Just Friends

Sixteen

On the subject of friends, I asked a few times if Bin wanted us to have dinner or something with friends of his. He admitted though that after the scandal, the group hadn't planned anything yet since some of the guys were still sorting things out on their personal lives.

"When you guys plan and I could come, let me know, okay?" I volunteered.

He promised to do so. "My mom wants to have lunch on Sunday though. Father is away on business and she asks if I am free to meet. Would you care to join us?"

Omo.

Of course I met his parents before like he has met mine, but that was when we were just friends. Now, it feels different and I'm a bit worried. I know we discussed that we would let our family know but I didn't realize the opportunity would come soon enough.

He must have sensed my trepidation and asked, "Don't you want to, Ye Jin-ssi?"

"That's not it," I answered but didn't know how to continue.

"Tell me?" He asked, cupping my face.

"What if... What if she doesn't like me? I know the opinion of your parents mean a lot to you."

Bin frowned at that. "You've met her before."

"Yes, but not under these circumstances. Meeting your son's friend is different from meeting his girlfriend," I said.

His dimple made an appearance as he tried to suppress a smile. "Sometimes, I feel like a young man around you."

I gave him a stern look. "Bin-ssi, I am serious."

He stroked my arms to reassure me. "If you're not ready, then we'll do it some other time. I'm not forcing you into it."

"I said I'm worried but I'll do it."

"Are you sure?"

I nodded. "This is important to you, then it's important to me, too. If she dislikes me, though, we're going to have a long talk about what we're going to do. We're in trouble then."

He chuckled. "I doubt she won't like you. But even if that happens, I'm sure you'd manage to charm her."

I grinned. "I will surely try because I kinda like you and would like to keep you around longer."

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. "Is that so? Why do you like me?"

"You're very funny."

He nodded. "Interesting. I'm only going after your looks."

"Oh, you jerk!" We chased each other in my apartment, the game only ending when he tripped and I pinned him down. "Take it back!" I said, pinching him.

"You know that I love you, okay? Come on, stop." He was starting to feel ticklish and I kept on until he was laughing. "Jin-ssi, stop! I might hurt you."

"Tell me, will you leave me when I'm old and ugly?"

"Of course not!"

"Oh man," I suddenly stopped. "We're in trouble then."

"Huh? Why?"

"Because I only like you for your handsome face," I teased.

He narrowed his eyes and then started tickling me. "Really? You will leave me when I become ugly?"

I nodded and raised my eyebrows as I continued to laugh.

"I need to give you more reasons to stay then."