Love Again

20

A few days later, Jungkook and Seokjin arrived at the Jeon family mansion, an imposing estate surrounded by lush greenery and towering gates. As they drove up the long driveway, Seokjin couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The mansion was as grand as he had imagined, perhaps even more so. The sprawling gardens, the elegant stone architecture—it was a world far removed from the chaos of his own life.

Jungkook noticed Seokjin's reaction and smiled softly as he parked the car. "Pretty impressive, huh?"

Seokjin nodded, unable to hide his admiration. "It's beautiful. I can see why you wanted to bring me here."

Jungkook reached over, giving Seokjin's hand a reassuring squeeze. "I'm glad you're here with me. Let's just get through tonight, okay?"

Seokjin smiled back, though he couldn't shake the nervous flutter in his chest. Tonight, Jungkook was introducing him to his family officially, and it was no secret that Jungkook's father had his reservations. But Seokjin was determined to make a good impression, no matter how tense the situation might be.

As they walked through the grand entrance of the mansion, they were greeted by the house staff, who ushered them into the elegant dining room. The room was just as grand as the rest of the mansion—polished wood, chandeliers casting a soft glow, and a long dining table set for a formal dinner.

Mr. Jeon, Jungkook's father, sat at the head of the table, his expression stern and unreadable. Namjoon, Jungkook's older brother, stood beside him, offering Seokjin a polite nod as they entered. Jungkook's stepmother, a warm and elegant woman, smiled softly at Seokjin as they approached.

"Seokjin, this is my father, my brother Namjoon, and my stepmother," Jungkook introduced, his voice steady but with a hint of nervousness.

Seokjin bowed respectfully. "It's an honor to meet you all. Thank you for having me."

Jungkook's stepmother smiled warmly. "We've heard a lot about you, Seokjin. It's lovely to finally meet you in person."

Namjoon offered a friendly smile. "Jungkook's talked about you quite a bit. Welcome to the family."

But it was Mr. Jeon who remained quiet, his sharp gaze assessing Seokjin as he took his seat. There was an air of judgment in the way he looked at Seokjin, as if he were sizing him up, trying to figure out what made him so important to his son.

Throughout the first course of dinner, the conversation remained polite but somewhat distant. Mr. Jeon, while civil, made no effort to hide his disapproval of the relationship. He asked pointed questions about Seokjin's career, subtly implying that a same-sex relationship wasn't suitable for someone in Jungkook's position, particularly given the family's status and legacy.

Seokjin answered the questions with grace, never once faltering, though he could feel the weight of the tension building in the room. But as the evening wore on, Seokjin began to relax, his natural warmth and charm slowly winning over everyone at the table—except, of course, Mr. Jeon.

It was only after dinner, during the coffee and dessert, that things began to shift.

Mr. Jeon, who had remained distant for most of the evening, watched Seokjin closely as he interacted with the rest of the family. There was something in the way Seokjin spoke, the way he carried himself, that caught Mr. Jeon's attention. Seokjin was genuine, thoughtful, and deeply caring—a stark contrast to the image of someone who might be a mere distraction for his son.

As the conversation flowed, Mr. Jeon's expression softened slightly, though he remained quiet. His mind was elsewhere, and it wasn't until later that he realized what it was about Seokjin that seemed so familiar.