The Mob Boss Wants Forever

Chapter 22: Amends

"That's fair," says your father with a polite nod.

You glare, "it's fair?"

"I have a lot to make amends for," says your father. "I hope that one day it will be as wonderful to see me as it is for us to see you."

You think about what he just said. You wonder what he's playing at. You hear your name and turn to look at your mother for the first time since you were in high school. She's still beautiful in that way of a woman who gracefully ages. She's dressed like the stylish matriarch she is and she's as imposing as ever... except there are tears in her eyes.

"Your father told me for the first time last night," says your mother. "He just told me about the secret he uncovered, about his secret dealings with Mr. Kim and about your son... I didn't know."

Your heart beats. Your brain stops. Your hands shake. You tremble.... Could this be the truth? Could your mother really not have known? Is she truly innocent in your heartbreak?

"In my arrogant way... I believed it would be better to keep the truth from your mother," admits your father with an embarassed frown.

"He let me believe you ran away," says your mother, the anger clear in her voice. "He let me wonder and fear over your whereabouts for years. And when you resurfaced? He said it was for the best that we marry you to and heir quick and then everyone would forget your youthful disobedience. He said that Cole was a good boy."

"He wasn't," you say.

"I know that now." says your mom.

"Darling you've shown that you're angry. You've taught me to never keep a secret regarding family again. So please... Come home," pleads your father.

"No," says your mother with a finality and surety that you never expected from her. "The person you should be trying to make amends with is your daughter."

"I will do anything to make amends," your father says to your mother. "I will find the child."

"Taehyung already found him," you say flatly.

"You know where he is?!" Your mother asks.

You nod, "I've met him. He's beautiful. You're going to love him."

"You'll let me into your lives?"

"You really didn't know?" You ask, staring into her eyes, searching for the truth.

"I swear on everything that I love," she says. "I didn't know what happened to you. I thought you ran away from me. I thought didn't want me."

"That wasn't true," you tell your mom.

"I know," she says.

"I needed you," you tell her.

"I know," she says and pulls you into a bear hug. The kind only a mother can. It's warm and filled with all the comfort you've needed since you last saw her. "My poor baby, how you have suffered."

"The suffering is over," you hear a new voice by the door and you look up from your mothers embrace to see Taehyung watching you both from the door. "Smooth sailing from now on."

"Can you truly promise that, young man?" Asks your mother. "Considering your life style?"

"My lifestyle?" Taehyung responds in a light tone. "I'm just a simple business man."

"In the mob," says your father.

"That's the rumor," says Taehyung.

"And it's not true?" Asks your father, his voice like a whip.