Chapter 12 (1/2)

<b style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:Times;font-size:medium;font-weight:normal;">A few years ago

“Taecyeon. Long time no see.”

“Hi, hyung. Good to see you and everyone else after 2 years. I didn't even see my mom and came here.”

“We missed you too, boy. But Taecyeon-sshi, let's get straight to the point, shall we? We called you here so we can discuss your new contract.”

“But the boys won't come back until next year. And Chansung went just a few months ago. So what's the point?”

“Well, we are negotiating separately.”

“But we are a band, we only negotiate in group.”

“We need to discuss the terms separately now. New policy.”

“Well, about that. It's good that I'm here because I wanted to tell you something. I want ask for some time for myself. While they don't come back I wanted to go to America. Maybe release something there? Maybe study, travel, I don't know. All I know is I want to explore.”

“What? You can't do that.”

“Why?”

“Listen, Taecyeon. If you opt out now, there is no coming back. You are out of JYPE. We can't let artists do as they please. You have to understand that. We have awesome plans for you. Dramas, solo career, hosting jobs. Amazing possibilites.”

“I'm not saying I want to be out of JYPE or 2PM. I just want some time for myself. Chansung, Wooyoung and Junho won't be here anyway. So I just want to have this. Only this little time, please.”

“About that... Chansung and Wooyoung might not come back. Ever.”

“What?”

“They are out. Personal reasons. We are having 2pm without them.”

“Then there is no point talking anyway. Talk to my lawyer. I'm out.”

He looked himself at the mirror and sighed, remembering the disastrous conversation for the thousandth time. Taecyeon's gaze went to his sharp eyes. They were focused and alert. Ready. He closed the faucet, drying his hands looking at himself one more time.

That talk finished badly, but he carried it in his heart. Not because he was found of those memories, but because he kept his mistakes in box inside himself. Taecyeon regretted storming off like that, clearly one of the few cases he let his feeling get the best of him. He couldn't have a band without Chansung and Wooyoung, however his negotiating skills were poor. And that's why he kept his bad memories alive inside himself. They would help him not to make new mistakes. Too much was at stake now and he couldn't be wrong again. Everyone was so emotionally involved, it was important for him to be the one with his head on the right place.

“You look good, okcat. You can nail this,” he said to his smirking reflection and took a deep breath. He left the restroom to find Chansung sprawled lazily at his bed. He was holding a book and seemed to be hypnotized by it.

“Yah, are you not getting ready?”

“Yeah, about that, hyung,” he said, dropping the book and getting up. “I don't think I'm ready for this.” The youngest had a scowl on his face, his eyebrows pinched in worry.

“About what?” he asked with a nervous laugh. “We are just meeting Minjun and his son. Right?” Chansung squinted his eyes briefly, making Taecyeon squirm a little. But instantly his expression gone soft.

“Hyung, it's just... I feel a little angry today. I don't think it's the right time to leave your house. I just need some time alone when my feels are not in the right place.”

“Chansung, you didn't even leave home since your wedding.” His friend's expression hardened instantly, making Taecyeon regret his words. “Sorry. I mean... I love helping you and having you in my home. But you need to shake this depression. Let's do this, alright? Go shave and then we leave.”

“I guess you are right,” he added defeatedly. “But I'm not shaving.” He smiled coyly, stroking his chin. “I think I will rock this look from now on. It's not like we have concerts to make, right?” He looked at Taecyeon inquisitively, a tiny smirk on his lips.

“No, of course not.” Again a nervous laugh. “I will wait for you downstairs. Hurry up.” Taecyeon descended the stairs quickly, giggling because he was such a lousy liar. But at least he convinced the maknae.

Half an hour later they were on the car on their way to Minjun's house. Like he promised, Chansung still wore his faint stubble.

“I know what you are doing. Or at least I think I know what you are doing,” Chansung said after long moments of silence.

Taecyeon's eyes were still on the road, but he didn't need to look at Chansung to know his expression. Living like a family for so many years caused them to know each other's every sign, humor change. He knew every sadness that took over them, joy or pain. And that's why he needed everything back. Thinking on how they were now caused his stomach to drop immediately. So even if he lied, he needed to do that. For them and for himself.

“So be a good boy and help your hyung, okay?”

“I will try, hyung. But you know how it is. You know how he treated me after everything that happened. You weren't here, but you know how it was.”

“I do. But let's try again, okay. Please make an effort.”

“I will go, but I'm not sure I want to go there again, hyung. I'm good now. I'm taking care of my gym, going to college. I'm not sure I want to go back to that madness again.”

“Can you honestly say you are happy with all of this? I swear if you are then I won't insist,” Taecyeon added in a deep voice.

“I, I...” Chansung stuttered. And that was a good enough answer to Taecyeon. If you have to think twice when someone asks you if you are happy, it must mean some corner of your life does not make you complete and satisfied. You can be the happiest person in the world, but if there is something nagging at you and making you second guess yourself, then it means there is room for improvement, there is room for more. And Chansung was always a driven kid, always a fighter. If he thought having 2PM was going to make him completely happy, he knew he would take a chance on them again.

“Okay. We are here. Just hear us out and don't make anything rash.”

“When did I ever?”

“You are right, you are a good maknae. So don't start to be a bad one now, okay?” he said with a laugh and ruffled his hair a little. Together they rang Minjun's bell and waited. Chansung looked relaxed, maybe a little wild with his new stubble. But calm nonetheless.

“Come in,” Minjun said through the speaker.