𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝘿𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙇𝙞𝙨𝙩 || (Taejin)

- 3 -

Taehyung woke up the next morning with the usual three knocks at his door by their house butler. Groaning, he rubs his eyes and moves up from his position- where he had been tightly cuddling with a pillow.

This habit of his was a point of annoyance for some of the people he had dated and adored by most of the others. He used to prefer being the big spoon while on bed as in that way he could hold on tight to the person next to him, which often led to the latter getting squeezed to death while asleep.

Sliding his feet inside his furry bedroom slippers, he mutters a "come in" and the butler comes inside the room exactly 5 seconds later, as expected. The man has a black tray with a glass of water in it, which Taehyung takes and keeps back after drinking.

"Your family shall be waiting for you, kindly freshen up and come. Breakfast will be ready in 25 minutes, sir". Saying the rehearsed line- which only ever was left unsaid during Sunday's- when Taehyung was free to sleep in, the man bows and leaves.

Taehyung had told the butler several times to not call him sir as that just made Taehyung feel bad about himself- seeing that the man was quite a few years older than him. However, his mother hadn't approved of it when the butler had called Taehyung by his name. She had wanted him to call Taehyung as 'young master' and the young man immediately preferred 'sir' over the other name his mother gave.

Quickly heading to the washroom, finishing a shower and dressing up in his usual working attire- a shirt paired with black pants and a wrist watch on his left hand, Taehyung makes his way downstairs.

He sees his mother at the head of the table while grandma and grandpa sit in front of Taehyung. There are several seats empty in the length of the table- the dining table was more suitable for a huge party than a family of five, sometimes four.

The opposite end of his mother's seat was his grandfather's but he was away at his other daughter's house. The seat next to Taehyung was left empty, where his father used to sit when he was still alive.

"Good morning, mother. Good morning grandma, grandpa". Taehyung wishes everyone as one of the maids sets down a plate of poached egg in front of him. His grandparents wish him back with a bright smile while his mother nods in regard.

"It's a Friday today, Tae. Any plans?" Grandma asks while taking a spoon of her porridge.

Taehyung shakes his head, his answer to every time anyone asks him this question. "Nope. Just work. Maybe I will meet Namjoon, that's all".

"If not for Namjoon, the only mode of communication you would ever have had would be with your business colleagues and partners". Grandpa says with a disappointed yet teasing tone. He was always worried about Taehyung being cooped up with work and not socialising much. "You should loosen up a bit".

"I don't think that's necessary, father". Taehyung's mother speaks up, red lips speaking the words softly yet strongly in a way you couldn't oppose whatever she said. "Don't want Taehyung getting distracted from work, do we?"

"Yes, Sunmi, we don't. But having fun isn't a distraction. Taehyung can handle both fun and work, I believe". says Grandpa, tone being light as to not annoy mother.

"He is almost thirty, there is no need for him to have fun now".

Taehyung remains quiet and focuses on eating his egg while his grandpa and mother talk about a topic which mostly ends up angering his mother. This has been the talk they have been having since Taehyung was old enough to think about work- perhaps sixteen or seventeen.

He knew that he wasn't that of a socialite. Even back in his school days, he preferred his studies and getting good grades. That hadn't made him a nerd though. He still had quite a reputation- a fair share of people he had dated and slept with- his sexual encounters and relationships that saved him from being labelled as a nerd or a loner.

Plus his good looks of course.

"You have been saying this since the child was seventeen, Sunmi. It doesn't matter if Taehyung is 20 or 30, he can have fun whenever he wants. He can go get a drink, make friends outside from work....not just travel from his office and home every day".

Grandma is side eyeing grandpa to try to stop him speaking further but grandpa was as stubborn as mother was. Seeing that he has no intention of stopping, grandma decides to veer the conversation away.

"Taehyung dear, pass me the salt, will you?" She says, pointing towards the salt shaker near Taehyung.

The other leans forward to take it and pass when his mother raises a hand to motion a maid forward. "The maids can do it, mother".

"Oh but why? Has our Taehyung lost his hand or his capability to move?" There is of course the tone of humour in her words but anyone can notice the sarcasm underneath it. Grandma was the kind to speak up but through layered words, never directly.

Confused on what to do, Taehyung decides on doing what he has done for years. He listens to his mother and leans back on his seat, continuing to eat while the maid passes the salt to his grandma.

Sensing the tension in the room, Taehyung says, "When will grandfather be returning?"

"Tonight, I think. You know how he is. Stays wherever he wants for as long as he wishes to". Mother says with a shrug.

Taehyung hums and takes a sip of his juice, having finished his food.

Seeing that his meal is almost finished, mother puts down her fork. "Taehyung, dear, I want to talk to you about something".

From his peripheral vision he sees Grandpa getting up and walking away.

He turns to look at his mother. "Yes?"

His mother has her serious face on and Taehyung knows whatever she will say won't be good. "Sweetie, are you sure you are completely done with Jennie? She sounded like a nice girl. I hadn't even had the chance to meet her".

"Yes, mother. I am very sure. I just didn't feel....the feeling of...love with her". Taehyung thought of his words carefully.

Mother sighs. "Well, when are you going to feel this 'feeling of love' you keep on talking about? Every time you have a relationship I can be happy about, you come apart from it because you don't feel good in it. I am tired of hearing you getting in and out of relationships".

Taehyung stares at his plate. He knows that his mother was never happy at the prospect of him dating so many people and him breaking up. And this wasn't the first time this thing was brought up.

He knew that this wasn't a normal thing. His average amount of break ups in a month was six times once. And that was bad.

But what could he do if he didn't feel satisfied in any relationship?

Well, there were a few people he had felt satisfied with but questions and doubts had led to him questioning them being together which ended up with a break up.

"This is the time for you to settle down, Taehyung". His mother continues. "You are...29? And I am so proud of the way you work baby, always so hard working but...by this time, you are supposed to be married. Maybe having a child. But you can't even be in a stable relationship".

"Sunmi, why are-".

"No, mother". Taehyung's mother interrupts Grandma before the other could speak further. His mother's face is stern. "I am tired of hearing about his break ups and the flings he has. He needs to get serious".

"Which is why", Mother looks at Taehyung with a small smile. "I have decided a girl for you".

What?

"Decided a girl for....what, mother?" Taehyung asks, confused.

His mother lightly chuckles. "For your marriage of course, sweetie".

Taehyung closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath.

Not this again.