illicit affairs (a Jihyo x Fictional Male Character Fanfic)

Chapter 8: The Road Less Traveled By

It took Min-ju more than four times to convince Jihyo to take the trip with him, saying that his family and friends are like him, who hardly made a big deal over an individual's status.

"It'll be okay," he assured as Jihyo held onto him while he shifted gears.

While fear overrode her system, a huge part of her had been very curious about the man beside her. Who was Min-ju's family and friends? What was he like growing up? Which places did he frequent in his hometown? What were the factors that contributed in transforming Min-ju into the man she never thought would sweep her off her feet?

"You can nap if you want to. It's gonna be a few hours," Min-ju suggested as they exited into the main highway.

"What? And sacrifice the little time we could be like this?" Jihyo shook her head, tickling Min-ju's ear. She yielded and stared out the window as they whizzed past greeneries. "Anything I should know before meeting your family?"

"Nothing much really. Appa works as a chef in my uncle's restaurant, Umma owns a small art supplies store, and my sister is an incoming senior high school student," he shared casually. "Oh, and she's a huge Army-the half of her room belongs to BTS."

Jihyo hummed, a little wary that Min-ju has a family member that's heavily into idols. "So...was she disappointed that you ended up in our company?"

"Eh...maybe a little," he shot back with a chuckle.

In the desire to make a preemptive good impression, Jihyo offered, "I can ask them for a personalized greeting as a favor, y'know..."

He shook his head with a slight seriousness. "No need for that. We don't like feeling indebted to people."

"It's nothing really."

"Seriously don't," he insisted with a grin. "Just relax."

She wished that it was as easy as turning off a switch, but it was her first time being introduced to a significant other's family. It had always been discreet rendezvous on exclusive villages and buildings with her exes, just to prevent giving the paparazzi fodder. The idea of inching closer to a formal introduction rattled Jihyo more than performing in front of thousands of nameless admirers.

Was it too late to jump off a car that was going at more than a hundred kilometers per hour? She should have known better-even with Min-ju's assurance, going to Busan unannounced (with a man nonetheless) was a huge risk at the very least. It's not like the province was a backward place with no access to media and technology, so what was it about him that Jihyo couldn't resist?

"Sorry, it's just that...I haven't done this before."

Min-ju glanced at her. "What do you mean?"

"This. Driving across the country to meet your boyfriend's family."

Hearing the term "boyfriend" from Jihyo's mouth warmed Min-ju's insides and the apprehensions of someone so strong-willed made him gush. Or maybe it was the unexpected innocence.

***

The gods haven't abandoned me, Jihyo thought. Min-ju's family lived in Sujeong, an area that was far from the shopping district, as well as main attractions in Busan. The streets weren't as busy as she expected it to be.

They arrived at the Jung household as the sun was about to set. Jihyo stayed inside the car and wore her mask again as Min-ju brought out their luggage.

It was a modest, two-floor home with a small patch beside the doorway that served as their garden. Nondescript was the best way Jihyo could describe their home-not ostentatious at all.