Diamond nation

20. The human bunny I have scored

A/N: Dear readers, sorry but I am having such a hard time finding some free minutes to complete my chapter. I am moving homes, adjusting to a new job and trying to just float. I apologize for all the delay but I'll try and make sure I come to a routine here.

"Tae", a soft voice piped up making the man turn his head around. "What do you think of this?"

He saw Arin standing there holding a paint brush, pointing at a canvas which she wanted him to see. "I think it looks beautiful", he replied with his boxy smile. "I can't seem to figure if you painted a sea shore or if I am looking at a picture of one"

The woman chuckled at this cheesy compliment. "This is the beach you like. The one in LA. I know that place bought you a lot of peace and we are far away from there. So maybe this painting can be your source of strength"

Taehyung's heart filled with admiration as he heard this. He stood up to go put an arm around her shoulder before giving her cheeks a soft peck. "Thank you Arin", he added. She smiled and hugged back as they held each other and admired the peace of art.

"Wait did you just add sponge bob in the side?", he squinted his eyes. Arin laughed at being caught. "Yes so when you feel sad while looking at this, it can make you laugh after"

Taehyung chuckled as he saw that meme picture of sponge bob. But soon his laughter stopped as he remembered how Chaerin once printed a life size poster of it to add to Alison's room just to get back at her for saying Sponge bob was childish.

"Why", suddenly Arin's voice piped in. "Did something happen? Did I do something wrong"

"No", Taehyung shook his head. "Its not your fault or anything. I just recalled something which I didn't want to"

"What is it about?", the woman placed a hand on his shoulder. "Tell me maybe I can help"

Taehyung looked at her for a second before looking at his feet. "Arin, I think its time I told you about Chaerin"

———•••———

Something about Jungkook felt off and Chaerin could see it. She watched him mindlessly play around with his food as he stared at the plate like his mind was somewhere else.

"Kookie", she called to him and the man looked up. "Is everything alright? The food is completely cold and you haven't had one bite"

"Yeah sorry I am just—", he paused. "I was thinking about something and that distracted me"

"Do you want to share", Chaerin asked hopeful.

"Chae", he called out. "What plans do we have for the future? We are both going to complete our MBA next month. I know you have been thinking hard about accepting the associate position with that investment bank. I have two offers lined up but my dad wants me to come back and join his work. What will we do?"

Chaerin felt silent as she heard this. He wanted to go back? Or at least he was thinking about it. She on the other hand wanted to take this lucrative offer. While Chaerin's career was equally important to her, she didn't want to put it before him.

"Do you want to go back to Seoul?", she asked unsure.

Jungkook sighed. "I have to. I don't have a choice. My father isn't the type to take no for an answer. But I also don't want to force you to come with me. I know your career is important to you. But the thought of living so far away from you also scares me"

Chaerin gulped as she heard this. She took a minute to think about it herself. After a moment of silence between the two, she put a hand on his arm. "We can move to Seoul", she smiled. "Seoul is home and there is nothing wrong with you wanting to go back. I can always find work there. I also want to be closer to my parents. No matter how childlike they act, doesn't change the fact that they are both nearing 60 soon and are getting old. Physical boundaries will not stop my ambition. So don't worry"

"Are you sure Chae, I don't want you to ever feel like you have to do it because of me"

"I am not doing it for you. I am doing it for us. I need you as much as you need me. And I am in a position to be flexible and make a compromise so I will", she smiled and placed a hand on his cheek. "Plus when I start my own firm, I want you and your dad to feel the direct competition"

Jungkook chuckled as he heard this. "We are a force together so you better be ready to shut down your doors as soon as you open them", he teased her.

Chaerin laughed as she saw him. "Dont worry about it JK. We will figure everything out. The human bunny that I have scored, I have no plans on letting him go anywhere"

The man smiled as he nodded. Taking her hand in his, he gave it a kiss before proceeding to land one on her lips.

———•••———

"Alison Kim"

The said woman looked at her mother while the older glared. "You and I need to have a serious talk"

"Mom—"

"Don't mom me", came the pact reply. "What the heck have you done with your life. Is there anything you want to do beyond shopping and living glam? Or is that the only things on your mind"

"I am trying to grow woolworks", Alison defended herself. "I got myself an investor without daddy's help. We are finally making profits now. How can you say I am not doing anything?"

The older woman shook her head as she sighed. "Let's get real sweetie. That's just a side project for you. Every year you find something to do like this and as soon as it bores you, you leave. Like you did with ALIS Skincare, ALIS beauty and that random matcha company you tried to run"

"I might have had some failures", Alison retorted, pretty offended. "But I am still passionate about this. Its been two years and I haven't dropped it so I don't see why you think I will now"

"Let's give it six months", the mother scoffed. "Anyways, your father wants you to meet a couple of people coming next month. He has booked your tickets and you are required to be in Seoul"

"I can't come next month", Alison yelled. "Chaerin graduates and I have to be at the ceremony where she is receiving her medal and giving the commencement speech"

"Fine", the woman replied. "After two months and this time its going to be for good"

All colour left Alison's face as she heard the last bit. "For good...", she slowly muttered. Seeing her daughter look this dejected, her mother too felt bad. "Look sweetie, you have had your fun here in the States. For the past seven years you have been here and we have gotten you everything you have asked for. Now it makes no sense for you to stay here. Even Taehyung moved back. He is contributing so much to the business and also teaches visual arts classes at Korea University on the side. Can you also not pursue your passions back home instead of being this away from your family?"

Alison looked at her feet, feeling too overwhelmed to speak. Her mother was right. She had wasted quite the time here and now maybe she could get serious. "I'll come home", she quietly added. "Give me three months, I'll be back"

The woman smiled as she nodded. "Its time our family live together as one. We all miss you Areum. Mom and Dad are not getting any younger", she chuckled. "So come live with us while we are still around"

Alison yelled angry, "I have told you not to talk about things like this". With that she tightly hugged her mother. "Don't start a drama at every chance you get old lady"

Her mother laughed as she hugged back. Alison closed her eyes as she held her mother. Maybe it was time for her to really accept her fate. Maybe she really wasn't meant to be successful and do something of her own. Maybe she just didn't have it. Maybe she wasn't good enough to be loved and now her parents were going to find a stuck up rich man for her who she probably wouldn't be able to stand. Maybe she deserved this for how she acted all her life. Maybe happiness wasn't really supposed to be her thing.