A voice shouted a warning to everyone in the room that there was a smoking bomb in the cake and must evacuate as soon as possible. But it was a little too late when the bomb started to fuse out, making them collapse on the floor. Some of them were constantly coughing while others were covering their faces with handkerchiefs.
Jimin was about to rescue the girl but she was already in someone's arms. He dropped down weakly until he was being carried by a medical team. Not being able to see her face during the New Year's Eve party and was still wondering who she is.
He woke up again in a full sweat around his body and heard a doorbell from the front door. Jimin slipped through his orange shirt as he ran down the staircase and opened the handle, revealing the person he didn't expect.
"Jungkook?" He exclaimed in puzzlement.
"Sup, Chim-Chim?" Jungkook gave a quick nod at him and entered.
"Argh. I told you not to call me that," Jimin huffed out as he threw his head up in annoyance and continued to ask. "What brings you here?"
"I came here to make amends with you and I just want to congratulate you on the sales that went up in your company," Jungkook stated impressively.
"How much money do you need-" Jimin asked.
"Ah. Nope. There are no exchanges or deals in return," Jungkook shook his head in disagreement.
"Then, what are you doing here?!" Jimin ruffled his hair loosely in frustration.
"Wow. I came by to see my hyung again. I really don't have much to say," Jungkook shrugged.
"Wait a minute. It was you! You're the one who switched the products into different ones," Jimin muttered in astonishment.
Jungkook gestured his hands out proudly and said. "What can I say? You're welcome."
Jimin questioned. "Why?"
"Because I miss the times where we are both hanging out and I couldn't ask for more," Jungkook answered and added in. "There is nothing that I want other than the bond that we used to have, so..." He held his hand out in which Jimin quirked an eyebrow at him quizzically, then shook their hands together.
Then, they leaned in forward to pat each other on the back twice and let go.
"If there's anything you need, I'm only one call away," Jungkook noted and turned around to walk out of the door with his hands kept inside his jean pockets.
Jimin recalled back the moment where Valerie had advised him.
FLASHBACK:
Valerie was puzzled, then reminded him mildly. "You know, one of the best things in life is to be grateful for the person who is willing to help because there aren't many caring people who do."
Jimin stopped in his tracks when he heard her say that. He turned over and thinned his lips neutrally. "Got it."
Valerie smiled and watched him face the front to resume his striding. "Take care."
END OF FLASHBACK
"Kook..." Jimin called out softly.
"Hmm?" Jungkook glanced over his shoulder blankly.
Jimin gazed down and gladly said. "Thank you..."
"No worries," Jungkook chirped with a curt nod and headed towards the car as the security guard closed it before driving away.
Jimin continued to watch the vehicle move farther from the distance and steadily shut the door.
At the same time in the police station, Valerie and the rest of the police officers were currently interrogating GOT7 in the empty room across the table. They slid the pictures forward to where Jackson is. He was crossing his arms defiantly, giving them a strange look.
"I had nothing to do with this. It's absurd," he huffed, shaking his head a little, and continued on. "I was out with my friends, playing billiard, poker games, and darts-"
"Cut the crap. You literally compromise with Kai and set TXT up in a fake drug scandal," Valerie stated and showed a 20-second video of the two guys smirking and laughing with each other.
"That doesn't prove anything. Anyone can look exactly like me," Jackson retorted back defensively.
"Then, how do you explain with the serpent tattoo?" Valerie urged on strictly, but calmly.
"It's photoshop. Tattoos aren't even my style. Even if it was, then I have to wear one based on what my manager tells me," Jackson explained boldly.
One of the police officers named Mr. Reen started to chortle derisively at the young man and demanded him. "Pull up your sleeve."
"What?" Jackson repeated.
"Pull up your goddamn sleeve or I will inform your parents that you are being investigated here," Mr. Reen raised his voice sharply, causing him to smirk slightly.
Jackson did what he was told, revealing his clear skin on the back of his hand, much to their bafflement.
"How did you...? That's impossible," Valerie sputtered.
"I've already told you. I don't put tattoos anywhere on my body," Jackson snorted a laugh and continued on. "You can keep digging up for more evidence, but it will never prove you that the guy is me because I'm not."
Mr. Reen and Valerie were shaking their heads in exasperation, not certain if they should release him or not. For some reason, Valerie was beginning to think that he is only covering it up, so he wouldn't get caught. Even so, Jackson and the rest do have a reputation and image to maintain for themselves. Regardless of what music GOT7 produces, many K-Pop artists and groups would do the same. That is just how their industry works.
Concurrently, Jungkook was contacted by four of his former members.
"No..." he replied simply with a smile.
"Kookie, you got to believe us," Namjoon pleaded as he stepped inside the studio room to explain. "What we're telling you is true."
"The old photos of us meant something," Hoseok said.
"I refused to believe that," Jungkook noted.
"It's best to be together as friends, not as a group," Namjoon pointed out.
"We weren't friends before. Now, leave," Jungkook ordered monotonously and added in. "It's not going to bring back what we had."
"Hear us out, will you? Someone really sent me this gift box that contains our momentum," Yoongi said.
"Who?" Jungkook asked curiously, narrowing his eyes.
"We don't know. That is why we came here to inform all of this," Yoongi nodded.
"What now, then? I mean, I've already settled my problems with Jimin," Jungkook shrugged.
Hoseok blinked a few times shockingly. "Wait. You and Jimin became friends again?"
Jungkook chuckled. "Yeah."
Namjoon paused for a moment, saying. "Maybe, this is a message."
Jungkook raised his eyebrows in peculiar, then they all saw the latest news on TV about TXT being on a drug scandal, whereas the suspects made loud gunfire near the streets of Myeong-Dong Walking. Their eyes began to widen in bewilderment, wondering about the incidents.
Later on, Valerie met up with Mr. Si-hyuk as she told him what had happened with Bryan. She was still upset that the criminals got away and couldn't find anyone of them having a similar tattoo on their legs. Jackson denied it two times that it wasn't mostly him that was conspiring with Kai. Although, Valerie never believed him because she was suspecting that Jackson was bluffing.
"I hope your friend recovers soon," Mr. Si-hyuk said sincerely.
"Thanks and don't worry, I have a plan that can save TXT," Valerie said, smiling.
"You would?" Mr. Si-hyuk asked surprisingly.
"Hmm," Valerie nodded in assurance.
"God bless your heart. You truly are extremely rare," Mr. Si-hyuk complimented and continued on. "Well, you can come by tomorrow and have a chat with them because I know those precious boys would never do something drastic. Anyway, I'm off to go to a meeting with the staff. Take care, Ms. Nown."
"You too, sir," Valerie bowed down and watched him leave the cafe.384Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9cZjuKBDql
