The Escort S2

Part 11: A prefectly cooked noodle

Jungkook's POV

I see Johoon off and return to the party through the kitchen, and see Ming Lee, the human resource manager, filling food into containers.

"What the hell are you doing?"

"Oh, uh, I was just helping with the leftovers, boss."

"You have five to go containers of food! Does this look like a fuckin restaurant?! You were invited for a meal and not for five additional days of lunch for the week!"

"Sorry boss," she says and rushes out with her five containers of food.

"Fuckin freeloading ass. I can't turn my back for one minute," I complain.

As soon as I enter the living area, there's Teo at the gift table.

"Teo! One damn gift! Can't you read the sign?!"

"I-I didn't have my glasses on, boss. Sorry."

"What the hell, in five years I've never seen you wear glasses!" He has two crystal snow globes pen sets and a bottle of wine. He puts the snow globes back and runs out of the room. Goddamn it, I'm gone for 10 minutes, and all hell breaks loose.

If that's not bad enough, I catch two employees making out with busy hands trying to sneak down to the lower level. "Does this look like a cheap motel?! Get out of my house!" They run out the back door laughing.

I return and find Tae hanging out with my dad and Chanyeol. They're all laughing and appear to be having a fun time. Suddenly, my feet feel as if they're stuck in cement. I can't move at the sight of the three of them. It's a wonderful image of a family. My eyes burn and I clear my throat as the image hits me hard.

All I can think of is I want to marry Tae. I want a special matrimonial bond with this amazing man. My belly fills with flutters of happiness with an intensity I've never felt before. It's euphoric. It's an awakening. My heart takes flight and it's the most wonderful feeling ever.

It's not the feeling of possession based on a fear of losing him, but a desire to be joined as one. The outcome of other marriages have nothing to do with us. I get it, I really get it. I can't wait to marry him, and I wish my mother was here. Even without her, it's ... perfect.

I smudge a single tear over my cheek as it falls and then my legs allow me to join them. We laugh and talk for about 20 minutes before Tae departs to check on his guests. That feeling remains in my gut and slowly expands. It's beautiful.

Friends and family compliment Tae on the beautiful holiday space that he created. Tae gives full credit to Mrs. Chin, and he asks her to come out and join the party. Several of Kookie's family remember Mrs. Chin from when she cooked and cared for the two little Jeon boys. It's a sweet moment that brings tears to Tae's and Mrs. Chin's eyes. I swallow the lump in my throat pushing back my own emotions.

The guests start to pile out. Everyone is full of smiles and laughter. Tae receives compliment after compliment, as he wears his big beautiful boxy grin.

As Tae Juan leaves behind his wife, he quickly steps over to hug Tae and I step between them "Stick to your wife if you want your job and your life."

"Tae Juan, get your ass over here!" His wife shouts and he nervously rushes off.

Chanyeol hangs out for a while talking to Kookie and his dad.

"Mrs. Chin, please go. I'll clean in the morning," Tae says. And, for the first time ever, Mrs. Chin hugs Tae and catches him off guard as he goes stiff and then tightly hugs her back.