Jungkook had always known this moment would come, but he never imagined it would be like this. The cold, sterile office felt like it was closing in on him, the walls seemingly getting smaller with each passing second. He was still processing the surreal reality that he had gotten the job as Taehyung's Personal Assistant. His heart pounded in his chest, his hands clammy as he waited for his name to be called.
"Mr. Jeon, the CEO will see you now." The receptionist's voice broke through his haze of thoughts, and Jungkook nodded, standing up with stiff legs.
As he walked down the long hallway to the CEO's office, the memories hit him like a ton of bricksâthe day they first met, their shared laughter, their first kiss. His heart clenched at the thought of how it all had unraveled so quickly. It felt like it had all been a dream.
He was about to face the man who had once been his whole world.
The door to the CEO's office opened, and Jungkook stepped inside, his breath catching in his throat as he laid eyes on the person seated at the desk.
Kim Taehyung.
It felt like time had stopped. There he was, sitting confidently behind his sleek, modern desk, his dark eyes focused on the screen in front of him. He looked almost the sameâexcept for the fact that he was now wearing a sharp suit that exuded power and sophistication. His once-soft features had become more mature, his jawline more defined, and his hair styled perfectly.
But the most jarring thing was his face. His eyes were empty, as if there was nothing inside, no trace of the boy Jungkook had once loved.
"Mr. Jeon, please, have a seat." Taehyung's voice was polite, but it felt distant, detached. It didn't hold the warmth it once had, the warmth that had made Jungkook fall for him in the first place.
Jungkook swallowed hard, forcing his legs to move as he sat down across from Taehyung. His throat tightened as he stared at the man he once knew so wellâthe man who had disappeared from his life without a single word of explanation.
Taehyung looked up from his screen, offering a small, professional smile. "I see you're the candidate for the Personal Assistant position." His voice was calm and measured, and it felt almost too formal.
Jungkook nodded, his heart heavy. "Yes, that's me."
Taehyung didn't seem to notice the tension in the air, the weight of their unspoken history. He continued, asking the usual questions about Jungkook's qualifications, experience, and why he was applying for the position. But all Jungkook could do was sit there, his mind racing with a thousand thoughts.
How could he not recognize me?
Does he even remember us?
He wanted to scream, to shout at Taehyung, to demand why he had left him alone all those years ago, why he had disappeared without a trace. But he couldn't. Not here. Not now.
Jungkook's mind was a whirlwind, his thoughts torn between the past and the present. He remembered the night he had called Taehyung, desperate to tell him that they were going to have a child. He had waited for him at their favorite spot, the rain pouring down as he clutched his phone, hoping that Taehyung would show up. But he never did.
Jungkook had been left alone to raise their daughter, Hani, on his own.
Taehyung's voice cut through the haze of his thoughts. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude, but I don't think we've met before." His eyes searched Jungkook's face, but there was no recognition there. Not even a flicker of familiarity.
Jungkook's heart shattered in that instant.
It was as if everything they hadâeverything they'd sharedâhad meant nothing to Taehyung. He was just another stranger sitting across from him, asking questions, doing his job.
"I... I think you may be mistaken." Jungkook forced the words out, his voice rough with emotion. "We have not met before. ."
Taehyung's brows furrowed in confusion. He smiled politely, but there was no warmth behind it. "I apologize."
Jungkook looked away, swallowing the lump that had formed in his throat. He didn't want to cry, not here, not in front of Taehyung. But the painâthe sharp, raw ache in his chestâwas unbearable. He had always known this moment would come, but he never imagined it would be like this. A stranger who had once been his everything, now completely indifferent.
Jungkook clenched his fists in his lap, the urge to flee growing stronger. But he couldn't leave. He needed this job. Hani needed this job.
"I... I understand." Jungkook's voice was shaky, but he forced himself to continue. "I justâ" He stopped himself, biting his lip. There was so much he wanted to say, so many questions, so much pain. But none of it would matter. Taehyung didn't remember him.
Taehyung tilted his head, sensing the shift in Jungkook's mood. "Mr. Jeon, is something wrong?"
Jungkook shook his head, trying to compose himself. "No... It's fine. I just..." He let out a shaky breath. "I am nervous."
Taehyung seemed to soften for a moment, his gaze lingering on Jungkook as if he were trying to understand him. But then, the wall went up again, and Taehyung continued, asking more questions about Jungkook's qualifications.
Jungkook felt himself slipping further into emotional turmoil. How could he sit here, pretending to be a stranger to the man he had once loved so deeply? How could Taehyung have forgotten everythingâtheir late-night talks, their laughter, their dreams of a future together?
But the reality was he had. He had forgotten. And Jungkook had to accept that.
As the interview continued, Jungkook fought to keep his composure. He answered Taehyung's questions, his mind clouded by a mix of anger, sorrow, and confusion. Taehyung was professional, polite, and distantânothing like the Taehyung Jungkook had once known.
Finally, the interview was over. Jungkook stood up, his legs weak beneath him. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Kim." His voice barely made it past the lump in his throat.
"Of course, Mr. Jeon. We'll be in touch soon." Taehyung smiled again, but it felt empty.
Jungkook turned to leave, his chest tight with the weight of his emotions. As he reached the door, he heard Taehyung's voice once more.
"Mr. Jeon... I'm sorry, but... you remind me of someone."
Jungkook froze. His heart skipped a beat.
"I don't know who, but... something about you seems familiar."
Jungkook stood still for a moment, his mind racing. Was there hope? Was there something left between them? Or was it just his mind playing tricks on him, grasping at straws?
"Goodbye, Mr. Jeon." Taehyung's voice brought him back to reality.
Jungkook nodded, forcing a small smile as he walked out of the office, his heart heavy with pain, confusion, and a longing for the past that would never return.
As he exited the building, he leaned against the cold stone wall, breathing in deeply. Taehyung didn't remember. And yet, something in Jungkook's chest refused to let go of the hope that someday, he would. But for now, he was left with nothing but the past and the uncertain future ahead.
And he wasn't sure which one hurt more.