'Mistakes' Chapter 7

" He left... Taehyung ...he left me! He doesn't want me...I am his mother ...and he rejected me!" Her voice cracked.Oh she was a brilliant actress giving a live k- drama performance. The comforting hug from her husband enhanced her hearbreaking staging.

" Give him time baby.He hasn't seen you for a year that's why he is reacting this way. Once he realises you won't leave us again, gets used to your presence, he'll approach you. Go easy on him...small steps, right?"he adviced her so softly Jungkook wanted to puke.

This guy had an incurable disease.Stupidity. Acting as a total jackass.Instead of pointing out her mistakes , he was consulting and easing her worries not his son's. Was he so blinded by his love for her? Was Kookie fighting for a lost cause? Jungkook's mind suddenly remembered Tata and taking two steps he...

" Who might you be?" Her squeaky voice forced the younger to halt.

" He is Tata 's caretaker." Taehyung couldn't sound more haughty in his remark.

Duri's disparaging laughter thundered the air." A male nanny? You hired a boy ? How revolutionary of you , darling!" She shook her head with a grin.

" Not me...my parents." he divulged harsly with an apparent intensity.He acted like hiring a man was an insult to all nannies!

" I make the decisions as far as my son is concerned! We'll discuss it later."she announced .Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him again.The arrow of jealousy targeted and pierced Jungkook 's chest , witnessing their little exhibit of affection.

Duri decided to quit showing off and rested her head on the man's chest." Love would you mind talking to him? I am scared if I insist I will make matters worst....Please..." She perched her lips as her fingers drew circles on his broad chest, above his grey shirt in an effort to provoke his affection but strangely Taehyung felt his stomach stirring and the need to run away.

" You don't have to ask twice, love." A caring kiss was placed on her forehead before leaving to find Tata.

Duri taking advantage of his absence , transformed and a sinister leer decorated her face.Settling her expensive, navy blue Hermes Birkin on the sidetable, begun bossing around.

" You" showing Kai" get my Gucci bags to the master bedroom.Be careful! They worth more than you'll make in your entire pathetic life."

Kai mummbled tones of curses through his clenched teeth and bolted as fast as he could. That bloody woman was a living ,walking nightmare!

" You..the short one" she pointed at Hei- Ran wiggling her index finger." Prepare my bath.23 degrees.Hotter will harm my perfect skin.Use the bubblebath in my Gucci savoy beauty case.Now girl! Stop wasting my time!" she demanded scoffing." Who's next? You" showing Micha." Get me Oolong tea...Ti Kuan Yin.Not too steamy.In a porcelain cup.Two protein, oatmeal mango cookies.In my room...in twenty.Go...go!"

The girl run to the kitchen only to escape from more peculiar demands.Jungkook and EunJin remained.

" Your face indicates you are displeased with my return EunJin."she observed smirking.

The older woman had to be diplomatic to avoid irritating her or initiate further discussions." I am glad you decided to return Mrs Kim.For your family and son."

"After all these years you have become a master at manipulating words." she sneered." Leave us! Don't you dare eavesdrop." she warned her.The woman gave Jungkook a reassuring look and left hoping she would go easy on him.

" Have a seat." Her thin hand pointed at the couch.

" I' ll stand if you don't mind."

She laughed at his unequivocal reply. "Suit yourself.What's your name?"

" Kim Jungkook."

" Are you experienced in working with children... Jungkook?"

" I am a Librarian with experience in this field." he stated firmly.

" Interesting... You seem so young." she observed ,fake smiling, checking him from top to bottom with an inquiry look.

" Experience has nothing to do with age Mrs Kim."he replied sincerely , finding it quite offensive to be judged merely by his age.

Duri ignored his answer ,continuing." How long have you been doing this?"

" Since I was fifteen."

" Mmmm... May I ask why did you choose a nanny career? It's unusual for a man." she pointed out.

"I love children. Their innocence,gentle heart, simplicity. They are fun to work with." Explaining her about his profession seemed unnecessary. She obviously had no interest in knowing.

" How did my in laws find you?"

" Through Mrs Choi, my previous employer."

" Mmmm...I presume my husband informed you about our son's peculiarities."

" JungTae is an extraordinary young boy.Kind, polite with remarkable abilities and profound intuition.It's a pleasure working with him." he answered retorting.

" I see..." Duri folded her arms across her chest." Do you have a girlfriend Jungkook?"

The younger could sense the moakery in her calm tone.What was this obsession with his personal status? " No, Mrs Kim.I am single."

" Not even....a boyfriend?" Uplifting her head ,she glared at him.

" I already told you.I am single." he emphasized, placing his hands behind his back.Her interrogation was crashing his patience.

"Very well.I am going to be honest with you.JungTae is my son and now that I have returned you'll be taking orders directly from me. Your presence in his life will gradually decrease and you'll be needed only when necessary. Have I made myself clear?"

Jungkook having the intense derire to hurl something in her big head , clenched his fists behind his back, nodding.

" I' d prefer an answer." Duri instigated , smiling as the younger huffed.

" Yes Mrs Kim."

" One last thing before I dismiss you. We have employed many nannies over the years, some of which coveted my position as Taehyung 's wife.I ought to warn you I am the only one in his heart.Nobody can come between us or separate us...I am positive you get my point." she granted him a glowing yet vicious smile, turning her back, swaggering towards the marble stairs.

Watching her disappear, the younger twirled his heavy head a couple of times , massaging his scruff, contemplating her clear insinuations.' Tae is mine. Keep your hands off of him. Don't you dare try to steal him.' How tables are turned! During the past, he possessed all of Taehyung 's heart and unconditional love.Now he was the third wheel, in a way. In love with a married man. A man totally committed to his wife and family.

Evidently Taehyung was faithful and devoted to her,since he willingly chose to forget and forgive her mistakes, overlooking her distortions ( the hyungs had already informed him about them),accepting her back with open arms. Acting like a horny teenager. At night they would share passionate moments ,making love. It was more than he could handle. What the hell was he doing there? Coming between a couple? Breaking up a family? Shuffling his heavy feet, he reached the back garden ,ambling like a lifeless body, leaving the family alone.

____

Two weeks had passed and the boy's behaviour hadn't changed in the least bit. He spent most of his time isolated in his room, playing or strolling in the garden with Jungkook. Duri was only affectionate in Tae' s presence, pretending the hurt mother ,whose son's rejection had devastated her. When he was gone , her usual, indifferent, cunning , overbearing attitude continued.

She treated the staff like slaves in an American plantation, bossing them around to fulfil her demands. Jungkook was talking to his parents and hyungs daily, to get strength and visited them on his days off, as a comfort from the situation he had gotten himself into. Surprisingly, he also kept contact with the Kims since they were calling him almost every day, to learn news about any developments. Jungkook , slowly and steadily, realised they weren't that bad. In this life they loved their sons dearly.The hyungs didn't even bother visiting to welcome her.

Right now, Tata and Jungkook were in the living room , dancing and giggling while she was upstairs doing yoga to relax her tension. God knows from what!

" KOOKIE THIS IS FUN!" Tata shouted bouncing on the couch." SO MUCH FUN!"

"I know! But be careful bun.You might hurt yourself!" he advised him, standing in front of the little boy, holding his hands as a precaution.

" You' ll catch me Kookie! You are my hero!" The boy 's answer brought back happy memories of himself being careless and Tae warning him. Joyful memories!" Just like Ironman!"

Jungkook laughed while EunJin and the girls were admiring the cute duo from a distance.

" They're so adorable!" Hei Ran observed.

" Our Tata 's change is remarkable!"

Micha added, smiling." He hugged and kissed me yesterday when I gave him his fruit salad."

" He feels loved by Kookie and opening up. That boy is a treasure!" EunJin admitted and meant every word.

" If only the ' evil witch ' could disappear!" Hei Ran commended making a disgust look.

" Mrs Kim is his mother and Taehyung 's wife." the older woman replied strictly.

" Some mother! Abandoning her family to become high and mighty. I can't understand why our boss forgives her every time." Hei Ran said scoffing, only to receive an angry look from the older woman.

" It's not our place to judge our employers.So watch your mouth!" she scolded the girl, who rolled her eyes.

Distracted by their small talk, they failed to notice a raging Duri, marching down the stairs , swinging her hips, in her black sports leggings and matching sports bra, grabbing Jungkook 's small speaker, flinging and smashing it on the floor across the room. Both Jungkook and the boy blanched at her reaction and blazing gaze.

" WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE? WHY ARE YOU SHOUTING? BEHAVING LIKE BARBARIANS MAKING SO MUCH NOISE? I CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON MY YOGA!" she snarled fiercely, clutching on Tata 's tiny hand, squeezing it, causing the boy to wheeze in pain by her rage.

" It ...hurts...stop...it..." he cried out, enforcing her menace as he was trying to pull his hand.

" BRAT! SPOILT LITTLE DEVIL! TALKING BACK TO YOUR MOTHER!"

" YOU ARE NOT MY MOTHER!"Tata yelled at her face, crying." KOOKIE SAVE ME!"

" Please Mrs Kim...you are hurting him..." Jungkook begged ber" I'll make sure he stays quiet.... please!"

The staff was petrified by her snubbing and remained motionless ,out of pure fear. Mostly because they were accustomed to her attitude and had learnt ,over the years not to interfere when Duri was behaving like a psycho.

" STOP MEDDLING IN MY RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM! KNOW YOUR PLACE.THE BOY NEEDS DISCIPLINE.A LESSON!" Duri's fuming anger was gushing out from every part of her slim body.

" THAT BRAT WON'T DISOBEY ME ANY LONGER! I AM SICK OF HIM!" Still gripping on his hand she spanked his butt a few times, while Tata 's cries rented the air.Plobbing him on the floor he took him to the small closet beneath the staircase.

Tata's efforts to shove her were in vein." NO! NO DARK! TATA IS AFRAID OF THE DARK! KOOKIE PLEAAAAAAASE!" the boy screamed ,wailing.

" SHUT UP!SHUT UP YOU LITTLE MONSTER! YOU ARE GIVING ME A HEADACHE!" She pushed him inside the dark, crammed closet shutting and locking the door." DON'T YOU DARE GET HIM OUT OR I' LL FIRE YOU! she threatened Jungkook. The woman was deranged.Her menace targeting her own son was criminally.She had no remorses, no feelings or pity for the boy.

Tata 's pleads , screams , crying were ripping the younger's heart.What sort of a heartless monster treats her son so cruel? Without rependance? He couldn't hear his cries any longer.It was too much... Neglecting the severe repercussions for him, Jungkook ,armed with determination and courage, twiched her out of the way, grabbed the keys from her fists, bustling straight to the closet. He unlocked it, held the boy's quivering body in his secure embrace, cradling him, whispering soothing words to his ears.

" You are safe now bun...Kookie is here... don't be scared..."

" D- don't...lea-leave ...Ta-tata... please..." he spluttered, hiding his sweaty head in Jungkook 's neck, gripping on the younger's T-shirt ." She ...is...mean...to Tata..." Just as Duri was about to attack them,the door was shut with a bang and Tae appeared inside.

" What's happening here? Why so much fuss? Why is JungTae crying?" he acquired worriedly but received no reply." I asked you a question.Why is he crying?" He dushed to the boy 's side, caressing his head. , searching for potential injuries.Duri, worried about Taehyung 's reaction and rage

blocked his way, placing her hands on his chest.

" Darling boys at this age cry all the time without a reason.Pay no attention please." She pecked his lips." How was your day?" She tried to change the subject but failed.

"You haven't answered my questions." he insisted blantly ,staring at the younger 's scared eyes." Jungkook care to elaborate?"

The younger gulped uncertain whether or not to reveal the truth.Why would he believe him? He hated his guts.Waiting for a reason to fire him.But Jungkook was no coward." We were dancing with loud music...You wife was upstairs.... working out..She...shouted at Tata and locked him in the closet..." he finally admitted ,avoiding her burning gaze.If looks could kill he was already dead.

Taehyung threa his briefcase on the couch and calmly instructed Jungkook " Take JungTae out of the house. Don't come back unless I call you."

The younger obeyed grabbing his stuff,Tata 's jacket and bolting in relief. He definitely didn't want to be around when all hell would break loose.

" The rest of you return to your jobs. Don't interrupt us for any reason."

" Baby..."

Taehyung raised his hand to shut her up. He was making a huge effort not to fly over the handle and choke her with his bear hands ." I have exhibited great patience concering your life choices .Your overbearing persuit of success at the expense of our family .Your multiple indiscretions. Your negligence towards our marriage and son. Accepted you back each time you chose to return, feeding me fake promises about wanting to save our relationship. You can be as repugnant as you desire with me...but OUR SON IS ENTIRELY DIFFERENT.He is your baby. Your flesh and blood. Why treat him as if you hate him? What makes you act so cruel ? He is a little child. He will play, jump around, yell as a normal five- year-old. Why do you find him so irritating?" His heart felt like a jackhammer in his chest. Finding all sorts of excuses for her was draining his will. Killing his endurance. Making him feel inadequate and a bad father.

" Of course I don't hate our son darling! Don't say that! It hurts me deeply! It's devastating ,watching him adore a stranger rather than his mother. He pays more attention to him than me! He ignores me... disobeys me...makes no effort to get closer to his own mother... Do you have any idea how agonising it is for me?"

" And what's your response? Have you tried getting closer to him? Approach him? As a mother? Show him love? Play? Take him out ? Read him a book? No. You are a simple bystander in his life." Taehyung perceived , coclling his fingers through his hair. He had the illusion her return would be the kick off of a new era for them.

Tears were brimming down her face.Not from sadness but from being caught as she loomed up." I lost my self control...I reacted harshly...I understand that now...It won't happen again my love...You know the depths of my love for you..."

" It's not about us Duri but about your non existing relationship and affection for Tata. The same boy you tortured a few minutes ago... Justifying your actions won't correct the situation. Your words are meaningless.Your actions count." he heaved , rubbing his forehead.The situation was giving him a splitting headache.

" My insecurities about our marriage affect my relationship with him. I feel inadequate...scared of being rejected by him, like you reject me...so many times... Your only care, concern is for our son...After his birth I seemed to vanish for you...My every attempt to reach out to you ,failed.You don't see me a woman, merely as the mother of your son...I seized to exist... How long has it been since we made love? You haven't touched me in five years... I have been rejected over and over again by the only man I have ever loved...Do you know how much it hurts? I left because I couldn't be around you knowing I meant nothing to you .." She wipped the tears with the back of her hands, pretending to shake.

" So you seeked comfort in the arms of other men." he pointed out in a gravelly tone, stepping back once she tried to touch him." Blaming me for cheating? You were absent Duri. Let's not forget that."

" They are meaningless to me...I have no feelings for them...But I yearn a human touch to feel alive...to feel my blood rushing through my veins...to be reminded I am a woman with needs and desires...not just an object who gave birth to Kim Taehyung 's heir... Why can't you understand? Why can't you see me as a woman? Why?" So many years of acting had finally paid off. Creating quilts and doubts to Tae regarding his attitude. Distracting him from what was essential.

Duri was a manipulative person, turning every situation to her advantage. Her knowledge Taehyung would never risk losing his family and son was a leverage in her hands.

Taehyung was baffled. Duri had managed to create reasonable doubts on whether or not he had handled their situation appropriately.He had made mamy mistakes during the last five years concerning his wife. His first and only priority was his family and had every intention of correcting them, even If that meant putting aside his pride." Perhaps it's partly my fault. Tata became my first priority, disregarding your desires. We forgot how to live.Feel.Have fun like we used to... I am sorry for neglecting you...us..but don't ever hurt our son the same way." he warned her strictly.

She threw herself into his arms, kissing him passionately." I promise darling... I will the best mother for Tata and the best wife for you. I love you both so much!"

" I hope that's true...for all of us." he admitted, holding her by the waist. He was well aware ,he was acting like a fool, but needed to hold on to the belief she meant every word. 'She is my wife..the mother of my son'...he kept repeating in his head ,like a broken record. His foolishness had no boundaries.

" How about we start over? Go out on dates? Get to know eachother? Enjoy our time together? A fresh , new beginning! Would you like that?" Her sweet , calming voice once again deceived Taehyung.

Her manipulative nature , acting skills could easily exploit the man 's foggy , confused mind. Instead of quarreling with his abusive, cunning wife, teaching her a valuable lesson ,he indulged her wickedness and agreed.

" Go get ready...I am taking you out."