In White Houses
Ch.13
It's been a little over a month since I've been living here in Seoul and so far, everything is going amazing. Work is tiring but it keeps me busy, it's so nice to dance again. Seoyeon, Jimin and I are always together going to work, at work and after work, they make my days so fun. I've also gotten closer to everyone at the apartment and it's nice not to feel so alone, for once, everything has been just great. Taehyung however, was still the same, a bit distant and reserved. He hasn't made effort to talk to me or anything since that night after the party, which I thought was weird.
I got off work early since it was a half a day at the dance studio but Seoyeon and Jimin had to stay back to do some work, so I left to go home without them. I arrived at the apartment and it was empty, I guess everyone was still at work. I went over to the kitchen to get some water and decided to phone my dad. We've been calling each other once a week to tell what was going on with our lives.
"Hey dad?" "Minjoo sweetheart, how are you?" "I'm doing great dad, just the same old thing happening, how have you been?" "I'm alright sweety, just working hard, you know nothing ever happens here in the countryside," he chuckles, "But um," he paused and cleared his throat, "I have a bit of a dilemma," "What? What's going on dad? Are you okay?" My heart started beating faster, a million thoughts raced through my head of what could be wrong. What if he got into some trouble with some people, was he in debt, or worse what if he's gotten sick too? Sweat started beading on my head, "yeah I uh," "Dad what is happening, should I come home?!"
I heard my voice crack a bit, "Minjoo no no no, I'm okay, really, it's just, my friends, kind of...sat me up on a blind date...that's all," he muttered over the phone. Oh, so he's going on a date. Wait, A DATE?! "DAD YOU?!" I could picture him blushing covering his eyes with his hand, my dad was a shy and quiet person even though he was so built and manly you would have never guessed.
"Yes, but, I don't know...I don't think I'm ready," he said quietly. My dad has never dated ever since my mom died, which I could understand because they were each other's first love. My mom and dad met when my mom was still in high school and my dad worked as the janitor. He said it was love at first sight when he saw my mom, he was only 2 years older than her, but, they had to keep their relationship a secret.
Mom came from a wealthy family where dad's family was the opposite. He was working to save enough to go to school. Mom, however, got pregnant with me a month after she graduated and she became a disappointment to her family. They did not approve of my father, but my mom loved him so she left home. She moved in with my dad's family, they were very accepting and fell in love with me once I was born. They faced so many obstacles and overcame them and still stood next to each other so strong.
'She's the only woman for me' my dad would say, women use to hit on my dad, he always been young and handsome but my father would always decline. As much as I adore my father with the love he has for mom I always wanted him to at least get out there and see new people he's always kept to himself most of the time, "Dad, just give it a try, you deserve to be happy with someone, I mean I know mom would want you to move on." I bit my lip, he was quiet over the line for a minute and then he sighs. "I guess you're right." Whoa, I wasn't expecting that, he's usually stubborn. "Well I need to go, darling, I'll talk to you soon I love you." "I love you too dad."
After hanging up, I decided to go out into the terrace for some fresh air and to wait for everyone to get home. The sun was still shining as it stays out much longer since summer was approaching soon. I walked out the door leading to the terrace where I spotted someone sitting on the patio chair looking out into the view. Taehyung?
I didn't even know he was here. I didn't know how to approach him since we became a bit distant, I don't want to intrude before I could turn around to go back in I guess he felt my presence because his head turned to look straight at me. Crap.
He quickly stuffs something back into his pocket, which looks like a heart-shaped locket and stood up. "what are you doing here?" his voice serious as always. "S-sorry I didn't know you were out here, I came home about 20 minutes ago okay?" he said nothing and turned to sit back down in his seat, "well you can join me if you want." He said looking out. Why do we always meet like this?
I sigh and slowly walked up to the chair next to him, sitting down. "How has work been going?" he asked not looking at me, is he trying to start a conversation with me? "It's been going great, it's really fun." He nodded, "What about you? You work at a bookstore?" he said nothing for a minute, did I ask something wrong? "Yeah, it's my favorite place to be besides my room, I love quietness so I can read." "Ah I see, what kind of books do you enjoy reading?"
"Edgar Allan Poe is one of my favorite authors, I love reading his stories, my mom actually got me into him when I was younger." He said looking down at his hands. I remember Jimin mentioning his mother when he was telling me about Taehyung, about him causing trouble because of her? I wish I could ask but I know it isn't my place to do so.
"What about you? You like to read?" "Probably kid stories," I laughed, "Not a big reader." He smiled at me, "Well maybe we could hang out one day and I can take you to the bookstore to show you some amazing books," whoa, did Taehyung just suggested we hang out one day? "yeah, that would be cool." I replied. His smile was really nice, I hardly ever seen him smile, especially to me.
There's a lot I don't know about him and I don't know why I'm so drawn to him, what is it about him? "Ya!" we both turned around and saw Jin looking at us, "Oh, oppa? You're home!" I waved at him, he looked a bit annoyed, Taehyung got up to walk back in the house. What was that about? "I'm about to start dinner," Jin said turning around to head back inside. Good to know, I said to myself alone on the Terrace.
