Athour pov:
The days following Jimin's secret meeting with the mysterious investor, Ms. Hae, were a blur. He had committed to the deal, but the weight of the decision was beginning to settle in. His nights were sleepless, his thoughts constantly spinning between the potential success of the project and the risks that loomed like shadows in every corner.
As the week went on, Jungkook remained distant. His brief message the night of Jimin's meeting—Don't trust her—kept echoing in his mind. What did Jungkook know that he didn't? And why had he not pressed him further on the issue? It was as if Jungkook had already made up his mind about the entire situation, and Jimin was merely playing out a role he couldn't escape from.
But despite his growing unease, Jimin couldn't shake the feeling that the tech venture was the only chance he had to make something of himself. To prove that he wasn't just another cog in the machine, but someone who could push J-Global into the future.
The only question now was whether he was playing the right game.
Late one night, as Jimin sat hunched over his laptop, preparing the next round of data for the AI startup's progress report, his phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen. It was a message from Sooyoung.
Jimin, can we talk? I'm worried about you. Let's meet tomorrow. I'll be waiting.
Jimin frowned. Sooyoung had always been the voice of reason, the one who'd kept him grounded since his early days at J-Global. But there was something urgent in her message, something that made him hesitate.
Sure, let's meet. Tomorrow at 2 PM, my office?
He didn't expect it, but he felt the weight of her concern. Sooyoung had a way of reading him, of seeing things he wanted to ignore. Maybe she would be able to pull him back from the edge before it was too late.
The next afternoon,
Jimin walked into his office, a stack of reports in his hand, only to find Sooyoung sitting at his desk, waiting for him. Her usual calm demeanor was gone, replaced by a look of quiet urgency.
"Hey," Jimin said, closing the door behind him. "What's going on?"
Sooyoung stood up, her eyes scanning him carefully before she spoke. "I know something's been off with you lately. You've been more distant than usual, and I can see the stress in your eyes. You're diving into something dangerous, aren't you?"
Jimin froze, his breath catching in his throat. Sooyoung knew him too well.
"I'm doing what I need to do," he said quickly, trying to mask the uncertainty in his voice.
"Is that what you're really doing?" Sooyoung asked, stepping closer. "Or are you letting someone else lead you? The deal you're working on with Ms. Hae... I've been hearing things. People are talking."
Jimin's heart skipped a beat. "What kind of things?"
"She's dangerous, Jimin," Sooyoung said, her voice low but firm. "Ms. Hae is known for making moves in the shadows—deals that seem too good to be true. People who get involved with her don't come out unscathed. If you go through with this, you might be walking into something you can't control."
Jimin couldn't breathe for a moment. He hadn't wanted to admit it to himself, but a part of him had felt the same doubts creeping in. What had seemed like the perfect opportunity now felt like a trap.
But he couldn't back down. Not now.
"I've already made my decision, Sooyoung," Jimin said, his voice more resolute than he felt. "This is my shot. I can't let it slip away."
Sooyoung didn't say anything for a long moment, but when she did, her tone was softer, almost pleading. "Jimin, don't let your ambition blind you. There are ways to succeed without losing yourself in the process. Don't become someone you won't recognize."
Jimin looked away, his jaw tight. "I'm not going to lose myself."
Sooyoung watched him for a moment longer, then sighed. "Just… be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."
That evening, Jimin met with Ms. Hae again. The location was different this time—a lavish penthouse suite in one of the city's most exclusive buildings. The city lights sparkled below them as they sat across from each other, the tension in the air palpable.
"I hope you've thought it over, Mr. Park," Ms. Hae said, her voice smooth as silk. "The offer still stands—your project, fully funded. But you need to commit now. No turning back."
Jimin didn't hesitate. "I'm in."
She smiled, a sharp, knowing smile that made his skin prickle. "Good. You'll find that things move quickly once you make a choice."
Before Jimin could respond, she slid a folder across the table. "Inside this folder, you'll find the contracts. But there's one more thing I need from you."
Jimin raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. "What's that?"
Ms. Hae's gaze turned cold, her smile gone. "A little... insurance. A business deal of this magnitude requires certain measures to protect both sides. I'll need you to sign a personal guarantee."
Jimin's heart skipped a beat. A personal guarantee? It sounded like a formality, but something about the way she said it made his stomach tighten.
"You're asking me to tie my personal assets to the deal?" Jimin asked, trying to mask the unease in his voice.
Ms. Hae's expression remained unreadable. "Exactly. This way, both of us are protected. If the venture fails, you'll be responsible."
Jimin knew this was a dangerous proposition. But he also knew that backing out now could destroy everything.
"Fine," he said, his voice steady. "I'll sign."
The following day, Jimin returned to the office, his mind still spinning from the previous night's decision. As soon as he stepped off the elevator, he was met with Jungkook—who was already waiting for him.
"I need to talk to you," Jungkook said, his tone colder than usual. "Alone."
Jimin followed him into a private meeting room, the door clicking shut behind them. Jungkook didn't waste any time.
"I know about Ms. Hae," Jungkook said, his voice tight with frustration. "And I know what you've gotten yourself into. You're playing with fire, Jimin."
Jimin clenched his fists at his sides, refusing to back down. "I don't need you to tell me that, Jungkook. I've made my choice."
Jungkook's eyes narrowed. "You think this is just about business? You're dealing with someone who doesn't care about J-Global. She's using you to make her move. I won't let you destroy everything we've worked for."
"You don't get it," Jimin snapped, his voice sharp. "I'm not here to play it safe. If you want to stay in your little bubble, fine. But I'm going to make something of myself. I don't need your approval."
For a moment, they just stood there, locked in a silent standoff.
Jungkook's jaw clenched, his voice low and dangerously calm. "You may not need my approval, but you'll need more than just ambition to survive this. And when it all falls apart, don't come to me."
Jimin left the meeting with a strange, hollow feeling in his chest. Jungkook's words echoed in his mind, but he couldn't let them sway him now.
He had chosen his path. There was no turning back.
As he walked to his office, the weight of the contracts he had just signed seemed to settle heavily on his shoulders. He had crossed a line—one that he could never uncross.
And the game was only just beginning.
Writer
This episode delves deeper into the stakes Jimin is playing with as his choices grow more complicated. With Sooyoung's warning, Jungkook's cold distance, and the deal with Ms. Hae, Jimin is standing on the edge of a precipice—forced to confront the consequences of his ambition. Let me know if you'd like to continue this or adjust any direction!