Blue and Grey || Taejin

Chapter 24

Seokjin stood up, partially because he was in shock, partially because he had to greet them. He bowed stiffly, his features tight with anticipation as Daehyun sat next to Nayeon and smiled at her with all of her pearl-teeth in display; she looked like an eager shark.

"Nayeon, if I'm correct, you don't mind our guest here, do you? She's like a part of our family at this point," Mrs. Kim laughed as a conclusion as she sat on one end of the table, mirroring her husband.

"Yes, she is quite the social lady. Sometimes I feel like she was meant to be our daughter," Mr. Kim added to his wife as he gazed at Nayeon expectantly, as if waiting for a rebuttal any moment.

"I'm glad to see how welcoming you two are," Nayeon replied with a nervous quiver of her bottom lip.

Seokjin tried not to snort and judging from his brother's expression, he was trying to hold in his disdain as well.

"So... Nayeon, tell us about yourself," Mrs. Kim urged, although Seokjin comprehended that there was another layer to the question. Tell us how potent you are to be the partner of the future owner of our company was more like it.

"Currently, I am studying Performing Arts. My ambition is to be an idol singer, so my university is already helping me apply for a agencies." Nayeon finished off with a relieved nod.

"An idol singer..." Mrs. Kim murmured with a pleased smile, which confused Seokjin.

What was she plotting?

"How is the application process going?" Mr. Kim inquired with his chin pointed at Nayeon.

Nayeon chuckled nervously for a moment before saying, "My university is taking care of it currently. I haven't been informed about most of it yet-"

"Ah, so there's uncertainty," Mr. Kim remarked.

"Uncertainty is normal for applicants," Seokjung intervened, drawing the attention of his parents from Nayeon to him.

"And what good does uncertainty do in this world, Seokjung-sshi?" Daehyun returned with a cheshire cat smile.

"In spite of the uncertainty, Nayeon is gifted enough to be accepted into any idol training agency," Seokjung affirmed with such clarity that Seokjin doubted their parents would question the matter any further.

"Of course," Mrs. Kim said, her voice strained, still not adapted to her elder son not abiding by what he had been rendered to.

"Idol training... It consumes most of your time on a daily basis, if I am not wrong?" Mr. Kim wove his words carefully.

"Yes..."

"Then you will surely be busy after you get accepted to an agency?" Mrs. Kim inquired, her eyes glinting in cunningness.

"You see, dear, Daehyun over here is the Chief Financial Officer of her mother's company. As much as she must labor, she does have enough time to give her partner. She can simultaneously balance both parts of her life. Can you?"

Mrs. Kim was surrounded by the air of triumph as she held her head high and stared down at Nayeon who seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown.

As much as Seokjin despised what his mother was executing, he could not counter her point. It was a fair argument that Nayeon indeed would be occupied most of her days due to intensive idol training. And secretly dating as an idol...

Oh no...

Seokjin understood where this was going. His parents had come ready for this conversation.

Can you?

The question hung in the air when dinner was served in fine ceramic dishes paired with glasses of wine. Seokjin just could not swallow his food with Nayeon sitting right in front of him with a torn expression, as if her most feared nightmare was coming alive. Seokjung did not look any better. He kept glancing at his parents as if to demand Why?

Throughout the dinner Nayeon kept taking short glimpses of Daehyun, sitting all upright and proper whereas Nayeon sat with her shoulders hunched. Nayeon kept flattening her skirt while her eyes kept flitting towards the expensive, glittery dress that Daehyun was wearing. Her shattering confidence was too prominent.

"So Nayeon..." Mrs. Kim began after dabbing the corners of her lips with a napkin.

"Ye-Yes, Mrs. Kim?" Nayeon asked with a stutter.

"Have you decided yet?" Mrs. Kim's smile was too evil to be real.

"Decided...?"

"Nayeon, your options are quite scarce. There is high uncertainty of your future. It's about time you decide whether or not you want to choose your love life over your life long career," Mr. Kim provided in a tone that seemed like this was nothing more than a business negotiation to him.

"We can figure it out together, Abbeo-nim," Seokjung spoke up, placing his hand over Nayeon's on the table.

Seokjin admired the determination in his voice but could he really win this?

Seokjin had never felt so helpless before.

Laughter boomed through the dining hall, petrifying Seokjin to the spot. It was once in a blue moon that their father let out anything near a chuckle.

"You really have grown up, son. But alas, I am sure Nayeon will not appreciate it if her boyfriend has to choose for her. Am I not right, Nayeon?" Mr. Kim raised an eyebrow.

"I- I need to think about it." Nayeon was not meeting Seokjung's gaze.

"Abbeo-nim, Eomeo-nim," Seokjin finally spoke even though he felt like he was swallowing hot rocks. "With due respect, I think their relationship is in their hands only; both of their hands. So it's better if we don't interfere-"

"Oh, you don't talk, Seokjin," Mrs. Kim spat.

"You are nothing but a nuisance to this gathering. If you are done eating, why don't you leave? This is a serious discussion. Your idealism cannot partake in this conversation," Mrs. Kim sneered and her husband nodded to agree with her.

"But-"

"Seokjin," Mr. Kim held up his hand. "You are clearly aware that actions have consequences, right?"

Seokjin gulped at his father's threatening tone. He looked at Seokjung and saw his pleasing eyes for the first time, as if asking him to do something, anything.

"Min Yoongi is his name right?" Mr. Kim asked, a sadistic gleam in his eyes.

"Abbeo-nim-"

"If you care about him so much, I would suggest you to leave now."

Swallowing hard and ignoring his brother's hopeless eyes, Seokjin stood up and exited the dining hall.

Outside, Seokjin leaned against the doors and stared at the floor, his heart overflowing with guilt. But what could have he done anyways? He would never be able to convince his parents no matter how much he tried. He would never to able to help his brother.

"Hyung."

Seokjin's eyes shot up at the staircase where V stood with a bored expression as if he had been waiting for some time.

He had forgotten to cancel V for tonight.

"Aren't you coming?"

Seokjin ran. He didn't know why he ran, but his limbs just carried him towards V and he fell straight into V, clutching his shoulders desperately and pouring out his regret, guilt and shame in the middle of the staircase, for once not caring about getting caught.