Project Zero (Taekook)
Introduction
JK Enterprises is the most successful tech conglomerate in Seoul, run by the "Ice Prince" Jeon Jungkook.
For years, Jungkook has operated like a machine, keeping everyone at a distance to protect a dark secret involving the company’s origins (Project 0).
Everything changes when Kim Taehyung—a clumsy, brilliant, and overly honest applicant—accidentally gets hired as his personal secretary.
As Taehyung peels back the layers of his "robotic" boss, he realizes the company isn't just a business; it’s a house of cards.
Between corporate sabotage, secret pasts, and the hilarious office drama of the executive floor, will they sign their hearts away, or will the secrets tear them apart?
Introducing the cast of
'Project 0'
𝘑𝘦𝘰𝘯 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘬 (𝘊𝘌𝘖): 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨, 𝘱𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘣𝘭𝘦. 𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘳𝘶𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘴𝘢𝘧𝘦.
𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘛𝘢𝘦𝘩𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘨 (𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺): 𝘉𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘨𝘰𝘭𝘥. 𝘏𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯'𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘑𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘬𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘨𝘰𝘥.
𝘔𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪 (𝘊𝘖𝘖) & 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘑𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯 (𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵): 𝘛𝘩𝘦 "𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘦𝘵 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘦." 𝘠𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘢𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘦; 𝘑𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘴𝘶𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦-𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪’𝘴 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘰 "𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘣𝘦𝘴."
𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘫𝘰𝘰𝘯 (𝘊𝘍𝘖) & 𝘒𝘪𝘮 𝘚𝘦𝘰𝘬𝘫𝘪𝘯 (𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘵): 𝘛𝘩𝘦 "𝘋𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘔𝘰𝘮" 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘦. 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘫𝘰𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘶𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴; 𝘑𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘹 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘴 (𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘺𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘮).
𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬𝘴𝘰𝘯 (𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘰𝘧 𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺) & 𝘑-𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘦 (𝘏𝘙 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳): 𝘛𝘩𝘦 "𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘰𝘴 𝘋𝘶𝘰." 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦’𝘴 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨.
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Author
Welcome backkkkkkkk
Author
Another story with another storyline but same character and author.
Author
You can't change that.
Author
I hope you'll enjoy it.......
1
The Lobby of JK Enterprises
The air inside the lobby was thick with the scent of polished marble and expensive espresso. Outside, a light drizzle blurred the Seoul skyline, making the towering glass building of JK Enterprises look like a giant silver needle piercing the clouds.
Kim Taehyung
(Standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror in the lobby, his reflection looking paler than usual. He fumbles with the knot of his silk tie, his fingers cold and slightly damp with sweat.)
Kim Taehyung
Deep breaths, Taehyung. You didn't study until 4:00 AM for three years just to pass out in front of a receptionist. Just look professional. Don't let them see your knees shaking.
Kim Taehyung
(He approaches the front desk, his footsteps echoing too loudly on the pristine floor. He clears his throat, but it comes out as a small squeak.) "Excuse me... I am Kim Taehyung. I have an appointment for the final induction with the CEO."
Receptionist
(A woman with a perfectly sharp bob looks him up and down, her expression unreadable.) "Mr. Jeon Jungkook is expecting you. Take the gold elevator to the 50th floor. And Mr. Kim? A word of advice—don't speak unless he asks you a question. Silence is the only thing he actually likes."
Kim Taehyung
(He swallows hard, feeling a lump in his throat.) "Thank you. I’ll... I'll remember that."
The elevator dings softly, but instead of the 50th floor, the doors slide open on 48. The hallway here is warmer, smelling of old paper and peppermint. Suddenly, a man with broad shoulders and a distracted look walks straight into Taehyung’s path, a mountain of folders in his arms.
Kim Namjoon
"Oof! Careful there—"
The folders tilt dangerously, and Taehyung instinctively reaches out to steady them, his hand brushing against Namjoon’s expensive wool coat.
Kim Taehyung
"Oh! I am so incredibly sorry, sir! I didn't see you—the elevator opened and I just—"
Kim Namjoon
(He laughs, a deep, earthy sound that instantly settles some of Taehyung’s nerves. He adjusts his glasses with his free hand.) "No, no, it’s my fault. I’m Kim Namjoon, the CFO. I tend to walk into walls when I'm thinking about the budget.
Kim Namjoon
You must be the new hire for the top floor? The legend who actually survived the interview process?"
Kim Taehyung
"I'm Kim Taehyung, sir. I’m... I’m not sure if I’ve survived yet. I’m on my way to see Mr. Jeon Jungkook now."
Kim Seokjin
(Walking out of the glass office behind them, holding a steaming mug of tea. He looks like he walked off a runway.) "Namjoon, stop scaring the boy. He’s already the color of a sheet."
Kim Seokjin
(He turns to Taehyung with a sympathetic smile.) "I’m Kim Seokjin, Namjoon’s assistant. If the 'Ice Prince' upstairs makes you feel like you're shrinking, just remember he probably hasn't eaten a real meal in three days. Hunger makes him extra grumpy."
Kim Taehyung
"Is he... is he really that difficult?"
Kim Seokjin
"Difficult? Honey, he’s a masterpiece of misery. But you have a kind face, Taehyung.
Kim Seokjin
Maybe you’re the one to finally melt the frost. Now go, before he checks his watch and decides you’re a lost cause."
Taehyung steps out into a hallway that feels miles away from the warmth of the 48th floor. It is silent. The walls are a dark, matte grey, and the temperature has dropped significantly. He walks toward the massive double doors, his heart hammering against his ribs like a trapped bird.
He knocks. Once. Twice. Silence.
Jeon Jungkook
(From inside, a voice like velvet over gravel.) "Enter."
He pushes the door open. The office is vast, with a desk that sits like a throne in front of a window overlooking the entire city. Jeon Jungkook is sitting there, his white shirt sleeves rolled up to reveal a glimpse of dark ink on his forearms. He doesn't look up from the document he is signing.
Kim Taehyung
(Standing by the door, his voice barely a whisper.) "Good morning, Mr. Jeon. I am Kim Taehyung, reporting for my first day."
The scratching of his pen is the only sound in the room for a full ten seconds. Then, he slowly sets the pen down and raises his head. His eyes are dark, intense, and completely devoid of warmth. He studies Taehyung’s face with a clinical coldness.
Jeon Jungkook
"You’re trembling, Mr. Kim. Does the height of the building bother you, or is it the prospect of actual work?"
Kim Taehyung
(He grips the strap of his bag until his knuckles turn white.) "Neither, sir. I’m just... I want to ensure I meet your expectations. I know your standards are the highest in the industry."
Jeon Jungkook
(He leans back in his leather chair, the material creaking in the silence. He taps a long, manicured finger against the mahogany desk.) "Expectations are a dangerous thing to have. I expect nothing but perfection. If you provide less, you are invisible to me. Do you find that harsh?"
Kim Taehyung
(Flinching slightly at the directness.) "I find it... clear, sir. I prefer to know where I stand."
He stands up, and Taehyung realizes just how tall he is. He walks around the desk, his presence filling the room until the air feels thin. He stops just a foot away from Taehyung. The scent of sandalwood and expensive soap hits Taehyung’s senses.
Jeon Jungkook
"We shall see. Your desk is in the outer foyer, but your eyes are to be on me at all times. If I look up, I expect you to have what I need before I even ask for it. Now, go to the archives in the corner. There is a box labeled 'Logistics 2022.' Re-sort them by date and priority. And Taehyung?"
Kim Taehyung
(He looks up, his breath hitching as he meets Jungkook's gaze.) "Yes, Mr. Jeon?"
Jeon Jungkook
"Fix your tie. It’s crooked. It’s distracting me from my work."
Taehyung is on his knees on the carpeted floor, surrounded by piles of paper. The office is quiet, save for the occasional click of Jungkook’s mouse. Taehyung reaches deep into a bottom drawer and his fingers hit something hard—a leather-bound ledger hidden under a false bottom. It looks old, the edges frayed.
Kim Taehyung
(He pulls it out, whispering to himself.) "What is this? This wasn't in the index..."
He opens the first page. At the top, in heavy black ink, are the words: PROJECT 0: THE DEBT.
Suddenly, the shadow of a man falls over the papers. Taehyung looks up to see Jungkook standing over him, his face no longer just cold—it is pale, his eyes wide with a flash of genuine, raw panic.
Jeon Jungkook
"Who told you to open that drawer?"
Kim Taehyung
(Scrambling to his feet, the ledger clutched to his chest.) "I-I was just trying to be thorough, Mr. Jeon! It was stuck in the back—"
He reaches out and snaps the ledger out of Taehyung’s hands. His grip is like iron, and for a second, their faces are inches apart. Taehyung can see a bead of sweat on Jungkook’s temple
Jeon Jungkook
"Thoroughness is not an excuse for spying, Mr. Kim. This is not a file. This is a private matter. If I ever see you touching this—or even looking toward this cabinet again—you won't just be fired. Do you understand me?"
Kim Taehyung
(He is shaking now, his voice cracking.) "I understand, sir. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to—"
Jeon Jungkook
(He turns away, his back rigid. He walks to his desk and shoves the ledger into a safe. His voice is shaking with suppressed emotion.) "Get out. Go to the breakroom and stay there until I call for you. I cannot look at you right now."
He practically runs out of the office, his heart thudding so hard he can feel it in his throat. As he reaches the elevator, he sinks against the wall
Kim Taehyung
What was that? He looked... he looked like he was about to break. What is Project 0?
2
The breakroom on the 49th floor was a stark contrast to the frozen tomb of the floor above. It smelled of expensive coffee beans and a faint, lingering scent of citrus. Kim Taehyung sat on the edge of a velvet sofa, his hands still trembling as he clutched a paper cup of cold water. His neck felt hot, the skin beneath his scent-blocker patch itching with the stress of Jeon Jungkook's recent outburst.
Kim Taehyung
(Staring blankly at the floor, his mind replaying the image of the CEO's dark, haunted eyes.)
Kim Taehyung
What did I just see? He looked like a man possessed. One second he’s a machine, the next he’s... terrified. What could possibly be in a simple ledger that makes a man like him lose his composure?
Park Jimin
(Leaning against the coffee machine, watching Taehyung with a tilted head. He looks soft, dressed in a silk blouse that catches the light, but his eyes are sharp.) "You look like you've seen a ghost. Or worse—you've been spending time with the boss."
Kim Taehyung
(Jumps slightly, nearly spilling his water.) "Oh! I... I'm sorry. I didn't see you there. I'm the new secretary, Kim Taehyung."
Park Jimin
(Walks over with a graceful, feline movement and sits beside him, far closer than a stranger usually would.) "I know who you are. The whole building is talking about the 'brave soul' on the 50th floor.
Park Jimin
I’m Park Jimin, assistant to the COO. You’re currently vibrating, Taehyung-ah. Did he yell at you?"
Kim Taehyung
"He didn't just yell. He... it was like the air in the room disappeared. I touched something I shouldn't have. A folder... Project 0?"
Park Jimin
(The playful smile vanishes instantly. He looks toward the door, his voice dropping to a cautious whisper.) "Don't say that name out loud. Not here. Not anywhere. Jungkook has ears everywhere, and the COO—my boss—is even more sensitive to that topic."
Min Yoongi
(Walking into the breakroom with his hands buried in his slacks. He looks exhausted, dark circles under his eyes, but his presence is heavy and grounding.) "Jimin. Stop gossiping and get back to the logistics file. We have a shipment hanging in customs."
Park Jimin
(Pouts, though his eyes sparkle when he looks at the older man.) "But Yoongi-hyung, the new recruit is traumatized! Look at him. He’s practically a puddle."
Min Yoongi
(He stops, his gaze shifting to Taehyung. He studies him for a long moment, his expression unreadable.) "So, you’re the one. Kim Taehyung.
Min Yoongi
(He sighs, walking to the fridge and pulling out a bottle of water.) If you want to survive up there, stop being so curious. Jungkook isn't a bad man, but he’s carrying a weight that would break most people's backs. Don't add to it."
Kim Taehyung
"I wasn't trying to add to it, Mr. Min Yoongi. I was just trying to do my job. Is it a crime to want to be organized?"
Min Yoongi
(A ghost of a smirk appears on his face.) "In this company? Sometimes. (He turns to Jimin.) Bring the boy some of that ginger tea. His scent is starting to turn sour from the stress. It’s making the hallway smell like a pharmacy."
The sun had fully set, leaving the office bathed in the blue glow of the city lights. Jeon Jungkook was still at his desk, but he wasn't working. He was staring at the safe where he had locked the ledger. His knuckles were white where he gripped the edge of his desk.
Jeon Jungkook
Shouldn't have snapped. He’s just a boy. An Omega who knows nothing of the blood on the hands of this corporation. But the way he looked at me... like I was a monster. I can still smell him in here. Honey and fear. It’s sickeningly sweet. I need to get him out of this building before he finds out the truth.
Jeon Jungkook
"What is it, Namjoon?"
Kim Namjoon
(Through the speaker, his voice steady but firm.) "The board is asking about the progress of the merger. And Jin tells me your new secretary was found shaking in the breakroom. You’re scaring the staff again, Jungkook. You can't keep a secretary for more than a week if you treat them like enemy combatants."
Jeon Jungkook
"He went through my private archives, Namjoon. He found the 'Zero' file."
Kim Namjoon
(There is a long, heavy pause on the other end.) "Then you have a choice. Fire him tonight and wipe his memory of the encounter, or bring him in. You can't keep him in the middle. The 'middle' is where people get hurt."
Jeon Jungkook
(Closes his eyes, leaning his head back.) "He’s too soft for the truth. He’s... different. He doesn't look at me with greed like the others. He looks at me like he’s worried. It’s irritating."
Kim Namjoon
"Maybe that's exactly what you need. Someone who sees the man and not the CEO. Think about it. Goodnight, Jungkook."
Taehyung walked out of the building, the cool night air hitting his face. He felt drained, his body heavy with the aftermath of the day's adrenaline. As he reached the sidewalk, a sleek black car pulled up beside him. The window rolled down to reveal Jackson, the Head of Security.
Jackson Wang
"Hey, New Guy. You look like you need a ride or a drink. Or both."
Kim Taehyung
"I... I was just going to take the subway, Mr. Wang."
Jackson Wang
(Grins, his energy bright and chaotic.) "Nonsense. The CEO’s personal staff doesn't take the subway. It’s a security risk. Get in. I’ll drop you off. Besides, Hobi—the HR Director—is in the back and he’s dying to meet the guy who made the Ice King scream today."
Jung Hoseok
(Peeking out from the backseat with a wide, beaming smile.) "Taehyung-ah! Come in! Tell us everything. Did he really growl at you? I heard he broke a pen!"
Kim Taehyung
(Sighs, feeling a bit of the tension melt as he slides into the car.) "He didn't break a pen... but he definitely broke my spirit for a second there."
Jackson Wang
(Looking at him through the rearview mirror as they pull away.) "Don't let him get to you, Taehyung. Jungkook is just a guy with too many secrets. Just stay away from the basement and the 50th-floor archives, and you'll be just fine."
Kim Taehyung
The basement? Now there's another place I'm not supposed to go. What is this company hiding?
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