The Escort S2

Part 29: Face it together

"Everyone, please gather for dinner," I call out. Both my guys, Kookie and JJ, are helping out in the kitchen. I smile watching them working together. I also notice that Jimin and dad are becoming really good buddies. It's all so perfect.

I tear up seeing the look in dad's eyes as he watches Kookie carrying in the wine to the table. How fortunate they are, I think. Suddenly I'm pummeled by a wave of sadness. Poor Mr. Jeon, trying to spend every moment with his child, but never able to let him know he was his father. Maybe if things were different, he and Lisa could be together. But that would never happen. First, Lisa has no interest in him and, secondly, the issue of her past and current business. The doorbell rings and I look over to Kookie who shrugs his shoulders and so does JJ. Everyone's here and I wonder who that could be as I move towards the door. To my surprise, on the other side of the door is Lisa holding a bottle of wine.

"Lisa?"

"Hi, Tae! Thanks for inviting me." What? "This is nice. All Jimin had to tell me was that you were cooking and there's lemon cake."

It takes a few seconds to put this together and, before I can speak one syllable, that conniving little munchkin steps forward.

"Hi Lisa! You look fabulous!" Jimin says shamelessly.

"Hi, Jimin! Thanks for calling me to extend Tae's invitation." Kookie then comes into the room and gives me that 'what the hell is going on' look. As Lisa and Jimin hug, I shrug my shoulders, giving Kookie that, 'I have no idea,' look. Oh, I know what's going on alright. Kookie likes Lisa, so it's not an intrusion, and we are happy to see her.

"Oh, you brought wine. Thanks, Lisa," I say and direct Lisa towards the dining room. As she greets Kookie, I quickly deal with my game playing meddling friend.

I grab his arm and pull him back. I whisper through gritted teeth. "Your ass is in some deep shit. You just wait till I –"
Kookie calls everyone to the dining room before I can get started with Jimin. My fiancé returns to me, taking my hand, and escorts me to my seat.

"Tae, you set an amazing table," Lisa says. "Everything is perfect."

"Thanks, Lisa."

Kookie takes Lisa's wrap, revealing she is wearing a tight fitted black evening dress with red bottom high heels. Lisa has a killer body and it's nearly on full display. She's elegant yet showing just enough skin to tease. She's a bit overdressed for dinner but she looks great.

As the others come into the dining room, Lisa looks for a seat. Before I can say anything, dad comes into the room and stops dead in his tracks and clearly checks Lisa out. He is behind her like a jaguar on the prowl in stealth mode. I bite my lip to hold my snicker at his cuteness.

"Ms. Lisa! No one told me you were going to be here! What a splendid surprise!" I watch them closely, as does Jimin with a big smile. Somehow, she looks different. She's strikingly beautiful already, but I notice she has more than a normal amount of makeup on.

Dad kisses the back of her hand and leads her to an empty chair.

"Here's a place for you right next to me so I can enjoy your beauty and conversation." He then pulls out her chair. My eyes go big as I silently gasp. Fuck!

"I told you," Jimin whispers to me from my left side. I refuse to accept that my mischievous always-in-someone's-business BFF is right. But then I see it. Oh my God, did she just... blush? Lisa does not blush.

The fuck, she ... likes him.

Jungkook's POV

We all chat and laugh long into the night. I notice that Tae is exhausted and struggling to keep his eyes open. He also has had several glasses of wine.

"Guys, I think our host has had it for the evening." Lisa says good night and is escorted to her ride by dad, and we all retire to bed.

I carry my fiancé bridal style into our bedroom and place him on the bed.

"Sit there while I get your pajamas, baby."

"Okay, Kookie," my little cub says, barely able to keep his head upright.

"It was a wonderful evening, Kookie."

"It certainly was," I say, in search of Tae's pajamas in his massive closet. "Kookie, Lisa didn't say anything to me about your dad, but they were huddled together laughing and chatting the whole evening, like they were in a secret club." He yawns as I reenter the room.

"Oh, she's into him," I say. "Did you see that dress? Dad certainly did. I thought he was going to drool all over the tablecloth." I can't help but chuckle.

"I wish they both could find love but –"

"Tae, leave them alone. Stop managing them."

"Yeah, you're right baby, they're adults." Tae says stretching. I help him get into his sleep wear and go to retrieve my pajamas. I make a quick change and when I return my baby is asleep on top of the duvet. I chuckle as I tuck him in under the covers.

I slide in next to my sweetheart and just look at his angelic face and plant a soft kiss on his cheek. My smile flattens as my expression turns to concern. It's not like me to worry, but that all changed when I fell in love with Tae.

My concern is always for him. The phone call I took earlier was from Jae. He sent some basic information about his software, and I was blown away by what this software can do. I know Jae's brilliant and, if anyone can pull this off, it's Jae.

This is going to be huge, and the Jeon Corporation will be going to war with Triton. I've never battled with them, but I've heard the stories. This guy is the devil's spawn if there ever was one. It will get bad if we get involved. I also know they'll dig up as much dirt as they can. It's no longer a question of will Tae and The Agency be exposed, but when. Once the deal is signed with Jae and his husband, it's game on. But I must talk to Tae first.

Then there's the Jae and Hobi situation. I was different all those years ago when we all came together that first year of college. I shake my head with resistance, but I must face the ugly truth. What I did was unforgivable. I know that Tae won't judge me, yet there's a part of me that doesn't want to tell him who I was back then and what I did. But I'm committed to being honest with him.

Lastly, the call from Joy earlier today inviting us to her party. I sigh knowing all too well what Joy is about. Protecting the family name and wealth. Tae doesn't need me to protect him. However, he does need to see for himself who they are.

There's a lot of shit coming, but I know better than to underestimate Tae. Although he has a tender vulnerable side formed by an old trauma, he's the toughest and most clever person I know.

I then huff out a laugh. Now that Jimin and Lisa are here, something tells me that Joy and anyone else coming for Tae have no idea what they're up against. If I know anything, it's that those three together are not to be fucked with. I've seen them in action. I smile.

If I believe in anything, I believe in our love. Whatever is coming, let it come. We will do what we've always done. Face it together.