Love Letter to My Loser | Kim Taehyung [ONGOING]

Chapter 12

"Did you hear about Kang Corporation merging with Lee Company?"

Taehyung's ears perked as a couple of golfer's chatted by the mural. "Yeah.", said one of them. "Apparently, the Lee family's oldest son is engaged to Dohan's daughter." Taehyung set his paintbrush down and leaned in to hear the conversation clearer. "What was her name again? Kang Byu-"

"Hey."

Miyeon tapped Taehyung's shoulder and he immediately disengaged from the conversation. "What's wrong?", she asked. "You look concerned." He shook his head and picked his paintbrush back up. "No no.", he replied. "I was just taking a break."

"I see.", she said. "I was thinking of taking one too. Join me for a walk?"

_____

"It's rare we get to take in the sights of a prestigious country club."

Miyeon pointed at a shrub cut in the shape of a lion. "Even the foliage is so extra." Taehyung smiled and put his hands in his sweatshirt pocket. "Well, if you have money why not use it.", he replied. "I know I would."

"Agreed."

"...So how's tutoring?", asked Miyeon. Taehyung watched his feet take steps. "It's going well. It's the only job I seem to enjoy right now." Miyeon nodded and looked at Taehyung.

"Because of Byul, right?" Taehyung gained some courage to meet her eyes. "She probably makes things fun." Taehyung stopped walking and Miyeon followed. "Byul truly lives up to her name.", she continued.

"She brings so much life to the club. Don't you agree?" She smiled and Taehyung looked away. He furrowed his eyebrows and continued walking. "...She does...", he said. "But so do you."

Miyeon chuckled. "Do I?", she asked.

"You changed a lot since that day."

"...Well, I was stupid then."

Miyeon sighed. "Life isn't about fearing the world or people in it.", she continued. "I can do what I want because I finally allowed myself to." She looked at the sky's clouds and smiled. "And that applies to you to. I've said this before but confidence suits you. Thank Byul for that."

_____

"I hate golf."

I gripped the end of my golf club and swung with a great force. The golf ball flew in the air and I smiled with satisfaction. "How can you say that and be amazing at it?" Hyemi clapped with admiration while Suho rolled his eyes. "Step aside and watch the pro.", he said, placing a golf ball on the tee.

Suho messed up his swing and the golf ball landed in a sand pit. I snorted and Hyemi roared in laughter. "My hand cramped!", he yelled. "I swear!"

I spotted Miyeon and Taehyung in the distance and waved. They fortunately saw me and headed towards us. "You guys play?", asked Miyeon. Hyemi nudged Suho and laughed. "He does.", she said. "A true professional." Hyemi and I shared glances and I covered my mouth to hide my laugh.

Suho threw his golf club down. "Laugh all you want, but I swear I'll beat you one day Byul." Taehyung picked up the golf club and looked at me. "Can you teach me?", he asked. I was surprised he wanted to learn but I agreed. Taehyung excitedly stepped up to the tee and I began instructing.

"Oh how the tables have turned.", I said. "Look who's teaching who." Taehyung rolled his eyes and gripped the end of his club. I adjusted his hands and checked for the direction of wind. "Turn this way and swing with a steady balance." He did a few practice swings before the actual one.

"I still don't know if this is right." Taehyung swung and the golf ball landed in a pond. Suho pointed and laughed. "He's worse than me!", he exclaimed. I patted Taehyung's back and took the golf club. "Watch and learn.", I said. I showed Taehyung my stance and hand placement and he followed along.

After a while of failed attempts, the others were getting bored. They all headed back to the mural while Taehyung was still determined to make a successful swing. "Everyone left.", I said. "And your teacher is getting tired." Taehyung finally gave up and sat beside me on the grass turf.

"Golf sucks.", he said laying down on his back. I chuckled and looked up at the clouds. "Imagine coming here every weekend as a kid.", I said.

"I would hate that."

"My dad was strict when it came to sports. Good thing my brother's been keeping him occupied."

I sighed. "A little too occupied...", I added. Taehyung sat up and met my eyes. "You now if you're not okay, I'm here to listen.", he said. I stayed silent for a moment. "...I'm only saying this because I heard about the merger.", Taehyung continued.

He knows? "...What about it?", I asked. Taehyung sensed my discomfort and spoke in a calmer tone. "I just wanna know if you had any choice in that decision." What do I say? No, I was forced to? "I'm just doing what's best for the company.", I lied.

"You can't keep letting other's control your freedom."

"...It's complicated. You know that."

Taehyung clicked his tongue. "I can't understand rich people.", he said. "You shouldn't have to marry a stranger because your parents said so." His frustrated facial expressions were kinda cute. Taehyung caught my smile and he raised an eyebrow. "What?", he asked.

"Nothing. It's just funny how worked up you are about my issues."

Taehyung's tone grew more serious. "As a friend, shouldn't I be?", he asked. A cool breeze picked up and a strand of my hair blew in my face. Taehyung gently tucked it behind my ear and I met his eyes. "Stop justifying your pain.", he said. "You deserve to be happy."

"...It's nice to know you care.", I said. "But I can't just do whatever I want."

"Why not?"

I paused to answer. In the past, I'd thought about running away to maybe escape this lingering sadness. But ever since Taehyung became my friend, I found some form comfort again. I was embarrassed to admit I became attached to a man who's heart belonged elsewhere.

"...Because doing so would be a greater sacrifice.", I replied.