Loving The JEON

CHAPTER 43:-

"Elena said she saw you last Saturday," I whisper quietly.

"She didn't." He frowns.

"You didn't go to see her, when I left?"

"No," he snaps, irritated. "I just told you I didn't - and I don't like to be doubted," he scolds. "I didn't go anywhere last weekend. I sat and made the glider you gave me. Took me forever," he adds quietly.

My heart clenches again. Mrs. Robinson said she saw him.

Did she or didn't she? She's lying. Why?

"Contrary to what Elena thinks, I don't rush to her with all my problems, Lalisa. I don't rush to anybody. You may have noticed - I'm not much of a talker." He tightens his hold on the steering wheel.

"Chris told me you didn't talk for two years."

"Did he now?" Jungkook's mouth presses into a hard line.

"I kind of pumped him for information." Embarrassed, I stare at my fingers.

"So what else did Dad say?"

"He said your mom was the doctor who examined you when you were brought into the hospital. After you were discovered in your apartment."

Jungkook's expression remains blank... careful.

"He said learning the piano helped. And Somi." His lips curl in a fond smile at the mention of her name.

After a moment he says, "She was about six months old when she arrived. I was thrilled, Jimin less so. He'd already had to contend with my arrival. She was perfect." The sweet, sad awe in his voice is affecting.

"Less so now, of course," he mutters, and I recall her successful attempts at the ball to thwart our lascivious intentions. It makes me giggle.

Jungkook gives me a sideways glance. "You find that amusing, Miss Manobal?"

"She seemed determined to keep us apart."

He laughs mirthlessly. "Yes, she's quite accomplished." He reaches across and squeezes my knee. "But we got there in the end." He smiles then glances in the rearview mirror once more. "I don't think we've been followed." He turns off the I-5 and heads back to central Seattle.

"Can I ask you something about Elena?" We are stopped at some traffic lights.

He gazes at me warily. "If you must," he mutters sullenly, but I don't let his irritability deter me.

"You told me ages ago that she loved you in a way you found acceptable. What did that mean?"

"Isn't it obvious?" he asks.

"Not to me."

"I was out of control. I couldn't bear to be touched. I can't bear it now. For a fourteen, fifteen-year-old adolescent boy with hormones raging, it was a difficult time. She showed me a way to let off steam."

Oh. "Somi said you were a brawler."

"Christ, what is it with my loquacious family? Actually - it's you." We've stopped at more lights, and he narrows his eyes at me. "You inveigle information out of people." He shakes his head in mock disgust.

"Somi volunteered that information. In fact, she was very forthcoming. She was worried you'd start a brawl in the marquee if you didn't win me at the auction," I mutter indignantly.

"Oh, baby, there was no danger of that. There was no way I would let anyone else dance with you."

"You let Dr. Flynn."

"He's always the exception to the rule."

Jungkook pulls into the impressive, leafy driveway of the Fairmont Olympic Hotel and parks near the front door, beside a quaint stone fountain.