4

INSIDE BAR - NIGHT

The bar is dimly lit, with a warm glow from the overhead lights. The usual chatter and clinking of glasses create a lively but chaotic atmosphere. Taehyung, visibly exhausted and disheveled, is working behind the bar, serving drinks with a forced smile.

Taehyung as he wipes down the bar counter, his movements slow and mechanical. He glances nervously toward the entrance as a group of debt collectors storms in, their presence instantly causing a disturbance.

DEBT COLLECTOR 1 (loudly, shoving past customers):

There he is! We need to talk about the money you owe!

Taehyung’s face pales as he recognizes the debt collectors. He attempts to keep calm, but his hands shake slightly as he reaches for a bottle of liquor.

TAEHYUNG (forcing a calm tone):

I don’t have it. I’m doing everything I can to get the money.

DEBT COLLECTOR 2 (grabbing Taehyung by the collar):

That’s not good enough! You think you can just avoid us?

The debt collectors start to push Taehyung into a corner, their aggression escalating. Taehyung tries to protect himself, but they start hitting him.

Taehyung’s face shows a mix of fear and determination.

Jungkook, sitting at a corner table with a drink in hand, watches the scene unfold with a cold, detached expression. His eyes narrow as he assesses the situation.

TAEHYUNG (shouting, struggling):

Let me go!

Jungkook’s eyes meet Taehyung’s. There’s a moment of cold detachment before he looks away, his expression unreadable. He seems conflicted but ultimately chooses to ignore the commotion.

YOONGI (irritated, slamming his drink on the table):

I can’t stand this.

Yoongi stands up, his expression turning from calm to annoyed. He walks over to the scene, pushing through the crowd with purpose.

YOONGI (to the debt collectors, voice firm):

Enough. Get your hands off him.

Yoongi intervenes forcefully, pushing the debt collectors away from Taehyung. He helps Taehyung up, his demeanor both protective and authoritative.

JIMIN (rushing in, panic evident):

Taehyung! How many times have I told you this isn’t a safe place? Why don’t you just quit?

TAEHYUNG (defensively, still shaken):

I can’t quit. I need the money.

Jimin’s face is filled with concern as he helps Taehyung to his feet. Yoongi watches, his irritation softening as he sees Taehyung’s condition.

JIMIN (to Yoongi, grateful but worried):

Thank you, He’s fine now.

YOONGI (nodding, but with a hint of frustration):

Just make sure he stays out of trouble.

The debt collectors, now subdued, grumble and leave the bar. The atmosphere returns to normal, but Taehyung is visibly shaken, his face bruised and tear-streaked.

JIMIN (to Taehyung, gently):

Let’s get you out of here. You don’t need to keep putting yourself in danger.

TAEHYUNG (with a shaky breath):

I cqan’t stop now. I have to keep fighting.

Taehyung and Jimin leave the bar together. Yoongi watches them go, his concern evident but mixed with frustration.

After few days

INSIDE. BAR - NIGHT

The bar is filled with its usual noise: clinking glasses, murmuring voices, and low music. Taehyung, exhausted but trying to maintain his composure, moves from table to table, serving drinks. Suddenly, his phone vibrates in his pocket. He pulls it out, glances at the screen, and answers quickly.

TAEHYUNG: (worriedly) Hello?

His face quickly pales as he listens to the voice on the other end. The noise of the bar fades as the gravity of the situation sinks in.

NURSE: (over the phone) Mr. Kim, we... we can't find your mother. She’s missing from her room.

The words hit Taehyung like a punch to the gut. His breath hitches, and his hand clenches the phone tighter.

TAEHYUNG: (panicked) What do you mean she’s missing? How could she be missing from a hospital?!

NURSE: (hesitant) We’re doing everything we can to locate her. Please try to stay calm.

Before Taehyung can respond, his phone beeps—another call coming in. He glances at the screen, dread pooling in his stomach as he sees an unknown number. he switches to the new call.

TAEHYUNG: (breathlessly) Hello?

DEBT COLLECTOR: (cold, menacing) If you want your mother back, bring the money we agreed on. No more games, Taehyung.

Taehyung's eyes widen in horror. He struggles to keep his voice steady, but his desperation is evident.

TAEHYUNG: (pleading) Please, I’m begging you. I’ll get the money. Just don’t hurt her. She’s all I have left...

DEBT COLLECTOR: (unsympathetic) You have 24 hours. If the money isn’t in our hands by then, you’ll never see her again.

The line clicks dead. Taehyung stands frozen, the phone still pressed to his ear. His heart pounds in his chest, and his mind races with fear and hopelessness. His hands tremble as he slowly lowers the phone, his thoughts swirling with dread.

The bar around him fades into the background, the noise a distant murmur compared to the storm raging inside him. The weight of the situation presses down on him like a suffocating blanket. He knows he doesn’t have the money, and he doesn’t know where to turn.

LATER INSIDE. TAEHYUNG'S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The room is silent except for the muffled sounds of the city outside. Taehyung is pacing back and forth, his mind racing. He’s visibly distressed, running his hands through his hair, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for a solution. He grabs his phone and sends a quick text. Moments later, there’s a knock on the door.

TAEHYUNG: (under his breath) Please, let it be Jimin.

He rushes to the door and opens it. Jimin stands on the other side, concern etched into his features. He takes one look at Taehyung and knows something is terribly wrong.

JIMIN: (stepping inside, worried) Taehyung, what’s going on? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.

Taehyung’s eyes are wild with fear and desperation. He grabs Jimin by the arm, pulling him inside. He closes the door quickly, as if trying to keep the outside world at bay. Jimin looks at him, confusion and concern in his eyes.

TAEHYUNG: (voice shaking) Jimin, I need your help. My mom... she’s missing. They’ve taken her.

Jimin’s eyes widen in shock. He can see the panic in Taehyung’s eyes, and his heart sinks. He knows how much Taehyung’s mother means to him.

JIMIN: (alarmed) What do you mean she’s missing? Who took her?

Taehyung’s hands are shaking as he pulls out his phone, showing Jimin the recent call from the debt collectors. His voice trembles as he tries to explain.

TAEHYUNG: (voice cracking) They called me. The debt collectors. They said... if I don’t bring them the money, I’ll never see her again. I don’t know what to do, Jimin. I’m scared.

Jimin’s expression shifts from shock to determination. He knows Taehyung is in deep trouble, and he’s not about to let his friend face this alone. He places a reassuring hand on Taehyung’s shoulder.

JIMIN: (calmly, but firmly) Okay, we’ll figure this out. How much do they want?

Taehyung’s voice is barely a whisper as he tells Jimin the amount. Jimin’s eyes widen slightly, but he doesn’t hesitate. He pulls out his phone and starts dialing a number. Taehyung watches him, a mixture of hope and anxiety in his eyes.

TAEHYUNG: (pleading) Jimin, what are you doing?

Jimin holds up a hand, signaling Taehyung to wait. He puts the phone to his ear, and after a few rings, someone on the other end answers. Jimin’s voice is steady as he speaks.

JIMIN: (into the phone) Hey, are you still interested in buying my café?

Taehyung’s eyes widen in disbelief. He takes a step back, shaking his head as Jimin continues talking. On the other end of the line, the person agrees. Jimin’s face is resolute as he makes arrangements to sell the café. Taehyung can’t believe what he’s hearing. He steps forward, grabbing Jimin’s phone out of his hand.

TAEHYUNG: (desperate, ending the call) No, Jimin! You can’t sell the café! all you have.

Jimin looks at Taehyung, his eyes softening with understanding. He places a hand on Taehyung’s shoulder, trying to calm him down. His voice is gentle but firm.

JIMIN: (softly) Taehyung, I don’t care about the café. What matters to me is you. I can’t just stand by and do nothing while you’re in danger.

Taehyung’s eyes fill with tears. He shakes his head, his voice choked with emotion.

TAEHYUNG: (voice cracking) Jimin, I can’t let you do this. I can’t let you throw away everything for me. You’ve already done so much.

Jimin’s grip tightens on Taehyung’s shoulder. His voice is filled with conviction.

JIMIN: (seriously) Taehyung, listen to me. You’re my best friend. You’ve always been there for me, and I’ll always be here for you. The café is just a building, but you... you’re like family to me. I’ll do whatever it takes to help you.

Taehyung’s resolve starts to crumble. Tears spill down his cheeks as he looks at Jimin. He knows Jimin means every word, but he can’t let him make such a huge sacrifice.

TAEHYUNG: (sobbing) Jimin, I can’t let you do this. Please, don’t sell the café. We’ll find another way.

Jimin pulls Taehyung into a tight hug, holding him close as Taehyung cries into his shoulder. Jimin’s eyes are filled with tears, but he holds them back, trying to be strong for Taehyung.

JIMIN: (whispering) We’ll figure it out together, okay? I’m not going anywhere. We’ll find a way to get your mom back.

Taehyung nods against Jimin’s shoulder, his tears soaking into Jimin’s shirt. He feels a surge of gratitude and love for his friend, knowing that no matter what happens, Jimin will always be there for him.

They stand like that for a long moment, drawing strength from each other. Taehyung pulls back slightly, wiping his eyes. He looks at Jimin, a glimmer of hope returning to his eyes.

TAEHYUNG: (softly) Thank you, Jimin. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

Jimin smiles, brushing a tear from Taehyung’s cheek.

JIMIN: (smiling gently) You’ll never have to find out, Taehyung. We’re in this together.

Taehyung nods, his heart feeling a little lighter. He knows he has a long way to go, but with Jimin by his side, he feels like he might just have a chance.

Feeling a sense of urgency and overwhelming need, Taehyung rushes out of the apartment. His feet lead him to Jungkook’s mansion.

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