A MAN TO HONOR

chapter four

Taehyung

I remain paralyzed when I see her , not knowing how to react

Normally I would have jumped into her arms and twirled her around, and I think that's also the reaction she expects from me
but today I'm not feeling in the mood for that at all

" That's...hum... that's a surprise ! "

I can see the disappointment on Dae-Kyeong's face but she forces herself to smile as best as she can

" Come on Kim Taehyung, is that how you welcome your best friend? " Says my mother, unhappy

I actually wouldn't say we're still best friends after what happened before she left, but that's another topic

" Don't worry Moma Kim, give him time to decipher the reality, I guess he didn't expect to see me here " replies Dae-Kyeong with a charming smile as she takes a seat next to me

My mother gives me a bad look but I ignore her

" But still... that's not how I raised you Taehyung "

" Mother, I..."

I feel Dae-Kyeong's hand on mine, cutting me off in my attempt to protest

I look at her with a frown, she smiles at me , then at my mother and all the guests at the table

" No need to be in a bad mood today, I'm back from Italy after four years, it's time to celebrate instead..." She says to my mother

This one still looks at me with a frown but then nods and smiles at Dae-Kyeong in agreement

Honestly... I'm just physically here , I barely listen to what they are saying

In my head, only the word "harassment" is running in a loop

I'm still not over that conversation with Kailah Diaz

Is that the impression she has of me?

Why do I even care that much ?

The conversation starts immediately at the table, they're all asking Dae-Kyeong how was her stay in Italy, how was life there, how was her study etc...

But I'm still stuck at the " I don't like you, I don't want you around, I don't want to get to know you or whatever what you are asking for...now, am I clear ? "  And the  "I have no explanation to give you to relieve your ego, when a woman says no, it's no, if you insist it's harassment "

What ego is she talking about?

She had so much rage and anger in her voice...makes me wondering if I didn't do anything wrong in that toilet

" Heo! Are you listening? " Asks Dae-Kyeong softly while moving her fingers in front of me to take me back to reality

I just realize that we are the only ones left at the table, and everyone is already moving around, chatting with each other while waiting for the tea

" Hum..."

" Do you want to walk with me? " She asks

" Yeah, sure " I reply as I stand up first

She takes the hand that I hold out to her and we walk together in the garden

None of us says a word for a few minutes before she speaks again

" You didn't seem to be happy to see me "

" Oh no, I'm... happy to see you, it's just that...I was a bit...in the clouds "

" Were you thinking about some girls? " She asks with a smile

I shake my head negatively

" How was Italy? "