Uncharted | k.th. (Limited Time)

50| The Kims'

Taehyung rolled his suitcase into the living room before checking his phone. The weekend arrived for his sister's engagement party quicker than he prepared for. A sense of dread lingered with him despite feeling excited. Anxiousness played a part as well. So many emotions wrangled him.

Noel pulled her room door closed as she rolled her suitcase out into the living area. She tilted her head as she noticed Taehyung scrolling through his phone. Slowly, she made her way to him. "Baby? Are you okay?" She uttered.

"Yeah, I'm just checking the distance to our hotel and confirming our dinner reservations." Taehyung answered, but never taking his eyes away from the phone.

"Hey..." Noel called as she rested her hand on his. Taehyung averted his attention to her. "Everything will be okay." She lifted to kiss him. "Let's go love." Taehyung sighed as he grabbed her suitcase along with his and they proceeded out of the apartment.

After a long drive, and a few hours to rest in their hotel suite, Noel and Taehyung were getting dressed for dinner with his parents. Taehyung stood in the mirror, gritting from flashbacks of the last family gathering he attempted a month ago.

"Then why do you choose someone like Jungkook when it sounds like you have a good girl with you? Where is your mind, Taehyung? Didn't I teach you better than that?"

Creases in his forehead surfaced while grappling with his tie. Growing frustrated, he sat back on the bed behind him and took a deep breath.

"Tae Tae, are you ready?" Noel asked as she walked over to him. Her gaze soften as she could see the mild irritation on Taehyung's face. She sat next to him, reaching for his tie to fix and adjust. "You've been quiet for most of the ride and since we've checked in. Tell me what's wrong, love."

Taehyung couldn't help but smile from her sweet voice. "I'm just nervous sweetheart."

"Shouldn't I be the one nervous? After all, your girlfriend is meeting your parents and I've never done this before with anyone." Noel grinned.

"I apologize in advance if it's not the best experience. I don't care about you meeting them, honestly." Taehyung grumbled.

"I care, my love. You are important to me and I know your relationship is not the best with your parents, but let's work to improve it. Your family is growing. Your sister is getting married and maybe we will have life changes of our own. Please Tae, let me help you mend this." Noel suggested.

Taehyung gripped his lip, pondering the kind words while staring at the beautiful woman before him. "What did I do to deserve you, hm?"

Noel smiled. "I thought I answered that before." She put the final touches on his tie. "Now, we're all set. Are you ready, my love?"

Taehyung pulled Noel closer to him as he gripped his lip once more. "By the way, you look gorgeous, Elle. When we get back, we should talk more about those life changes."

Noel blushed. "You're being naughty."

"Of course I am." Taehyung smirked.

_______________

Noel and Taehyung arrived at the restaurant. She wrapped her arm around his as they walked inside. Taehyung spoke to the host, who informed him the other guests of his party had arrived and seated. He nodded as the host escorted them to their table.

Upon arrival he read the expressions on his parents' face, instantly mortified from gleaming smiles they portrayed. They stood up to greet their son and his date, causing an already curious lift of Taehyung's brow. "Kims." His greeting was firm but didn't lack distinction.

"Hello son, and can I assume this beautiful girl is Noel?" His mother inquired.

Noel bowed. "Very nice to meet you Mrs. Kim, Mr Kim, sir and Jihyeon."

Haeun, Taehyung's mother, smiled. "It is more of a pleasure to meet you, my dear. Please have a seat."

Taehyung pulled out a chair for Noel and his sister before taking a seat of his own.

"How was the drive over?" His father bellowed.

"It was good sir." Taehyung's even tone replied as he glanced at the wine menu.

Noel placed her hand on his thigh to comfort him while staring kindly at him. He caught her gaze and smiled at her.

Haeun regarded the act and grew curious about them. "So Noel, it's nice to meet you, dear. Taehyung has said nothing but good things about you, though we have to drag information out of him sometimes."

Noel showcased a charming smile. "It's nice to meet you as well, Mrs. Kim."

"Are you an architect too, dear?" Haeun inquired.

"No, I am Financial Advisor. I'm employed with your nephew, Namjoon. We work at the same firm." Noel explained.

"Recently promoted, by the way." Taehyung added, while his lips curved with a gratified smile at Noel.

"Congratulations Noel! I'm sure you more than deserve it." Jihyeon praised.

"Thank you Ji! It's been keeping me busy but I love it."

"That sounds wonderful, Noel. Taehyung, you must be proud of your friend." Sangjae, Taehyung's father stated.

Taehyung peered at Noel and winked before turning to his attention to his parents as they continued to observe the couple. "I couldn't be more pleased with my girlfriend."

Jihyeon lowered her gaze with a grin while Haeun and Sangjae silently rejoiced at hearing this.

"Girlfriend?" Haeun repeated.

"Yes Mother. Noel is my girlfriend." Taehyung answered, as his eyes fell back on Noel. "She's my everything."

"It's good to see you happier with her than you were with the other. Good for you." Haeun spoke, raising stares from Taehyung and Noel, but they remained silent.

"We're thrilled for you and Noel, son. We hope for more good news like this in the future, hm?" Sangjae replied.

Taehyung's gaze snapped back to his father, heart beating with haste. It was the first time he's ever heard those words from either of them. He gulped as he fought to barricade tears while at the dinner table. Noel sensed Taehyung's heartfelt aura. She rested her hand on his as she leaned over to him and whispered. "I love you."

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