To Love A Kim

7: Small World

CHAPTER 7
SMALL WORLD
Wild Fleur Café & Restaurant

SEOKJIN

    Jin rolled his eyes in annoyance. He let out a frustrated sigh after reading his nuna's text message, putting back the phone inside his pocket at the same time. He was seated inside a famous high-end restaurant in Yongsan, supposedly waiting for their business partner's son as scheduled, but an executive assistant had called him at the last minute and informed him of the sudden changes in his boss's schedule. As soon as the call ended, he texted his nuna saying they should withdraw their partnership altogether, but she just replied,

"Chill. I just heard from them. Apparently, Mr. Song has an emergency. Let this one off the hook, please."

"Fine."

    He wasted his time for nothing.

    He was about ready to leave, since he had no business staying in the restaurant anymore, when he heard a deep voice behind him, making him pause in his seat. "Jin."

    He turned around, flat out surprised to see the man before him.
  
    "Taehyung."
   
    What a fucking small world.

    "You're here," he pointed out, giving him a quizzical smile.

    "Obviously," he retorted sarcastically. He stood up from his chair after the initial shock --- "If you'll excuse me, I will take my leave. My business is done here." But Taehyung's hand suddenly grabbed his upper arm when he was about to turn his back on him, pulling him back softly. He faced him again, eyebrow raising. He was not happy. "What the heck?"

    "Jin, wait-"

    "What do you want?" he cut him off, irritation written all over his face. “What do you think you are doing, huh?”

    Taehyung blurted out, letting go of his arm, "Can we talk?"

    "I have someplace to go," he lied as he denied his request. “I’m a busy person, you know?”

    "Please," he begged, not caring about his public image as he beseeched pathetically in front of him inside a restaurant full of distinguished people. Jin noticed a few of the patrons looking curiously in their direction.

    "Fine." He gave up, reclaiming his chair as he sat back down. He wasn’t up to giving the customers a possible real-time drama unfolding in front of them which they would surely talk about during their tea time. He didn’t want rumors to stir in the pot. He looked up at Taehyung when he had not followed suit after a few seconds had passed. He sneered lowly, "Sit, will you? What? Are you waiting for me to pull you a chair out or something-"

    "I'm sitting, I'm sitting," Taehyung muttered, sitting on a chair right across from him. “Jeez.”

    "Talk. You only have a minute, by the way.”

    The man cleared his throat nervously, scratching his nape as his eyes flitted between Jin and the floral centerpiece atop the middle of the table. "How are you?"

    Jin scoffed, feeling ridiculous at his stupid question. What were they? Long-time pen pals? "We are way past that, Tae. I don't see why it's your business to know how I am doing. I don't even care about how you are doing now. This is like opening a door to a room we had already locked away. Just get straight to the damn point. What do you want to talk to me about? My son?"

    Taehyung stared at him, his expression looking sadder and guiltier than the night they saw each other again at the gallery. "I miss you."

    The bold confession astounded Jin. He had never anticipated him to act or speak in this manner, now that they have aged a few more years since the last time they met. They were older now, for fuck's sake.