Sun-kissed

Chapter 38

"Yoboseyo?"

"Where are you?" Hanna asked worriedly, her voice slightly high pitched.

"I'm almost home. What's wrong?" Amina glanced over at Youngbae, finding his concerned eyes on her. They were driving on the highway, heading towards her apartment.

"Your parents... they know."

"Mwuh?" Amina exclaimed. She felt her heart fall out of her chest. "What do you mean 'they know'?"

"Your mom... she was watching the news last night and saw the picture of you and Youngbae-ah. Of course, she told your dad... who later called and grilled me." She took a deep breath and continued. "I told them there must be a mistake... that it couldn't be you. But your mom. She said she could recognize your profile from anywhere."

Amina couldn't speak.

"Mianhae Mimi. I tried my best to play it off, but your dad was still unconvinced. They want you to come home. Now."

"Come home?"

"Neh... I think they just want to hear it from you. Mianhae..." Hanna apologized once more. "They want me to take you to see them today. What time should I pick you up?"

Amina looked bewildered, her voice shaking. "I-I'm not going back."

"Mwuh? What do you mean?"

"That's what I mean... I'm not going back." She felt Youngbae's hand cover hers and looked over at him.

"I'll go with you," he said, his eyes steady.

"Ani." She didn't want him to meet her family, nor did she want her parents to meet him. They wouldn't understand. He wouldn't understand. Their lives were too different.

Youngbae took the phone from her hand. "Hanna-ah... It's Youngbae." He heard the surprise in her voice. "I'll drive her home. Neh. Annyeong." He terminated the call and handed the phone back to Amina. He didn't say anything as he continued to watch the road.

Amina could tell by the set line of his jaw that he wasn't going to back down. She shoved the phone back into her bag and looked out the passenger window. There were a million things running through her mind. The first and foremost were her parent's reaction. They would be livid. Beyond livid. She could hear the stream of lectures heading her way now.

Her next thought was of Youngbae. Once he found out how her family truly was... she wondered if he would still stick around. Her mother could be a loose canon at times. She hoped they would save the drama for later... and at least be civil while Youngbae was in their presence.

He turned into the parking garage and found a spot near the entrance. He cut off the engine and turned towards her.

"Tell me what you're thinking." He could see the worry in her eyes.

"Nothing."

"Don't lie..."

She looked away, not wanting him to see how upset she felt. She quietly replied, "I don't think you should go with me."

"Wae?"

"My parents..." she began. "My parents aren't like yours."

Youngbae looked at her, his eyes gentle. "I've met a lot of people in my lifetime. I'm sure I can handle yours."

"Ani..." She turned towards him. "It won't be like that this time." She swallowed the lump of frustration in her throat. "They'll be angry at me. And I don't want them to take it out on you."

He cupped her chin so he could look into her eyes. "I want to be there... for you. Good or bad. We're in this together. Alright?"

She nodded her head slowly, his words slowly sinking into her.