Secrets

18. Totally Not Scared

"Why are you so jittery right now?"

I folded my arms so he couldn't see my fingers tapping. "I am not jittery. I look okay right? Is this dress okay? Will she like it? Should I have worn pants?"

Yoongi pulled the car over and put it in park. "I'm not taking you to meet the emperor. I'm taking you to meet my mother. And my father and brother."

"I'd be more comefortable meeting an emperor."

He took my hands. "Why are you so scared? She's heard nothing but good things about you for months."

"I'm not scared. I'm just...I want her to like me. I don't want her to think I'm using you, or that I'm some gold digger or fame seeker."

"You're scared. Don't be. She's looking forward to meeting you."

"Is it too soon to meet her?"

"It's been almost a year. They've all been looking forward to meeting you for months. Do you need help to calm down?"

"Nothing you can do will help."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow and pulled my lips to his, cupping my face with both hands. It was a soft, deep kiss that took my breath away.

"How do you feel now?"

I giggled. "Melted?"

He smiled. "That's better than nervous. My mother is going to love you. I know she will. So just relax."

Most of our drive to Degau was either taking about school or me freaking out. I was very nervous. I'd met my friends parents, they always loved me. But meeting the parents of the man I loved was different. If Yoongi and I were forever, they had to like me at least a little. I couldn't handle it if his parents didn't like me. I didn't care for myself one way or another. But I didn't want Yoongi to go though that. I didn't want there to ever be a moment where he had to chose between his family and me.

About half way there, Yoongi pulled into a petrol station while I ran into the store to pay and get some road snacks.

"How is your day going?" The cashier asked as I set my items on the counter. "You're dressed very nice for a passthrough area."

"My boyfriend and I are going to meet his parents in Degau. We both live in Seoul."

"Ah, so you're trying to make a good impression on them because you're a foreigner?"

I blinked at her.

"I can tell by your accent. It's very clear, but you miss some things in the dialect."

"Oh...well, not really that. I just want them to like me."

The cashier nodded as she took my money. "Well, good luck."

Yoongi had pulled the car out front of the doors, so I hopped in and we were back on our way. He pulled the beanie and mask off that he'd used to hide his identity.

"Okay, what happened in there? You're jittery again."

I told him what happened in the convenience store.

"So now you're worried about being a foreigner?"

"No...Maybe. I don't know."

"Why are you so freaked out by this?" Yoongi snapped, making me jump.

"You don't have to snap at me!"

"I'm sorry. I just don't undersrand why you're freaking out about this."

"Because I love you and they're your family. I want to stay with you Min Yoongi, for the rest of my life. I do not want that to have an overlaying problem where your family doesn't like me. I don't want you to have to play middle ground between your family and me. I want, one day, to have a lovely wedding where I look at your family and mine and everyone is happy."

Yoongi puffed out his cheeks. "I can understand that. I don't mean to make you upset. I didn't realize it was that important to you."

"Well it is," I mumbled, looking out the window.

I felt Yoongi take my hand, gently fingering the ring resting on my left ring finger. "They'll love you. They'll love that you study and work hard, your passion, your kindness. All you have to do is be yourself."

I sighed. He made a habit of touching me when we argued. Usually taking my hand or my arm. It made me calm down and listen rather than just seethe.

"I'm sorry I'm being so weird about it."

"You don't have to be sorry. Honestly, my mom is a bit concerned that you're a foreigner. Only as far as if that means I leave Korea. I told her you weren't sure where you'd go after school."

"You have an established career here. I'd move here."

"See, just say that to my mom if she asks and everything is good." He kissed the back of my hand, making me break into a smile.

"Thank you."

Yoongi turned the radio on after that, but kept a tight hold of my hand, acting like an anchor for my nerves.