A few days before Christmas, Mark informed his boss about the investigation he was assigned to.
" What have we got so far?" Yoongi's voice serious and stern.
Mark sat on the other side of the desk, legs slightly crossed." Chan...Born and raised in Dangjin. Finished high school there. No university degree. An only child.Moved to Seoul with his mother,a widower, ten years ago. Multiple jobs as a delivery boy, waiter and his latest one at the club. His mother got sick six years ago and has been receiving treatment since then. Serious heart disease. Couldn't find anything suspicious so Joong used his magic and discovered a deposit of a substantial amount of money to his account on..." He checked his notes." on June 20 2018."
" How much?"
" Over sixty million won."
Yoongi 's jaw dropped." Wow! By whom?"
" The deposit was made by him and part of the money was transferred to the hospital for his mother 's medical bills." Mark explained.
" He was given cash, which is odd... so noone could trace the source. Gambling? Illegal activities? Drugs? Is he involved in anything?"
" Nothing of the sort. We assumed the money came from blackmail."he pointed out.
" Keep searching....Han?" Yoongi slouched to the left side of his chair.
" Han Bong. Born in Ulsan. Comes from a poor family. Three brothers, two sisters. Studied medicine in Uksan university. Graduated top of his class. Moved to Seoul in 2004. Got married to a wannabe actress.Father of two boys. Up until six years ago his finances were normal. Rented house...no car...his account had less than a thousand wons..."
" I detect a but..."
" He now owns two houses. A luxurious penthouse in Gangnam- gu. Three expensive cars. A yacht in Jeju island. A big, fat account in the bank and spends like crazy. Holidays in resorts. Jewellery. Private schools. To answer your next question...no gambling.Winnings. Heritage or any apparent source of income rather than his salary." Mark expounded, drumming his right foot on the floor.
" Then how? Houses. Yacht. Cars. Expensive lifestyle. In s doctor 's salary. His wife maybe?" Yoongi wondered, frowning, rhythmically tapping his pen on the desk.
" She was poorer than him. Grew up in a village up north, came to Seoul when she was eighteen to pursuit an acting career and ended up serving coffee at Starbucks, where she met the doc. Now she can actually buy Starbucks!" he joked sarcastically, leaning his elbow on the desk.
Yoongi got up, shoved both hands in his front pockets, walking to the window. The view usually offered him peace of mind. Today it was giving him a headache.
" Six years..." he muttered sceptical." It all comes back to this...six years..."
" Boss what do I do now?"
Mark's voice brought him back to reality.
" Dig deeper. Find me the source of his sudden wealth. He definitely hides something. I need to know what it is." He abruptly turned around." How about Duri?"
Mark scrunched his lips, rubbing his left hand on his thigh. The information he got weren't easy to share so he seemed hesitant.
" Speak. I'm not exactly fond of her and I won't be surprised." Yoongi encouraged his employee.
" Mmmm...many lovers over the last five years. Quite a rakish life. Not highly respected or admired in the industry...." He coughed to clear his throat." Boss I'm not sure how to tell you this but... there's no record of her before 2013. Like she didn't exist."
Yoongi sat at the edge of the couch, frowning his eyebrows in apparent dismay." How is that even possible? She must have come from somewhere. She told us her parents died when she was ten. Her grandmother raised her but died a few years before marrying Tae. Any other living relatives?"
" My research discovered nothing of the sort. No family. No relatives. She got her identity and social security number in 2013 under the name Cha Duri born in Seoul."
" Birth certificate?"
" It says April 16 ,1997. That's it." Mark slumped back to his chair, stretching his legs." Sorry boss."
" Any connection between the three?"
" Only the doc and Duri. She was her doctor."
" I see... Search her name in every data base going back fifty years. We might get lucky." he ordered the man, going back to his original seat, behind his desk." Get me results. It's extremely important."
" Ditto boss!"
After Mark's departure, Yoongi was so absorbed in his thoughts , trying to find clear- cut explanations." Six years ago...what does that even mean? Why does it always come to this?" he kept repeating in hope of understanding or connecting the dots between these three people.
His experience but mostly his hunch warned him they were somehow connected. He just had to figure out in what way. Perhaps, a visit back to the club to pressure Chan would stir things up. Provided him answers.
He glanced his watch, sighing heavily. The club opened at 8.
Around noon he notified Jimin he'd skip lunch and Jimin told him he'd visit their hyungs.
Throwing the phone on the desk, he made sincere efforts to concentrate and failed miserably because his mind was stuck on a specific case. He dismissed the idea of working, ordered and forced himself to eat, despite the knot in his stomach. Then he simply... waited.
Grabbing his phone and car keys he bolted out of the office, to the underground garage. Twenty minutes had passed when he parked his SUV outside the club and as soon as he spotted Chan ,he got out and approached him.
Yoongi seemed determined to confirm his suspicions so he stated all the facts to the young man, waiting for his reaction.
He certainly looked scared.
" I know nothing." he stuttered, avoiding eye contact. Glancing around, not focusing on anything.
" We both know you are lying."
" Don't want any trouble."
" Oh..you will unless you talk. Who gave you the money?"
" I...I won them." That grazed look and fidgeting indicated one thing. He was an awful liar!
" Oh you can do better than that." He crossed his arms, leaning against the wall, his fiery, red eyes showed his heated rage." If you refuse to tell me, I'll no choice but to hand over the infos to the policy and trust me they won't be as kind as I am!" His immediate threat petrified Chan, weighing the situation as the prospect of going to jail terrified him to the core.
" I'll tell you but no police. My mother will be left alone. I'm all she's got."
" Start talking and we'll see."
His face pale, his breaths were ragged,each one a struggle to draw in." My mum was sick...I had no money and she needed treatment... expensive treatment...when she asked me to erase the footage from a certain night in exchange for money I thought why not?"
" Who is' she'?"
" A young woman. Very beautiful."
" When?"
" Six years ago..."
" The date. I want the specific date." Yoongi was running out of patience.
" June 15. The cameras outside room 8."
" I'm gonna need her name."
Chan shrugged his shoulders." She didn't give me her name. " he lied,curling his lips.
Yoongi took out his phone and shoved a photo to his face." Is that her?"
The younger looked away, stepping back.
" I asked you a question. Do not test my patience!" Yoongi bellowed, grating his teeth." Or else you'll pay for your refusal."
Chan nodded." Yes... that's her."
Duri! Finally they were getting somewhere. Chan was paid to erase the evidence of that night. It must had contained crucial evidence of... something." Did you watch it?"
" No...I figured the less I knew the better...she was kind of scary." he admitted.
" DAMN IT!" Yoongi cursed, banging his hand on the wall. Chan flinched at the sudden move.
Chan pulled his ear ,indecisive whether or not to reveal more." I...kept a copy...in a flash drive...just in case."
The man's eyes glowed. " I'll be needing it."
" You won't involve the police. You promised." He gulped and his heart went wild out of fear.
" Not If I get what I want and you keep your mouth shut." His blatant, straightforward warning and the deep staring in his transfixed with horror eyes made Chan slouch his shoulders, guns blazing.
" Come back tomorrow. Same time."
Yoongi's gaze scanned him from top to bottom, trying to understand if he was being honest or purposely stalling to get away. He seized his throat, pressing it as Chan was gasping for air." I expect you to keep your end of the deal or I'll find you and beat the shit out of you. Then hand you over to the police.Got it?"
" No...no...I will..." He looked around and noticed two of his colleagues coming." I have to go in..."
Yoongi released his grip." Tomorrow."
Chan swirled, shuffling to the entrance of the club, not daring to look back. Yoongi heading back to his car, got in, grabbed the steering wheel, thrashing his head on it.
" Duri... God damn...that woman! What the fuck is so special about that night? Why would she pay to delete it? It doesn't make sense..." he pondered outloud, tossing his head to the back. He was longing for a hot bath, a glass of strong whiskey and cuddles with his husband, stroking his belly to get rid of this anxiety. Making a U turn he head home.
___________
Jungkook visited his parents with Tata who was running after Jin all hyped up, giving the younger the opportunity to chat with his hyungs.
" How is work at the hospital, hyung? Are you adjusting?"
They were gathered in the dining room having iced Americano , except from Namjoon who was still stuck at work.
" Honestly the process is rather steady. Things are slower here in comparison to London but I don't complain." Bogum replied, sitting upright." I expected the transition to be difficult."
Hobi circled his arm, placing his jaw on the man's shoulder." I get to see you more often. No more calls in the middle of the night. On your days off. No more crazy shifts. I don't even recall how many dates we had to cancel because of work."
" Demanding job but it comes with being a doctor. Besides it kept the flame in our marriage. I'm afraid now you'll get bored of me. "
Hobi flicked his head." Despite your grumpiness I still love you! You won't get rid of me any time soon."
" I've tried for centuries, but you're still here!" Bogum joked.
" Grumpy old man!" Hobi poked his tongue, pinching his husband 's shoulder.
Jungkook chuckled at how perfect they were for eachother. How their love survived through the centuries, growing stronger. They got their happy ending!
" One of the reasons you love me!" Bogum pecked Hobi's lips , then turned serious." How are things with you and Taehyung? Is he taking you on secret dates? Spoiling you?"
Jungkook blushed." He tries his best to satisfy me. It reminds me of how happy we were." The recollections of the past filled him with nostalgia.
" Still has the illusion nobody knows?" The corner of Hobi's eyes crinkled devilishly.
" Ignorance is a bliss under the circumstances, hyung !"
" Kind of ironic, though." Hobi stated and his eyebrows narrowed." He's falling in love with you all over again. Without any recollection of your past. His memory might be rusty but not his heart. If you're meant to be, you're meant to be."
Jungkook stretched his leg, letting out a small yawn." He has changed since our first encounter. He's more attentive, possessive and less self centered. I'm not sure if he is falling in love or..."
Hobi held his hand softly, giving him an encouraging smile." Who can resist your charming personality bun? He'd be a idiot not to."
" This Taehyung has proven beyond doubt how much of a fool he is. He fell in love and married her. Had a child with her. That alone gives Duri rights to interfere in his life for ever. They share Tata."
" It's common between couples who have a child. They find a way to cope and tolerate eachother." Bogum clarified." Trust him to make the right decision for all of you. Give it time."
Jungkook lifted his shoulder in a half shrug, resting both elbows on the table, his palms cupping his cheeks." I guess... I've waited so long to find him. Be with him. No need to rush."
" I'm positive he'll ask for a divorce when he feels ready. Don't forget the child. Disagreements, custody trials, visitation rights. It's gonna be a long process." Hobi declared adding." If they were alone , they'd settle the financial matters and be done with it."
The younger seemed puzzled ,his brows knitted." Duri doesn't love Tata. She's abusive, controlling and tried to harm him. He's only an obstacle in her career and life. Why would she fight for custody?" In his mind that woman had lost the right to be a mother since he had abandoned and mistreated her son.
" Baby, even so she has maternal rights. She might not love him, but nevertheless use him to harm Tae. The standard procedure when divorcing. You manipulate every means available to revenge your opponent. Attack him. Not to mention, her reaction learning your affair." Bogum needed Jungkook to understand the situation he'll face in the future. He was convinced, when the time came Diri would emotionally blackmail Tae and the younger had to be warned.
Jungkook compressed his full lips, fidgeting. If Duri was indeed so ruthless, Taehyung would have to be extremely durable to sustain his patience in confronting her unreasonable demands.
An undefined fear crept up , contemplating the implications her behaviour would inflict on their relationship. Taehyung's love for him wasn't strong enough to endure the repercussions of a custody battle. Losing his only son would kill him, considering how much he loved Tata.
What if he chose to stay with her out of the fear of losing his son? What if eventually Tae would blame Jungkook for everything? What if the court gave custody to her? So many 'what ifs' gnawing his mind.
He shook his head to discard the negative thoughts and concentrate on the present. It was premature to draw conclusions." In case we come to that I'll support him. Stand by his side. We won't go down without a fight."
Hobi patted his head." Taehyung is a man of great influence and power. He'll never allow her to get his son. Trust me!" Scaring him with hypothetical assumptions would ruin his current mood. Their bunny was happy after do long! He deserved to be happy after all he had endured.
Jungkook jumped at the sound of his phone ringing. He quickly placed his index finger on his lips to huss them, before answering.
" Yes?"
" Hi baby! How are you? Still at your parents?"
" I'm great hyungie. Yes, Tata is tormenting papa, running after him. Right now, they are baking cookies." He tried not to laugh, watching his hyungs touching their hearts, smiling like crazy.
"Don't forget to bring me some. I love your papa's cooking!"
" As many as you want."
" I missed you, baby! "
Jungkook blushed, turning his head around to hide it." Me too..."
" I finish work in two hours. Find an excuse because I am taking you out on a date."
" Where? " His voice filled with anticipation.
" To the cinema."
" Isn't it too risky? Somebody might see us."
" I have the situation under control. " Taehyung reassured him calmly.
" Fine. I'll leave Tata here and meet you at the park near my house in two hours."
" I can't wait, baby!"
" Bye, hyungie!"
" Bye baby!"
They hang up with the younger red as a beetroot from embarrassment in front of everyone.
" Loverboy can't wait to see you!" Hobi wiggled his eyebrows with a naughty expression.
" Hyung stop!" Jungkook scolded him, trying to tame his excitement." He's taking me to the cinema."
" Mmmm.... crammed at the back seats...in pitch dark...we know what that means!" Bogum winked at a stunned Jungkook.
" What?" the younger scowled.
" You won't be watching the movie, bun! " Hobi rushed to reply.
Jungkook popped up." You're both too much! I'm going to the kitchen. Keep your dirty thoughts to yourselves!"
The couple chuckled at his response.
___________
" Did you get it?" Jimin had been biting his nails since Yoongi had left,an hour ago, to meet Chan.
The man made his way into the house, holding the USB stick on his right hand.
" I got the laptop here." Jimin pointed at the dining table. Yoongi sat next to him, inserted it in the USB port and they began watching very carefully.
Jimin was still munching his nails, whereas Yoongi was sitting upright, both elbows supported on the wooden surface. Although, the picture was slightly blur, they clearly spotted Taehyung stumbling in the corridor, bumping into Jungkook, kissing and hugging then getting into room number 8 at 11:46.Fast forward at 4:45 Jungkook leaving in a hurry. Duri entering at 4:53 and lastly Taehyung staggering, fending off at 5:08.
The footage created more questions than it solved. Jimin heaved, massaging his stiff neck. On the other hand, Yoongi was quiet and sceptical.
" What do you make of this? Jimin asked.
" Honestly? Beats me!" He glanced up to the ceiling." He's either the ' fastest gun' or the biggest sucker in the universe."
" It's odd baby... He had sex with Kook for hours completely hammered, slept with her ,got dressed and left in just fifteen minutes? I'm no expert on Maths but it doesn't add up. Maybe...he was asleep when Duri walked in....so..."
Yoongi cut him off." Or he woke up, saw her naked next to him... couldn't remember a damn thing...assumed they had sex...and took off like a coward. Without asking any questions."
" Typical of my dear brother! If they didn't have sex that night how...how did she get pregnant? They used to fool around but according to Taehyung they hadn't seen eachother in six months...." A muscle in Jimin's jaw twisted." What's going on? Help me out here."
The younger gazed at his husband, standing up, pacing in the room. He would occasionally stop, shake his head, then pace again.
" You're making me dizzy!" Jimin complained, stroking his belly. Those damn burritos were adding to his nausea.
The older suddenly haulted, with a dumbstruck expression." I'll be damn! In all my professional life I have never, ever seen such a goddamn sucker! He's a fucken fool! She comes up claiming she's pregnant, he assumes it's his because he doesn't remember anything, takes her words in good faith and pops the question. It never crosses his mind to do a DNA test! The simplest, more natural thing. That's the whole point of the bloody test. To determine whether or not people are relatives. It would have saved us the mess! And Taehyung would be free! "
" You're talking gibberish, love."
The man swirled, facing Jimin." I know exactly what I'm saying! Your brother forgets where he puts his dick in! Babe she was already pregnant! Think about it." He moved closer, sitting down again."She insisted on going to the hospital for checkups alone. She chose her doctor carefully. Gave birth two months before due...Tata wasn't premature but born on time. She made up the excuse with her doctor to cover her labour. You know premature babies are common.I suspected Dr Han was somehow involved ,considering his sudden source of inexplicable wealth...Duri framed Tae...Tata... isn't his son!" At least not his biological son." he concluded." It's not like we haven't seen doctors betraying their oath for a few bucks."
Jimin felt the rag ripped out from under him. He jumped up so abruptly, he felt dizzy, holding on from the edge of the table." NO! NO THIS IS ABSURD! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING! YOONGI!"
The man helped him sit again, massaging his cold, trembling hands." Relax baby... breathe...in and out... breathe... That's it..." he whispered in a soothing tone.
Jimin was breathing hard, his mouth open as he tried to suck in more oxygen. A few attempts later his breathing became stable but was shrouded in a living nightmare." Tell me... you're joking! " he pleaded, tears shimmering in his eyes.
Yoongi shook his head." Should we be surprised babe? She was determined to have Tae. Used every means to accomplish it. The 'unexpected' pregnancy offered her the opportunity to trap him into marrying her. Don't you find it peculiar Tata bears no resemblance to Tae? Hell he doesn't even look like Duri! More like Kook..."
" It's too far-fetched! Maybe we're overreacting and there's a perfectly reasonable explanation."
" The video proves otherwise. If she had nothing to hide why go to such lengths to delete it? Paid a huge amount of money to make it disappear? It proves her theory of sleeping with him!" Yoongi contradicted his dreary husband.
" Do...do a DNA test. It will confirm or rebut our suspicions." If Tata wasn't his brother 's son then Taehyung had to know. He ought to know the baby he raised and loved isn't his. That he enslaved himself into a fake marriage for nothing.
" It's not that simple. We need permission to do it."
" Use your professional capacity. Pull up some strings. Threaten them if you have to. Somebody must owe you a favour!"
A crazy idea blended in his head. There was a person who could help. It was a long shot but he had to try." I'll see what I can do."
Jimin cupped his head with both hands, his increased heartbeat hammering his temples." My brother will be devastated in case Tata isn't his... He adores that boy more than anything... knowing he's raising somebody else's child will kill him."
" And that his real baby from Jungkook, his heir, died years ago." Yoongi croaked.
For a period of ten minutes both men were plunged in their thoughts, weighing the situation and the impact on their lives. Provided JungTae wasn't Taehyung 's biological child, he had minimum chances of getting custody, in case he decided to divorce Duri.
Jimin was reluctant whether or not they should tell him. Taehyung was the only father Tata knew and the repercussions would be tremendous on both. On the other hand, there was Jungkook. He deserved to be happy with the man be loved.
' Being an adult and making decisions sucked.' Jimin pondered.
Their thoughts were interrupted by the constant ringing at the door. Yoongi went to open it , coming back with Mark.
The younger 's facial expressions were shadowed." Boss I've been calling you for an hour but your phone was dead....Could we talk?" He waved his hand to Jimin, who just nodded and Yoongi signalled him to step forward.
" Jimin knows. Speak freely."
Mark was holding s big, black folder, handing it over to his boss." I'm not sure how to tell you...so read it."
The man grabbed it, opened it and his face was utterly blank while studying it." Have you confirmed it?"
" Five times. To be on the safe side."
" Fine... I'm leaving for Daeseong-dong first thing tomorrow morning. You're in charge during my absence." Yoongi announced coarsely." Go."
Mark said goodbye and left.
" Do I even want to know?"
" Depends...Things are getting out of hand, baby... I don't know what to think anymore..."
At that precise moment, Jimin realised the deep, dark secrets their lives were encircled in. Lies. Schemes. Plots. Deception.
Their whole existence was covered in them.
Attempting to rectify one ,created a new one. Stirring the past could cramble the meer foundations of their family.
However, truth finds a way to surface.
Nothing remains hidden for long.