The Bridesmaid

Chapter Fifteen

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I couldn't comprehend what was happening, the only thought in my head was how wrong this was. Jae and I were still together, and he was starting to change. It wouldn't be fair to leave now.

Adding on to it, Taehyung was Aera's ex. Being together with him was something that could never work.

"Taehyung, I can't." I said and he pulled away, almost completely. "You know this is wrong, your Aera's ex and I have Jae." I start rambling and he groans in frustration.

"Aera and I are broken up, why can't you understand that?" Taehyung's eyes pierced through mine as I notice a certain rage build up within him.

"It just won't be right." I say, my voice barely reaching a whisper.

"We can make it right. Areum, please." There was a certain look of hopelessness that painted his face in that very moment.

"I know you feel something too, you have to." He said, reaching for my hand but I pulled away.

"Taehyung, I can't. I'm sorry." I shook my head, tears brimming up my eyes as I stared at his lost form.

He breathes out a little, wiping a tear that had made its way out as he nodded. His tongue ran against his bottom lip right before he nibble against it. "Okay." He breathed out, continuously nodding to himself as though trying to convince his mind.

"I'm sorry." I repeated, and his expression drops, face going blank.

"What's so special about him?" Taehyung asked, brows furrowing.

I stared at him, not knowing how to respond.

"He's done nothing to keep you yet you're still there. Why?" He stared at me.

"I love him." I let out.

"Don't say that." He shook his head, averting his gaze.

"But I do," I breathed out.

"You don't love him!" Taehyung yelled, his face going red. His voice reverberated through my ears and I flinched, getting taken aback.

I couldn't tell if he was about to explode with anger or break down. "You just love the idea of him. The idea of being wanted and being able to call someone as yours." He said, his tone softening the moment he sees my eyes well up with tears.

"But he doesn't want you." Taehyung shook his head, "not like he should."

My chest raised with each breath I took, "You deserved to be wanted, to be needed, like you're as vital as the very oxygen we breathe." Taehyung grabbed either sides of me, looking into my eyes, staring right into my soul.

I felt like an open book at that point, like he was able to read every emotion and feeling that I could never express in words.

"It frustrates me how he's not treating you the way he should. You deserve so much better." I stay silent as I looked at him staring down at me.

The doorbell rings, grabbing my attention and I break eye contact, focusing on the door.

"Taehyung," I let out weakly "I think you should go." I glance back up at him and his hands instantly releases me, arms dropping to his side.

His tongue pressed against the inside of his cheek, eyelids fluttering as he tried holding back his tears.

He nodded his head, spinning on his heel as he went for the door and opened it. He came to a halt the moment he stood in front of someone. "Jae?" I called out from behind Taehyung.

"Uh- hi." Jaesun passed the both of us glances right before sticking out a basket in his hands. "I felt bad about not spending time with you this week so I thought I'd stop by with a hazelnut pie," he trailed off as he continued to eye the both of us, "is everything okay?" He asked, sensing the tension.

I nodded while Taehyung simply scoffed. "Yea, everything's fine." I said as Taehyung turned back to look at me. "He was just leaving." I meet Taehyung's eyes and he shook his head, facing Jaesun.

Taehyung eyes the pie in his hands and coughed out another scoff, "your girlfriend doesn't eat hazelnut." And with that he walked out of the house.

I stared at Taehyung's back as it disappeared into his car. "Why was he here?" Jae asked.

"Dropping off some of Aera's things." The lies slipped out naturally and he nodded. He looked into the basket, fiddling with the box of pie as he pursed his lips.

"And is it true? Do you not eat hazelnut?" He asked and I simply sighed.

. . .

A/N: Short-ish update! I wanted to start updating once a week, but I can't help myself sjks.