Nervously, Mari clutched Jinki’s arm closer as they walked towards the hotel where Leeteuk’s engagement party is going to be held.
“It’s going to be alright.” Jinki smiled at her and placed his other hand on the top of hers.
She kept on wondering, what if they won’t like her? True, SHINee members said they liked her but it’s different. Every SM Entertainment artist is coming. How would she be able to meet their expectations? After all, everyone has their own judgments and impressions. One simply cannot please every person they meet.
“I’m always here for you.” He reassured which made Mari gave Jinki a faint smile.
--
“I’m glad you came, Jinki.” Leeteuk welcomed the couple with his widest grin.
Being in the industry for so long, Jinki knows how much Leeteuk wished for this day to come. Yes, Leeteuk have been in so many relationships before. However, the fact that he was eager about settling down—seriously date a girl, get married and have children— is obvious to everyone’s eyes.
“Of course, hyung.” He lightly tapped Leeteuk’s arm. “Congratulations!”
“Thanks.” He reciprocated the tap. “Who is she, by the way?”
“My girlfriend.” He turned his gaze back to his favorite girl, affectionately. “Kim Mari.”
“Hi, I’m Kim Mari. Nice to meet you!” Shyly, she bowed down and congratulated Leeteuk as well.
“She’s pretty, Jinki. You should introduce her to others. Your members kept bragging about you getting a girlfriend so I’m guessing they are also excited to know her.” This statement made Mari nervous more. One down, she thought.
--
Half of the night went well. Jinki introduced Mari to SM Entertainment’s staffs and artists. Girls’ generation and f(x) were very supportive and welcoming—except that she found the Jung sisters quite intimidating at first—EXO guys were cool and respective. Although almost everyone—except Kai and Sehun—was older than her, they respected her as if she was their sunbae too. The staffs were neutral in a way. Some were cheerful, some were gloomy. Anyway, all was well.
Super junior members were quite fractious about Jinki and Mari’s relationship. The contingency about him getting a girl was too great for them. Jinki being their hoobae for a decade and a half, they did not find his audacity typical.
“He had no interest in girls. I almost thought he was gay.” Kyuhyun quoted with a chuckle. “But girls have always been interested in him. Many artists longed for him, stating he was their ideal types but nobody got Jinki in the end.”
“Well, he was in a relationship or two but they never seemed to work out.” Eunhyuk pointed out.
Mari nodded at this sudden information outburst. She learned a lot of things from that night. Being at that certain party wasn’t as bad as she thought it would be.
