The One He Tried To Forget | 18+ |

21

Jin opened the door to his flat while Tae Hyung carried a fancy takeaway bag and a cake box behind him. They were returning after cutting short the birthday dinner with Jin's mum because Jin had started to feel unwell after finishing his entree. Fortunately, Jin's mum had also become fatigued from all the excitement so Jin and Tae Hyung were able to leave with minimum fuss.

Earlier, the trio had ate part of a delicious three course meal that Tae Hyung had picked up from a Michelin-starred restaurant in the city because he wanted to celebrate Jin's birthday in style. The restaurant owner had even baked a special birthday cake for the final course because Tae Hyung and his older brother were much-loved regulars at the establishment.

As Jin followed Tae Hyung out to the parking lot, he had lamented that his mother would miss out on the cake but Tae Hyung had assured Jin that he would pack a large slice and bring it to her the next day.

Tae Hyung's generosity and thoughtfulness made Jin feel bad because when he first found out that he was pregnant, he had told the man that he could no longer continue seeing him. Though Tae Hyung told him that his pregnancy made no difference to him and that he still wanted to pursue a relationship with him, Jin had insisted that there was no future for them. Nonetheless, Tae Hyung continued to be around Jin, telling him that he couldn't stop him from being his friend. So Jin had reluctantly agreed.

"Jinnie, I really think I should take you to see your doctor," Tae Hyung said as he walked into Jin's home. "This is not the first time you've come close to fainting."

"Tae, don't fuss. You know I have a mild heart condition. I will be fine as long as I keep taking my medication."

"But, Jinnie, these episodes are becoming more and more frequent the further along you are. You ought to at least be on bed rest. I'm surprised your doctor hasn't prescribed it!"

Jin bit his lip as he turned towards the kitchen. The truth was his doctor had told him to go on bed rest but he had ripped the doctor's note so he could continue working. Jin knew that with his baby's impending arrival and the cost of his mother's care, he was going to need money so not working was not an option.

Jin's heart condition was not mild. It was more than that but he had downplayed it so many times in the past that he somehow managed to convince even himself that it wasn't all that serious, despite the medication that he had to take regularly for it. Chalk it up as an unwanted gift from that long ago night, he thought ruefully.

"It's nothing, Tae. Please stop scolding. I'm tired. That's all. Plus I'm one year older today, you know."

Jin mustered a cheeky smile for Tae Hyung as he began to fill the kettle to make tea. He knew that the other was going to stay for a bit -- to help light his birthday candles and eat cake. They had just settled at Jin's small dining table and was about to light the colourful candles when the doorbell rang. Tae Hyung looked up, puzzled, before directing an unhappy frown at the birthday boy.

"Were you expecting someone, Jinnie?"

"No," Jin shook his head. "I'll go see who it is."

"No. Allow me," Tae Hyung's grim expression brooked no argument so Jin let him go.

When Tae Hyung threw the front door open, he expected to have to chase a potential suitor away. He had even expanded his chest to make himself appear larger and more challenging, a ready scowl on his face. So he was surprised when he was greeted by Hobi's bright countenance instead, his sunny smile blinding against the backdrop of the night sky behind him.

"Hi Tae-Tae! Why are you here? Where's Jinnie?"

"Hey boss," Jin said, coming up behind Tae Hyung. "Is something wrong?"

"I was just putting the town car back into the garage when I saw that your light was on. I thought I'd come by and wish you a happy birthday because I didn't get a chance to at all today."

Jin lived in a small flat above the garage of Jung Limousines. It had previously been his employer's living quarters when he was starting his business. When Hobi became successful and much more established, he had purchased a mid-priced condominium and turned the flat into storage space. However, after Jin began working for him, and he discovered that the teen had no proper home, Hobi had cleaned the flat and told him to live there. The kind and selfless gesture cemented Jin's loyalty towards the man who not only saved his life but also gave him a future.

"Come in! Come in! We were just about to have cake," said Jin as he pulled his boss into the apartment.

Tae Hyung closed the door, and followed the men back into Jin's small kitchen with a woeful smile on his face. He realised his plans to persuade Jin to let him spend the night was now up in smoke because there was no way Hobi would allow him to stay.

Tae Hyung knew that he will never have a chance of bedding Jin now that they were no longer in a relationship, more so in Jin's current condition, but he still wanted to hold the man in his arms while he slept. Jin had allowed this luxury a handful of times since breaking things off between them but only because he had fallen asleep whenever they had movie nights at the flat. Tae Hyung cherished those moments and hoarded them like precious treasure.

Jin pulled another cup and plate from the kitchen cabinet and gave them to Hobi, then he took his place in front of the beautiful birthday cake once more while Tae Hyung got his phone ready so he could record the mini festivity. Jin laughed and clapped as the two men sang Happy Birthday to him, each trying to outdo the other by doing bends and trills in unexpected places in the simple song. Afterwards, Jin made the first cut in the cake, then Tae Hyung took over and portioned out everyone's slices, making sure that he set aside a large piece for Jin's mum.

The three of them sat and ate cake while talking about all manner of things, and when Jin tried to stifle a yawn an hour later, Hobi declared that it was time to call it a night. He gathered up all of the used utensils and took them to the sink to wash but not before handing an expensive-looking gift bag to Jin.

Tae Hyung tried to look at the tag hanging off a thick handle to decipher who else in Jin's life would know about his birthday but Jin quickly hid the bag behind his sofa. He felt guilty when he saw the disappointed pout on Tae Hyung's face but he didn't want to deal with any awkward questions, especially when he saw the familiar signature on the card. Whatever was in the bag was from Jung Kook.

Jin waved goodbye to both men and locked the door after them. He pulled the bag free from its hiding spot and lifted out a beautifully wrapped present which he placed on his low coffee table. He debated opening or tossing it straight into the bin. He was inclined to return it unopened to Jung Kook. After what happened between them, he didn't want to accept anything from the man.

I'll return it, Jin decided after much mental debate. He and I are history, and all history should remain in the past. I'm moving on with my life and this life inside me. After all, he already has his blond boyfriend so I shouldn't be thinking of him. Jung Kook who???

Satisfied with his final decision, Jin turned off all the lights in the flat and went to bed. He caressed his belly lovingly in the dark, a ritual that he found rather calming. His pregnancy was becoming more noticeable now under his regular clothes, and he marvelled that neither Jung Kook nor Yoon Gi have noticed the change in him. He supposed his winter outerwear was responsible for this. With his thick wool coat and Burberry cashmere scarf (a gift from Tae Hyung) providing full coverage to his front, even he was hard-pressed to detect the slightest bump.

And Jin was glad. He didn't want to invite any prying questions from Yoon Gi, and he most definitely did not want to attract any more of Jung Kook's attentions. That one night six months ago was enough to last several lifetimes, and having him back in the town car put Jin on edge. He knew this was not good for his health and pregnancy. His now frequent dizziness was a clear indication that Jung Kook's presence was affecting him adversely.