The moment Jungkook's jaw tightened, Taehyung felt it. That tiny spark of rebellion that had flickered during their first meeting was suddenly burning again. The kid stood in front of him with fists clenched, shoulders squared, and eyes that refused to drop.
Taehyung hated it. He hated how alive it made him feel. Before Jungkook could open his mouth, a manager hurried into the hallway and froze when he saw the scene. His eyes darted between the CEO and the trembling applicant.
"Sir, the interviews for the creative department are about to begin. Should I take this candidate to the panel?"
Jungkook swallowed hard. He clearly expected to be dragged away and thrown out for the way he had glared at Taehyung yet he did not look away from him.
"No," he said, voice low and smooth.
The manager straightened immediately. "Understood. Should we reschedule his interview?"
Taehyung still did not break eye contact. Jungkook looked confused. Nervous. Trapped.
"No interview," Taehyung said.
The manager blinked. "Sir?"
"I am hiring him."
Jungkook's breath caught. "What?"
Taehyung finally turned to the manager. His expression remained cold and controlled, the kind of calm that made everyone else in the room sweat.
"Prepare his contract today. Full-time. Creative department."
The manager nodded quickly and ran off, clutching a tablet to his chest as if afraid it might explode. Jungkook just stared at Taehyung, stunned into silence.
"You cannot be serious," he whispered.
Taehyung stepped closer until Jungkook had no choice but to look up at him. "You caused damage to my property, insulted me, and stood in the street acting like you owned the world. Tell me, why would I waste time interviewing you?"
Jungkook frowned. "Then why hire me at all?"
Taehyung studied him for a long moment. The messy hair, the oversized blazer, the stubborn eyes that refused to dim even when he was clearly terrified. Everything about him was out of place here. Everything about him irritated Taehyung. And yet he wanted him exactly here.
"You will figure out the reason eventually," Taehyung said softly.
Jungkook opened his mouth, searching for something to say, but Taehyung had already turned away. His footsteps echoed down the hallway, controlled and steady, leaving Jungkook behind with a new job, a new fear, and no explanation to cling to. Taehyung did not look back once. He knew Jungkook would follow. He had to.
Taehyung didn't give Jungkook time to process anything. He simply turned toward the elevators, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable. His voice drifted back without looking over his shoulder.
"Follow me."
Two words. Cold. Sharp. Final.
Jungkook hesitated for half a second, eyes darting between the receptionist and the man whose car he had crashed into. Neither offered him a lifeline. So he stood and trailed after Taehyung, heart pounding and steps small, like a kid afraid to get too close yet terrified to fall behind.
Taehyung walked with calm, measured strides. The kind of gait people in power had. Jungkook followed a step behind, head lowered, fingers still gripping his folder. He looked like a stray puppy someone had accidentally let into a luxury hotel and now couldn't figure out where to stand or how loud to breathe.
In the elevator, Jungkook pressed himself into the corner, trying to make himself invisible. Taehyung didn't bother hiding the way his eyes bored into him. He observed the kid with a mix of irritation and something else he refused to name.
The doors closed. Silence settled thickly.
Taehyung clicked his tongue. "Look at you. Still trembling."
Jungkook swallowed hard. "I'm… not trembling."
"You are."
The elevator chimed softly as they ascended. Jungkook shifted his weight, clutching his folder tighter. He had no idea why this man wanted him to follow. Was this some sort of twisted prank? Was Taehyung dragging him to security? Throwing him out? Blacklisting him?
He cleared his throat. "Sir, where are we going?"
Taehyung didn't answer immediately. His gaze drifted lazily over Jungkook's shoes, his worn blazer, his anxious stance. Every detail seemed to amuse him.
"Someplace where you'll be useful," he said at last.
Jungkook blinked rapidly. "Useful?"
"Yes." Taehyung didn't soften. "Although calling you that might be generous."
Jungkook flinched slightly, but Taehyung didn't acknowledge it.
When the elevator opened, Jungkook hurried after him again, careful not to fall behind. Taehyung's office floor was everything Jungkook expected and everything he feared. Sharp lines. Glass walls. A view of the city that made his breath stop.
Employees bowed respectfully as Taehyung walked past. No one even looked at Jungkook. He was invisible, and somehow that felt even worse.
Taehyung glanced at him briefly. "Try to keep up. I don't have the patience to come back and drag you."
Jungkook nodded quickly and practically jogged to match his pace, looking helplessly lost but determined not to anger him more. His bag nearly slipped off his shoulder as he hurried.
Taehyung's assistant stood when they approached. "Mr. Kim, your meeting with the board was moved to three. As for the candidate from the creative..."
"He's mine," Taehyung cut in without slowing. "Send his paperwork to my office."
The assistant froze. "His… sir?"
"Did I stutter?"
"No, sir."
Jungkook's eyes widened. His legs almost gave out. Taehyung didn't stop to explain anything. He kept walking, and Jungkook had no choice but to follow.
Inside the office, Taehyung shut the door softly. Not slammed. Not loudly. That almost made it worse. He turned to Jungkook, leaning against his desk with calculated calm.
"You're starting today."
Jungkook's mouth fell open. "I… what? But I didn't even interview. I wasn't prepared. I don't even know what position I applied for. Sir, I'm not sure I understand..."
"You don't need to understand."
Taehyung's tone softened in a dangerous way.
"You only need to listen."
Jungkook felt his pulse climb into his throat. He stepped back without realizing. Taehyung noticed it instantly, and something dark flickered in his eyes.
"You wanted a chance, didn't you?" Taehyung continued. "Well, I'm giving you one."
Jungkook shook his head slowly. "This… doesn't feel like a chance."
Taehyung smiled, but it wasn't kind.
"Good. You're finally catching on."
Jungkook's stomach sank. Taehyung pushed off the desk and walked toward him, stopping close enough that Jungkook forgot how to breathe.
"You're here because I want you here. Nothing more. Nothing less."
Jungkook lowered his gaze, shoulders curling inward.
"And you will follow my instructions," Taehyung said quietly. "Exactly the way you followed me just now."
Jungkook's fingers tightened around the folder. He felt trapped. Confused. Overwhelmed. But he nodded anyway.
Taehyung's voice dropped even lower.
"Good boy."
Taehyung turned away from him as if the conversation were already decided. He walked behind his desk, pulled open a drawer, and tossed a slim black access card onto the surface. It slid toward the edge, stopping only when it bumped Jungkook's trembling fingers. Jungkook stared at it like it might bite him.
"That is your employee pass," Taehyung said, taking his seat. "I had it printed while you were sitting downstairs."
Jungkook's head snapped up. "You what?"
"I am not in the habit of repeating myself."
Jungkook quickly bowed his head, cheeks warming with embarrassment. He picked up the card, feeling strangely unworthy of the weight it carried. He could not tell if this was luck or a curse.
Taehyung watched him with unreadable calm. "You will assist me directly. Scheduling. Errands. Reports. Whatever I tell you to do. You will not question me. You will not try to make decisions on your own. Understood?"
Jungkook swallowed. "I have never worked in a corporate office before."
"I noticed."
Jungkook's ears turned red. He looked away, wishing the floor would swallow him.
Taehyung continued, voice chilled to perfection. "You look at me when I am speaking."
Jungkook flinched and lifted his eyes instantly, standing straighter. It only made Taehyung study him more closely, like a scientist observing a strange, trembling creature.
"Better," Taehyung murmured.
Jungkook shifted on his feet, feeling unbearably exposed. His voice came out small. "What do I do first?"
Taehyung leaned back in his chair, expression thoughtful and cruel at once. "You will follow me around today. Learn the environment. Try not to fall behind. I dislike repeating commands."
Jungkook nodded quickly. "Yes, sir."
Taehyung's gaze lingered on the title. Something flickered in his eyes.
"You will call me Mr. Kim when we are in public." He paused. "In private, you will call me sir."
Jungkook's breath caught. He lowered his gaze again, pulse hammering.
"Yes, sir," he whispered.
Taehyung stood. "We are meeting the board in ten minutes. Stay close. Do not speak unless spoken to. Do not embarrass me."
He walked to the door and opened it. Jungkook hurried to his side like before, steps tiny and uncertain, hands clutching the folder he was too scared to put down. Taehyung glanced at him once, eyes scanning his posture.
"Stay on my left," he said, voice calm and cutting. "I want to see you."
Jungkook obediently moved to his left. And Taehyung walked forward, satisfied, with his newest stray shadowing every step.