HEARTBEAT | VKOOK - Chapter 26: Chapter 26

A pleasant smile was present on his lips as he checked himself out on the mirrors of the elevator. He then averted his gaze, biting down onto his bottom lip to suppress the growing smile etching on his face, at the mere thought of seeing the older male again.
And Jeongguk had lost count of the amount of times he had turned to the mirrors of the compartment to check out his reflection for one last time. As he wished to seem presentable to Taehyung, who always thought of him being late and messy, like he'd just gotten off the bed and headed straight to work. And apparently, Taehyung despised it.
Like the perfectionist he is.
The male couldn't help but glance around the vacant, and quite spacious compartment, gnawing at his bottom lip in sheer anticipation, at the thought of the older male. Jeongguk wished to appear perfect, like he wanted him to be. Yet, he felt like he was lacking something, even though he'd checked himself out enough times to figure out the flaws.
An audible ding then resonated throughout the elevator, pulling the younger male out of his thoughts as he watched the doors slide open. Jeongguk then paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath to compose himself before exiting the elevator with hesitant steps. The hallways were quite, as usual. Yet, the once tranquil atmosphere felt awfully tense to the fidgety male, like a heavy weight on his shoulders.
Perhaps, it was due to his own thoughts driving him insane. His own thoughts, that made him feel insecure and uncomfortable about himself. Although he attempted to shove them away, and think of the positive aspects, they simply appeared back again on his mind, only causing him to be more nervous about himself.
And now that he stood in front of the CEO's office, Jeongguk couldn't help but wonder of what the male would think of him. And he was never the one to think of such, simply ignoring people around him and focusing on his own thoughts. Well, until he met Kim Taehyung, that is. A perfectionist, who completed his work on time and efficiently, despised delays and fancied being presentable, no matter the occasion. Who had these dark pair of eyes, that made him tremble, and heart pound rapidly against his chest, due to the intensity of his gaze.
Kim Taehyung was just insanely perfect.
Sucking in a sharp breath, Jeongguk then knocked on the door with slightly shaky hands. However, frowned, when there was no response from the other side. He then knocked a few more times, only to be met with silence from the other side. A sigh then evoked from his lips, as he then grabbed the doorknob, twisting it.
Only to find it locked.
This had Jeongguk's frown deepening as he stared at the inky door, thin lips subconsciously shaping into a subtle pout. The ravenette then knocked a few more times; this time, a bit harder. Only to be met with silence yet again. This had the younger male scowling in utter frustration and confusion, as he then leaned into the door, pressing his ear against it to hear any sort of noise.
None.
A disappointed sigh evoked from his lips as he then moved away from the door, glaring at it for a brief second, before pivoting on his heels and heading for the elevator. Jeongguk then pressed the fifth floor button, watching the doors close shut with his feet tapping quite impatiently on the floor.
He wondered, where the male must've been. As the door was locked, and he hadn't left the keys for him to pick out the files from his office, and possibly complete the part of his work. Quite bemusing, as Taehyung was never the one to not show up in the company.
Perhaps, he could be late. But apparently, Kim Taehyung was known to be never late and always on time. For the love of his work. But of course, there had to be a few times he was late due to some circumstances, right? But what could it be? What made him late to work?
Jeongguk then pulled his phone out of his pocket, switching it on and looking for any sort of message from the older male. Of course, there had to be. As he was his personal assistant. He had to be informed of anything that could be occurred to the older male. However, a disappointed frown painted on Jeongguk's face when he found none.
Maybe, he forgot?
The male then released a deep and controlled breath, pursing his lips afterwards as he fixated his gaze on the closed doors of the elevator. And there was it again, the negative thoughts attempting to freak him out, and stress him until he was awfully exhausted.
The negative possibilities, that something must've been wrong with Taehyung. A reason for his absence in his own office. There must've been an emergency, something might've happened to the older male. . . or his son. This had Jeongguk's doe orbs dilating slightly as he looked around frantically, panicking.
He couldn't panic. He had to stay calm and know of the reason first. Jumping onto false conclusions was not an option. He had to think straight, rather than lose his sanity, due to the absence of the older male. As it could be normal too, right?
The doors of the elevator then slid open, snapping Jeongguk out of his trance, as he then hastily stepped out, inhaling a deep breath afterwards to calm himself. Looking up, Jeongguk's eyes then trailed over the many employees working on their computers. All of them, seemingly busy and minding their own business, as usual.
It wasn't the first time he'd been here. As he'd frequently checked in every floors to keep track of the work being done. Although it was a bit difficult at first, to manage almost everything and keep track of the amount of work, Jeongguk had grown accustomed to the company as the time flew by.
And it had almost been over a month or so, since he'd joined the company. And of course, he'd made some good friends around. However, sadly he couldn't talk to them much, due to his awfully busy schedule. To add to that, Kim Taehyung despised delay of work, which was absolutely ridiculous, and pressurizing.
As Jeongguk approached the break room, a pleasant smile growing onto his princess lips at the sight of a brunette, who was in charge of monitoring the workers, and almost everything of the company. The male's eyes lit up at the sight of him. "Jeon Jeongguk!"
"Hey, Jae." He flashed his infamous bunny smile as he approached the fervent male, who had a bright grin etched on his face as well, as he waved at him, eyes curling up at the edges. Fingers wrapped around a cup of coffee as he ambled towards Jeongguk. "Haven't seen you in a while. I almost thought you were fired."
"No," A soft chuckle evoked from the younger's lips. "He wouldn't fire me, of course. . . due to the contract."
"I was busy with the schedule... you know him." Jeongguk trailed off, disappointment laced within his tone as he glanced away, pursing his lips. Earning a nod of agreement from Jaehyun who bit down onto his bottom lip, glancing at the workers across him. "Of course. Been working for him for two years or something. He's an asshole for all I know."
This had Jeongguk dropping his gaze to the floor, lips twitching slightly at the thought of the older male. Concern flashing within his ebony orbs. Yet, he said nothing in return to the other's response, simply gnawing at his bottom lips in thought. "I know. . ." He whispered to himself, which went unnoticed by the older. Jeongguk then paused, moving his gaze towards the other. "Have you seen him?"
"Kim? Nah. . . haven't seen him all morning, that's a first. Thought he was an early bird, huh? Must be his first time skipping a day at work, I assume." Jaehyun scoffed, clicking his tongue as he rolled his eyes in sheer irony. He then paused, knitting his brows in utter confusion as he flickered his gaze to the younger, "Why'd you ask? I thought you hated him? You should be glad he's gone, idiot."
Jeongguk simply dropped his gaze, a soft exhale leaving his lips as he scrunched his nose slightly in embarrassment. "N-No. . . I just. . . need the keys to his office. He didn't tell me that he'll be gone, neither did he leave the keys for me to get access to his office. You know. . . the files."
The young manager simply hummed thoughtfully in return, taking a sip of his coffee. "You could try asking Chisoo. I don't know." He shook his head, delivering him a quick shrug of his shoulders.
"Ah, right. I forgot! Thanks! I'll be right back." Jeongguk was quick to leave and head for the elevator, leaving behind an utterly perplexed and amused Jaehyun who simply stared at his retreating back in wonder. Perhaps, it was just him, or Jeongguk was truly acting weird.
Once inside the elevator for the third time that day. Well- this time with an old short man who was baffled by his sudden haste. Jeongguk then hurriedly pressed the buttons to the ground floor, impatiently tapping his foot on the ground, and waiting to reach his destination. Whilst substantially ignoring the eyes watching him in utter surprise and bewilderment. As he was awfully concerned for the older male, and his son. And there might be an emergency, due to which the older had forgotten to text him, or even leave the keys for him.
The silence felt awkward, truly and awfully awkward as the two of them waited to reach the ground floor. And Jeongguk could only feel the old man's gaze burning into his side. Yet, he kept his gaze lowered, glued to the other side of the elevator and attempting to avoid the other's gaze. As he could only pray to get out of this awful situation, and just get to the ground floor already.
And oh- his prayers were answered.
Jeongguk then hastily stumbled out of the elevator, and practically speed walked to the front desk. Whilst of course, being careful to not run into anyone unknowingly like a fool. The girl, known to be Chisoo, then darted her gaze to the ravenette, only to dilate her onyx orbs in surprise at the sight of him. As he approached her in a sort of hurry.
"Jeongguk, hey. What's wrong?" Her soft, honey-like voice then reached his ears, Jeongguk simply averting his gaze, and panting softly from the sudden run he'd made to the front desk. After taking a moment to compose himself, Jeongguk then faced the girl. "W-Where's Ta- I mean, Mr. Kim?" He queried, stammering over his words, seemingly stressed.
This had Chisoo simply rising her brows in surprise, a slight scoff of amusement emerging from her lips, "Calm down, Jeongguk. He's called in sick today. And. . ." She paused, lowering herself slightly and shuffling for something under her desk. She then straightened herself a moment later, fingers wrapped around a pair of keys. "He left this for you."
This had Jeongguk simply blinking at her, a blank look etching on his face as he attempted to register her words. Unable to believe that he was freaking out for no fucking reason. None of the conclusions he almost thought of believing were true. Jeon Jeongguk was utterly stupid.
But Taehyung was sick. Why? How the hell did he get sick out of nowhere? Or was it an excuse to avoid work for one day? No. . . Taehyung wouldn't avoid work, he loved his work. There must've been something wrong with him. Or was he overthinking again?
"H-How did he get sick?" Jeongguk queried, accepting the keys from the brown haired girl.
"I don't know. He didn't say anything more. Just sick." Chisoo simply gave a shrug of her shoulders, staring at Jeongguk in wonder, and quirking up a brow. "He didn't say you?"
"No. . ." Jeongguk dropped his gaze, pursing his lips as he gulped down the lump forming in his throat. A part of him felt hurt, to know that Chisoo was the one Taehyung had called to inform, instead of him. Who was his assistant, and deserved to know of everything that occurred to him. And it hurt him, knowing that it wasn't him first. Perhaps, a tinge of jealousy surged through him. Due to Taehyung calling someone else, instead of him.
How foolish of him to get his hopes up.
It could never be him.
The following days then passed by in a blur, and Jeongguk couldn't recall the last time he'd seen Taehyung. As his schedule was packed, awfully busy due to the male's sudden absence in the office. That left the whole responsibility to his shoulders like a heavy weight. Yet, even in his absence, Jeongguk didn't skip any of it, as he knew how Taehyung loved his work.
The male kept working until he was awfully worn out and exhausted. Sometimes, he found himself being home when the clock struck midnight. . . or sometimes, it took him way more than that. However, Jeongguk didn't skip a day, although he'd a chance. He felt the urge to remain loyal to the older. So much that the thought of skipping somewhat seemed like betraying Taehyung.
But he knew that his past self would've definitely grasped the opportunity without remorse.
Only if there were no feelings involved. That urged him to earn the male's trust.
The days passed by, turning into weeks, Taehyung seemingly nowhere to be seen. And the word had spread around more earlier than Jeongguk had expected. Rumours began arising; all an awful combination of hatred for him with a mixture of false accusations and insults, in attempts of defaming him, coming from those who despised him for who he is. Or some others being concerned of him. Some being his friends and fans, who loved him dearly.
Jeongguk felt distressed.
Two weeks, it'd been two weeks since Taehyung called in sick and never appeared again. And at this point, Jeongguk was frustrated, awfully concerned for the older male and his son. Adding up with the pressure of the endless work, he'd left for him to complete, just like that.
No calls, no messages. Taehyung never recieved his calls, nor texted him, or even let him know of his condition or fucking request him to do the part of his work. Jeongguk was just doing him a favour. Otherwise, Taehyung was screwed for good.
And it wouldn't really matter to Jeongguk, if he wasn't so concerned for the older male, and his work, that would've doubled to a ton of endless incomplete documents and files, if he hadn't helped him out, that is. Perhaps, it'd take him more than a month, or probably a year to complete all of them. Jeongguk wasn't certain, but he knew that the pressure would've been awful. Hence why, he decided to assist him.
And instead of appreciating his efforts to help him, there goes Taehyung declining his calls and ignoring his countless messages.
Ungrateful brat.
This had him wondering, if he was really sick or just simply wanting to avoid him, for no apparent reason. And this made him overthink of his actions, whether it made him appear as though he craved for his attention, or made him seem like a distant friend. And this is where the negative thoughts begin flowing into his once peaceful mind, turning it into an absolute panicking mess.
An awful habit he had to get rid of. Overthinking of every one of his actions exhausted him. An absolute waste of energy.
A soft sigh then evoked from Jeongguk's princess lips, doe eyes fixated on the tainted road he walked upon. And as usual, lost in his ocean of thoughts. He then kicked off a pebble on his way mindlessly, attempting to think of a way to reach the male. Although he'd an idea, he wasn't sure if it'd be great.
If the male even wanted to see him on the first place. And he was almost certain that the male simply wanted to avoid him for a few days, that'd turned to weeks. Although he wasn't sure why, or what he'd done that made him act this way.
A blue blinking light then glew in the pocket area of his white jeans, that fit around his tonned legs like a glove. The sudden vibration of his device against his thigh snapped him out of his trance, Jeongguk haulting in his tracks and immidiately retrieving his phone to check the name flashing on the screen.
Only to freeze in his spot, breath hitching in his throat, as his doe eyes dilated at the sight of the name. That left him surprised and bewildered beyond belief. Which only caused him to hastily press the answer button in sheer anticipation, as the only thing he craved at the moment was to hear the older's voice.
"Jeongguk..." The tone of his voice was the exact opposite of what Jeongguk expected, which only caused the surprised look on his face to crumble painfully into a crestfallen expression. As it sounded groggy and deep, perhaps dropping an octave lower, as though he was in pain, immense pain, perhaps physically. Jeongguk didn't know. But it was enough to stir panic in his heart, and mind to go bonkers.
"T-Taehyung... what's wrong?"
"I need help... come over." Was all he muttered before hanging up, leaving the ravenette awfully perplexed and concerned, along with the panic settling his chest. And before he knew it, Jeongguk was already on his way to the older's place, completely forgetting about the plans he'd made for today. As the only thing he could think of was what could've occurred that made him sound so tired and distressed.
Perhaps, Taehyung's condition had worsened. And Jeongguk had already began regretting not going to his place sooner. But it wasn't his fault, the pressure of work had almost buried him, and with all the responsibilities on his shoulders that weighed him down, he couldn't seem to find the time for his own self. Let alone, anyone else.
He should've thought of it sooner, how foolish of him.
It hadn't taken too long for him to reach the older's house, that's considered to be one of the most luxurious mansions of the city. But it was no surprise for Jeongguk, who'd been here a few times, due to Minjun. Although the sight never failed to leave him speechless.
Jeongguk then hasilty approached the door, about to press the door bell, when his phone vibrated again in his pocket, haulting him in his movements. And he retrieved the device, only to see a message that left the young ravenette awfully perplexed and bewildered.
'I can't open the door, nobody's home. Get in through the window, from the backyard.'
Jeongguk then paused, brows arched, as he stared at the screen of his phone for a brief moment, before shoving it into his pocket again. Although the ravenette seemed baffled, Jeongguk chose to follow him nevertheless, ambling into the backyard of his house.
The first thing that caught his attention once he stood amidst the backyard was a window, that remained wide open, the pale curtains inside seemingly moving due to the wind. His eyes then zeroed on the window, trailing down the structure as he planned of the possible ways to get in.
The male stood there for a minute, seeming absolutely clueless as he watched the window, lips pursed and brows arched, as though he was lost in his thoughts. It was then when his eyes flickered to the bush, that he'd caught the sight of a ladder, or perhaps, a glimpse of it. As he laid flat on the ground, seemingly unused.
His bambi orbs dilated at the sight, lips falling agape as he then quickly scurried away to the ladder, taking his own time to lift it up and move it all the way to the point, that seemed to be his only entry. And once he was done, Jeongguk then wasted no time, and hastily scrabbled up the ladder. Chest heaving due to the lack of breath and head lowered, as he held onto the edges of the window.
Jeongguk had indeed expected the worst, but he hadn't expected to see what he'd seen when he did look up and gaze into the room he was told to get into.