Faking It

11. Mr. Kim

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the garden as Chaeyoung and Jisoo enjoyed their time together. Just as they settled onto a bench, the calm was interrupted by the imposing figure of Jisoo's father, Mr. Kim. He approached with an air of authority, his expression unreadable.

"Chaeyoung," he began, his voice steady but firm. "Can I have a word with you?"

Chaeyoung exchanged a glance with Jisoo, who merely nodded, her expression unreadable. "Sure, Mr. Kim," Chaeyoung replied, pushing herself off the bench.

As they walked a little further away from Jisoo, she felt a mix of anxiety and determination. What could he possibly want to talk about? Once they were out of earshot, Mr. Kim turned to face her, his arms crossed.

"I need to understand this arrangement you have with my daughter," he said bluntly. "How much did she pay you to go along with this scheme?"

Chaeyoung's heart raced, the question hitting her like a cold wave. "What do you mean 'scheme'?" she replied, her voice steady despite the surprise.

"This... engagement," Mr. Kim said, his tone leaving no room for misunderstanding. "Is this some kind of joke to you? A means to an end? Because if it is, I can assure you that Jisoo's happiness is not something to toy with."

Chaeyoung squared her shoulders, taking a breath to steady herself. "This isn't a joke, Mr. Kim. I care about Jisoo—deeply. This isn't about money or a scheme. We're in this together, and I genuinely want to support her."

Mr. Kim's gaze narrowed, assessing her as if searching for any hint of insincerity. "Then why would she feel the need to concoct such a story? You must understand that this isn't how things are done in our family."

Chaeyoung felt her frustration bubbling to the surface. "With all due respect, sir, you may not understand Jisoo and her dreams, but she's more than just a name in the Kim family. She deserves to be happy, to be with someone who understands her. Not someone who fits your idea of perfection."

The tension in the air was thick, and Chaeyoung felt the weight of Mr. Kim's disapproval heavy on her shoulders. But before he could respond, they both heard a soft gasp from behind them."Chaeyoung?" Jisoo's voice broke through the moment, surprise etched across her face as she stepped into view, having overheard their conversation.

"Jisoo, I—" Mr. Kim started, but Jisoo held up a hand, silencing him.

"I heard everything," she said, her voice unwavering as she met her father's gaze. "And I'm tired of pretending to be someone I'm not just to meet your expectations. Chaeyoung is everything I've ever wanted."

"Sweetheart, you're being naive," Mr. Kim replied, his tone shifting from anger to concern. "You're young, and this is a serious matter. You can't just let your emotions dictate your choices."

"I'm not being naive!" Jisoo shot back, frustration boiling over. "You don't understand how hard it is for me to live in this family, where I always feel like I'm not enough. Chaeyoung sees me for who I really am, and I refuse to let you dictate my happiness any longer."

Chaeyoung's heart swelled with pride as she watched Jisoo stand her ground. The fear of confrontation faded away, replaced by a deep sense of admiration.

Mr. Kim's expression softened slightly, though he still looked conflicted. "You don't know what's at stake here, Jisoo. The family's reputation, our connections—"

"I don't care about any of that!" Jisoo interrupted, her voice rising. "All I care about is being with the person I love. If you can't accept that, then maybe it's you who needs to rethink what family means."

For a moment, silence enveloped them, the air charged with unresolved emotions. Mr. Kim studied Jisoo, and Chaeyoung could see the struggle in his eyes. He opened his mouth, perhaps to argue further, but instead, he let out a heavy sigh.

"I just want what's best for you," he finally said, though the conviction in his voice was waning. "But I can't support a decision I don't agree with."

Jisoo's shoulders slumped slightly, and Chaeyoung stepped closer, offering silent support. "I understand, Dad. But my happiness shouldn't come second to your expectations."With that, Jisoo turned to Chaeyoung, taking her hand and squeezing it tightly. Chaeyoung could feel the warmth of Jisoo's determination radiating through her grip, giving her the strength to face whatever would come next.

"Let's go," Jisoo said softly, her gaze never leaving Chaeyoung's. "I want to be with you."As they walked away from Mr. Kim, Chaeyoung could feel the weight of the moment hanging in the air. She glanced back once, and to her surprise, Mr. Kim didn't call after them. Instead, he stood there, watching as his daughter chose her path, perhaps coming to terms with the fact that love doesn't always align with expectations.

Once they were back at the bench, Jisoo sighed heavily, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "I can't believe I just did that. I've never spoken to him like that before."

"You were amazing," Chaeyoung said, unable to hide her admiration. "I've never seen you stand up for yourself like that."

"I was scared," Jisoo admitted, her voice quieter now. "But I just couldn't let him dictate my life any longer. Not when it comes to you."

Chaeyoung leaned in closer, her heart racing. "You don't have to be scared anymore, Jisoo. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Jisoo smiled, a genuine, soft smile that lit up her entire face. "Thank you for believing in me. I don't know what's going to happen with my family, but I know that with you by my side, I can face anything."

And in that moment, Chaeyoung knew they were stronger together. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would tackle them as a team, united in their love and determination to carve out a path that was truly theirs.