The Republic of ARMY

25. Daddy Issues

"I'm dating."

I didn't know whether to yell at him or ignore the words he just said over the phone. My brother could tell by the look on my face that something wasn't right.

"What's wrong?" He whispered.

"Dad is putting himself out in the market."

"What?! Is he serious?"

"Apparently, yes."

"Can I talk to him?"

"Raina, who are you talking to?" My father asked. I handed the phone over to Ryan who spoke up. They exchanged a few words, the shock slipping into disappointment as the conversation went on.

"I feel betrayed," I muttered as he gave me back the phone. I didn't even want to talk anymore, but my brother insisted, so I took it. "Hello dad. What's up?"

"I know you aren't for the idea of your mum and I being together. That's why you influenced her to leave. It is true, that I didn't treat your mother with as much respect as I should have, and that is where I want to change everything. I want you to come home so that we can talk. I have a very good husband for you. He has always liked you, and will do everything to make you happy."

Did that include leaving me alone to pursue my career from now henceforth?

"Dad, thank you very much for calling me, and realizing that there is a huge, unbridged gap between the two of us. I know you want the best for me, but right now, that is not settling down and getting married. That is making my career work for me. Besides, marrying me off to someone is just delegating the problem to another person. You aren't really solving anything between us."

"Oh. I thought throwing you a big wedding would sort out everything between us. Turns out I was wrong."

"Have you ever tried to be nice to me?"

"I am trying now."

"I think I need to go dad. Unfortunately, I am not going on leave any time soon. I need to make my project a success. I have to go. My boss is calling me. Take care."

"Wait-"

I hung up the phone and turned to my brother who immediately pulled me into his arms. The hug immediately made me feel much better. Even then, the pain lingered.

It couldn't be ignored.

°•°•°•°•

Pain demanded to be felt.

I discovered this later that month. I didn't really look for it, instead, it found me. I was busy working hard on a paper that I needed published, when my intern rushed into the cubicle in the control centre holding out her phone to me.

"Raina! Something terrible has happened!"

I sighed. Terrible? What was going on?

"Read this!" She thrust the phone into my sights and my eyes zeroed in on what she was trying to show me.

BTS LEADER RM'S DATING RUMOURS!

Namjoon was dating?! Who?! I was so surprised, I clearly couldn't read the article. I panicked a number of times. Who was he seeing? Was she prettier than me? What was her name? How tall was she?

Then, why was I so anxious about someone who I wasn't even seeing?

"The article says something about them making up after a fight. That they have been together for a few months now."

I sighed.

The pain stabbed me.

It hurt.