Happily Never After

Chapter 14

(A month later)

I had just returned from a schedule with Taemin. It had been a month since that dreadful yet amazing night when I found out who really loved me. Everything went back to normal, except the fact that Taemin and I were now a couple. Jonghyun wasn't happy about that, but once he met Kiara all feelings towards me became 'just friends'. Everything was going fine until I got home from the schedule.

"Unni I'm home!" I yelled as Taemin and I waltzed into my house. There was shuffling coming from the kitchen, but the person who walked out wasn't my sister, it was my mother.

"Mamma what are you doing here?" I asked in surprise, giving her a small hug.

"I'm here because something had happened in Colorado. I wanted to tell you and your sister in person." Unni came out of the bathroom just then and smiled when she saw Tae and I, "come on let's go to the living room." She led us to the couch and I sat down next to Taemin, his hand in mine.

"What's up mamma? What's so important that you need to come all the way to Korea to tell us?" Unni asked from the floor.

"Well Jaei, I have brought the unfortunate news to bear, your father passed away a week ago. Heart attack." I couldn't believe my ears. Time seemed to stop as soon as those words left her mouth and my chest started to pound.

"Daddy." I said sadly. He was my favorite parent. My mother and I always fought; she was the reason I moved to Korea in the first place, but my dad and I were like best friends.

"Yes Kinzie, it's true. Now the funeral service shall be held in Boulder on Monday, I should expect to see both of you there." Her voice was blank as was her face and I couldn't help but wonder how she could be so cold. She didn't say anything further. No comforting words, no hugs, just a quick goodbye before she left for the airport.

"Are you OK?" Taemin asked, rubbing my back as I sat staring at the ceiling. I shook my head, "it'll be ok baby. Everything happens for a reason and this is no exception."

"Kinzie I'm going to book us a flight for Sunday, to return on Monday after the funeral. Pack enough for a few days, but I don't want to be there any longer than we need to." My sister explained. I looked at her face and noticed how much she looked like my dad. I didn't respond, just stared at her until she snapped her fingers in front of my face, "did you hear me?"

"Uh yeah, Sunday to Monday. Got it." She gave me a sympathetic look. She knew how close me and my dad were.

"Ok sis. I'm gonna go do that." She left the room, leaving Taemin and I alone.

"Listen cupcake, I have to go home to take care of something that has to do with our new album. Will you be OK here? Do you want to come stay the night at my house?" I shook my head and have him a slight kiss on his cheek.

"I love you Kinzie." He said as he opened the door to leave.

"I love you too." He closed the door and left me all alone. I stood up and walked to my room, throwing myself on my bed. I felt like I should be crying, but I felt nothing. I just sat there, playing with my charm bracelet.

~

"Ok call me everyday and as soon as you land." Taemin ordered as our flight for Colorado boarded. I nodded and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"I'll miss you oppa." I said into his t-shirt. He kissed the top of my head and hugged me back.

"I'll miss you too noona. Now go, before it takes off." He pushed me slightly to where my sister was in line, her bags occupying her arms. She gave me a tight smile and I returned it as we walked into the plane and sat down. I took a shaky breath as we waited for the plane to take off.