Dynasty

episode 16: friendzone

"It's him, Kook. I swear. We have to do something or else he might go after Jin!" Jisoo said in panic as she paced back and forth inside one of the Kim Mansion's guestroom. 

Right now, Taehyung went to check on his twin sister which gave him enough time to quickly get his things. After what happened, he wants to be there next to her as much as possible. He also came to convince Jisoo.

He knew why Jinyoung went to him first. He knows. He knows about Jisoo and Jin. And only a fool wouldn't notice how smitten his wife was to the young CEO. His brother wanted him to convince Jisoo to go back to him. And he used Lisa as the bait.

"You know why he's doing this, noona," he responded. "He wants you. You two are married so you should go back to him. He's gonna do what you've always wanted. He's gonna stop. Just one last heist and you're both off to the countryside--"

"Bullshit," she hissed. "Do you know how many times he said that to me? He says that all the f*****g time! One last heist and we'll finally settle down and make a family of our own. But that never happened."

"He's not that bad--"

"You've been away from us for years, Jungkook," Jisoo blurted out. "You don't know how hard it was for me. I loved him, yeah, but I can't live like this anymore. I can't w***e myself for your brother to feed his greed. And I can't be that stupid little girl who believes in his promises."

Pain, anger and frustration pierced through her eyes as it started to water. But no tear fell. Jisoo was a tough woman. She's endured so much. He did too.

"You should too," she continued. "You're smart, Jungkook. Stop believing your brother's words. You know he's a liar. You can't keep believing him--"

Jungkook then raised his phone shocking Jisoo. With that he also motioned her to not be obvious. On the screen was an on-going call with Jinyoung. Jisoo turned to him confused.

"But noona," he said sounding as convincing as he could. "I think hyung's really serious this time. Please give him a chance. I took care of the money he wanted. All he needs now is you."

Jisoo caught up.

"And you know this... why? Are you in contact with him, Kook?"

"Yes," he said. "He told me the plan. 500 million and then you two are off to the countryside."

"But how... how did you manage to get 500 million?"

"I'm Lisa's husband now, remember? I have access to her bank account," he lied. The truth is, he doesn't even know her goddamned bank information. "She won't notice this missing. 500 million can guarantee you both a good life and enough to raise a family of your own."

Silence. Jisoo was cautious. If she answered instantly, he would sense that there's something wrong. If Jungkook doesn't convince her, he'd go after Jin. So she took a moment before answering.

"Fine," she said. "I'll give your brother a chance."

And with that, Jungkook ended the call. They both sighed.

"What are you planning, Jungkook?"

"I plan on ending this, noona. Once and for all."

"Took you long enough, JK," Jinyoung said on the other line. "So, how's your lovely wife taking it?"

"You son of a bi--"

"Careful now, Kook," the guy chuckled. "You're mom's son too."

"What the hell do you want, hyung?! Money? Give me enough time and I'll give you your goddamned 500 million!" he snapped. "Just stay away from her!"

He can feel his brother smirking from the other line.

"Very good, Jungkook. As reliable as always," he said in a rather taunting tone. "But I'm rather enjoying you like this. It's a first."

"Leave her alone!" he hissed. "She has nothing to do with all of this--"

"On the contrary, she's that bastard's sister. That bastard who took a rather 'valuable asset from me." Jungkook clenched his fist. Valuable asset? He refers his wife as a mere possession?  Bastard. "So let me propose a trade, dear brother."

"I'm giving you the money, Jinyoung!" he yelled. "You're in no position to propose a f*****g trade--"

"Tsk. Tsk. Sure temper, Jungkook. Didn't I teach you not to let your emotions get to you?" Jinyoung taunted him more. "This is why you need me in your life. You need my guidance--"

"I don't need guidance from a psycho like you."

"Another thing you should learn, dear brother," Jinyoung said on gritted teeth. "Don't piss off the person you're making a deal with. Those windows may be bulletproof but I'm certain that wife of yours isn't."

This made Jungkook fall silent. If there's something he's sure about his older brother its that he never bluffs. Empty threats aren't his brother's cup of tea.

He can hear him scoff over the phone.

"Now that I finally got your attention, here's my deal for you," he said on a serious tone. "I trade your wife's life over mine. Give me back Jisoo and I'll assure you nothing bad will happen to Lalisa Kim. Clean deal, don't you think?"

"You traded me off?!" Jisoo blurted out. "How could you--"

"Relax, noona," he immediately stopped her. "I have a plan. I have the 97 guys to help me on this. So I promise you, you, Jin and Lisa will be safe. We'll take down my brother once and for all."

"Be careful, JK. This is your brother's game now. One wrong move, and our lives will forever be in danger."

"Whoa. What's gotten your panties in a twist?" Chaeyoung asked as Lisa walked in the club with a huge scowl on her face.

"Don't ask," she said throwing her Louis Vuitton purse on the seat next to her.

Chaeyoung threw the questioning look on Taehyung who stood behind his twin sister.

"Jungkook has been ignoring her for days," he said trying to stop himself from laughing. But he failed. And this earned him a huge slap on the arm. "She's being a b***h about it all day long."

The red-haired girl turned towards her best friend.

"Just because you're not getting laid doesn't mean you can snitch on me, Tae," Lisa muttered towards her twin then faced Chaeyoung. "It's like he's purposely ignoring me, Chae. And I'm not being dramatic about it. He arrives late--and when I say late, I mean late. We haven't even hooked up the whole week. The whole f*****g week."

"Wow. s*x-deprived Lisa is scary," Jimin commented as he walked in from the behind the counter.

"Shut up, midget. I'm not talking to you," she spat making raise both his hands in surrender.

Chaeyoung stopped herself from laughing but Taehyung couldn't. This made the girl glare at the both of them.

"Stop making this girl's husband work overtime," Hoseok joined in on the teasing as he too walked in the building. "You're ruining her honeymoon. And if my calculations are correct, I'll be seeing you back in the office on Monday."

"Hey don't look at me," Taehyung said raising both her arms. "Chae owns this place. I'm just a silent business partner lurking in the corners for free booze."

"Ugh!" Lisa grunted dropping her head on the counter.

Everyone laughed at how she acted. It was a huge turn from how she usually was. And they prefer her now, to be honest. She's more... relaxed. It's like the wall she build around her was totally gone unlike before where they were only given windows to see pass through it.

Then Taehyung's attention suddenly shifted towards the entrance.

"Look who decided to join in on the fun," he said grinning from ear to ear. "He brother-in-law, it's just been a week and your wife's complaining."

Jungkook's brows furrowed as he walked towards the bar counter where everyone--including his wife, were gathered.

"Let me just remind you, Jungkook," the playful twin continued. "First rule of business: No returns."

Lisa scowled at her brother without bothering to give even a bit of attention towards her husband.

"What are they talking about?" he asked confusedly directed towards her.

"Nothing important," she mumbled then jumped off the chair. "Chaeng, let's hit the road. I need to direct my undivided attention elsewhere since my husband--soon to be ex if he keeps up this ignoring thing on."

The last part was mostly mumbles but Jungkook caught right on. He immediately pulled her towards his and snaked his arm around her waist.

"Soon to be ex?" he repeated with an eyebrow raised.

Lisa rolled her eyes at him and tried to break free but he did not give her a chance. This pissed her off so she violently stepped on his foot. Giving her time to escape and run towards the door.

"Chaeng grab my bag and let's go--Ya! Put me down!"

As Jungkook immediately recovered, he ran after his wife and carried her over his shoulder like a sack of rice.

"Sorry boss but I need to appease my wife first. I'm gonna take an indefinite leave," he said to Chaeyoung making the girl snicker.

"Ya! This is k********g! I'll f*****g sue you, you moron!" Lisa screamed as she tried to wriggle herself out of Jungkook's grasp. But the guy just slapped her butt for her to stop. "You did not just do that!"

"Oh I just f*****g did, wife," he answered. "And I'll do more than that when we get home..."

The rest of what Jungkook said wasn't audible to the other as the newlyweds exited the place. Jimin was still at awe, Hoseok was trying his best to compose himself and Chaeyoung was amazed.

Then a confused Jennie Park walked in.

"Was that Jungkook guy carrying Lisa out of the club on his shoulder like sack of rice?" she asked.

All of them nodded.

"Wow. For a moment there, I thought I was hallucinating or something," she said then suddenly smiled. "You're here!"

"Of course I'm here I own the pla--" Taehyung said but was cut off.

"Of course. You said to be here, right?"

Chaeyoung's mouth flew open the same way Jimin's did. Taehyung froze as Jennie hugged Hoseok.

"Eonnie?!" Chaeyoung blurted out. "You... and Hobi oppa?!"

Jennie smiled awkwardly as Hoseok placed his arm around her waist.

"Yes Chae," she confirmed. "We kinda went out one time and hit it off..."

"Bu--" before Chaeyoung can fully react, Jimin gave her a gentle squeeze. She warily turned to a stunned Taehyung. "Tae--"

Jennie beat her to it.

"Tae, this was what I was meaning to tell you," she said softly. "I was seeing someone that time and it's Hobi..."

Taehyung was out of words. He felt his world crumble before him but nobody knew about it. Maybe her sister but he doubts she even knew about this. 'Coz if she did, she would've told him, right?

"Tae?"

Taehyung snapped out of his trance and forced out a smile. He wanted to say something but no words would come out of his mouth. Instead, he took off his barista apron and excused himself taking his twin sister's purse--which she left, and went outside.

As he walked straight across the the road, he suddenly felt someone pull him violently back forcing him to come back to reality.

"Ya, are you out of your mind?" a baritone voice scolded him. "You could've died!"

"Huh?" he absentmindedly turned towards the streetlight. It was red.

"Red means no crossing," the guy explained. "Are you okay?"

"I..." Still, Taehyung couldn't utter a concrete word. All he could focus on was the sharp stabbing pain inside his chest. "I'm... I'm fine."

This made the guy's forehead crease.

"No you're not," he stated then grabbed him by his arm. "Come. I know a place where you can calm down."

He's been taught for years not to trust strangers. But for some unknown reason, he trusted this one.

"Okay."

The Han River was calm. It was what he needed.

"So..." the guy who brought him here started. "Did you catch your girlfriend cheating or something?"

That made him scoff and break into a smile.

"It wouldn't be considered cheating if we weren't together in the first place," he said bitterly.

"Oh. Is it a friendzone situation? Where the girl of your dreams introduces her boyfriend to the best friend?"

"Not exactly. Our relationship is quite... complicated."

Park Jennie had always been the center of his world. When Lisa met Chaeyoung and Jennie in middle school, he wasn't particularly fond of the Park sisters. Especially Jennie because she's a year older than them. But when Lisa grew particularly fond of Chaeyoung, he felt a bit... abandoned.

But Jennie was there with them all the time. Whenever Lisa clings on to Chaeyoung, he wouldn't be alone because Jen was there to accompany him. Even if they were in different classes, she'd always stop by to check on us. But that changed when high school happened. When Jennie fell for our big brother Jin.

Jin was her first love. She was his. And it killed him when Jin chose to break her heart.

That's why he and Jin could never see eye to eye. And he would never forgive him for doing that to her. Jennie became very cynical towards men. Even him, she couldn't get to trust. So he did the unthinkable. He told everyone he was gay 'til it reached her. And it worked. They became close again and one thing led to another 'til they suddenly began this weird friends with benefits sort of setup.

His trick backfired. And it sure hurts as hell.

"All relationships are complicated," the guy said with his gaze locked towards the river. "But at the same time, it's simple. Does she know? That you're in love with her? Not as a friend but as a lover."

He shook his head. "No."

"Then tell her," he said simply. But it wasn't that simple. "You could've avoided getting hurt if you just told her what you felt."

"But what if she didn't feel the same? I would be risking our friendship."

"But what if she did?" he clapped back. "You two would've ended up together and you wouldn't be suffering this pain right now. If you did love her, you should've taken the risk."

"But I couldn't risk losing her."

"But you lost her now, didn't you?"

Again, he was lost for words. The guy was right. If he mustered out the courage to ask her out before, he wouldn't have ended up in this situation.

"Well, I'm off to work," the guy said as he stood up. "My boss would flip if I don't get there in time. She's cute but not cute when mad."

Taehyung also stood up and caught him.

"Wait," he said. "Thank you for saving me earlier. And for bringing me here. Also, thanks for the advice."

"No problem kid," he said and smiled. "I have a brother around your age as well. He's married now, actually."

"That's good to hear," Taehyung said and smiled. "Can I know your name, at least?"

The guy smirked--which looked oddly familiar to be honest, and placed his hands inside his pockets.