1.0 | Whisper Sweet Nothing | k.th✓

07:50

C H A P T E R  F O R T Y - T W O

An uncomfortable silence reigned between the four of us. I lifted my head and shift my gaze from my mom to the man sitting beside her. I sighed and relented, the memories about her lying to me the other day, rushed in.

I've accepted the fact that she's dating someone but, I couldn't seem to shake off the thought of my late father. Staring at the man again, I frowned.

"Um-" My mom hesitantly started. Her hand fitting perfectly with the man as he intertwined their fingers. "Chaewon. I'd like you to finally meet, Kang Seoktae. He's my boss and-"

"-your boyfriend. I know," I cut her off. "I was wondering when you'd tell me."

"Chaewon-"

"It's okay. I know you didn't mean to lie to me the other day." I glanced at the man and gave a half smile. "Nice to meet you Mr.Kang."

"Well, I guess we should break the news at her, huh?" he smiled.

I looked at my mom and gave her a what-is-he-talking-about look. She hooked her arm around his and nervously chuckled. "Well.. Seoktae and I have been together for awhile now and we thought that maybe.. it's time to take the next step. We're thinking of wedding plans ahead and you know.. start a family."

I dropped my shoulders and let out a soft chuckle. "I don't know what to say," I eyed the man and smiled. "Congratulations," I bowed my head and abruptly stood up.

"Sweetie wait-"

"I'm sorry but, I need some air."

"Chaewonㅡ "

"Seul Ra, give her some time," I heard the man said. I took a deep breath and decided to walk straight outside of the house.

Walking down the streets, I shoved my hands in my pockets while I kicked a few pebbles along the way. I didn't know where I was going but, I needed some space from my mom.

I felt the soft breeze and unexpectedly, my shoulder was suddenly covered by a thin layer of flannel.

I looked up and unsurprisingly, it was Taehyung. "You okay?"

"Yeah," I uttered.

He laced our fingers together and pulled me closer to his side as we continued to walk down the pavements. "I bet he was a great man," Taehyung nonchalantly said, already knowing who I was thinking about.

"He was," I pressed my lips to a flat line and heaved a sigh.

My words settled into the soft silence that stretched between us for moments after that. Who knew that someone's death could effect someone so much yet, it had happened in a split second.

"You know, a girl once told me that you'll always be miserable if you don't let people in," he quoted back the exact line I told him before. "Tell me. What's bothering you?"

We reached a playground and I decided to sit on the swing. He sat down on the swing beside me and waited patiently for my answer.

"I don't know how to let another man into my life, Tae. I thought I could accept the fact that she's dating someone but, turns out I can't," I mumbled.

"Can't or won't?"

I swung back and forth a little and frowned. "I don't know," I muttered under my breath.

"Didn't you say that you'd do anything to make your mom smile? You managed to convince me but, why is it so hard for you to convince yourself?"

"You don't understand. I-"

"Actually, I do," he cut me off. "You were the one who told me to face my problems. You were the one who said to accept that other woman as my mother. You were the one who convinced me it's gonna be okay in the end. But, why can't you do that to yourself?"

"Because I was assigned to help you!" I snapped. "I had one job and that's to find out your problem. So, of course I had to do everything I can to solve it because it was assigned to me!"

He let out a false laugh and abruptly stood up. "Because of the assignment?" He studied my face and shook his head as he scoffed.

My eyes quickly widen in realisation. "No, waitㅡ Taehyung. I didn't meanㅡ "

"And here I thought I was the one who had a hard time opening up to people." He shot me one last look before storming off.

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# S O T D

❝I'm inlove with you
but I can't even tell you
Another day is passing by
But i'm always going nowhere.❞

— AS I TOLD YOU.