Healing (KTH, featuring KNJ)

Chapter 63

The next morning, before he left for work, Taehyung wanted to ask Clara the other question that had been plaguing him. She seemed much less emotional after a good night's sleep, so he hoped that he could learn more information without upsetting her again.

"Clara, why did you come here instead of coming back home?"

Clara paused to collect her thoughts.

"Well, they gave me enough money for only one bus fare. I wasn't feeling very well so I really just wanted to get somewhere I knew I could rest. Of course when my bag was stolen I also lost my token for our apartment complex. You know, the token you have to use to get onto the property, into the building, and also for the elevator. I remember you assuring me how good the security was at your apartment because they won't let anyone in without a token unless they are the owner of the apartment or have been listed by the owner as permitted to access the apartment."

Once again, Taehyung could see where this was going almost immediately.

"I know you haven't submitted my name to the building to protect my privacy. And when I do go through the lobby and past the gate I usually cover up especially if we are together. I doubt the security guards would recognize me let alone think that I belong with you. And even if I was on the approved list I had no ID with me. And honestly I was a mess, I didn't look like I belonged there."

"I knew the security guard here would probably recognize me and I could get through. But there was a new guard yesterday and he refused to even let me sit in the lobby. He also thought I was a sasaeng when I told him I was going to see Namjoon's parents. So I was on the bench outside trying to figure out what to do when Jin's dad found me. I was so scared at that point because I didn't even have a few dollars to take the bus somewhere else and I was really in a lot of pain even walking over from the bus stop."

Clara burst into tears. "Tae, I didn't know what to do," she choked out between sobs. And as Taehyung thought about it he didn't know what he would have done either. Something terrible happened, and then everything afterward worked against her. He had to acknowledge that really he was the cause of the whole situation. His reluctance to have anyone know about her had left her extremely vulnerable in situations like this and she really didn't have very many directions to turn. She'd likely end up bearing the scars from this forever, at least on her face, and probably on her heart too.

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Taehyung regretted having to leave Clara that morning, but it truly was necessary. They still had so much work to do to prepare for their tour. And while nobody would ever criticize him for the last few days when he was hardly able to work while Clara was missing, he wouldn't be permitted to stay home just to watch her nap.

Clara had agreed to stay with Namjoon's parents for the time being. She knew she needed some extra help right now, and frankly she wasn't ready to be left alone. She knew that she would be treated as a precious daughter here and she craved that security right now. She had avoided looking at herself in the mirror, and nobody really talked about the state of her face or her hair, but she'd seen enough to know she looked like a monster and that would undoubtedly draw stares and pointed fingers if she ever dared to go out in public again. But before she could even consider doing that she still needed to deal with the basics, like replacing her ID and her building access token.

Clara's mother woke her up from a nap when it was lunchtime, insisting that she needed to keep eating to fuel her own recovery and also to keep the babies growing strong. She had been preparing all of Clara's favorite dishes in an effort to entice her to eat as much as possible.

After they had settled at the table for lunch Mrs. Kim gave Clara a warm smile. "You do look like you're feeling better today, have you been able to sleep well?"

Clara nodded in confirmation.

"Good, now I saw there was a package that was delivered for you about an hour ago so you can open it after lunch. Also the company doctor set up appointments for you to see your OB this afternoon and afterward to see a specialist about your stitches, is that ok? Your father and I will both come with you just to make sure you are comfortable and get the best care."

"Ok" Clara whispered in return while looking down at her plate, relieved that she didn't have to go alone.

After lunch Clara went to open the package that had been sent for her. It was a new phone pre-loaded with all of her contacts that she had lost. The box also contained a note that she recognized as Taehyung's handwriting.

Clara-

I hope you like your new phone. I miss your sweet texts during the day.

I've already preloaded all of the contacts and let everyone know your new number.

Love Tae

Her mother saw her break into a real smile for the first time since she'd been home and could already see Clara sending Taehyung a text thanking him for the phone. It was good she was getting back to some normal independence again.

After Clara set her phone down her mother took her to get dressed for the day. She'd just wear some sweatpants and sweatshirt from Namjoon's closet since she didn't really have any maternity clothes that fit at the apartment. And she wouldn't want to wear anything more fitted anyway with the painful scratches on her legs.

While she was helping her get ready, her mother mindlessly chatted trying to distract Clara from the discomfort of moving so much. Clara politely listened, responding when asked specific questions, but mostly just appreciated the normality of the situation. It seemed Taehyung had done a good job with her braid so it was still holding fast. This was a secret relief to Clara since she was almost shaking in anxiety at the thought of having to have her hair brushed again.

Clara's mother was struggling to think of a way to cover Clara's face and hair for the journey. She wanted to avoid people staring at Clara at all costs knowing how uncomfortable it would make the girl. But wearing a mask or hat would rub uncomfortably at her stitches.

She eventually found a large bucket hat in Namjoon's room and lined the part that would brush against her stitches with an extra plush fabric, hoping it would help manage any uncomfortable pressure. Putting it on was a bit of a strain but after a few moments Clara was as ready to go as she ever would be.