𝐢 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 ; 𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐜𝐤

𝐨𝐧𝐞

Mark Lee had never been one for elaborate introductions or grandiose declarations. He preferred the subtlety of quiet moments and the simplicity of genuine connections. His relationship with Jenna had started in just such a manner. There was no whirlwind romance, no dramatic gestures. It was the little things that drew him to her: her laugh, her intelligence, and her kind-hearted nature. They met in a shared art class during their second year of college, and the spark between them was instant but understated.

Today, Mark found himself in Jenna's family home for the first time. It was a modest yet warm place, nestled in the heart of their suburban neighborhood. The house radiated an inviting aura that put him at ease, despite the nervous anticipation bubbling inside him. Meeting the family was always a daunting task, but Mark was determined to make a good impression.

"Relax, Mark. They're going to love you," Jenna reassured him as they stood on the porch. Her hand gave his a reassuring squeeze.

Mark nodded, taking a deep breath. He could hear the muffled sounds of conversation and laughter from inside. Jenna's family was close-knit, she had told him, and they often spent weekends together. Today was one such weekend.

The door swung open, revealing a smiling middle-aged woman with warm eyes. "You must be Mark! Come in, come in!" she exclaimed, pulling him into a hug before he could even respond. "I'm Mrs. Lee, but you can call me Soo-jin."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Lee-uh, Soo-jin," Mark stammered, caught off guard by her enthusiastic welcome.

The interior of the house was cozy and lived-in. Family photos lined the walls, capturing moments of laughter, celebrations, and everyday life. Mark felt a pang of nostalgia, reminded of his own family's home far away in Canada.

"Mark, this is my dad," Jenna said, introducing a tall, stern-looking man who broke into a smile upon seeing them.

"Nice to meet you, sir," Mark said, shaking his hand firmly.

"Call me Mr. Lee," the man replied, his voice warm despite his initially intimidating appearance. "Jenna's told us a lot about you."

Mark smiled nervously, unsure of how to respond. He was saved from further awkwardness by a sudden burst of energy that entered the room.

"Hey! You're the famous Mark, huh?" A young man with an impish grin and bright eyes bounded over to them. He was slightly shorter than Mark, but his presence was commanding. He radiated an effortless charm that drew everyone's attention immediately.

"And you must be Lee Donghyuck," Mark replied, extending his hand. "Jenna's brother, right?"

Donghyuck's grin widened as he shook Mark's hand with a firm grip. "The one and only. But you can call me Haechan."

Jenna rolled her eyes playfully. "Only his friends call him that. Don't let him fool you."

Haechan winked at Mark. "Stick around long enough, and maybe you'll get the privilege."

Mark chuckled, feeling some of his nervousness dissipate. There was something about Haechan's presence that was both disarming and intriguing. As the family settled into the living room, Mark found himself sitting across from Haechan, who seemed to be studying him with a curious intensity.

"So, Mark, Jenna tells me you're into music?" Haechan asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Yeah, I play guitar and write songs in my spare time," Mark replied. "What about you?"

"I'm into music too. Actually, I'm kind of a jack-of-all-trades when it comes to artsy stuff," Haechan said with a nonchalant shrug. "Maybe we could jam together sometime."

"I'd like that," Mark said, feeling a genuine excitement at the prospect.

As the evening progressed, Mark found himself drawn to Haechan's vivacious personality. He was witty, charismatic, and had an infectious energy that made everyone around him feel alive. They chatted about music, movies, and shared interests, the conversation flowing effortlessly between them. Mark realized with a start that he had spent more time talking to Haechan than to Jenna.

Later, as they sat down for dinner, Mark couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had shifted within him. Jenna's family was wonderful, but it was Haechan who had left an indelible impression on his mind. He found himself stealing glances at Haechan, watching the way he animatedly talked and laughed, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

By the time they were saying their goodbyes, Mark felt a confusing mix of emotions. He liked Jenna, he really did. But there was something about Haechan that he couldn't ignore, a spark that he hadn't felt before.

As they drove back to campus, Jenna was chattering about plans for the next family gathering, but Mark's mind was elsewhere. He was thinking about Haechan's smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners, and the unexpected connection that had formed between them.

Mark didn't know what to make of it yet, but he knew one thing for certain: meeting Jenna's family had been an eye-opening experience, and Lee Donghyuck was at the center of it all.