𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐎𝐟 𝐀 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐥 ♡ MinSung

Ch. 123

Turns out Jisung was called to the office on an appointment to get his cast cut off, about a month after it was put on.

He was super glad, as the stupid cast was itchy as hell, looking kind of dirty, and over all he just wanted to see what the skin looked like when he did finally get it removed.

It was a cool new experience for him that he had a weird interest in going through, even though they used a tiny metal spinning wheel of death to get it off.

On the way back from the appointment the car was rather quiet, neither of them with any need to speak, until Jisung's dad finally did.

"Jisung.." he said, simply to gain the attention of the boy.

"Hm?"

"I wasn't going to mention it, but I feel it might be important, so will you answer a question for me?" He asked calmly. Jisung saw no red flags in his dad's demeanor or tone of voice, so he obliged.

"Go ahead." He shrugged.

"When you entered the office you had tears in your eyes and a runny nose. You were crying." He didn't state any question, so Jisung didn't respond.

So this was what it was about.

"I'm going to ask you now, and your going to give me a straight answer. Don't beat around the bush, don't give me excuses, and don't even think about lying to me, okay?"

Jisung nodded, even though his dad's eyes were fixed to the road.

"Why were you crying?"

Jisung sighed, not wanting to relive the events of that afternoon. He had no intention of letting his father know the details, but answered anyway, "Jeong-Hoon caught me in the hall on my way over." He admitted quietly.

The man made a face, but he didn't seem surprised or upset in any way, "Ah."

There was a long pause in the car, "What did he do to you? Did he touch you? Did he say anything to you?"

Jisung looked out the passenger side window at all of the trees and cars passing them by. He didn't want to look at his father, "It wasn't that bad. He just said some stuff."

"Well, what stuff?" He provoked farther.

"I don't want to talk about it."

The man sighed, clearly displeased with the answer and for a while he spoke no more. Jisung thought that was the end of the conversation until, "We've talked about this Jisung. You need to let me in on all of this stuff."

Jisung but his inner lip.

"Tell me, Jiji—" He started, but Jisung quickly ushered something out to cut him off.

"Don't call me that... please.." he spat, sounding more disturbed than he meant to.

His dad quickly sent a glance at him, making a slightly confused face, "I thought you said you didn't care if I called you that."

Jisung felt guilty. His dad seemed sad now.

"I just don't like it." He murmered. If Jeong-Hoon hadn't called him that just earlier as he was using Jisung's fear as sexual pleasure, it would have been just fine.

"But that's what I called you when you were a little boy. That's what your mom called you..." he trailed off, suddenly not wanting to say any more on the topic.

Jisung breathed out quickly, "I know. I guess I just grew out of it. I don't like the name anymore." He muttered.

"Uh-huh.." was all the man said for a minute, "I guess you're just not my little boy anymore. God I hate how fast you grew up."

Jisung actually hadn't grown up fast. He was still as immature as ever, but his father wouldn't know that. He was too caught up with work for a long while as he was growing up.

He still is. For a while it was getting better, ans then he completely shifted and started focusing a lot less on work, and way more on his child. More than a healthy amount.

Jisung understood why though. He had betrayed the man's trust.

"I'm sorry.." he whispered, finally turning from the window, "I just have so much on my plate right now. I'm sure you can guess why."

"Mhm."

Another long silence.

"Can I talk to you about something, Appa?" Jisung asked, his mind thinking about other things.

"Of  course."

"So, about Minho." He started, his dad immediately sighing, and talking before Jisung could get out another word.

"I don't want to hear it, Jisung. I know you think he's so great, but I don't trust that kid one bit. Not at all. He's nothing but trouble, and I will continue to tell you that you can never talk to him." He said, as if to end the conversation, but it didn't work.

"I swear you just need to get to know him. He's honestly just as nice as his brother, I swear." Jisung had tried to convince his father quite a few times, but the man simply didn't budge.

"I'll meet him eventually, and until then, you two cannot speak. You hear me?" This sounded like a warning more than an instruction.

"K." Jisung nodded, agreeing to end the conversation.

"On a lighter note however," his dad spoke again, "Felix reached out to me. He says you aren't checking your phone and needed me to tell you, quote, 'meet me at the Cafe on our usual date'."

Jisung sighed, knowing what this meant. He didn't feel like talking to Felix, but nodded anyway.

"Okay."