Insouciant | Mark Lee

31~ Shocking Surprise

A sudden loud bang distracted them.

They saw the mansion's door open wide.

Instinctively, Winwin and Lucas tapped thrice on their watch and in no time the members gathered in the living room.

Aera's eyes widened in pure shock and so did Taeyong's. "Mom?" they both said in unison.

"Wait what?" Aera said in pure confusion. Without wasting a minute Taeyong ran past Aera and embraced his mother in a warm hug. The woman happily embraced her son whom she met after ten long years. She patted his hair lovingly. She now turned towards her daughter who was completely baffled with the on going scenario.

"Won't you hug me?" Mrs Lee/Min asked her daughter with a sweet smile on her face. Tears brimmed Aera's eyes as she ran to hug her mother. She released her grip. Mrs. Lee looked at her daughter adoringly.

"But wait what, what's going on? W-why did Taeyong call you m-mother? Why are you here in the first place mom? Do you k-know him?" Aera interrogated her mother as tears ran down her eyes. "How can a mother not know her own son?" she replied and turned her gaze towards Taeyong. He flashed her a wide smile.

"Care to explain me what's going on? What kind of reunion is going on?" Aera raised her voice in irritation. She felt so lost. Mrs. Lee walked towards her and cupped her cheeks, "Honey calm down," "NO MOM! HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO STAY CALM WHEN I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING. I HATE IT THAT I AM SO CLUELESS!!" Aera yelled in frustration.

"Aera let's sit and talk," Mrs. Lee said as she calmed Aera down. The members just stood there still, watching the scene unfold in front of them. Taeyong and his mother both explained the past to her.

GUILT. HEARTBROKEN. ANGER. PAIN. LOVE. HAPPINESS

She was feeling it all. Her emotions were all over the place. Aera broke down in tears. She felt as if her whole life was a lie but somewhere she felt happy that her family reunited and she finally found her brother. She felt guilty for Taeyong, guilty because he had to give up on his own family to protect them, what he went through at such a young age.

Mark's heart broke at the sight of crying Aera. He wanted to hug her, assure her that everything was going to be fine. Aera's sobs slowed down. She went and hugged her mother as she understood her pain of losing a husband and giving up on a child.

Mrs.Lee patted Aera's back, "I'm sorry honey, I had to keep this from you." she apologized. Aera shook her head, "No mom, it's ok. I get it, I am happy!" she said and turned around to look at Taeyong , who's eyes were glistening with tears too. "Won't you join us for a family hug, hyung?" Aera said and flashed a loving smile towards Taeyong. The leader couldn't hold it anymore, he broke down and ran towards his family, engulfing them in his arms. "I love you!" he said and planted a soft kiss on their foreheads.

The members too felt warm as they never saw this side of their leader. They felt happy too. Taeyong then walked towards his members and hugged them and chanted their slogan, "We gon' resonate!" Aera shot them a disgusted look and said, "Yeah, it's still cringe-y."

Mrs.Lee made her way towards Jaehyun. He hugged her as she patted his back, "Look at you. You've grown into a fine young man. It feels like yesterday when you three used to play together!" "It's good to see you happy and healthy," Jaehyun replied happily. "Also it's finally good to meet all the 23 members. Can't believe I have 24 children now!" Mrs. Lee joked as the members left out a hearty chuckle.

Aera went to Taeyong and timidly stood infront of him and hugged him as he hugged her back. "Thankyou so much hyung, it must have been tough for you but thankyou for protecting us."she said. Taeyong tightened the hug and ruffled her hair, "I'll always protect you Aera, no matter what."