The Escort S2

Part 76: A perfect crime

Taehyung's POV

I've been sitting up in bed staring at my phone for at least 20 minutes when Kookie rolls over.

"Babe, why are you up so early?" I just continue staring at the blank screen.

"Tae, what's wrong?" He grumbles and pulls himself up into a sitting position. I turn and look at him and then return my gaze to my phone.

"Oh, uhm, I'm going to send a text." I say in a quiet voice.

"Okay, so why don't you send it?" I shrug my shoulders, not sure how to respond.

"Tae, did something happen?" He speaks with concern.

"What? Oh, no. I mean yes. Well, kind of."

"What does that mean?" My eyes stay glued to my phone.

"Uhm, I got a text from someone and I'm not sure how to respond. I'm trying to figure it out."

"Who?"

"Uhm, Baekhyun."

"Who?"

"Jackson's ex."

"What? Oh, him. So, what's the problem?"

"I don't know. Well, yeah, I kind of do."

"Sweetheart, you're confusing me. So, he texted you. What does he want?"

"He wants to meet with me. Do you recall me telling you he was moving to South Korea?"

"Uh, kind of. Tae, that was a year ago."

"Well, he's here and he wants to meet with me."

"And?"

"I have no idea what to say."

"Hey, I thought you hit it off well with him. Was I wrong?" Kookie is not wrong. We did hit it off well.

"Kookie, I think he wants to hang out with me. I-It's awkward, you know."

"Oh, the thing with you and Jackson." I nod slowly. "So, what if he knows? Also, you don't have to be his friend."

"What? But I like him. I-I just don't want to deal with any drama right now."

"Drama?"

"Yes, Kookie, drama," I snap. "Drama would be having to tell him about me and Jackson and then dealing with the fallout of his reaction. I-I just can't right now. Maybe later. I-I just don't know what to tell him."

Kookie takes the phone out of my hand and places it on the bed next to me. "Tae, you like him. You're a good judge of people. Don't dismiss him because it might be uncomfortable. And since when have you turned away from a friend? If you trust him, see him. If not, you still need to tell him something. " Fuck, if he's not right.

"Meet him out for lunch or something. Don't invite him here if it's too uncomfortable. I know you'll make the right choice." He lifts up and kisses me on my cheek and heads to the bathroom. I smile, knowing what I need to do.

1:00 p,m,

"Tae, it's so good to see you. Thanks for meeting me. You look wonderful." He hugs me tightly. He's always been genuine. But I'm not sure how this will go when I tell him the truth. Maybe he doesn't know, and I can do that later. No, then I'd feel like a phony.

"Good to see you again too, Baekhyun. As I told you, there's a lot going on and my time is limited," I say with a bit of an edge.

"Tae, I get it. I had to beg you to meet me. I would have come to your home had you invited me, Tae." I look over to him.