Tangled Roots

Chapter Nine: A New Day, A New Chapter

Jinae's POV

The day after Dave met my dad, I woke up with a sense of peace I hadn't felt in weeks. The phone call had gone well-Mark was protective, as expected, but also respectful of Dave. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but it turned out better than I thought. Dave handled it all with his usual calm confidence, and Mark... well, he could see that Dave was serious about me. It meant the world that they were able to get through that awkward moment without any tension.

It was still a weird feeling to have two important men in my life finally meet, but it was a relief. I knew it wasn't the end of the story-it was just the beginning.

I looked at my phone, smiling at the text from Dave that popped up on the screen.

*"How's my girl this morning?"*

I couldn't help but smile. It was still so surreal to me-having someone like Dave in my life. Even after all this time, it didn't feel like reality.

*"Good morning, baby. Still waking up. You up already?"*

I sent my reply, stretching my arms above my head, feeling the soft morning light through the window. I'd spent the last hour just laying in bed, trying to shake off the little nerves I always felt whenever I knew I'd see Dave.

*"Yeah, I'm up. Got the coffee brewing. You want me to grab you something later?"*

I hesitated for a moment, thinking. It wasn't the usual offer of a coffee shop run, but something different.

*"I'll come to you later. Got a few things to do first. But I'll bring you something from that little café down the street. My treat."*

I smiled at my phone, already imagining the soft, warm croissants they baked there. Dave had never let me pay for anything-he always insisted on covering everything. But I wasn't a fan of letting him do that every time. I liked treating him, too, even if he didn't need me to.

Dave's POV

It was the first time in a while that I felt this calm. After everything that had happened-the craziness of my life, the drama, the shots fired a few months ago-I didn't feel as tense as I usually did. There was something about Jinae. She brought a softness to my world that I didn't even know I needed.

And even now, as I checked the clock for the fifth time this morning, waiting for her text, I couldn't shake the smile on my face. It wasn't like me to get so caught up in someone, but with Jinae, it felt natural.

The conversation with her dad had gone exactly how I expected. Mark was a hard man-no surprise there. He'd done his best to protect his daughter, and that's something I could respect. But the way he accepted me... it didn't feel like he was just checking me off a list. He saw me for who I was, not who people thought I was. And I appreciated that.

"You still up, baby?"

I shot her a quick message, then stood up from the couch to grab my phone charger. It had become a habit of mine to always check in on her-make sure she was doing alright. She was always busy with her school and that food blog of hers, but she made time for me, too. It wasn't easy, balancing the life I lived with someone like her. But somehow, it worked.

Jinae's POV

The rest of the morning passed by pretty quickly. I did a little bit of work for my blog, answered some emails from potential brand deals, and started putting together a new recipe post for my followers. But despite the busyness, my mind kept drifting back to Dave.

After everything we'd been through, it still felt unreal that he was so invested in me. In us. I knew that things weren't always going to be easy, especially with his lifestyle, but I believed in us. I couldn't imagine being with anyone else, and I wasn't afraid to admit that.

Around noon, I heard a knock on the door, followed by the sound of Dave's voice. "Hey, baby"

I smiled to myself, already heading to the door. "Hi bae" I replied welcoming him with a kiss.

I opened it to see him standing there, looking relaxed in his usual laid-back style. A hoodie, sweatpants, and that same quiet confidence he always had. I could never get used to how effortlessly attractive he was.

"Did you bring me coffee?" I asked, stepping aside so he could come in.

"Of course," Dave said with a grin, holding up two cups of coffee from the café down the street. "And your croissant, just like I promised."

I took the coffee from him, feeling the warmth in my hands. "You're too good to me," I said, feeling my heart flutter a little.

He just smiled and shrugged. "It's nothing. You deserve it."

Dave's POV

I loved watching her eyes light up when she saw I'd remembered the croissants. It wasn't a huge gesture, but I could see how much it meant to her.

"You okay, though?" I asked as she took a seat on the couch. "Your dad... he wasn't too hard on me, was he?"

She chuckled softly, shaking her head. "No, he was fine. Just... Dad stuff, you know? But he respects you."

That hit me right in the chest. Hearing that Mark respected me meant more than any approval I'd ever gotten. I respected him, too-he'd done what a father was supposed to do: protect his daughter. But it was a relief to know that, in the end, he understood I was trying to do the same.

"Good. I'm glad."

The conversation turned lighthearted after that, filled with easy chatter and laughter. But underneath it all, something deeper was forming. There was a quiet connection between us now, something neither of us could deny. And I wasn't going to let that slip away.

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Author's Note

This chapter highlights the positive development of Jinae and Dave's relationship, especially with her dad, Mark, finally approving of him. Though Mark is protective, he sees that Dave is serious about his daughter, and they get along without any issues. Meanwhile, Jinae and Dave continue to grow closer, sharing sweet moments, and building a stronger bond. It's a calm and reflective chapter, giving insight into the growing relationship between the couple and their integration into each other's worlds.