The Boy From The Bridge - Jakehoon

Chapter 74: Monster 3/7

Jake slept through most of Wednesday. He hadn't gotten back to his hotel room before 4am after meeting with Taehyung. Inside he was  full of mixed emotions. He was happy to see Taehyung, comforted by his brother's care for him but in equal measure he was scared. The idea of what would transpire when he went to see his parents haunted his dreams. He felt uncomfortable at the prospect of meeting them, like a beast of prey going knowingly into a trap.

Despite his misgivings, Jake went with purpose towards the hotel his parents where staying at. Taehyung's plan was for them to meet there so they had somewhere private to talk. Whilst Jake appreciated his brother's rational, the single door of entry and escape put him on edge. 

There was still some daylight as he walked, although today was far windier than last night and he was walking into the wind so had his medium length hair blowing backwards. Squinting down the street, he made out the well dressed figure of his brother outside of the hotel. Jake breathed a sigh of relief at not having to have the awkward interaction of asking the concierge if he could meet with his parents. 

"I was starting to think you wouldn't show?" Taeyhung said upon seeing his younger bother.

"Am I late?" Jake asked, wondering if he'd got his timing wrong. 

"Not particularly, just, you know - doubts and all."

"Doubts?"

"Well, I mean, you're hardly overly keen to see mum and dad are you?"

"No but I know I've got to do this. You're staying neutral in this right?" Jake asked his brother as they entered the hotel. 

"I'll do my best to and to steer the conversation away from a shouting match."

"How do you fancy your chances of achieving that?"

"Poorly" Taeyhung said with a grin and directed Jake into an elevator. 

As the elevator rose Jake tried to compose himself. He knew a rush of adrenaline would hit at any moment but until it did he had to stay focused. Most of the effects of 'jet lag' had worn off now but even still - back in Korea it was only 2AM. 

"Ready?" Taehyung asked, putting his hand on Jake's shoulder in a gesture of confidence. 

Jake nodded, "lead the way."

"Mum? Dad?" Taeyhung called has he went into their hotel room. It was funny for Jake, listening to him call their parents, It reminded him of a time, when they would return home from school, when they were one family unit - that was a long time ago now, in around 42 hours his big brother would be married. 

Their parents were staying in a suite and Taeyung lead him to a setup of four chairs in two sets of two facing each other. His father was sat in one and his mother in another, although she got up and immediately went to greet both of her sons. 

"I'm so glad you came" she said softly, enveloping them in a large hug. 

"I'm just here to talk" Jake said, brushing her hand away from him. 

"Well at the very least, I'm happy you decided to come to your brother's wedding"

Jake found himself look straight into the eyes of his father. They stared back right through him, emotionless. Trying to pay that no attention, Jake took a seat opposite from his father. Taehyung sat by him whilst his mother returned to her's. 

"Right," Tayehung begun, "Who wants to start?"

"I do" Jake said quickly, trying to seize the innovative. "I just want to begin by saying I don't look for you to hate me, I am looking for you to leave me alone - that's all. To stay out of my life and to not  interfere with me"