Bubble Tea

Jaemin and Stella : Their story pt. 5

Song for the chapter: Everytime by Chen and Punch

Jaemin's POV:

The day of the engagement arrived like a stormy sea, tumultuous and uncertain. Despite my reluctance, everything was meticulously prepared at the luxurious hotel where we gathered for the occasion. The ambiance was lavish, the air thick with anticipation, yet my heart remained heavy with doubts and unspoken fears.

I sat at the head of the room, my family flanking me with forced smiles that belied the tension beneath. Jeno stood by my side, his presence a silent reassurance amidst the swirling chaos of emotions. Despite our prayers for a miracle, I knew deep down that this was a path I couldn't alter.

Stella's face haunted my thoughts, her hurt and confusion etched into every line of her absence. I had promised her that everything would be fine, yet here I was, poised on the brink of a commitment I didn't want. The weight of my decisions pressed down on me like an iron vice, threatening to crush the last remnants of my resolve.

As the minutes ticked by, anxiety coiled in my chest like a serpent, tightening its grip with each passing second. Where was Jisoo? Why hadn't she arrived yet? The room buzzed with murmured speculation, the tension palpable as we waited in uneasy silence.

Then, the truth emerged like a thunderclap in the stillness. Jisoo was nowhere to be found. The whispers spread like wildfire, igniting a frenzy of accusations and recriminations between our families.

My parents, usually composed and dignified, radiated fury and disappointment. They couldn't fathom how Jisoo, whom they had welcomed into our family with open arms, could betray us so egregiously.

"How could your daughter do this to us?" My mother's voice was sharp, slicing through the strained silence. Her eyes bore into Jisoo's parents with accusation.

"We trusted her with our son's future!" My father's words were laced with bitterness, his disappointment palpable.

On the other side, Jisoo's parents appeared crestfallen, their expressions a mix of apology and disbelief.

"Please understand, we had no idea about her plans," Jisoo's father pleaded, his voice tinged with regret. "This is not how we raised her."

"We are deeply sorry for the trouble caused," Jisoo's mother added tearfully, her hands trembling as she tried to console my parents.

I stood there, feeling a whirlwind of emotions-frustration, disappointment, and a lingering disbelief at what had just transpired. Jisoo, who had promised to marry me despite having a boyfriend, had vanished without a trace just moments before the engagement ceremony.

"I can't believe this is happening," I muttered, more to myself than anyone else, struggling to come to terms with the abrupt turn of events.

Jeno, standing beside me, shared my sentiment with a mixture of exasperation and relief. "Looks like we dodged a bullet there, Jaemin," he remarked quietly, his voice tinged with sarcasm.

My mother's accusations continued, her voice rising with each word. "What kind of upbringing has she had? To leave us humiliated like this!"

Jisoo's parents, now on the defensive, tried to placate the escalating tension. "Please, let's not let this escalate," Jisoo's father urged, casting a pleading glance towards my parents. "We promise to find Jisoo and get to the bottom of this."

My father, his jaw clenched in frustration, shot back bitterly, "Find her and what? Force her to marry our son? This is a disgrace!"

Feeling a mixture of anger and resignation, I finally spoke up, my voice calm but resolute. "No, Dad. It's over. I'm done with this charade. Let's just focus on moving forward."