New York

Chapter VII

"You should marry him, Jennie" My father started. I subtly rolled my eyes, here we go again. Can we talk about KPop Idols for once? This is the reason why I hate eating dinner at home, all I could hear is 'Marry Him', 'Election is near', 'Marry him', 'Chief Justice this, Chief Justice that', 'Marry HIM' as if it is an obligation to do, though apparently, I have to fulfill the other Kim Family's request because Our family has a huge gratitude towards the other Kims. They are the reason why my father is now the Mayor of Seoul, the reason why I became a lawyer, the reason why we are a respected family throughout Seoul and maybe even in South Korea. Back in Law School, I am not the smartest, I think I even ranked at the bottom out of all the students there, I was clearly struggling, and I know I was going to fail my Bar Exam and apparently, I did. Chief Justice Kim Jae-Bom, resolved the issue for us, sparing our family to the disgrace we might face, If the nation found out that me, Kim Jennie daughter of the former Prosecutor Kim Jin Kyu who is the incumbent Mayor of Seoul, failed the Korean Bar Exam, people will look down on us, and my father might lose his credibility in politics. Thankfully, if that is really something to be thankful for, Chief Justice Kim managed to put me in the top 10 in exchange, I must marry his son, Kim Jongin, and of course, I do not want to.

"Why do I need to marry him?" I said in a challenging tone, staring straight at my father.

"We owe his family a lot" My father said, expressionless. I sighed and put my chopsticks down.

"So, what am I? a debt repayment?" I said in a soft menacing tone as I stand up. I have lost my appetite, how could him. I am fully aware of how indebted we are but marrying the son of the Chief Justice does not pay all that, or does it?

"Jennie-yah" My mother said, warning me. I bit my lower lip; I don't usually talk back but I hate the fact that they had manipulated my exam result, and even put my father as the Mayor of Seoul, so they can bribe my father to convince me to marry Kim Jongin, that is just downright evil.

"It is what's best for you." My father said in a calm tone. I shook my head. What is best for me? What about me? What about the one I like?

"I don't even like their Son, Appa" I said, almost pleading my father. I don't want to marry someone to boost my professional career. I want to marry someone I truly love, even if that means we will have to spend the rest of our lives living in the basement.

"Kim Jennie." My mother yelled, but I did not mind her. I am looking at my father who is now staring blankly at me.

"You know why." He said in a flat monotonous voice.

---

"Jisoo? Jisoo, unnie?" I knocked quietly at Jisoo's room. I know she might be sleeping but I need someone to comfort me. Jisoo works at Seoul National University Hospital as a Surgeon, she is the pride of our family. She topped her board exam, she was recognized as the top surgeon of the country and was awarded with Ho-am Prize in Medicine for her accomplishments in the field of medicine, Jisoo has it going for her. She is the one I look up to, and sometimes I wish, I can be as smart as her. Father thinks Jisoo is an asset that he can use to broaden his political influence, and Jisoo hates that. She also hates the fact that father is obligating me to marry Kim Jongin, the son of the Chief Justice.

"Jennie?" Jisoo said, quite surprised that I am standing outside her bedroom door. I smiled at her.

"You're still awake." I stated as I entered her room.

"I can't sleep." Jisoo replied as she raised her book. Eh, what a nerd.

"I can't either." I said, laying on her bed. Jisoo scoffed, obviously annoyed by the fact that I am laying at the center of her bed not leaving a space for her.