems like. That he could be like him too if he wants. Jeongguk was chasing the opportunities to fulfill his wishes, to show the arrogant male that he could be the same too.
Jeongguk just needed time to change, to build his life again, this time not by his father's will but by his own. He wanted to design his life again, just like he once wished it to be. Although he couldn't replace the certain moments of his life, moments where he had his mother or when he lost her, he could fix himself— he could be a better version of himself.
It wasn't until the sound of his stomach grumbling broke through the silence of the room, he finally looked away from the monitor and blinked a few times to adjust to the dark. Jeongguk leaned back in the couch and rubbed his temples softly, the frown on his face not faltering as he thought of the ways to find a job.
The ravenette closed the laptop and placed it away on the coffee table, stretching his arms and slouching back in the couch with his eyes closed as he exhaled deeply. The male ran his fingers through his raven locks, ruffling his hair before sitting upright.
The boy had gotten so lost in his computer and barely noticed the time. It'd been like five hours or more since the boy began searching for job offers. He had applied for a few too that sort of fit his choices. However, he wasn't sure if he could get the job or lose it to someone else.
Jeongguk reluctantly got off the couch and flicked the lights on and made his way to the kitchen, lazily pulling the box of cereal from atop of the fridge and pouring some into the bowl that sat on the counter already.
The ravenette leaned against the kitchen counter and scrolled aimlessly through Twitter, liking a few tweets and following a few accounts. A loud buzz echoed through the silence of the apartment, taking Jeongguk by surprise as his phone rang out of blue, the exasperating ringtone resonating around the whole apartment and disrupting the peace.
Jeongguk frowned. He couldn't recognize the unknown number and decided to answer, his thumb swiping the answer button and pressing the phone to his ear, "Hello?"
"Good evening, may I speak to Jeon Jeongguk?" A female voice spoke through the phone, making the ivory skin between Jeongguk's eyebrows crease as his frown deepened.
"Yes, speaking."
"Hello, this is Kim Corporations calling. We are happy to inform you that you've gotten the position as the personal secretary of the CEO Mr. Kim. Please tell us what would you like your salary to be."
"Wait, are you serious?" Jeongguk was beyond surprised to hear such an announcement, an astonished look embedding on his features as a small smile crept up to his lips.
"Yes, Mr. Jeon. You've been selected for the position by our CEO Mr. Kim."
"Um— I don't know actually." Jeongguk mumbled sheepishly, scrunching his nose as he rubbed the nape of his neck with his hand, straightening his back. "It'd be better if we discuss it later? I don't know if I'm qualified enough for this."
"Well... we do need the spot filled urgently but how about you come in for an interview first?" The lady suggested, "We'll see then at the interview, if you're qualified enough, we'll discuss the salary."
Jeongguk pursed his lips, creasing his brows as he contemplated his thoughts. He really was in need of a job, however he never filled out the job application for Kim Corporations. It was as though he was pushed forward to the take the job out of nowhere. How was he even selected when he didn't even fill out the forms? Was he willing to take the chance?
The boy was too lost in his head to think of a possible reply. Was he capable of working with the CEO? Certainly not, but he could give it a try. "When will the interview be?"
The sound of papers rustling resonated through the phone for a brief moment before the lady spoke up again, "Tomorrow at 9 in the morning. Would that be alright with you?"
"Yes, of course." Jeongguk muttered, eyes casting down to the ground and gulping nervously, wondering if he did it right.
"Then it's settled. Thank you, Mr. Jeon. Have a good day." The lady chimed, earning an awkward nod from Jeongguk who soon realised that the lady couldn't see him.
"You too." He murmured before a soft click was heard from the other line, meaning that the woman hung up. Jeongguk sighed heavily, leaning back against the kitchen counter and creasing his eyebrows, deep in thought.
How did they even get my number? And how in the world am I selected for the personal secretary when I didn't even sign up for it? What the hell!
Jeongguk placed his phone aside and buried his face in his hands, rubbing his face as he thought of the possible ways to look presentable for tomorrow. He bit down on his bottom lip, a smile spreading on his lips as he thought of the possibility of him getting the job.
Although he was delighted to get a job, a part of him was still a little anxious about it since he didn't really apply for such a position. However, aside all those facts, Jeongguk felt happiness bubbling in his chest.
So Jeongguk's first instinct was to grab his phone and dial his best friend's number, eagerly waiting for him to pick up the call. His doe eyes were glimmering in enthusiasm like diamonds in the sky, slightly jumping on the balls of his feet and teeth gnawing over his bottom lip, attempting to suppress the smile on his face which displayed his bunny teeth.
It wasn't long before the older answered enthusiastically, "Hey ggukie!"
"Hyung! You won't believe what actually happened today." His voice was laced with happiness, the grin never leaving his lips as he spoke through the phone.
"What happened, Jeongguk? Are you okay?" Jimin was taken aback by surprise, concern evident in his voice, which earned him a soft chuckle from the aforementioned male who shook his head.
"I'm okay, hyung. It's just that. . .I got a call from the Kim Corporations for an interview! I'm selected hyung!"
"Wait what?! You're selected?!" Jimin attempted to act surprised, a smile growing on his lips when he realised that his plan worked.
"Yes! They need a replacement for the CEO's personal secretary and they chose me for it. Like. . in a way it's unbelievable. I don't recall ever applying for that position but they selected me out of nowhere. It's kinda weird but. . I don't know whether to be happy or to be suspicious." Jeongguk mumbled, anxiety evident in his tone as he attempted to collect his thoughts, brows creased slightly in a frown.
"Jeonggukie, it's gonna be alright. You're just overthinking. Maybe it slipped out of your mind. I've seen you applying for a couple of jobs anyway. But it's great to hear that one of them selected you!"
"Yeah but I'm just selected for now. I didn't get the job yet you know." Jeongguk muttered, eyes pinned to the ground and a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"Don't worry, Jeongguk. You'll get this job! I believe you!" Jimin attempted to cheer up his best friend, who suddenly turned gloomy at the mere thought of not getting the job.
"I guess..." He muttered, voice cracking slightly and almost inaudibly before clearing his throat, "When are you coming?"
"It'll take a while, Jeongguk. My dad needs a hand for some business works. So I won't be able come in the next two weeks. It's pretty pressurizing but I'm okay!" Jeongguk could practically imagine Jimin smiling to assure him that he's perfectly fine.
"Well, I miss you. I'm looking forward to seeing you again."
"We could facetime sometimes you know if you're really missing me so bad." Jimin chuckled, his laugh resonating through the phone, making a smile appear on Jeongguk's face at the sound of it.
"Now?"
"Uh... not now, gguk. I'm kinda busy doing some paper works. Maybe sometime later, please?" Jimin requested, voice saddening. Jeongguk pursed his lips, but nodded, only to realise that Jimin couldn't see him. He slapped his forehead softly and muttered a, "Okay, as you wish hyung."
Jimin hung up after bidding Jeongguk a farewell and telling him to call him later at night. Jeongguk then walked back into the living room and slouched down on the couch, throwing his head back on the couch and closing his eyes as soft breaths left his slightly parted lips. He really needed a break. He had spent the whole day attempting to find a decent job on the internet and filling out different forms of the jobs that suited him. He could only hope for the best.
End of HEARTBEAT | VKOOK Chapter 13. Continue reading Chapter 14 or return to HEARTBEAT | VKOOK book page.