"...you hold all my secrets and you are the one thing that can destroy me if you choose to." -Kim Seokjin
He spent his entire life doing what he was told to uphold the family name, but when one decision could make a lasting impression on his reputa...
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I filled a pitcher with water to take to Mrs. Kim's room. This may seem a little juvenile, but I wanted to see him. Thinking of him in our compromising situations was getting to be a bit distracting. I couldn't achieve the most straightforward tasks without smiling from memory and wondered if we will make more memories soon. I blushed at my inappropriate thought but harbored no regrets.
As I finished my task, I turned to Taehyung, standing at the door. He wore the same expression on his face, and I sensed he wanted to use this opportunity to tell me something. It's probably about Sunhee, and I should act surprised about knowing. I'm still baffled by the news. Sunhee is a piece of work, and Taehyung is such a good guy. "We have to stop meeting like this, River," Taehyung teased. However, there was a slight edge behind it. The hickory swirls in his eyes wandered me as he bit down on his lip. That definitely said something. What is going on in his mind?
"We do, Taehyung. Unfortunately, we share this space." I teased back, trying to dismiss the curious tension in the room.
Taehyung moved closer, leaving only a few meters of space between us. His stare was heavy, but I knew the shy doctor was nervous from the way he stuck his hands in his pockets. "I, um, I feel like we have talked little since the night of Jungkook's party. I had a little too much to drink that night, and I can barely remember much of anything." He admitted.
I grinned at his ice breaker. He's right though, and he hasn't texted either. I should be better at keeping up with him, but I've had a distraction of my own. "It's okay. I'm happy you hung out with your friends."
Taehyung nodded. "Was Mrs. Kim's grandson there? Geez, I can't even remember his name." He asked.
If I were to call Seokjin by his name, Taehyung might question it. I'm sure Hobi and Jungkook expressed their opinions more than once on the matter. So, I bypassed that comment. "Yes, he was there. His friends are Hobi's friends. What a small world, huh?" I shrugged.
"Yeah, it's too small, almost overcrowded." He replied, moving closer. "River, I want to talk to you about something. Can we get together after dinner tonight?"
There it goes. Brace yourself, River. "Sure. Want to grab coffee after dinner?" I asked. It's obvious he wanted to talk about Sunhee, and I told him I would be a great friend to him and listened when he needed to vent. I hope they finally put some closure to this.
"Coffee would be great. I'll look forward to it." Taehyung's charming smile centered his face. I only nodded as a response and exited the break room. There was an exceptional amount of air I breathed being out of that space.
Taehyung is right. We need to stop meeting that way.
With the pitcher in hand, I knocked lightly on room five twelve and smiled when I entered. Seokjin, joined by his parents, who I greeted politely when walking in, sat in silence and nodded at my arrival. I replaced the fresh pitcher with the one on the table. The sound of machines beeping was unnerving, but not as much as the worried painted on her family's face.
Fear was evident in their eyes, and it made my drum to a thousand beats. We are aware of what was happening, yet facing it is harder. I checked the number on the machines, making sure there had been no significant changes to her. I rested my hand on her and called her name, asking her if she needed anything. Her inaudible mumble was the same as well. I turned to her family, telling them to contact me if they needed me. Mr. Kim was the only one to answer, as his wife and Seokjin acted as if I was never in the room. This behavior from Seokjin stung a bit, but what was I to expect? I want to think he's only this way because of his family. Still, it doesn't ease the hurt.
Miss Choi was right, and I'm diving straight into heartbreak.
Mr. Kim requested to see Dr. Kim before I left. Hearing this alerted Seokjin as I noticed his attention shifted in my peripheral. I told him I would tell Dr. Kim of his request and asked for his patience as he is making rounds as well. He nodded, and I left the room. I thought being in the break room with Taehyung was intense, but this tops it. Is this what he wanted, to keep me a secret, like his other tryst? To have me when he needed me to erase his pain temporarily? I want to be there for Seokjin and falling for him wasn't part of the plan. However, here I am, falling and confused. Suddenly, I have flutters for different reasons.
I sought Taehyung to let him know the Kims requested his time. He said they were coming up on his rounds, and he noticed the change in my demeanor. "I see your attachment to Mrs. Kim, River. It's undeniable." He stated.
How couldn't I be? I've been her nurse on and off-site. It's unprofessional, but I'm human. I love Mrs. Kim. She's been a page in my diary. "I won't deny that Taehyung, and I don't think anyone would understand how much." I lowered my head to fight the tears burning in my eyes.
The warmth of Taehyung's hand to my shoulder was comforting, and it was what I needed after the chaos in my thoughts. I won't turn it away. "River," he called.
I lifted my gaze to him. "Yeah, I know. Please excuse me, Taehyung." His hand fell from my shoulder and somehow ended up in the palm of mine. I gazed at him with a half-smile before sulking again. Our touch faded when I turned away from him. At that moment, my eyes landed on Seokjin as he exited his grandmother's room. His forehead creased as his stare narrowed. He didn't linger as he left in a huff.
