Secrets In The Sunset | KTH 18+ ✔️

Chapter Eighty-Six

Hours have gone by with no word from anyone. Time seems to be moving at a snail's pace as Taehyung and I stay inside by our collective cell phones, hoping we get some good news soon. Taking turns to take showers so that one of us can be readily available, we decide to not leave the apartment until we know more information.

Since Ethan was a part of the group chat, he saw my text message to all of our friends and has been the only one to respond solely to let me know that he'll inform me if there's any word on his side. I know that couldn't be easy for him to do, but I'm glad he's setting aside what just happened between us.

"Maybe the silence is a good thing." Taehyung states as he watches me run my fingers through my hair anxiously once again. "Maybe they're both still on their flights. It is a long trip."

I look over at him with my still puffy eyes from holding in my anxiety ridden tears and force a smile at his attempt to calm me when I know he's just as worried, "Maybe you're right baby."

He leans over and pulls me down so that my head can lay in his lap. Playing with my hair, he starts to hum a tune I've never heard before with his angelic voice.

One more hour.

Two more hours.

"Can someone please fucking call?!" Taehyung abruptly shouts out of frustration, startling me out of my trance, "I'm sorry jagi."

I shake my head, "It's okay baby. I get it."

My phone rings and I swiftly grab it to see who's calling. A sigh of some relief escapes me as I see that it's Madison.

"Hello?!" I worriedly answer.

"Hey, I'm sorry I missed your call earlier. We just woke up. Justin and I got pretty drunk last night. What's going on? Is everything okay?" She groggily replies.

"I take it you haven't seen the news or my message in the group text." I slouch back into the couch and pinch the bridge of my nose.

"No, I just saw you called. Hold on, let me read it." She taps away on her phone until I hear her say oh my God. "And no one has heard anything yet?"

"No. Nothing." I huff out in frustration.

"I'll be sure to let you know if I do. Oh my God, Ava!" Madison begins to tear up and I feel my own eyes grow wet as well.

"I know." My voice cracks and Taehyung reaches over to pull me into his side as he rubs my arm lovingly. I take a deep inhale through my nose and slowly exhale through my mouth, "I'll keep you up to date too. I love you."

"I love you too." She sniffles just before hanging up.

Letting my phone drop beside me with a bounce against the couch cushion, I try to clear my racing thoughts the best I can.

Taehyung kisses my temple as he begins to massage my shoulders. I had been trying to look after him this morning since it's his uncle on a plane, but I think him trying to take care of me is the kind of distraction he's needing to hold himself together. He's a man and a protector. All he wants and has ever wanted was to protect me. Sadly, there's some things in this world you can't protect the one you love from.

My phone dings with a few notifications making both of us jump at the sound as we both hover over my phone's bright screen to see if it's any news at all this time. We both perk up at the sight of the group text message.

Kinsley:
Hey guys! I just saw the
text from Ava about what
happened on the news.

Lucas:
We're both ok!
Just landed.
We have Uncle Kim in
our thoughts and prayers
too, Ava.