Chapter Three: Breaking the Ice
"Maybe this is what you need, Renjunnie," his friend Minjeong said over their FaceTime call. "Just think of it this way: you'll get to know them better, and maybe, just maybe, Jaemin will be a little nicer to you. It's a date, not a business proposal," she added.
Renjun sighed and nodded. She was right. He should get to know them since they had started off on the wrong foot.
"Thanks, Minjeong. I can always count on you," he said.
"Anytime. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to get back to baking," she replied, ending the call.
Renjun looked at himself in the mirror and took a deep breath. Just have fun, he reminded himself.
He headed downstairs. "I'm ready."
---
They arrived at the diner where Renjun's mother had made a reservation. It was a very nice place, definitely exuding a rich ambiance.
"Renjun," the waitress greeted him.
"Jimin!" Renjun exclaimed, pulling her into a big hug. "I was just on the phone with Minjeong. What a coincidence!"
For some reason, Jaemin felt his blood boil. Who's this, and who's Minjeong?
"Oh! Did she show you baby Jannie?" Jimin asked.
Renjun nodded. "Yes, she was so cute. You two make such nice parents, by the way."
Baby? Parents? Jaemin thought. His heart finally stopped pounding. Jimin and Minjeong were a couple, and they have a baby. He didn't know what that feeling was—maybe jealousy.
At the table, Jimin brought them the menus, and they started to order. It wasn't Renjun's first time eating at this restaurant, so he ordered his usual. Jaemin ordered shrimp fried rice, and Jeno opted for steak. Despite the initial silence, the meal was enjoyable.
"So, Renjunnie," Jeno started. Renjun was surprised by the nickname. He kind of liked it when Jeno called him that. "What do you do outside of work?"
Renjun hummed thoughtfully. "Well, I have a library in the mansion. That's where I spend most of my time."
Jeno smiled, his eyes turning into crescent moons. Renjun couldn't help but blush. Jeno was too cute.
Jaemin decided to stay silent. He was the quiet type anyway, always observing his surroundings and letting Jeno and Renjun talk for the rest of the night.
YOU ARE READING
𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 ; 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧
फैनफिक्शन"Marriage isn't always a fairy tale, especially when it's orchestrated by others. Renjun's parents pressured Jeno and Jaemin into his life, weaving their fates together in a way that wasn't always joyful."
