The park at the side of Han River, Seoul, witnessed a rather busy morning on this fine day. It felt like, as if everyone took a day off on the busy Monday, because they all wanted to have a peak of the glowing sun, they all wanted it’s honey like iris to smile upon them all. Instead of feeling irritated from the way the heat prickled their skin, they rather felt contented and chatty, smiles in many shapes and forms eloped their lips and their eyes sparkled with joy.

It was probably because it was the ending days of winter, and the sun who was waiting for its turn to shine, finally decided to peak out of the cloudy mists to wrap them all like marshmallows. And the citizens of Seoul weren’t complaining, they rather felt joyous, letting go of their extra layers of sweaters and coats, and bask in the warm winds in their most cotten and silky attires.

It was a perfect start for the summer which was around the corner, and a perfect end to the winter that had them tattered and teethereed in its frosty-like sensations . But they weren’t complaining for either of the snow or winter, this season was part of nature and nature should be admired with open arms in this modern age of technology and science.

But on this same morning, the citizens that decided to stroll down the park, hadn’t expected the most unexpected. They were shocked and hoodwinked. At one point, they were simply in awe and mushy too.

Because this fine Monday afternoon, they had not expected the pride and art of South Korea to bless them with his presence.

Aged 46, the man was true to the description and an art, a beautiful one that was undefinable, and it was true that he looked nothing like his age. He could easily beat over the handsomeness of many young men, and the beauty of many women around the park.

The passerbies stopped for a moment, every time when they passed by a particular bench that had the perfect view of the distant mountain around the Han river and the glimmer of sun swimming in its crystal clear bluish waterbed.

At first they all held shocked expression, blinking to confirm they weren’t dreaming but instead living a reality, that the graceful man was blessing them with his existence. And once the realisation hit them that it was indeed real, the man was as real as the breath they took, their breaths hitched away in awe and astonishment.

They have heard of him, heard of his talent, heard of his impeccable and undefeating artworks. They have seen his work through social medias, through the prideful voices of anchors of many televisions where everytime they sing song of his achievements and success. You see, this man who looked so normal, wearing a normally loose white shirt with a brown trouser pant, was anything but normal. He is a risen star of South Korea, who grabbed fame both internationally and domestically with his artworks. He is this generation’s biggest artist and there was no match for him.

So forgive these passerbies for being a little giddy at the sight of this great man who was unfazed and paid no attention to his surroundings. His eyes rather stayed firm on the river before him, the landscape of mountain that looked like a shadow that was casted above the river. The man was so engrossed with this hands occupied with painting equipments, his few soft slender fingers were dipped in paints of summer. He was so transfixed on the nature and to capture it on his canvas, that he was detached from the reality, the ruckus and heart arrows his mere existence was doing to these poor souls.

Many eyed him, stayed around him, some pulled out their phones to capture this great moment, maybe to share all over the world that this great man was amidst them like a normal human, but creating yet another masterpiece. The girls gawked and giggled at his manly and yet ethereal beauty, and , the men were embarrassed of their own existence because they were no match to this great man. He was elder to many to them, and yet he looked more younger than them, maybe because he was also a health freak, who liked to keep his body in check.

With a majestic and heavenly beauty, the great man was rather odd with his appearance. Few girls couldn’t look pass from the artistic tattoos that adorned his slender fingers and they all knew there was more to it. They just knew it in their guts, that there were more arts hidden under that white shirt. Meanwhile, the men couldn’t help but feel shy, at the piercings that loosely hung over this great man’s luscious cherry lips, and bushy sharply knitted eyebrows. The women felt dreamy, while the men couldn’t help the feeling of self-conscious. While others were more eager to see what he was creating on that canvas, so some tried to walk behind him, and to say that they were spellbound was an understatement.

It wasn’t exactly like the Han river, but an inspiration that this great man took to create his own unique perspective to the nature. The snowy mountain behind the river which was now engrossed under the glow of sun, spoke of the ending of winter. The wintry mountain that was casted like a bed of melancholy, a lifeless frost that would succumb the poor and vulnerable, was suddenly coated in summer glaze. Like the meaning that after every cold dark night, the sun is always eager to shine. To magnify the masterpiece, the lone tree signified the essence of living, and underneath it, they were spread like shadows of galaxies, uneven, and colourfull, Looks like life is something like that if you want are rooting for the “grass is greener” kind of optimism rather than the “cold is unbearable!”

And still, the great man paid no heed to the commotion around him this fine Monday afternoon. His hazel brown eyes that sparkled in a pair of doe, couldn’t look away from the nature, his fingers played its own music with the paint brushes and colours. He was in his zone, so lost, and no one could disturb his peace. Even the very world before him, if crashed right in the moment, he wouldn’t be unhinged. Because when he finds a muse, he doesn’t glance over them, he rather permanently make a picture of them in his mind. He was that great!

Just as he added the last touch to his masterpiece, it was the buzzing of his phone that irked his ear. He still continued, because he couldn’t stop once he begins with his work which he worshipped more than life itself. So he let the phone ring couple of times, and many passers who wanted to point that out to him, feeling the urgency of the constant ringing from his phone, couldn’t do so. It felt like they will commit a crime if anyone of them disturbed this great man, so they admired him and walked past him, giving him his space and respecting his privacy.

It took another half an hour, and the man was finally done, he looked at his art, and they pooled like the cover page of a movie in his eyes. He was satisfied with his work and one could tell from the way his thin pillowy lips curved into a light smile. It was a smile that wasn’t child like, or simply like the ones which would appear on anything beautiful, positive or good. It was a smile of success, a sense of achievement, but it was him and hence his smile still looked so graceful. People around him who couldn’t look away from him, who were hoodwinked to stay in the proximity of his shadow, clapped their hands, loud and thunderously at just his mere smile.

It was then his eyes tore off from his masterpiece and finally grasped in the reality, the people around him and their heart eyes for him. He was a successful and famous man, he knew how to keep his fans happy. So he smiled at them, and bowed too. They were so lost in his beautiful existence that they completely missed out on how his smile never reached his eyes, how his hazel orbs were rather dull and deserty! He wasn’t sad, his eyes were just like that, while he created the masterpiece of vibrant colours, there were no shine of the beautiful life in his eyes.

Was the great man bored in his life, has he lived this fan moments enough that nothing was new to him anymore? Didn’t he care about the old-school quotes “live your life to the fullest”. But it wasn’t like he was mad or complaining, he was content as long as he had his work, everything to him seemed normal.

The people finally started to scatter away, as the great man decided to pack his stuff. It was just one those out of the blue inspirationtional moment, he was led by the force of beauty that nature held as he was passing by the Han river in his luxurious car. He held many years of experience to never ignore his muse, because every time he was driven by the force of art, he has only blessed the world with a unique and mind-blowing picture perfect moment. So here he was finally doing what he did best, and once satisfied, he felt the day was well spent.

As he shoved his painting content into his work bag, he was careful enough to never dirty it, because he worshiped and held his work dear to his heart. Probably, the only loyalty and commitment he has shown growing up all this while, was to his artwork.

Minding his own business and ignoring the way this warmly wind would caress his hair, making them fall off his milky forehead in a messy art, his attention was once again pushed to his phone which boomed loudly because now he can hear it finally.

The great man, finally swiped his phone to green button and put it against his ear. In a matter of seconds, his ears were blasted with the voice of an angry woman, he knows that voice all too well.

“Where are you?” The woman asked with a pissed tone.

“Why? Am I forgetting something? Were we supposed to meet today?” The great man rather questioned back, as his eyebrows knitted into a frown, trying remember his day’s schedule.

He could hear the woman take a sharp breath before she roared again through the phone. “Forgetting something? Are you kidding me? It’s your son’s 17th birthday, you were supposed to meet us two hours ago at the theme park,” her voice turned tired by the end of her statement.

“Oh” that’s all the man could say, because he once again forgot his own son’s birthday. It was the fourth time, was he the worst father of the year or what!

Her voice snickered but it wasn’t funny. “Yeah, did you perhaps forgot that you have two sons and your elder one has turned 17 today,” she questioned him, trying her best to stay calm but she was failing miserably.

“I lost track of time” the man simply answered because that was the truth.

She almost growled, and it didn’t suit her because the man knew her face was too beautiful to be angry. And yet, he was the reason why she was so angry. He was once again brought to earth, when she spoke, “jungkook, I am tired making excuses on your behalf. Our kids aren’t children anymore, they’re growing up and with your absence all these years in their biggest moments of life, is enough of a proof to them that their father is too busy to care about them.”

“I don’t have enough lies to make up for your ignorance towards them. They deserve better, they aren’t mine alone,” she sounded disappointed, nothing new to the great man, jungkook.

Jeon jungkook, the great man in his late 40s, sighed. He was disappointed in himself too. Everytime he made promises to his own children, he was always failing at keeping them. His eldest son, Jeon Dae-Hoon who has turned 17 today, has already started to express his displease with his absence and lack of attention towards him. He was a sweet boy at an early age, very energetic and bubbly, he would always hold a bright smile every time jungkook visited him to his mom’s, there was no complaints, no disappointments just simple pure joy of a son meeting his father after a long gap. But as they say, the young teen years are filled with hot heads, and Dae-hoon was no exception. The young boy had even made it his mission to be reckless and unapologetic, just to get his father’s attention, but he was sad to face failure at his attempts because his father wasn’t the one to feel emotions of such. Instead jungkook had lashed at him for bullying others, giving his mother an headache and worrying her so much. Jungkook still remembers how scared dae-hoon was of his anger last year when he was caught by the principal for sneaking up booze in the freshers party. Dae-hoon received a warning from jungkook himself, and that was all it took to turn the tide of hot blood inside the young boy, he has behaved decent ever since. but jungkook was faraway from the emotions that his young boy felt, the feeling of not having his father around is always heavy, and jungkook chose to be oblivious.

His second son, who is just 10 years old, is just a sweetheart, but naughty too, just like his age. He never complaints, he barely asks anything from jungkook, never shows tantrums, in fact his second son jeon Korian never had expectations from his own father. Was this even healthy? Jungkook wouldn’t mind it, because he was content with the flow of his life.

Jungkook, the great man, took a moment to reflect on himself. And no matter how hard he tries, the reality was that he failed his elder son today. Gulping down the lump that formed in his throat, jungook spoke again, “I can still come to the park, send me the location. I will be there.” His voice was rather calm, but he heard a scoff from the mother of his children. Jungkook closed his eyes and again opened them, the sun making his hazel brown orbs ignite like a ball of fire under the heated afternoon.

“So hee, give me sometime, I will be there,” jungkook attemped yet again.

The mother of his children responded, “Forget it, Dae doesn’t want to enjoy the park anymore, he wishes to go home.”

“It will take just few minutes,” jungkook retorted but he knew he lost the battle long ago. She once again spoke, “jungkook, the only reason why we decided to go to the theme park is because it was your plan in the first place. You were only free in the afternoon, you have an interview in the evening.”

Jungkook sighed the nth time, and as cruel as it sounds, he remembered his scheduled interview of this Monday evening than his own son’s birthday. “I am sorry, i will make it up to him,” jungkook finally said.

“I find it so hard to believe, he doesn’t want you to make it up to him. he wants you to be present in his life, be beside him as he turns 17, but clearly that isn’t happening. jungkook, have a little mercy on them, on me, I can’t keep making up for your mistakes,” she cut the call right after.

Jungkook had an headache by now. He looked around his surroundings, people still stared at him but he was glad none of them were pestering him or invading his personal space. Taking a hard look of the Han river, jungkook sat on the bench, as he thought above his life, years passed and he still feels empty.

Jeon Jungkook was meant for greatness. His parents knew that when at the age of 5, he won a national award of best painting, after competing against renowned and adult artists. His mother was the most proud because she is an artist herself, she was always nervous that she would not have anyone to pass on her legacy. But was so greatfuk that his son had a similar quality. Jeon Yumi, born from a wealthy family, was never the one to take on her parents. she was unique, and instead of joining her family’s trade business, she rebelled and fought with them to pursue her passion to become an artist. But she learned about life and dreams the hard way, that not everyone was meant for greatness, and she couldn’t touch the tip of success, But nonetheless, she was an artist, and she was a good one, which is why she earned a good fame in South Korea which was enough for her to fulfil and continue on her dreams.

Yumi, who is now in her late 70s, had a similar tale. A young woman with dreams, falling in love with the most basic and normal looking man, her eyes fell upon. But she didn’t just marry anyone, instead she fell in love at the first sight of Jeon Myung-Dae, a civil services employee who had seen his life from only 9-5. He was simple, basic and very realistic, she was dreamy and madly in love with his charisma and the ability to personify even with his basic nature. How did they even meet, two worlds apart, it sounded so unreal. But they met, they definitely did because of destiny. With the title of new artist in town, 26 year old Yumi, met 30 year old myung-dae in a cold night when she was running away from a stranger who simply decided to showcase his undying twisted love for her. she didn’t know the stranger, she was rather stalked by that stranger and she confronted him right outside a supermarket when she found the stranger lurking closely to her. It was her biggest mistake, because in the thick of the night when the sight of humans were minimum, the stranger decided to maker her his, panicked she ran for her life. Not knowing where she ran, she bumped into the hard chest of myung-dae who walked out of a bar, a big tipsy in his steps.

But even with alcohol in his system, myung-Dae fought the stranger, protected the woman and even ensured that she was safe until she reached her home. His simple act of kindness, had Yumi trapped in love. It wasn’t just that, myung-DAE was the most beautiful man she has ever seen in her life. Tables turned, she ensured to make a place for herself in his heart, and myung-dae returned similar feelings. They didn’t date for long, they were too blindly in love and got married in just few months of meeting. Yumi who had dreams of achieving greatness with her talent, had a major shift. All she dreamt and cared about was myung-dae and everything that he desired. Soon after when they welcomed their first and only child, jungkook, the parents were thrilled and on top of the moon.

Growing up as a child, jungkook wasn’t aware of the greatness he was mastering without any efforts. You know some are born great and some achieve greatness, jungkook fell in the first category. He was achieving greatness without any efforts. His artworks were enough to make the world fall head over heels for him. By the age of 10, jungkook was already compared to the big artists in the world, he was called the next big thing of the world of art. He was called the modern age great artists, even when he barely understood the greatness of that title. But as they say, all good things have roadblocks too, but in case of jungkook, when he had to say goodbye to his father who died in an car accident when he was just 10, his life was never the same. Why? Because of his step father. His mother who remarried after 3 years of her first husband’s death because she was a mess and Lee Seong-Min a well-to-do businessman who took a like to her, happens to be just there. They married and a 13 year old jungkook had a new father who was compassionate about art as jungkook, the difference was that his step father wasn’t gifted with the ability to paint. He was a pure businessman and he made it his personal mission to take jungkook’s work internationally.

Achieving success was only matter of time. Jungkook is now the most successful artist both in west, east, south and north world. He isn’t compared with the new competitors, but rather he is acknowledged and celebrated by the world just like the ones who achieved same greatness as him and passed away.

But as he was achieving so much of greatness, one wasn’t aware, jungkook was the epitome of failure when it came to his personal life.

…………

Han So Hee, a 44 year old beautiful woman, looked at her children with a small smile, she wanted to lighten their mood but she knows it was too late to do that. Her sons have heard her conversation with their father. But she tried again! she can’t see sadness in her sons eyes, their dull and disappointed faces were breaking her heart.

“Dae, baby, appa couldn’t come because he had an important matter to take care at work. He is very upset and he really wanted to be here. He said he is going to free up this weekend just to spend time with you,” she spoke with a faltering smile, but she knew she was lying through her teeth. She also sighed, realising that she will have to ask jungkook to keep his schedule free for Saturday or Sunday to be with their eldest son.

Speaking of the eldest son, Dae who was named after his dad’s biological father, scoffed with an irritated look. It’s the same old story, he was so done with his mother’s attempt to paint a good picture of his father who for sure wouldn’t even appreciate this beautiful mother of his.

“Mom, I have heard enough. Can we just not do this here. I am tired, I want to go home,” he spoke annoyed. Her eyes turned sad. She spoke again, “at least let’s cut the cake, we’re already here, just for few more minutes let’s enjoy some rides and cut your cake, hmm?” Her voice was soothing just so much filled with motherly warmth.

Dae wanted to protest but he couldn’t see sadness in her eyes. He would do anything for his mother, she deserved it.. but for his father, he doesn’t care about him anymore. His father has given him enough of reasons to feel this way.

So, Dae nodded his head, he would do anything for her to smile again and she did smile brightly and booped his nose at the change of his decision. They both heard the 10 year old younger who just finished his ice cream cone.

“So, what reason appa gave this time? Was it an interview, or he is travelling or he just didn’t have time to wish his son?” Korian spoke with a mischievous smile but received a smack from his mother who eyed Dae nervously.

“Ouch, mom, it hurts” Korian complained with a pout but received a glare from his mother. “Because you’re being insensitive now, why would you even say something so stupid,” so hee asked.

“Because that would ruin hyung’s mood, and I will be happy,” Korian chirped with a sweet smile but was about to get a handful from his eomma again so he rushed behind his elder brother,

Dae sighed and held Korian behind him as he faced his mother who was trying to pull his younger brother’s ear and bring him out of his shadows. Now, Dae couldn’t allow that. Irrespective of the age gap between them, they were more friends than brothers.

Dae filed up the empty spaces of being an elder man in korian’s life, more like making up for all the times their father missed on the 10 year old jeon. It wasn’t just all of a sudden that Korian didn’t feel much infatuation for his father, that’s because he had his brother and mother to lighten up his life. That’s all he needed than the presence of his father.

“Mom, it’s okay, I am not irritated. I will do the rides, let’s go.” Dae spoke gently and his mother smiled. “Great” she chirped happily. But soon her smile fell when Dae spoke again.

“But can I go with my friends for dinner tonight. I don’t want to go for the family dinner,” dae spoke calmly and he knew his mother won’t deny it, not when his father missed his birthday.

“But, we have dinner plans with your grandparents,” so-hee spoke. Dae smiled in understanding but soon his smile disappeared from his face as he spoke again, “I am sure, you can make grandpa and grandma understand with your excuses for my desires to spend my birthday night with my friends. Can’t you help your son, just like the way you have been covering our father’s mistakes?” Oh dae was playing with fire now, but he really wanted to stay away from this family dinner because he doesn’t want to face his father at the dinner. His famous dad never missed a dinner when it involved his mother and step father and the elderly couple had decided to throw a birthday bash for their first grandchild, and jungkook was supposed to attend it after his interview.

Dae smiled brightly when his mother nodded. She spoke, “you can just greet your grandparents and leave the party, I can’t stop it from happening because invitations were already sent out. But I will an excuse so don’t worry, you have fun with your friends.”

Dae nodded his head. Soon the family of three, if not included their father, walked up to the rides. So-hee who was near Dae, whispered to his son, “dae, your appa works hard for a good life for tug and your brother. Don’t misunderstand him, he is really a good man.”

She is a good woman. A catch which shouldn’t have been let-go, but sadly, jungkook did let go. They did divorce many years ago, when they both realised there was nothing called marriage between them.

“It’s funny mom, my father works hard for me, and all I want from him, is his time. Is it too harder to get? His time,” Dae asked, and so-hee’s heart broke upon the sad glint in her son’s eyes. She couldn’t speak anything, she had no answers, because she herself couldn’t get the same answer.

——-

Evening arrived in a rush, and jeon jungkook, the greatest artist of South Korea, stood before a flashing sea of Medias who were all present to capture his mightiness. He smiled at them, it was so forced because of how the flashes almost hurt his eyes.

Jungkook could see his most trusted manager, actioning him to give widen his smile. But jungkook didn’t comply!

..

Right after the hectic interview, jungkook was travelling to his art gallery. He was running late for the dinner party at his parents house for their son, but he had some important files to look into which were safely kept in the office of his Seoul art gallery. He owns many galleries, all displaying his art work and some noteworthy ones from few artists that his company hired along the years.

Just as he reached, the front gate of his art gallery, his car stopped and the drive immediately rushed to open the back passenger seat for him. Jungkook walked out of the car with his manger striding huhrriedly beside him.

“Did you confirm the exhibition dates?” Jungkook asked his manger of an upcoming exhibition in Seoul which was the reason why he was here to go through some important documents for the event which couldn’t be delayed.

“Yes, I have confirmed it. Just the way you wanted and when,” the manager replied softly. He was also admiral of this great man, who wouldn’t be?.

Jungkook smiled as he questioned his manager. “How did the interview go, was a presentable enough?” He asked his manager who suddenly only felt a little hesitant. Jungkook knows why, it’s the same old reason.

“You were absolutely stunning sir, it’s just, maybe, a little more smile, a genuine one would be the icing on the cake” the manager carefully spoke. It wasn’t his first time, he has been advising jungkook on his appearance which looked rather robotic on many occasions. His smile was always a give away, revealing the truth that jungkook could care less of the media and the cameras, he didn’t care any one of them. His greatness was such that the industry desired him the most, it wasn’t the other way round. Jungkook only desired and loved one thing, to never loose the magic of his hands, that have created the world’s one of the best paintings.

Nonetheless, jungkook smiled in understanding, which they both knew would never find a resolution, at least not anytime soon. Poor manager, gives his advise with zeal and sincerity, unaware of the fact, that the great jeon jungkook doesn’t know what a genuine smile looks like. Then again, what was genuine happiness for jeon jungkook? how about asking that question first!

Just as they neared the doorsteps of the gallery, suddenly there was a blackout from the inside, and sounds of thrashing, breaking and glasses being crushed, filled their ears. Jungkook looked around, the guards and everyone were as shocked as him.

“What the hell?” Jungkook asked in alertness to no one in particular. He heard his manager speak in rushed and worried voice, “jungkook, let’s take you back to the car, driver will take you home. We don’t know what’s happening inside and it can be dangerous, you’re our first priority.”

He was about to hold jungkook’s hand and guide him back to the car, but his hand was yanked away from the great man himself., jungkook’s nose flared and eyes wide saucer-like mad.

Jungkook hissed at his manager, and said, “my paintings are inside, I would die before letting anyone destroy it or worse rob them and sell it in black market.”

That was the last jungkook spoke before running inside the gallery, unaware that after this moment, his life will never be the same once again! His mangers and guards followed him, someone had already called the Seoul police who rushed in bulk of cars to the gallery after all it was related to jeon jungkook, the pride and epitome of art of South Korea.

Sirens were bursted like mayhem on the street of Seoul, as police rushed to jungkook’s gallery. In the meantime, jungkook was already ahead of everyone and in search of the intruder or intruders. He could hear his manger’s voice, calling out for him constantlyy, but he was too lost to even listen to anyone. His heart ached every time he walked across the many rooms of the gallery and found one of his heart destroyed. The intruder was so cruel that he didn’t even for once took a moment to think about all the hardworks jungkook poured into these artworks, instead the intruder had knived his many paintings, sprayed paints on them and even broke glasses of some.

Jungkook was loosing his mind, it felt like someone was hurting him instead. He sacrificed and gave up a lot of himself, a lot of his family, a lot of his everything to paint them, to pay attention and to nurture these paintings as if they were his own children. He was extremely disturbed by the hatred that was expressed by the intruder on his paintings. His eyes moistened and threatened to be filled with bundle of tears.

just as jungkook was about to collapse from the pain of seeing his beloved paintings in such tortuous manner, he heard footsteps in another room of this gallery, which was further deeper in the place. It couldn’t be his guards or manager or the police, because jungkook was ahead of them all. It only meant, the intruder was ruining yet another hard work of his, so jungkook rushed to the room, paying attention to the sound of heavy boots clashing against the marble floor. Jungkook was in an adrenaline rush, as if his life depended on it.

He walked pass a door which was already flung few seconds ago. Upon entering the room, jungkook was met with darkness. His wide doe eyes, wavered with a lot of emotions as he slowly stepped deeper in the room, trying to confront his intruder. Jungkook’s breath hitched when he found few writings on one of his painting!

“You’re pathetic, you deserve to suffer”

Jungkook closed his eyes as the words sink into his heart. Was it the truth? Deep down, jungkook believed he was pathetic and deserved suffering, look at his family they were disappointed because of him. He walked slowly as he met another painting with new writings.

“I will always hate you. I will never stop until you get what you deserve. I willll ensure that you deserve the worstest.”

By now jungkook’s whole body was numb. He didn’t know what to feel or how to respond, the stinging feeling of pain in his heart rather than breaking him apart, gave him an inspiration to paint his pain, create yet another masterpiece.

Jungkook halted at one particular painting, it was about a man on the moon. The man who looked at the flawed moon as a new world, that had enveloped living creatures inside his bubble. so the man travelled all the way to be in the same bubble. The journey was of great hardship, the struggle to reach at the tip of the moon wasn’t easy but filled with dispair and miseries. Just as the moon welcomed the man to enter its belly and join the many others like him, the man decided to take one last look of what he was leaving behind to join the creatures like him, he believed it, the creatures in the moon were just like him, a misfit of mankind. But as the man looked under his feet, he felt utterly disgusted because he in his zeal to chase his dream, he left destroyed it all. Was this painting giving a glimpse of jungkook’s life? Who knew the truth!

Everthung and nothing, is Jeon Jungkook!

Jungkook’s breathing turned harsher and difficult as he read on his best seller painting, the most cruel words he has ever heard!

“You deserve to die, Jeon Jungkook”

Blinking rapidly and feeling his heartbeat thumping loudly and blaring his ears, jungkook took backward steps and he decided to run away. He stumbled and he choked, and just as he turned into the corner he saw the silhouette of the intruder. Feeling a wave of emotions rush through his veins, jungook ran to the intruder, his fingers getting hold of any clothing piece of the intruder. It looked like, the intruder had stumbled on his feet, giving an opportunity for jungkook to get a hold on him.

Jungkook forced the intruder to look at him, and that’s when he heard it this time!

“You deserve to die, jeon jungkook!”

(Chapter-1 ends!)

(I am making a new attempt. Hopefully you guys will like it and give the same love as my other novels. This will be a slow update, as you guys know I am working on other books as well. But I couldn’t stop my muse, so here you go.!

Jungkook, exchaled out an ounce of smoke through his nostrils as he listened to his manager attentively, who was briefing him related to the break-in that happened few hours ago in his art gallery. He wasn’t happy to know that the intruder whom he never met in his life, out of hatred had destroyed worth 20 million pre-ordered art collection. It was a lot of money, surely it won’t impact him greatly, but the heart wrenching feeling was that his months of hard work was destroyed in a matter of one night.

For the buyers, his painting would probably be an eye-candy or a matter of pride to even own the most famous artist’s collections, but for jeon jungkook his paintings were his everything. The main reason to feel alive, to feel that he was sane, to feel that it was okay to be who he was. Each of his painting held a lot of his energy, efforts and passion. But beyond that, his paintings held his soul, heart, mind and most importantly his emotions which he barely could express through words or physically. He didn’t see his paintings as bread earning mechanism, no, he worshipped them. Because while the world is upside down for jungkook, his paintings are the only real world he believes in.

Call him whatever you want, jeon jungkook took pride and held utmost respect for his work which was kind of tarnished tonight by a stranger.

He calms himself down by inhaling another ounce of smoke. Truth be told, jungkook wasn’t an addict, he had a body and health to maintain because he was nearing his 50. There was no time for fun, or errors for him, he has achieved wisdom through failures and wins, through back stabbers to struggles, he does not wish to rememberr his young self who was in chaos. No one knows, it took many sleepless and miserable days for jeon jungkook to reach where he was, not from the outside presentation, but internally.

His manager was really pissed, he kept cursing the man who dared to even commit such horrendous crime. Jungkook smiled at him lightly, but internally he shivered slightly at the mention of the man who held so much hatred for him.

Feeling the exhaustiontaion of the day, hug his body, jungkook took another inhale from the smoke. He was sure that someone was watching him and probably filming his unusual activity in this cold night. But jungkook could care less about that, being watched even when he really wished to be left alone, because he wasn’t going about filming people secretly. But with the immense fame, it was the most expected scenario, so jungkook didn’t care, he already has a strong PR team who will make him still look like the ideal gentleman of south kore. As per the latest polls though, jungkook was already named as the most handsome man of the world, not even the good looking and extremely hot actors, models or singers held the title, but a simple-looking artist in his mid-40 did!

Not realising jungkook was dazed and loosing the sign of reality. He slowly started to feel his manager’s voice at a distant. His eyes narrowed at the fogs that erupted from his already half-done cigarette. He hated holding this stick, but he usually held them when he didn’t know how to cope with a situation. Even in this bitter night, jungkook couldn’t help but remember the last time he held a cigarette.

It was six months ago to be precise. Jungkook had to let go of his old manager who was with him since he was a teenager. They both shared a bond, and he was probably the only man whom jungkook respected the most in his team. They grew together, however, his old manager decided to retire from his 23 year old career. Jungkook was heartbroken and almost begged him to not leave, but at the end of the day, he had to respect the old man’s wish. His old manager deserved it after all. But before leaving his old manager did appoint a replacement, a young girl to be precise. She was passionate and hardworking, jungkook was very impressed with her. She was always ahead of schedule for him! And that was the time jungkook who hated change in his work, didn’t mind this change. And jungkook being a king and humble boss to all his employees, treated her equally. But who knew there was always two sides to coins, and two sides to people. Jungkook always got irked to see the uglyliest side of people. Who would have expected that the hardworking 25 year old manager was crazy for him, so crazy that she went ahead and started to visit his children. And at one point even harmed his ex-wife because for some weird reason she believed she had the right to do so because she lover jeon jungkook who didn’t revert her feeling, does any of this makes sense? But it happened.

His ex-wife was hospitalised due to a leg injury, thanks to that crazy manager who pushed her from the stairs at an event. Luckily, so hee didn’t have major injury and recovered few months later. Jungkook had to terminate her, and she left on a revenge ful note, making claims and false narations about him to the media. For few weeks, he was hated so badly, and jungkook was overwhelmed! He had to cry in the night while inhaling this toxicating cigarette, because sadly he didn’t have any friend to hold onto or a lover to seek comfort.

That time jungkook learned that he was still not an expert to see the motives of the people! And it made him so uncomfortable.

So what does he learn in this wired night? Jungkook shrugged off as the young man’s face appeared before his face. He felt the same shiver that he wished would stop happening, it made him uncomfortable knowing someone hated him so much that they went on extreme lengths to harm him. Not physically, but mentally! Jungkook realised, maybe no matter what you do, there is always someone to hate you for no reason! That’s the lesson he would take from this night.

“Are you coming in?” His manager nudged jungkook who had to stop the train of his thoughts. The handsome artist blinked at his manager, and frowned. The manager had to repeat himself again, “They’re waiting for you inside. You will have to file a complaint.”

Oh! Jungkook realised why he was out of the police station at cold starry midnight, and having his first smoke in many months. He chuckled a little, his last chance of redeeming forgiveness from his 17-year-old turned son, has failed because there was no way, he could attend the dinner party. His phone must have been bombarded with calls and messages from his parents and ex-wife, maybe, an angry text from his elder son too. He sighed, now suddenly getting an headache. He will have to make a long weekend available to spend with his children and buy them the best gifts to make up for today.

He nodded at his manager, and spoke. “You go in first, I’ll finish up and be there.” The manager nodded instantly. Jungkook was glad his new manager was a male and very admiral of him, he would shove people away just for his safety and well being without a second thought. And jungkook was grateful for that.

With the silence around him now, jungkook looked at the police station sign. His feet seem to be rooted, he didn’t wish to step inside and face that man again. It wasn’t because he was scared of that man, but there was something very odd about those charcoal, pitch black pair of eyes with a dot-like twinkle in those orbs, that made jungkook very comfortable. He can’t explain why it bothered him internally that this man hated him. Why? Jungkook was curious! And there was something else too! Jungkook knows he can’t spill those words where he wants to actually paint those dark pair of dominating eyes.

As if on loop, with the mere thought of that man, jungkook had the flash back of how they all landed at the police station.

Four hours ago!

Just as jungkook got hold of that unknown intruder, he harshly turned the young adult, not expecting to come face-to-face with an handsome existence. The man was an epitome of handsomeness. Young, perfectly sculpted from every angle and dominating, the man was breathing heavily. Jungkook covered his nose when the strong smell of alcohol hit him. The man was drunk! Now jungkook realised that no one in his right mind would invade his gallery, it has to be the liquor in the man’s system. But why? Jungkook wanted to know.

So the artist grabbed his wrist, nudging the man a little who growled at him. Taken aback, and finding the audacity of this man pathetic and mean, jungkook growled back. “Who are you? And why did you destroy my paintings?” The elder asked in anger.

But jungkook gasped out when the man pushed him harshly, making him stumble backward and hit the floor. Before jungkook could gather himself, the man grabbed the piece of bottle, which jungkook assumed would have been used to destroy his painting, and launched forward. Jungkook yelped, and crawled backward as the man tried to pierce the sharp uneven bottle piece into his milky white skin.

“WHO AM I?” The man angrily growled with made eyes. “I’LL TELL YOU WHO AM I” The man finally got hold of jungkook’s leg and was about to carve the knife, but the artist was quick to kick him on the knees which were bended slightly. Jungkook regretted coming alone, regretted holding this man’s wrist and stopping him. Jungkook thought he was going to die tonight, he didn’t want to. A tear rolled down his eyes, which made him look so pathetic and miserable, and jungkook hated that. The man wasn’t moved by his tears, instead he once again tried to harm jungkook.

“I AM THE ONE WHOM YOU DESTROYED. LOOK AT ME, DONT YOU REMEMBER ME?” The man shouted while angrily grabbing his own hair and then marching again forward to hold jungkook who was trying to run away. Jungkook managed to get up and take a turn, he was so ready to just run past the door and lock the man inside but the young intruder was quicker then him. At this point, jungkook hated being weak then this hot head, he hated the fact that this young man physically held more strength then him.

Jungkook hit the marble floor again, this time his cheek collided harshly to the hard concrete, making him groan in pain. His front body ached, he is sure there will be bruises later. But jungkook had no time to waste, he just wanted to create as much distance as possible. He crawled yet again!

“I DONT KNOW YOU” jungkook voiced out desperately. “I have not destroyed you, there must be some misunderstanding. You must have got the wrong person” jungkook spoke with courage while trying to crawl anywhere but away from the man.

“Yeah, in your world, there is so little time to know people. No wait, you rich people have no time to pay attention to the class lower than you. Whether you know me or not, look at me” the man growled as he stumbled forward, the alcohol had slowed him down too. Jungkook dared not look at the intruder. But the artist heard a growl so deeper and thunderous that his body reacted on its own. “I SAID LOOK AT ME”

And jungkook looked at him with fear in his eyes. But the man held no pity for his swollen and pained state. “In your world, I am a mere nobody, but even when you would not know me. Remember this, I know you. I know you all too well. I have engraved your image in my mind, and it will only be erased when I see your downfall.” The man suddenly spoke calmly. He even stopped trying to hurt jungkook. The artist stopped struggling too, jungkook instead stared at the man questionably.

As far as jungkook can remember, he has never harmed anyone physically or mentally. He has many enemies. And probably once or twice he did use his influence to put his enemies in their place, but even still, jungkook wishes no harm to anyone.

“Why do you hate me?” Jungkook didn’t know when his lips quivered and uttered those words.

“Because, my only motive in life is to hate you. As long as I will live, I will only hate you” the man hissed. His aura has darkened further, giving jungkook an eerie feeling. “Maybe, tonight is the night you die?” It seemed like the man was asking a question to jungkook, but his dark abyss of eyes told the truth that indeed this young man was ready to kill him tonigt.

Jungkook felt numb. He has never seen such great hatred for him. Even in this midst, he wanted to draw this man’s hatred on his canvas, maybe through the pages he could understand the unknown man’s hatred for him.

Jungkook was so lost that he didn’t realise when the man lifted his arm and was about to hurt him, but in that moment, the door burst opened and rushed in, cops, guards along with jungkook’s staff. Jungkook was immediately picked up by his manager, and escorted out of the room. Jungkook turned his head to have a look at the man who was pushed forcefully on the floor, and his hands were locked behind him. A knee of a police officer on the back of the man’s waistline, kept the intruder on the ground as he was handcuffed. Jungkook watched the man taken away from the room and dragged out of the gallery and pushed into the police car. All this while, the man’s hatred stayed and never looked away from jeon jungkook.

(Flashback ends)

It was only 15 minutes of struggle, but to jungkook it felt like lifetime escaping from the cruel man. Jungkook was once again interrupted from his manager who held a gentle smile for him. “They’re waiting for you” his manager announced and jungkook nodded his head. He had to face the young intruder again, and it was inevitable!

Jungkook took a deep breath as he entered the police station through the backdoor. He obviously didn’t want to attract too much attention! But the moment he stepped inside, all head swing towards him, eyes staring at him. Some with concern, some with admiration, some were even in awe of his existence. Jungkook ignored it all, he clearly doesn’t wish to be stared at, in this moment, but he would never voice it.

Just as jungkook went deeper into the police station, he was led to the chief’s office. He was given the best seat in that office room, the chief was gullibly smiling at him, probably a fan or something. Why not? Jungkook has won many international awards and fame for his country. He was known and popular! Soon the chief’s face turned stoic as the intruder was brought inside the same room as jungkook.

Jungkook flinched at the sound of the door opening loudly, but calmed down immediately. Although the sight of the intruder made him want to cower underneath the table, but that would hurt jungkook’s pride. He was probably the oldest in the room, so being scared definitely didn’t suit him. Jungkook although captured the man’s face perfectly, he was always good at memorising someone’s face or uniqueness of anything that he came across. Jungkook realised that the intruder had received a good beating from the cops with the way his lips were bl00died and he hard bruises on his face. But the intruder remained unfazed andd angry!

The intruder was made to sit, exactly opposite the chief. His hands were chained to keep him under control. He was harshly pushed onto the seat, from his shoulders by the cops that brought him in. The chief opened his file!

“Tell me your name again!” The chief demanded bitterly. The intruder finally responded, and jungkook was shocked to hear his voice. How could he describe it? The intruder’s voice was deep, almost like the sound of thunder into a closed space, does it make sense? It was smooth, velvety and jungkook was sure that it dint have tint of grogginess naturally if the man wasn’t beaten up. Jungkook was even amazed to find his voice so manly and mature, which felt older then his age!

“Kim Taehyung” A curt reply followed. The chief gritted his teeth, he was angry because the intruder named Kim Taehyung wasn’t scared of his status.

“Age?” The chief demanded. “26 years old” the criminal replied blankly. “What do you do for living?” Yet another question followed from the chief’s mouth.

“I am a bartender” The man spoke with calmness. The chief scoffed immediately.

“You, young people are such a bad example to the modern generation,” the chief added, “clearly, you can’t even pay for your bail, how do you think you will compensate Jungkookshi for the loss that he faced tonight because of you.” The chief looked angrier with the way Taehyung ignored his words. The leader cop stood up and slammed his hands on the desk, hoping to intimidate Taehyung but the criminal didn’t care at all. Taehyung didn’t even flinch.

“Very well, I will just give you the punishment, you deserve it anyways. Rather than feeling guilty. You’re acting so bold and proud over your crimes” the chief spat.

“What’s my punishment? Just say it, don’t scream in my ears” the criminal growled and yet ignored the chief’s intimidation. Jungkook was blown away, as he uncomfortably shifted on the couch. Jungkook couldnt understand why would someone waste his youth away so easily. Was he that hateful that this man didn’t care of punishments. So many questions, and jungkook was curious. He wasn’t sympathetic towards the criminal, he was rather intrigued because each and every experience he lives, he portrays them in his painting. It was in jungkook’s nature to be observant and attentive!

The chief was losing his mind, he walked over to the criminal and slapped him harshly. What surprised jungkook, was that Kim Taehyung didn’t even flinched or had even tiniest flicker of fear for himself. *He must have nothing to lose* jungkook thought to himself.

Just as the chief was about to launch yet anotherth impactful slap on Kim Taehyung, the great and beautiful artist, jungkook cleared his throat and spoke. “Can I speak to him?” Jungkook added, “Alone”.

The chief was reluctant and shocked. He spoke carefully, “Jungkookshi, what if he attacks you again?”

And jungkook was quick to reply, “you’re going to be just outside the room right? If he attacks me, I will scream. Please rescue me then” the artist held a polite request, and the chief nodded. Besides, jungkook was a renowned person, and also his father had ties with all the big shots from politicians, governments, celebrities to even companies. The chief felt it was in their best interests to agree to jungkook’s requests. “I will keep the door open, just in case. And I will come back in 5 minutes, I hope you understand, your safety is our top priority jungkookshi.” The chief added and jungkook immediately nodded.

Soon after, the criminal and victim were left alone in the room of Seoul police station. There was silence for a brief second, which jungkook decided to break. Deep down, jungkook wanted to proof Kim Taehyung that he wasn’t that bad of a person to be hated so much. And he was going to proof him by listening to his side of story before taking any decision.

“Why did you attack me and my gallery?” Jungkook asked innocently. The criminal scoffed and then sat on the chair, grabbing his head in his palms. Taehyung looked up again, dark charcoal eyes once again meeting the haze brown pair of Bambis of jungkook. “Because you destroyed my life, you took away my everything.”

Jungkook was glad internally that Taehyung spoke to him without attacking him. Or maybe he is expecting everything too soon.

“I don’t understand” jungkook replied, clearly lost. Taehyung stared at the scared figure of an old man, all because of him. Rather than feeling proud of himself, Taehyung was angry at himself for loosing his control and attacking this man whom he has vowed to hate his entire life. The damage was done, Taehyung decided to pay the price of his action.

“It doesn’t matter anymore” Taehyung replied curtly, eyes looking away. Jungkook blurted out instantly, “you’re lying, it must matter to you gravely or else you won’t put yourself in such danger. You don’t look like the type to throw away your life easily.” The artist knew he was speaking more than he bargained for, but jungkook wanted Taehyung to speak up at all cost.

“You don’t know me,” Taehyung gritted his teeth, with angry eyes. “I’ll tell you what, you’re not what you show either jeon jungkook.” He added bitterly.

And that struck jungkook’s heart deeper than he wished. It was the truth, no one knows the real Jeon jungkook. He is too embarrassed or ashamed to even reveal to anyone.

Jungkook was quiet, now regretting to even have a moment with the man who attacked him earlier. Just as he was going to give up trying to understand his criminal, Taehyung spoke calmly.

“My father used to brag about you a lot. Would always tell me, how jungkookshi has been making our country proud. Everyone is in awe of jungkookshi, he was always proud to call you his boss.” Taehyung bitterly chuckled, his voice was more deeper but jungkook felt it was more darker.

“Used to?” That’s all jungkook could think of as he spoke in a daze. Taehyung looked straight in his eyes and answered, “yeah, used to. He su!cided because he couldn’t bear the blame you put on him 14 years ago when you threw him out of your company with charges of felony.”

Taehyung further went on to say, “my father was innocent jeon. He needed money, he was in debt, a whole lot of it. But my father would have never dared to rob for gaining good days.”

“Mister, you must have misunderstood. I don’t know, I wouldn’t harm anyone.” Jungkook added with a puzzled and bothered look.

Taehyung chuckled in a mocking manner. “Harming a low-living man isn’t a matter of concern to you, rich fckers.” Jungkook frowned and spoke, “despite the fact that you attacked me out of the blue, I am still being very humble to you. You’re wrong about me, I wouldn’t harm anyone in my life to the point they su!cide. It’s a sin, and I know I am not perfect, but still I am not that dark.”

Jungkook was fuming by now, his nostrils exhaled hot air and his eyes stayed stern, and Taehyung realised the age gap between them. Up till now, he completely didn’t find jungkook in the category of older men, either his hatred for this artist is great or the artist is made with precision and utmost care by the gods of heaven.

“14 years ago, you had a break-in at your newly launched gallery. The painting of queen Victoria for the royal family was the only thing that was missing,” taehyung whispered like a ghost, but jungkook could still feel the hatred oozing in that tone. But finally, everything clicked to jungkook, his eyes widened. He was stunned to say the least, and Taehyung dropped yet another bomb.

“I was 12 when my father took me to his work for the first time, he was so excited to show me the perfect job he had. Surely, being a guard wasn’t an exciting job back i used to think as a child, but my appa loved his workplace. Kept saying, jungkookshi treats his work and employees with great respect. He was enthusiastic to introduce me to you, he wanted to take his son’s picture with the star of South Korea.” Taehyung felt the same tragic day appear before his eyes. His younger self was so embarrassed by his father’s chaotic actions, but he knew his father was just happy that day. Who knew, their lives were going to change forever that day.

June 12, 2010, Taehyung whispered. And the artist beside him whispered back, “Kim Dongson”

And to say that Taehyung was shocked to even find that jungkook remember his father’s name even after so many years, was an understatement.

Flashbacks played infront jungkook’s eyes now. 14 years ago, June 12, how could he forget. It was one of the darkest times of his life. His marriage was going through roughy patch, his wife wanted a second child and he was reluctant, his work piled up and he used it as an excuse to avoid his married life. So he grabbed the biggest project of his life, the Brit!sh family had contacted his team, they wanted to have a painting of their greatest queen Victoria made by the youngest and most famous artist. It was billions worth project, the amount of money jungkook received just for 1 painting was beyond imagination for him. Jungkook ofcorse took the offer, and stayed in London for a month. A wrong time, to visit that English place, because the weather was bad, it was so worse that he couldn’t connect with anyone at home.

Just when jungkook thought nothing could go worst, he got the news that his grandmother had passed away. The last elder from his biological father, whom jungkook loved a lot. She was always there to rescue him from his mom and step father who always forced him to paint. It’s not like jungkook didn’t love painting, he just didn’t like being pushed. How does anyone thrive with pressure any way? But his parents seem to not care. So when he found out about his grandma’s death, jungkook was a mess. He wanted to instantly rush to Korea, but fate wasn’t in his favour. It took him another four days to return to Korea when the harsh weather calmed a little in London, he had promised to return after the burial ceremony of his grandma. But he was already too late, he couldn’t even attend her death ceremony. He was heartbroken, vulnerable and lost.

And so not ready to take yet another shock! But he did, on June 12, 2010, someone had robbed the queen’s painting. And jungkook was so angry, that he removed the guard on duty, because the theif committed the crime on his watch. You see, jungkook’s even single painting are worth millions, all you have to say the name of artist and rich people would line up to buy it, and some wouldn’t mind being lucky if they could fetch his painting at a discount price, like in the black market. For their, it was quick way to earn, but for jungkookk, it broke his heart. Not thinking straight or whether the guard was even to be blamed, jungkook slapped the elder man and removed him from the gallery after making him feel pathetic and little before everyone. Jungkook was so lost that he didn’t even pay attention to the young boy beside his father, crying silently and wishing that his father isn’t humiliated more than he has.

Jungkook was brought back to reality, when Taehyung spoke further. “He couldn’t find a job, he searched for months, but gave up eventually. He had a lot of debts, and he felt, ending his life was a quick escape. He left me orphaned and his debt.

There was an eerie silence, and Taehyung once again looked at jungkook, this time the hatred was at full-blown. “My father wasn’t a theif. He never was.”

Taehyung growled and stood up with his fists all balled up, so ready to strangle jungkook to death, but couldn’t because of the hand cuffs. Jungkook cowered at the couch. And the artist wanted to apologise, but he seem to have lost his voice. Truth was that jungkook did came to know the truth. It wasn’t the guard’s fault because he was on lunch duty, and showing his son around the gallery. It was jungkook’s gift to his employees to allow one day to bring their family and pick any painting for free, in a year. The guard just wanted to gift his son his painting, even if he wasn’t paying. Jungkook found out that it was someone in his company in need of money that robbed the queen’s painting and sold it in the black market.

Jungkook had to buy his own painting back from the black market, and finally give it to the royal family. The painting is stillll proudly displayed in the biggest museum of London.

“I..” jungkook felt so heavy inside, as if his heart was being squeezed to burst open. He felt numb and pained to know that his one mistake pushed someone to su!cide. How does anyone cope with that? And this young boy had to grow up all alone. Jungkook can’t even imagine living his sons alone to face the world, everything he owns is for their great future.

They were so lost in their own pains and miseries, that the sound of boots coming from the door, was very loud to their ears. The chief was back, and he felt like someone died in the room already, even when the criminal was still chained and their favourite artist was in one-piece.

“Let’s decide your punishment. Forget your home and your family, this police station is all you will see,” the chief spoke proudly, and intended to threaten Kim Taehyung who stared at him with a bored expression, making him so furious. “Listen here boy, don’t be disrespectful, I am the chief cop of Seoul, don’t stare at me,” the chief growled, so irritated by this young criminal.

“Just do it already, you’re wasting too much time,” Taehyung growled back. The chief gritted his teeth was about to teach Taehyung a lesson, but jungkook stopped it. The artist spoke carefully and in a tiny voice, he felt utterly pathetic from inside. He hated himself!

“I don’t want to press charge. I don’t want any case against him,” jungkook calmly but internally, he wanted to cry. But it didn’t suit an elder man like him break apart before strangers. But his words seem to make two people surprise and shocked in the same room. It was the chief and Kim Taehyung himself.

Taehyung hadn’t expected jungkook to let him go so easily. He was sure that the damage he caused tonight to the artist, was worth at least 100 million dollars, that’s a lot of money.

“But jungkookshi, he..” the chief tried to put some sense in the artist, but jungkook stopped him. “I don’t want tonight’s incident against him on records, you will make sure of that right?” Jungkook rather asked to the chief and this time his tone was dominating and authoritative. The chief had no choice but to nod with displease.

“I will take my leave then, thank you for your service,” jungkook bowed to the chief who was flabbergasted and blushing because common the greatest artist showed him such respect.

Just as jungkook reached near the cabin’s door, the stranger in handcuffs spoke, halting him.

“I don’t owe you anything jeon jungkook. No matter what, I will always hate you.” Taehyung spoke in a deep thunder-like voice, eyes darker than the thick night.

Jungkook nodded his head. “I know” he spoke like a whisper. “Uhm, I am sorry for everything, I hope life treats you better,” jungkook spoke sincerely.

Taehyung was surprised and speechless. He watched the artist leave th room and disappear.

Jungkook wished to never cross paths with this stranger, because he doesn’t want to know more about how the boy suffered because of his one action. Like it or not, jungkook was great but he was a coward too.

But what jungkook didn’t know, that their stars were already linked together.

Jungkook stared at his parents house, his grip tight on the steering wheel and exhaustion screamed through his beautiful brown doe eyes. If he knows his family even for slightest, the 46-year-old artist was sure that none of them were sleeping. Knowing his mother, she would be awake, sitting on her same old rocking chair and reading some boring novel. And his father, well step-father to be precisely, will be lunging to the bar counter, making one of his usual whiskey to spend the night. And if by any chance, jungkook could already predict his step brother who was elder by just one year from him, was most likely spending the night since he only visited them during events like birthdays, memorials or any sort of shocking, sad and happy celebrations.

Jungkook sighed, he was having a severe headache, give him a little credit for surviving the night. Let’s not forget, he almost died tonight if his manager, hadnt got the cops on time for him. Jungkook did not want to know what the drunk young and angry fella was capable of tonight, in his hate-driven drunk state.

Thinking of about that man, the young man in his mid-20s, somehow jungkook ended up feeling uneasy and gloomy. He felt sad, guilt was there too in his heart, but jungkook wishes nothing more right now, than to never meet the man again. The man’s angry face will only remind jungkook of the worst he has done on him, unknowingly. Because, jungkook was sure he would never hurt anyone to such grave extent, and yet here he was burdened by the disaster of his past, and it bothered jungkook more than he would like to admit himself.

Sighing yet again, jungkook’s eyes glanced at his phone, realisation once again hitting him about the fact that he missed his son’s birthday, made his boy angry, got attacked, spent uneventful hours in a police station, and now he was going to face the wrath of his family. He is sure, his entire family would have called him tonight. He is even expecting a disappointing text from his step-father and his elder son, a “good job on missing out the boring family event” text from his step-bother because that’s just how the elder was. Jungkook even knows, his ex-wife would have bombarded his phone with angry texts, because it was him who was supposed to save her from all the questions of his family tonight, but he obviously failed at the task. Jungkook even knows his mother would have sent him a worried text, asking him if he was okay.

The 46-year-old despite being so mature and old, still chewed on his lips like a young nervous teenager. No he wasn’t scared of his family, at least not anymore, but jungkook was hella tired and all he wanted was to rush to his bedroom, have a cold shower and sleep whatever the remaining of the night was left. Because jungkook was an early bloomer, and he had his work lined-up for him for the day that was yet to arrive .

So, finally, taking a deep breath, jungkook glanced at the time on his Rolex watch which read as “2:05 am”, jungkook decided to face his family and just escape to his room. So he got down of his car, and made his way towards the big mansion like house, which was still nothing compared to his own house that was bigger and more sophisticated. Jungkook was the most rich in his family, after all his famous-like personality, helped him earn more than anyone in his family, not even his step-father who was a very well known figure in the society.

Just as jungkook reached the front lawn of his parents house, he stopped abruptly when he found his ex-wife so-hee with a glass of red wine and standing near the tree, staring at the sky. He made his way towards her, and she noticed his presence immediately. Her dazed eyes were long gone, and she frowned at jungkook, before sending him a piercing and disapproving gaze, and jungkook wanted to chuckle at that because he knows exactly why his ex-wife would behave like that.

“You left me alone, I had to suffer tonight,” so-hee spoke with a grunt in her voice, and she was pouting by then.

“I am sorry, something came up, it was a long night seriously,” jungkook spoke mindlessly, because he had no strength to get into details of tonight. He found his ex-wife displeased with his answer and she shook her head right to left, before tsking in annoyance.

“That’s not a good enough of an explanation. I have had a tiring day because of you. First your both sons were disappointed on you for bailing on dae’s birthday, and then your parents literally choked me with questions of why aren’t you at the party like what the heck, am I still suppose to keep a track of your whereabouts when we’re divorced clearly and legally. And then there is your step brother, jungkook warn him, because he keeps taunting me,” so-hee breathed out as if she held back quite a lot of breath. Her beautiful chocolatey brown eyes never leaving jungkook’s.

“What did hosoek say,” jungkook asked sincerely. His step-brother hosoek could be handful, and mind you, he was very blunt with his words. Hosoek wouldn’t ever care if his word could literally give someone an heartache. The man was 47-years-old, but yet held his personality of being the meanest and care-free in the family.

“He said that I was dying to marry you, and it was only fair I suffered this much, which as per him, is compared to nothing the suffering you went through. Like what the heck, our marriage broke up, because of you.. you’re the one who wanted out in the first place,” so-hee didn’t mean to blame jungkook, but she was deeply affected by hosoek’s word who left no chance to give her a hard time, everytime she was left with that old man in the same room.

Jungkook nodded in understanding, he wasn’t even hurt by so-hee’s words. Even though their marriage broke up on mutual agreement, jungkook knows so-hee wouldn’t have dared to take such decision, if he wasn’t the one influencing it. “I’ll talk to hosoek, sorry for that,” jungkook added and just decided to go into the house, and face others.

So-hee felt dejected because clearly she wasn’t done, but she can sense jungkook was genuinely tired. She was married to the man for more than 15 years, clearly, she understood a lot about jungkook’s habit. So she left her rant and decided to follow the man for whom everyone was waiting inside.

The moment jungkook stepped inside the living room of his parents house, he found his folks just like he had imagined them to be. His mother, engrossed in reading on her rocking chair, and his step-father was probably making his nth drink for the night. The parents stopped whatever they were doing when their attention landed on him:

“Jungkookie”, his 74year-old mother spoke with concern in her voice which was genuine. She is a hard shell when it comes to emotions but when she expresses her true emotions, it’s genuine and sincere. But jungkook cringed at the sweet old nickname his mother liked to call him with. Clearly, he wasn’t jungkookie anymore, he was an adult for crying out loud.

But before he could response to her, his step brother who was lazing on the couch with a glass of champagne, spoke and bursted the tense silence in the living room.

“Jungkook, you old dawg, if you wanted to escape the party, you could have at least given me an heads-up. I would have joined you, rather than being suffocated into this suit. Ugh, I am glad you missed the party, but it was also fun, watching father loose his shit at your absence and make excuses to his elite business partners,” hosoek spoke without any filter and he laughed at his own words, reminiscing the party that was eventful because of his old father who tried so hard to maintain the powerful man aura but he couldn’t bless his business partners with the pride and honour of South Korea - Jeon Jungkook!

“Jungkook, where were you?” His step father seong-nim growled almost, from the corner of the counter. Jungkook grumbled evidently!

And yet again, hoseok didn’t let him answer anything to his parents. The elder step brother spoke again.

“What, is he 12 years old? Common, ask him a proper question. Because jungkook is adult enough to be wherever he wants, and do whatever he wants. Why don’t you ask him, how was his day?,” hosoek spat casually.

Seong-nim glared at his elder son. They were actually blood related, but no one could fathom over the amount of indifferences they both shared. That’s probably because hosoek never supported his father’s decision of marrying another woman, a year after his own mother died out of sickness. He had hoped it was just going to be the two of them against the world, clearly that didn’t happen. He was soon shifting to another house, and having a 13-year-old step brother.

Hosoek and jungkook didn’t have a good start to brotherhood, growing up they were more reserved and awkward around each other. But, once they realised they both suffered from the same man, they both were forced to call as father, they put past their indifferences and actually turned out to be good friends, apart from being step-brothers. Their parents were twisted. And their step-father was the worst one out there, that’s probably because this old man prioritised his status, power and money over his family, and he kind of forced jungkook to loose his childhood and only be the star that he is today. Hosoek was left in the corner to grow up on his own, and jungkook was trapped between his mother who was so lost after her first husband’s death that she missed out on the well-being of his actual son, and well the stepfather she got him wasn’t a father figure instead a man that made him into a working machine.

“Hoseok!” The father of the house, growled at his older son, so pissed and angry that he wanted to actually just smack the smirk off hoseok’s face.

“Yes father!” Hoseok glared back, his smirk widening and challenging.

Seong-nim knew better to mess with his sons. They aren’t kids anymore, who would be quieten at his one slap or angry glare. The two sons are bulky and their own personalities, and neither of them feared him any more. Jungkook was even bulkier and robust than his elder son whose words were enough to cut like knives. Meanwhile, jungkook was much skinny and petite, hiding under his long brunette hair that fell on his face when he was a teenager. But that changed after the artist got married, jungkook turned his life both health-wise and status wise completely. Seong-nim could only hold onto to the loose thread of being named as their father, it was nothing more and nothing less.

So the father closed his eyes and calmed his rage. By that time, jungkook had greeted his mother with a kiss on her cheek, and completely ignored seong-nim. He hugged hoseok instead and than dashed on the couch opposite, beside his ex-wife who was simply watching the drama. She isn’t new to this house.

“Uhm, why couldn’t you come tonight, it was your elder son’s birthday. He was so upset. He didn’t even stay for the dinner party, went out with his friends,” seong-min calmly spoke as he swirled his whiskey.

Upon hearing that, jungkook shot a glare at so-hee who smiled awkwardly. “You let him go to a club?,” that was the first question, jungkook wanted to know.

“Well, I had to give him something. He was upset by your absence. What can I do? Ruin my baby’s birthday. He turned 17, common!” So-hee defended herself, but she knows jungkook is absolutely against his children exploring the intoxicating lifestyle at their teenage years.

“It’s not her fault.. she is just a mother, wanting to fulfill her son’s wish. She has to take care of them, most of the time all alone. Clearly, you both are bound to make mistakes,” jungkook heard his mother Yumi speak with a warm smile, but it was a taunt for both him and so-hee.. The ex-married couple knew that!

Ignoring his mother, jungkook decided to just take the much-needed rest, he was hoping for.

“I am going to rest, it has been a long day for me,” jungkook looked at everyone, while unbuttoning his top two shirt buttons.

Seong-min was getting irritated by the ignorance, which has been the case for many years now. “I asked you something,” he spat with gritted teeth.

Jungkook grabbed his coat, and wallet, as he spoke, “I was at police station. There was a robbery in my gallery. And I was attacked. Don’t worry, the intruder was caught, and everything is settled. So I apologise for missing the party, I truly regret it, and I will make it up to my son.”

That was enough to have everyone shocked, so-hee squealed with pure fear and worry. Hosoek was worried too. Yumi rushed to jungkook and hugged him. “Oh my god, you okay jungkookie,” she asked. The artist only nodded and let her kiss his cheeks once more, before getting out of her grip and walking towards the marble staircase.

“How could this happen. I am going to talk to the district police here. Don’t worry, that mother fcker intruder will regret ever robbing you. I am going to make sure, he rots in hell forever,” seong-min spat angrily. He was so ready to get all his connections out to have that intruder behind bars for his life, only if he knew what his own son has done than he would be disappointed.

“I said, I have taken care of the matter. I don’t want any more discussions on it. No one in this family is going to interfere in this situation,” jungkook finally looked into his father’s eyes, his tone held a judgement, a final verdict.

Seong-min’s fist clenched. He spoke angrily, “you’re too soft, no wonder anyone can rob you.”

“Geez, common father, don’t make me laugh. You’re too powerful, and angry-old man, no wonder you always need jungkook to save your company,” hosoek licked his lips as he spoke darkly. And that was enough for seong-min to gulp his drink down, and slam the empty glass on the bar counter. The oldest father angrily left for his room.

Jungkook didn’t bother to answer anything, he simply made his way upstairs. “I will make you some tea, do you want to eat something, are you hungry?” so-hee asked jungkook hurriedly.

The artist smiled, and spoke to his ex-wife, “tea is fine. I am not hungry.” and that was so-hee’s cue to rush to the kitchen.

Hosoek who was calmly finishing his drink, ignoring everyone, felt his step-mother sit beside him. “I am sorry about your father, he..I,” Yumi tried to put in good words but she was lost. With years, she did realised seong-min was a loyal and good husband but a worst father.

She heard hosoek chuckle. “Oh Yumi, don’t worry, I know my father,” hosoek spoke cheekily, but it was yet another bitter reality.

“Please stay the night, we can have breakfast together in the morning, what do you think?,” Yumi tried. She took many years to realise she had another son, elder than jungkook, and when she did, she had been trying to make amends. But it was already too late, hosoek was far too grown to mind her absence. Clearly, she isn’t aware yet that she wasn’t really great with her own son, hoseok pitied jungkook for that.

“Naah, one night is enough for family drama. I am too old to loose my precious grey hair. Yumi, there isn’t a great family to spent time with, I am sorry, but I am really not sorry,” hosoek spoke with a look of heartfelt, but Yumi is used to his mocking tactics. She still smiled and kissed his forehead which hosoek let her do.

“When will Mila and Danny be coming to Korea. I miss them,” she asked as she stood up.

Mila and Danny were hoseok’s 14 year old daughter and 19 year old son. Hoseok had his elder son quite early with a woman whom he loved deeply. They were high school sweethearts, and she got pregnant four years after their graduations. So hosoek didn’t wait and married her, he loved her so much. They were together for more than 8 years before, it was only fair they got married and welcomed their unplanned son. Things were good, life was beautiful for hosoek and his family which was just him, his wife and his handsome son Danny. But hosoek learned the hard reality of love, that not all love story are meant to be honest and pure, some love story have dark and ugly sides too.

Like how his wife, the love of his life, cheated on him with another man few years after they shifted to the United States. His boy Danny was just four years old, when he found out that his wife was pregnant with another man. Irony of all, she left the little girl right after giving birth. Hosoek was left with a baby girl who wasn’t his, and divorce papers. She did come back to take the custody of Mila, but by then, hosoek had grew attached to her. Mila was ten when she found the truth about her mother and her real father who didn’t want her when she was born. It was a start of a cruel legal battle, but hoseok promised his baby girl, he won’t leave her just because she wasn’t his. And hosoek is still fighting the case, waiting for Mila to turn 16 so that she will be adult enough in the US to take her decision. Hosoek is eagerly waiting to get her custody. Thankfully, with hosoek’s connection and strong case, Mila has stayed with him despite every attempt of his ex-wife and that fcker real father.

Hosoek is a renowned music producer. He was an idol during his college days and after graduation. But he gave up his singing and dancing career when he became a father. He instead used all his money and fame to open his own music production company, which is currently top in both US and Korea. Hosoek brings both the culture of Korea and western twist in all the artists he has launched, and that’s why the diversity has made him very successful.

Hoseok zoned out for a moment, upon the mention of his children’s name. He wants to bring them both back to Korea, but he has to wait till the legal battle is closed. Two more years! That’s all. Thankfully, his children get to visit Korea often for vacations and big occasions. Meanwhile, hoseok he goes back and forth between US and Korea every month because of his business in both the country.

Yumi waited for an answer, her lips pursed in anticipation. Everyone knows Mila’s case, and they are hoping for the end of this lawsuit so that hosoek can freely take care of his daughter. She tapped her knuckles gently at hosoek’s forehead, snapping him out of his daze. Hoseok got hold of his composure and calmly replied, “they will be coming during Christmas.”

Yumi chirped happily, she clasped her hands together. She loved all her grand children, “awesome, they will come with us for celebration at the farm house?” She asked hopefully. Hosoek nodded with a shrug, “yup, they’re eager to spend Christmas with you.”

Irrespective of failing on her two sons, Yumi turned out to be a gem for her grandchildren. Just like how every child wants in their grandmother. Finally, with a peaceful smile, Yumi bid her goodnight and left to her bedroom. Hosoek finished the remaining of his drink, and decided to leave as well. Both hosoek and jungkook don’t stay at their parents house. They sometimes spend the night when it’s too late during a occasion. Otherwise, they rather preferred their own homes.

Jungkook’s feet were dragged and his body was slump. Blame it on his old age, he wasn’t as charismatic and energetic as everyone spoke about him. Some media channels even called him an immortal, an ageless human, a vampire too who was simply flawless with his milky white handsome features. Jungkook chuckled remembering those reports that his manager would enthusiastically read for him and laugh his a$$ off because the media was just too much.

Before going to his old room, jungkook halted outside his sons bedroom door. Dae and Korian shared the room at their grandparents since they rarely spent the night here. Softly and carefully jungkook opened the unlocked room and stepped inside. The table lamps were the only source of light, and jungkook smiled with adoration over his sons cute sleepy habits. Korian was all sprawled like a turtle, leaving no space on the bed and his soft toys were all suffocated under his arms and legs, he slept like he was in a cocoon of soft toys. While Dae’s bed was neat and he slept in one corner of the bed, leaving a lot of space untouched.

Jungkook walked up to Korian and kissed his forehead gently and smiled in awe when his little boy scrunched his nose and pouted just like how he used to do. Jungkook knows it because his birth father had taken a picture of his sleeping baby and framed it. Jungkook then walked up to dae’s bed and gently caressed his elder son’s forehead, he leaned and placed a soft kiss as well. He pulled back and stared at dae for a moment.

“I am sorry for being the worst father for you,” jungkook whispered. His elder son didn’t deserve his absence, he deserved his both parents love in equal amount. And believe it, jungkook loves him more than life itself, it’s just he doesn’t know how to express or show. Jungkook’s worst fear is to be accused of being like his step father, because then jungkook would give up on himself.

“Happy birthday. I got you a present. I know you would love it, because it’s what you wanted” jungkook spoke as he pulled out a velvety box which had an expensive watch that his son wished for last Christmas. “Goodnight, Dae, Papa loves you very much,”jungkook whispered and decided to leave the room. If he would have turned, he would have found the pair of doe eyes of his elder son, staring at him with longingness but there was hestitation too because Dae was simply scared of being disappointed again.

Jungkook was all freshened up, and sitting on his bed while staring at the huge glass window that expressed his gloominess in the face of the night sky. In this moment, the artist wanted to do so much more, he had regrets and he had mistakes all in bunch that he refused to unravel because if he ever did, he would finally forget who he was and would rather find himself disgusted and angry. He wasn’t proud of his inner self, he was just truly gifted.

His train of thoughts were disturbed when his bedroom door was unlocked and revealed his ex-wife with a cup of hot tea. He gave her a faint smile, as she came beside him, and sat.

There was silence as jungkook enjoyed the hot beverage, feeling his body warm internally and the taste of cinnamon giving comfort to his tired bones. So-hee simply stared at him, her slender and soft fingers caressing his arms up and down. She wanted to comfort him, and he was truly grateful that she didn’t have more complaints for the day.

After couple of minutes, jungkook was done, he placed the cup at the side table. He looked at so-hee who stared at him intensely, and there was a mutual understanding at the way their eyes spoke to each other. She wanted to help him release his stress, and jungkook knew he wanted the same. There was no need of words, jungkook gently held her chin and stared deeply into her eyes before letting them fall on her lip which trembled in anticipation, almost itching to be touched. And jungkook granted her that wish. He cupped her face before pulling her into a deep passionate kiss. The words died further as the sound of their heated and laboured breaths filled the room. So-hee’s face flushed and her body trembling just like it always does, when jungkook undid her clothes, stripping all the fabric off her body and bask into her fair glowing petite skin.

……

Sleep, the artist was without an ounce of sleep after his heated $ex with his ex-wife. So-hee didn’t wait for formalities, she was always the one to sleep first, drained and utterly satisfied. Her beautiful face that was peacefully asleep was the testimony that few minutes ago, she was in her euphoria moment.

Somethings never changed. She was his first, and also the most trusted acquaintance in his life. It wasn’t like he was using her or playing with her. Because if jungkoook gave her the pleasure, she was using him too, to trap him into the desire for her body. she wanted to feed her insecurities, despite anything, she felt great sense of happinese that she didnt need permission to have the artist. she simply had to flutter her eyelashes, and jungkook would give her the pleasure of her lifetime. They were not together anymore, but something’s stayed between them still unchanged. This moment wasn’t the first time after their divorce and probably wouldn’t be the last either. But unlike so-hee who is sleeping like she was lost in her Lala land, jungkook was wide awake. Even though he was completely worn out because of how good it felt having $ex with his ex-wife, there was guilt that he couldn’t whisper to anyone.

Look at that glowing skin, that beautiful body, his ex-wife was an epitome of beauty. She was perfect in every sense, she had cared for him even when she couldn’t understand him, she stayed with him even when his existence was unbearable, she was kind and loving despite the fact he was incapable of returning her feelings.

He loved her, that was the truth. He will always love her, jungkook knows that and it would not change. But love comes in many shapes and forms, and the kind of love he held for her was more of friendship, more of companionship, more of trust, and more of reliability. She was the only so far who managed to stick with him even when he has pushed her away many times.

She deserved love, earnestly and sincerely, from a man who was also worthy of her. Not him though, because jungkook knew he could never love her the way she wanted.

This was always like that. Jungkook doesn’t know what romantic love feels like. He wanted it at sometime, but he has given up in searching for it. Although, she was his first, she also showed him what $ex could do to a person. In jungkook’s case, the feeling of intim@cy gave him muse, a vibe to paint. He was always seeing different things, always feeling ecstasy close to his heart when his hard d!ck was thumping inside a body. That was the only little inch of probably romance he could graze his finger upon. But truth was if someone asked jungkook, what is love? He would have no answer. It’s not like he didn’t tried. After divorcing her, jungkook experimented in his hunger for finding his one true love. He met many people, slept with some. He even realised he liked a boy under him too. Every $ex gave him euphoria and relaxation, give him a new sensation and before he knew it, he was creating a masterpiece. But that was it, there is nothing more that he could achieve from intim@cy with others, he did create some of his greatest achievements but they were all materialistic. He couldn’t define love through them, he couldn’t find one honestly. So he stopped searching. One day he realised, maybe, true love will find him? It was just a motivation, jungkook had no hope for true love to be kind enough to find him. He always believed he was an hopeless case and everyone was lucky then to just experience a steamy night with him and that was it or else they all would be disappointed. Jungkook was sure they would be disappointed. He couldn’t love truly, because he never found the real feeling of true love, the kind of love that you share with a soulmate. The kind of love where every fibre of your existence right through your body, mind and soul was attached and committed to that one person. The kind of love where intim@cy was a privilege, a blessing and a forever euphoria. The kind of love where there were no doubts, no fear, but only loyalty and compassion, a desire to keep the other before your needs and priorities. The kind of love, where he felt heaven close to his soul, where he felt free and giddy, where he could feel his heart beats uneven and hazy, where his mind was at peace and as childish as it sounds he even expected few butterflies in his tummy. But up till this date, jungkook has been unlucky.

Look at this, his beautiful ex-wife so adorable and carefree, as if she was content and peaceful, unaware of the great ache in jungkook’s heart, the one beat that craved to seek his one true forever love. She was so unaware that deep down her ex-husband was simply dying to be numbed by love where he couldn’t deny it, forced to embrace it like a free bird. She would never know that right now instead of feeling giddy and love, looking at her perfectly sculpted figure, all jungkook felt was the muse to paint and nothing more. His muse? Right now, it was the deep dark blue night sky.

So instead of pondering his thoughts over his failures, jungkook decided to hold onto the trance that itched at his fingertips, pushing him to gather his painting tools and let his magic flow. For an artist like jungkook, the vibe mattered the most because then he was truly in his element, nothing could faze him. It didn’t take a lot of time, before jungkook could comprehend, he was already engulfed into his painting, ignoring the ache in his tired bones which rather wished to relax.

Mid-way through his painting, he heard his ex-wife’s groan. His eyes still didn’t let go of the canvas that was earlier pure white, and now ignited into colours that the artist will bring life too. “Gosh, jungkook, you’re doing it again. Just go to sleep,” so-hee muttered in her dreamy state, but jungkook ignored her words, remember, not even a storm could stop this artist..

She gave up and sat on the bed, her n@ked body only covered by the velvety fabric of the bedsheets, hair disheveled and her eyes droopy, but there was an-all knowing frown that the artist was very familiar with. “You’re so overbearing, ugh..” she huffed but then grabbed the blanket and knotted it around her petite body, before dragging her feet along with the velvety sheets to a small mini fridge in the room, and pulling out a ice cream bucket. She licked her lips and didn’t care about cutleries, just swiped her fingers in the thick layered ice cream. She continued to eat in that messy manner, and sat on the couch behind jungkook. She sighed and tsked. “You’re such a dork, I guess some things never changed..,” she shook her head as she spoke. But soon silence fell over the room, and so-hee ensured to be as quiet as possiblele, as jungkook painted.

It took another hour, but jungkook finally hummed in satisfaction as his lips curved into a small smile and his eyes sparkled just like the twinkling stars of the night. So-hee peeked over his shoulder, to get a glimpse of the painting..

“Wow. That is truly stunning..” she gasped out with pure adoration for the artist after all she was also one of the many of his fans that were swept off their feet after witnessing jungkook’s art work.

“What does it mean?” So-hee asked since she knew jungkook drew only through his emotions, not because he was the greatest artist of the current times.

For a moment, jungkook’s eyes dazed, and stared into the distance, as if there was a part of him in the painting that was staring back at him.. As jungkook’s eyes flickered he spoke, with true passion.. “The delusion of Night” he whispered and that had so-hee frowning but she waited.

Jungkook continued still lost in the painting, his eyes scanning every feature of the canvas, trying to find an error or mistake that he needed to rectify.. but there was nothing, his painting was as imperfect as his imperfect life, and jungkook knows the message is conveyed.

“The world sees the night as a peaceful lullaby, a time where everything is meant to dream and feel free in their sleep.. The night is filled with many vibrant stars of odd shapes, giving a sense of desire to humans that orange could be white, or blue could be red, and unicorns could be real and your most deepest desire isn’t delusion but can be real, in your dreams. But the moon in the sky is placed like the biggest player of all, beaming like a ball of shiny globe, but if you look closely, the moon as ugly as the harsh reality which is called, life.” Jungkook whispered, too lost in his trance, he wouldn’t flinch even if the moon was falling right on top it, instead he would embarrass everything thrown at him.

“In reality, the night resembles darkness, it can never be as bright as day. The night is a great example that even with twinkling stars and a giant glowing moon, cannot hide its eerie silence and the depth of darkness.. It fools you to have unrealistic dreams, more like forces you to even dream that’s extraordinary and if you’re not dreaming you’re simply laying in an empty canvas, either be black or white. But more than that the night is a companion to evil to devils in human forms.. the night instead of revealing their deepest and twisted evil secrets, it embraces them like a mother who hugs her child.. instead of showing light to their evil, the night hides them in its maze-like belly.. you would never no, that’s the beauty of night.. the reality is that the night was never a friend, and could never offer you free will or freedom, because if it did, you and I won’t be hiding in the comfort of our homes, oblivious and ignorant to the darkness outside.” Jungkook didn’t know he held quite an ounce of breath and he finally exhaled.

“Wow. I am truly amazed. But then why is she burning?” So-hee asked quite interested and intrigued by the narration.

Jungkook turned to finally pay attention to her, she was as usual carefree and relaxed even when she was completely n@ked behind those bundle of velvety sheets. She held a smile, and eagerness pooled in her eyes. Jungkook smiled, finding her cute like a little toddler with ice cream. But soon his smile disappeared as he spoke the next few words, the weight of those words was far more heavier than anyone could imagine. He said, “Because, the fight between sanity and insanity, will only burn you. Because we all are sinners after all, a little devil resides in us too.”

So-hee’s expression changed from wide eyes to rolling her eyes and to scoff at his ex-husband and then she was pouting in a matter of seconds. “Ugh, I can’t believe you’re still single.. you’re a walking Romeo and poet.”

Her eyes held a teasing glint and that made jungkook chuckle.. he spoke mindlessly as well, “you know why I am still single.” She nodded and then shrugged her shoulders, “ya ya, because baby kookie hasn’t found his true love.. and he wouldn’t play with anyone’s heart, his bestie so-hee was enough.”

She taunted and jungkook gasped visible.. “hey, that’s rude..” jungkook was now pouting. And she laughed, leaning to give a quick kiss to his ex-husband’s cheek.. “you need something sweet kookie, here..” she shoved a spoonful of ice cream in the artist’s mouth, and jungkook was forced to gulp it down.

She than sat beside him, her head hanging back on the couch, and she sighed before turning her gaze to the side profile of jungkook.. she spoke rather too faintly, “why are we so lost dear?”

Jungkook smiled at her softly before sighing himself. He spoke calmly, irrespective of the uneasiness in his heart, “I am lost, you on the other hand, avoid handsome men like a plague..when was the last time so-hee, you went on a date?”

So-hee groaned, “a year ago.. and aren’t I too old for a date? All the good men are aging like fine wine, while I am just you know, I am so-hee.”

She spoke cutely, more like blabbered. Jungkook ruffled her hair as he spoke, “exactly, my point.. you’re Han So-hee, no one can reject you..”

But his words seem to break a piece of her heart, which she didn’t know was there and still capable enough to break by his ex-husband.. *you rejected me* she thought to herself.. *I wish, you could love me.. I wish I was enough for you.. a part of me still hopes of a romantic love from you.. I guess this night will keep my secret too*

She could only wish, because her first love didn’t see her the way she desired and it was just cruel fate. But yet, look at the two of them.. they’re still close, because right now they aren’t sitting as ex-couple, but as best friends and companion who trust each other.. And so-hee hates to admit that this is exactly what was missing when they were married. They were total strangers, as if they didn’t grew up together at all, as if they were never familiar with each other. But after divorce, irrespective of everything especially moments like steamy $ex, she was glad she had her friend back, her kookie, her dorkie companion.

So-hee shrugged her thoughts, there was mild longingness still in her for this man, but it wasn’t hurting anymore. So she spoke again, with a cheerful smile, “my friend Hannah.. she told me her boss wants to take me on date… well, he is a divorcee too, and no children of his.. he saw me during the conference of my latest skin care products launch. Well, since then he has been trying to reach out to me.. I have been stalling him for a month..”

jungkook smiled and nodded.. So-hee truly can’t get enough of the way jungkook is back to listening and paying attention to her emotions and words, during their marriage, this was missing.. she truly felt like she lost her precious friend, but now, her kookie was right beside her. “I think, you should bless the poor man.. common so-hee, you have got this.. go on a date, there is nothing you’re loosing,” jungkook spoke calmly.

“I will go on a date with him, when you go on a date with someone too,” she retorted back. Jungkook glared at her and spoke, “hey, don’t be cocky with me, doesn’t suit you.”

“Well, are you planning to be single all your life?” She asked him rather seriously.. jungkook became silent, and spoke more like whispered, “I wish I knew the answer to it.”

She again answered back, “just like the way, I deserve a love story.. you do too.. why aren’t you trying to find your love story. You’re not that old.” She laughed but it died down soon after upon seen the dejected look in jungkook’s eyes.

“You know I have tried finding true love.” Jungkook whispered simply.. the silence was think and his voice was thicker.

So-hee’s face lost its colour, the cheeky side of her disappeared. She spoke with sadness in her voice, “sometimes, I feel hoseok hyung is so right. I brought this upon us. You wouldn’t have struggled and been forced to play happy marriage with me.. I shouldn’t have gone with the first opportunity I got..” she didn’t realise she was talking animatedly and walking back and forth before jungkook.

It wasn’t easy, divorce. With a hope to find his true love, jungkook was risking hurting his wife, his children, his family and even himself..it was the most courageous decision he made, thought selfishly for once, to just taste true love. But life has still been barren from true love for him. It’s a bittersweet symphony, his life..

“Loving you was my heart’s choice. And i shouldn’t have taken an advantage of you. I shouldn’t have agreed to father seong-min’s offer of marrying you, when clearly I knew you didn’t love me.. You only saw me as your friend. But I was selfish, I thought I will make you fall in love with me. Time after time, I failed to be your true love,” so-hee spoke with pained voice and jungkook sighed.

“It’s not your fault.. I am not typically the perfect man. If anything you invested your love in the wrong man.” Jungkook tried to lighten the mood. So-hee chuckled lightly, “well, you deserve love too.. I don’t regret making you my first love..”

“I am honoured my lady,” jungkook bowed and she bowed back. She added, “let’s just blame your step father for everything who decided to get you married at an early age just because he was scared that you will fall in love with someone and give up your career like hosoek hyung. God knows why he saw me as a first choice for marrying you, probably he wanted to add me in his army to trap you forever in his commands through me.but clearly the old man was dumb, so I am blaming him for everything..” jungkook laughee because no one knows this side of so-hee except him. Because for his parents, relatives and even children, so-hee was an innocent, soft-spoken, and polite angel sent from heaven.

But suddenly so-hee pouted and spoke, “but kookie, I don’t regret our marriage.. I love our sons. I can never regret having them.”

Jungkook smiled genuinely, “Me neither. I just love them so much..thank you for blessing me with them..”

So-hee added, “I love them more”

Jungkookok retorted, “I love them more than more or you..”

So-hee gasped and added, “I love them more than the hair on your head, and their heads, and my head, and the universe head. I win.

“Dork,” Jungkook snorted with a laugh. She gasped with mouth wide opened, “Take that back, I am pretty not dork.”

And then the night was filled with laughter, tickled and bickering. There was love too, but the king of love that supports and cherishes one another like friends.