One week later...
Taehyung's POV
I walked to Jaehyun's room and knocked on his door. "Let's go, son. Your Appa is waiting for you", I called from the door.
A soft "I'll be there, dad. Just a minute. " is heard from the inside. While waiting for him, I checked myself in the mirror in the hallway. I wore a black leather jacket over a tiger printed shirt and a pair of black jeans. Half a minute later, the door opened and my son came out, clad in a blue shirt and beige shorts. He has a backpack slung over his shoulders.
"Ready?", I asked him smiling. He hummed in response. I ruffled his hair, earning a soft whine from him for messing with his well-combed hair. I chuckled as he combed his hair with his hands back to its original style.
We went down the stairs together and put on our shoes. After informing Aunt Mina that we will go out, Jae and I headed to the main door and down to the driveway where Mr. Yun is waiting with the car.
"I will drive today, Mr. Yun. You can have the weekend off. I will just see you on Monday."
Although the driver was taken aback, he composed himself. "Are you sure, Sir Taehyung? You will get tired."
"We will be fine." I smiled. He handed the key nonetheless after bowing and thanking me and stood back as I took a round on the driver seat to start the engine. Jaehyun has settled beside me with the seatbelt on, all focused on the new tablet I bought for him because he got bored with the old one. Glancing at him, he was busy going through his list of games, but sensing my gaze, he looked up. "Something wrong, Dad?"
I shook my head and just asked if he's ready to go. He nodded and focused back on his tablet. I sighed as I drove the car out to the main gate to the day we are about to set out to.
Today's the day my son and Jin will spend time together for the first time. As promised, I allowed Jin to bond with our son. Three days ago, Jin texted me if he can come see me in my office. I told him to come and instructed Jiyoung to let Jin into my office. When he arrived, Jin and I talked about how he's gonna spend his weekend with Jaehyun.
It's a Saturday and Jin decided to watch our son's soccer practice. After that, he intend to bring Jaehyun to an arcade so they could play some games. Jin even invited me to come with them but I have to decline because I wanted it to be their alone time. The night before, I sent a car to Jin's apartment so he can drive Jaehyun to where they intended to go. Jin actually refused when he texted me saying he would just rent a vehicle and asked me to send the car back. But after convincing him that it is for their safety and convenience, he defeatedly agreed. I wouldn't put both my husband and son into inconvenience. Was I beginning to soften towards Jin? Not really. But I wanted him to be with my son. I want them to catch up with their lost times. And because I promised him a week ago in exchange for helping out in the meeting.
I drove to the location and few minutes later, we arrived at the school grounds. I saw Jin standing in the car I lent him, waiting for us. As soon as the car stopped, Jin approached in a distance, waiting for us to come out. We alighted from the car and I noticed Jaehyun was fidgeting in the strap of his backpack. He must be nervous as this was his first time to be with his other father. Jin too seems to be anxious because his feet keep shifting. I wrapped my arms around my son to calm him down. "Relax, son", I smiled at him. He nodded and we approached my ex-husband.
"Tae", Jin's angelic voice greeted me. I felt something flip in my stomach hearing my ex-husband calling me in my nickname.
Jin turned to Jaehyun, "it's good to see you again, so- uhmm, Master Jaehyun." He stuttered a bit, hesitating to call Jaehyun "son", thus, opted for the formalities. He is also having second thoughts whether to hug Jaehyun or just let it be.
Jaehyun looked up to him and mumbled a soft "Good morning, Appa". Then he looked down, feeling shy. He is nervous and I mentally chuckled.
"Don't you want to hug him, son?" I asked looking from Jin to him.
"T-Tae, he doesn't need to if he is uncomfortable." Jin glanced at me worried that our son will reject him.
"C-can I, Appa?"
Jin shifted his gaze to our son, "Uhm, yeah, sure. I would love that."
Without a second thought, Jaehyun closed the distance and wrapped his arms around Jin. Jin hugged him tightly feeling the warmth of my son's embrace. I could see a tear escaped his eye. My son, on the other hand, let out a sniff as he savor the love his Appa is giving him with the hug. Observing from where I am standing, my heart wrenched at the sight that it makes me want to tear, but I held it. It's a good sight to see though that both my son and my ex-husband are reunited after so many years.
Jin was the first to break the hug after wiping his cheeks with his palm. He held my son in his shoulders and gazed at him affectionately. Then he cupped Jae's cheeks, "Appa missed you. I'm so sorry for leaving you. I hope we could catch up." He wiped my son's tears and kissed his forehead.
Jae just smiled. I walked to them and placed my hand on Jae's shoulder.
"Jaehyun has a practice in 20 minutes. You can stay and watch him."
Our son shifted his gaze from Jin to me. He smiled as if saying, I'll be okay dad. I held his hands and squeezed it lightly.
The night before, I asked Jaehyun if he likes to spend the weekend with his Appa.
Flashback
It was 8 o'clock when I knocked on Jae's room. I opened the door and saw that my son is lying on the bed with his stomach reading a book. I smiled remembering my ex-husband who loves reading books sometimes lying on his stomach.
"Dad, is something wrong?" Jae looked up from his reading.
"Mmm, no, son. I just want to ask you something." I sat on the edge of the bed looking at him.
"What is it?" Jaehyun sat up crossing his legs and placing the book down.
"How do you like to spend the weekend with Jin?"
"You mean, my Appa?" Jae creased his forehead .
"Yeah. You see I promised him that he could spend time with you tomorrow. We had a talk last week when he helped cook for my guests. I want to ask you if you would like to spend time with him?"
"I d-don't know, dad. Are you ok with it? I know you said we have nothing to do with him but , are you sure?" Jae raised his brow.
" I am sure, son. Perhaps this is the time that you have to ask him your questions. I know this is kind of hard for you, but what's there to lose?" I reached for his hand and held it while looking at him.
" Well, what about him, is he okay with spending time with me?" Jaehyun asked. I can sense that there is a little hesitation on his part thinking that his other father would not want to be with him.
"Your Appa is eager to be with you, son, I can assure that. He's not someone who'll reject you. He wanted to so much that if I did not initiate this, he would have beg me."
"If you say so, alright, I'll go and meet him tomorrow. Will you be coming with us, though?"
"I'd love to. In fact he invited me . But I declined. I want tomorrow to be just the two of you. It's your chance to make up for the lost time. Don't worry, I'll make sure that you will be fine and no harm shall come to you in case something happens." I smiled and pinched his cheeks.
"Aiissshhh, Dad!!! What do you think of my cheeks? A bread?" Jae growled touching his cheeks.
I chuckled. "Alright, perhaps you can clean up and sleep early? Tomorrow's the big day with your Appa."
Jaehyun nodded and stood up to prepare going to the bathroom. "Okay, Dad. And thank you."
"Sure thing, son. Enjoy and be good." I stood up and walked to the door. "Good night, Jae."
'Night, dad. See you tomorrow."
I went out of the room and closed the door. I heaved a sigh. Tomorrow indeed will be a good day.
Flashback ends
I could have done everything to not allow Jin to be near my son. I am still hurt for what he did of leaving me and my son ten years ago.
But Jaehyun needs to know his other father. He needs to find the answers to all the questions he used to ask me. Our issues as his parent should not be a hindrance to Jin's desire to co-parent Jaehyun.
Jaehyun suddenly brought me back to my present thoughts when he said, "Dad, I think I need to go and change. Coach will be here soon along with my team. I'll see you later, Dad, in the evening right? Appa will be with me the whole day." My son glanced at Jin who was grinning from ear to ear.
"Sure, Jae. Go on, and yes, you and your Appa here will be together to spend time. I will see you tonight. Now, go. I love you, son. I'll be having a few words with your Appa. " I smiled as he waved, going to the school soccer field. Jin and I stared at the retreating back of our son. We waited until he came inside the changing room.
"Tae, thank you so much", Jin said, his head bowed, his hands intertwined in front of him. I smiled slightly. Then my facial expression went back to being cold and stoic. I turned to Jin and looked at him intently.
"Jin, I allowed you to spend time with Jaehyun. But this doesn't mean that you can have a leeway of whatever you want. You see, I did not allow Jaehyun to just go with you. I have someone to look after you in case you do something unnecessary. I have people looking out for you and our son. So please, don't do something that you will regret later on."
Jin was shocked. "Taehyung, what made you think that I am going to harm our son? He's our son, for God's sake. I would do anything to protect him. You don't trust me, do you? "
"I am just concerned with our son's welfare Jin. If it weren't for me, promising you, I would never let Jaehyun near you."
Jin bowed his head low. Tears staining his cheeks. "You hate me that much, Tae? I thought you have forgiven me, the reason you let me spend time with Jae."
I looked away from Jin who is sniffling. "What do you think, Jin? I could never forget what you did. Just so you know, our issues as Jaehyun's parents has nothing to do with him. In front of Jae, we will be fine. But behind him, know that I really hate you so much." I gritted my teeth and I felt mad.
"Enjoy your day with our son, Jin. Remember, I have people looking out for you and watching your every move."
Having said that, I strode away, leaving a Kim Seokjin sobbing hard.
____________
Enjoy reading. Hope you like the story. Keep voting and commenting. I love to read from you.
Have a great day, everyone.