Chapter Text
New York City
Kim Corporation Headquarters, Downtown Manhattan
Jimin sat in the sleek modern lobby as he waited for his interview begin. He watched men and women wearing expensive suits walk by, the sight making him start to feel self-conscious as he worried about if he was even good enough for the position he was interviewing for.
A pair of doors then slid open and a stunning woman with an icy demeanor approached. "Jimin?"
"Yes," Jimin stood up from his chair. "That's me."
"I'm Morgan Carr, VP of Operations at Kim Corp." She held out her hand for Jimin to shake. "I'm ready to interview you now."
Jimin nodded. "Sure, absolutely."
Morgan tilted her head. "You sound surprised."
Tugging at his blazer, Jimin let out a nervous laugh. "I just wasn’t expecting to be interviewed by someone so high up in the company."
"You're applying to be the executive assistant of our CEO, Namjoon Kim himself." She deadpanned. "One of the most powerful and influential men in the world. We take our hiring process very seriously."
"Of course!" Jimin nodded quickly. "I totally understand!" He tried to keep up a confident façade as he followed Morgan into a sterile conference room.
Once they were settled into their chairs, Morgan clasped her hands together and rested her hands on the table. "The Kim Corporation is a global leader in technology and innovation. Why exactly are you interested in being the executive assistant to our CEO?"
"I'd love to help make the world a better place." Jimin responded sincerely. "What I admire most about the Kim Corporation is your dedication to global innovation and improvement. The clean water initiative…the vaccine for the anginis virus…the green energy project…You guys aren't just getting rich. You're trying to help people, to make technology that'll save the planet." Jimin smiled. "I can't think of anything better than being a part of that."
Morgan hummed. "A good answer. A bit cloying, perhaps, but Namjoon might actually like that."
Before the interview could proceed any further, the door at the back of the room swung open. A handsome man in a perfectly tailored suit strolled in, his eyes sparkling with cold intelligence as he assessed Jimin. "Namjoon." Morgan sat up. "I wasn't expecting you-"
"I had a free minute." Namjoon stated, not taking his gaze off of Jimin. "Is this the candidate?"
"Y-yes, but I've just started the interview and-"
"I'll take over from here."
Morgan blinked before nodding. "Of course, sir. Go right ahead."
Namjoon pulled up a seat directly across from Jimin, his eyes nearly burning right through him. "Jimin, is it?"
"That's right." Jimin nodded slightly, swallowing thickly.
"Tell me, Jimin…" He looked the male over. "What do you desire?"
Jimin blinked. "You mean…why do I want this job? Because I-"
Namjoon shaking his head made Jimin stop. "I didn't ask why you want this job. I asked what you desire."
"Uh…" Jimin watched Namjoon to see if he could tell what the man was getting at but came up with nothing. "I guess I desire…passion."
"Really?" Namjoon raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry if that's too personal." Jimin said. "I'm just being honest. I want to…feel deeply. I want to experience life. I want to live every moment like it's my last. That's what I desire."
Namjoon hummed in approval. "I can relate." He glanced down at Jimin's resume resting on the table. "Let's see here. Graduated college a year ago…Bachelor's in Communications…interned at Motion Networks…volunteered abroad in Guimenia for a year." Jimin nodded in confirmation. "And how was that? Tell me in three words."
Jimin's eyes widened slightly as he racked his brain for the most appropriate words. "Uh…difficult. Enlightening. Rewarding."
"Good." Namjoon sat up. "This job can be challenging and unpredictable. Are you comfortable running unusual errands?"
"Absolutely."
"Handling confidential information?"
"I can keep a secret."
"Working nights?"
Jimin shrugged slightly. "Always been a night owl."
Namjoon hummed as he leaned back in his chair. "Anything else I should know about you?"
"I have a great memory."
"Oh?" Namjoon tilted his head in interest. "What was the first thing I said when I walked in?"
"I had a free minute. Is this the candidate?" Jimin recited verbatim.
Namjoon smiled. "Impressive. And not a bad impression of me, if I may say so myself."
"I try."
"One last question." Namjoon leaned forward, hands folded together on the table. His expression was intense and impenetrable, but Jimin didn't dare fold under his gaze. "A long time ago, there lived a man in a distant village. He had a good enough life…a wife, three kids, a village of friends, a plot of land to call his own. But one day, while plowing his field, he found a buried lamp. And when he rubbed it, a genie appeared and gave him three wishes. For the first wish, he asked for great wealth. A pile of gold appeared all around him. But the rest of the village suffered instantly. Their crops withered, wells dried, larders went empty." Jimin nodded to signify that he was following along. "Next, the man wished for immortality. The genie granted it…but when he ran into his house, his wife and children were all dead." Namjoon paused, staring into Jimin's eyes as if searching for something. "Tell me, Jimin. What should the man ask for his third and final wish?"
"To undo his last two wishes." Namjoon raised an eyebrow, obviously expecting a reason. "He'd already had all he really wanted or needed. It's a story about greed and temptation. There's no way for the man to win because he should never have played the game. All he can hope for is to bring things back to the way they were."
Namjoon nodded thoughtfully, eyes taking on a faraway glaze. After a few seconds, he grinned. "You're hired."
Jimin's eyes widened. "What? Are you serious?"
Namjoon extended his hand to shake Jimin's. "Welcome to the Kim Corporation."
"But…" Morgan stared at the CEO in shock. "We have 15 more candidates! We haven't even-"
Namjoon raised a hand to stop her. "This is the one."
Morgan bowed her head. "Of course. Understood."
"Mr. Kim, sir, I-"
"Call me Namjoon." He cut Jimin off.
Jimin paused for a moment before continuing. "Namjoon, I’m just…" He sighed in content, "so honored for this opportunity. I promise I won't let you down."
"Good." Namjoon stated. "Because I take promises very seriously."
"When do I start?"
"Right now." Namjoon escorted Jimin out to a glistening elevator while Morgan went to process his paperwork. Once inside the elevator, Namjoon pressed his keycard to a scanner to make a display with buttons appear and pressed the one labeled 'Executive Office'.
"So…" Jimin played with his fingers as the elevator ascended. "Is this your own private elevator?"
"Yes."
Jimin nodded. "Wow…"
"It's not as pretentious as you might think." Namjoon stated. "Sometimes it's necessary for me to get around the building quickly."
The 23-year old's eyes widened. "Oh, I didn't mean…I understand you're a very busy person."
"One of your jobs is to help me be more efficient so I can get more done." Namjoon explained. "My previous assistant…she didn't understand that."
Jimin blinked. "Is that why she's no longer with the company?"
Guilt seemed to flash in Namjoon's eyes, causing Jimin to furrow his eyebrows. "Among other reasons." Namjoon turned to study Jimin.
Jimin couldn't help but straighten his posture under the man's gaze. "I'll absolutely do my best, sir-I mean, Namjoon."
Namjoon offered him a smile. "I have no doubt you will. That's why I hired you."
"I'm ready to hit the ground running." Jimin stated. "What's on the agenda for today?"
"My schedule for the rest of the day is packed." Namjoon informed him. "Right now, I need to prepare for a meeting with some very important partners."
"How can I help you prepare?"
Namjoon's smile returned. "I like your initiative."
Jimin didn't stop there. "I can order some food to be brought in. There's an incredible Mediterranean place around the corner."
"Thank you, but we won't need anything to eat." Jimin nodded, but Namjoon's next words sent a chill down his spine. "Not that you can provide." Before Jimin could question what he meant, Namjoon was moving on. "However, there is something else…My guests are formidable people at the height of power in their fields. I'm conducting some delicate negotiations…so I wanted to welcome them with some memorable gifts."
"No problem." Jimin chirped. "Would you like me to run out and shop for some special items? I can shop like nobody's business. Especially with someone else's money. I'm seriously, like, semi-pro."
Namjoon chuckled at Jimin's eagerness. "I've actually already personally selected a few…unique things. All you need to do is pick them up for me."
Jimin nodded. "Absolutely."
The elevator finally stopped at the top floor and the doors slid open to reveal the lobby outside Namjoon's office. "This'll be your desk." Namjoon gestured to the off-white reception desk just outside his door. Before Jimin could move to sit behind it, Namjoon stopped him. "You'll be going back down. All the way down to the basement archives."
Jimin blinked. "Is that where the gifts are?"
"Yes." Namjoon answered. "They should have everything ready for you. Afterwards, come find me on the 75th floor conference center. Just be prepared…The archive clerk can be a bit…unusual." He reached into the elevator and pushed 'B' for basement to send Jimin on his way.
"Unusual?" Jimin furrowed his eyebrows. "Is this some kind of a test?" Namjoon didn't respond, just smiled at Jimin as the doors closed.
Jimin carefully exited the elevator into the basement archives. "Not what I expected." He mumbled to himself as he looked around the dark room full of shelves.
"What are you doing here?" Jimin jumped and turned to see an old man who kind of looked like he belonged in th 18th century glaring at him.
Composing himself, Jimin smiled at the man and held out his hand…only the man didn't take it. Jimin awkwardly lowered his hand. "This is a test, right? This has to be a test."
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Right." Jimin cleared his throat. "I'm here to pick up some items for Mr. Kim." The man just continued to glare at him. "Some gifts he requested for his guests?"
"Do you have an authorization form?"
Jimin blinked. "Authorization? No, I-" The man turned on his heel and started to walk away. "Wait, I need those gifts now!" The clerk turned back around. "It's very important that I get the items Namjoon requested right away. He's counting on me."
"No form, no help."
Frustrated, Jimin frowned at the man. "I don't have a form because I got authorization straight from Mr. Kim himself. I think he'd be very upset if I had to go interrupt his meeting because of a silly formality. I mean, do you think I stumbled down here randomly, that I just happened to know he had something waiting to be picked up this afternoon?"
The man sighed. "I suppose not."
Jimin gave him a tight smile. "So, give me the gifts and let's get this show on the road."
"…fine." He disappeared down a dark corridor and returned a few moments later with a carved wooden box.
"Is that everything?"
"It contains three things." The clerk informed him. "Do not get it wrong."
Jimin furrowed his eyebrows. "Get what wrong?"
The man reached into the box and pulled out an elaborately engraved silver dagger, earning a noise of surprise and confusion from Jimin. "The dagger is for Mr. Cardenal. It's from the 14th century."
"Like…the actual 14th century?"
"Do I look like I play jokes?" The clerk asked with a scowl.
"No," Jimin quickly shook his head. "I was just expecting like…a fancy pen with a Kim Corp logo or something."
The clerk carefully placed the dagger back in the box and pulled out a gold Egyptian scarab beetle encrusted with precious stones. "This scarab is 2100 years old."
"Like-"
"Actually 2100 years." The clerk glared at Jimin once more. "It is intended for Mr. Min."
"Got it." Jimin nodded. "And the third thing?"
The final item the clerk pulled out from the box was a tiny glass vial filled with a red powder and sealed with a cork. "Mandrake extract. That is something Mr. Kim requested for himself."
"Cardenal, dagger. Min, scarab. Kim, mandrake." Jimin muttered to himself. "I got it."
The clerk carefully handed Jimin the box. "Godspeed." He turned and disappeared down a dark corridor.
"Okay…" Jimin furrowed his eyebrows. "Bye?" He turned to head back to the elevator. "That was weird." He muttered to himself.
Once in the elevator and heading to the 75th floor, he pulled out his phone and googled 'mandrake extract'.
Mandrake extract is hallucinogenic and narcotic. It was historically used to treat melancholy. In large doses, however, it can induce delirium or unconsciousness.
"Okay…" Jimin pocketed his phone. "At which point do I become worried?" He picked up the vial of mandrake extract and held it up to the light to examine the red powder.
As the elevator arrived on the designated floor, Jimin tucked the vial into his pocket and knocked on the door of the conference room.
"Excellent, Jimin." Namjoon greeted as he opened the door. "Come in, please." Jimin entered the room and saw two other men seated at the table. A man that couldn't be more than a few years older than him with an intense gaze, and a sweaty older man who was looking Jimin up and down with hungry eyes. "This is Jimin, my new assistant."
"You do go through them rather quickly." The younger of the two men commented.
"Jimin," Namjoon gestured to the man. "This is Yoongi Min. CEO of Agust Financial." Jimin reached out to shake his hand, but. Yoongi dismissed it with a curt nod. "Yoongi is a brilliant and fascinating man, but warmth is not his forte." Yoongi rolled his eyes.
"I," the older male spoke up, "on the other hand, would be more than happy to shake your hand, gorgeous."
Namjoon scowled at him. "And this is Iker Cardenal of Cardenal Meats."
Iker rose from his seat and grasped Jimin's hand, his free hand stroking Jimin's forearm. "What a beautiful, beautiful boy…"
The male tried to move his hand towards Jimin's hips, but he pulled away, not hesitating to slap him. Iker glared at Jimin, but Namjoon stepped forward. "Back off, Iker. Now."
"Why is everyone so touchy?" Iker huffed. "I'm just complimenting a beautiful young man."
"Touch this beautiful young man again and he'll break your fingers." Jimin glared at him.
Yoongi sucked air through his teeth. "I wouldn't test him, Iker. He seems to mean business."
Iker reluctantly backed off but continued to creepily stare at Jimin. "How tragic. No one has any fun these days."
"Back to business." Namjoon stated. "To commemorate our partnership, I have chosen some small gifts for you. Jimin, can you do the honors?"
Jimin nodded and reached into the box, pulling out the bejeweled scarab. He handed it to Yoongi, who immediately admired it. "Ptolemaic Dynasty. Very nice, Namjoon."
"I thought you'd appreciate it."
"The scarab is a symbol of rebirth," Jimin stated, "if I'm recalling my general education course correctly."
Yoongi glanced up at Jimin, their eyes meeting for the first time. Jimin realized that they were a warm brown, warm enough that he wouldn't mind falling into them.
Iker cleared his throat, breaking Jimin out of his trance. "Lovely. Poetic. But what do I get?" Jimin pulled the dagger from the box. "Ooh, angel with a switchblade. I'm in love."
"For god's sake…" Yoongi groaned, rolling his eyes at the older male.
"Actually, it's an antiquity from the 14th century," Jimin explained. "And it's for you, Mr. Cardenal."
"Please, call me Iker." He stated as Jimin moved to hand him his gift. "Or Daddy. Whichever you prefer." Jimin stared at him in disgust as he took the dagger. "Thank you, Namjoon."
Namjoon glared at Iker before turning to Jimin. "Thank you, Jimin. You may go."
Jimin nodded. "Let me know if you need anything. I'll be at my desk." He scurried out of the room, still feeling nauseous from his interactions with Iker.