Brute

Part 30

Nine

The first meeting with the legal team was a bit tiring. More documentations needed to be prepared to complete the process. There're going to be a few more discussions, that would surely take a few months to be settled. As the first meeting adjourned, I walked out of the office, feeling positive although much work would be in progress. Well, at least the sponsor was legit and not some scammer from somewhere. I called Joong to tell that I would go back to my parent's house. Yesterday, Jay sent both of us to Joong's house, after some airport appearance that surely caught some interest from the press. Speculations were rampant in the gossip webs, about the week vacation that was rarely taken by the young President, and some even dare to say it was a secret rendezvous. But, since it was at a private island, no pics nor story could be proven true.

"Wait there, I'll fetch you. I wanted to see your parents too", Joong briefly said and dropped the call. I waited at a cafe nearby, drinking my favourite hot chocolate while browsing the news. The sky outside seemed to be quite dark, it would rain again and Joong might be stuck in traffic if that would be the case. I wanted to go back on my own, but Joong must be in some kind of discussion to say just a few words and dropped the call. Last night, I couldn't sleep well, thinking about the conversation that I overheard between Joong and Jay. What gory truth that they were hiding from me? Was that the reason Joong said his mind was in a mess? Should I ask? Would I be able to bear the truth, or break down again?. I shook my head that had suddenly become a mess too. But personally, Joong's silence in so many things sometimes caused me to worry. A week; that's all the time I had with him till now; whereas so many things must had happened in the last six years that we were apart. I looked at the back of my hand that he had kissed, though without a ring, I was already taken. That thought alone put a smile on my face. The vow was enough, I needed no other reassurance. 

After waiting for almost an hour, Joong called and I went out into his car. The windows were heavily tinted. Well, luxury car usually was liked that. My face was turned and my lips were kissed immediately before I could even get the seat belt across. I just laughed and pushed him a bit, "In a week, my lips already chapped from too many kisses Joong...", I said and shook my head. Joong really liked kissing. If I didn't push him, that kiss would continue and we would be honk by the other driver. 

"Can't help it, had wanted to do it since we met again back in Uni", Joong said while driving along the road to my house. It was a little revealing, that what was messing up my mind at that time, he had felt the same too. "Then why didn't you, I mean, just kissed me back then?", I asked wanting to know his thought, when the reason I didn't, was a self-imposed responsibility. "I was afraid of messing up our friendship. And to be honest, I didn't know that you had loved me at that time too", Joong said and smiled, "ermm, if I knew, we both won't be so innocent anymore till this age...", he teased, but that had earned him a crab pinch from my fingers on his waist. "Awww, Nine, I'm driving...", he said while rubbing his side. 

"Behave in front of my parents. They are too new to this relationship. Though they love me, I could feel they won't feel comfortable if we are too open", I told Joong just as a precaution. 

"I thought differently. Your parents, since the first time they learnt about our relationship, had been cool about it. They even scolded me when you were at the hospital, saying that, how come we went out for dates for almost two weeks straight till you got sick. Tsk,tsk...see, how kind I am, not even denying the assumption and docilely lowered my head to be berated. But, they were still happy, that at last, they found out why their lovely son never dated anyone else. Well, you must had loved me too much, hmm, Nine? Not even a single one in all those years?", he said, teasing me again, with a satisfied smirk on his face.

"Really, Joong? What if, not that I didn't date, but I didn't tell them?", I tested Joong  just to see his reaction. Joong's smirk turned sour, and he took a deep sigh.

"How...many times? Did you fall in love or you were just testing the water?", Joong asked, cold and quiet, "how...far had  it gone, more than...kisses?". I could see his grip at the steering wheel was getting tighter. 

"Hmm...if you are not driving, I would kiss you repeatedly right now, to flatten that pout. Uyy, if I had done it, I wouldn't be so shy to even shower with you. Thinking about it right now, already made me feel liked crawling under the seat and hide", I said and felt the heat on my face again. Joong's mood improved, but the pout was still not gone. "What's with the pout still,hmm?".

"You didn't deny that you'd dated...", he said, his voice was quivering. 

"Once, Joong. It's a blind date by the way. My friend set me up without my knowledge. The girl was cool, but after the talk, we agreed that our interest didn't match that much. But, we stay as friend. She's married already, and just had a baby a few months ago". That words, finally erased the rest of the pout away. But, in turn, his eyes became dimmed. The journey continued in silence, that was only broken when we're nearing the turn to my house. 

"If you are given a choice...not to be stuck, with me...would you leave, and love someone else, Nine?", his question was a little melancholic. 

"I don't want a choice, Joong! What is that? Are you already bored with me?", I pouted teasingly, but a little fear crept into my heart still. His question seemed carefully thought after, liked, leaving me was one of the options running inside his head. 

"No, never bored. If I am, why would I search the world for you? You're the core of my happiness, Nine, that I thirst for, almost every moment. But, our time together is too short. After your work here is done, we would be separated again. I was thinking, actually, Nine... I wanted...no...would you...err..urgh, never mind", Joong shook his head and turned a little to smile at me, "Your parents must have missed their son more...".  

"Yes. I know. That's why I am going to see them", I said and smiled. Slowly, I took one of Joong's hand to hold tight, "You know, I never know how much legal paperwork actually are needed, even for a charity funding! That was just the first meeting, yet it'd already brought me headache!", I whined and rubbed his knuckles on my cheek. 

"You're not feeling well? Why didn't you tell me!", Joong was already restless. I kissed his hand to keep him calm, and let go. 

"No, not a sickness. It's more liked a metaphor. Maybe, I needed someone who is familiar with all of this...err..stuff... to help me, a lot!", I carefully hinted. 

"Alright...tomorrow I would ask Jay to help find lawyers for your side too, don't worry about the fee...", Joong answered, just as we parked in front of my house. 

"Urgh! Joong! We already arrived at my home, yet you still hesitated. If it's liked this, I would be the one who will go ahead and ask my parents for a permission...", I said exasperatedly. 

"Huh, for what?", Joong looked bewildered. 

"To stay with you for the time being! There, I invited myself", I said, loosening my seat belt, and almost opened the car door, feeling a little frustrated, but then it was halted, when Joong immediately grabbed my nape, pulled me closer and gave solid kisses to muffle my weakening, protesting grunts. 

Now, well, err...how to meet my parents with a damn red face.