secret pain | baekyeon (on-going)

Chapter 8

"But mommy... earlier, with that uncle... you told me you didn't recognize him. But then I heard you say a name, something like... Baek... Baekyeon?" Liam's voice was filled with innocent curiosity.

Taeyeon's heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened as realization dawned. The name Liam had innocently stumbled upon was the affectionate moniker fans had coined for the two of them during their time together.

(A/N: so if you're wondering what's the difference between the pronounciation of Baekhyun and Baekyeon because they sound just the same, I don't know how to explain it easily but the 'Baekhyun' pronounciation is more breathy and releases more air from the lungs because of the 'h' part in BaekHyun. While Baekyeon doesn't require blowing air because it doesn't have H on it.)

Both of them are already inside the car, ready to head back to Taeyeon's apartment.

She cleared her throat, attempting to remain calm, "Ah, is he that uncle you were talking about when you were watching TV? I thought it was the other one, the comedian." She laughed nervously.

"Is he your friend, mommy?" Liam pressed.

She hesitated momentarily, choosing her words carefully. "Well, sweetie, we're more of acquaintances. We know each other, but we aren't close friends."

His face lit up with enthusiasm. "He seemed really nice, mommy. I hope you could become friends. I'd like to see him again and maybe play with him!"

Taeyeon swallowed hard, feeling the weight of her decisions all over again. "Liam, that uncle is a very busy man with lots of commitments. Our meeting today was just a chance encounter. I don't know if you'll get the opportunity to see him again," she replied, desperately hoping to divert her son's budding interest in his unknowing father.

Liam's face fell slightly, a hint of disappointment evident in his eyes. "It's kind of sad... I really want to see him again," he said, his lips forming a small pout.

Seeing her son's genuine affection for a man he barely knew tugged at Taeyeon's heartstrings. The sheer irony of the situation wasn't lost on her. She knew that the special bond Liam sensed was because of the innate connection between a father and his son. And the fact that Liam had never expressed such an affinity for anyone else in his life, save for this singular instance with Baekhyun, only deepened her guilt.

Her heart weighed heavy with regret. Liam was just an innocent child caught up in the complexities of adult decisions and their consequences. The onus of their current predicament lay squarely on her shoulders, and she grappled with the weight of her choices.

Pushing back the melancholy thoughts threatening to drown her, Taeyeon managed to muster a gentle smile, attempting to divert the topic from the gloom that had settled. "Hey, how about we get those pancakes going? I bet they're going to be the best we've ever made."

Liam's eyes lit up, his earlier disappointment replaced by anticipation. "Yes! Let's make the fluffiest pancakes ever, mommy!" he exclaimed, his youthful enthusiasm infectious.

.

"Are you sure it's no trouble? I really don't want to bother you but, you know..." Taeyeon voiced her concerns, addressing her hairstylist with a soft, apologetic tone.

Earlier, just before their lunch break, her manager had phoned her, informing her of an impromptu meeting at SM regarding the forthcoming photoshoot for the SM's season's greetings for Girls' Generation-Oh!GG. Even though it was only August, the entertainment conglomerate was already gearing up for its end-of-the-year activities.

"Oh, don't worry about it, unnie," the hairstylist responded with a cheerful tone. "In fact, my nephew likes it, he has found himself another playmate to spend time with." She gestured towards her 8-year-old nephew, who seemed engrossed in his game with Liam.