Eighth Chapter
Things had been normal between Jungwoo and Taeil lately as Taeil's beloved student had been overseas since the past week and the younger couldn't be more thankful. They were again talking to each other. Spending their time together, laughing and being silly together and eventually made love, as well.
Jungwoo just wished things would stay the same even after the devil's return. Things should be the same. They had to be the same and even better. Though, he doesn't know but, a part of him didn't feel the moment entirely. Something didn't feel like if used. He just couldn't point if it was the child growing inside Taeil's womb. Or something else… Like a different feeling in his own self.
“Taeil, it's the weekend and it's the date for your doctor appointment, babe.”
“Oh? Oh right. It's already been six months and I didn't even realize. Time indeed flies so fast.” Taeil said and chuckled in amusement as the latter approached his side.
“Especially when you spend it with your loved ones.” The other man said while placing his hands on Taeil's stomach and caressing it
Taeil joined him, feeling his own bump and a smile automatically appeared on his face. “Right Woo-ah. Right.”
The younger chuckled and kissed the shorter's forehead as he said, “Now let's get ready. We gotta get you to the doctor. The inoculation should be done at the right time.”
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“Have you taken all the reports and other needed stuff?”
“Hmm… Let me crosscheck. I've got the reports from the last inoculation as well as the prescription including the diet chart so yes. I've got it all Jungwoo.” The elder man said as he examined his bag and files.
Jungwoo nodded and picked the car keys from the nightstand and the couple made their way downstairs to exit the house.
“Owh…”
“Jungwoo you're fine?”
“Yes Taeil. Maybe just a twitch. I'm good now let's go.” The younger assured the latter. Though it didn't satisfy the elder man.
They continued making their way to exit but the younger man started stumbling while holding his head which seemed to be aching.
Taeil panicked at his husband's action and made him sit on the couch immediately and went to the kitchen to bring water for the younger.
“Woo-ah, I don't think you're fine. Are you having a headache?” He asked as he handed the glass to the younger and placed his palm on the latter's head checking if he had fever.
Jungwoo drank the water and started coughing in the middle of drinking, making the latter even more worried. “I-I am fine. Ough…”
The shorter patted gently on the younger's back calming his cough. “No. You are of course not. You seem tired and need rest. You've been hanging out with Sicheng and Ten too much lately and maybe the junk food and drinks got you. I told you not to spend too much time outside if it wasn't necessary but you didn't listen to me.”
“I'm sorry babe I- Owhh!”
“Shh… It's okay. Just relax.”
“Babe, I'm fine now. We're getting late for your appointment.”
“That can wait Woo-ah. Right now we should be worried for you. Take this aspirin, it'll lessen the ache.” The elder handed a tablet from his bag to the latter.
“No Taeil. That can't wait. That's important for our baby's health. I won't take meds if we won't be at your appointment on time.”
Taeil sighed and smiled at his husband while pinching his puppy cheek. “Okay. But still we won't be going as you're gonna rest and I'm gonna go alone.”
“What? Hell no. I'm not letting you drive by yourself in this condition.”
“Why not? I drive better than you and it's not like I'm about to go into labor right away. Just chill babe. Don't over stress yourself. I'm fine and will be back in one or two hours.”
“But babe-”
“Do you want me to cancel this appointment or what?”
Jungwoo sighed and shook his head in defeat. Taeil ruffled his hair and kissed his nose playfully. “I'llbe back fit and fine. I promise.”
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Taeil was halfway on the road to reach his destination but the ringing of his phone took his attention. It was a missed call from Jungwoo so he stopped the car at the side not taking any traffic risk.
He unlocked his phone and dialed back. “What's up Woo-ah, you're fine?”
“You're not talking while driving, right?”
Taeil as he answered. “I too know traffic rules. Now tell me, how are you feeling?”
“I'm good, babe. Just wanted to tell you that your doctor had called and they told me that their other branch is closed today and they shifted your appointment to the main branch.”
“Ohh… I have already crossed halfway. Ahh…”
“Do you want me to pick you up babe?”
“No, no. I'm fine and I should be going so bye.” With that, Taeil hung up and sighed. He had to drive through the long highway. Not that he minded that but he drove till there for no reason.
He wished his doctor would have called him instead of Jungwoo. It was actually a bit obvious that his doctor chose to contact Jungwoo first and not him. Maybe because they both had their contact information registered. Well, he didn't have much time to think so he just turned his car and made his way to the highway road and played NCT 127's Highway To Heaven in slow beat through his way.
A sudden series of honks startled him and he looked into the car mirror to see a black car behind him was honking. He drove to the side giving the vehicle space to overtake him and the vehicle even did but to stop in front of Taeil's car and two persons in entirely black outfits came outside.
They had masks on their faces and one of them was holding a knife. It was a combat knife and Taeil was just stunned in horror.
They started reaching him and it hit Taeil and he didn't waste another second as he geared up and drove past them.
He saw in the mirror and they were following him and they were not slow at all. He sped up and drove as fast as he could. He didn't know what to do. There were no other lanes, no passerbys, no police, nothing. He picked his phone and called Jungwoo as his number was on the recent list so it was easy to tap in shaking hands. Jungwoo didn't receive it. “Come on Woo-ah. Please where are you.” He called once again but still no answer. He then tried calling Baekhyun but a hit on his car startled him and his phone fell.
The car was hitting him. “Shit, shit, shit!” He cursed in fear as tears started rolling down his cheeks. Who were those people and why were they trying to hurt him? Or most likely kill him.
They hit again and this time it hurt Taeil. They were getting forceful and Taeil tried keeping his pace but couldn't really do as his entire body was trembling in fear.
Another hit came and it hurt his bump this time. He groaned in pain but he couldn't stop there. He couldn't let his baby hurt so he just geared up even faster. He was driving way too fast now that he couldn't see the path clearly but he didn't care. He had to protect his baby. The car was still following but he was now faster.
He thought he could escape and he even would but to his misfortune, another black car appeared in front of him out of nowhere and he couldn't press on break.
CRASH!
He should have listened to Jungwoo. He should have been understandable. He shouldn't have been stubborn and disobeying. He shouldn't have been the way he's always been.
This must be a punishment by fate that he's in pain. He's dying and there's no one to save him. Why was he still alive? That he could see people in hidden identity looking at a pathetic Taeil bleeding and dying in pain but not caring to give a hand of help. Such a pathetic son, husband, lover, father and human he was. He deserved to become these unidentified people's show. Surprisingly, a certain person appeared in his sight who wasn't masked and even seemed familiar. But he couldn't clearly figure through his blurry vision.
He tried to picturize the person but it felt as if there was no use since this was his end as he lost his breath and everything went black.
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“Jongdae, please don't cry. Don't lose hope our baby will be fine. If we'll become weak then how are we gonna console our Taeillie, baby?”
“I don't know Baek. I just don't want anything unfortunate to happen to our son. And thinking about his condition I just…” The younger sobbed into Baekhyun's shirt as the latter caressed his back trying to sooth his husband even though he had unshed tears in his own eyes.
“Dad, Papa…”
The couple looked at the man and Jongdae stood up immediately hugging the person. “Jungwoo… Oh dear.”
“I just want to ask you how could you let him drive in maternity?” Baekhyun asked, glaring at the youngest.
“Baek, please let me.”
Baekhyun scoffed and let the two continue. Jongdae turned back to Jungwoo who seemed just as vulnerable as him. He smiled at him in a comforting way. “We could have lost Taeil and we still don't know what's going to happen. Thanks to that kind student of Taeil that he at least got him here. If you were sick or busy, you could have asked us to take Taeil to the doctor, Woo-ah. Why did you just let him go by himself? Why didn't you tell us?”
“Kim Taeil's allies?”
The voice took the trio's attention and all three immediately stood and answered in unison. “Yes, doctor. How's he?”
“It's almost a miracle we could save him as he had lost a high amount of blood. But thankfully we were able to get them cured and he's now fine. Just needs rest and prescribed medications.”
The trio immediately felt relieved and Jongdae hugged Baekhyun in happiness. It didn't last long though when the doctor continued.
“But unfortunately, we couldn't save the little one growing inside him. He had miscarriage.”