Heartbreaker

Chapter 49: Through Thick and Thin

Taehyung wiped his forehead with his arm. It was a scorching afternoon and he was meticulously scrubbing a windshield with a soapy wash mitt. He snickered when he remembered the night they sabotaged his brother's car. Jungkook taught him how to properly wash, saying that he might need to know in the future. He huffed when he felt a new stream of sweat trickling down the side of his face. But still, he scrubbed and cleaned until the car was spotless. He heaved a sigh of relief while looking at his work. When he was satisfied, he returned the materials back and spooled the hose around its reel.

He walked back to the shop lobby while removing his cream short sleeved button down, leaving only the white shirt beneath it. Armi watched as he used the shirt to dry his damp hair. She admired his form. He's dressed simply. Just a white shirt, denim cutoffs and sneakers but he's so good-looking. She thought.

"What are you doing?"

A voice shocked her and interrupted her reverie. She blinked and saw Hoseok standing beside her.

"Nothing." She quickly replied.

"Are you getting bias wrecked by your fiancé's brother in law?"

"No!" She denied.

"Then what are you doing gawking like that? You're drooling."

"There's no drool!"

Taehyung walked in. "I'm done." He announced happily. He went to the small pantry and took a bottle of water to drink.

"You did great." Hoseok acknowledged. "You still want to continue? You know you don't have to. I'll just hire someone."

"But I like doing something while waiting for the bar and bistro to open." He pouted.

He summoned Yeontan to come to him and carried him in his arms.

"But you're already doing two jobs. And this is too tedious for you."

"I'm fine, hyung. I'm just doing it for the meantime anyway."

Hoseok sighed. "You're too stubborn. Jungkook and Seokjin are right." He shook his head and went behind his table again. "By the way, mom will come here later. You can take a break while she's here. Take Tan for a walk or something."

"Will mom never accept me, hyung?" He asked sadly. "Was she happy when we're broken up? Did she get mad when she learned that we're back together?"

"Jungkook has firmly let her know that you'll be back together. He did not even step foot in our house even then. He'd always remember what she said, that he can only come home once he has his sanity back. I think mom knows that you're not going away. Jungkook made sure she knows that. But she saw how he was when you left him. It softened her a bit. She was not happy when you're broken up because Jungkook was unhappy. And even though she will not admit it, I know that she's relieved that you're back together. She's going to accept you. I know in my heart that eventually she will. Because you truly love Jungkook. She will see that."

Taehyung did as Hoseok suggested. But he was shocked when he returned. Jungkook's mother was still waiting inside the shop. Hoseok and Armi suddenly exited when they saw him coming.

"Go in." Hoseok directed. "She wants to talk to you."

"We'll take Tannie." Armi volunteered.

He handed Yeontan's leash and slowly walked ahead. His heart pounded. His throat felt dry. He deeply breathed in and huffed loudly before pushing the door. She was sitting motionlessly, only slightly turning her head when he came in. Taehyung bowed without saying a word and sat far beside her.

He cleared his throat. "Thank you for giving me a chance to talk to you, Mrs. Jung. I'm sorry for the way you learned about me and Jungkook. And I'm also sorry for not trying to talk you." He wrung his hands. "Ah. I'm also sorry for leaving him three years ago."