For the Love of Joon

Chapter 9-Worth the Wait

Joon sits beside us and lets out a breath like he has been holding it. We head toward the hotel, and once we are settled in our room, a meeting is called. We all file into the suite that has been turned into a staging/communal area. It is not just the guys, but all staff currently with us. Once we are all seated, Sejin stands in front of us.

"Okay, the NDA email has been sent, and an announcement has been released acknowledging the relationship between Namjoon and Melanie. So, what this means for everyone. Hwan has been permanently placed with the girls. She will accompany Mel and little Joon everywhere. If she is with Eunji, Hwan will stick with them. Mel will most likely be with the guys at that point and will be protected that way. Once we are back in Seoul, a driver will be assigned to them and will act as a second bodyguard. For now, we have not made any mention of little Joon, but it is most likely a matter of time before we will need to acknowledge her as well."

When he finishes, he turns to Joon, who stands.

"I realize that this is sudden, but we are trying to cover all of our bases here. We have talked with Joon and told her she is not allowed to go with anyone whom we have not personally introduced her to. Right now, that includes the guys, Sejin, Hwan, and Eunji. She is not allowed to be with anyone else or alone for any reason. Her safety is our number one priority."

Everyone nods in agreement, and he sits back down. Sejin stands and goes over the schedule for the next week or two. The guys still have a week before they will be in rehearsals and concerts again. I plan on staying in the hotel for the most part, as Vegas isn't exactly a place for children. Once the meeting is over, everyone goes their own way and I take my bug back to our room. She didn't sleep the entire flight and she needs a nap.

Once she is tucked in, Eunji offers to stay with her, slyly admitting she also needs a nap. I step out of my room to go in search of a vending machine and see Hwan is stationed outside our door.

"Mel?"

Turning, I see Joon standing outside of his door, hand on the knob about to enter.

"I was just going to the vending machine. I think there is one just down the hall."

He shakes his head. "I have drinks in my room."

He nods his head at his door. I walk down toward him and enter the room when he holds the door open. His suitcase is lying open across one of the queen-sized beds, letting me know that he is rooming by himself. Walking toward the mini-fridge, he opens it and then hands me a water before taking one himself. I walk out onto his balcony and look out toward the strip in the distance. It is starting to turn to dusk, and the lights are shining brightly. I feel his presence behind me, and his arms go around my waist, pulling me back toward his chest so I am flush against him, and places a kiss on the side of my neck.

"Mel?"

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering. There is a nice rooftop restaurant that is fairly private. I wanted to take you there on a date."

I move to turn around, and he loosens his arms.

"I would love that, but are you sure?"

"Why wouldn't I be?"

I pull from his arms and head back inside and sit on the edge of his bed, abandoning my water on the dresser as I walk past. He follows me.

"Are you sure about all of this?" I ask.

"First, I think it is a little late to be asking that. And secondly, I thought we already had this discussion."

"We did, it's just...now that it is happening, I didn't realize how much it would affect everyone and all the extra precautions we would have to take."