I'll Show You

chapter 8

Jennie noticed how, after the previous day, Taehyung's mother seemed to make a point to make Jennie feel cared for. She insisted on home cooking her and her mother's lunches alongside Taehyung's, and she touched her shoulder, her arm, her hand, when walking past, or ending a conversation with her in a way that seemed like she would rather spend the rest of the day chatting with Jennie.

Jennie also watched Taehyung's slow warming to her own mother. He was taken aback at first, but she caught the imperceptible flushes of pleasure a few times, when from across the room, her mom said something to him that made them both laugh, and then squeezed his shoulder amicably before going to confer with Mrs Kim about room structures and what not.

Jennie had been shocked by how much of this part of the process Taehyung stuck around for. She hadn't imagined, all those weeks ago, when her mom told her of his financial involvement, that he would ever take an interest in helping them pick tapestry fabrics and wallpaper. 

He was usually always… there. Either going over plans, walking through the grounds with potential volunteers, or joining in the seemingly endless process of trying to get the ancient electronics to work again. He seemed to have a thing for antiques.

She'd voiced this much to her mother during the day, when they were taking rest under one of the large pine trees that surrounded the area.

"I'm just surprised that he is proactive with the details. He spent most of the morning listening to me go on about fabrics. " Jennie said to her, taking a sip of her Ice-Americano.

"Are you?" Shinha asked, eyeing her daughter with an amused, knowing expression, that made Jennie straighten at once, suddenly uncomfortable.

"Yes— it's just— I'm surprised, happy, but surprised with how much he's been willing to take this all on."

"And why," her mom said patiently, still sounding amused, "sweetheart, do you think he's taken all of this on? He initially Just donated some money and that was going to be it but then he realized your involvement in this."

Jennie could feel the unspoken meaning in her mother's words and furrowed her brow.

"Mom. Taehyung is just a good person who wants to help people. He seems just as passionate about this as we are."

Shinha made a sound of agreement beside her and sipped her coffee, ice cubes clinking satisfyingly. A row of puffy clouds moved gently across the sky in the budding breeze.

"I think that's probably true. But," her mother continued delicately, brushing Jennie's hair from her shoulder with a familiar, loving touch, "it is also my experience that men don't usually offer up their homes on a whim for just anybody."

Jennie gave her another look.

"You're making it sound a lot different than it is, mom."

"Am I?"

"Yes. He is not offering it to me but to the foundation. Your foundation I might add." she muttered, wishing she had actually listened to the specifics.

Her mom pursed her lips and made a strained 'mmm' sound. Then she snorted with laughter, which only increased to outright laughter when Jennie looked indignant. It was contagious though, and Jennie found herself laughing for no reason as her mom dabbed at her eyes.

"Mom!" she said. Her mother shook her head, patting her on the back.

Jennie rolled her eyes. She took a deep breath of the lovely cool air. It was still the middle of winter but after all the physical labour they have been doing the cold was welcome. The scent of fresh snow was pungently sweet in her nose, even though it was barely sprinkling.