Dynasty

episode 19: finding jungkook

two years after...

"Appa!"

Yoongi's head snapped towards the door as a little boy, right around a year old, came running inside his office. He smiled and immediately crouched down to welcome the toddler with open arms.

"Aigoo! Uri Junghyun-ie," he said as the boy's arms wrapped around his neck. "Where's your eomma? Did you come here alone?"

The kid broke free from the hug and shook his head no. Then turned towards the door.

"Eomma!" Little Junghyun ran—well more like brisk walk while struggling to balance himself, towards his mother and held her hand as they walked back towards Yoongi.

"You should really stop Junghyun from calling me 'Appa', Li," he chuckled after picking up the kid. "He might get used to it that when his real dad shows up he'd get confused."

Lisa just smiled.

"He calls Hoseok 'Appa' too," she mentioned. "It's the kid's response since you two were basically in our faces acting like his dads."

He shrugged. "What can I say? The kid got me totally whipped."

Two years passed like a blur. After the news about what happened to Jungkook broke, she couldn't function well. And since there was no body found, a huge part of her hoped that he was still alive. That he just had amnesia like those cliché scenarios in the movies. She was in denial, yes but, no dead body to mourn meant he's not dead for her. Even if everyone says he couldn't have survived that fall, they didn't know Jungkook like I did.

"So how's the new director doing?" She asked grinning at him. "My, this office looks amazing."

Yoongi suddenly became shy as he rubbed his nape.

"So you've heard," he said smiling.

"Yup," she said folding her arms. "And I'm appalled you didn't call me as soon as Jin oppa gave you the position. I had to find out from Jisoo eonnie—"

"Lis?" Someone suddenly said peaking from the door. It was Jisoo. Her eyes sparkled as soon as she saw Junghyun. "Junghyun-ie!"

The heavily pregnant woman—who now goes by Jisoo Kim since her divorce was completed a year ago, hurriedly walked towards us and grabbed Junghyun from Yoongi's arms. She was glowing.

"I knew if I snitched I'd get to see my favorite nephew," she said proudly.

Lisa rolled her eyes. "He's your only nephew."

"Still, he's my favorite," she replied then booped the little one's nose making him giggle. "Even more than his uncle Jin."

That made the two laugh.

"Since you're already here, we'll be celebrating Yoongi's promotion in the mansion later," Jisoo mentioned not taking her eyes off the kid. "You and Junghyun-ie should come. Hoseok already RSVP'd and Taehyung and Jen are coming too."

"How about Chaeng and Jimin?" Yoongi asked.

"Oh, Chaeng said congrats but those two love birds are in Busan right now," Lisa informed. "Jimin had problems with the Jaegu Busan branch so they flew there early this morning."

"Chaeyoung went with him on a business trip?"

"Jimin bribed her into coming. Yooboo Joomeoni," she explained making Jisoo and Yoongi laugh.

"Well if there's food, there's Chaeyoung," Jisoo said smiling. "I feel jealous though. She eats a lot but doesn't gain any weight. I eat a single salad and I gain one."

"You're not fat, eonnie. You just have a little one growing inside you. A few more months and you'll have a little monster running around the mansion too."

She playfully pinched Junghyun's cheek which made him giggle. If everyone's whipped for the boy, he's whipped for his mom.

"By the way, Li," Yoongi said moving towards his new desk. "How's 'the 97' doing? I heard the game you guys release was a hit. Ever thought of making a mobile version?"

"Business talk," Jisoo said turning away. "I'll kidnap this baby boy first and head down to Jin's office. I'm guessing Junghyun wants to see his favorite uncle."

"Taehyung's his favorite uncle," Lisa corrected. "He give him candies. Jin makes him eat broccoli."

"Yeah, I know," the older girl grinned. "Taehyung's in Jin's office too."

She laughed as Jisoo retreated with her son.

"It depends," Lisa said smiling as she walked over to Yoongi. "Hoseok asked me the same question and it all comes down to who makes the best offer."

In two years she had a child and made her own company with the help of the 97 team. Now all she needed was Jungkook.

Not one day did she stop looking for him. DK has been helping her together with countless private investigators in the hopes of finding Jungkook. They looked all over South Korea and still, there was no trace of him.

She's actually trying to look for him in the neighboring countries now.

"Why not make it your own?" he suggested. "Then offer it to both companies. The rights, I mean. That way, the game can be purchased in both--"

Lisa's ringtone blasted from her pocket.

"Sorry, Yoongs. It's Bam," she said motioning her phone. Yoongi just nodded and she proceeded to answer. "What's up?"

"Li, I think we found him."

"Yes, eonnie. Bam said an informant called DK saying they found him in Shanghai," Lisa said as she hurried to her car.

"Shanghai? As in, in China? Why there? Is he with someone?"

"I'm not sure, eonnie. But the informant said a stranger called him saying they know where he is. They even sent proof." She was shaking. Multiple emotions are currently flowing through her system--relief, anxiety, happiness, excitement. "I booked the first flight and I'm going to the airport right now."

She almost dropped her phone when Bambam said they found him. After two long years, they were able to trace him. He wasn't dead. His body wasn't swept off to the sea. He survived. And now, he can come home.

"What about Junghyun? Will you take him with you?"

"Not yet, eonnie. I need to be certain first," she reasoned out. "Can you and Jin watch over him first? I know it's out of the blue but, he has some stuff in my old room he could use. Or you can ask Tae to get some stuff for him in the apartment."

"Don't worry about Junghyun, Li. We'll take good care of him. Please take good care of yourself, ne?"

"Yes, I will. Thanks eonnie."

She ended the call and got inside her car. But before she could manage to start the thing, Yoongi slipped in the passenger's seat.

"What are you doing?" she blurted out. "Ya, Min Yoongi--"

"I'm coming with you, Li," he declared. "Whether you like it or not, I will come with you."

"But your party--"

"It can wait," he said and smiled. "I can't just let you go to another country alone. Especially when you're a nervous wreck like this."

"DK and Bambam will follow me there," she informed him. "They just need to finish some stuff in the office--"

"Then tell them not to bother. I'm coming with you whether you like it or not."

"But Nayeon--"

Yoongi turned to her.

"Relax. It's fine, Li," he assured her. "I wouldn't have come if I didn't get her permission. She's the one who even told me to come with you. Now drive. We'll be late for our flight."

Yuqi sighed as she ended the call. She just got off the phone with this guy named DK saying that Jungoo's wife--apparently his name was actually Jungkook, is coming to get him. It's about time, actually. She's just been stalling. Because she grew to love and care for the guy.

"You did the right thing, Yuqi. You did the right thing," she chanted inside her head. It's been two years and her conscience has been eating her out. She can't live a life full of lies anymore.

Then a while later, she felt a pair of muscular arms snake through her waist. She smiled.

"Why do you look so deep in thought, babe?" he asked. "Problem?"

She turned to face her boyfriend and smiled.

"It's nothing, babe. I just got off the phone with someone."

"Someone?" he asked. Then pouted. "You're not cheating on me, are you?"

"We've been together for years," she deadpanned said. "Why would I even if you've got it all?"

"I do, don't I?" he smirked. She's always loved her boyfriend's devilish smirk. But that's just one of his many wondrous charm. "So who was it?"

"Just an old friend. Nothing to worry about," she assured him and gave a him a quick peck on his lips. "So what's for dinner?"

"I made some salt and pepper spare ribs tonight," she beamed. "It tastes actually good this time."

He smiled and pinched her cheek.

"You sure babe? Last time you said that I almost ate a lump of coal—ouch!"

After Yuqi hit him she marched away. But before she could full leave the room she turned to him.

"Cook your own dinner, Lucas," she muttered. "I'll just give the spare ribs to Jungoo, you ungrateful jerk."

"Hey. I brought you dinner," Yuqi said raising the tray up for emphasis.

Jungkook looked up at the person standing by the door. He smiled. How did this sweet, kind woman end up with that psychopath named Lucas Wong?

He survived the fall—thankfully, as he was one touch bastard to kill. Maybe because he had a reason for living: Lisa. But it seems like fate had a something different in mind.

Injured, he used up all his remaining energy and will power to go back to Seoul—back to her. How they got him, he has no clue. One day he was struggling to get back to Seoul then the next her wakes up in an empty room handcuffed to a bed.

"How are you feeling?" she asked. She usually asks me that when she gives me food.

"My hand's a bit numb," he replied. Yuqi natrowed her eyes at him.

"You're not tricking me again, are you?"

He grinned then she placed the tray on the table before walking over to him with a key on her hand.

"You know I could escape again, right?" He said as she was busy unlocking the cuffs. "Yuqi?"

She didn't answer instead she just smiled.

"Enjoy your dinner, Kook. Eat well and live, okay? There's someone out there waiting for your return."

Honestly, it breaks his heart that this warm girl is with that devil.

"Yuqi, he might hurt you again."

She froze. Then turned towards him.

"H-How did you—"

"These walls aren't that thick, you know," he tried to joke. Then he went serious. "If he's hurting you, you should leave him. You're better off without him."

The sadness in her eyes was familiar. Too familiar. They were the same pair of eyes that hold love and fear. Like Jisoo's.

At least now she's in good hands... I hope.

"I..." Yuqi looked him straight in the eye. "I met someone. He's been looking for you, Jungoo."

Jungkook was stunned. They were still looking? Even after two years?

"Your wife never stopped looking for you, Jungkook," she informed him and smiled. Hope in her eyes. "And get this, you have a son."

Speechless. He... he has a son? Lisa... Lisa was pregnant before everything happened?

"Are you sure, Yuqi?" he asked. His voice about to c***k as his eyes started to water.

Yuqi nodded with a genuine smile.

"Yes. The guy told me so. I showed him that picture I took of you eating. He said he'll inform his boss and now your wife is here in Shanghai to come get you," she said softly.

Cautious because Lucas might be awake and overhear their conversation. The walls were thin.

"So I need you to come with me, Jungoo. We'll meet your wife at dawn."

Lisa was anxious. They haven't even settled in the hotel 'coz she went straight to their meeting location. A local café.

"Oh my God, Yoongi. What if it isn't him? What if it was only someone who looked like him?" Lisa panicked as she tear up some napkins into tiny pieces. "Or what if—"

Yoongi held her hand.

"Calm down, Li," said gently patting her hand. "If it's not him, we'll go try looking again. But there's a high chance it's him. The guy in the picture eating looks exactly like him. Only thinner."

"I sure hope it's him, Yoongi. 'Coz if he isn't, I don't know what I'm gonna do anymore—"

Suddenly, the café's door bursted open making all of the customers—Lisa, Yoongi and some guy with earphone plugged in by the corner, turn towards it.

Lisa gasped as he saw who it was. She knew that person really well. Even if he lost a significant amount of weight and his hair a bit longer, she knew who he was.

"J-Jungkook!"

She immediately ran up to him and their arms enveloped each other's bodies. Jungkook's was a bit tighter.

Then he broke free from their embrace. He was frantic. She didn't understand why.

"Kook?"

He cupped her face.

"We need to help her, baby," his voice panicky. "He's got her so we need to get her out of that place—"

Lisa was confused. "Who are you talking about, Kook? What do you mean? Baby please."

"Yuqi," he answered. Lisa turned to Yoongi who was also confused. "She risked her own life for me. She sacrificed herself so that I could escape."