Wonwoo's Protection

7. The Difficult Talk

Wonwoo ushered Dr Lee Mianho into his father's study and asked her to sit on the couch. They both were away from the hustle and bustle of the engagement ceremony. One was nervous about how to start the difficult conversation with the groom-to-be whereas the other one was nervous as to why Inha's cousin wanted to talk to him.

"Would you like to have something to drink Seonsaengnim?" Wonwoo offered.

"No Wonwoo-ssi, I am okay and you may call me Mia" she said smiling. "I just came here to talk to you about something pertaining to Inha, because I am worried for her," she said with genuine concern.

"I am all ears Mia-ssi" Wonwoo said as he prepared himself to listen to what Mia had to say.

"I am going to be very honest with you Wonwoo-ssi. Inha's mother and my mother are sisters. And so when Inha's father informed my parents that Inha is getting married, all of us were genuinely concerned. My parents especially wanted to run a background check on the guy she was to marry because that poor soul had gone through so much physical abuse in her life and therefore we didn't want her to end up with an abusive husband."

Wonwoo was genuinely surprised about the abuse part but all he could say was "I would never abuse her, Mia-ssi"

"I know, but we couldn't take a chance because Inha is very dear to us," she said.

"I understand," Wonwoo said, gesturing to continue.

"So I asked my husband if he knew anything about you. He said he's only heard good things about you but still he asked me to talk to Ayat because he hasn't interacted with you guys much unlike the other members"

"Wait... you know Ayat?" Wonwoo was surprised now. He wondered how Inha's cousin knew the Chief Creative of SEVENTEEN but everything started to make sense. "By any chance is your husband from BTS, Mia-ssi?" He asked because Ayat had worked with BTS members before the company assigned her to work for SEVENTEEN.

"Oh, yes yes, I am married to Seokjin" she said flustered. "I should have probably started this conversation with that," she said, laughing at Wonwoo's confusion. "And yes, I know Ayat very well. Her family and mine are good friends back home in LA."

"I see, no wonder your son looked so familiar. He's the exact carbon copy of Seokjin Hyungnim and it's funny how the world is very small" Wonwoo chuckled after seeing how they were all interconnected to each other's friends and family.

"Indeed!" She agreed and continued "So, I met Ayat in her office and she assured me that I can trust you with my cousin"

"Oh, that's a relief then" Wonwoo smiled. "Because I don't think I can part with Inha-ssi now" he said which made Mia laugh.

"I had my doubts because I personally know the difficulties of being married to a K-pop idol, but after seeing you in person I feel relieved now. You seem to be a good man Wonwoo-ssi, but still I want assurance that you will never hurt Inha" she said, her voice growing serious.

"I would never ever hurt her Mia-ssi" he said, his voice laced with a gentle but firm resolve. "But you mentioned she was physically abused. Did her stepmother have anything to do with it?" He asked after putting two and two together because Inha had mentioned that she feels uncomfortable around her stepmother.

"You are quick to catch on to things Wonwoo-ssi" Mia said with a small sad smile. "Inha was subjected to burns, ever since she was a mere child." Mia said, her voice breaking slightly.

Meanwhile Wonwoo still couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What do you mean by burns, Mia-ssi?" His voice now in an angry growling whisper.

"Her stepmother has used curling iron on her body, and some cigarette butts too" Mia said, trembling.

"How dare she?" Wonwoo said, his voice laced with anger and frustration. "How can she do such a terrible thing to my fiancee?" He asked for which Mia had no answer.

"She had to endure it all alone." Mia said, shaking her head. "My parents tried to bring her along to the US but she didn't want to leave Korea because she didn't want to stay away from her mother who is interred in Seoul."

"What about Mr. Kang? Why didn't he help his daughter?" Wonwoo was now asking all the right questions which only made it very clear to Mia that Wonwoo is the right man for Inha.

"My uncle was useless Wonwoo-ssi" she said "he was a silent spectator, a spineless man who couldn't defend his daughter" Mia said with so much spite. "That's why we were worried if he'd take the right choice regarding her marriage"

"I understand Mia-ssi" Wonwoo said "Thank you for telling me. This only makes me resolve to protect her more" he said with determination.

"Thank you for your assurance Wonwoo-ssi. This puts my heart at ease. I am sure my parents would be relieved too. Although I have just one more request for you"

"Tell me Mia-ssi"

Mia hesitated slightly before starting. "Please just try and give her some space before she opens up to you, both mind and body. Even though she is a psychology student, she still feels ashamed of her body because of her scars, so we have to handle her with care and patience, if you know what I mean"

"If you are asking me whether I would be jumping on her on our wedding night, then I give you my assurance that I would not. I am not marrying her just because I need someone to help with my male urges" Wonwoo laughed. "She is going to be my wife and I'll treat her with the utmost respect and dignity that she deserves. You and your parents won't have to worry about that" he added, his voice growing serious to show that he means what he said.

"Thank you so much Wonwoo-ssi. Your words mean a lot to me"

"Not at all Mia-ssi. I am just doing what's expected of me to do. So you don't have to thank me for that."

"Well, then how about we drop the formalities?"

"Okay Nuna!" Wonwoo said laughing. He was glad he got a sister he could rely on henceforth to navigate the waters his marriage would be sailing on.

"Okay then! Congratulations on your engagement and I wish you both so much happiness and love!" She said. At that time her phone rang and her face lit up after seeing the caller ID. "Seokjin is calling me. I'll take my leave" she said as she got up from the couch.

"Thank you Nuna. Please do convey my regards to Seokjin Hyungnim as well. And don't forget to eat dinner before you leave" he said smiling.

"I will, thank you for your concern" she said as she patted his arm as a sign of affection before she left, her heart soaring with satisfaction and promise that Inha would be safe and happy with him.

Wonwoo meanwhile wondered whether he would achieve the same kind of love he witnessed when Mia's face lit up when her husband called her. He remembered Ayat mentioning in passing that if HYBE is now allowing for artists to date or marry, then Seokjin had to be thanked for making it happen a few years ago. Apparently he had stood his firm ground to revise contract clauses, thereby allowing them to date and marry whoever they wanted after he met Mia. Now after seeing her, Wonwoo now understands why Seokjin did that. He smiled to himself and hoped his married life will also be one of happiness and joy and most importantly one that's filled with love, which makes you go against the whole world if needed.
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A/N
Hi there guys! I hope you liked this chapter. Pls vote and comment on it if you liked it.

I know the new characters may sound confusing now but the story will get better I promise. And what do you think about Mia? The reason why I introduced her is because I have plans of writing a series for BTS members also and I am aspiring to create this one big universe where all of them exist in the same plane together with SEVENTEEN characters. That is why Ayat is also an important character here.

If you have any doubts, pls don't hesitate to comment. I'll be happy to clarify them for you!

Meanwhile, Bye and take care! Thanks for reading my book!