Chapter 38: He is Dead

"Tell me you don't mean that," Namjoon said, jumping from the chair, rushing towards her and taking her hands in his.

Yuna avoided his gaze. "I am done. I am going to call Tae and tell him that I'll finish this movie . . . then I will settle back into my ordinary job."

Namjoon gritted his teeth. He had to stop her from making the worst decision in her life, but . . . He had to speak to Jin and find out what the fuck he was doing.

"Don't make a hasty decision, Yuna."

"I think it is better," she replied, twirling her fingers in her lap. "I will do this after we've seen Kookie."

Namjoon nodded. "I'll go find you a wheelchair." Then, I am going to give Jin a call. Somehow . . . I have to correct this.

Yuna watched as Namjoon left the room, and her shoulders sagged with the sigh that escaped her lips. She thought back to when she had been in her apartment, imagining how she would play the lead in one of Jin's movies. How ignorant she was - her dreams were a fantasy she had tried to fulfil. Her heart made the decisions, and now . . . she jumped.

"Let me help you," Namjoon said next to her.

"You startled me," Yuna exhaled with annoyance, not with him, but at herself for not hearing him come in.

"I didn't mean to," Namjoon replied as he hooked her right arm around his neck, picking her up. "Were you that lost in thought?"

"I -" Yuna stammered. Should she trust Namjoon with her secrets? They only knew each other for a few months, but he helped Kookie and her when she had no one. All she ever had was Kookie. She rolled her bottom lip under her front teeth.

"Yuna?" Namjoon said quietly, placing her down in the wheelchair.

"I was just thinking about my life," she replied, avoiding his gaze and still rolling her bottom lip under her front teeth - a habit she kept doing when she felt anxious.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Namjoon asked and pushed her out of the room towards the elevator. He pressed the button, waiting for the doors to open.

"Kookie, tell you nothing?" she whispered as the doors opened.

"No," Namjoon said instantly. Which might have been a mistake - Yuna lowered her head as he pushed her inside the elevator; the doors closed behind them.

Namjoon didn't know if he should press her further; Junkook had told him enough, but not about Yuna particularly. He said it was her story to share.

They rode, in silence, to the upper floor, where Jungkook waited on them. Namjoon had to devise a plan quickly, or everything would blow up in their faces. He pushed the wheelchair when the doors to the landing opened. Yuna lifted her head and asked, "Why are you helping Kookie?"

What an odd question, Namjoon thought. But was it odd, though? He had entered their lives - he wanted to prove a point to Jin. Yet they manoeuvred themselves deep inside his heart.

"He is my friend," he replied, stopping the wheelchair in front of Jungkook's room. "I will always help you."

He kissed the top of her head and pushed her inside - Jungkook's eyes found them, but his smile turned into rage when he saw Yuna.

"What happened?" Jungkook asked, his tone cold.

*****

Jin sped away from his mansion. His heart beat loudly in his chest. He was so happy Namjoon found Yuna. He only wanted a chance to explain what had happened. None of this was his fault - no - some of it was his fault, and he had fallen into Minyu's trap: hook, line and sinker.

Yuna would never speak to him again - he couldn't have that. She made the world livable. How could he have been blind to Minyu and her schemes? If his co-workers hadn't suggested opening the movie for public interviews . . . he never would have met Yuna.

He couldn't imagine a life with Minyu; it would have only ended in heartbreak. He tapped the call button on his dashboard, waiting for it to ring.

Namjoon, please pick up, Jin thought while gritting his teeth. He needed to know how Yuna was doing.

After a few -forever- rings. "I am going to kill you."

"Give me a chance to explain," Jin exhaled and rammed on the brakes.

"Meet me at my house in one hour," Namjoon whispered through gritted teeth.

Jin gulped as the line went dead. His best friend might murder him tonight. He deserved everything coming to him; somehow, he knew that. He slowly pushed down the accelerator and drove to Namjoon's house. It was only a few blocks away from his own, yet it felt like forever to get there.

*****

"Nothing," Yuna said with more conviction than she felt. She didn't want him to worry about her. He was the one in the hospital.

Jungkook averted his gaze to Namjoon, waiting for him to give an explanation, but none came. "I am going to ask you again, Yuna." His eyes snapped to her. "What happened?"

"It doesn't matter," she replied, motioning for Namjoon to push the wheelchair towards the bed. "What matters is you are awake finally."

She saw the confusion flash behind his eyes. Her expression softened. "Kookie, do you know where you are?"

Before Jungkook could answer, Namjoon's phone screamed in his pocket. "Excuse me," he said and went to the corner of the room.

Jungkook exhaled, "I am in the hospital."

Yuna nodded, "Yes, you are. Do you remember what happened?"

"No," he replied, averting his gaze. "How long?"

"Almost three months," Yuna said softly, taking his hand in hers. "I have been worried sick about you."

"That long?" he exclaimed in horror. "What about my -my . . ."

He was struggling to get the words out. Yuna squeezed his hand. "The Meaty Way is alright."

"How?" Jungkook whispered, "How is it possible?"

Yuna blinked, letting out a small breath. "Namjoon didn't say."

Jungkook stared at his hands. He had almost lost everything . . . seeing Yuna beside him made him realise that it hadn't been worth it. He swore that he would only drink with friends.

"Thank you," he said and managed a smile. "Don't think I haven't forgotten about the elephant in the room."

Yuna let go of his hand, "I should let you rest."

"I - I don't want you to leave."

Namjoon returned to the bedside. "Jungkook, you should get out of here soon."

Jungkook nodded. "I hope so. Then you can show me what happened to my restaurant."

A grin spread over Namjoon's face. "I didn't do anything."

Yuna leaned forward and kissed Jungkook's cheek. "I'll come and see you tomorrow."

Yuna knew it was wrong to leave him after the ordeal he had. Visiting hours were almost over, and everything would look brighter in the morning; maybe she would tell him everything . . . or not. She was afraid Jungkook would confront Jin . . . and Jin may not even win the fight.

Namjoon saluted jungkook with two fingers, took the handles on the wheelchair and pushed her out of the room. "Are you okay?"

Yuna didn't notice she'd been crying since they left the room.

"Yes," she muttered, "they are happy tears."

"I am so happy that he woke up," Namjoon replied, "let me take you home."

"Have you forgotten?" Yuna asked, turning her head slightly upwards. "I have to make a phone call."

Namjoon gritted his teeth. He had hoped upon seeing Jungkook, Yuna would forget about quitting.

"No, I have not forgotten," Namjoon said as smoothly as he could. "Do you want to call them . . . now?"

Yuna sighed. She might as well get it over and done with. There were only two scenes left - they left the ending for last - and another she had heard them talking but had not seen in the script. I have to end this . . . or both of us might end up getting hurt.

"Yes, I think it might be better."

"Are you still going to finish the movie?" Namjoon asked as the elevator doors opened. It felt like ages since they left Jungkook's room, but it was only fifteen minutes.

"I will see it through until the end," she replied, averting her gaze. "After the last scene - I don't want anything to do with showbiz or Jin Kim anymore."

Namjoon pushed the wheelchair inside, pressing the down button and leaned against the elevator wall. "I'll take you home - then . . . only then will I give you my cell to call."

"I can agree to those terms," she replied with a slight yawn.

*****

Jin paced up and down Namjoon's living room while staring at his watch. He hadn't heard from him in a while; he had stopped the urge to call him again and ask if Yuna was all right. He bit his index finger, trying to calm his anxiety. It had to be an hour already . . . or was it half an hour.

Out of frustration, he sat down and stared up at the ceiling. He wasn't going to admit to Namjoon that he had been correct. Yuna became his world in the past few months. With everything that is happening . . . he was afraid, so very, afraid to lose her. He closed his eyes with his thoughts running like a never-ending river.

*****

Namjoon was fuming as he sped away from Yuna's house. She had told him everything that had aspired from when Jin picked her up from the school. He found Jin's gesture - nice but out of context. He had no right to worm his way at her day job like that.

It was going to travel like wildfire across the tabloids. . . had he not thought about it? He couldn't even convince Yuna to not quit . . . he sat there staring while she phoned Tae. She hadn't given him a reason, only mumbled that it was personal. Yuna had given him his phone back - before they even got to her home, he had removed their numbers from his contact list - he asked if she was okay. She only nodded.

He wished her a resting afternoon - his anger flared when he thought about who was waiting at his home. I am going to murder him, Namjoon thought as he pushed the petrol as far as it could go.

His mansion came into view. He didn't need to stop as the gates opened - the security had heard him coming. The tyres screeched as he stopped before the steps. He switched off the car, climbed out - not locking the door - and ran up the steps, bursting through his door. "Where are you, Jin!"

Jin woke with a start as he got up - Namjoon turned the corner.

"There you are," Namjoon growled, "you better explain yourself, or there's going to be murder. And don't even try to lie to me . . . Yuna told me everything."

Of course, she had. Jin thought and sighed. "You don't know my side of the story."

"Should I?" asked Namjoon, "I know you too well. Is Minyu back in your life?"

"No!" Jin spat with conviction, "She has been trying to worm her way back into my arms - Namjoon, I am so confused."

"What is there to be confused about?" Namjoon asked, folding his arms - If he didn't, he would punch Jin straight in the jaw.

"I -" Jin started - his shoulders slumping. How was he supposed to explain? Should he . . . confess that he was head over heels for a school teacher? Or should he only explain to Namjoon how things transpired?

Namjoon watched him - carefully. He could see there was fear and confusion behind his eyes. But he wanted to know te truth from Jin's lips. Namjoon became so close with Jungkook and Yuna that he considers them a family and - if Yuna was hurting . . . he was going to murder the bastards who hurt her.

"I am waiting, Jin," Namjoon said, rolling his eyes. He wanted Jin to know his frustrations.

"I noticed Yuna was not being herself lately," Jin replied and sat on the couch, staring Namjoon in the eye. "This being her first real movie, I thought - she needed some rest. So, I went to pick her up from her day job -"

" - that was very stupid of you, Jin," Namjoon interrupted. "You should have thought of the implications that -"

" - fuck you," Jin screamed, "You know nothing of my thoughts or why I -"

Jin never finished his sentence. Namjoon landed a punch square in his jaw - he lay blinking at the ceiling. Namjoon crouched next to him. "However heroic you think you were - you almost threw it down the drain because why? You fell in love with Yuna, so madly, deeply in love that you 'just' have to be with her, didn't you?"

What is wrong with him? Jin thought, Didn't he want me to fall . . . wait . . . he wants me to confess. "I only cared for her well-being," Jin answered slowly. "If her well-being wasn't in tip-top shape . . . then-"

"- don't give me bullshit," Namjoon interrupted again, "I know you better than you know yourself. You almost had a breakdown this afternoon."

Jin didn't admit defeat. He would never admit defeat, and as Namjoon said - he did know him better - they had been friends since toddlers.

"How is she?" Jin asked, slowly sitting up and rubbing his jaw. He felt the skin bruising.

Namjoon heard the sorrow of the question. Why couldn't Jin admit it? He heard himself reply, "You lost."

Jin stared at him in horror. "How did I lose?"

"I am not talking about the bet . . . Nevermind, she is okay, I guess," Namjoon said with a sigh. "Honestly, Jin - I would love to spell it out for you, but at this stage . . . You'll find out tomorrow."

"What am I going to find out?" Jin asked, desperation hanging behind each word.

"I am sorry, Jin," Namjoon said, "I cannot tell you."

Jin hung his head. What happened to his best friend? He had always told him everything . . . now he didn't want to tell him anything.

"We both have secrets," Jin whispered and looked up at Namjoon, "They don't know we are connected, do they?"

Jin saw the anger flash behind Namjoon's eyes. He always got fired up so - quickly.

"If you breathe one word -"

" - then what?" Jin said innocently, "I am surprised that Yuna hadn't figured it out already."

Namjoon glared at him. "We both have a lot to lose from this, Jin. I can promise you that."

"How long are we going to keep this facade?" Jin asked, getting up and rubbing his neck.

"Until I have spoken to Jungkook at the opening ceremony," Namjoon replied and walked into the kitchen. "Drink?"

"Yes," Jin replied, following Namjoon into the kitchen, "Yuna's brother woke up? When?"

"Yesterday," Namjoon said while getting wine from the bottom cupboard. "I took her to the hospital after you called."

Jin felt guilty. "May I tell you the rest without interruptions this time?"

Namjoon nodded whilst pouring wine into two glasses, listening as Jin explained what had transpired a few hours before. He felt his anger a flame once more when Jin got to the part of Minyu forcibly kissing Jin - and she knew Yuna was watching.

"She is planning something," Namjoon took a sip from his wine, "And we should be ready for what -"

Jin's phone interrupted the conversation - fishing it out of his pocket - it was Tae - Jin swiped to answer. "Hello."

"Your dead," Tae hissed, "You have jeopardised the project."

Namjoon quirked an eyebrow as Jin stared at him, lips parted. "What do you mean?"

"I am so angry that I can catch scorpions," Tae replied, "We will inform you tomorrow."

The line cut and Jin removed his cell from his ear slowly in disbelief. What had happened that was so terrible? He was confused.

"Like I said," Namjoon sighed, "You'll know by tomorrow."

"And when is your big moment going to be then?" Jin asked, ignoring his previous statement.

"I thought to open the restaurant when Jungkook is released from Hospital," Namjoon said, draining the last of his wine, "And the time your big movie reveal should be."

"Why?" Jin asked suspiciously.

"So you may be in Yuna's presence," Namjoon said matter of factly.

"You think it will -"

"Are you admitting it?" Namjoon smirked.

"No!" Jin said, averting his gaze, "I just want to apologise for today."

"Right . . . I'll let you know," Namjoon replied, "Are you staying the night?"

"I should get home," Jin said. He didn't want to admit it to Namjoon, but he wanted tomorrow to come faster . . . so he could find out what was happening behind his back. "See you."

"Good night."