Worlds Apart - Taekook - Book 2

Chapter 229 - Pain

Jungkook grins cheekily as Tae walks to their bedroom. "Let me answer this call and I'll give you a massage... like the one on the island." He winks.

The dancer giggles to himself as he presses the screen of his phone to answer the call, saying "Hello?" as he enters the lounge.

Who'd have thought that modelling all day could be so exhausting? But it was really tiring and he was glad to be home. Art gave him all the clothes he wore today and Jungkook couldn't believe how much there was to bring home. Tae thought watching him accept the bags of clothes was funny and Jungkook knew that everyone else would have the same opinion so he decided to be gracious and thank Art many times before they left the building.

"Jungkookie, baby?"

The dancer feels his jovial mood dissipate immediately but he isn't one hundred per cent sure... "Who is this?" The reaction inside him tells him that his gut instinct was correct but he needs to hear it.

"It's Eomma... please don't end the call! Please!"

"Give me one reason why I shouldn't?" The anger bubbles and he's surprised by the instantaneous response, like a light switch that had been flipped.

"I know I don't deserve your time... but...."

Jungkook cuts her off. "That's right! You don't!"

"... but... please... hear me out... I just want to congratulate you. I saw Vogue and needed to tell you how proud I am of you and wish you both happiness." Nuri's voice is pleading.

Jungkook had forgotten all about Vogue and he hadn't remembered that it was out this week. It all seemed like such a long time ago now, even if Tae had mentioned it days ago. He was sure that he'd pushed it to the back of his mind while he was fretting about the Calvin Klein photoshoot and subsequent interview with Su-Bu.

"You've done that so you've said what you need to. I'm ending this call." His hand tightens around the phone as he prepares to pull it away from his ear and press the red circle to end the call.

"No! Please! Jungkookie... please." She babbles quickly and desperately.

"What?? You could've ordered Han-Shik to call Kyong and pass on a message. That's what you usually do, so why bother calling yourself?"

"I... What... what do you mean? What are you talking about? Han-Shik hasn't spoken to Kyong?"

"He has and you know he has."

"When? When was this?"

"When I got back from my honeymoon."

"I didn't know."

"You expect me to believe that you didn't tell him to call?"

"I didn't! Well... I did... but he said no! I begged him to call but he refused and I had no choice but to respect his decision. I was desperate because I knew Kyong wouldn't take my call and you wouldn't and..."

"Can you blame us?"

"... no! No, I can't blame you for not wanting to speak to me. I live with regret now. This is my fault. I've told Han-Shik how sorry I am and pleaded with him to call Kyong but he refused. I want him to have a relationship with his brothers but he yells at me and says he doesn't need you. He says he's glad you're gone because everything is his now. I told him that one day I won't be around and he'll wish he'd built bridges with you. I've tried with him but... but he scares me... he's volatile and... I blame myself. I worry for Emi. Han-Shik is out of control and I've tried."

There's a split second where he believes her... where guilt chases the anger in the same way that anger replaced happiness when he answered the call.

"He's welcome to it all." he says as Tae appears in the room.