The Escort: A Taekook Love Story, Season One

Part 20: My safe person

Jungkook's POV

Tae's chest rises as he pulls in a deep breath and slowly drops blowing out a long audible stream of air. "Jimin and I have been friends since we were children. He moved away after high school, but we remained best friends and a part of each other's life. He knew I was dating someone. Of course at the start of our courtship I thought he was nice and cared about me. That was a lie. So I stopped talking about him.  I became depressed and was not staying in touch with Jimin."  My God, how could he have accepted me so quickly given his history with this nut case. How scary this must be. No, I won't doubt us. I remind myself we are different, we are in love and both experiencing something pure and real. It's also one huge fuckin risk for him. I see him most completely. 

His eyes lowered. He held his fork in one hand,  shifting small peas around like tokems on a game board. His eyes raised to mine and with his free hand he reaches over and takes my hand, pulling it to his lap. His hold is firm as if he's anchoring himself, and me, for what comes next. I give a gentle squeeze letting him know I have him. "I'd always told Jimin I was tired or not feeling well. Every time he said he was coming to see me, I made an excuse as to why it wasn't good timing." I hear a muffled chuckle and see the hint of a smile on his lips. " Well, Jimin is not one to be put off and he's very smart. So, one day he just showed up. He said I looked horrible." He shakes his head, diverting his eyes back to those loose peas.

Returning to my gaze again he continues. "Jimin met my boyfriend and immediately hated him. He was aggressive, possessive, and spoke to me disrespectfully. Jimin knew something was wrong, but I was afraid to tell him." He scoffs and  dips his chin again. "Kookie, I was ashamed." His voice is soft as a smile child who being scolded for wetting their bed.  My fingernails dig into my closed palm as I think of my poor baby--so powerless. "That asshole threatened to hurt Jimin really bad if I told him." His voice hitches and I swallow back a sob biting my lip so hard I taste blood.

Gently I remove the fork from his tight grip and press my lips softly to his temple. "It's okay baby. I'm here. He'll never hurt you again. Let's go sit in the living area." My voice cracks as my throat tightens. I want to be closer and hold him. We settle comfortably on the couch, and I lean him towards me, resting his head on my chest. God my heart hurts for him.

He trembles a bit and I pull him tighter into me. "Jimin of course figured it out. He came to see me when my boyfriend was at work one day." I hear him sniffle and a streak of wetness moves down his cheek. I tighten my arms across him as a reminder he's not alone. "Jimin made me take off my shirt and saw my bruises." Fuck, I want to hit something right now. "He was horrified, Kookie." His voice breaks and I taste more blood struggling to keep the lid on my anger. "Jimin immediately packed my shit and we left. Refusal was not an option. He told me that he'd take care of me and my boyfriend. I didn't know what he meant at the time, I was just confused, grateful,  and so relieved."

My head was about to explode as I thought of all the ways I could take this ruthless, abusive piece of shit apart with my own hands. "Jimin made a call while we were on our way to the airport. I was so scared and broken. I had no fight, and I just couldn't do this anymore. I was like a lifeless ragdoll."

I'm barely holding it together and then he starts to cry. In seconds I taste my own salty tears.

"Kookie, I don't recall a lot about that day, but I do remember at the end of the call Jimin said... thank you Lisa." My God, is this Ms. Lisa? The owner of the Agency? Why did Jimin call her? And what did she do? My head buzzes with curiosity. "Lisa and I never talk about this. Jimin later told me about all the powerful clients she has, and many owe her favors." This made a lot of sense. She's definitely a woman with a lot of power who holds a lot of secrets.