An honest lie | Kim Taehyung (editing*)

- An unforgettable moment -

VIII

4 months ago, Jimin POV

"You incompetent idiot! I specifically told you what to write, but you just had to go and play it all hero-like!" Mr. Palazzi screamed at my face furiously while holding the newspaper of the fire accident and waving it in front of my face.

I kept a calm expression and replied with a cold tone. "People need to know the truth. Families are suffering because of that accident."

"No-no-no. People need a story! They don't care about the truth, and about the families? Don't worry about them, worry about how you are going to feed your future one once I fire you." He said growling through his teeth.

My eyes widened after hearing his words and almost lost every ounce of courage that I had left.

"Sir please, you can't fire me, all I wanted to do is my job!" I practically begged not caring about my pride at this point.

"Your job is to do what I order you! Not to investigate without solid evidence!" After saying that he looked at me with a sly smirk on his face. "And yes I can fire you, but I won't. As much as I despise your existence, you are still one of my best employees."

I tried my best to keep my head up, but I failed. My gaze wandered on the ground, avoiding eye contact with my boss, as he was now glaring at me with his superiority complex.

"But I won't let you get away with it. Your salary will be decreased of 40% for the next 6 months. You will only take up stories that I assign you to, and submit them to me before publishing them." And as if the humiliation wasn't enough, he turned to the other employees standing around the office. "And that stands for the rest of you, nothing gets out there without my permission! Now back to work!"

He shouted the last phrase and threw the newspaper on the floor. I glared at his disappearing figure and then walked back to my desk feeling defeated. The other people did the same not daring to face any type of consequences.

I let out a long sigh and leaned back on my chair while closing my eyes.

So I guess Taehyung would have to pay for the apartment expenses for a while. But at least I was thankful I had him as my roommate and friend. By now, if I lived alone, I would have to move out since I couldn't afford the monthly payment on my own.

After calming my nerves a little, I sat up and walked towards the small vending machine to get a coffee.

I put some money inside the thin hole and pressed the number for an espresso.

But for some reason, it wasn't working. So I started pressing it again with annoyance. But no matter how many times I tried, the damn machine wouldn't start.

I let out a growl and was about to hit it when a feminine voice stopped me midway.

"May I?"

I turned to my right and saw a blonde woman looking at me with an amused expression.

Suddenly my brain stopped working, but I still managed to step back to give her space. She walked in front of me with her short and thin figure, and retyped the number I had chosen. But this time, she pressed another button, right under the sequence.

I felt like the worst idiot in the world. Due to my frustration, I had totally forgotten how it worked and kept typing it without realizing it.

But my face wasn't reflecting my emotions. I was just standing there looking at her. I blinked di couple of times and admired her back. The way her long hair would fall on her shoulders, like a golden waterfall, contrasting with her smooth pale skin.