*casually walks in like I didn't not update this book in 2 weeks*
I wasn't in the best mood to write so I didn't think it's fair to just write a chapter without feeling it. Besides I've been busy and been working on the last few chapters of EWB. so, sorry for the delay💜

•°²³°• Cheaters and Fathers ─✵────

It was the day after Taehyung had completed and handed over all the due assignments of his first semester at art school that he found himself sprawled on the couch in the living room of the Jeon Household, lazily watching a whale documentary. The residents of the house had left earlier that day, leaving Taehyung alone.

He didn't have anyone to hang out with. Hoseok and Jimin were taking dance classes and Namjoon was going to visit his mother. Yoongi decided to sleep in. Therefore Taehyung was boredly watching how whales communicate.

It was around midday when Taehyung got a call from Jieun telling him that she had left some documents at home. So he found himself running to the road to catch a taxi, holding a blue file, in hopes of getting to Jieun's office as soon as possible. He didn't mind, of course. Not like he had anything else to do anyay.

Jieun had apologised to him many times, feeling repentant that Taehyung might ruin his free day because of her. But Taehyung had insisted that she wasn't any trouble, and that he didn't have any other plans for the day.

Well, other than staying on the couch till Jeongguk comes home, hopes high that he'd be home soon. So they can enjoy some private time together. Taehyung didn't mention that part to Jieun, of course.

Taehyung thought that Jieun was too sweet and nice for her own good. At times like these, Taehyung felt guilty for making her husband cheat on her. It was him, who led Jeongguk to have sex with him for the second time, when the older was persistant on moving on from Taehyung and forgetting about their mistake. If it happened only once, it could be called an accident. If it happens twice, that's on purpose.

Jieun treated Taehyung like her own son. She would check up on him every now and then and scold him when he didn't eat enough. He wondered if Jieun ever suspected her husband of cheating. He doubted if there was anything that gave her a sense of doubt. Jeongguk never gave anything off when they were together, other than the subtle smirks and constant eye fucking. I mean why would she doubt her husband? Which wife would think that her husband of 10 years would bring home a schoolboy who's his fuck buddy to the house that he lives with her and his kid? That's just ridiculous.

Taehyung wondered if Jieun cheated on Jeongguk too. It was very much unlikely. Because Taehyung had seen the way she'd look at Jeongguk. She'd watch him when he talked, when he ate, with twinkling eyes filled with love and happiness. She would hold his arm at times and plant a kiss on his cheek. Jeongguk would smile at her at those times.

Taehyung envied her at times like this. She could hold Jeongguk and kiss him all she wants, publicly. She can publicly display affection to him. No one would shoot her weird looks and badmouth her. They would praise them on what a lovely wedded couple they are. Taehyung envied how she had all the freedom in the world with Jeongguk and Taehyung has to be subtle with him all the time.

It wasn't like Taehyung wants to be affectionate towards Jeongguk. No, not at all.

Taehyung got off in front of a huge building where Jieun's law firm was, after almost an hour long ride. The receptionist told him to go to the third floor without much question when he told her that he wanted to meet Mrs. Jeon. So Taehyung took the elevator to the third floor.

He stepped into a rather busy hallway after he got out of the elevator. On either side of the passageway were offices filled with people. Taehyung tried his best not to bump into anyone, since everyone seemed to be hurrying here and there, past him. Taehyung's jeans and tshirt was a deadly contrast against the pressed suits and dresses, skirts and shirts of the men and women who passed him by. Lawyers. They dripped formality.

Taehyung tried not to pay any mind to how cheap he looked and quickly made his way through the busy hallway, taking turns as he was instructed by the receptionist downstairs. After minutes he came to hallway that was rather quiet. There was no one in sight. Taehyung slowly walked towards the offices, pushing closed doors to see if Jieun was in them. But no avail. Jieun was nowhere in sight. He was wondering if he had taken a wrong turn and if he was lost. Taehyung was about to take a random turn in the hallway when he heard voices.

Taehyung whirled around and made his way towards the source of the sound. He saw Jieun in the middle of the hallway. Taehyung sighed in relief when he saw her.

But she wasn't alone.

A teller man stood in front of her, his back facing Taehyung. Jieun was talking to him. Taehyung decided to wait until they ended their conversation. So he stood at the end of the hallway, hidden from their view, hoping Jieun won't see him and get disturbed. The man must be one of her clients.

He checked the time on his phone and saw that it was almost two in the afternoon. He sighed, looking around the empty hallway.

"...don't think you have a right to ask me about it, Mr. Kim" Jieun's voice was sharp. Taehyung didn't mean to evesdrop, nor was he listening at all. But the sharpness in Mrs. Jeon's voice made Taehyung's eyes widen as it fell over his ears. Taehyung had never heard her sound so...angry.

"Jieun, please. I apologized" A deeper voice. Presumably from the man who stood before Jieun. That voice...it was so farmiliar to Taehyung. Too farmiliar.

But he hadn't heard that voice in ages. At least not directly. From a phone line, every chirstmas if he was lucky.

What Taehyung was thinking was ridiculous. It couldn't possibly be...

Jieun scoffed. "Did you do something thst could be covered with an apology? Don't make me laugh. And it's Mrs. Jeon to you"

"Jeon, eh? I heard you married him right after you entered college. That stupid boy"

"You will shut up about my husband or-"

"Poor kid. Deserved better than you. He was only fifteen" The man went on.

"Seongho if you don't stop-" Jieun's voice rose.

Seongho

That was...Taehyung was right...Kim Seongho...that's Taehyung's father.

The plastic file Taehyung was holding fell on the tiled floor with a loud clatter, making Jieun halt mid-sentence.

"Who's there?" Jieun's voice was sharp. It scared Taehyung. Muttering a few curses under his breath, Taehyung picked up the file. He stepped in to the view of Jieun and the other man, clutching the file close to him.

The man...was indeed Taehyung's father. Though that face was one that made Taehyung puke from distaste, as memories from his childhood rose like bile in his throat, that face, Taehyung would never forget.

"Oh Taehyung. It's you" Jieun sighed in relief.

Taehyung smiled at Jieun. He felt his father's eyes on him but he didn't dare meet them.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to evesdrop...I was waiting till you were done with your conversation" Taehyung rambled on nervously.

"Oh don't worry" Jieun was in front of Taehyung now, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry to keep you waiting. You should've told me the moment you came here. Or called me. Besides, Mr. Kim was just leaving" the was Jieun's voice grew cold when she said Mr. Kim didn't go unnoticed by Taehyung.

"Here's the document, Mrs. Jeon" Taehyung said, handing her the blue plastic file.

"Thank you so much, Taehyung. I don't know what I could do without you" She smiled sweetly at Taehyung.

"I'll get going, Mrs. Jeon"

"How will you go? I could call Jeongguk if you want" Jieun said.

"I was thinking of taking a taxi. Is Mr. Jeon free at this time? I thought he was at campus"

"He said something about coming home early. Taehyung, by the way, I won't be home early today. Can you and Jeongguk make dinner? Get Aria to help you too"

"Of course Mrs. Jeon. I'll call Mr. Jeon and ask him if he could pick me up. Or I'll just take a taxi" Taehyung said.

"Go home safely" Jieun said, stroking his arm lovingly. Taehyung grinned at her and bid good bye to her, turning to leave.

It was almost a minute later that he heard footsteps behind him. Someone snatched him from his arm, making him stumble and almost fall.

His father stood before him. Taehyung had tried his best to ignore him the whole time.

"Why are you ignoring me?" Seongho said gruffly.

"I have no business with you" Taehyung said, angrily.

Seongho sighed. "How do you know Jieun?"

"None of your business"

"Yes it is my business because you're my son"

"But I don't consider you my father because you've never done anything my father should do for me"

"Look, you know I married again. My wife doesn't like it when I care about you"

"That's your problem. I don't need your care"

"What were you doing with the Jeons?"

Taehyung sighed. "I live with them. Can I go now? I have better things to do"

"Why are you living with them? What happened to your dorm?"

"I don't have enough money to balance college tution and the dorm" Taehyung sighed.

"But I thought your mother-"

"She lost her job"

An awkward silence passed between them. Taehyung's anger rose by the second. The way his father knew nothing about what's going on in Taehyung life...he just hated him.

It was then Seongho fished his pocket and took a couple of dollar bills, stretching his hand towards taehyung to take them.

"I don't want your money"

"Take this. I'm your father. You need the money"

"No"

Sengho took Taehyung's hand and placed the money on top of it. "Take it"

"I said I don't-"

"Taehyung!" Seongho said sharply, making Taehyun stop struggling. "Take it. Just take it"

Taehyung looked at the couple of hundred dollar bills in his hand. He didn't want it. He didn't want his father's money. But maybe he needed it.

"Whatever" Taehyung mumbled and turned around. "Don't bother calling me. I bet your wife doesn't like you talking to your son at least once a year" With that said, Taehyung took his leave, leaving his father staring after him.

After a couple of wrong turns and getting lost several times in the maze of hallways and offices, Taehyung finally came outside the building.

He fished out his phone and dialed up Jeongguk's number. After two rings, Jeongguk picked up.

"Yes, babe?"

"Where are you? Come pick me up" Taehyung said.

After explaining to Jeongguk why he was where he was, Jeongguk said that he was still in the campus. Taehyung said that he'd wait.

When Jeongguk finally arrived after fifteen minutes, Taehyung got inside the car and was welcomed by a grinning Jeongguk.

"What got you all happy?" Taehyung asked.

"Nothing special" Jeongguk said. "Why, can't I be happy?"

"Didn't say that" Taehyung said. "Jieun said that she is running late. Will Aria be home soon?"

"No, she has swimming practice" Jeongguk said. "Why?"

"We can spend time together. Alone" Taehyung said. "Let's go"

"Where?"

"On a date"

》♡《

With love,
Sara🌈