Loving The JEON

CHAPTER 140:-

Crap. How many people are here?

I scan the room quickly: all the Jeon's, Ethan with Somi, Dr. Flynn and his wife, I assume. There's Mac from the boat, a tall, handsome African American - I remember seeing him in Jungkook's office the first time I met Jungkook - Somi's bitchy friend Lily, two women I don't recognize at all, and... Oh no. My heart sinks. That woman... Mrs. Robinson.

Gretchen materializes with a tray of champagne. She's in a low-cut black dress, no pigtails but an updo, flushing and fluttering her eyelashes at Jungkook. The applause dies down, and Jungkook squeezes my hand as all eyes turn to him expectantly.

"Thank you, everyone. Looks like I'll need one of these." He grabs two drinks off Gretchen's tray and gives her a brief smile. I think Gretchen's going to expire or swoon.

He hands a glass to me.

Jungkook raises his glass to the rest of the room, and immediately everyone surges forward. Leading the charge is the evil woman in black. Does she ever wear any other color?

"Jungkook, I was so worried." Elena gives him a brief hug and kisses both his cheeks.

He doesn't let me go despite the fact I try to free my hand.

"I'm good, Elena," Jungkook mutters coolly.

"Why didn't you call me?" Her plea is desperate, her eyes searching his.

"I've been busy."

"Didn't you get my messages?"

Jungkook shifts uncomfortably and pulls me closer, putting his arm around me. His face remains impassive as he regards Elena. She can no longer ignore me, so she nods politely in my direction.

"Lisa," she purrs. "You look lovely, dear."

"Elena," I purr back. "Thank you."

I catch Scarllet's eye. She frowns, watching the three of us.

"Elena, I need to make an announcement," Jungkook says, eyeing her dispassionately.

Her clear blue eyes cloud. "Of course." She fakes a smile and steps back.

"Everyone," Jungkook calls. He waits for a moment until the buzz in the room dies down and all eyes are once more on him.

"Thank you for coming today. I have to say I was expecting a quiet family dinner, so this is a pleasant surprise." He stares pointedly at Somi, who grins and gives him a little wave. Jungkook shakes his head in exasperation and continues.

"Ros and I" - he acknowledges the red-haired woman standing nearby with a small bubbly blonde - "we had a close call yesterday."

Oh, that's the Ros that works with him. She grins and raises her glass to him. He nods back at her.

"So I'm especially glad to be here today to share with all of you my very good news.

This beautiful woman" - he glances down at me - "Miss Lalisa Chittip Manobal, has consented to be my wife, and I'd like you to be the first to know."

There are general gasps of astonishment, the odd cheer, and then a round of applause!

Jeez - this is really happening. I think I am the color of Rose's dress. Jungkook grasps my chin, lifts my lips to his, and kisses me quickly.

"You'll soon be mine."

"I am already," I whisper.

"Legally," he mouths at me and gives me a wicked grin.

Lily, who is standing beside Somi, looks crestfallen; Gretchen looks like she's eaten something nasty and bitter. As I glance anxiously around at the assembled crowd, I catch sight of Elena. Her mouth is open. She's stunned - horrified even, and I can't help a small but intense feeling of satisfaction to see her dumbstruck. What the hell is she doing here, anyway?

Chris and Scarllet interrupt my uncharitable thoughts, and soon I am being hugged and kissed and passed around by all the Jeon's.

"Oh, Lisa - I am so delighted you're going to be family," Scarllet gushes. "The change in Jungkook... He's... happy. I am so thankful to you." I blush, embarrassed by her exuber-ance but secretly delighted, too.

"Where is the ring?" exclaims Somi as she embraces me.

"Um..." A ring! Jeez. I hadn't even thought about a ring. I glance anxiously up at Jungkook.

"We're going to choose one together." Jungkook glowers at her.

"Oh, don't look at me like that, Jeon!" she scolds him, then wraps her arms around him. "I'm so thrilled for you, Jungkook," she says. She's the only person I know who is not intimidated by the Jeon glower. It has me quailing... Well, it certainly used to.

"When will you get married? Have you set a date?" She beams up at Jungkook.

He shakes his head, his exasperation palpable. "No idea, and no we haven't. Lisa and I need to discuss all that," he says irritably.

"I hope you have a big wedding - here," she beams enthusiastically, ignoring his caus-tic tone.

"We'll probably fly to Vegas tomorrow," he growls at her, and he's rewarded with a full-on Somi Jeon pouty grimace. Rolling his eyes, he turns to Jimin, who gives him his second bear hug in as many days.

"Way to go, bro." He claps Jungkook's back.

The response from the room is overwhelming, and it's a few minutes before I find myself back beside Jungkook with Dr. Flynn. Elena seems to have disappeared, and Gretchen is sullenly refilling champagne glasses.

Beside Dr. Flynn is a striking young woman with long, dark, almost black hair, cleavage, and lovely hazel eyes.

"Jungkook," says Flynn, holding out his hand. Jungkook shakes it gladly.

"John. Rhian." He kisses the dark-haired woman on her cheek. She's petite and pretty.

"Glad you're still with us, Jungkook. My life would be most dull - and penurious - without you."

Jungkook smirks.

"John!" Rhian scolds, much to Jungkook's amusement.

"Rhian, this is Lalisa, my fiancee. Lisa, this is John's wife."

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