FOOLS

Chapter 16

Namjoon pulled the baseball cap closer to his face, hiding his eyes. But it was a little pointless, considering the only light source from the park came from the full moon and it was occasionally covered by gray clouds. The breeze blew through his hoodie. He was completely alone. Namjoon had always enjoyed the nighttime, it was one of the few moments where he could relax and can be himself. He didn't have to be the strong leader in front of his team, the perfect son for his father, the happy and healthy son for his mother, and the admirable brother for Jungkook.

He knew the little one was probably at home, either playing his game or working further on the plan. Part of Namjoon felt sorry for messing up his brother's life so much, even if he doesn't admit it. Jungkook, aside from the dreadful childhood, is living a good life. Who is Namjoon to come and change everything. But the boy seemed to have believed Namjoon's promise of being a real family together. And Namjoon would do anything to bring his mother and Jungkook somewhere far away from this city.

A shadow moved swiftly. Namjoon prepared his fist but relaxed when he met eyes with the person he had been waiting for. The man handed Namjoon the folder then left, retrieving back into the darkness that he came from. Having the privilege of being lead investigator, Namjoon had access to other private investigators, those who will keep their meetings confidential, just the way Namjoon wanted. He hired the man a few weeks ago to investigate his father further, to see what kind of secrets he had been keeping from his family. But he was also most curious about the death of Jungkook's mother.

The folder was thin, his father must have done a good job at clearing his footsteps and bloodstains. Namjoon walked to his car, where there would be a better light source for him to examine the evidence. A photograph laid on top of the other documents as Namjoon opened the folder. It was his father from years ago, when age hasn't taken over him quite yet. They say you age faster when you're problematic, no wonder his mother still looks youthful. Beside him was a woman who was not his wife. She was much younger, hair raven black and waves deep as the ocean. Features on her face reminded Namjoon of an antique vase, glimmering and fading. The smile on her face reminded Namjoon of the day he first saw her, how she laughed when his mother was pushed to the floor. His grip tightened on the photograph, but still, she didn't deserve to die.

The next few documents were a few letters exchanged by the adulterous couple. Scanning the words, Namjoon couldn't believe that it was his father. The language was romantic and calm, unlike words he had ever spoken to his father. Namjoon felt uncomfortable and his heart sinking as he read how his father had loved the woman, honestly and earnestly. He wondered how it could have changed so quickly. The letters from his father grew shorter, Namjoon noticed, when she revealed that she was pregnant.

I don't know what to do, she wrote. I know you don't want another kid and I'm sorry this happened.

What his father wrote back made Namjoon shiver. He didn't comfort her, or tell her everything will be okay. Kill it, he replied back. And that was the whole letter.

But of course she didn't, there was some humanity left in her because she gave birth to the boy. The letters had ceased to exist after that. But from what Jungkook told him, they were still seeing each other. It seemed like his mother was clinging onto the little time she knew she had left with his father. There were paperwork from the orphanage regarding Jungkook. Not to Namjoon's surprise, his father had not signed his name on the certificate. There was a small photo attached to the certificate, a little boy with big doe eyes and bunny smile.

The last letter sent was from Jungkook's mother, and it detailed how much she misses her son and wants him back into her life. His father hadn't responded. And the next day was the day of her accident. Even to a blind person, they could clearly tell that his father was obviously involved. And believing that no one would care about her death, his father hadn't done much to destroy these letters. The last document was what Namjoon was looking for. A bank transaction on the day of her accident. His father, using an alias, wired a large amount of money to the person driving the car, who "miraculously" live through the accident.

Namjoon closed the folder and closed his eyes. This was enough to convict his father for something, anything. It was enough to put him away and for Namjoon to give his mother an escape. He tucked the folder into the glove compartment of his car carefully, he didn't want anyone finding out about his adventure, including Jungkook. It wouldn't do him any good knowing the real cause of death of his mother, it would only hurt him more. Even if he doesn't admit it, a mother is still a mother.

His hand found his key and turned on the ignition. But then someone jumped in front of his car, hands on his hood, and Namjoon's heart stopped. He was caught and there was no way he could get out of this situation.