“There comes a point when you realize that you'll never be good enough for some people. The question is, is that your problem or theirs?” -@therandomvibez.
☆
You and Namjoon being in a car together is the most awkward thing you've ever done. Was it the kiss? The atmosphere is very uneasy and unsettling; Namjoon drove his hands bobbing gently to the music that played on the car radio. You sat there rubbing your palms together, creating heat with it. The both of you are quiet. No one is talking and just listening to the music that plays. You want to say something? But what? “Did you… did you call your car insurance company?”
“Yeah,” you respond. “Did they tell you when your car will be fixed?”
“No, not yet, but it's just the one tire so it may not take too long,” you reply, your tongue wetting over your lips. Namjoon nods along. His attention is still on the road. You want to say something, so the lump in your throat can go away; you hate whenever that lump takes over your throat. You want to make the atmosphere okay? So at least you two were comfortable with each other, so you say.
“Mr. Kim, do you have a partner?” His eyes withdrew from the road to you quickly; the question was quite surprising, especially on your part. You were the one that wanted to only have a professional relationship between you and him. You know it was a bad thing to say; well not bad, but not smart either. He doesn't look mad or anything. Instead, he's laughing at your confused expression. “Partner?” he tilts his head and chuckles.
He seems to enjoy this way too much. “Well, I did, but I'm single now. She and I parted a long time ago.” Your mouth dropped, you were lucky you were in a car or else fly would've flown in. He dated someone? Why am I shocked? “Are you alright Mrs. Park?” You nod your head, but you aren't; the thought of this man dating someone shocked you. He didn't even look like the type that would do such.
“I didn't know you dated,” you say. He chuckles again. “I did, but our relationship wasn't something that I loved or admired. We were more like friends, or at least that's what I think,” he states. “Oh,” that's all you say; you were too overwhelmed at the news that he dated someone. If never judge a book by its cover, was a person, it would be Namjoon. You're still shocked to know your boss dated someone; from the outside, he appears distant. “So, you and her are still friends?” He shook his head. “Not quite. It's complicated.”
“You know her,” he says before you even ask why. Your head titled at the thought of you knowing the woman Namjoon dated. You barely knew anybody at work. How do you know her? “I do?” Your brows rose.
“Yeah, she was at the event and she works for your husband's company.”
“She does?” He nods again. “What's her name?” Namjoon clears his throat. “Her name is Aya, the lady with the beautiful olive baby skin and dark brown hair and pear-shaped. She always looks as if she is a model,” he says. You tilt your head thinking if you know who the person was; the only person you knew at that company was Taehyung. “Aya?” You say, as her name rolled off your tongue.
“Aya?” Namjoon nods again. “Yeah, Aya.” You tilt your head again. “Oh Aya, the one who works with Taehyung?” You say, massaging your temple; you saw her twice when you visited the office against your will. You never really paid attention to her whenever you went there. You just saw her talking with Taehyung.
“I don't know who she currently works with, but I think so.”
“Haha,” Namjoon laughs, seeing your expression. He loves being with you. You brought him so much joy. Ever since his mom's sickness, he never smiled so effortlessly, but after he meant you, it was like joy just beamed with him. “I would have never guessed it was her,” you say. “Then who?” He questions. “Hwasa, Jessi or IU, you had close relationships with them.” He snickers.
“No, it was business. Everything that I ever do at work is all business.”
“So you asking me to take you to lunch with you is business?” One of your brows lifts waiting for his answer. “It isn't, but with others, it is. With you, it's different.”
“And how so?” You ask, remembering the kiss. Namjoon licks his bottom lip, he could still feel the way your lips move with his. The sweet texture of strawberries and vodka that mixed on his lips that night when he kissed your lips. “No comment,” he grins from ear to ear. “What why?” He shakes his head.
“Because we are just friends. Right?” His brows are now lifted at you waiting for you to answer. “I guess if you say so,” you answer. Namjoon says nothing and goes back to being quiet. “Friends?” He snickers under his breath.
☆♤☆♤☆♤☆
After picking up the kids, Namjoon had asked if he could take you to the ice cream shop to get ice cream; since the two kept asking. You were tired, but Ara and Jiun wanted to get it so you said yes. And now here you guys are sitting down licking on ice cream and laughing. Namjoon is joking with both Ara and Jiun, their eyes glistening with a smile as laughter escapes their mouths. You never saw Jiun like this. You felt contentment warmed you from within.
“Young man, you like ice cream?” Namjoon asked Jiun. “Yes,” Jiun licks the ice cream off the spoon. “Mommy, why isn't daddy here?” Ara asks as she licks the ice cream on the spoon. “Daddy is busy.”
“He's always busy, you're busy yet you make time for us, but daddy doesn't.”
“I know, but daddy can't come, he's busy.” Namjoon looks at you, as you are consulting the little girl. He sees his mother inside of you. It hurts. Because it isn't a wonderful memory, he knows how it feels like. He doesn’t want these kids going through things like this.
“Mr. Kim?” Namjoon turns to the little boy sitting beside him. “Yes, kid?” He answers. “Can we do this next week, too?” Namjoon glimpses at you, his eyes pleading with yours so you can say yes. You don't want to; there's nothing wrong with getting ice cream with Namjoon, but you don't want to be a burden to him. But with those cute dimples and the spark in his eyes, you couldn't refuse this man. “Fine,” you say. Jiun, Ara, and Namjoon all cheered; it felt great watching them waggle their hands in the air as they cheered.
“Mommy, is daddy going to come?” Ara asks. “Yes,” you lie. You want to tell her that Jimin is probably too “busy” with work? You don't want to hurt her. But you feel you are also doing so by lying to them. Ara bounces in her chair as she cheered. “Daddy is coming,” she jubilates. You observe her, you were once the same. A little girl who adores her father so much. But after realizing who he was. You…
~
“Thank you,” you say to Namjoon as the two of you get out of the car. “Anything for you,” Namjoon smiles. He has never felt more alive than today. “I appreciate everything,” you say. The pale crescent moon shines like a silvery claw in the night sky as it shines on you. You are so beautiful that Namjoon wants to kiss and make love to you right here, in front of your door; he knows you are married and shouldn't be having those thoughts, but he can’t help but have those thoughts. You are a beautiful, kind, and loving woman, also very hard-working and he loves that about you. He wishes you could see yourself the way he sees you and sees the love he has for you.
“I should go now, it's getting dark,” Namjoon says, snapping out of his thoughts. You nod, helping the kids out of the car. “Go in the house and wait for mommy,” you say. They both nod and do as you order. “Um Yuna… I just wanted you to know that you're the best mother, and most beautiful woman ever.” Your face reddened. “Thank you.” Namjoon gets in the car and leaves.
~
“Daddy,” Ara cheered as she ran to her father, who was sitting on the couch watching a movie. As Jimin sees Ara, he rolls his eyes. Everything about her reminds him of you. He hates that. So when the little girl tries hugging him, he shoves her off of him. She fell and hit her hands on the glass table; a sharp pain pierced her hands. Jimin stares at the girl. He feels worried at first, but after hearing your voice, he goes back to his cold, stern self. Sprinting towards your daughter, you pick her off the floor, checking her hands to see if she got hurt. Luckily, it was nothing major.
“Mommy, daddy…,” her voice trailing off as the tears brimmed her eyes as she held her hands. You glared at Jimin; aroused rage flowed through you. “What did you do to my child?” it wasn’t a question, you were demanding an answer. Jimin doesn't even look your way or say a thing. Instead, he stares at the TV, smiling as he watches the movie. You felt a flicker of irritation. “I'M TALKING TO YOU!” You yell at Jimin. Both Jiun and Ara stare at the two of y'all; in complete fear, their faces blanched. Jimin's attention is still on the TV and is grinning. Infuriated, you grabbed the remote and turned the TV off.
“I'M TALKING TO YOUR *!” Your entire face reddened. You finally get his attention, but he's infuriated; a stony gaze fixed on you. “DID YOU JUST TURN OFF MY MOVIE?”
“Yes, I did.” A mischievous laugh escapes his mouth.
“You know, ever since I married you, it's always been a problem between us.”
“And? Is that why you did this to my kid?”
“I don’t like any of you. Can all of you just disappear and leave? Just leave me alone,” he got closer in your face.
“So that is why you pushed my kid? I told you before times without a number that you should never hurt my kids or else-.”
“Or else what Yuna, you're going to kill me? Please do, because I will be free of you.”
“You want a divorce, don't you? Is that why you did this?” You pointed at Aera who silently watches you and Jimin. Ara and Jiun's faces say it all. They have never seen their parents argue like this, at least not in front of them. Tears swarm in both their eyes. Ara and Jiun were scared; their whole body trembles as they stare at their parents. “You didn't do this on purpose, did you? Jimin wants a divorce so bad that you're willing to hurt your blood. You're such a *!” Jimin sighs. “GET OUT, YOU AND THESE *S.” Snorting, you drew closer to Jimin. “Don't worry, I don't wish to stay here, anyway.”