Chapter Text
Chapter 1 ~ Jungkook
The elevator doors slid open on the twenty-fourth floor like they did every morning for Jungkook. This particular morning, however, was different. Jungkook followed his eldest brother, Namjoon, off the elevator, closely followed by their cousin, Jin. Today was different because Jungkook wasn't going to his office in the accounting department; today he was shadowing his brother in preparation. It was the beginning of his grooming to become the next CEO of the family company.
Namjoon and Jin were CEO and CFO of the KM Corporation, a family built business from the ground up. Currently in the top 15 richest companies in Korea, the company was poised to break into the top 10. Today was the beginning of negations with the business they were about to acquire that was going to give them that push to break into the ranks.
Namjoon had insisted Jungkook attend today's meeting as his left hand associate. He and Jin had made no secret that they intended Jungkook to be their successor and he was now old enough, and well versed enough, to participate in these type of important meetings.
Still, Jungkook felt butterflies in his stomach as he watched his brother walk in front of him. Namjoon had on a black suit with white pinstripes, a white shirt with a pink tie, something that not every man could pull off. On his brother, however, it made him look even more commanding. No one would ever question the CEO for wearing pink.
His elder cousin, Jin, on the other hand, was more casual in khakis and a navy blazer, but he was still a force to be reckoned with. Sure, he looked more approachable, but Jin was just as tough a business negotiator as his cousin. That's why Namjoon and Jin got along so well, and were able to raise the company to the standard it was now. Not only were they smart and powerful, they had the presence that showed it.
Jungkook glanced down at his own plain, black suit and gray striped tie. He knew he had big shoes to fill and he wanted nothing more than to make his big brother proud of him. Yet he wondered how he was going to be able to do it. He couldn't imagine people following his directions like people followed Namjoon's. How was he ever going to be a leader of a major corporation when he felt like he could barely make himself breakfast every morning?
His brother pushed open the door to the conference room. They were all expecting it to be empty but, to their surprise, it wasn't. Someone was swiveling in a chair, his eyes on the door, anticipating their entrance. He was dressed in a very expensive grey suit with a red tie, and looked every inch a company executive.
"Yoongi-ssi," Namjoon said, addressing him formally since they were at work, even though he was his younger brother. "I didn't expect you,"
"I know," Yoongi replied, and smiled with his lips, though his eyes remained cold. "But since my little bro is here, I thought I should be here too. This is a family company, correct?" He leaned back in his chair, his eyes daring either one of the elders to kick him out.
Yoongi was the middle brother between Namjoon and Junkook. In a normal family situation, he would be the one to take over after Namjoon stepped down as CEO. However, it was general consensus, and their father's wish, that Jungkook, even though he was younger, would be the one to take over. He had natural skills that Yoongi couldn't compete with. Jungkook was still trying to figure out what those were, but he was smart enough not to show Yoongi any weakness.
Jin was the one with the level head, so he answered smoothly, "Of course. You're always welcome to attend meetings as the VP of marketing." Jin walked around the table to take his seat, to the right of Namjoon's chair.
Jungkook watched his eldest brother closely, taking his cues from him. Namjoon was holding back his irritation at Yoongi, but Jungkook could see the frustration in his eyes. Namjoon went to take his seat, adding quietly, with a side-eye glare, "Just don't embarrass me."
Jungkook had no choice; he sat to Namjoon's left, between him and Yoongi. He felt trapped between his two brothers; he could feel the hostility emanating from both of them. Still, he kept his face calm and passive. Years of growing up with the two them, always at each other's throats, gave him experience on how to remain neutral. He always hated picking sides.
There was no time to dwell on the family issues, however. The representatives of the company they were buying were being ushered in and greetings were exchanged. Jungkook paid close attention to Namjoon's words and mannerisms. Yoongi was silent for most of the meeting, only tapping his pen rapidly on the table twice to be annoying.
Overall, the meeting went smoothly and the representatives left, happy. The three siblings and their cousin remained in the conference room.
Jin was standing by the door where he had seen the guests out. He now went to sit on the table, looking out the window at the view of Seoul, loosening his tie. "And with that," he said. "We're in the top ten."
Namjoon nodded. "A large responsibility,"
"A lot of money," Yoongi added. Namjoon frowned at him, but didn't speak.
Jungkook chewed on his bottom lip as he watched them. Acquiring this company left them in charge of thousands of lives. They now controlled whether or not the people from this company had jobs. Was the company worth investing more in, or was it more beneficial to liquidate? Jungkook knew that's what Namjoon's words meant.
"So, what's next?" Jungkook asked aloud, walking over to sit next to Jin.
Jin ruffled Jungkook's hair, a habit he'd had since they were kids. "Lots of reading and fact figuring," Jin replied. "Between us and our staff, it's going to be a busy week."
Jungkook nodded, looking down at his hands twisting in his lap. He had already seen the projected specs and he knew what the outcome was probably going to be. "We're going to liquidate, aren't we?"
Namjoon walked over and sat next to him. "We'll try not to. It's the last resort."
Yoongi made a disgusted noise. "Bleeding hearts, the lot of you." He stood, jamming his hands into his suit pockets as he headed for the door. "This is why this corporation will fail. You have to do the best for the company, for our family, not for the peasants." With a shake of his head, he left the conference room.
Namjoon rested a hand on Jungkook's shoulder. "And that's why he can't be CEO."
Jungkook nodded, swallowing hard. He was proud that his brother trusted him but he was also terrified of screwing up. Namjoon was placing a lot of pressure on his shoulders. He hoped he was up to the task.