Fortnight

Chapter - 11

New York 

Present,

Theo wakes up drenched in sweat, his breathing labored and erratic. Another nightmare. The familiar terror and sorrow clinging to him like a second skin. He sits up, his hands trembling, and reaches for the bottle of anxiety pills on his nightstand. He pops one into his mouth and swallows it dry, trying to steady his racing heart.

He forces himself to his feet and heads to the washroom. The routine is mechanical now: a hot shower to wash away the remnants of the nightmare, a cold splash of water on his face to chase away the last vestiges of sleep. He stares at his reflection, seeing the dark circles under his eyes and the haunted look that never seems to leave. With a deep sigh, he towels off and heads to his closet.

As he dresses, he meticulously selects a crisp white shirt and black slacks. He searches for a specific tie, rifling through the drawers. When he opens the third drawer, his eyes land on an envelope—the same envelope that had haunted him since the explosion. The sight of it stops him cold, and a familiar wave of fury and helplessness surges within him.

His hands clench into fists, and he slams the drawer shut with more force than necessary. He abandons the idea of a tie altogether. He grabs his coat and keys, heading out of his apartment.

The crisp winter air hits him as he steps outside, a stark contrast to the stifling heat of his nightmare. It's a sunny day, rare after the recent relentless snowfall. The city is blanketed in a thick layer of snow, rooftops and streets alike buried under a pristine white sheet. But the beauty of the scene does nothing to alleviate the turmoil within him.

He gets into his car, the leather seat cold against his back. The sun shines brightly, casting long shadows on the snow, but Theo feels no warmth from it. All he feels is the cold grip of loss and the seething frustration of his helplessness. As he pulls into the parking lot of his office, he takes a deep breath, trying to gather himself for the day ahead. But the envelope and the memories continue to loom large in his mind, a constant reminder of everything he has lost and everything he still doesn't understand.

He strides inside, his usual frown deepening as he heads toward his cabin. Just before he reaches his cabin, a small, cheerful voice breaks through his thoughts. "Tae!"

He turns around, and just like that, all the frustration and anger melt away. A genuine smile spreads across his face as he spots Taemin paddling toward him with a big, infectious grin, his small feet moving as fast as they can. Jaehyun follows closely behind, a smile on his face as well.

Theo crouches down, opening his arms wide as Taemin nears him. "Hey buddy!" he greets warmly, catching the little boy in a hug.

Taemin giggles, wrapping his tiny arms around Theo's neck. "Theo, I missed you!"

"I missed you too, Taemin," Theo replies, his voice softening. The innocence and joy of the child are a balm to his troubled heart. "Have you been a good boy?"

Taemin nods enthusiastically. "Yes! I played with my toys and drew a picture for you!"

Theo's heart warms further. "A picture for me? I can't wait to see it!"

It had been a few days since Theo helped Jaehyun that day, and since then, Taemin had become quite fond of Theo. The little boy's bright personality and unwavering affection for Theo had quickly become a cherished part of his daily routine. Whenever Taemin visited the office with Jaehyun, he would eagerly look for his "Theo," often insisting on spending time in Theo's cabin.

Jaehyun approaches, smiling at the sight. "He's been talking about showing you his drawings all morning. I hope it's not too much trouble having him around."