Finest Jin

Viewing

It was the week of the comeback stage and the boys were in rehearsal every day but Friday. Jin had taken me to see the new apartment. It was on the floor just below the top one, directly beneath the dorm. It had four bedrooms and was so big compared to the tiny place I was living in at the moment. According to Jin, it was the same layout as their dorm, but, as the dorm had 6 bedrooms and 2 studios, this apartment was exactly half the size. We were putting the three girls into one room, the two boys in another, Jin and I would have one and the last would be both his gaming room and the guest room when needed. It was so strange and exciting to be peeking into this glimpse at our soon to happen future. It still felt like a dream. Our possession date was August 1st as the apartment was having new flooring and some new storage cupboards installed. They were being kind enough to let Jin start moving boxes in and this was appreciated as his current place was now open for viewing. On Wednesday, Jin asked me to come straight after school as there were two appointments that day. 

Wednesday found myself, the children and our bodyguard at the apartment. Cher was boxing things up, the others were cleaning quietly and the knock on the door had me at attention. The first couple were in their late fifties, very abrupt and looking for something very specific. They approved of the bathroom, but not the view. The kitchen was nice but they preferred an island. The realtor looked strained. I guessed that these two were very hard to please. 

When they left, I pointed out a few more items that could be boxed up and the children went back to it again, careful not to make a mess or be too obtrusive. 

"Well, look who we have here. I guess when Minho dropped you, you had to become a maid." That voice grated on my nerves and I looked up from where I was tidying shoes to stare at the perfect but vicious face sneering at me.

Diva.

I faked a smile and held my hand out to invite her into the apartment. The realtor had not yet returned from the lobby. Divas' hair was in a short, swingy bob, a vibrant burgundy colour. Her shirt was lace, with her black bra visible through it. Her shorts were so short I felt it likely that her panties would be visible if she bent over. Unless she fell off those sky-high stilettos first.

"Come on in." I welcomed her, though my gut recoiled at the idea of her intruding on Jins' personal space. She left her shoes on, trouncing past like she already owned it. 

"So, Ay Telly, I saw you in the news. Sad about Minho. I tried to warn you that men like him are just out of your league. Nothing to fret over, just accept it. I am sure there is a plumber, or a farmer who would be willing to take you."

"She has a boyfriend." Éowynn was standing in the living room, still holding the leather polish for the couch. "Kim SeokJin. They are going to get married." Her green eyes were sparking with anger at this rude woman before us. 

"Oh, so he says..." Diva laughed, waltzing ahead of me into the kitchen, opening cupboards and the fridge. "Yet, while your embarrassing..." She pointed at my belly, pretending to grimace with humiliation and whispered, "Pregnancy..." She headed into the living room, picking up photos and knickknacks to inspect, "...is painfully obvious, I can't help but notice that you have no ring." She turned to face me, a fake sympathy on her face. Even in this situation, her acting was bad. "Oh dear. I guess handsome SeokJin isn't as upfront with his intentions." She leaned in, squeezing my arm as though she was comforting me. "Getting knocked up doesn't actually keep the man. It's a rookie mistake." She pulled open the little drawers on the end tables, rummaging through the items Jin had there. "Well, with a year or so of careful dieting, perhaps there will be some man who is willing to support you. Some old man. That'll work out for you and your many, many children."

Éowynn was only a foot from Diva. Her hands were clenched around the can and the cleaning cloth.

"Eomma doesn't need an old man. Kim SeokJin-Nim wants us all."

"Sure he does." Diva came over to me, speaking in an aside. "No offence, dear, but you do have several daughters...are you certain you want them around Jin or anyone else? You know how men can be. Even the ones who seem so good..." Her arm was over my shoulder. I tried to shuck it off, but she stubbornly replaced it. My bodyguard, who had been lurking in the shadows, stepped into view. His appearance startled Diva.

"No touching, please. Keep your hands to yourself." 

Diva eyed him slowly, removing her arm as her red lips curled up into an evil smile. 

"Well, well...a bodyguard too. How fun this must be for you simple folk." She picked up another photo from the end table and headed down the hallway with it in hand. "Next time we meet, I'll have to bring my bodyguard. And wear my expensive jewelry. We can play "Rich Bitch Showdown" then." She turned and went into Jins' bedroom. I followed. 

I just about crashed into Diva as she was standing just inside the doorway, holding out the picture. It was of all 7 Bangtan Boys.

"Oh my god. This is his apartment, isn't it? Is he leaving Seoul?" whispering, "Dodging you already?" 

Brigette stood up from where she had been dusting on Jins' dresser. 

"We aren't leaving. We are moving upstairs with SeokJin-Nim."

Diva pushed the photo at me, releasing it on my chest. 

"Oh, how quaint! So if I bought this apartment, we would all be neighbours." She pulled open Jins' top drawer. I reached over and pushed it shut. Diva smiled at me. "That does sound fun."

Jin had a burgundy suit hanging on the front of his wardrobe. 

"Is that his suit for next weeks' awards show? Wow, I have a dress in exactly that colour."

I steered her out of Jins' room and through the guest room, bathroom and back to the door. 

"Well, that's all there is to see." 

Diva stood at the doorway.

"Thank you, Ay, Telly. You do make a nice little house servant. Well," she waved her manicured claw at my belly, "Not exactly little." 

I glowered at her. She grinned wider.

"Good luck with your aspirations. Let's hope you don't pop before he remembers to buy a ring." She turned to walk into the hallway, speaking over her shoulder. "Oh! And tell sweet Jinnie that I am sorry I missed his many calls. I was out of town. But he can call me back tonight. Or whenever he needs me." Her head spun back to front and I watched her hips sway down the hall. 

I shut the door, shaking. I could not stand that woman. 

When Jin got home that night, I was still angry. The children were back at our apartment and I had waited to confront SeokJin on my own. When he walked in, he knew something was wrong. I sat him at the table, dishing up the thick stew and texting the boys upstairs to come get the rest of it.

"You're upset about something." Jin spoke between slurps. His shoulders were slumped. Exhaustion showed in his posture. He had no fight in him tonight.

"Your second viewing appointment was Diva."

Jins' eyebrows shot up, two dark caterpillars jumping. 

"Really? The realtor didn't say..."

"I know. That's not why I'm upset." I sat down across from him, taking in the t-shirt stained with sweat, his hair hanging limply. Suddenly I felt bad that I had intended to roast this man who was working so hard. I took his hand and swallowed down my anger. "She said you have been calling her, Jin-Ah...why?"

It was plain to see that Jin physically relaxed when he saw my bubbling rage drop to a simmer. 

"I have been. I found out some information that she needs to know."

"About us?" He took another steaming spoonful of the stew, chewing as he shook his head.

"No, no. Us is none of her business. About JinYoung."

I felt my forehead collapse on itself.

"My student?" Jin was nodding, sipping his drink. "Why would you discuss JinYoung with Diva?" 

Jin set the cup down, blowing out a long breath. 

"Because, Telly-Ah...she is his mother."