Loving The JEON

CHAPTER 124:-

"Both engines?" Chris says again, frowning in disbelief.

"Go figure." Jungkook shrugs and runs his hand down my back.

"Hey," he whispers. He puts his fingers under my chin and tilts my head back. "Stop with the crying."

I wipe my nose with the back of my hand in a most unladylike way. "Stop with the disappearing." I sniff and his lips quirk up.

"Electrical failure... that's odd, surely?" Chris says again.

"Yes, crossed my mind, too, Dad. But right now, I'd just like to go to bed and think about all that shit tomorrow."

"So the media know that the Jeon Jungkook has been found safe and well?" Rose says.

"Yes. Andrea and my PR people will deal with the media. Ros called her after we dropped her home."

"Yes, Andrea called me to let me know you were still alive." Chris grins.

"I must give that woman a raise. Sure is late," says Jungkook.

"I think that's a hint, ladies and gentlemen, that my dear bro needs his beauty sleep,"

Jimin scoffs suggestively. Jungkook grimaces at him.

"Cary, my son is safe. You can take me home now."

Cary? Scarllet looks adoringly at her husband.

"Yes. I think we could use the sleep," Chris replies smiling down at her.

"Stay," Jungkook offers.

"No, sweetheart, I want to get home. Now that I know you're safe."

Jungkook reluctantly eases me onto the couch and stands. Scarllet hugs him once more, presses her head against his chest and closes her eyes, content. He wraps his arms around her. "I was so worried, darling," she whispers.

"I'm okay, Mom."

She leans back and studies him intently while he holds her. "Yes. I think you are," she says slowly, glances at me, and smiles. I flush.

We follow Chris and Scarllet as they make their way to the foyer. Behind me, I'm aware that Somi and Ethan are having a heated whispered conversation, but I can't hear it.

Somi is smiling shyly at Ethan, and he's gaping at her and shaking his head. Suddenly, she folds her arms and turns on her heel. He rubs his forehead with one hand, obviously frustrated.

"Mom, Dad - wait for me," Somi calls sullenly. Perhaps she's as mercurial as her brother. Rose hugs me hard. "I can tell some serious shit's been going down while I've been blissfully ignorant in Barbados. It's kind of obvious you two are nuts about each other. I'm glad he's safe. Not just for him, Lisa - for you, too."

"Thank you, Rose," I whisper.

"Yeah. Who knew we'd find love at the same time?" She grins. Wow. She's admitted it.

"With brothers!" I giggle.

"We could end up sisters-in-law," she quips.

I tense, then mentally kick myself as Rose stands back to gaze at me with her what-aren't-you-telling-me-Manobal look. I flush. Damn, should I tell her he's asked me?

"Come on, baby," Jimin summons her from the elevator.

"Let's talk tomorrow, Lisa. You must be exhausted."

I am reprieved. "Sure. You, too, Rose - you've traveled long distance today."

We hug once more, then she and Jimin follow the Jeons into the elevator. Ethan shakes Jungkook's hand and gives me a quick hug. He looks distracted, but he follows them into the elevator and the doors close.

Bambam is hovering in the hallway as we come out of the foyer.

"Look. I'll turn in... leave you guys," he says.

I blush. Jeez, why is this awkward?

"Do you know where to go?" Jungkook asks.

Bambam nods.

"Yeah, the housekeeper - "

"Mrs. Jones," I prompt.

"Yeah, Mrs. Jones, she showed me earlier. Quite a place you have here, Jungkook."

"Thank you," Jungkook says politely as he comes to stand beside me, placing his arm around my shoulders. Leaning over, he kisses my hair.

"I'm going to eat whatever Mrs. Jones has put out for me. Goodnight, Bambam." Jungkook wanders back into the great room, leaving Bambam and me at the entrance.

Wow! Left alone with Bambam .

"Well, goodnight." Bambam looks uncomfortable all of a sudden.

"Goodnight, Bambam, and thank you for staying."

"Sure, Lisa. Any time your rich, hotshot boyfriend goes missing - I'll be there."

"Bambam!" I admonish him.

"Only kidding. Don't get mad. I'll be leaving early in the morning - I'll see you sometime, yeah? I've missed you."

"Sure, Bambam. Soon I hope. Sorry tonight was so... shitty." I smirk apologetically.

"Yeah." He grins. "Shitty." He hugs me. "Seriously, Lisa, I'm glad you're happy, but I'm here if you need me."

I gaze up at him. "Thank you."

He flashes me a sad, bittersweet smile, and then he goes upstairs.

I turn back to the great room. Jungkook stands beside the couch, watching me with an unreadable expression on his face.

We're finally alone and we gaze at each other.

"He's still got it bad, you know," he murmurs.

"And how would you know that, Mr. Jeon?"

"I recognize the symptoms, Miss Manobal. I believe I have the same affliction."

"I thought I'd never see you again," I whisper. There - the words are out. All my worst fears packaged neatly in one short sentence now exorcised.

"It wasn't as bad as it sounds."

I pick up his suit jacket and shoes from where they lie on the floor and move toward him.

"I'll take that," he whispers, reaching for his jacket.

Jungkook gazes down at me as if I'm his reason for living and mirrors my look, I'm sure. He is here, really here. He pulls me into his arms and wraps himself around me.

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