TXT x EN- | LOVE MAZE ✓

lover-pt.1

♪ Phases—PRETTYMUCH

♡

;; New Year's Eve

"Hello my future in laws!"

"Dasom you're here!" Mrs. Park squealed as she hugged the younger girl.

"Dasom you're a sight for sore eyes, I swear Jay has been such a pain in my ass recently-"

"Dad I'm right here," Jay grumbled before engulfing his girlfriend in his arms.

Dasom happily accepted his embrace, smiling widely to his parents as her grumpy boyfriend snarled at them. It was New Year's Eve and Dasom was unable to travel back to the States to visit her family.

Knowing how downhearted she felt, Jay decided to bring her to his family. It was no surprise that they showered Dasom with such genuine care and love to the point where she eventually became family.

"Sorry Jay, you know how much we love Dasom!" Mrs. Park gushed as she linked arms with the younger girl.

"I'm glad you do birth givers," Jay chuckled before pecking a kiss on Dasom's cheek.

"I love you guys just as much," Dasom shyly said as they dragged her towards the living room.

The last remaining hour before a new year began was—well, almost perfect. The Park family huddled Dasom in their embrace as they sang karaoke songs with their whole beings. Happiness, was the only word to describe how perfect those moments were.

But happiness is temporary.

For their joyful moments was disrupted by the loud banging on their front door as muffled yet loud voices called out for Mr. Park.

"Open the fucking door Park Jeonghoon! Open the fucking door before your family pays the price for your arrogance!" A male voice boomed from the front door.

Mr. Park clenched his fists tightly as he shamefully looked at his family. Pursing his lips into a thin line, the 45 year old man embraced them tightly—as if it were his last moments.

"Jay, bring your mother and Dasom through the secret emergency exit down at the basement. You remember it don't you?" Mr. Park spoke in a low voice as he frantically shifted his attention from the front door and his soon.

"Dad what's going on-"

"You remember don't you?!" Mr. Park exasperated as he stared at Jay stressfully.

"Y-Yes I remember but Dad-"

"Honey who are those men-"

"My wife, Areum, my son and my future daughter-in-law, I'm so terribly sorry. I got involved with some business partners who turned out to be bad people. It's not safe for either of you here. Please go before it gets worse,"

Despite his wife and son's protests, Mr. Park could only usher them towards the basement door. Dasom glanced warily at the man she was to call her in-law, Mr. Park who looked at them with tearful, pleading eyes.

"Dad don't be an idiot and come with us!" Jay argued stubbornly.

"I can't son, I'm tied to them. I can't let you pick up after me in the future. I'm doing this for you Jongseong,"

Pounding his fists against the basement door which his father forcefully shoved and locked him into, Jay could only feel his hot tears trickle down his cheeks. However, his mother and girlfriend could only watch in defeat as they listened to Mr. Park's final words.

"I love you Areum. You're my first and last. Jay and Dasom, I love you both so much. Please stay by each other's side no matter what. I'm so sorry again,"

Before Jay could argue back again, the sound of gunshots resonated from upstairs. Although the young boy continued to helplessly pound his bruised fists against the door, it was all for nothing.

"Goodbye my loves,"

→

;; January 2021

"How's Jay, Mrs. Park?" Dasom asked sadly.

The young girl and Mrs. Park sat across each other in the Parks humble yet cold abode. It's been a week since Mr. Park's passing and Dasom had been visiting whenever she could. Jay, on the other hand, had been distant lately from Dasom and wouldn't return any messages or calls.

"He's been coming home late these days. Sometimes battered and bruised Dasom, he never tells me anything anymore," Mrs. Park sighed tiredly.

Feeling the uncomfortable stinging of hot tears in her eyes, Dasom stood up from her seat before kneeling down towards Mrs. Park. Gazing sadly into each other's eyes, Mrs. Park pulled Dasom into her embrace before sobbing pent-up tears for the past few weeks.

A mixture of grief and worry filled their hearts as they comforted each other in the gloomy household that once held so much happiness and love. To add on to their worries, the slamming of the front door alarmed both Mrs. Park and Dasom.

For there came through Jay, with a bruised cheek and a bloody cut lip. With his eyebrows furrowed in confusion as to why Dasom was there, Jay could only feel her presence trigger his soft spot.

"Jay..." Dasom sighed worriedly as she approached her boyfriend.

With tears threatening to spill out, Jay eventually gave into his vulnerable side before melting into the only person who managed to keep him sane.

"I'm sorry Dasom, I'm so sorry for being a mess,"