Secrets - [TAEBIN FF]

Chapter 21

"Ah... thank you."

Soobin gave him a tight hug, to which he replied by wrapping both arms tightly around his middle. The couple just stood there, enjoying each other's warmth and presence in the cold wind of December, where it couldn't touch them.

"Bye Tyun; make sure to get home safely," Soobin said.

"I will; you too as well."

They shared meaningful smiles before parted their ways. Once Soobin was out of sight, Taehyun quickly fished out his phone, hid behind the café as there was a tiny alley where you can take the trash out, and dialed a number.

["Hello?"]

"Hey Mom, I'm getting my first paycheck today."

["Oh really?!"]

"Yeah, my boss told me last night, forgot to mention it. Anything you want from the grocery store, I'm planning to head there."

["Not that I can think of... why, what do you need?"]

Taehyun pursed his lips.

What can I get that is nice and affordable for us... half, no, most of the money needs to go into Yuna and Lia's treatment...

And then he realized what they could do.

"Hey Mom?"

["Yeah?"]

"How much yarn and candle wax do we still have?"

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

On Wednesday, Soobin woke up and saw the date on the righthand side of his alarm clock: December 5th.

A small smile formed on his face.

I can't believe it: I'm finally an adult.

Soobin got dressed into something nice and warm and headed downstairs. To his surprise, his parents were sitting downstairs in the dining room at their seats at the table, which was seemingly more nicely decorated than usual. There was nicer cutlery, a wider variety of food, and... flowers too?

They... remembered it was my birthday?

Strangely, Soobin felt pretty happy to see them.

Seems like they really did.

And at that moment they noticed him.

"Happy 18th birthday Soobin," Woohan greeted.

Soobin couldn't help but smile, the little child in him who seeked his parents' warmth waking up in him.

"Thank you Father."

"Come sit here. Now that you're an adult, we'd like to discuss a few things with you," Seolhyun said, gesturing for him to come closer.

Soobin nodded, and sat down at his usual spot while looking at his parents.

Fixing her posture, Soobin's mother began.