ACATALEPSY I BTS AU

CHAPTER 2 - Silent resilience

Jimin unlocks his phone with a quick press of his finger and brings it to his ear, but he doesn't even get a chance to say hello before a deep voice roars through the speaker, piercing his eardrum. 

"WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU? GET TO MY OFFICE IMMEDIATELY!" The voice on the other end is nearly hysterical. 

"Sorry, Father, I got sidetracked with something important, but I'm on my way now," Jimin replies, his hand brushing nervously over the wooden surface of the café table. But his father's anger only intensifies, voice rising. 

"YOU'RE NEGLIGENT! MAYBE I SHOULD JUST MOVE UP THE WEDDING DATE!" His father's words are sharp, each one hitting Jimin like a blow. 

"Father, you can't do that to me, please," Jimin pleads, cold sweat running down his back.

 "I CAN AND I WILL. IN FACT, DON'T EVEN BOTHER COMING. I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR FACE UNTIL YOU CAN HANDLE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES. YOU SPOILED BRAT. RETURN ONLY WHEN YOU GROW A SPINE AND TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY. YOU HAVE A DUTY AS A PARK. FREAK!" The line goes dead without a goodbye. 

Jimin exhales heavily, slumping in his seat. Does he truly deserve this treatment from his father? His mind races with the harsh words, his body feeling numb. Staring blankly at the table, suddenly, his strength gives way, and he smacks his forehead against the edge of the table. 

You've been watching him from afar, observing his odd mood swings and now his dramatic gesture. Without hesitation, you rush behind the counter to grab an ice pack from the first-aid kit. 

As you return, an elderly couple sitting nearby rises to leave, slowly gathering their belongings. 

The woman glances at Jimin, noticing his despondent state. "Cheer up, young man," she says gently as she passes, "it's not the end of the world." 

Her husband nods in agreement, and they both head to the register. 

You finish ringing them up and return to the table, leaving the ice pack near Jimin's head, which is still resting on the table. Just as you place it down, a co-worker drying mugs calls your name. 

"Y/N, we're leaving the café in your hands for a bit. Andrew and I are off for a smoke break, but we'll be back soon. You can take a break when we return," your colleague says, stacking the mugs in the cabinet. 

"Alright, see you in a bit," you reply, before heading into the kitchen to grab some pastry bags filled with cream. You return to the counter to finish your task, but your eyes are drawn back to the guy slumped over at the table, the ice pack still untouched.

 "Sir, you should really use that ice pack or you'll end up with a nasty bump," you gently suggest. He doesn't react, only sighs deeply. With no one else around, you discreetly grab a small, homemade pastry. These little treats are often served with coffee that mostly go to waste by the end of the day, so you feel no guilt about offering him one for free. You carefully place the pastry near his head, trying not to startle him, but his eyes suddenly flicker open, noticing the heart-shaped treat on the table. 

"I didn't order this," he mutters, but when your eyes meet his, you smile and wink, signaling him to keep it a secret. Without a word, he watches you walk away, a small smile playing on your lips. 

As you stretch your arms, Mr. Jimin can't help but rub his chest, his heart pounding as if it were fireworks.

 "What are you doing to me...?" he whispers to himself, bewildered by the sensation. He takes a hesitant bite of the pastry, and to his surprise, it's one of the sweetest things he's ever tasted, so much so that a small tear escapes his eye.