Heartbreaker

Chapter 44: Fated

Taehyung was sitting on a bench in the Ramble while watching the tranquil waters of The Lake. He took his phone out to take a shot of the Beresford standing magnificently behind the trees which were bare of leaves. He tucked his hands back inside the pockets of his long coat once he was done. His breath fogged in the cold February afternoon.

"By chance, are you here alone?" Somebody asked.

"Yeah. The friend I am waiting for is so late." Taehyung complained.

He chuckled. "I'm sorry. I visited by the Bethesda first to look at the Angel of the Waters."

"It's fine. I'm just joking." He stood up and offered a hug. "Great to see you, Namjoon hyung."

"Likewise, Taehyung." Namjoon went in for the hug.

"How are things? How many countries have you been to?" He asked as they're about to sit.

"I'm not exactly sure. I've just finished traversing Europe. I plan to go around America for a while."

"Must be real nice to visit places without schedules and deadlines."

"I heard you went to different countries too."

"Yeah. But for work. I looked for new friends so we can branch outside South Korea."

"The seventeen year old you would have been so shock that the future him is making friends instead of enemies." Namjoon commented amusedly.

"I'm a charming social butterfly when I'm not an asshole. Apparently."

Namjoon heartily laughed. "I'm proud of you. Everyone is proud of you. You've come a long way." He showed him his bedimpled smile. "So, you'll be here in New York for a while?"

"I'll be flying home on the next day for a contract signing." Taehyung smiled meaningfully.

"Meet our friends while you're there. They terribly miss you too."

"You met them?"

"I doubled back to France when Hoseok told me that they're going to visit...uh...to visit Jungkook in Paris. He came with Jimin. And their mom." Namjoon explained.

"He's still...in Paris?"

"He was offered a job at the Le Café Le Cordon Bleu even before finishing school. He took it, did not even get to attend the ceremony. His family visited to celebrate his graduation and Hoseok's birthday. And also because he won't be able to come home anytime soon."

"I see." He stared out at the lake in front of him.

"But he's doing well. He was actually laughing his head off when he told us about the video he emailed you when he was drunk during Valentine's. Did you receive it? And what was it exactly?"

Taehyung blushed and covered his face.

"It looks like you did and on second thought, I don't really want to know." Namjoon guffawed. "Anyway, you're both doing great."

He smiled and let out a sigh of relief. "How about you?"

"I'm on my way. Honestly, I don't know if what I'm feeling is really that of acceptance. I might be feeling the same false sense I felt three years ago. I still feel kind of lost. I still feel miserable sometimes. But what's different is I learned to let myself be. That it's okay to feel that way. It's okay to be not okay. Sometimes I wallow on the fact that he did not choose me and we're truly absolutely done. It's a harsh slap. But it works for me. It keeps me wide awake. Because it's the reality."

Taehyung dazed at the glittering waters while he listened. Then he looked him straight in the eyes. "You're doing well too, hyung."

"You're lucky you can still go back." Namjoon pressed his lips for a second. "Your home is still pristinely kept and strongly standing. I hope you find your way back soon."