Carpe Diem ; YGᨀJM

──── 09. A Fleeting Family

— Then everything is arranged, Mr. Min. The stage, photographers, and makeup team will be ready for tomorrow's shoot. And his assistant will help us with the flowers.

After a brief meeting with the area managers, both Yoongi and Jimin settled down with the photo session upon arriving in Seoul. They had to have everything ready for the important event and both were under enormous pressure, although there was no trace of nervousness on Yoongi's part.

When they were alone, Jimin was the first to get up with several papers in hand.

— I'll go see about the flowers right away. I want to have it ready before tomorrow.

He left without saying much and, although Yoongi wanted to stop him, he just watched his small figure leave.

Jimin preferred to walk around the city alone, it was much easier for him to walk alone looking at each store as if it were his first time. And maybe he felt out of place, but it gave him peace of mind to admire the smallest things.

Upon arriving at the flower shop, the boy greeted him friendly since Jimin used to frequent the business often. Jimin gave him his order and the boy couldn't help but feel curious.

— It is a very large order of flowers. Are you sure it's not for a girlfriend or something?

— Of course not... I don't have time to think about love now. — Jimin answered looking at all the flowers in the place and smiled at them. —Anyway, thanks for-

— Jimin?

A female voice appeared at the scene and Jimin, recognizing it, could do nothing but lower his head. Without even seeing her, she knew that this encounter was unpleasant.

— Buying flowers again? — The woman approached, holding her husband's arm, and clicked her tongue in annoyance. — You know I hate flowers, Jimin. I don't want you to keep sending them home.

— They're not... They're not for you, mom. They are for my work.

— Job? — The man let out a mocking laugh and looked at Jimin in his formal clothes and made a face. — What are you involved in now? Driver? Some kind of waiter?

Jimin didn't want to be in that place because for many years Jimin's parents had never shown affection towards him. The boy had grown up with the hope that that "home" could exist next to a family. He even vaguely remembers the few days that happiness lasted. But now, what could he prove?

— You're wrong, father. I work... I work with Mr. Min Yoongi. I am his-

— Wait, Min Yoongi? The billionaire heir with the modeling agency? — Jimin's parents were stunned by such a story, but after checking the facts, they were surprised.

Even Jimin seemed surprised at his parents' reaction. Did they find Yoongi that fascinating?

— How come he gave you a job? Did you do charity for him or something? — Jimin's mother wrinkled her face when making that comment, but then sighed calmer. — At least you are in a position as an executive, it is the first time you do something well.

— No, actually I'm not-

— Well, I guess we can stop by later. And don't go making a mess, okay?

Jimin's father was the last to say such words before leaving with the woman at his side. Jimin hadn't had the chance to say anything at all, he was simply trying to explain to his parents, but they always left him with words in his mouth.

And the boy in front of the counter was stunned.

— ...Were they your parents? They seem like very...

— Complicated. — Jimin completed the sentence with a low mood looking at the path where his parents went.

His gaze was lost in the streets and perhaps in his memories. It was like a door that was constantly opening, but Jimin was left behind, even left in his darkness without anyone's warmth. Although it was a long time ago, he learned to depend on himself... But who would take care of what he had not yet healed?

It was nonsense. A selfish feeling, or so he saw it.

Among so many thoughts, he didn't stop to think that his feet automatically took him back to the building where he was greeted by Yoongi and he only returned the gesture with a grimace. But before he could say anything, a building security guard politely interrupted the office.

— Mr. Min, I'm sorry to interrupt. A couple is looking for you, they want to talk to you.

— I have no meetings with anyone today. Who are they? — Yoongi asked with a restless gesture because he wasn't expecting visitors at this time.

The guard shook his head and when he was going to accompany him, Jimin stopped him.

— Please don't go.

Yoongi didn't know why, but at that request, he just looked at Jimin in silence. In his tiny eyes, he could see anguish and fear, even his voice could break at any second... What was he scared of?

Not having a concrete answer, he put his hands on Jimin's shoulders and smiled at him.

— Don't worry...

Rejecting his request, Jimin went right behind Yoongi and, as he expected, his parents were there. The youngest frowned as his parents were ridiculously extravagant and waiting to be taken care of in the best way. What Jimin couldn't believe was that his parents immediately smiled when they saw Yoongi, he hadn't seen his parents smile for many years.

When did their smiles disappear for him?

— We came to see one of your most influential executives. He is our son. — Jimin's mother intoned happily as if she were so proud.

— Executive? Oh... You're confused. Jimin is my assistant.

As if they had received the worst news, Jimin's parents immediately wiped the smile from their faces. They looked at Jimin as if he were a despicable being and the man let out an incredulous laugh.

— Excuse me... Assistant? — As if he still didn't believe it, he looked at the way Jimin was shy in his place and then he understood everything. — I don't know why we thought that for once there would be something to be proud of.

— And you lied to us, Jimin. How dare you?

Jimin wanted to make them understand, but as always his parents turned a deaf ear and were always looking for something to approve of their son. And everyone at the entrance of the building watched the scene with curiosity and Jimin was the center of attention once again.

— I was just trying to make you feel proud. And I just... — Jimin spoke with a broken voice, wanting to try to start a conversation with his parents.

— That's not possible if you do these things, Jimin. Hide your mediocre position just to get our attention?

— No! That's not what I want. You never listen to me. — Jimin screamed and this time the resentment was stronger than him. — Whenever I try to talk, you only listen to what you want. I tried for a long time to make you proud, but nothing was enough for you. Will it be enough then until I die!?

Jimin's father was not going to tolerate his son's shouting and when he was about to silence him with a slap, someone got in the way. The older man's hand had been stopped before hitting Jimin and, without foreseeing it, Yoongi himself put a stop to the argument.

The boy was serious and with his silence, it was easy to understand that he did not tolerate this behavior.

The man released from Yoongi's grip and took his wife's hand to look at his son.

— You always have people who defend you, don't you? You could never do anything by yourself.

Jimin saw that door open again to leave him behind... But he knew, deep in his heart, that that door was never going to open again.