Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 27

Clara had largely been ignoring the media but by the time she arrived at the hotel she felt like this was something she needed to know. Namjoon had helped her and the twins to the room, asking Taehyung to give her space just for a little bit. Her parents were already there waiting for her and the twins to arrive.

She refused to really talk with them, instead asking if they would keep an eye on the boys while she used the bathroom. She locked the door behind her and, stealing herself for what she might see, she began to search for news about Taehyung.

It was rough. First it seemed like the articles about her hadn't faded at all. Instead they were finding new, and sometimes even more horrendous things to say about her. By now they had found out everything about her except, it seemed, the reality of her loving relationship with Taehyung. Most articles were some version of her trapping him by getting pregnant and only really being after his money. Newer articles seemed to confirm the idea that Taehyung only tolerated Clara and instead spent his time chasing other women. There were at least ten women who claimed they slept with Taehyung since the date she and him were married. Many of the women shared "intimate details" about sex with Taehyung that felt so far-fetched that it was hard to imagine they even knew the first thing about Taehyung.

The pictures were the harder part. Some of them could be discounted on their face. A picture of Taehyung's lips puckered for his makeup artists was obviously nothing but a shot taken from an angle that only offered a tiny glimpse of reality.

There were others that were harder to ignore. Picture of Taehyung less than fully clothed with other women. Pictures of his hands touching women in inappropriate ways. Somewhat fuzzy pictures of him in dark corners with his lips on other women.

Finally she saw the stories from Sooyun. Her details were much more credible. It seemed to Clara she had in fact seen Taehyung with more than just his shirt off. No matter how much Clara trusted Taehyung it was incredibly painful to read.

All of these photos and first hand reports were surrounded by an almost endless trail of people who were "in the know" sharing stories and rumors of his promiscuity. Some were about Taehyung at a party with scantily clad women on his arm. Others about how he would ask security to find women who would sign NDAs in each city so he could have someone to help him release his stress with rough romps in bed. According to most of the articles he was a known player with quirky sexual interests and an obsession with frequent sex with a diversity of partners.

Clara knew so much of this categorically couldn't be true. If nothing else, many of the dates in question he was in bed with her, holding her close as they slept peacefully in each other's arms. But she'd always known that any story is usually built around a kernel of truth. And there were so, so many stories and pictures.

Clara slumped to the floor, resting her forehead on her arms and once again pondering how her life had come to this. There were so many good things interweaved with so many difficulties. It was hard to even think about where things started to go wrong. Was it meeting Namseo? Falling in love with Tae? The twins? No, all of those were good things so why did her life feel like such a black hole?

Her parents periodically knocked on the door but she brushed them off, telling them she was ok but just needed a few more minutes. It was the sound of her little tiger becoming increasingly insistent for her company that finally drew her out. Her parents had moved a chair to a sunny corner of the room where she could comfortably snuggle the baby close. Once again she found that she needed him for comfort as much as he needed her. Her mind was swimming but with the baby resting in her arms she was able to finally relax just a bit and refocus her attention on the little boy.

She generally refused to speak to her parents about the issue, not sure what she could possibly say. Ignoring the pile of texts and calls she left her phone on an end table, afraid to see more bad news. Namjoon had checked in with his parents several times during the day on Taehyung's behalf since she wasn't responding to texts. They assured him that she was safe and with the twins but seemed to have fallen into a pretty dark funk.

As late afternoon came a manager dropped in to check on the family. Clara discretely pulled him aside and asked if he would find and send Dr. Park for a short visit. The manager agreed and went off to find the man.

About 30 minutes later he knocked on the door, greeting everyone warmly as he stepped inside. "Clara, I heard you asked for me. Are the twins alright? Is everything ok?"

Clara gave him a weak smile and asked if they could talk privately.

Dr. Park followed her into the bedroom waiting for her to shut the door to ensure privacy.

"I know this isn't exactly the best time for this, but I think I need a pregnancy test. Do you think you could get one for me?"

Dr. Park's heart sank knowing this would only add to everything that was already unsettled in the couple's life but he offered her a kind smile. "Of course Clara. Does anyone else know? Have you talked to Taehyung about it?"

Clara shook her head, staring at the floor. "I'd want to know for sure first. And I know this isn't exactly the best time. I just need to know for me right now."

The doctor smiled at her fondly. "Ok, but I should tell you, I can get you a pregnancy test without letting anyone know, but if you tell me you are pregnant it is my responsibility to notify the company."

He paused to think for a moment.

"How about this instead. Why don't you tell me if it comes back negative. If I don't hear from you I can make an assumption but won't have to say anything else. Does that work?"

Clara breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like after her last pregnancy she was definitely going to need easy access to medical care and she trusted nobody like she trusted Dr. Park. At the same time she wanted to make sure she could tell Taehyung and now really wasn't the best timing when everything was so complicated.

"Yes, thank you. I would appreciate that a lot."

Dr. Park slipped out and back to his room where he kept his medical supplies. He always had things like this on hand in case one of the staff needed them. Returning to the room he discretely handed the package to Clara and then went to distract her parents while she administered the test.

It felt like the longest wait of Clara's life. After she saw the results she carefully wrapped everything up to ensure it wouldn't be seen. Walking out of the bathroom she rejoined the main room.

Dr. Park stood up to leave, bidding everyone farewell. Clara walked him to the door.

"The cub is looking like he continues to recover well. Anything else you need from me Clara? Anything you want to tell me."

Clara gave a small smile and shook her head no, opening the door for the doctor and letting him out into the hallway with a promise that she'd let him know if she needed him in the future.