Taejin - Chasing the Ice Prince

Chapter 30: An Eye for an Eye

The two months of the internship were finally over. And on that last day, Seokjin sat with Taehyung after dinner and was ready to interrogate him. With a serious expression, Seokjin stared at his boyfriend and asked, "So, between Jane and Jasmine, who is it, Tae?!"

Jane, in her late thirties, had a calm nature. She was elegant and poised. Meanwhile, Jasmine was in her late twenties, and she was the chatty and cheerful one. Jane came and worked at South Korea Petroleum Industry as one of the executive secretaries about five years ago, meanwhile Jasmine was three years later after Jane.

Hearing the question, Taehyung shrunk in his seat. He looked hesitant and nervous. "Uh... it's Jane..." He answered in a low tone. He didn't really know how to react.

Seokjin exhaled sharply. His face displayed a visible displeasure. His suspicions turned out to be correct.

"I'm so sorry, Baby..." Taehyung's face was sad, he reached out to Seokjin's hand and held it tight.

Seokjin let out another sigh. He nodded his head and his mind was lost in thought.

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On the next day, Seokjin invited his father to have lunch out at a high-end restaurant, an invitation that was happily welcomed by Kim Jun-Ho. "On what occasion? To celebrate the completion of your internship?" He asked his son cheerfully. A wide smile blossomed across his face and softened his stern expression.

"Yes, Appa."

"So you'll pay today?" He opened a menu and started to choose his favorites.

"Yes! It's my first salary. Of course, I have to treat you to a meal!"

Kim Jun-Ho's smile got wider. "Get ready to spend all your salary to pay for this lunch, hm."

"Ok. Have anything you like, Appa." Seokjin nodded to him and they made an order soon after.

Putting aside the menu book, Seokjin said casually, "Taehyung says hi. He went home to meet his family, so he couldn't come along today."

"Hm." With a short indifferent answer, Kim Jun-Ho sipped his drink.

"How was his performance during the internship, by the way?" Seokjin threw a test question at his father.

"Hm?" Kim Jun-Ho looked at his son and raised his brows. "Good... I guess..." He shrugged. Still indifferent. "Maybe you should ask Min Yoongi about it? I'm sure he knows more." He forced a smile and cleared his throat.

Seokjin sneered. He saw that his father's interest level in his boyfriend was very low. "Well, that's unfortunate!" He glared.

"Hm? What's unfortunate?"

"You had two months to get to know my boyfriend better, personally and professionally, but you just let it pass. I've asked Mr. Min about Taehyung's performance in the office, but I wanna ask you too."

"Well, Min Yoongi was his direct supervisor, so he surely knows better than me!" He dodged.

Seokjin chuckled cynically. "Yes, everyone seems to know Taehyung better, except for you." He was still composed, though his voice was raised a little. "Even Jane was smart enough and try to get close to my boyfriend, knowing that she has to win my heart if she wants to have you." Jin paused. "Isn't that right... Appa?!!" His stare was deep. He had asked Taehyung to observe his father for a whole month to see if he had an affair with one of the executive secretaries.

Kim Jun-Ho couldn't mask his surprise. He let out a choked chuckle. Then cleared his throat. "Son..."

Seokjin waited, but his father didn't say any more words and could only clear his throat once more to hide his discomfort.

The food came and they continued to eat in silence.

After a long awkward moment, Kim Jun-Ho finally broke the silence. "I didn't mean to hide it from you..." He excused himself. "But Jane and I are only in a casual relationship. I don't mean to replace your mother with her."

Seokjin didn't react. His gaze was fixed calmly on his plate.

"Son...? Seokjin-ah....?"

"It's okay, Appa. It's been more than seven years since Eomma passed away. It's time for you to move on. I am also an adult now and have my own life." Seokjin finally mumbled. "But I hope you understand that we have the same concerns! You... and the girlfriend of your choice.... Me... with the boyfriend of my choice." Seokjin paused and swallowed his steak. "Therefore, I really hope we can reach a mutual understanding in this matter!" He calmly stabbed another piece of meat with his fork and then ate it. "Right, Appa?"

Kim Jun-Ho chuckled weakly. "I understand, Son." He nodded.

"And by the way," Seokjin said, "I'm going to use our villa in Jeju for the next several days. Taehyung and I will spend the rest of our semester break there."

"Oh..." His father fumbled with his fork.

"Can I use your VLJ, by the way? I hate the hassle in the airport if I take public transportation, you know!" Seokjin asked casually.

[NOTE: Very Light Jets (VLJ): miniature private jets with 4 and 6 passengers for a maximum range of 3 hours flight.]

Kim Jun-Ho raised his eyebrows. "Ah... yes, sure... Just call Mr. Jung to arrange it."

"Ok."

"Do you need anything else?" He was now struggling to please his son.

"Nah, nothing else for now."

"Ah..." Kim Jun-Ho admitted his defeat and it seemed like he had to start accepting reality. "Have fun then...."

"I will."

"Um... and send my regards... um... to Taehyung..."

Seokjin grinned. "Of course, Appa. Thank you."

Mission accomplished!

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