Between Chances And Choices

Chapter 11

"It hurts."

Jungkook whined with his eyes closed. His pouting lips let out soft whimpers that made Taehyung lift his hand to gently caress his hair.

"I know. I know but the doctor said that you have to ride it out to feel better."

He wiped the beads of sweat on his hairline. He had the electric fan turned off because he was feeling cold. But he's sweating buckets. The heat in his body was making the blush underneath his milky cheeks peek.

Taehyung fixed the thin sheet over him before lying on the bare wooden floor. Jungkook repeatedly cries and whimpers. He doesn't want to be left alone. He finds comfort in a warm touch. Like a baby. He bestowed his hips with light pats, lulling him to sleep.

Do they do this for you?

He imagined a much younger Jungkook, in bed, sick, crying and coiling into a ball. Were his cries ever heard and answered?

He woke up without even realizing that he had fallen asleep. He could hear the breeze billowing the leaves of the trees outside. It's flowing in, countering the warmth of the sunlight. He looked at Jungkook. It seemed like he's finally in a deep, painless slumber.

Then, his phone rang. Taehyung quickly rose to find and silence it. Someone was calling.

"Hello?"

"Jungkook? Where are you? Did you forget? It's our presentation day!"

"It's his husband."

"Huh?"

"I'm not Jungkook. I'm his husband. He can't come to the phone right now."

"Oh! Kim Taehyung!"

"There's something important happening today?"

"Yeah. We have a presentation. Where's Jungkook?"

"He's sick. He can't go to school today and the next few days."

"He's sick?"

"Yeah. He's nauseous and throwing up."

"Oh. Then please take care of him."

"Is he doing a significant part in your presentation today? Will you be burdened by his absence?"

"Not really. Actually...we just want him to do it, hoping that it could make up for a test he failed to take."

"What?"

"Didn't he tell you? He's not a very good student."

Taehyung looked back at the unknowing subject of the conversation.

"It's highly probable that he'll be failing this course."

"Okay. We'll try to do something about that. Thank you."

"I hope he'll get well soon."

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it! It's been nice talking to you. By the way, you look good together. Fighting! Byeeee."

He laid Jungkook's phone down and returned to his bedside.

"I'll just make a quick call." He spoke to him.

He silently left to go to his room and retrieved his phone. His call to his secretary was quickly answered.

"Director."

"Send the documents I have to review today in my email. I won't be able to come in for a few days. Then, set up a virtual room so we can proceed with the meetings as scheduled. But ask the outside parties first. If it's doable and convenient for them. Do we have one scheduled today?"