HEARTBEAT | VKOOK - Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Jeongguk felt a small hand wrapping around his pinky finger and glanced down to see Minjun grinning widely and skipping in his steps. A smile formed on aforementioned male's lips as he turned to look ahead of him. For a moment, he forgot about what happened a few hours ago and actually enjoyed the present with Minjun who seemed to have stolen his heart.
He felt free. Something he never felt in years.
Being trapped in his house, he never got to experience what freedom actually felt like. He always had to be home at a certain time and if he was a bit late, he'd have to receive a punishment, which mostly consisted of getting fifty whips on the back or cutting his skin with a pocket knife. It also consisted of the regular beatings he had to put up with on a daily basis and he wasn't sure how many bones he has broken till now.
"Bunny?" Minjun's voice pulled him out of his thoughts, making him snap his head towards the small boy who looked up at him with glossy eyes and a small pout. A small frown settled on his face as he immidiately crouched in front of the boy.
"What happened, Jun?"
"Why you hurt?" He gestured at the bandages wrapped around the male's arm, who sighed softly before turning to look at the boy.
"Well, I-I fell." He mumbled sheepishly, biting his bottom lip at the stupid lie, and hoping Minjun would buy it. The aforementioned boy frowned at his words, thinking for a moment before meeting his gaze again,
"You should be careful, bunny."
"Okay, sweetheart. I'll be careful from now." Jeongguk grinned, his bunny smile spreading across his face as he grinned like a fool. He figured that he had a thing for kids and couldn't resist them. Well, it's not like he got to see kids on a daily basis.
Jeongguk hoisted himself up and grabbed Minjun's hand again as they walked towards the entrance, leaving the maid to fret over the absence of the boy that Jeongguk failed to notice.
"Are you sure your father isn't here?" Jeongguk queried, a concerned look etching on his face, "Maybe we could look for him you know. So he could take you wherever you want. It's bad to be with strangers anyway, he must be worried."
"Okay! Let's search for my dada!" The boy giggled, loving the way he could fool people around with his power, oblivious to the consequences of it.
"Where is he, Jun? When did you last see him?"
"In the. . .park!" He answered enthusiastically, his wide eyes looking up at the bunny intently, loving the way the bunny would frown or gnaw at his bottom lip. Minjun could just sit and admire him all day and babble about the most random things to him. He enjoyed the company of the young male more than he ever did with his own friends. And of course, he didn't wish to leave the male alone.
"Then he must be around here," Jeongguk mumbled to himself as he looked around, attempting to figure out a way to bring the boy to his dad. "Tell me if you find him somewhere."
The boy nodded, a smile playing on his lips as he glanced back at the bunny boy, who had a concerned look on his face as he contemplated his thoughts. A giggle left the small boy's lips as he watched the male walk around with a distressed look on his face.
"I'll tell the guards. They might get you back to your daddy." Jeongguk stated, about to walk away to one of the guards when the small boy gasped and pulled him back by his finger that was wrapped around the boy's.
"No! I-I mean, we don't need to tell the guards you know. . .he must be here. And if not, then. . .we'll go out to the police I guess?" Minjun cringed internally at the suggestion— police meant that he'd definitely collide with his uncles and he certainly didn't want that.
However, he just wanted to spend more time with the bunny like boy who stole his attention at the first sight. Minjun wondered if he was a hybrid, if he could turn into an animal and a human at the same time. Minjun was clearly obsessed with the cute boy although he was way older than him.
"But why? If we tell them now, you'll find your dad soon. If we wander around like a fool, he'll think I'm trying to kidnap you— which I'm clearly not." Jeongguk stated as a matter of fact, eyes casting down on the small boy, curiosity burning within his ebony irises as he eyed the small boy.
"Maybe my dad is not here. I can't see him anyway. So. . .we go to the police?" Minjun blinked innocently at him, lips shaping into a pout as he looked up at the older who contemplated his thoughts.
The police station was quite a few streets away, which meant that he'd get more time to be with him and know the bunny like boy who stole his attention so easily. Although there was a possibility  of colliding with his stupid uncles at the station, he'd be happy to spend more time with the older.
"Are you sure?" Jeongguk queried, hesitation laced in his voice as he looked around, attempting to find someone who could be possibly looking for his child. "Are you sure your dad isn't here?"
"Yup. He isn't! Les go!" Minjun tugged at the older's pinky finger, attempting to pull him out with him. Jeongguk simply shot him a look of amusement before following the small boy out of the park, a smile spreading on his lips.
"What's your favourite color, bunny?" He decided to change the topic, looking up at the male who spared a glance at him before looking ahead. He thought for a while before answering,
"Purple."
"Mine's blue and red!" The boy giggled, skipping in his steps and looking around at the people as they walked down the streets.
He stared at his computer screen with droopy eyes behind the lense of his glasses, an exhausted look imprinted on his features as he groaned and leaned back in his swivel chair, tugging at his brown locks in frustration. He brought his hands to his face and sighed before rubbing the nape of his neck softly to relax.
His eyes fell over the stack of files resting over his desk next to the computer and a subtle pout made it's way to his lips without his consent. Taehyung bit his bottom lip and ran his fingers through his hair, closing his eyes and leaning back in his seat when all of a sudden, the tranquil atmosphere of his office had to be disrupted by the loud ringing of his phone as the screen lit up, displaying the name of the person.
He grabbed his phone off the table and recieved the call before placing it against his ear as he leaned back in his seat comfortably, "What's up, chim?"
"Taehyungie! It's been so long. I missed you!" A cheerful voice chimed through the phone, sounding incredibly happy to be finally talking to his friend who'd been avoiding him for a long time.
"I missed you too. I'm terribly sorry, I've been swamped the past few weeks. I hope I can make it up to you." Taehyung muttered without a trace of emotion in his voice.
"Yeah no shit Sherlock. There isn't a day Kim Taehyung doesn't work. In fact, devils work hard but Kim Taehyung works harder, isn't it?" He laced his sarcasm like venom.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm a CEO, Jimin. I have responsibilities and I can't just abandon them."
"Who am I kidding? You never listen to anyone but yourself like the asshole you are." Taehyung rolled his eyes, an exasperated sigh leaving his lips as he took a glance at his wrist watch before leaning back in his seat.
"Get to the point, chim. What's your deal? Why'd you call me?"
"Take a break. Let's meet up sometime, yeah?"
"Was that it? If so, I'm hanging up." Taehyung mumbled nonchalantly and retrieved his phone, about to hang up when Jimin yelled, a little too loud for Taehyung's liking.
"Wait! I-I have something to tell you. There's no point in talking about this since I already know your answer from the past six years but—"
"I give you five seconds, Park Jimin." Taehyung deadpanned, taking a quick glance at his wrist watch as he sat upright in his seat and gazed at the computer screen, analysing the document he'd been typing since the past hour.
"Damn fine! Namjoon hyung and Jin hyung are throwing a party and they asked me to confirm your answer since you barely ever pick up their calls!" Jimin yelled, frustration evident in his angelic voice that didn't go unnoticed by Taehyung.
"What's the point? You know my answer already, chim."
"It's been like what? Six years? I don't know. We miss you, Tae. I know you always prioritise your work and there's no chance for you to be cancelling all your plans to attend a stupid party but... please? Don't push us away." His voice softened, and Taehyung could almost imagine his saddened eyes and bottom lip jutting out into a pout.
However, nothing could melt the stone cold exterior of Kim Taehyung, that he chose to keep up even around his friends.
"I can't, Jimin."
"Please. I-I know your reason to do this and I understand. But please don't push your friends away. It wasn't their fault you know. They did nothing. In fact, they were just trying to help you."
"More like force me into believing that I can't raise a child without a woman. Which I can, apparently, and I don't need a wife to handle my son." He took another glance at his wrist watch, growing bored by the second as his gaze wandered around his office, foot tapping impatiently on the shiny marble floor. "I'm kinda busy right now so it'd be better if we talk later about this."
"Please Taehyung. It's a request. What Namjoon did was wrong since you were terribly hurt and still healing from the accident but... he apologized. In fact, a lot of times. He was just furious because he couldn't see you in pain. None of us can. We want the best for you—"
"I've got that a lot. And trust me, I don't care anymore. What's been lost is lost. We can't bring it back or rewind the time to make it right." A little frown settled on his face before it was concealed by the mundanely monotonous look he wore almost everyday.
"Just once. For me? Please come to the party. It was my idea and I want you all to meet a special friend of mine who's been with me since the past three years. He's really sweet and I bet you'll like him." Jimin muttered in his cheerful voice, a hopeful tone overshadowed by the cheerfulness.
Taehyung stayed silent, swiping his tongue over his chapped bottom lip and reaching out for a certain peice of paper scattered amidst many other files and sheets. He lifted it to his eye level and gazed at his schedule,  contemplating the odds in his head with his lips pursed.
"Please? Are you there?" His feathery voice brought him out of his thoughts and a sigh was heard over the phone before he parted his lips to speak, "When?"
"Friday? Wait— you're really willing to come? Or am I hallucinating?"
"Only if it isn't too urgent for me to be here. Don't get your hopes up." Taehyung grumbled, slumping back in his seat as he massaged his forehead with his index and middle finger in hopes of easing the pain. "And my dad won't approve it."
"Leave it on me, buddy." Taehyung could almost imagine Jimin smiling mischievously on the other line.
"And what are you gonna do?"
"Hack into your company's main server? And maybe replace the footages of the meeting hall with the old or something. You don't need to worry about that."
"And how do you think you'll succeed? My father isn't a man to be messed with and you know that."
"Sure, but I'm not a hacker for nothing. And it's just a footage and time replacements just for the show that you're actually working."
"My dad isn't dumb. You know what he's capable of and once he knows about this, you're dead. Oh wait— it's me who'll suffer for your doings. Only cause I'm approving it which I'm clearly not but it's not like I've an option anyway."
"Please Tae. I'll do anything for you only if you're going to the party." The desperation laced in his voice didn't go unnoticed by Taehyung who frowned slightly before pursing his lips.
"What's so important about this so called 'party' of yours?"
"Its about us getting together after yesrs of separation. It's a celebration of our years of friendship along with the fact that it's Namjin's anniversary but aside that, I want you to meet someone as I said before. So please, for once, come to the party."
"Fine. I'm running out of time, I'll talk to you later." Taehyung hung up after bidding Jimin a farewell before tossing the device on his desk and leaning back in his seat— running his fingers through his brown locks as a frown embedded on his ravishing features.
He sat there in morose contemplate, the silence of the room engulfing him into its comforting embrace and bringing him tranquillity as he focused on the thoughts wandering in his head. The only thing heard in the pin-drop silence of the room was his calm breathing and his long slender fingers drumming against the surface of his desk.
There's reason for everything. Every action done and every word being uttered has it's own consequences, no matter if it's big or awfully small. Either good or bad, they had an impact on a person's life, something people fail to notice sometimes. Every action has it's own reason or sometimes, it simply doesn't, however has a huge impact on a person somehow.
Taehyung had reasons. Millions of reasons he couldn't seem to name. Pushing away his friends wasn't what he exactly wanted but it was what exactly happened, just for a mistake. A stupid decision he calls it. And although he might try to make it right, he might as well keep it that way, repeating to himself that it's only for the best.
Where's the best when all he finds in his life is grief and darkness? When he finds himself being engulfed by the demons in his head, being deceived and taking a rash step in the wrong way? The best, what he tells to himself almost on a daily basis, is just a way to keep his sanity from slipping away, to not be deceived or controlled by the monsters lurking in the dark, to not expose his dark side to the world. How he actually thrives for things to get better, only for it to worsen even more.
What is he doing wrong? He doesn't know. He doesn't seem to comprehend what he's doing right either. All the people that he's encountered, including the employees of his company, his friends, strangers and his son, everyone had suggested the same, pressurizing him to believe them and abandon what he enjoys doing the most. 'Take a break. Stop working, it isn't worth it. You're a boss, you don't need to work, just order around.'
But how could he abandon what actually kept his sanity from burning into ashes? What actually prevented him from doing something incredibly absurd or stupid, something he shouldn't be doing?
Work. Working helped him focus on something entirely different from the problems in his head, made him stick to the reality rather than space out into his thoughts, made him enhance his working skills and capabilities in handling even the most difficult cases of his company.
A part of him did it to be better in the eyes of his father and a part of him only wished to escape the thoughts nagging at the back of his mind. Thus, working all day without a single break, working even when he's done with the office works, randomly analysing or double checking the documents he created to trace any spelling errors or misinformations.
It was something he found as a gateway to tranquilize himself aside from the silence and serenity of his surroundings, one of the reasons he avoided parties or noisy places in particular.
When everything seemed to pulverize into shambles, he found himself forcing his mind to focus on the work he creates for himself, be it random folders or documents or just anything in particular, Taehyung had to keep himself busy with anything to avoid the thoughts in his head.
Even when his mind and body begged for some rest, Taehyung tried his best to avoid the rest his body seeked. Again there was a reason for it, for the moment he gives in to his thoughts and actually lies in his bed, he's instantly reminded with all the events of the past he calls it to be a nightmare.
He just seeked for source of comfort without actually being obvious that most failed to notice or just simply ignored it.
The silence of the room had yet to be disrupted, pulling him out of his daze that caused him to frown in utter exasperation since he only wanted to be left alone with his thoughts. A part of him wondered if he could just put his phone on silent.
However, he couldn't miss an urgent call that would most probably reach his father and piss him off at the fact that he's an irresponsible man in the name of a CEO. It's not like he'd ever change his mind anyway, he was only valued for being the heir of the company, nothing beyond that.
Hence, with a defeated sigh, Taehyung sat upright and reached for the phone on the other side of his desk, brows creasing together at the name that displayed on the screen. Hani.
"What is it, Hanni?" He queried upon receiving the call, voice dropping an octave than usual as he leaned back in his swivel chair and closed his eyes, deciding to nap for a few minutes before another meeting.
"Mr. Kim! Your son, Kim Minjun is missing! I can't find him anywhere!" The maid's frantic voice made him shoot his eyes wide open and immidiately throw himself off his seat, attempting to register what the maid had stated.
"What the hell? How?! Weren't you taking care of him?!" He yelled through the phone, making the maid flinch on the other side of the line.
"I-I was! But h-he disappeared from my sight!" The maid defended herself, voice sounding panicked as she looked around the park frantically in search of the small naughty boy.
"What the fuck do you mean by that? What was he doing and what were you doing? Weren't you supposed to keep an eye on him?!" He screeched, his deep voice booming through the phone which terrified the maid to no end.
"H-He was playing with the other kids and riding the slides! I-I was watching him b-but my boyf-grandma called me so I had to pick up the call!" The maid stated, running out of the breath from how fast she spoke. However, Taehyung wasn't buying it.
"Call the fucking guards now! Search each and every corner of the goddamn park! I'll fire you if something happens to him, get it?" He threatened menacingly, teeth clenching as anger coursed through his veins. He added more guards to his security team only for his son, whom he loves with all his heart and the one he wills to protect all his life.
Kim Minjun was his only son, which made him an easy target for his enemies. The thought of him being kidnapped after all of the attempts of keeping him safe and protected was the last thing he wanted to happen. It made him feel terrible because it was his duty to protect him as a father, and just the thought itself made him feel like a failure. He failed to be a responsible dad.
"O-Okay!" The maid quickly hung up the call, leaving Taehyung to graon and clutch his head in his hands. He quickly grabbed his phone and dialed the head guard's number, holding the device to his ear as he waited for the guard to answer him.
"Hello?"
"Minho, I need you to take the security team to the park and search for Jun in the whole area. He's missing!" Taehyung demanded, voice sounding frantic as he clutching the phone to his ear, pacing around the office and running his fingers through his hair.
"On my way, Mr. Kim." The guard hung up the call. Taehyung practically smacked the red button sitting over his table, alerting the front desk lady, which meant for her presence in his office.
Taehyung racked a hand through his hair, messing it even more than it was as he paced back and forth in his office, awaiting the female's presence which felt like years to him. Maybe because he was a panicking mess for his son's absence. It truly made him feel like shit.
After what felt like years, a knock was heard on the door, indicating someone's presence which made him snap his head towards the door before yelling a, "come in!"
The door opened, revealing a panting lady who struggled to catch her breath from all the running to find the CEO's office. Taehyung wasn't concerned about the lady's condition, his mind swirling with the only thoughts of his son and his well being. The only thing that mattered at the moment was his son's safety. And the fact that he was gone ate him alive.
"Postpone the meetings for tomorrow, I have an emergency to deal with." Taehyung stated, voice clear and sharp as it cut through the air, his confident posture and intense gaze made everyone nervous. They feared him being an extremely short tempered CEO who desired everything to be perfect and despised even a single mistake in a file. He was literally the epitome of perfection.
"B-But Mr. Kim-" The lady was interrupted by the sharp gaze of the male as he stated firmly, "No buts, Mrs. Kelly. You'll inform the others about the change in the schedule."
"O-Okay sir." The lady bowed before leaving the office, closing the door behind her and leaving the CEO alone to dwell his thoughts. He grabbed the car keys off the table, knocking off a few folders as he did so, however, that was the least of his concerns.
He exited the ridiculously fancy doors of his office and strode towards the elevator, smashing the buttons and tapping his foot on the tiled floor impatiently. He pressed a hand over his lips, eyes glaring at the elevator doors to slide open. And after a few moments, the doors did slide open, revealing an employee who was shocked to the core to see the CEO himself, standing in front of him.
He hurriedly ran out of the elevator, allowing Taehyung to enter and press the ground floor button. The doors slid shut and it took a few more minutes to get down to the ground floor. His office was situated at the top floor of this building which is why took a lot of time to get to the ground floor.
Nevertheless, moments later the elevator doors slid open, revealing the view of the ground floor. The aforementioned CEO scurried out of the elevator and exited the huge glass doors of his company, being greeted by a few employees on the way.
He made it to the driveway and unlocked his car, getting in before slamming the door shut and pushing the keys to the keyhole and retrieving the vehicle back to life. Driving out of the perimeter, he could only hope his son would be safe.