Against the Odds | DAERIN

Chapter: 18

h a e r i n

As we walked out of the bar, I could tell Danielle had something on her mind.

"Babe," I said, trying to grab her hand and failing when she carried on walking.

"You know she was flirting with you, right?" Danielle said as she turned around. It was dark, but I could still see that she was feeling insecure.

"Yes, Dani, and I stopped talking to her as soon as I realized. One of the first things I told her was that I had a girlfriend."

A girl had started talking to me in the bar, and I had spoken to her while waiting for Danielle's drink. As soon as I realized it wasn't just friendly talk, I stepped away from her and left. Within the first ten words of the conversation, I told her I had a girlfriend that I loved. Danielle hadn't mentioned anything in the bar, but it must have upset her.

Danielle sighed, and I realized she was crying.

"Baby..." I murmured and stepped forward. I lifted my hand to her face and wiped the tear on her cheek. "I love you, and I don't want anyone else. You're all I need," I said softly, and she nodded. One thing I'd realized was that Danielle's past partners really hadn't done a good job. I understood why she needed this reassurance, and I was okay with giving it. "I would never cheat on you."

She leaned into my hand, and I pulled her in with my other hand.

"I know, I'm sorry," she quietly said as she put her head on my chest. "I don't mean to be like this."

"It's okay, you don't need to apologize. I don't mind."

I kissed the top of her head and hugged her, and we stood there for a few minutes until it started raining.

"Oh my god." Danielle laughed as our clothes and hair got soaked in the rain, yet we didn't find ourselves rushing to my car, which I'd bought a few weeks ago. It was a blue Honda Civic, and I loved it.

She spun around a few times, laughing, and I watched in adoration. I really do love her. She stuck her hands out for me to grab them, and I did, spinning her around and then pulling her in. Her arms wrapped around my neck, and she pulled my head down, kissing me.

I could feel her smiling, and I pulled her closer, never wanting to let go.

"I love you," she said between kisses as we stood in the rain.

"I love you too, Dani."

—

"It'll be fine, babe," I said as I parked my car in the driveway and turned to her. "They already love you. All we have to do is tell them you're my girlfriend." I put my hand on her knee and squeezed it reassuringly.

"But I dated your brother!" she replied, leaning her head back into the chair. Danielle had been coming around as a friend for the past month, trying to avoid Jungwon as much as possible, and being just my friend around my parents. We mostly just went to her house. Jungwon hadn't really been much of a hassle recently; he had a new girlfriend that he was too preoccupied with.

"They won't care," I said before getting out of the car and waiting for her. She followed me into my house and stood next to me in the kitchen where my parents were talking together.

"Hey girls," my mom said, not paying much attention to us. She was so used to Danielle always being here it just became the usual.

My dad smiled and greeted us, engaging in some polite conversation with Danielle before going back to what he was doing.

"I actually have something to tell you," I said, looking over at Danielle.

My parents turned around and nodded expectantly.

"Danielle's my girlfriend." I watched my parents' reactions only to find there wasn't much of one.

"Not surprised, really, honey."

"Neither," my dad laughed, and he and my mom shared a glance.

"We sensed something was going on but didn't want to pressure anything in case you weren't sure, and because, you know, Jungwon," my mom explained. "But we're happy for you."

She walked over and wrapped Danielle in a warm hug, and then the same for me.

"Usually, I would try and get to know you, but in this case, I already do," my dad joked, and everyone laughed. My parents got back to whatever they were doing and Danielle and I went to my room.

"They were really chill about that," she sounded almost shocked, but I wasn't.

"I told you they wouldn't care."

She nodded and then stepped forward, wrapping her arms around my waist and tucking her head into my neck. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and hugged her back, a confused look on my face.

"Are you okay?" I asked, and kissed the top of her head. It was weird for her to just hug me randomly like this. I heard sniffling and I released my grip on her, pushing her away slightly so I could see her face.

I put my hand on her cheek and wiped away a tear that was rolling down it with my thumb.

"What's wrong?" I asked, concern clear in my voice.

"It's just nice," she looked up at me and I wiped another tear. "To have someone who I feel genuinely loves me for not just my body, but then I start to overthink and it's hard."

She paused for a second but I didn't speak, knowing there was more she was about to say.

"My past relationships weren't great and it's hard to accept that I am actually capable of being loved and worth staying for."

As I was about to say something she cut me off and spoke again. "It's not your fault. You do make me feel loved and I am slowly getting used to it, so I'm sorry if this isn't fair on you."

"You don't have to apologize," I said, shaking my head and taking her hand. "I understand why you'd feel that way with previous relationships like that. I promise I'll continue to make you feel loved and make sure you know that you are capable of being loved because trust me, you are. I'm not sure why your past partners were like that, but I am sure that I love you. I love you because everything about you is perfect—your smile, your laugh, your eyes, the way you treat other people, how caring you are to your brother. There is nothing that I'd ever change about you. And that's because I love you for who you are, not just your body. Not to say that you don't have a nice body." I said the last part with a slight laugh, causing her to laugh too. Her eyes were still teary, but I could see a soft smile on her face. My hands found her waist and pulled her in a bit closer, still looking into her eyes. "I wasn't supposed to fall in love with you; you were my brother's girlfriend. I spent so long thinking about you, thinking about how much better I could treat you, and now I can, and I will continue to do so. I'll show you how it feels to be loved, and I swear I won't hurt you. I've been given a chance that I didn't even think I'd get and I can promise you that while with me, you don't need to have any doubts." A single tear rolled down her cheek and I took a hand off her waist to wipe it. "Don't cry, baby." I pulled her in and held her again, feeling her arms around my neck. When we pulled away, she looked up at me and spoke.

"That's the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me." I smiled and kissed her head before she spoke again. "I am so in love with you."

Her expression was full of warmth and love, and I knew mine was mirroring it. I brought my hand to cup her face and she leaned into it, closing her eyes.

"I'm so in love with you too," I said softly, before capturing her lips with my own and kissing her.