Steps | Jung Jaehyun

Chapter 11

"Haewon! Thankyou for your hard wo- HAEWON?!" I think Taeyong was the one who called me. 

The concert has just finished, I tried to keep my composure the whole 3 hours. But since it's done now, I no longer can think straight nor even focus. I started breaking down, my heart kept on chanting that my father will be okay.

"Haewon! What's wrong?" I heard someone yelled in worry and ran to me to put their hand on my shoulder for comfort.

I turned to look at the person who is beside me, Jaehyun. I went to his arms and my arms gripped onto his back, "I.. My father.. He's in the hospital right now.."

He rubbed my shoulders slowly, "Take deep breaths, Haewon. Why is he in the hospital?" Jaehyun whispered softly into my ear.

I took a deep breath, trying to do what Jaehyun told me to do. "I.. I don't know.. But mom was crying.. Mom wouldn't cry unless it's serious and life-threatening.." I sobbed onto his chest.

"We're in her hometown right now right? Is it possible to request for her to be excused from work right now so she can visit her father?" I heard Jaehyun ask Taeyong in the middle of my sobbing.

"I'm pretty sure she's allowed to but I'll try to ask the managers to contact SM just in case." Taeyong replied.

"Ask them if I'm allowed to accompany her while you're at it."

***

"Do you know the hospital where your father is?" Jaehyun asked me while driving the car that the company rented.

I have calmed down a bit, at least enough to think clearer than before. "Yeah, I asked my mom a few minute ago.. Here I turned on the GPS to show you the way since I don't think I'm much help in this condition." I muttered softly while handing him my phone.

He took my phone and placed it on his leg. I gripped my pants tightly, feeling so distressed, I don't even know what's going on with my father.

Jaehyun gripped my hand out of nowhere, caressing it slowly to give me comfort. I felt myself calming down again, a warm feeling spreading out in my chest. I caressed his hand back, the warm feeling in my chest spreading further.

"There you go, calm your breathing, Haewon. Everything would be okay." Jaehyun whispered softly to me while his eyes were still on the road. His hand gripped the steering wheel while the other one is still caressing my hand.

"I.. Thankyou Jaehyun.." I whispered back to him. His words really calmed me down, my breathing pace finally went back to normal.

I looked up to the left, feeling nostalgic as we're driving through the roads that once colored my childhood and teenager days. 

"We're going to arrive soon." Jaehyun announced to me. I nodded at him before noticing that he still had his make up on but he had changed into a white t shirt with jeans. 

He didn't even bother to wipe his make up off to accompany me..

I gripped his hand that was still caressing mine. He noticed my sudden change of action and raised an eyebrow. "I just.. Feel grateful that I have such a wonderful friend. I'm sorry.. I'm sorry that I'm always burdening you.." I said to him, feeling grateful but guilty at the same time.

"How many times have we been through this? Stop apologizing for things that are out of your control, Haewon. I'm here because I want to, because you're special to me." His voice deepened, showing how much he dislike my apology.

I hate how my heart can't focus on the fact that he doesn't like my apology. My heart started to beat faster at what he said.

Because you're special to me.