Decades

Chapter 5

Taehyung's POV

I awkwardly dig into my pockets, placing all of the jewelry that Miss Bella gave me into my father's hands. I don't know how much it is worth...but I will assume a lot based on his expression.

"Where did you get this?" He asks, or rather demands. He seems angry, which is not surprising. He thinks I have stolen this jewelry. There is no reason why I should have it, and I fear that he will not believe me when I tell him how I acquired it.

"A friend of mine gave it to me." I tell him honestly. Miss Bella is my friend. A friend that I have been falling for over the past few weeks. A friend that I foolishly gave a kiss to. It was on the forehead, so it was not completely stepping over the boundary. I have seen Marcel embrace Miss Bella tightly, swat at her behind in light scoldings. I am just justifying my behavior. I know I have crossed the line. I know that it can never happen again.

"A friend who is rich?" My father questions, not believing me at all.

"I don't want to say who. But it wasn't stolen. If you don't want to sell it, then give it to mom as a gift." I suggest, digging into my pockets and handing him the money I have earned as well. I've been earning more than usual because I am working for both families now. I also give him the packets of strawberry seeds, the man looking rather bewildered.

"What...Taehyung...how—"

"Dad, please. I-I really don't want to explain it. There's no use explaining this. I barely understand it myself." I whine, my head aching from stress. So much is going on, and so much has happened. I am constantly observing both families, trying to make sense of all the secrets but not getting any answers. I am constantly battling with the desire to get closer to Miss Bella, pry about her feelings towards me if there are any. She never made that clear. Perhaps it was the heat of the moment. Perhaps she regrets asking for a kiss. She has not mentioned it since that night but has maintained the same kindness and care she's had for me this whole time.

"Are you in trouble?" He asks seriously, placing everything on the kitchen counter gently, the stove top rusted, the table made of a cheap wooden material. It is nothing like the Marie or Jones home.

"I'm not." But others may be. Miss Bella may be in trouble. I don't know what kind, but there is something skeptical about this wedding, about Master Leo, Master Jones, Master Marie... "I'm doing good. I promise." I reassure him.

"I'll talk to Namjoon later to double check." He says somewhat teasingly. But I know he will talk with Namjoon. My friend will not divulge the details I shared with him today. He knows about my own feelings towards Miss Bella. He knows that there is a lot of gossip and questions about this random wedding that is about to occur.

"Go for it. I think I have to leave soon." I say with a snort, glancing out of the window behind him, easily able to see the carriage through the tattered curtains.

"Why so soon?"

"I have to start dyeing flowers for the wedding I will be working at. It's going to take a little while so..." I trail off. I understand what Miss Bella means by wanting to set her gown on fire. Every flower that I have to dye, all 200 white roses...I will be tempted to chuck them in the fireplace one by one, curse both families for pushing this lifelong commitment onto the beautiful woman.

"Okay. We'll see you soon?" My dad asks with a sigh, clearly having wanted more time with me. I would like to stay too, but duty calls.

"Soon. I think I will be getting paid more soon as well—"