virtuous deception || pjm (editing)

vii

HYEJIN

Jimin and Ji-Hyun exchanged awkward looks towards the entrance. I turned to see a tall, slightly greying man and a shorter, slim, brunette woman by his side, a considerable amount of space between them yet they were obviously together. I saw the man's resemblance to Jimin and Ji-Hyun and putting 2 and 2 together, worked out those were their parents. My hand felt a little squeeze as Jimin faced me before getting up and proceeding to walk towards the couple. I trailed slightly behind still hand in hand with Jimin. Why does it feel like our hands are made for each other's?

"Eomma, Appa." Jimin and Ji-Hyun simultaneously said. The woman turned towards them, beaming.

"Oh, my darling boys." She said, kissing each of their cheeks. The man stood behind, nodding to each son, hardly acknowledging my existence.

"Eomma, Appa, I'd like you to meet someone." Suddenly, I was pulled forwards, almost making me fall, but Jimin caught me quickly. His mother gave me a kind smile and eye smile before pulling me into a hug. His father grunted in my direction before walking off towards some businessmen.

"Don't mind him sweetheart. You must be Hyejin, Jimin's girlfriend. Finally, he's trying something serious!"

"Finally?" I questioned, looking at Jimin.

"Oh, he hasn't dated any of the girls I set out for him. The last time he dated was in high school. The popular girls. They all liked him for his good looks, obviously from me." She chuckled. "No, he hasn't dated since one girl broke his heart when she dumped him and moved away."

"She was a bitch. Anyway, let's talk about other things other than my romantic history." Jimin dragged me and his mother away while out of the corner of my eye, I could see Ji-Hyun doubled after, wheezing from laughter.

After discussing things with Jimin's mum, she insisted him and I come to stay one day at her house just outside the city. Jimin was called up by his father so I was forced to smile and nod before taking a seat back at the table. Quickly I took the champagne out of Jungkook's hand, swashing it back in one gulp.

"Oh, come on, I know you're underage." I joked with him. He chuckled and nodded, asking the young waitress for another, which she gladly gave. Damn wish I was good looking enough to do that.

JIMIN

"Jimin, you know the real purpose of this gala is to get you on board with the family company- "my father started, pulling me into a conference room before taking a seat at the head of the table. I took a seat to his left.

"Appa, I've already told you, I don't want to run your company." I told him for the 100th time.

"Your company is linked to mine, you're already a part of the company."

"Not tonight father, let's discuss it another time, when you are thinking rationally." I turned away, starting to get up.

"You treat it like it's something bad. Son, it's business." He yelled. I turned back to face him, taking my seat again.

"What you do is illegal father, weaponry trade isn't- "

"It's business son. And anyway, as I said, you're company is paired with mine." He sucked his breath, brushed the end of his sleeves and adjusted his tie. He did this whenever he was mad. "On other matters, who's the girl?"

"Her name is Hyejin, she's my girlfriend."

"Yes, I understand that. Who's her family? Are they wealthy?" I rolled my eyes.

"Why does that matter. I don't care if she's wealthy or dirt poor!"

"I won't have you dating an embarrassment, I just am looking- "I felt the anger plume through me. Right now, I felt how I did seeing that bastard in the alleyway.

"You think she's an embarrassment? I'll have you know she is better than any of the girls you brought to me. She is kind and funny and smart and beautiful among hundreds of other things. In fact in our relationship, I'm the embarrassment. Because I'm a Park." I hissed, getting up from my seat and walking towards the door.

"Son."

"What?" I hissed, not even bothering to face him.

"I won't approve of this." He bellowed. I rolled my eyes, sighing and slammed the door behind me.

I found Hyejin sat at the table, laughing with the guys. My anger subsided for a moment as I tried to keep my composure. Her smile radiated warmth and as cheesy as it sounded, her laugh made you want to laugh too. But the swooning girls and businessmen all associated to my father made it hard to keep the happy facade much longer.

"Oh Jimin, good to see you, we were just discussing how she got that faint hickey." Namjoon wiggled his eyebrows but Jin quickly hit him to shut up.

"We need to go" I whispered into her ear.

"Oh, um, okay." She said, getting up and moving to my side. "It was nice meeting you all." She bowed towards the guys and Chae-Young, smiling.

"Oh, Hyung please stay. Eomma and Appa will be all over me!" Ji-Hyun whined.

"I took care of Appa and Eomma is harmless. Just talk to her about anything but business." I sighed before the guys said goodbye and I walked Hyejin to the car.

"Is everything alright? You seem tense." Her tone seemed worried.

"I'm fine, just business troubles."

"Anything you want to talk about?" There was no way I was going to let her know about my twisted life and my father's even more twisted business. I couldn't have her thinking bad of me. Perhaps, I just don't want her to leave.

Is that selfish?

"Don't worry about it." I sighed, halting. I pushed my hair back, trying to keep calm. Suddenly I felt Hyejin's arms around me, pulling me close. My increased heartbeat echoed through my ears. Her skin was warm despite the icy air outside and she was so close I could almost feel her heartbeat too.

"Promise you're alright." She pulled away, cupping my cheeks. Her eyes flicked between my own, searching for weakness in my expression.

"Promise." I said as she let go, taking my hand and walking towards the car. Her fingers intertwined tightly with mine and I felt a pang of sadness through my chest, knowing that this relationship was fake. My heart wanted otherwise.

But her safety is more important than my feelings.

***

So what's up with Jimin's parents. And his dad's dodgy business? Comment your ideas for the next few chapters.

Sorry for the slightly short chapter. The next chapter isn't very eventful. But after that there will be romance and mystery and a little more interesting stuff. Okay. Enjoy!!

-Evie.