𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧ˡᵉᵉ ʲᵉⁿᵒ

11

Flanked closely to his father, Jeno sat quietly as he listened to the conversation the grown ups were having. Seated infront of him was his pretend girlfriend, Lee Jinhee, her eyes lowered while she avoided anyone's gaze. Unlike any other day, her parents were draped in rich fabric, dressed casually for the business dinner to discuss their future plans. 

". . . my son really likes her, doesn't he." It wasn't a question but nonetheless Jeno answered with a slight nod. Exuding an air of satisfaction, the older man continued. "I really do hope you get married in the future."

Jinhee glanced at Jeno, meeting his eyes. His brown orbs could set the whole room aflame, if only he had the power to do that. I will never marry you, his orbs said. She didn't want to marry him either, although she had a tiny crush growing each day. 

"Marriage is a big word, Mr.Lee." Jinhee's father chuckled. "We still have years left to think about that."

"Of course, you're right." Jeno's father answered with another chuckle. "But an engagement is possible, is it not?"

It was her mother's turn to reply. "It is. We can arrange everything by the time summer arrives."

The families dined in a restaurant where Jeno's father booked a private room next to a Koi Fish pond. Jinhee would've spent the entire meal staring at the water, letting her mind wander along the fishes if not for her own duties she had to fulfill. She matched her fake smiles with Jeno, speaking only when she was called. She also kept herself away from liquor, but still forced herself to eat the delicious food set in front of her.

Jeno on the other hand, kept his mask on for the entire night. He willingly let himself take part in their conversation, and for his father's surprise, he had started to discuss about business as well.  Somehow their conversation took a turn when the couple decided to ask their future son in law about his hobbies.

"I like driving." Jeno answered simply while choosing the right words carefully enough to reduce any suspicions. "You could say I like racing as well, but I don't have the time for that anymore."

"Ah." Jinhee'a mother sighed. "My daughter had a friend who used to do that."

That. Her mother never brought up the word racing ever since the day Ivy died, but also it ended up being the day when Jinhee got exposed to her family. Her parents, especially her mother, forbade the girl from driving a car.

"Poor girl died before she had the chance to complete her not so bright future." The woman continued with a dry voice. "Her parents are hiding the fact that her death was causes by a car accident, racing underground with no purpose."

Jeno noticed how Jinhee turned her head, fixing on her mother with a smoldering deadly stare. He cleared his throat, finally knowing how to react to this kind a situation after being explained of Ivy's death.

"Ivy...she's my friend's sister." Jeno muttered. "He told me that the reason is still unclear."

Jinhee's father scoffed. "To cover up the truth those people will say anything. Our country has to ban this stupid underground racing once and for all. Arrest all those pathetic racers and put them in jail for a couple of years to teach them a lesson."

It was Jeno's turn to be furious. He ripped his eyes away from the man and took a deep breath. Although it wasn't obvious that he wanted to slap the man in front of him, Jinhee had a little hope blooming in her chest, wanting him to do the action. After all, she loved racing more than anything in this world.

"Underground racing is quite dangerous." Jeno's father muttered, eyeing his son. It wasn't a secret. It never was. Jeno made it clear to his father the day after being recruited that he used to drive his car in Jeju in empty roads, highest speed even. Yet, he didn't know anything about his son joining a group of underground racers, including his nephew Lee Donghyuck.

"What I mean to say is," Jeno tried to cover his secret with a smile which didn't reach his eyes. "I love driving to clear up my mind, slow enough to enjoy my surroundings."

"Ah, something like a road trip?" Jinhee's mother asked, faking her interest to win Jeno's heart. "Please take Jinhee with you one day. She doesn't do anything but lock herself up in her room to study."

The mother places her hand on Jinhee, her expensive rings brushing past her brown locks. The girl cringed internally but certainly didn't show it.

"Will you?" Jeno's father asked jokingly. "She looks tired, even now."

"How about I drive her home? Now?" Jeno asked, taking the opportunity to escape the dinner. He threw a glance at Jinhee, who was already exhausted by her parent's mediocre acting, wanting nothing but the luxury of her room. "It's summer and we can enjoy the ride to clear our heads."

"Wonderful idea." Jinhee's father beamed. "You're excused."

The pair sat in Jeno's car, the one he uses for transportation around Seoul while his favourite one stayed locked in Donghyuck's garage.  Jinhee tried to swallow the dip of sadness rising inside her like a tidal wave. She sighed, resting her head on the headrest while Jeno started the car.

"Safety first." Jeno mumbled, leaning way too close for her liking to secure the seat belt. 

As soon as they've reached home, Jinhee's home, the girl turned to apologise for what her father had said. Before she could start, he cleared his throat to speak first.

"You don't have to say anything about what happened tonight." He voiced dryly. "It's all business."

"Yeah..." Her voice faded as she played with her white sleeves of her top. "But I'm still sorry for what my dad said about...your hobby."

Jeno shook his head. "I'm used to such comments." He turned around to look at her, the fire in his brown orbs long gone. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight." She pursed her lips into a thin line before exiting, wishing she had said more to comfort him.

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So i've been reading some books lately and i keep wondering, WHY ISN'T ANY OF THESE FEMALE PROTAGONISTS GETTING THEIR PERIOD???? Watch me make Yuhwa suffer with hers lmao