( Bang Chan + Hwang Hyunjin )
❝I cannot risk losing her.❞
┈┈ mistopher | 2022 ++
Pride is something that Bang Chan was forced to put aside in order to satisfy his basic needs. And he'd grown used to it for the year and a half that he'd been living o...
Was Bella having fun? Was she truly enjoying the day, out in public, participating in mother's day activities, hosted by her school, with him? Hyunjin wanted to believe that. He wished to erase all his fears and worries and insecurities and be as lighthearted as Bella, for the day, at least.
But with the dozens and dozens of imposing eyes piercing his back, side, and front as he played games with Bella, and competed in cheery competitions with moms, and single fathers, Hyunjin couldn't feel comfortable. He rolled his shoulders.
They were judging him, weren't they?
Because almost every tongue from that school community had spewed gossip about the Mr. Bang who sought a man to mend the broken heart left by his late wife. Every ear had witnessed the false concern of Bella growing up to be "just like her father". And too many fingers pointed in Hwang Hyunjin's direction, on several occasions, concreting their suspicion as to who it was that Bang Chan was "sleeping with".
Hyunjin scoffed. He hated that. Hated being the center of attention like thawt. But for Bella; for the quality time with her, as a mother. As the mother figure that he continuously proved himself to be, for three years and counting. Bella was nine already; beautiful, and intelligent.
Hyunjin praised the mother of hers whom he had never met. Whom he now always struggled against the intrusive, scolding thoughts, that he was replacing.
Hyunjin looked around, arms squeezed into the pockets of his jeans, shoulders raised underneath his white T-shirt. The school had done a decent job, setting up the activities in a park nearby. A castle-themed bouncing castle was set up in the center, whilst close to a dozen booths lined the corners: snacks, games, Mother's day bracelets and hats, and one for face paintings.
"Uncle Jinnie," Bella ran up to Hyunjin, grinning, the initials "UJ" painted in a rainbow pattern on her left cheek. "Do you like it?" She pointed at it, looking up at Hyunjin; taller than before, but still only able to stand at the height of his stomach. "It's rainbow for your pride! I love it... You could get one too. They're painting parents as well."
"I love it, Bella," Hyunjin cooed, a profound sparkle in his eyes. He kissed Bella's forehead lightly before shaking his head, continuing, "I'm alright. Face is sensitive to paint... What do you wanna do next? This place is filled with activities, isn't it?"
"Would you wanna," Bella sang, index finger pressed against her lower lip as she twisted on her toes, looking around. One arm of her jean overall hung off from her shoulder, a white shirt under it, her hair in one straightened ponytail. "Would you be interested in... I dunno... racing? It'd be fun, don't you think?"
