Trusting (KTH)

Chapter 61

While Clara definitely did not want to testify she knew it was essential. Taehyung assured her more times than she could count that the company really had tried everything else, this was the only option. So she would go to court, watch the video in a room full of people, and confirm she didn't post it herself.

"Tae," she asked a few days before the trial. "I know this is asking a lot but do you think...maybe...".

Her husband offered her a soft smile in return. "Ask me anything sweetheart. If I can do it I will."

"I don't really want to go alone."

Taehyung sighed, "Yes I know. If you want you can bring someone with you but otherwise the company lawyers and staff will just have to watch out for you."

"I'd like to see if...well...do you think Yejin might come? I really don't like any of my options but I think having her with me is the best alternative."

Taehyung was surprised by the request. Yes Clara and Yejin were friendly but they weren't terribly close. As he thought about it he guessed it made sense. Yejin could be fiercely protective of Clara but at the same time she always kept things light and didn't smother her. She would step in close if needed, but give Clara space if she was able to handle it on her own. He remembered how he had asked Yejin and Hobi to be the first ones to come over after Clara's accident, knowing they would be uniquely good at acknowledging reality while not dwelling unnecessarily.

He'd definitely need to talk to Hobi first. There wasn't a very easy way to ask, "hey, do you mind if your girlfriend watches my sex tape in a room full of strangers?" but there really wasn't any other way to describe it. He knew Hobi would agree under the circumstances but was still stealing himself for what would undoubtedly be an awkward conversation.

___________________________

After they were finished with their morning meeting, Taehyung asked Namjoon and Hobi if they would stay for a few minutes.

"How's Clara holding up? You only have a few more days right?" Namjoon looked at Taehyung sympathetically knowing this had been a unique kind of torture for both of them.

"She's going to make it. But Hobi, I wanted to ask you something."

Hobi looked surprised. He really hadn't been keeping up on the court case, trying to offer as much privacy and discretion to the couple as possible.

"Clara is wondering if Yejin would accompany her to court. I'm not allowed to go with her and she'd like to have someone she knows better nearby."

Namjoon broke in, "Tae, you know what is going to happen in court right?"

Hobi looked confused, "What's going to happen in court?"

Taehyung responded tentatively, "They are going to show the video and force Clara to watch it and confirm she didn't post it herself. They are going to largely clear the courtroom before the video shows, but if she agrees to go with Clara, Yejin will be there when the video is shown. I know it's a lot to ask but Clara trusts Yejin and I trust Yejin and I know she can be discreet."

Hobi was at a loss for words. "Well Tae, I'm sure Yejin and I both want to be helpful but are you really ok with my girlfriend watching a video of you having sex with Clara? I've heard it's pretty explicit."

"They are going to show it one way or another, Hobi. Will you talk to Yejin? Clara has to go to court next Tuesday just after lunch and they expect she'll be there for a few hours. I think it's going to be pretty traumatizing. At least I've seen the video but I'm also not looking forward to watching it surrounded by managers and company lawyers. This really is a pretty dirty approach by the defense, but at this point we just have to do what we have to do."

Hobi agreed to call Yejin during their lunch break and Taehyung was relieved when Hobi confirmed that she was willing to join Clara for her time in court. Clara would come to the company with Taehyung on Monday to do a last review of potential questions with the lawyers and from there they just needed to get through the day on Tuesday, when he would be questioned in the morning and Clara would be questioned in the afternoon.

Taehyung had talked to Clara about what would happen on Monday several times but by the time they arrived at the company for their last meeting with the lawyers she still hadn't decided if she wanted to watch the video in advance or just wait until the next day.

The company lawyers walked both Taehyung and Clara through exactly what would happen in the courtroom and likely questions. They expected the defense to largely focus on a narrative that showed that Clara was jealous of all of the articles about Taehyung cheating on her, trying to show that she was motivated to take matters into her own hands to put those rumors to rest. With Taehyung by her side the company lawyers patiently asked her a whole range of questions on this topic, helping her think through how to answer precisely and crisply. She would be welcome to answer in Korean but they would have a translator at the ready in case she needed more time to answer or was having trouble keeping up with the proceedings.

After working together for several hours everyone felt like Taehyung and Clara were as well prepared as they could possibly be so they were encouraged to go home and get some good rest before tomorrow.

————————-

Taehyung and Clara went to bed shortly after the boys and he held her close, reminding her that while he wouldn't be in the courtroom with her, he would stay in the building so he could watch the private livestream of the proceedings and go to her as soon as she was finished. Clara thanked him again for doing the best he could in light of the circumstances and pressed herself closer against his side, ready for tomorrow to just be over with.

It was going to be difficult, but at least it would soon be done.