For Everything I Am | KTH 18+ ✔

Chapter Twenty Four

Pulling up to his apartment building after work, Taehyung shuts off his car while I grab my purse from the floorboard of the back seat. With Izzy usually around, we don't spend much time at his place given that all of her things are at mine and it's not so much of a bachelor pad. Sure, I've been here plenty of times, but it always feels as if he prefers my apartment over his throughout the years anyway.

"I just need to grab that file for work tomorrow and check my mail, then we can meet everyone at the bar." He states as we both shut our car doors. Since it had been a long time since we had seen some of our mutual friends, we all decided a few weeks back to gather together for one last hurrah of the year.

"Hand me the mailbox key and I'll get the mail for you while you get whatever you need." I offer as I meet him on the sidewalk. Handing me the lone key, he taps me on the ass playfully when we start to part ways.

Walking in the direction of the group of mailboxes in the middle of the apartment complex, I smile at the two fluffy white puppies playing together on the grass while the little old lady I've seen before stands outside in her warm winter robe with curlers still in her hair. The place Taehyung chose to live at wasn't the fanciest, although not rundown either, but I know he could afford more with his salary. Unsurprisingly, he had quickly moved up at his job since he started working there so I do wonder why he chose to live out here in a simple one-bedroom apartment when he could easily afford to live in the city. Although, it was nice knowing he was always only a short drive away and gave me peace of mind that Izzy and I weren't completely alone.

Reaching his mailbox, I fiddle with the key in my hand as I scan the numbers listed on the front for his. Finding it in the middle of the top row, I let out a quiet aha and open it up without any issues.

It was jam-packed and I chuckle and shake my head as I wonder when the last time he had even checked this thing.

"Oh, hi." A meek little voice states and I tilt my chin up to look in front of me.

"Oh, hi Danielle." I give a soft smile. She was always such a sweet girl. There are no hard feelings towards her whatsoever and I would say it was a shame she and Taehyung broke up, but I'm now glad that they did.

"Visiting Tae?" She asks to just make polite conversation while she reads the words on the front of her own mail.

"Um, he just had to stop by and get something for work. I'm checking the mail for him in the meantime." I state, not really wanting to rub it in her face that he and I are officially together. It's not like either of us saw it coming or that he was cheating on her with me. Plus, I didn't feel a need to mark my territory or anything like that.

I hear footsteps jogging behind me and don't think anything of it until Danielle almost goes pale in the face.

"Hey baby, I'm all ready to go if you are." Taehyung happily approaches me, wrapping his arms around my waist and my eyes lock onto Danielle as she looks at us both. "Sorry, I hadn't checked my mail since before we went back home for Christmas." He chuckles and I quickly realize that he doesn't notice we're not alone out here.

"Um, Tae, I ran into Danielle." I throw out a hint as I look over my shoulder to him and flit my eyes over to the girl awkwardly feeling like a third wheel.

His eyes slowly follow the trail to meet the gaze of his ex looking like she would rather run away if only her feet would move from underneath her. I know the feeling all too well and my heart breaks for her as I recognize the sadness behind her eyes. Just because she's his ex doesn't mean that I have to hate her. She did nothing wrong.

"Hey." He speaks up as he straightens up his posture and steps to the side of me. His hands go into his pockets as he teeters on his feet slightly.