Falling for you

Chapter 29

Hyejin stepped out of the car,her heels coming into contact with the asphalt of the road with her son balanced expertly on her hip.The ride to the restaurant had been quiet since she told Taehyung everything and though the ride had been but a mere 30 minutes,It had felt as though they had been riding for hours.

She,however,didn't fail to hide her emotions in front of her son,plastering a bright smile the moment his eyelashes fluttered open.She was used to it.Lying and hiding about her emotions.It came easy to her after the last four years and maybe even before that.

She didn't like burying her emotions,of course.But,she had no choice.She couldn't simply break down.Especially not in front of her son.

And if the time ever came where she did-which she doubted would never come-maybe,she may feel the weight carried of her chest.When she wouldn't feel suffocated with all the pressure building up inside her.

But that was asking for the impossible.

"You know,the way we order food hasn't changed.We still have to go inside the restaurant and order."Taehyung teased.

Hyejin scoffed,placing her son on the ground,small soft hands clasping around her index finger.

"I'm well aware,Taehyung."she bit back jokingly,hoping to come off as annoyed only to have a smile creep up her face seconds later.

"Ah.There's the smile we all know and love."he chuckled.It brought a small blush to Hyejin's cheeks,knowing fully well that he had intended it to come of as a gesture of sibling love.

"Well then,welcome to Halmeoni's diner.One of the most famous dining places that serves homemade food."

Hyejin smiled.She liked homemade recipes.Especially those made with love because it would remind her of her mother's love and passion for cooking.

Feeling a tug on her finger,she crouched down and looked at Keegan lovingly,holing both his hands in hers.

"Shall we eat with uncle?"

Keegan looked behind her mother and looked at Taehyung.He smiled and nodded,seeming to take a liking to his mother's male friend.

The three went in together,seeming to forget about the sadness that lingered in the air around them not too long ago.Instead,walking into the cool restaurant with beaming smiles on their faces.

———

A popular female idol seems to have been spotted at the airport today and fans are going crazy over the possibility of who it may be.Could she be Choi Hyejin?The female idol who disappeared from Korea mysteriously 4 years ago?Who-

He sighed irritatedly as the screen went black.He clenched his jaw but sat still,eyes focused on the marble coffee table.

"Stop doing this to yourself,Wonwoo.Move on already.Don't bury yourself deeper into grief."Joshua said sympathetically.When Wonwoo didn't move,he sighed and rounded the couch,sitting beside the younger.

"Don't let the news lead you on.It'll bring you more harm than good.For your sake,stop."Joshua said softly,leaving his friend soundlessly afterwards.

He blinked once.Then again.

He couldn't begin to have hope.What if it was her?What if she was back in Korea?What if-What if they could finally be happy?

But despite all that,he could only ask questions that may reassure him.A void of reassurance.Soulless reassurance.He collapsed against the backrest of the sofa,his head bouncing as it collided with the pillow.He closed his eyes,placing an arm over them.

He could still feel the emotions burning within him.The same burning love he felt for her.It never faded.In fact,her disappearance only made him long for her more.Her gentle touches,her gleaming eyes,her angelic laughter,her brightening smile.Everything.He missed that all.

His shoulders shook slightly,sobs erupting from his mouth.This feeling wasn't new.His heart ached everyday for her.He cried himself to sleep every night when he was alone in his room.But he never showed his weakness to his members.He couldn't afford to push back their schedule like before when his grief had gotten the better of him,causing them to have postpone certain events.

He let out a shaky breath,hoping to calm down the sobs that escaped his mouth.

He blamed himself for her departure.He blamed himself for everything that had happened since then.He thought maybe,if he hadn't been so harsh on her.Maybe if he hadn't made such a big deal out of the bruises that littered her body,she would have stayed.If only,he had cherished her,talked to her and loved her.Maybe she would still be here in his arms,snuggling into his chest.Where he would find peace in her laughter and smiles.

He laughed sadly.

"It's all my fault,isn't it?"he whispered.

The members stood by the archway towards the kitchen,watching in silence as one of their friends cried.They couldn't offer any actions or words that would bring him peace or closure.And as much as they hated themselves for allowing their friend to blame himself entirely,they couldn't do anything but watch.

They may not know the entire story of what had gone down four years ago and the reason of why she had truly left.But they were sure that it wasn't entirely Wonwoo's fault.

"Seungcheol.Is Hyejin really back in Korea?"Minghao asked.Seungcheol shook his head solemnly.

"I'm not sure.We haven't talked since Joshua's birthday last year."

They glanced at Wonwoo who remained still on the couch for a while longer before they continued to do their own business.Whether it be help to write lyrics,practice dance moves or simply to do whatever they want,they were free for the week.But one was still stuck in a cage of solace.

"Wonwoo,"Jeonghan called softly,making small steps towards him.

"Come,let's all go to the restaurant.My treat."

Wonwoo lifted his arm from over his face and wiped the tears before turning behind.He plastered a fake smile despite knowing the red and puffy eyes he sported wouldn't help his situation.

"Are you sure that won't dent a major hole into your card?You know how much we eat."Wonwoo joked weakly.

Jeonghan laughed,shaking his head.

"I wouldn't mind.If it's for the family I love dear,I would run to the ends of the world."

Wonwoo nodded and got up,taking his phone from beside him and sliding it into the pocket of his sweatpants.

"Where to?"he asked,snatching one of the van keys from the table.

"Halmeoni's diner."