VENOM | TAEHYUNG

45

"I never knew".

"I never knew she was Jungkooks girlfriend until the first he had brought her home. We had met earlier at the club she worked in", I began to my mother who sat in silence, allowing me to open up. "It started off as something selfish. I did not befriend her to make Jungkooks life miserable ", I thought I'd make that clear. "There was just something different about Anastasia. The way she handled everything as if it weren't hurting her. I always thought she was too young to be going through so many obstacles ", i kept my eyes on the counter because I did not wish to stare into my mother's eyes.

"I've been different all my life. I guess I saw myself in her", well sometimes literally - this was definitely not the time to think about sex. "She's a good person , mother. No matter the lengths and secrets she kept from Jungkook and the rest of you guys. Anastasia is a good girl ", I lift my gaze to meet hers. "We've always been there for each other since the day we met. Since childhood I had allowed Jungkook to have his way with me and my life. I distanced myself from everyone and anything that involved family bonding", I reach across the counter and take her hand in mine. "Mother , I will not sit back and watch him accuse an innocent girl of being a prostitute. She did what she had to do, to help her family stay afloat. Yeah, she wanted to pretend to be a perfect girl so that Jungkook would love her. So what? People have worse sins than that", I scoff. "I won't allow him to lay his hands on her the way he had done 2 weeks ago while she was still freshly mourning her mother", I furrow my brows at that uneasy thought. She was probably so hurt when he hit her, despite witnessing the state she was in.

"Taehyung ", she whispered and I meet her soft gaze again. "I have never heard you speak about a girl before ", she gave my hand a squeeze. "You have never sat with me and opened up about your life ", she spoke while her eyes welled with tears. "I honestly never thought I'd live to experience this moment", she sniffled. "This whole situation is complicated, baby. I know you formed a bond with her before knowing she was your brothers girlfriend and it hasn't been broken till this day and I know it was wrong to go behind his back ", she paused before inhaling sharply. "Do you like her?", she whispered. "Mother - I love her", I respond. "Tae", she smiled and gave my hand a kiss. "I swear if this confession were under different circumstances, I would have been much more happy", she chuckled and I couldn't help but smile.

"You need to speak with your brother. Anastasia and him need to discuss things with clear minds. Distance will not help anyone heal", she advised. "I know Jungkook will be heartbroken. He loves her very much. But , her heart belongs to you and I doubt they could ever be a couple ever again ", she sighed. "What did father have to say about everything?", I ask. "He was shocked at first. He hasn't said much about it though. He does not want to gety involved in the mess", she released my hand and point to the coffee mug , "Drink up ".

"I've made creamy pasta. Would you like to eat?", she stood from the stool. "I'm not hungry", I say and sip the coffee. "I could pack you some. You can share with Ana ", she glanced over her shoulder at my rosy cheeks. "Well?", she smiled and I nod my head. This moment of vulnerability draws me back to the days when I would hide behind mothers dress when I was afraid. She would stroke my little head and tell me things would be okay. Fear never helped anyone grow in life - so I should toss it aside and grow into the man I desired to be. Her words were imprinted into my soul. I had distanced myself from my mother after Jungkook and joon mocked me for following her around 24/7.

But I figured I will always be a mama's boy.

"Is Ana healing ?", she asked while packing some supper for us. "She's much better. The emotions come and go, but she is okay", I answer just as the front door shut. Mother glances at me before we both turn to the man who walked into the kitchen. His soft gaze immediately blazed with anger when he saw me.

"Jungkook", mother greet. "What's he doing here?", he glared at me. "Jungkook, calm down", mother stepped away from the pasta. "No, what the fuck are you doing here?", he grit. I get to my feet, turning to mother - "Supper is not necessary, mother. Thank you for the coffee", I give her a smile , earning one from her. I could see the pain and fear behind that forced smile. "Why did you come here? Aren't you supposed to be cuddling by the fireplace with someone else's girlfriend?", he mocked. "Jungkook, let's not do this right now. You're clearly still upset since the incident. I'll be here whenever you are ready to talk", I say in the most calm and collected tone. I did not have the energy to argue. I just wanted to get home to Anastasia - she was waiting for me.

"Talk? About what? About how you fuck her in different positions?", he seethe. I ignore him and head to the exit when he held out a hand to block me from leaving. "Jungkook ", mother snapped from behind. "I will never get over this, Taehyung. You and Anastasia are sick fucks. She is a bitch for playing with someone's heart for 5 years. I was ready to fucking propose and spend the rest of my life with her", he said through clenched teeth, his fists balled at his side. "Jungkook, speak with her once you've collected your thoughts ", I still force myself to remain calm - my reason was , mother was with us.

"I do not want to see her face. I swear to god, if I do- I might kill her. I have so much anger within me. I despise her very existence ", he grit. "I never thought love could be this fucking toxic. I gave her everything. I treated her like a queen. Unfortunately nothing is enough for whores", he scoffed. "Jungkook, I think that's enough ", I frown. "I had told you how much she meant to me , yet you still chose to take her from me. You've got your revenge, tae. Well done. I'm proud of you", he clapped his hands. "Jungkook, I don't have time for this. We will speak another time", I try to pass but he stopped me again. "Where is she?", he asked. "Jungkook, just let him leave", mother raised her voice. I could hear the nervousness in her tone. "Why are you siding with him? They are in the wrong!", he yelled. "Hey. Lower your fucking voice. Do not speak to her like that", I snap. "Or else what, taehyung? You're gonna steal her from our father?". The second I hear mother gasp, I swing my fist to punch him but he dodged and punched me instead.

"Boys! Stop it!", mother screamed as Jungkook tackled me to the floor. "You're a fucking freak since birth!", he continued to punch me in my face and on my head. I try bringing up my hands to shield myself but his anger had completely exploded and taken me by surprise. I can't believe I lowered my fucking guard. His voice was fading and so was mother's screams. The taste of blood pooling in my mouth made me feel sick - as if I were going to spew out a months worth of food. My head was literally spinning - the pain of his strikes were becoming numb.

"Jungkook! Stop it!", I hear mother before the sound of the alarm system triggered. I was glad she had pressed the panic button - she could not pull Jungkook off, she needed help. I don't feel his hands on me anymore. Infact- I don't feel anything. Just mother's voice - it was faint and I could barely hear a word she uttered. My mind was constantly fixed on -

Anastasia was waiting for me to come home.