Genuine

CHAPTER 14

We've passed by buildings, rivers, bridges, tress, and more buildings until we entered some streets that had some houses. I assumed this is their village. Thinking about our nearing destination just made my heart pump the blood hard I just want to vomit it. A few turns and the car suddenly went inside a garage. 'This is it, the death of me. RIP ME'

Jin opened the door for me and I can feel my legs wobbling as I took a step out of the car. Seeing me leaning on the car for stability, he offered his arm for me and I gladly took it. We walked near the door and he pressed the intercom.

The sound it was making was like a drum roll in my ears, anticipating whether someone will answer or not. My mind was like the audience shouting 'Please let there be no one' or 'Let us in, my feet hurts' and suddenly the drum roll end as the host spoke the answer.

"Jin-ssi! Wait a minute" a woman said and right then, the door clicked open.
"Thank You ajummeoni." He said and all I can do was smile. He opened the gate for me to go in first and closed back once he was inside. I hurriedly hooked our arms thinking I might be left alone or be dragged by a vicious monster that lived as a guardian in this huge house. It seems I've held him tight when he tapped my hand and said "Relax. It's going to be alright." I nodded as we walked into the main door. An elder woman came to open the door which I heard was the ajummeoni in the intercom. I also greeted her and she gestured us to come in.
"They're in the living room" she said as she went the other way.

As soon as we entered the living room, I saw 4 people sitting in the couches, chatting and laughing and I think they were drinking some tea. They, on the other hand, went silent for a moment as they saw us before bursting into greetings, happy to see Jin.

"Jin-ssi~ I'm glad you're here." His mom stood and went to hug Jin, so I let go of his arm. I just realized, as I look at her mother closely, she looked familiar. After she hugged her son, she looked at me, having a flustered reaction, as if we were thinking the same.
"Eomma, this is y/n." he introduced. His mom and I stared at each other for a moment before she lightened her face and smiled as she engulfed me to a hug.
"Hi y/n-ssi. Welcome to the family" she said as she faced everyone, hand on my back. "Honey! Everyone! It's Jin's girlfriend! y/n!" she announced and everyone was greeting me, shaking hands, hugging me. The other people aside from his parents were Jin's brother and his brother's wife. We were waiting for the food to be cooked as they chitchat in the living room.
"Hyung!" Jin called his brother. "Where are the kids?" he asked
"I didn't bring them. They're already asleep before we left." His brother replied
"Ah really? I wanted to see them, I missed them already." He pouted "I'll bring them some other time" his brother said and laughed.

I noticed his mother and father talking, more like whispering to each other while taking glances at me. I kind of was doing the same thing, just less the talking. I really think they look familiar, I mean yes I saw their pictures—even my thoughts were cut off by another thought, now knowing why they looked familiar.

"Jin?" I asked him, cutting off his talk with his brother.
"Yes? You need anything?" he asked concerned
"Where's the restroom?" I asked
"Ah, I'll come with you-" "No" I thought it was me who interrupted him, but I realized it was not my voice. It was his mother's, everyone looked at her, including me.
"I'll show y/n the restroom" she offered and smiled as she stood up and gestured me to follow her.

I wasn't really going to pee but trailing her to go there just made me want to pee for real. When we arrived near the restroom door, she gestured with a smile and I did the same, bowing as I thank her and went in. After peeing, I stayed for a minute to calm my nerves before going out. As I opened the door, I was surprised to see his mother waiting for me outside.

"Ma'am, you didn't have to wait." I said politely
"I actually wanted to talk to you" she said. She didn't sound angry, just concerned. "D-Do you remember us?" she sighed, relieved that she finally let out a concern.
"Yes ma'am. I'm the designer for your 2-storey house." I said proudly.
"I knew it." she sighed in both relief and frustration. "Can I ask you a favor dear?" she asked and I nodded, "Please keep that project a secret from Jin."
"Of course Ma'am, our company encourages confidentiality and privacy for our clients." I said to reassure her. And she sighed again, now purely on relief.
"Thank you so much y/n-ssi" she said as she took my hands. "I think we should get back now before he becomes suspicious" she let go of my hands as we walked together, a hand on my back.
"Yes Ma'am" I said and smiled.
"One more thing..." she trailed and I looked at her, "You can call me Eomma" she smiled and I can't help but smile either. I was afraid she may threat me in the bathroom, bribing me to stay away from their son just like the typical drama plot and here she is, letting me call her Mom. It just nurtures my heart how kind and welcoming his family actually is.

After a few minutes of waiting, the food was served on the table and we went to the dining table together. Right after they found out about his mom letting me call her mom, they also allowed me to call them Appa, Hyungnim, and Unnie respectively. We dug into the dishes and continued chatting until the topic was focused on me.

"Where are your parents?" Appa asked while slicing on his steak
"They're back at my home country" I replied
"Hm. what do they do for a living, If I may ask?" He said
"My dad was an engineer, but he already retired. And my mom was an accountant, also retired. But we have a farm and that's what they've invested their time on. I also send them allowance from time to time." I said proudly.
"That's nice. Do you visit them?" Eomma asked
"I haven't visited them for a year now." I replied saddened of the thought.
"I'm sorry. We'll not push through that topic." She said pity evident on her eyes.
"No, it's okay. I just prioritized my work, that's all. I'm still waiting for the right time to take a leave and visit them." I smiled and ate some steak.
"That's good to hear, dear. Jin here, have been like that since he became an idol, but we're just a car away so we're fine with it. We hope you'll have the time for them soon." She reassured and I nodded with a smile.
"Y/n-ssi," Hyungnim called and I looked up to him, "How 'bout you? what do you do?" he asked
"I'm an Engineer." I proudly said, leaving out the part of me being a staff of BTS and we also agreed to make our living together a secret. They have asked me where I lived and I told them that I lived in an apartment, which is partially true since I lived there before. We ate and drank Champagne as we chatted for another hour until it was time to go.
"Can't you really stay over?" Eomma asked
"No Eomma, I'm sorry. We have early call time for tomorrow. Maybe next time." Jin said and hugged his family. I did the same too as we bid goodbye.

Along the ride, we were silent as if there were no words left to speak for the night was full with talking and interrogating. We were also tired to speak or even think of something to talk about. But we surely felt happy and I also felt relieved that the night went well.

I was looking outside the window, watching the quiet road with just the street lights and us occupying it. He suddenly turned on the radio, making me turn to him as he opened a hand where I willingly placed mine, intertwining them as the sweet music was playing on the background, doing just that, along what it seems like an unwinding road.

Days had gone by fast and here came Christmas day. The boys had done with performance and interview shootings for the month and they were given a holiday break to rest and to celebrate with families.

With that being said, the boys informed me that they will be going home to their respective hometowns and they asked me about my plans out of concern. I told them I'll be with Jen unnie's family but I was really just planning on staying in the dorm.

I sat on my desk, pretending on doing something as one by one, they'd knock on my door, open it, bid goodbye, ask if I'm really alright, and then proceed to go. I turned on my laptop, scrolling through the internet before another one of them bade another goodbye. Before I could think who has left and who's haven't, my sister suddenly called on Skype.

"Merry Christmas~!" they all yelled in the camera.
"Merry Christmas." I simply said and smiled
"What are you doing today?" My mom asked
"I'll probably roam around the city and take picture, eat something I'd see along the way maybe. Trying out things I haven't. Just..." I shrugged
"Is that so?" mom stated. "Don't you have someone to celebrate with?" my dad asked, but before I could answer them, my door flung open.
"Y/n-ssi, my family wants you to come with us." Jin entered and closed the door as if it was his own room, I was shocked to answer him, thinking what my family would react despite them not understanding Korean. "What are you doing?" he asked as he sat beside me. I looked at the screen and my family was silently watching. I looked back at Jin and he was already facing the camera, baffled of what's happening. "Ah! Hello y/n's family." He said as he bowed repeatedly while my family was saying Hi, laughing and asking who this handsome guy is, "I'm sorry. Bye." He stood up and made an 'I'm dead' face. It made me laugh and back to my senses.
"Mom, Dad" I said as Jin was about go out but I pulled his hand making him sit back beside me, "This is Jin..." I hesitated for a while as I looked at him and looked back at my family saying their Hellos again and waited for them to quiet down, "My boyfriend" I finally said.

They all made a shocked but happy face. Both eyes and mouth open wide in this unbelievable news. They all yelled wows and clapped their hands in celebration. I'm glad they liked him too, but it would be better if they'd meet in person. I'm sure my dad will have lots of question when that time comes.