Sirenic Menace

㉙Wait For Me

 
The first thing Taehyung did the next day was give a bonus to Seo Hyang for his excellent work, and mostly, for always cheering him up and sticking beside him even when he was completely broke.

Seo Hyang was appalled at the one-million stack he wanted to give him — it was even more than his monthly payment since he was working part time. It took endless coaxing and persuasion to finally demolish Seo Hyang’s denial to accept it, and he promised to work even harder.

After his shift, he returned home, ate something quick, and sat at his desk to draw sketches of potential paintings he could create. But his phone’s ringing boomed across the room just ten minutes after he took his seat, and he smiled at the sight of Jungkook’s name on the screen. “Hey.”

“Hey. Are you home?”

“Yes. Is everything okay?”

“Yes, but... you know, I miss you,” he uttered with a little pout as he stared at the ceiling of his bedroom from his lying position. “Can you come here?”

“Sorry, Kookie. Since you bought half of my paintings, I have to make new ones. And I’ll go meet my father later.”

Jungkook listlessly tapped his fist against the mattress, his pout only deepening. “So I won’t see you today? Well, fuck.”

A fond smile popped onto Taehyung’s face, his head tilting to the side. “I want to see you too. But it takes too much time to get there. I promise I’ll come tomorrow, hmm?”

“Okay... And be careful with your father. Call me if something happens.”

“Of course, Jungkookie. But nothing will happen, don’t worry. I’ll call you when I get home later, okay?”

“Okay. I love you, Tae.”

“I love you too, Kookie.”

🥀

Taehyung sauntered towards his mother, who was waiting for him, as usual, at the door to greet him. The simple action stretched Taehyung’s lips into a little joyful smile and warmed his heart every time.

“Hi, mom,” he said as he twined his arms around her form, clutching her.

“Hey. I’m so happy you keep visiting us, baby.” Hee Jin squeezed him and withdrew. She examined his cheek with a thorough view, and relief undulated across her chest as she detected the swelling had subsided and the nasty bruise seemed fainter. “Will you stay for dinner tonight?” she asked, making her way inside.

“No, sorry. I have too much work. But I wanted to see you for a bit.”

They seated themselves on the couch and spent a while chatting away, catching up, as they enjoyed the glass of fresh orange juice Na Min prepared for them.

But as time flowed by so blithely as always when he conversed with his mother, Mi Sung didn’t come out of his office. Na Min informed them the dinner would be ready in ten minutes, and muted anxiety clawed at Taehyung’s muscles. He had to talk to his father in private. Now.

He found an opportunity to rise to his feet when the conversation lapsed into silence. “I’ll go greet father as well because I have to leave soon.”

“Okay.”

Taehyung headed to the office right away. He stood in front of the door and raised his fist, but Mi Sung’s faint voice glaciated him just a millisecond before knocking. After a moment’s standstill, he tipped closer and pressed his ear against the door.

“No. It has to be done this Friday. I have to sell the merchandise on Saturday.”

Taehyung’s brows flinched in a frown at the extended silence.