Even if You're With Him ✔

Chapter 8

After what feels like forever, I jump out of the car and run to my apartment. I throw open the door and speed into my room where I see Taehyung packing the last of his things. My lips quiver and eyes water at the sight. Him packing feels too real. Feels like he's actually leaving me. I take cautious steps towards him and wrap my arms around his waist and press myself on his back. "Please don't go," I whimper.

He rests his hands on mine and caresses my skin softly. "I don't want to cause more trouble than I already have."

"So you're leaving me?" I ask, unable to stop the tears running down my cheek. Taehyung's body stiffens and he quickly turns to me, to wipe the tears from my eyes.

"I would never leave you, baby. I just don't want you to have problems with your family if I refuse to leave. I'm going to go to the cabin, and figure things out," he takes my hands in his and kisses my fingertips lightly.

The door opens and in comes my dad's security team with suitcases. "All of that is not necessary. He's already leaving," I spit out at them.

One of them takes cautious steps towards me. "These aren't for Taehyung, Mr. Seokjin. They're for you. Your father has requested that you move back home."

My blood boils and I yank the suitcase from his grasp and throw it to the side. "This is my home, and I'm not going anywhere!"

Namjoon soon rushes in with Yoongi trailing right behind him trying to take control of the situation. "This apartment is under my name, and I'm asking for you to leave before I call security," he states.

"Actually, Mr. Namjoon, your father has just purchased the building and has ordered for this apartment to be vacated. We're here to pick up Mr. Seokjin and the keys to the apartment."

My face turns to my brother who has a look of complete disappointment on his face as he shakes his head. "I understand," he says calmly. "We'll leave. Can I ask that you step outside so we can pack our things?"

My dad's security team looks at each other and then nods in agreement, and leave. Namjoon signals to Yoongi to stand outside and closes the door and brings Taehyung and I to our room. "Whatever your next step is, I will support you. You just have to tell me what it is."

I look at my hands still interlaced with Taehyung's. "Is running away still an option?"

"Jin-" Taehyung begins to protest, but I refuse to let him finish.

"If we stay here, my dad will do everything in his power to keep us apart. He will force Jungkook and I to marry, and we'll all live our lives under the control of our parents. I've already said many times that I don't want this. If being with you means running away with you then so be it," I argue. Taehyung bites the inside of his cheek in contemplation then eventually starts nodding slowly giving in to my request.

"Okay. We'll leave," he agrees. I turn to Namjoon and can already tell he's already planning everything out in his head.

"I'll let Hoseok know to message his contacts. We need to do this as fast as possible. We don't know what Dad's next move is, but we have to get you out of here before he acts on it. I can probably get you government ID's with different identities to get you out of the country, but we have to make sure you're somewhere Dad won't find you. That's going to take time, but if Hoseok works fast you could be out of here in a month. I'll talk with Jimin and Jungkook, and see what they're next move is just in case they want to follow your plan as well. For now, we can't risk getting into a worse situation with Dad. Please, Seokjin, no arguments. Anything he wants show the right amount of attitude to not raise red flags, but give in and comply eventually. It will only be for a month."

I take in every word my brother says, and although I hate being the obedient good boy, I agree to comply with my dad's orders. "For now both of you pack your things, Taehyung,  Yoongi and I will rent a suite in a nearby hotel. We don't mind sharing a room, and letting you have the spare," Namjoon offers.

"I know you and Yoongi don't mind sharing a room," Taehyung teases, shinning a small light at the dark atmosphere. "Your offer is greatly appreciated, but I already have a place to stay, thank you."

After a dreadful three hours, we manage to pack most of our things. Dad's security picks up my key and along with it, my phone. He wants to make sure I have absolutely no contact with Taehyung. Taehyung gives me one last kiss on my forehead and enters the cab, while I leave with Namjoon. I'm greeted by my mom's arms as soon as I step inside my old home. "Oh, Jinnie, what happened? Your father called saying all these horrible things," she looks around and sees the suitcases surrounding me. "You're moving back in?"

I nod slowly and she moves my chin with her hands. "What's wrong?"

Tears start forming once again around my eyes as I keep repeating what happened in my head. "It's a lot, Mom. Let's get Seokjin settled first," Namjoon speaks for me. She nods in agreement and reaches for my suitcase and leads me back to my old room. Once everything is in it's place Namjoon and Yoongi excuse themselves to look for a place to stay, leaving me behind with my mom.

She sits at the edge of my bed and takes my hands in hers. "Are you ready to talk about what happened today?"

I wipe my eyes one last and take a deep breath. "Taehyung and I are in love," I admit.

"Your bodyguard?" She eyes me confused to which I nod.

"We started a relationship two years ago, and today Jungkook and I decided to break off our engagement. Dad got mad and fired Taehyung and forced us to move out of Najoon's apartment," I explain with a quivering voice.

She gives me a look of sympathy and then brings me to her embrace. "I'm sorry this is happening, dear," she says softly as she soothes my back.

"Now dad won't let me contact, Taehyung. He had his men pick my phone up," my mom continues to soothe my back, and an idea pops into my head snapping me away from her. "Can you lend me your phone real quick? I just want to know that he's safe," I ask hopefully.

My mom's face shifting hesitantly causes my smile to falter. "I don't know if that's a good idea."

"What do you mean?"

She sucks in a breathe. "Maybe your father has reasons for having doubts about Taehyung's inten-"

"He's spent the past three years keeping me safe. How could you doubt his intentions with me?" I interrupt in disbelief.

"Seokjin, you have to understand that Taehyung is not like us. He doesn't come from a family of money or power. He can't provide to you the things your father and I have provided since you were born. He can't spoil you the way we do. Jungkook, however, can continue giving you a life of luxury. And don't you think it's weird that Taehyung takes a liking in you after spending his first year working for the family, fighting with you? You don't know him enough to say he's not taking advantage of you, " I can tell she's trying to reason with me, but at this point, I no longer want to hear any of it.

"How many times do I have to tell you all that he didn't take advantage me!" I yell getting out of bed. "He was there for me when no one was. He listened to me while you were too busy trying to please your husband to care about how your child felt about all the decisions being made for him. That's when I realized I wanted him. He tried to reason with me to think logically about what I asked of him, but I wouldn't listen. That night I let him strip me naked and make me his, and I've been letting him do it again because he's taught me what love is and how beautiful it makes me feel. We're in love, Mom. Jungkook can give me everything in this world, but I will never love him the way you're trying to force us to!"

My mom gets up and reaches for me, but I back away. "I thought I could count on you, but apparently you're just as closed minded as your husband."

"Seokjin-"

"It's been a long day, and I'm tired. I just want to sleep now, so close the door on your way out," I say as I walk past her and lay back down on my bed not spearing her a glance. I hear a sigh in resignation before the lights go off and the door closes silently. This is the first time in over a year I go to bed alone. I turn to face the side Taehyung would usually take and close my eyes, wishing for this nightmare to end soon.