Love Beyond Expectations

Chapter 29: Unexpected Revelations

Zuri had been enjoying her time at the Korean family reunion, playing with some of Suho's little cousins and sipping on a drink called Soju, which she had had once but this particular one she hadn't tried before. The alcohol was potent, and it had a way of loosening her inhibitions.

As she returned from the outside restroom, Suho approached her, his face earnest. He started talking, and at first, Zuri tried to listen, but the effects of the Soju were beginning to influence her perception.

"Zuri, I want to introduce you to—"

She couldn't hold back her thoughts any longer. "Are we just together to have sex, or what am I to you?" She blurted out, cutting him off mid-sentence.

The words felt like they weren't even her own, and she regretted them instantly. But the past current events had made her extremely apprehensive, and her fear overshadowed her judgement.

Suho went to say something, and then hesitated.

The words came out sharper than she intended, her voice laced with frustration. The sudden rush of emotion had caught her off guard. The alcohol had a way of amplifying her insecurities and doubts.

Suho blinked, momentarily taken aback by her abrupt question. He tried to find the right words, "Zuri, it's not just about that. I care about you, I—"

Zuri knew she should stop there, but the question continued spilling out. "When are you planning to do it? Have sex, that is." She couldn't deny her curiosity had been gnawing at her over the recent weeks, the countless kisses that had sent her senses spinning, a culmination of longing that led them here, their friendship now teetering on a delicate tightrope of lust and attraction.

"I need to know where we stand, Suho. I'm not a placeholder, and I'm not just here for appearances at family events."

She sucked in a shaky breath and waited, her body tensed.

Suho didn't know what to say at first. He looked at her for what felt like an eternity, his gaze so intense, as if she could feel the intensity of his emotions.

As Zuri tried to walk away from the argument, Suho's heart raced. He truly cared about Zuri; there was no doubt about it. Their relationship had evolved into something deeper and more meaningful than he had initially expected.

"Wait, Zuri, don't go!" Suho couldn't let her leave like this. He grabbed her wrist gently, but she swiftly pulled away. The alcohol in her system had made her emotions unpredictable.

"Don't touch me," she snapped, her irritation evident as she pulled out her phone to call a cab.

Zuri's proximity made it clear she had been drinking Soju, a strong Korean alcoholic beverage. Suho knew that it could be overwhelming for someone unfamiliar with it, and he felt a pang of guilt.

"Zuri, you're..." Suho began, wanting to explain and make amends, but she cut him oof abruptly.

"So I'm drunk?" she challenged him. "What are your intentions? We've been kissing, holding hands and lying next to each other for a while. What are your plans? Suho this isn't normal. I lost my best friend, we get into this illusive relationship, we have feeling for each other that neither of us can describe, I meet your family, you meet mine and now your family thinks we should be married? Where is this heading? How do you think I feel?"

"We need to talk about this," Suho pleaded. "Please don't leave, Zuri."

"Save it," she said with frustration in her voice, and then she disappeared into the waiting cab.

Suho watched the cab drive away, a sense of regret and confusion clouding his thoughts. He couldn't help but wonder what he had done and how to make things right. The way they were arguing had been more volatile, an unknown tension that neither of them had expected. And the uncertainty of where it would lead worried them both.

The party slowly ended, as a bunch of elderly Korean family members headed towards their respective vehicles. Suho lingered behind, watching Joon and his children get ready to leave.

Joon walked up to him with his cheshire cat grin and a twinkle of a mischievous idea in his eyes. He pounded Suho on the back.

"It's just time you gave up, at this point your inheritance is gone." He sneered, then proceeded to get the children to gather their toys and get into his SUV.

What did he want? He didn't care about the money, the cultural status, the wealth, what he wanted was...he couldn't figure it out himself but he had to talk to Zuri before she lost hope.