My Obsession ; Broken wings

12

The gala dinner was a dazzling affair, held in an opulent ballroom adorned with sparkling chandeliers and elegant floral arrangements. As Taehyung arrived with his parents, he could feel the weight of countless eyes upon him. The flash of cameras illuminated the room as they stepped onto the red carpet, and his heart raced with a mix of anxiety and reluctance.

His mother, radiant in her exquisite gown, wrapped her arm around Taehyung's, guiding him forward with a proud smile. "Look at you, my handsome boy," she beamed, and Taehyung forced a smile in return, trying to mirror her enthusiasm. His father stood tall beside them, waving to the cameramen with a confident demeanor that exuded authority.

As they walked through the crowd, whispers and murmurs followed them, punctuated by admiring glances. "Who is that?" Taehyung heard a voice say, and another added, "He's stunning!" The compliments were intended for him, and while they should have made him feel proud, all Taehyung could think about was how surreal the situation felt. He was more of a trophy than a person, paraded around for everyone to see.

"Smile, Taehyung," his father instructed, glancing down at him with an expectant look. Taehyung nodded and managed to flash the kind of smile he had perfected over the years—a soft, gentle grin that didn't quite reach his eyes. It was a mask he had learned to wear, one that shielded his true feelings from the outside world.

As they entered the ballroom, Taehyung felt the atmosphere shift. The elegant décor and soft music created a surreal ambiance, yet he felt more like a stranger in a foreign land than part of this high-society gathering. He glanced around at the other attendees, each dressed to the nines, engaging in animated conversations that felt far removed from his reality.

His parents led him to a group of their acquaintances, and as they exchanged pleasantries, Taehyung stood quietly, observing the interactions. His mind drifted, thinking of Jungkook and their time on the rooftop, where laughter flowed freely, and the world outside didn't seem to matter. He missed the simplicity of those moments, where he didn't have to wear a mask to please anyone.

"Taehyung, darling, say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Kim," his mother prompted, pulling him back to the present. With a gentle nudge, she encouraged him to step forward, and Taehyung complied, extending his hand with a polite smile.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said, his voice steady despite the unease bubbling beneath the surface. As he conversed with the guests, he could feel the facade becoming heavier, suffocating him slowly.

After a while, his mother excused herself to greet another acquaintance, leaving Taehyung standing beside his father, who was deep in conversation with a prominent businessman. The room buzzed with laughter and chatter, but Taehyung felt isolated, as if he were on the outside looking in.

"Just look at how proud you make us," his father said suddenly, turning to Taehyung with a glint of approval in his eyes. "You're the star of the evening."

Taehyung swallowed hard, the compliment ringing hollow in his ears. "Thank you, Father," he replied softly, forcing another smile as he glanced around the room, desperately searching for a familiar face—perhaps Jungkook's. But all he found were strangers, lost in a world he didn't quite belong to.

As the evening progressed, the pressure mounted, and Taehyung felt himself fading further into the background of his own life. The smiles became more challenging to maintain, and the laughter felt more like an obligation than a joy. He longed for an escape, a moment of respite from the performance he was expected to uphold.

In that crowded ballroom, surrounded by admiration yet feeling utterly alone, Taehyung silently wished for the freedom to be himself, away from the spotlight and the expectations that weighed heavily on his heart.