The CEO's Moon

Chapter Twenty-One

Flashback 

Author's POV

"Here you go, buddy," said Jin, placing the steaming bucket of chicken on the table, infront of his son Jaehyun.  The boy's eyes lit up at the sight of the familiar meat as they sat in the bustling McDonald's in the heart of Seoul. The typical weekend at the fast food joint was brimming with families and friends, all sharing a quick meal before heading home, resuming shopping or having a family date.

"Thanks, Appa," Jaehyun replied, his voice a mix of exhaustion and excitement. He took a chicken thigh and bit it, his eyes widening and moaning at the tasty meat. Jin could only chuckle at the sound Jaehyun made.

Jin sat across his son and took a bite of a big-sized burger.  He chewed the sandwich as he looked at his son and smiled. Both father and son ate silently savoring the food. Jin was in the half of his burger when Jaehyun looked up from his food. He was staring at his Appa for a while. When Jin noticed, he asked, "Is there anything on my face, son?", he took a sip of his cola as he gazed at his son. The boy just shook his head.

Jaehyun hesitated and was having second thoughts. "Appa", he said softly, toying with the pasta with his fork. "I've been wanting to ask this for quite some time now. Dad said I could ask you."

Jin stopped eating and looked at the boy across. He had a hunch what his son wanted to ask and he knew this coming. He braced himself as Jaehyun fired the question.

"Why did you leave me and Dad ten years ago?" Jaehyun finally asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. He looked up from his meal, his eyes searching his Appa's for answers.

Jin took a deep breath, his gaze momentarily drifting to the window. "Things weren't good between your dad and me that time," he said gently. "We were in a forced marriage. I was still in university when your dad and I got married. We got married when I was pregnant with you." Jin wanted to tell Jaehyun about the bad experience he had with Taehyung before Jaehyun was born but he opted to single out that not wanting to create a bad image of Taehyung in front of his son.

"But why did you leave?" Jaehyun persisted, his voice laced with a hint of sadness.

"I was selfish that time, Jae." said Jin, his voice softening. "I was full of dreams. When I got married to your dad, my world stopped. I thought that being married to your dad would hinder me from pursuing my dreams. My parents have high expectations of me. For them, I am nobody while my older brother is their everything. So I left at a time when you were just born. I only thought of myself. I'm sorry, Jae. I didn't mean to do that." A tear escaped Jin's eyes as he stared at his son.

"Did you ever loved Dad?", his son asked.

"I-, I-...", Jin stuttered not knowing what to say. He was about to answer when a familiar cheerful honey-deep voice called out from the line. "Jinnie!" Both Jin and Jaehyun turned to see Jungkook waving enthusiastically, balancing a tray laden with food with one hand and holding the hand of a small girl of 8 or 9 years old with the other.

Jin's eyes widened in surprise. He quickly wiped his eyes and stood up. Jae just stared at the man approaching. Jin had never expected to run into Jungkook here. He smiled at the man as Jungkook stood before him. "Kookie!" he exclaimed. "What are you doing here? I thought you were back in Australia. We haven't contacted each other since the last time we met." Jungkook and Jin kissed each other's cheek, much to the surprise of Jaehyun, who was raising his brows, and oblivious to the surroundings, someone tapped their headset and reported something to someone. (Hehe, I had to tell that). The little girl giggled at the sight of her uncle's affectionate gesture towards Jin.