Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 26

Clara and the boys were able to fly on the private jet with the members on the next leg of their trip. All of them skipped their regular airport media meet and greet and went directly to the plane, not quite ready to deal with the hubbub. They changed the flight time too so they could leave with less disruption from the crowds that were forming around the hotel.

Security had shared with Taehyung that Sooyun would stay with them for the next few days until Clara's parents arrived, just in case they needed her. Then she would return to Seoul and her contract terminated since she was no longer required.

From what Taehyung heard later Sooyun had a lot of her own issues at the airport flying commercial. Thankfully she was traveling with much of the rest of the team so they were able to circle around her. While he felt sorry for her that she was caught in the middle of the drama, he knew it was largely of her own making.

On the drive to the airport Clara sat between Taehyung and the little cub who was strapped into his car seat while the little tiger was in the row in front of them between Namjoon and Jungkook. Taehyung softly ran his hands up and down Clara's back, trying to calm her from her shaking anxiety.

There were a lot of people holding signs outside the hotel. Some offered support while others criticized BTS, Taehyung, or Clara. At this point Clara was glad to be leaving the city and hopefully some bad memories behind her. One nice thing about being on tour is that each city seemed to offer new opportunities and a bit of a fresh start. If they ever needed a fresh start it was now.

The press release had gone out the previous day and was in almost all of the major papers. The company acknowledged the childrens were Taehyung's and asked for privacy. They did not mention Clara but had noted that any threats would be referred to law enforcement. The short media announcement then thanked the fans for their support and largely closed the door on further discussion.

The twins were a bit fussy on the flight, growing to a stage where they often wanted more freedom than a lap could provide. But the airplane felt like a safe haven where they were surrounded by people who cared for them and nobody could harm or injure them. It was a relatively long flight so Clara and Taehyung both took the opportunity to sleep as the boys rested. Taehyung and the members would have a full day nearly as soon as they landed so any sleep they could find was an absolute requirement.

When Clara's parents arrived the next day everyone felt a huge weight being lifted off their shoulders. Besides Taehyung, who was right in the center of the unfortunate drama at this point, her parents were widely accepted as the best support system for Clara and the twins. So much so that the company had moved several staff to a different floor of the hotel to ensure that Clara's parents could have the room next to her. Everyone on the tour felt sympathetic for the girl whose life was being turned upside down. It really felt like the least they could do.

Clara brightened after their arrival, finally seeming to be more comfortable in her own skin. The cub's recovery seemed to be going smoothly and Clara was quickly reintegrating back into her family. She now had someone to regularly eat meals with, someone who would help her make decisions instead of always waiting for her to figure things out, and someone she absolutely trusted with the boys. Having her parents back with them re-opened all sorts of possibilities. Clara could rest or nap more easily, she returned to her regular therapy appointments which felt like a must do in light of the circumstances, and was even able to begin drawing again and pursuing some of her own interests. She largely tuned out the world outside their floor on the hotel and fell back into comfortable patterns and community with just the small group of people around her she knew well.

Her parents also pressed her to be more open to Yoonseo's help with the children. He was clearly quite good with the boys and they were certain he would be a reliable extra set of hands if Clara would let him. While they were with her much of the time now it was always good to have a solid backup plan in place.

Considering how difficult everything was, Clara seemed to be doing well surrounded by her safety net. She had taken Namjoon's advice to simply stop looking at the news and social media and use that time to pursue other interests. After all, watching the news couldn't possibly change anything and the company was now keeping a close eye on things so if there was anything she needed to know, she could rest assured it would get back to her.

Taehyung was surprised by how quickly she was bouncing back. Her smile and gentle affection for him had returned and he even heard her laughing with her parents and the twins. Altogether things were going about as well as he could possibly imagine although the media continued to be quite vicious in their treatment of Clara. At least she remained largely oblivious.

Only about a week after Clara's parents had caught up to them they were moving cities again. It was another long flight and Clara was glad she was flying with Taehyung at this point. If nothing else it was much more comfortable for all of them to fly on the private plane.

When they arrived at the next city they didn't get off the plane immediately, a departure from their normal pattern. Instead a manager gathered all the members around him on the plane. Clara tried to make herself busy but was able to overhear by nature of simply being in such a small space.

"I'm afraid we have a little problem. Sooyun has gone to the media and told them that Taehyung and Clara aren't together and he is actually in a relationship with her. It's created an avalanche of media about Taehyung's relationships with other women and it has turned a little ugly."

Namjoon broke in before he could continue. "How is that possible? Didn't we make it clear enough to her that she needed to be silent?"

"Apparently, and I quote, 'she was worried for Clara and thought she could help relieve the pressure on her by doing this'."

Everyone was stunned into silence. Finally Taehyung spoke. "You said my relationships with other women, what does that mean? I don't have a relationship with any other women."

The manager sighed again. "I know, but once again there seems to be evidence coming from every direction of people trying to prove you are seeing other women. Some is from Sooyun who attempted to prove her legitimacy by sharing details about you that would likely only be known by an intimate partner. In addition there are lots of other pictures surfacing. Some look like they might be doctored. Others are clearly taken out of context. The issue is that it isn't just one photo, it's 15 to 20. While some can be explained away, the evidence is starting to feel overwhelming."

Jungkook looked back at Clara, realizing she could hear everything they were saying. Clara was getting the twins things ready to go, pretending not to listen, but he could see the tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Hey guys," he interrupted and then nodded his head toward Clara, hoping they would get his message and stop discussing it so casually.

Namjoon visibly deflated as soon as he realized the issue, rubbing his hands down his face. "Let me," was all he said before he went to whisper in Clara's ear. Nobody could hear what he was saying but Clara was shaking her head in affirmation while the tears started to roll down more aggressively.

Putting his arm around her he guided her toward the group, holding her shaking frame against himself. When Taehyung moved to join him in consoling his wife Namjoon simply shook his head, discouraging him from coming any closer.

"Let's go to the cars. We can drop Clara and the twins at the hotel on the way and talk about all of this later."

Everyone quietly followed their leader out to the cars while they considered the news. They really couldn't seem to catch a break.