"Well hello there Jungkook."
The raven head gulped. Hearing his name roll out from the tongue of the man who crumbled him years ago made the younger shiver. It tasted like venom and sounded like a devil's invite.
"Have we met before?"
Jungkook can't believe this. Is he fucking hearing this? Taehyung is asking if they have met before? Right at the corner of the table, Namjoon raised his brow equally puzzled at his cousin's question.
"I-I..."
"Taehyung? Why don't you settle down and get the meeting started? I'm sure we will have time for chit chat later on."
The purple head urged his cousin to take a seat as the rest of the members on the floor took a double turn at the slightly awkward encounter between Tae and Jungkook who 'just met'. Namjoon seems to be the most aware out of them all and knows something is cooking with Jungkook's sudden stutters which the younger didn't exhibit the moment he walked in confidently to a table of professionals.
"Sure. I would love to catch up further."
Taehyung threw the raven head a subtle wink only for the eyes of Jungkook to catch as he took the seat at the head of the table, as usual. Without hesitation, the silver head unbuttoned his shirt completely to the last button and casually redone his shirt which was a mess from his earlier hustles.
"So? Are we gonna start the meeting or stare at my chiselled chest?"
The silver head chuckled as he ran his wet tongue over his lower lips, particularly aiming his gaze at the dark raven head at the table. The young tycoon caught a few knowing looks across the table with some eye rolls as Jungkook didn't dare to even spare a glance at the silver head who is swallowing him whole with his provoking looks.
"Right! So, I'm glad to be here as part of the Managing Director for Gardler to collab on the biggest expansion for Vante Corp. I've brought with me my finest talents. Over here, Jungkook who I appointed as my counterpart in Sydney and Korea while Jimin is the new addition to the team as a junior architect."
"Jungkook will be spearheading the entire project as he hails from Australia and has a Korean lineage as well. He actively participates in almost all the project across Korea-Australia for the past 5 years even before he was assigned as the director so I believe he has the full ability to watch the work from the ground and will be a good team leader for the project."
Hosoek added as his shoulder raised proudly showcasing his best talent - Jungkook who he groomed since he found the younger through a talent program in Seoul.
"I can see you're quite proud of him. Must be a gem to you and your company."
Taehyung's eyes never left the younger. He was hawking at Jungkook like an eagle as he continued tapping his ball pen on the glass surface, creating a subtle white noise.
"Indeed. We only hire the best talent in Gardler Mr Kim, so rest assured that although my boys here are barely the age of 30, they have proven to me their experiences and skills which is something I'm proud to put in line to work on the expansion for Vante."
Jimin grinned from ear to ear listening to their boss's compliments and confidence overflowing on both Jungkook and him.
"Very well then. Why don't Jungkook over there show us what he got?"
Taehyung's voice sounded like an open challenge. He was waiting to be impressed by the young raven head whom he can't seem to take his eyes off.
"Sure. If I may."
Jungkook asked for his kind permission across the table as he switched on his iPad to pull up a short presentation he prepared about his designs and plans for the expansion.
An hour was enough for the raven head to wrap up his presentation as he looked across the table to see many approving nods and a very silent young tycoon looking at him with an expressionless face.
Gosh. What is he thinking?
Jungkook gulped at that thought. He wasn't having the best time standing in front of the man he went away from. The raven head's brain was splitting apart with the disturbing thoughts about the silver head's seemingly sly demeanour in greeting him. Jungkook still can't believe Taehyung asked him if he knows the younger by any chance. Well, what can Jungkook expect from the man who threw him away like a piece of tissue?
"That's a very smart plan." Suga who was listening intently voluntarily voiced out.
To say Taehyung was shocked would have been an understatement. He knows his legal friend very well, Suga never speaks up unless if he is convinced or bloody interest in the subject.
So is Suga interest in what the younger was presenting or the presenter himself? Taehyung can't tell with the twinkle in Suga's eyes that he sees looking over at the presenter. What Taehyung perhaps failed to notice from his point of view is how Suga's gaze was falling at the right side of Jungkook where a little cute blond male was hyperventilating internally.
OMG! He is doing that again. Jimin was trying his best to keep calm while he scrolls through a few slides for Jungkook pretending as if he wasn't aware of the silent attention he is getting from the mint head.
"Wow. That's quite rare for Mr Min over here to say something nice. I guess you've nailed the budgeting plan as well as the overall design that elevates the overall standard of Vante."
Namjoon was equally blown away. "I'm also impressed by the professionalism and ideas you've put through the presentation Jungkook. By that I mean Jimin too coz I can see how you guys incorporated some of our Vante's main aesthetic to make the space cohesive. That's a good image on branding." The blue head continued, extending his recognition to Jimin who nodded shyly.
"See! I know my choice will be the best. Not only Hoseok is a good friend of mine but he is a bloody good architect himself with the A-team. Just what Vante needed." Jin sequels as he feels great with his decision and can't wait to start working with his best friend.
"I do have some questions." Taehyung just has to butt his head in.
Suga rolled his eyes and leaned back on his swivel chair, turning towards the young boss. "What do you wanna question? How are they better in handling their professionalism than you?"
Taehyung narrowed his eyes at the mint head. He was internally stabbing his sassy lawyer for always needing to cut his nose in front of the others. Today, Taehyung was not having it. Be it losing another one set of his crystals, he couldn't care less.
"I'm the boss here. I expect everyone to treat me respectfully. If you think you have nothing nice to say then don't say anything at all. Besides, you're earning your paycheck from me and not the other way round."
The silver head scoffed. He was slightly burned with embarrassment as Suga didn't seem to be cutting him any slacks. In return, the mint head mumbled brat under his nose and stayed quiet. He will make a come back some other time.
When he noticed that no one has any other come back, Taehyung smirked as he returned his gaze at the man in front of him.
"So Jungkook, how about dinner with me tonight? I would like to catch up from where we left."
The raven head's blood ran cold. From where we left? So he remembers? Why the bloody hell he is asking me out? The raven head was gritting his teeth.
"Catch up from our introduction earlier I meant. I'd like to know more inspiring stories and ideas from you. You're a young bright talent. I too cherish young talents."
Taehyung's smile was so fake it made Barbie look real. Something was brewing under the silver head's overly exaggerated smile which no one can point their fingers at.
Apart from... "I'd like to follow as well. I too cherish young talents." Namjoon was quick to add on, clearly getting on the bad side of his younger cousin.
"No. The invitation is between the boss of Vante and the team lead from Gardler. So no other reservations. What says you Jungkook?" Taehyung leaned back his seat as he chewed on his imaginary gum. One of the tricks which never left his side, it's a habit Jungkook knows too well that the silver head is prone to do if he is acting cocky.
Something in Jungkook triggered like a wildfire. He was burning in agony and anger as he couldn't control the reply as it came out of his mouth which he regretted seconds after.
"Yes sure. I'd love to meet Mr Kim for dinner. Maybe he can use some good tips and ideas from me as a young talent to better brush up his skills or parts he lacks."
Wow. You don't just sass a young tycoon like that Kooks. Damn it. Jimin closed his eyes feeling the awkward tension lingering between the two. He can't understand completely but the blond assumed that it might be due to Taehyung's bratty attitude and the fact that Jungkook dislikes snobbish asses - aka someone just like Taehyung.
"Sweet. I'll pick you up. If there isn't anything else, I have another meeting. I'll be on my way."
Taehyung bowed a little and took off the meeting room clenching his fist. "Oh, just you wait little man, no one sasses Kim Taehyung like that. I'm coming for you." The young tycoon speed-walked to his cabin feeling excited about the dinner tonight. Finally, something interesting to keep the silver head intrigued. He was getting a little bored with ace-ing all his business plans and earning millions. Taehyung needed a new challenge and Jungkook seemed like the perfect piece he would want to get messed with.
Back in the meeting room, it was a gentle celebration as all congratulated both Jungkook and Jimin for a splendid job.
"Hoseok, I must say that you got yourself a deal when you put them both in the team. I'm sure we are in good hands." Namjoon complimented.
"Thanks, Joon. Indeed, I'm very lucky. So how about we all grab dinner tonight? I reckon we needed something to cheers for since the plan and presentation went well?"
Hoseok suggested cheerfully.
"Sure. I'll book a place for us. Up for some drinking as well?" Jin was already scrolling through his contacts trying to set a bar up for a private session.
"Always." Suga wasn't the one to deny the pleasure of getting intoxicated.
As the elders were busy planning out a great night in the course of their celebration, Jimin approached Jungkook and pulled him to the side.
"Look, I know you're gonna be having dinner with the giant scary bear but please refuse from making any dumb comments like you just did earlier. He looks like he is gonna eat you alive." Jimin whispered lowly. He was genuinely scared for the younger.
"Jimin...chill. It's just dinner." Jungkook said casually trying to calm his own raging heart.
"Whatever. Just make sure you don't fuck up ok? We successfully got the deal but we don't want to blow things off."
Jungkook nodded. He didn't wanna say anything as he didn't have anything to say. The raven head was so disturbed with the thought about spending time with the man he ran away from as it irritated him.
"I'll head back to write up some reports. You can follow Hoseok back."
The raven head packed his bag and excused himself politely leaving the rest to mingle as he walked out the building, finally taking in the fresh spring air outdoor after feeling the suffocating pressure leaving his lungs.
"You're such an ass Kim."
He cursed as he hailed a taxi back to his apartment. 4 hours to dinner.
.
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🥀
Do you think Tae knows what is he doing?
Also, this book has YoonMin if you're wondering.
Not much, just a little for my entertainment.
They won't take up the spotlight from Taekook. Hoseok is straight and so are Joonie and Jin.