The Arrangement | Taejin ✔️

Forty-Seven

Taehyung placed his phone on the table and glanced at it quickly before shifting his gaze to Jin. "While we're enjoying our meal, I have a few questions that I'd love to hear your honest thoughts on. It would really make me happy if you could share your answers with me."

"Sure," Jin replied.

"How are you enjoying the food?"

"It's good."

Taehyung's face lit up with a wide, joyful grin as he eagerly absorbed Jin's response. "That's good; I picked out everything on the menu for tonight."

Jin's face lit up with a smile, a small but noticeable expression, even though he didn't say anything at that particular moment. He soaked in the delightful atmosphere of their date, savoring the effort that Taehyung had put into it. His focus was locked in on the food in front of him, relishing every bite while embracing the beautiful scenery. The soft, floating sounds of live music drifted through the air, adding to his already dreamlike state. It caused him to feel emotional, but he held back from expressing it.

"If we had the opportunity to meet five years ago different from how we had met, or if we were to meet five years from now, do you believe we would have formed a strong connection?" After Taehyung took a moment to glance at his phone and then shifted his gaze back to Jin, he inquired.

Jin paused, eating, as his mind absorbed Taehyung's question. He reached for a napkin and wiped his mouth, collecting his thoughts before responding. "If our paths had crossed five years ago, irrespective of the circumstances that brought us together, I find it unlikely that we would have forged a deep and lasting connection.

Five years ago, you had no interest or desire to establish deep and meaningful connections with others. Therefore, it is logical to conclude that we would not have developed a strong bond or relationship."

Taehyung sighed, "What about five years from now?"

With much more thought, Jin eventually responded and said, "If we were to meet five years from now, in order for me to assess whether we would have a strong connection, I would need to carefully take into consideration the current state of our relationship and various factors that contribute to it.

As I believe that if I were not present in your life, or our children didn't exist, it is uncertain whether any significant changes would have occurred in your personal growth or the path you would have taken. Considering the journey we have been on together and where we are now, I believe we can develop a strong and meaningful connection five years from now if we meet."

Taehyung smiled happily, "I like your second answer better. I completely agree with you too. It doesn't matter how many years pass or what circumstances we face; I believe that our bond will remain strong and unbreakable."

Jin continued eating with a mouthful of food before posing the question, "I'm curious. Was it the factual accuracy of my first answer that you found displeasing as to why you didn't like it?"

"With your first response, you rejected me. With the second one, I was included in your future. That is the reason why I had a preference for it. I am making an effort to avoid experiencing rejection. Okay, onto my next question." Taehyung said as he took another glance at his phone.

"Okay, although I think you already got the best of both worlds with this, I am curious. If given a choice, would you prefer to be in a relationship with someone who wholeheartedly loves and accepts you without any conditions, or would you rather be with someone who is physically attractive but lacks genuine care and affection towards you?"

Without giving it much thought, Jin replied, "I would absolutely prefer someone who wholeheartedly loves and accepts me and my kids without any conditions. Although it's difficult, I must admit that I would indeed desire that. I've already had the experience of being with someone who was physically attractive yet showed no care or interest in me, and I must say, it was far from enjoyable."