i'll keep him. - taemin & naeun

29 red carpet

"Taemin, I'm worried about hitting heavy traffic later. I'll hang up for now, but I'll update you once I've dropped Yongrae off," I said, feeling the weight of the day ahead.

We exchanged goodbyes, and as soon as the call ended, I grabbed Yongrae's bag and placed it in the car. During the drive to my parents' house, I did my best to keep him entertained, trying to distract him from the idea of staying there for a few weeks.

When we finally arrived, my parents welcomed us with open arms and warm smiles, instantly making me feel like a child again coming home. We gathered around the table for tea, the familiar scent of my mom's home-cooked food wafting through the air. It transported me back to simpler times, when this house was my whole world, filled with love and laughter.

After tea, I helped Yongrae settle into his room. I unpacked his belongings, arranging his clothes and toys while he watched quietly. As the time to leave drew closer, I couldn't ignore the sadness in his eyes. His small arms wrapped tightly around my waist, refusing to let go.

"I'm going to miss you," he whispered, his voice soft and full of emotion.

My heart clenched at the sound of his words. I knelt down to his level, placing my hands gently on his shoulders. "I'm going to miss you too, sweetheart," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "But it's just for a little while. We'll talk on the phone every day, okay?"

He nodded, trying to be brave, though the sadness lingered in his eyes. I hugged him tightly, savoring the warmth of his small body pressed against mine, before reluctantly letting go.

With a heavy heart, I left for the studio, trying to focus on the campaign launch ahead. But as I drove away, the ache in my chest only deepened. Yongrae and I had never been apart for long, and the thought of the days ahead without him weighed on me more than I expected.

The road stretched out before me, but my thoughts remained with Yongrae, the small boy I'd left behind, waiting for me to return. The slow-moving traffic only amplified my worries, and my mind inevitably drifted to Taemin. Despite the complexities of our relationship, I found a strange reassurance in his offer to help with Yongrae. Knowing that Yongrae had his dad by his side brought a sense of relief, even though the fear of future challenges still lingered.

When I finally arrived at the studio, I forced myself to set aside my personal concerns and focus on the tasks at hand. The campaign launch was a critical event for the company, and there was no room for distractions. The day passed in a blur of preparations, last-minute adjustments, and final rehearsals.

During a brief break, I checked my phone and saw a message from Taemin: 'How's Yongrae doing?'

A smile crept onto my face at his concern. I quickly replied, 'He's a bit sad but doing okay. Thanks for asking.'

Not long after, another message came through: 'Are you getting ready for the event?'

I typed back, 'Yes. I need to be there for the red carpet session as well. Are you coming?'

I wasn't sure if Taemin would attend. Given the recent announcement about 'his son,' I knew the media frenzy would be relentless. The last thing he probably wanted was to be hounded by reporters.

His reply came quickly: 'Not sure. I'll let you know if I feel like going.'

I felt a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. As I nodded at the staff showing me the dress I'd wear on the red carpet, I sent another message: 'Okay. If I don't reply later, ask in the group chat. Jihoon is coming with Chorong.'

I set my phone down and allowed the makeup and hair artists to work their magic. The room buzzed with activity as the event drew nearer. I answered staff questions while last-minute checks were made, trying to stay grounded amid the whirlwind.