The Bonds Between Us

Chapter 9

After greeting all the elders, the family finally could breathe properly at a table. Daehan was eating quietly while Hyerin kept playing with her glass, feeling worried. She met some of her old classmates and they looked at her with jealousy after finding who her husband really was. Since it was the first, Hyerin was a spotlight of the party.

"You're quite famous, Rin. Look like everyone is interested so much into your life story." Jungkook started to tease and she glared at him.

"A sexy yet innocent nerd? Wah, I don't know my wife owned that titles during school."

"Stop it, Jeon Jungkook." She gritted her teeth as he laughed lowly.

"Long time no see, Hyerin-ah. How have you been?" A voice came out soft but it was like a pang dropping on her head.

There, Hwahyung approached with a glass. She sat comfortably on a chair with a smile.

Jungkook looked at Hwahyung before turning to study his wife's expression which changed to a panic one quickly.

"Yes, long time indeed." Hyerin said trying to look calm.

"It's been years but strangely you're still a beautiful nerd who back then all boys adored and wish to have you in their arms." She continued looking straight into Hyerin's eyes.

"And you're the lucky guy?" She said turning to look at Jungkook and he raised his eyebrow at her.

It's not hard to read her purpose and it's even easy to see how uncomfortable Hyerin was.

"A handsome husband, a good looking son and rich in-laws...Wah, you're really something, Hyerin-ah." Slowly, she stretched every words.

"Don't touch him." Hyerin quickly pushed Hwahyung's hand away before she reached Daehan's cheek. The little boy got startled looking up at his mother with his big innocent eyes.

"But...do you think you're deserved it all after what you did to all the guys back then? Don't you think Karma will pull you down?" Jungkook frowned at the words.

"Oh Hwahyung!" Hyerin gritted her teeth, almost losing her temper.

"And you, don't you feel disappointed in your own wife? Or you don't know anything about her past before you married her?" Then she turned to attack Jungkook who remained silent and listened carefully.

Instead of answering, he smirked. His hand reached Hyerin's fist on her lap and held it gently, telling her to calm down. He's not into girls' problems! So he stayed out. And it was such an irritating action to Hwahyung.

"Appa, I want to go to the toilet." Daehan got down from the chair and went to whisper into his father's ear and Jungkook nodded.

"I'll bring Daehan to the rest room." Jungkook said taking his son's hand.

"I'll be back, Omma." Daehan cutely waved and they went to the rest room.

"Wah, no wonder you two married. He's so arrogant, just like you." Hwahyung said looking at the father and son before turning to give Hyerin a smirk.

"Back off, Hwahyung. Stop whatever you want. We're adults now, we're mature enough not to bully each other..." Hyerin started and Hwahyung shrugged.

"Well, it's fun to tease you. I can't even count the times I broke your glasses because they annoyed me."

"Stop it, Hwahyung."

"You always act innocent while I became a bad girl because of that. Yet, it's still fun."

"Because seeing me in pain is your most pleasure moment."

"Right."

"But I'm not going to go through those pains anymore."

"Wah, you change now. I don't expect you to say those at all."

"I still have that scar if you remember what you did to me back then."

"Oh, that? I do remember and somehow I regret not to leave another one on your left side. It's on your right shoulder, isn't it?"

"I'm not going to repeat it. Get lost." Hyerin said standing up, took her bag and walked toward her husband who just came back from the rest room with Daehan.

"Omma, we're here."

"Let's go home." Hyerin said and he nodded. He could feel how she wanted to get away from that girl as soon as possible.

"Let's say goodbye to the elders first." He said.

Jungkook leaded his wife and son to a table which five men were there chatting loudly.

"Oh, here he is. Jungkook, come and join us." The eldest said gesturing Jungkook to sit down.

"Sir, I'm afraid I can't join you this time. Later will do." Jungkook said bowing his head.

"Wae?"

"I have to go now. My wife and son are getting tired and they have work and school tomorrow." He reasoned and the elder clicked his tongue looking at Hyerin and Daehan as she bowed her head at him.

"See? I told you not to bring them along. Ok, later you will join us no matter what and no excuse, alright?" He said and Jungkook could only smile.

"And may I join too, Appa?" Out of nowhere, Hwahyung appeared linking her arm with the elder. Hyerin widened her eyes at the word Appa.

"Huh? It won't happen, Hwahyung-ah. It's all about men's thingy." He said and she pouted.

"Then, we're leaving." Jungkook said bowing and Hyerin did the same. Hwahyung had her eyes on them until they disappeared with a smirk.

This is gonna be so fun. Jung Hyerin, we will meet again for sure.

Meanwhile, the family went into the car slowly. Daehan settled himself at the backseat quietly, ready to close his eyes anytime.

"I need to hear the whole thing about you and her." Jungkook said lowly and Hyerin sighed, didn't say anything.

She messaged her temple with a deep frown and he let her have her space.

As soon as they were home, Hyerin headed straight the room after asking Jungkook to tuck Daehan to bed.

In the closet, Hyerin quietly stared into her own reflection through the mirror. She already changed into her pajamas with her hair tied into a bun showing her flawless nape.

Slowly, her fingers reached her top button and unbuttoned it, two more were released, enough for her to push her shirt back.

When her shoulders were showing completely, she turned around with her head tilting back to look at the back of those shoulders. Just right behind the right side, laid a thin pink scar, 3cm long.

A sigh escaped her nose as she lowered her eyes down.

"It was just a scar though." She mumbled and was about to pull back her shirt but a hand stopped her to keep her shirt still.

"Jungkook..." His name slipped out of her lips lowly. He stepped to stand in front of her as she pulled her shirt back in place.

"I never ask about it because I thought you have it by accident. But after meeting her, I think this scar has its history." He stated, gently pulled her hands down and revealed the scar again. He stared into that scar through the mirror as she stood still, nervous.

"Would you like to share it?" His question pulled her head up to look into those orbs while his finger caressing her scar gently.

"It all started with a guy." She started examining his face.

"A guy? It's getting interesting." His eyebrow jumped.

"Mm, you still want to hear it?" She pushed him to confirm.

"Well, I'll just put aside my jealousy for a while." She chuckled at his joke.

"Her boyfriend dumped her because of me." She explained walking out of the closet and he followed.

"That was what I expected." He nodded and they seated themselves on the couch.

"But it's not my fault."

"..."

"I was always bullied by her, calling me a nerd, broke my glasses, accused me as a betrayer, cheating for good credit, and even addressed me as a player..."

"..."

"I really can't understand why she hates me that much. Because it's not really my fault that her boyfriend dumped her. I didn't even accept his love confession or being his girlfriend, not even a friend. Yet, she started to bully me after that day..."

"..."

"And the scar...it was unforgettable moments among her bullies toward me. I got it when she broke my glasses and pushed me down against the ground on a broken glass in the garden. That was how my scar formed." She finished and he nodded.

"Bully is always a bully. But look like she won't stop at all." Jungkook said and she agreed.

"I know. It can't be helped either." She said sighing. And they remained silent until she turned to him when she noticed his stare.

"Wae?"

"Thanks for opening up to me." He said smiling.

"Did I?"

"You feel better to let it out, don't you?" He stated and she blinked in thinking.

"Mm..."

"I can't get myself in this matter. But don't let her hurt you again. If it's involved too much physical, it's a crime, not a bully." He reminded her before standing up.

"It's late already." Jungkook said looking at his watch. Hyerin nodded standing up.

"Go to bed first."

"Wae?"

"I have some papers to finish. Don't miss me too much, arraseo?" He said encircling his hand around her waist and lowered his head to peck her lips before walking out of the room.

Hyerin stood there with her blushed cheeks, feeling her heart beat fast in a good way.

********

"Boss, Detective Kim passed away this morning in the hospital." Woohyuk walked in and reported quickly.

Jungkook's eyebrow jumped as his eyes glue to the computer screen.

"How?"

"It is under the investigation. But he's reported to be dead 10 minutes before the nurse found it out."

Jungkook sighed leaning his back on the chair, eyes on the screen.

"Although it's related to our case, put that aside. Now, I want to see Detective Lee Pyolim." The boss said and Woohyuk nodded before walking out.

Jungkook then took out his phone and put it to his ear.

"Let's meet up, Hyung."

'Old place.'

"In an hour."

'Ok'

Jungkook put his phone down and Detective Lee came in.

"Have a seat." Jungkook said and the detective sat down.

"There's someone I need you to go after. This case is secret and I suggest you to do it quietly as long as possible. Report when necessary and keep the track without missing a step." The boss said handing a file to the detective.

Mr. Lee opened and read the detail before raising his head to look at the chief with his wide eyes.

******

"Let's go." Jiwoon said knocking on the door of Hyerin's room.

"Ok." She nodded getting up leaving her phone on her desk. After she left, a call came in showing a 'Daehan's school' name on the screen.

Meanwhile the same contact name popped up on Jungkook's phone screen but he was not in his office.

At a kindergarten school which Daehan was attending, there's a chaos because of him. His teacher kept calling his guardians but they didn't respond. Daehan was having high fever. The boy's lips became dark red because of the heat. He quietly rested on a small bed while another teacher kept wiping his face with wet towel.

"No one picks up. What to do? Should we bring him to the hospital?"

"Ani, try to contact his grandparents first."

"Ok."

Fifteen minutes later, Haena and Mrs. Jeon ran into the kindergarten school with their worried face.

"Aigo, my dear grandson." Mrs. Jeon kept mumbling while searching for him.

"Mrs. Jeon, he's here." A teacher escorted them and the grandma hurriedly checked her grandson.

"Han-ah, this is Halmonie. How are you feeling?" She asked hugging the boy as the teacher gave his belongings to Haena.

"Thank you, teachers. And we're sorry on the behalf of his parents." She said bowing.

"It's alright and please let us hear his condition later." The principal said and they bowed.

Daehan was brought to his grandparent house and found out it was just pharyngitis.

Mrs. Jeon and Haena calmed down a bit. They sat beside the bed staring at the sleeping boy quietly.

"His parent is just too much. They should have taken good care of him though. Oh, my poor grandson." Mrs. Jeon said shaking her head. She patted his soft hair, eyes tearing.

"I'm going to call Hyerin again, Eomeonie." Haena said getting up and walked out of the room.

Hyerin got out of the meeting room with Jiwoon and headed straight to her office.

She got her phone and her eyes widened at the missed calls.

"Han's school called? Haena unnie and Eomeonie? What happened to Daehan?" She asked herself and quickly called Haena.

"Oh, Unnie, what happened to Daehan?"

'I don't know how busy you are, Rin-ah. But at least pick up your phone. Daehan's school couldn't contact you and Jungkook so they called us. Daehan is sick because of pharyngitis. But he's getting better now.'

"I'm sorry, Unnie. I'll be there. It's almost lunch break anyway."

'You better come with Jungkook. Eomeonie looks mad and I'm not sure if she would let you take care of him for now."

"I'll call him then."

'Arraseo. Annyeong.'

She sighed putting her phone down and called Jungkook next.

With her worried face, Hyerin got into the car as Jungkook picked her up.

"He's fine now, Rin." He comforted her and she nodded. She felt like it was her fault and he felt the same way.

"I don't think Omma will let us alive." He joked and she sighed.

That hardships as a parent they were going through told them how to balance the work and family better. Although work is important but family is the priority which they needed to take care first than other things. It's not called selfish when it comes to the family.