Little Romantic *Second Book*

Chapter 13: His Mother

Jihwan and I had to arrive at the restaurant a bit earlier than everyone else. Technically, Jihwan was the host of the party. And if he wasn't there, they wouldn't be able to seat anyone else. Jihwan had bought out the entire private section for the wedding party. And since it was his restaurant, they had to agree.

Lance, Ethan, their families, and the groomspeople and their dates were invited to the rehearsal dinner. And to say they were unsure I sent the right address was an understatement. Every person sent me at least one text asking if I was sure it was the correct address.

When Jihwan and I got to the restaurant, the hostess's grin dropped from her face. Her eyes stayed on Jihwan as we made our way up. There were others waiting to be seated who looked at the two of us in confusion when they saw the hostess become scared.

"Mr. NJ," she said in a terrified voice.

"Hello, Miss. I assume all the preparations for the party tonight were made like I asked?" he asked.

The hostess nodded fervently. "Yes, sir. The general manager will be helping you this evening. He is our best. I'll take you to the private room."

She led us through the tables of other patrons as they talked and ate. When we made our way to the back of the restaurant, there was a red rope separating the rest of the restaurant from the private section. She unhooked the rope and gestured we made our way into the glassed in room.

It was a bit different from the last time I was here with Jihwan. Instead of multiple small tables there was a long one covered with a white tablecloth. Maroon candles were lit across the middle. The table settings were maroon and gold and made up elegantly.

"I can close the blinds if you want them closed," the hostess said.

"I don't mind them open," I said, looking towards Jihwan. He nodded.

"Everything is perfect," Jihwan said. "You can go now."

The hostess smiled in relief before rushing out.

"Do you remember the last time we were here?" Jihwan asked.

"How could I forget?" I asked, "It was our first date. I disliked you back then."

"But that big heart of yours allowed me to come in and steal it," Jihwan said, hugging my waist. He pressed a kiss to my cheek. His hand moved down from my waist to cup my ass. I swatted his hand away.

"And now there's going to be other people here so someone needs to behave," I said.

"If you insist," Jihwan said.

///

Time passed like a wave. All the guests arrived and we were all enjoying our main courses. EG found himself sitting on the other end of the table from Jihwan and I. Lance and Ethan sat at the head of the long, connected table. Dad sat to Lance's right and I sat right next to Dad. Ethan's parents sat to his left opposite of my Dad and I.

"I still can't believe that the two of you were able to get a reservation here. It usually takes months to even get on the waiting list," a friend of Lance and Ethan's called out to them from down the table.

"I can't believe it either. How'd you do it?" another friend asked.

"Well you'll have to thank Ana's boyfriend," Lance said, gesturing to Jihwan.

Jihwan was as close to me as he could get without sitting on me. He really didn't like crowds of people. And being in a room of people who didn't know him, was just as nerve-wracking for him.

"Thanks, man," a friend called out. "But how'd you manage this?"

"Getting this reservation?" Jihwan asked. The table nodded. "I own this building. All I had to do was call and say that I wanted to eat here and they cleared the room for the night."