HEARTBEAT | VKOOK - Chapter 10: Chapter 10

"Dada, why are people so stupid?" His five year old son grumbled, small arms folded over his chest, glaring out of the window, distraught.
Taehyung sighed, "I don't know, Jun." He took a quick glance at his frowning son before averting his gaze towards the road ahead of him. "Why do you say that?"
"Well, because I find people stupid." A puzzled look appeared in his once dull eyes that looked up at the moon, shining high in the sky, trailing behind them with an equal pace.
"Why's the moon following us?"
"I don't know." His voice sounded rather absent, seemingly deep in thought as he balanced the steering wheel with one hand, massaging his temples with the other.
"Why don't you know anything? You're so dumb." The five year old grumbled, eyes glued to the view of the streets with a bored expression. "My dad is so dumb."
"Hey! I know a lot. I just don't know what to answer to your dumb questions." Taehyung attempted to defend himself, taking a quick glance at the boy next to him before refocusing on the road.
"You're a boss but you still don't know the basics. How did grandpa even make you the boss?" Minjun scoffed, eyes squinted as he focused on the outlines of his tiny fingers. "Guess he's stupid too, like you."
"So you're saying I'm a stupid boss?" A frown decorated the male's features, eyes glued to the road as he listened to his son's ramblings.
"You're stupid, and grandpa is stupid for making you the boss. I'm smarter than you and I could be a better boss. At least I'm not stupid like you."
"And you're rude. You hit bunny and you say hitting people is bad. You even say a lot of bad things to him, and you tell me that it's bad." Minjun glared at his dad before his eyes flickered to the radio.
Out of sheer curiosity, he lifted his small hands and pressed a random button, causing the loud music to blast through the speakers, which made the older male flinch and widen his eyes, almost going deaf from the level of the volume.
"Minjun! What in the world are you doing?" Taehyung scolded after turning off the radio, frowning at his son before turning to the road ahead of him.
"I don't know." The boy shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly before looking out of the window with a pout. "It's so boring."
"Try to solve this. Let's see how smart you are." Taehyung pulled out a small Rubic's cube and handed it to his son who picked it and examined it with a frown.
"I'm obviously way smarter than you'll ever be." The boy mumbled, playing with the cube in his hands.
"You don't know a lot of things, dada." The boy muttered, head lowered as he began fixing the cube all over again, "I had a question. . . Well, I always did, but you never answered."
"What is it?"
Seconds beat by in a comfortable silence, Minjun deeply immersed in fixing the colours of the cube, "Do I have a mom, dada?"
The older stiffened at that, a monotonous look taking over his once relaxed features, yet his eyes remained affixed on the road. "Why do you say that, Jun? Of course, you do."
"Well, if I do. . where is she?" His son pressed, looking up at him, the cube now forgotten, his irises burning with sheer curiosity. "Everyone has a mom, where's mine, dada?"
Taehyung simply released a controlled breath, his shoulders tense as he licked his chapped bottom lip, attempting to remain calm. The soft ticking of a timer filled in the dull silence like a background noise, as the older turned around a corner. His deep voice then eventually cut through the short silence,
"Your mother is an angel."
"Aren't all mothers the same?"
"Of course, but it's different for yours. She's watching over us from afar, hearing everything we say." He spoke softly, knowing that it'd only shatter his heart if he were to know more. And Taehyung certainly never wished to make him go through the same trauma he once did.
"How?" The boy looked around cluelessly, unable to figure out his dad's words, despite being the smartest in his family- that consisted of all of Taehyung's friends and him.
"Look at the stars, Jun. She's there." The boy looked up as instructed, a discombobulating look etching on his face. "You make no sense, dada. There are many."
"She's one of them, watching over you like your guardian angel." Taehyung smiled sadly, delinquent eyes filled with an endless sea of melancholy, due to the pain of seeing his son craving for his mother, not knowing that she'd gone long before he could even see her.
"I don't understand." The boy scowled deeply, a look of disbelief painting his features as he gazed at the stars in sheer perplexity.
"Because you're still too young."
"First of all, I'm not young. I know a lot of things you don't know, dada." Minjun glared at his father, an exasperated frown imprinted on his face. He then turned to the window again, "Its just that I'm still short. But one day, I'll be taller than uncle Jiminie. You'll see."
"Well, but you are a kid—"
"I'm not! I'm big! And I know a lot more than you! You're just too stupid to understand anything." Minjun snapped at his dad, clearly pissed off at his foolish comment, which wasn't exactly foolish according to Taehyung. Yet, the male bit down on his lower lip to suppress the laughter that threatened to escape his lips.
"What do you know, Jun?"
"A lot. You can't even say why spiders get stuck in their webs or why the moon follows us always. Or even why my mother is a star and not a human being."
"You tell me."
"Simple. The moon follows us because it's a bitch wanting attention. And spiders get stuck because they want to." Minjun mumbled, shrugging his shoulders, "I mean, that's why they create webs anyway."
"Kim Minjun!" Taehyung exclaimed in sheer frustration, brows pulled down together in an evident frown. "How many times do I need to tell you to not fucking use that word?!"
"What's fucking?" Minjun rose a brow, looking up at his dad— absolutely avoiding his question as that one word had peaked his interest.
Never curse in front of your child.
Taehyung sighed heavily, dragging his fingers over his face before facing the road. "It's nothing. Go back to solving your cube, sweetie."
"It's boring! I don't wanna do it anymore! Pwease tell me?" Minjun dropped the cube and turned to his father with puppy eyes and a cute pout that he knew no one could resist. That's how he deceives his uncles to get what he wants.
"You'll know it when you're older."
"I'm grown up already! Stop treating me like a kid!" Minjun huffed, slumping back in his seat and crossing his arms over his chest as he glared out of the window.
"You are a kid." A boxy smile played on his lips, ruffling the boy's hair, only to have his hand swatted away.
"Don't mess my hair style." Minjun glared daggers at the older male before raising his hands to fix his hair.
"Hair style?" Taehyung muttered, amusement laced in his voice as he merely quirked an eyebrow.
"Yes, I want to find a girlfriend." Minjun mumbled proudly, attempting to fix his hair that his father had ruined. Taehyung broke into a chuckle at that, shaking his head as he took a quick glance at his son beside him.
"Girlfriend? Do you even know what that is?"
"Of course! You're stupid but that doesn't mean I'm too! And yes, I'm old enough to have a girlfriend."
"Dude," Taehyung let out a throaty chuckle before refocusing on the road. "Why did I even think of bringing you here? It's such a bad idea." He mumbled to himself, incoherently.
"How long will it take? I'm tired."
"Stop whining, we're here." Taehyung then pushed his car door open, walking out before slamming it shut and walking over to the other side to pick Minjun.
Once the kid was in his arms, he proceeded to walk towards the huge doors of the mansion. A few maids came rushing over to him upon his arrival, escorting his son to the kids room. Loud music blasting through the speakers in the mansion could be heard on the streets from afar as a lot of people gathered on the space outside, drinking or smoking weed.
There was a pool outside the mansion, the blue water illuminated by the white lights as a few girls and guys sat around, flirting or chattering aloud.
The obnoxious place gave Taehyung a headache, the guilt and regret settling in his stomach once his eyes darted to a familiar dragon eyed man, with dark chocolate brown hair, having a drink with one of his friends.
Kim Namjoon.
"That boy loathes you. He refused to prosecute the case, and even if he did, I believe it's only case he has lost. It's pretty obvious, isn't it? You're just too blind to see it." The image of his father swam in front of his eyes, Taehyung taking in a sharp breath and digging his nails in his palms to remain calm.
Their friendship was in ruins, for a simple accident had ruined it all— or perhaps, it wasn't just the accident. Maybe they were never really friends to begin with, maybe he has always loathed him, for reasons Taehyung couldn't seem to name. Or so he thought.
It was him, for whom Taehyung refused to attend any of the events hosted by them. It'd gone to an extent where he refused to see any of them, due to him, who's mere presence burned him out on the inside. There were reasons, a lot of unspoken reasons why he despised the said man. The man, who was supposed to prosecute the case, however refused to do it at first, purposely losing the case and marking it closed, naming it to be a mere accident.
But Taehyung knew better.
His eyes remained trailed over the dark chocolate haired man who uttered something to Jin, before waving at Taehyung with a pleasant smile present on his lips. However, the brunette simply returned his stare with a monotonous look.
And deep down, Namjoon knew it too.
"I'm surprised you managed to make it through." Jin, who was seated on a stool in the bar, uttered to an approaching Taehyung, lips curling up into a grin as he took a sip of his drink. He then lifted a brow, eyeing the youngest. "Where's my lovely boy jun?"
"With the maids." The young CEO pursed his lips, eyes scanning the area for a moment, pausing at Namjoon for a split second to notice how the man shifted uncomfortably, seemingly distraught. Taehyung had snapped out of his trance the moment a drink was passed towards him, simply shaking his head as a no, and choosing an orange juice instead.
"Where are the others?" He queried casually, appearing calm and collected, like the presence of the dragon eyed man never bothered him on the first place. Seokjin simply shrugged, "I don't know. . Maybe the kitchen."
Taehyung nodded  thoughtfully, conversing more with the oldest, substantially ignoring the other as though he never existed. But Namjoon could see it all, the real person behind that façade. A hint of deep remorse evident in his gaze, that went unnoticed by Seokjin who was busy chattering with Taehyung, slightly drunk.
And even when their eyes met for a moment, Namjoon could see the hatred burning within his irises, a  glare directed his way. Of course, he'd the right to feel betrayed and hurt, for it was Namjoon's own fault. And for a moment, he wished to rewind time and fix the mistakes of his past, as the guilt and regret killed him every passing day. The regret of hurting Taehyung with his own mistakes. Only for the wrong decisions he'd taken at a young age.
Namjoon watched the younger's retreating back with a saddened look, as he disappeared through the corner of the hall, perhaps heading towards the kitchen to search for the others.
"Taehyungie!" Jimin jumped over Taehyung once the male had entered the slightly crowded kitchen, engulfing him into a tight hug as he wrapped his arms and legs around him, taking the younger by surprise. "You came for me. . . That means a lot."
"How could I say no to you anyway?" Taehyung muttered, wrapping his arms around the blonde to prevent him from falling. "I hope you've done your work or I'm screwed for good."
"Don't worry, you can always count on me." Jimin smiled softly after finally pulling away and meeting the younger's gaze. "I'll never let you down."
"Thanks." Taehyung looked over his shoulder, watching Hoseok spin his son in the air for a moment, before showering him with kisses.
"Stop bothering the poor boy," Yoongi strolled into the living room, settling down on a couch,  and sipping on his red wine. "He needs his drink."
As soon as he finished his sentence, Jimin scurried into the room with a chocolate milk in his hand.
"Choco milk!!" Minjun squealed and ran to Jimin, grabbing it from his hands. The said male leaned down and ruffled the small boy's hair with a smile, "So cute."
"Thank you uncle minnie!" He said before running towards the stools and taking a seat before sipping his milk.
"You're gonna spoil him so much, hyung." Taehyung muttered under his breath, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose as he sighed.
"Hey Taehyung," Hoseok threw him a smile, "It's nice to see you again. Hopefully we can play Overwatch like we used to."
Taehyung simply chortled, shooting the older an amused look, eyebrow raised. "Are we kids? You're a cop and I certainly don't expect that. But of course, I'm in."
"Duh, those games never get old." Hoseok laughed, shaking his head slightly before walking away to get himself a drink.
Taehyung then turned to glance at his son, however frowned when he couldn't find him in the room. Swirling on his feet, he met face to face with the blonde who had a pleasant smile playing on his lips, "Minjun's with Felix in one of the guest bedrooms if you're wondering."
A sigh of relief escaped the younger's plump lips as he shared a look with the blonde, "Thanks, Jimin."
"Anytime." The older of the two threw his arm around Taehyung's shoulder before pulling him out of the kitchen. "I want you to meet someone."
"Who?" Taehyung queried with a clueless expression as he glanced at the blonde who had a soft smile playing on his lips as he strode ahead, "The guys have met him except for you."
Taehyung frowned at that but decided to not question it as they made it through the hallway with a few people scattered around, chattering or smoking and living their best life.
Jimin then pulled him to the living room yelling out, "Jeonggukie!"
A head turned to their direction from the white couch, a frown adorning his cute face and lips parted as he recognized the blonde waving him over. He failed to notice the other male standing next to him who had his eyes blown up in utter shock and confusion.
It all hit Taehyung when he recognised the brunette walking over to them as the male from the park incident. Jeongguk's eyes then met the other's piercing gaze and his heart stopped at the sudden appearance of the man he least expected to see.
"Taehyung, this is Jeongguk and Jeonggukie, this is my childhood best friend, Taehyung!" Jimin chimed, a grin spreading on his lips and his eyes turning into crescents as he introduced the two, excitement bubbling in his chest as he introduced his new best friend, for a few years now to his friends.
Taehyung stared at Jeongguk's face in utter shock and disbelief, almost choking on his own spit as the blonde introduced the two, oblivious to the fact that they already knew each other from their first encounter in the park.
"He's been my best friend since two years now? I lost the count of the years I've spent with him. He's really sweet and funny! And I've been waiting to make him meet ya'll for a while now. But I never got the chance to. One of the reasons I wanted you to attend this party so bad." Jimin rambled on, the two kept staring at each other however, lost in their own little world.
"You?" Taehyung yelled, blinking a few times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Jimin ceased his ramblings and frowned at the two, "You know each other?"
"No but he's the guy that tried to kidnap Minjun!" Taehyung glared at the brunette who seemed to return the stare back with equal intensity, a frown appearing on his bunny like features.
"Excuse me but I never tried to kidnap your child. He's the one who wanted to go out and he said he's dad isn't around and that he's lost! Who leaves their child alone in the park and leaves for work anyway?" Jeongguk snapped at the older, who widened his eyes at the younger's words.
"Well, who told you to listen to him anyway? He's stupid and doesn't know anything! You should've just left him alone!"
"Woah woah, Jeongguk, did you really do that?" Jimin queried, scrunching his eyebrows.
"No way! Why'd I do that?" Jeongguk defended himself, eyes never leaving Taehyung's who glared daggers at the younger.
"Taehyung, it must've been a misunderstanding. He won't do something like that, I know him." Jimin attempted to assure the older male who nodded to his friend before looking at the boy.
"Whatever. I still don't like him anyway." Taehyung mumbled, taking in the younger male's appearance.
Jeongguk donned a dark maroon silk shirt, leaving the first three buttons undone, paired with black skinny jeans that showed off his thick thighs. A black and thin choker adorned his neck as he squinted his eyes at the male that eyed him intensely.
Taehyung couldn't deny the fact that the boy was hella attractive and turned him on the slightest bit.
His eyes met Jeongguk's again, they held a type of depth he couldn't decipher. His eyes were a deep, earthy brown- the color of earth after a heavy rainstorm. But there was something else. A faint glint of amusement and darkness, and a kind of depth that seemed to hold the heaviness of untold stories.
Taehyung broke the eye contact and turned to Jimin, "I'll get myself a drink." He walked away, leaving the two alone.
This is going to be a long night.