Encore

17. Dinner

"Hello dad? Yes, I am on my way. Do I need to bring anything? Okay. See you dad. Love you." Jackson tapped on his wireless earphone, hanging up.

His brother and his family came to Beijing to celebrate him clinching the music deal for one of the Marvel movies. So, his mother decided to hold a family dinner tonight.

After Jackson got off the car, he texted Jaebeom that he won't be having dinner. He felt a little bad, hoping that Jaebeom didn't cook dinner for him. If not, it would be left cold.

Taking off his shoes at the doorstep, he could hear laughter coming from the house. Sure, his family tends to be quite noisy. But they never laughed that loud before.

"Mum! I am home. What's for dinner?" Opening the door, he was greeted by the sight of Jaebeom sitting beside his mother, pouring over a large book.

Wait a second. Is that his childhood photobook?

"Mum!" Jackson quickly stepped forward to cover the photobook, his ears reddened.

"Okay okay we won't tease you." Sophia chuckled seeing Jackson's flustered appearance. "But Jaebeom, next time you visit, we should continue, okay?" Jaebeom nodded vigorously. He laughed when Jackson punched him lightly on the arm.

Pouting, Jackson was about to complain more when he felt a tug on his pants.

"Aimee! I missed you." Jackson squatted down, talking softly to his niece. He sat down on the floor, cross-legged. She crawled onto his lap, playing with the bracelets and rings Jackson wore. He just let her, kissing the top of her head.

Jaebeom smiled at the scene before him. Taking out his phone, he took a photo.

"I saw that."

Busted.

"Well, I am a photographer. I tend to take what is happening in daily life." Jaebeom tried to play it cool.

Jackson narrowed his eyes. "Don't think you are off the hook. I haven't even asked you how you came to my parents' house."

"Jaebeom! Could you help me set up the dining table?" Sophia asked.

Jaebeom grinned sheepishly before running off. Jackson just shook his head, burying his head into Aimee's stomach. Aimee tilted her head, wondering why her uncle's ears were so red.

-----

They were about to sit at the dining table when Aimee squeezed herself in between Jaebeom and Jackson.

"Aimee?"

"He bully uncle." She glared fiercely at Jaebeom. Jaebeom looked lost, trying to recall what he did to incur her wrath.

"What did he do?" Jackson's brother (let's call him Eric) asked curiously.

Aimee crossed her arms. "He made uncle's ears red! Uncle not fweeling well."

Jackson's jaw dropped. Looking at the others, he saw all their knowing smirks at him. Thank goodness Jaebeom just seemed confused.

"Aimee, look at me."

Aimee turned towards Jackson, her head cast down. Jackson brought her to sit on his lap.

"Uncle is fine. In fact, look! Jaebeom took a picture of us. Don't we look good in it?" Jackson showed her the picture Jaebeom took earlier.

Aimee peeked at the picture before reluctantly nodding her head.

"Okay. But I will keep an eye on you." Aimee gazed suspiciously at Jaebeom. She protectively wrapped her arms around Jackson's waist, her tiny arms barely covering.