The Secret Admirer (A Kim Taehyung fanfic)

40. Goodbye

Taehyung's point of view:

"So.." Mr. Park trailed off.

"Uh..." I hummed, not knowing what to say to the man.

"How long have you liked Areum?" He popped, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Huh..I..uh..." I stuttered, not expecting that question.

This whole thing was weirder than I thought it would be. Now that I think about I don't remember much of Mr. Park, he was always working so I never got to talk to him much. But even now, when he came back, I guess I hadn't gotten the chance to talk to him.

"That question is weird, huh?" He chuckled, brushing it off. "Let's talk about something else." He said.

"Can you tell me about my father?" I blurted out.

I watched Mr. Park avert his gaze to me for a split second before focusing back on the road. What came out of my mouth shocked me more than it did him. I don't know what it was, maybe the fact that he was Areum's dad and our families were close. My mind began to wonder on its own and began to speak without thinking at all.

"You miss him?" He asked, stopping at a red light. He turned to face me, waiting for my answer.

"Yeah.." I said quietly, I felt so out of place here but I went with it anyway.

"What do you want to know?" He said, looking away from me again as we began to move.

"How close were you guys? What was he like as a friend? I want to know what he was like, not as a father or businessman, but any other person he was." I popped.

"At first we weren't very close. We only ever saw each other because your mother and my- I..uh Areum's mother were close, and of course you two." He started, his face slightly turning red.

I smiled at him, I wasn't exactly sure what was going on between Mr and Mrs. Park but they seemed happy, and so did Areum. It was nice to see him like this.

"He was a really kind person," He added. "Always putting everyone before him, though don't get mistaken by his innocent face." He laughed slightly. "He was a very clever man." He smiled.

"Really?" I popped.

"Yeah, he was the head of the neighbourhood committee, and it was his planning and scheming that really changed the place around. Crime rates dropped, there were cleaner roads and streets, he even opened up opportunities to for people to get jobs and helped many get off the streets." He said proudly.

"Hmm." I hummed, listening attentively. It was nice to hear things about my father. Even now my mother was still sensitive on the topic, so I wouldn't bother her with it.

"I'm sorry I can't tell you anymore." He apologised, purposely avoid eye contact me with by looking ahead to the road. "After I left-"

Mr. Park suddenly went quiet. I guess those were things still bothered. His body tensed up, his fingers clenching around the wheel.

"You know, Areum wears that bracelet you got her, since the father daughter dance." I hummed, smiling lightly.

"I'm pretty sure her mother nagged her too." He sighed.

Technically she did. But though Areum made a fuss and even got rid of that one charm, I could tell she still felt some sort attachment to it. I knew her well, and I knew that if she really hated him that much she wouldn't even look at the bracelet.

"She still wore it though. She didn't have to if she really didn't want to." I popped back.

Mr. Park pulled into a parking space. "I have a question," He said quietly.