“The saddest thing about love is that not only that, it can not last forever, but that heartbreak is soon forgotten.” William Faulkner.
☆
“Ara, Jiun, hurry. Your dad is running late,” you shouted while battering the pancake in a bowl. Once the batter has become liquid, you pour it into the sizzling pan, letting it sit until you see little holes popping out. You flipped it for a minute before placing it on a plate. You do the same thing with the rest of the batter.
“Morning,” a smooth, delicate voice spoke. Glimpsing over your right shoulder, a moderate-height, muscular man walked to the dining table, his black tuxedo suit embracing his lean figure entirely. His curly black hair displayed on his forehead like noodles in a bowl, his plump smooth lips pink as those of dragon fruit. His blue eye contact shimmering in the light that glimmered on him from the window side.
“Morning,” you replied as he perched down on one of the chairs at the dining table. A light grin shafts on your face. It wasn’t because you felt happy about him being here, you just had to smile. It was the best way to avoid anything from him. This was a daily routine for both of y’all. He says good morning, and you reply with bursting joy like the stars in the sky. That wasn't genuine. You wished it was different, but this was not those marriages.
“When are you coming home today?” you popped a question, positioning the now freshly done pancakes on a plate along with eggs and bacon. “Um… probably later. Why?” a line appeared between his brows, your question seemed off, you knew his schedule, not that he told you. His father informed you about his work schedule; he thought it was important for you to know Jimin's schedule. “Oh… my boss wants me to stay later and get some paperwork done,” his eyes narrowed as they peered intently at you.
“Is he pestering you?” you shook your head, your heart lurched at the intense look Jimin was shooting at you from across the dining room made you tremble inside. Your boss is a kind man. He has never once troubled you. It frightened him to request you to stay late because he supposed he would trouble you. You knew why Jimin was inquiring such questions. The thought of you and your boss working late didn't matter to him; at least that's what you thought.
Jimin and your boss hate for each other was like a Tsunami surging through a busy city full of people without remorse. They dislike each other with a burning passion, especially Jimin; he didn't like your boss. Yoongi says it because Jimin felt jealous of how Namjoon was intoxicated with joy whenever he saw you. You doubt it, Jimin never cared about you and never loved you, so him being jealous sounded impossible. When you first started working for your boss, Jimin became even colder towards you; he barely spoke to you.
He ignored your presence and the kids. It was Mr. Kim; his father, who had talked sense into Jimin when he saw the way Jimin looked at you and the kids when he visited. Mr. Kim also found out through the maid that used to work for you. She would tell Jimin’s father everything that happened in the house. You fired her when you found out, but Jimin still hated you; he thinks you and his father had employed her. But his hatred for you wasn't only because of that; you knew why he hated you.
“Mommy, Daddy,” you veered around, Ara rushed down the stairs; with a smile beaming on her face. Running toward her dad, flabbergasted with joy. It was as though she had just seen him for the first time. “Daddy, are you picking us up today?” Ask Ara as Jimin picks her up and places her on his lap. Jiun walked towards his seat.
Jimin plants a kiss on Ara's cheeks; Jimin loved his kids, but his action made you think otherwise. Ara's heart throbbed with happiness; her face still carrying that joyful, angelic smile. She loves when her dad did that to her; it somehow gave her hope that he loved her and her brother. Despite the way he acted towards them. Ara loves her father and would give anything for him to do the same thing.
“Daddy can't. But next time, I promise.” Ara quivered her head; her joyful angelic smile that beamed on her face slipped, leaving only a wave of sadness as she glanced over her shoulder at her dad. This was one thing she didn’t understand about him. He acted distant, even though he was near. She was in his arms but yet felt as though he was elsewhere. “You always say that, but never do it. Daddy,” Ara wails, a sob rose in her throat as she spoke. Jimin flashes you a glance, as your mouth set in a hard line.
You shrug a half shrug. Resentment blossomed within him. You expected that reaction from Jimin; he wasn’t that sweet man understanding man you meant at the bar. This man was someone completely different, someone you never expected in a million years; even if someone told you he would turn out like this. But this was your punishment; a punishment you were given for mating with someone you barely knew, only because he treated you with love and cared. Something you always dreamed of with the men you knew.
“Okay, tomorrow I will take you. And bring you back. And we will also drive for ice cream,” Jimin kisses Ara's cheeks; hoping she would let the matter go. But Ara would not take no for an answer. “But daddy, I want you to pick us up today,” her eyes prickled with tears as the words flowed from her mouth. Jimin sighs at the tiny figure that sat on his lap.
He didn’t know what to do. He thought Ara would give up; she always did when he gave her those sweet kisses on her cheeks. He wanted to go to work. Looking at you again, irritation crackled through him. Glinting at the little one on his lap, an ache pushed against your heart; you could see the only thing Ara wanted was for her father to make time for her and Jiun even if it wasn't enough.
“Ara, tomorrow Daddy will pick you up, okay?” She shakes her head as her eyes welled up; when you try talking to her.
“Mommy-.”
“Ara, I said tomorrow.” her lower lips trembled as she saw those sharp scary eyes of yours. You didn’t want to unleash those eyes; the ones that would make Ara cry, but she left you with no choice but to do so. As much as you know Ara is right, you don't wish to argue with Jimin about this. He doesn’t even care about their health, at least that was how he made it seem. Jimin stares at Ara, her face contorted as though she was struggling not to cry, her action made his eyes linger with sadness, he hates seeing his baby girl cry, he knew he cost this but he didn’t like the tone you gave her. He glanced up at you, rage flowing through him like lava erupting out of a volcano. “You don’t have to be hard on her; she is young.”
“And you don’t have to be a * to her.” Jimin angered spike more at your reply. He hated the way you always reply with a snarky comment. He already hated your presence. You ignore him and place the plates on the table. You couldn't care less about how he felt. Ara gets off Jimin's lap and sits in her respective seats.
Jiun sat at the table quietly. He didn't say a word and observed the room. He watched how his dad sent deadly glances at you as pain surged through your body with a glistening of sadness in your eyes. Then he saw his dad staring down at something. He didn't know what it was, but whatever it was, it made happiness streak through Jimin like a comet shooting in the dark blue sparkling sky. He never really saw his father beamed with happiness radiated through him that brightly at anything except his grandmother.
It was a hard thing to see the man he called father smile like a fool; especially in front of them. But here he is sitting across from him, with a bright and genuine smile as if nothing else matters. Jiun's look down at the food in front of him, playing with it; his eyes dull with sadness as he stare sightlessly at the food on the plate. As you noticed Jiun on the other side of the table; his face was ashen. You knew Jiun was a reserved child; someone who was always quiet and barely spoke even when spoken to, but this startled you. Colors drained from your face as you silently watched him. You could see Jiun holding back his tears.
Why was he crying? Was it because of his sister? Was something happening at school or with him that he isn't telling you about? Those thoughts swam through your mind as you stared at Jiun.
“Jiun, are you okay?” you asked. Jiun was too frightened to lift his head from his food. He didn’t want you to see his tears, which he was trying to suppress as he thought of what his father was probably staring at, so he nodded. He didn’t want you to worry about him. Jiun loves you more than anything in this world and seeing you worried just because of him frightened the bones in his body.
You show him love and affection. You care for him as a true mother will. But Jiun's head did not convince you about him being okay. Jiun was someone who barely spoke. He was quiet; someone who would rather linger in silence alone. He was your younger self, and you hated that. Jiun, being your younger self, made your heart flood with sadness. It was never something that you liked, especially because of the household you grew up in.
“Jiun, is anybody troubling you at school? Or is something going on with you? Did I do something you didn't like?” From the corner of your eyes, Ara eyes darted up from her meal, peeking anxiously at her brother. She doesn't know what is going on with him lately; he doesn't talk to her about those things. He barely played with anyone, spoke to anyone, and cried most of the time; when no one was around. She wanted to tell you, but Jiun was afraid that you might get worried; and over think it.
You already had enough on your plate, he didn't want to over flood it. Fresh fear terror reared up within you; when you see Ara glance at her brother from the corner of her eyes. It wasn’t good at all and you knew that if Ara gazes at her brother with such an expression. That means something is going with him and she is deeply concerned about him.
“Kids go in the car and wait for Daddy,” you say. Ara and Jiun obey as they get out of their seats and stride away to the car. You scrutinized Jimin, waiting to see if he noticed your intense gaze. Why is glancing at his phone with happiness washed over him? “Jimin, I think we need to go to Jiun's school. And talk to him to know what's going on with him,” you say, gripping the hem of your white t-shirt as your jaw tightly. Jimin *ed his head in your direction. Your face is pale, drained out of color as he glances at you.
“Is something wrong?” His tone doesn't even have a spark of sensitivity or concern as he spoke. You know he doesn’t care; especially for you. But he also knew you'd never talk about yourself or tell him anything about yourself, even if something worse had happened to you. Molten anger rolled through you. As much as it hurt your pride to know that this man couldn't care less about you or your kids, you tamped down your anger to say what you wish to say to him.
“Jimin… didn't you see Jiun? He doesn't seem well to me. He wasn't even eating and kept playing with his food.” Jimin’s eyes flashed at the food that Jiun was eating and noticed that it wasn't touched unlike Ara's meal. It concerns him a little how could it not; it's his son after all. But he doesn’t want you to know that or see it in him. “So, what do you suggest I do?” his eyes bored into yours. Anger thrummed through your veins as you sneered, annoyed and irritated at the reply. “We,” you corrected. Once again, you kept your anger in check.
You want to know why your son was not talking lately; he has been avoiding everyone. He is just six. He should act like one; fear flustered in your stomach at the thought of something happening that you're not aware of with Jiun. What if he's getting bullied? Fear eclipses your thought, but shaking it away, your eyes meet Jimin.
Once again, he is staring at his phone with wild joy. A corner of his mouth lifted into a light genuine grin as he glanced down at his phone. What could he possibly be smiling at in this situation? You glower at him suspiciously. Tucking a lock of hair behind your earlobe, you spoke.
“We should visit the school and speak to his teachers or principal.” Jimin immediately put his phone away when he heard your voice, being quite startled by it. “When do you want us to go?” he questioned. “Tomorrow, I don't have work.” Taking the plates from the table, you set them in the sink.
“Okay… I'll have to take off work,” he says. He doesn't mean it, but if that helps you sleep at night, he doesn’t mind lying. Rising from the chair he grabs his belongings and walks out. You pursued behind him, not to see him off, but the kids. You wanted to make sure they were okay and safe, you couldn’t trust Jimin. Standing next to the car, you supervise the kids as they buckled in.
Jimin, who sits in the driver's seat, observes you. Joy ripples through you as you watch the kids put their seatbelt on. Although he doesn't see you in that way and would never, he somewhat admires the woman you are. Primarily towards the kids. His mother has never been like that; although she tried, she didn't give him this. “Bye, my munchkins” you wave.
They wave back, buzzing with happiness as they blow kisses toward you, you giggle, with happiness overflowing as you wave back, eyes crinkling. You love them. They were your everything, if you were to ever lose them, you weren't sure what you would do. The car turned on as it drove out of the parking lot, vanishing into the distance. You wander back into the house and prepare yourself for work.
°☆▪︎☆▪︎☆°
After dropping the kids off, Jimin goes directly to work. He was dying to see her to be with her. She was the only person his heart accepted and cared for. As he enters his office, he catches the sight of a figurehead popping from the back of the chair. Panic flared in his eyes, thinking it’s his father, but after taking a glance at the person's hair in the seat, he rolled his eyes; he knew his father would never dye his hair.
The man in the seat turned around. His thick eyebrows and eyelashes exhibit his smooth tan skin, and when he smiled, it was a boxy square smile. He has beauty marks/moles. His lips are slightly plump and swollen almost like a heart-shaped cupid's bow. He has a broad jawline, a tall, and slimmer body that still holds some muscle.
“Taehyung,” Jimin’s eyes rolled. The man behind the chair cackled at Jimin. He loves whenever he does this to Jimin; he loves how fear rippled through Jimin. Jimin gave a mirthless laugh, but although he was vexed, his spirit brightened when Taehyung smiled; it was warm and playful. Something he cherishes about his friend. These days It was hard seeing Taehyung smile.
He had recently gone through a break-up, but unlike him, Taehyung didn’t hang on to something that had already fallen. He let it go. It was better than getting hurt. “Did you assume I was your father, huh?” Threading a hand through his hair, Jimin rolled his eyes. Adjusting the lapels of his jacket Jimin sits down in the chair across from Taehyung.
Taehyung sat up in the chair; leaning back slightly so his head could rest comfortably against the soft cushion of the chair. Crossing his legs, his arm crossed against his chest. Taehyung glanced at his buddy; in his eyes and across his beautiful face sadness clouded Jimin's features. Taehyung knew the reason behind those sad eyes, but he vows not to get entangled with it. He didn't want what had happened to the other guys for involving or speaking about this specific matter to happen to him.
He rather Jimin figures it out on his own; Taehyung still wants to help, but this is the best he can do. Huffing, Taehyung rose from the chair, strolling to the exit. He had done enough and had work to do. If he stayed here, he would get into something or talk about something that might hurt their friendship.
Turning his back, Jimin examined his friend. “See you later,” Taehyung says, and vacates the office. As the door shut, Jimin takes out his phone, scrolling through his contacts searching for a familiar number, as his eyes catch the number. He opens the message icon, messaging something. A quiet contentment spread through him as he stood up and ambled to his desk, where he sat comfortably skimming at his computer and the paperwork on his desktop. He tapped his hands lightly on the table, waiting for a reply.
•☆▪︎☆•☆▪︎☆•
Sprinting down the hallway of your workplace was not what you imagined for work today. After you were told that Namjoon, your boss, wanted to see you asap with the document he had given you the night before. You couldn't help but race through the silent hallway like a flash. You fell out of puff as you held the documents tightly, speeding toward his office. When you get there, your hands knock against the see-through glass door; that really wasn't see-through. You linger for an answer as you stand next to the door.
When you hear him articulate to come in, your hands turn the doorknob, opening the door and walking in.
Seeing you set foot in his office, Namjoon perks up. A sudden feeling of happiness surprises him as he watches you bring the document towards him. He knows he should keep things professional, but with you standing before him, he couldn’t help but turn crimson red when your face meets his.
“Are you alright, Mrs. Park?” He asks, raising a brow. His pupils dilated as he stared at you. He felt bad about asking you to come asap. He wanted to see you so badly that he forgot about what he might make you go through. Nodding, you niche the document on the table. “Here is the document you ordered me to get you.” Reaching over, he grabs some documents and scans through them, seeing if these were the right documents he ordered.
He didn’t want to check the wrong one-off; he knew you wouldn’t make a mistake, but as the leader and boss, he needed to do his job. “Mrs. Park, are you staying later?” Once again, his brow rose as his eyes met the papers, which he looked through as his ears listened for an answer.
“Yes, I will stay,” you answer. His mouth curved into a smirk as his tongue gazed over his lips. “Your husband won't be mad, right?” Your head careens thinking about what Namjoon just asked. Jimin didn’t care, he wasn’t that type of husband and would ever care. Sometimes you felt jealous when you saw other married couples. “No, he's not.”
“That's wonderful.” Positioning the paper down, he lifts his head up at you.
“I want you to go through these documents and inspect for any errors.” Your eyes widen as you gape at the bundle of documents on the table. They were a lot. You could barely read 4 books. How were you supposed to go through these without getting tired?
“Mr. Kim, this is a lot,” you purse your lips. Seeing your lips pout like a child, he smiled. His eyes crinkled. No other woman besides his mother has ever made him feel, not even his ex-girlfriend Aya. “That's why I'm assisting you,” the corner of his eyes crinkled more as he gleaned at you. His cheeks beaming with his exotic dimples.
Standing up from his desk, he ambles up to you. The distance between the two of you is now only a few hair's breadth. The way he towers over you makes you feel small. He is lofty; approximately 5'11, and bulky, you heard he works out a lot frequently. Your eyes lit up, witnessing his rimmed brown eyes browsing yours, trying to uncover a hint of defect for him. Sadly, there is none. He gave a lopsided grin, smirking a little to himself as he saw your lashes fluttered. Happiness crept inside him at the thought of you getting nervous around him.
“Mrs. Park, am I making you anxious?” He raises a question, his lopsided grin still on his face as his eyes stare sightlessly into yours. Your head shook. You weren't anxious. No, it surprised you that he was standing this close to you, with his body towering over you. He has never been like this, not that he was cold or outlying towards you or something. No, it's just that he never crossed the periphery with you and his relationship. It was a permanent boss and assistant. It was unpredictable for you to see him behaving like this especially towards you. He always kept his distance. Mr. Kim was a more keep-to-himself man, he was a shy man.
A person who helps others, but when it comes down to him, he will keep it to himself; he doesn't want to be a burden to anyone. You only figure him out when you are paying attention to how he says things, completes things, and how determined he is about this job. You enjoy paying attention to the littlest detail, and that is what he loves about you.
Precisely when the others didn't notice his new tattoo on his wrist, you did.
To express that you never even saw him with a partner or anybody was not an understatement. He wasn't the flirty type. He didn't act like one. When you had first started working as his assistant there was rumor going around that he was dating a famous idol, but the gossip was ludicrous and blathered on for a year before dying down.
“Mr. Kim, I feel more awkward than I feel anxious about this. I'm a married woman. We can't be like this,” you express. His grin fell at your words. Not wanting to make you uncomfortable. He walks back to his desk. “Understandable.” licking his lips, he plunges down in the chair leaning back. He looks up at you once again before warding off his concentration to the stack of paperwork on his desk.
“Thank you.” He says nothing and takes some of the paper from the piles and darts through them. You seized some papers as you made your way out of the office.
Author's Notes: This story is quite slow and probably boring for many, but it's worth the read. My first time publishing, I am kinda scared.