Chapter Text
Prologue
His hands are trembling.
In fear? No. Of course not. You fucking wish.
They're tightened into fists, ready to land on one of the faces in front of him. The smug look on the guards’ faces are very identical to their boss.
Maybe he’ll have to strangle them one by one before keeping their boss for the finale. That’s how angry he is.
"I don’t have all the time in the world so let me in.” he grins through gritted teeth.
"Boss doesn't have time for you, little kid. Go home."
"Tell him I don't have the time for his nonsense either." he retorts sharply, "You know what, I'll tell him that. Get out of my way."
They collectively block his way, but the man does not bat an eye. Even with his much smaller stature.
"Do I look like I'm playing with all of you, sick bastards?" his deep voice echoes within the wide hall, "Get out of my fucking way!"
The men around him share a glance, taken aback by his sudden outburst. When he tries to walk to the big office door, their hands easily pull him back, earning them a yelp.
"Fuck you—"
"What is that ugly noise all about? I'm trying to work here."
The commotion is halted by the amused voice from the intercom, with an undertone that they were being watched since the scene began.
He hates it. He hates how he can picture the smug little smile on his handsome face even without seeing it. If he was mad before, Kyungsoo is seething now.
"Sir, there's just someone making a scene here but we assure you we'll make him leave shortly."
He chuckles sarcastically. Like he’s been making it easy for the past ten minutes?
"Ah… roaches are really common these days, aren't they?" the voice from the intercom chuckles deeply, "Make sure to step on them before kicking them out of here, okay?"
Just… how fucking dare this guy?
Now the guards barely notice how he swiftly makes his way through the intercom beside some scared secretaries, almost punching it with his fist as he speaks through it.
"You're the only roach here you dumb asshole!" he shouts angrily, shaking off all the arms pulling him away, "Why don't you face me coward? Afraid I might break your face? Come out and I'll kill you with my bare hands!"
"Oh, you’re really going through it, aren’t you?" the man laughs louder.
He’s never letting him break the years it took to build himself. Kyungsoo grits his teeth, tears of anger now threatening to fall.
Never again.
“I will make sure you pay, Kim Jongin. If you think you can play this game again, I’m not letting you.” his voice doesn’t break despite the waves of emotions, “You’ll never get what you want, you fucking asshole!”
Murmurs surround him, with dozen pairs of eyes watching everything unfold. The boss they all respect being yelled at by some random stranger. Kyungsoo would’ve felt shame at this point, but the rage he fostered for years makes it impossible.
"Do Kyungsoo...still as feisty as you were, huh?" his name rolls differently on the businessman’s tongue. He hates how he shivers from it, "Open the door and let him in."
The security team shares a stunned glance, slowly letting go of his arms. Kyungsoo has never felt this humiliated in a while, but he’s not one to back down either. So he straightens up his shirt and walks into the office despite his wobbling knees.
Kim Jongin is the polar opposite of what he had in his mind, or at least his last memory of him. Gone were the hand-me-down clothes and worn out sneakers. Now, he’s sitting on a luxurious chair in front of his luxurious desk in a fucking luxurious office.
But it’s not the only thing that changed about him. Gone was the boy who held himself with modesty because now, watching Kyungsoo, is a man oozing with danger. His shoulders are relaxed with a different air of arrogance, eyes like a hawk that strips down every defense he puts out for himself.
Not a hint of the man Kyungsoo knows. Used to know. Or maybe he never even knew him at all.
It’s pathetic how his heart still frantically beats against his chest. He can almost hear it against his ears. It’s like dry-swallowing a large pill that’s now stuck in his throat. He has to remind himself of what he came for. It doesn’t involve reminiscing.
"To what do I owe you this pleasure?"
The doors close behind him, leaving them all on their own. Jongin sees through his control and his grin becomes even wider.
"You know what you did so stop playing dumb."
The man clasps both his hands and leans back on his seat. His hair has gotten much longer, pushed back from his forehead. The gray waistcoat over his white polo hugs his figure well but that's beyond anyone’s concern, really.
"I believe the discussion was long over." a gaze finally settles on his face as he speaks, "I've already talked to your father. He agreed. I already gave my conditions too. Now if any of you don't agree, suit yourselves."
"My father was not in his best condition and you pressured him!" Kyungsoo exclaims, "He probably wasn't even in his right mind but you fooled him. After everything he's done for you! You should've just waited for me so I could decide for my family."
He chuckles in disbelief.
"Everyone's time doesn't revolve around his spoiled brat of a son. Whether you were there or not, you wouldn't be able to do anything." his brows shoot up, "It's not my fault you're having the time of your life in New York when your father was facing his greatest dilemma."
The way it was said, like he wanted that to begin with, hits a trigger Kyungsoo didn’t know was still uncharted.
He’s Do Kyungsoo, and begging this jerk in front of him has always been the last thing he’d do. He’d rather be wiped off the face of the earth.
But now he’s desperate. No matter how much he hates to admit, Jongin is still ahead of him. Worse is now his family’s involved. Kyungsoo slowly realizes that the thing he’ll lose to him is more important than the hatred he’s kept for so long.
Jongin surely knew that, too. He calculated his pieces way before Kyungsoo could, and the smile on his face now is the clear proof that he’s winning.
Kyungsoo’s voice finally breaks.
"My father owns that." Jongin scoffs.
"He used to own that." he says as-a-matter-of-factly, "And now I'm saving it from its downfall."
" Bullshit." he forces a chuckle through gritted teeth, "Saving it my ass. You've always wanted it from the very beginning."
Jongin finally stands up from his seat, lips curved in a taunting smile as he walks around the desk.
"Think whatever you want. I couldn't care less." he says with finality, "I've already given you one last option. Either take that or get lost."
Kyungsoo shuts his eyes as both hands turn into fists on his sides. He opens them again to see Jongin anticipating his response.
"You want me to work for you in our own company?" he asks in disbelief, "How would using my skill be to your advantage? You already got the best in this country."
"My own advantage? Baby, you'll get all the credit for your work, I assure you that."
The small endearment feels like a punch in his gut. Still, he doesn’t make it known.
"Then how does it help you?" Jongin is having the time of his life over his baffled tone, "I don't believe you're not gaining something from this. I know you have something up your sleeves."
The man’s laughter echoes within the room. And Kyungsoo can only watch him, scared of what he’s gotten himself into.
But it’s too late.
"Is it simply the satisfaction then?" he asks in a defeated voice, "To humiliate me and get the fulfillment of seeing me as your inferior? That's it, right?"
The hooded eyes are directed at him, The side of Jongin's lips curls up.
"What makes you think I need that?"
Kyungsoo gives no response. He remains panting on his spot, trying to make sense out of his proposal while being distracted by his intent gaze.
"Don't worry about my advantage anymore, you won't even be bothered by it, trust me." he takes slow steps towards the designer, "Just think of that as my gift of gratitude to your family. Your designs will make your father's legacy remain with the brand, isn't that your goal?"
Kyungsoo’s face shifted when he said that. He’s reminded of the exact reason why he’s there.
Spacing out, he doesn’t even notice him lessening the space between them.
"Come on, Soo ." there’s a sudden jolt all over him when a hand runs on his shoulder, "For old times' sake?"
He pulls away with all the might left in him, as if burned. Jongin takes a step back and smiles at his response.
"Don't call me that. You have no right."
The CEO shrugs at that, like he’s only starting. He takes another once-over at the angry man before stepping back.
"I'll wait for your decision." he swiftly presses the intercom, “Get him out. He’s technically not my employee yet.”
With still heaving chest, Kyungsoo gears up to pull something out of his chest that’s been there for eight years now.
"Rot in hell, Kim Jongin. Go fucking rot there!"
He turns away as fast as he can, his biggest dilemma finally dawning on him like a wildfire. He can't believe this. His father didn't just do this to him. Not again.
"I expected such words of defeat from you, Soo."
The words are enough to slow his pace down.
"Your pride won't get you anywhere. Forget that and take whatever help is offered." the certainty in Jongin’s tone irks him even more, "Accept it when you lose in the end. It lessens the damage, I swear."
With his jaw clenched, he throws him one last look. There’s seriousness on Jongin’s face that tugs something in his chest. But he won’t accept even that.
He hates this man with every bit of him, and he’ll never lose. Not to him, at least.
Lose in the end, huh?
We haven't even started.