#taehy

Chapter :12

The taxi ride back to your apartment was a blur, your mind racing with the events of the evening. As you stepped out of the car and into the cool night, you felt a strange mix of relief and dread wash over you. You fumbled with your keys, your hands still shaking from the adrenaline of the confrontation. The quiet hallway was a stark contrast to the cacophony of emotions in your head.

Once inside, you kicked off your heels and let your purse drop to the floor with a thud. The silence was deafening, a stark reminder of the sudden emptiness that filled your chest. You made your way to the couch, collapsing onto it with a heavy sigh.

As you sat there, trying to process everything, your phone buzzed on the coffee table. You picked it up, noticing that your mom had called. Twice.

Your heart clenched. You hadn't talked to her since the start of your internship, so many things had happened, so much had changed.

With a shaky hand, you called her back, the ringing seemingly echoing through the empty apartment. "Hello?" Her voice was warm and comforting, a stark contrast to the chaos of your day.

"Mom," you said, your voice cracking. "It's me."

"Oh, sweetheart!" Her relief was palpable. "I've been worried. How's your internship going?"

You took a deep breath, trying to compose yourself. "It's... complicated," you said, your voice tight. "But I got a permanent job at BigHit."

There was a pause on the other end of the line. "Oh," she said, her voice filled with a mix of surprise and concern. "But, sweetie, your dad is worried about your future. He's been talking about marriage again."

"Mom," you groaned, feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. "I know, but I don't want to marry right now." You paused, gathering your thoughts.

"Y/N," she said, her tone firm yet gentle. "You know how your father is. He just wants what's best for you. And your obsession with BTS... it's not healthy."

You rolled your eyes, even though she couldn't see you. "It's not an obsession, mom," you argued, though even to your own ears, it sounded a little weak. "They're just... really important to me."

"Important enough to ignore your future?" She asked, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Your father and I just want you to be happy, but we're worried you're throwing everything away for a group of boys."

You felt a lump form in your throat as you blurted out the words. "Mom, I can't marry someone I don't know," you pleaded. "And besides, I already have a boyfriend."

"You do?" Her voice was filled with genuine surprise. "Sweetie, who is he?"

You took a deep breath, knowing you had to tread carefully. "He's... someone special," you replied, avoiding the question. "He's really sweet and takes good care of me, mom."

There was a pause on the line, and you could almost hear the gears turning in her head. "Well, that's wonderful, but you know your dad. He won't be convinced until he meets him."

"Mom," you sighed, "can you just tell dad that I'm not ready to marry yet?"

"Y/N, you know I can't just say that without explaining," she said, her voice taking on a note of exasperation. "Your father is worried about you. He wants to see you happy and settled."

"Mom," you said firmly, "I know what I want. I'm happy with my life. And if I'm happy, then that's all that should matter."

Her sigh was heavy, carrying the weight of years of unspoken disagreements. "I just want you to be careful, Y/N," she said, her voice gentle but concerned. "You're my baby girl, and I don't want you to get hurt."

"I know," you responded, the lump in your throat growing. "But I'm an adult now, and I need to make my own choices. Please, just tell Dad that."

"Okay," she said after a moment. "But you have to promise me you'll bring him home to meet us soon. I want to make sure he treats you right."

You nodded, even though she couldn't see you. "I promise, Mom," you said. "But can we talk about it later? I've had a long day."

"Of course, sweetie," she said, her voice soothing. "Call me tomorrow, okay?"

You nodded, even though she couldn't see you. "I will," you murmured, ending the call. You leaned back against the couch cushions, feeling a mix of guilt and relief wash over you. You were sorry for lying to your mom, but the thought of explaining the tangled web of your relationships with Jungkook and Taehyung was too much to handle.

The next day, you couldn't bring yourself to go to work. The weight of your conversation with Jungkook lingered in the air, thick and oppressive. You called in sick, the lie sticking in your throat as you whispered it into the phone. The silence on the other end was palpable, but you couldn't bear to face the group, not after what had happened.

As the evening drew closer, the quiet of your apartment grew heavier. You'd spent the day watching TV and scrolling through social media, avoiding any mentions of BTS. The doorbell chimed, and you stumbled to your feet, your heart racing. You peeked through the peephole and saw Minseo's concerned face. You took a deep breath and opened the door.

Minseo's eyes widened when she saw you. "What happened?" She demanded, pushing past you and into the living room. "You look like you've seen a ghost!"

You sighed, collapsing onto the couch again. "It's nothing," you said, your voice weak. "Just a bad day."

Minseo's eyes searched yours, and you could see the worry etched into her features. "You can tell me," she said, her tone gentle.

You took a deep breath and let the words spill out. "It's Jungkook," you confessed, your voice barely above a whisper. "We were dating, but I broke up with him last night."

Her eyes widened to the size of saucers. "You're dating Jeon Jungkook?!" she shrieked, her voice bouncing off the walls. "Seriously?!"

"Yeah," you murmured, feeling a blush creep up your neck. "But it's over now."

Minseo's expression was a mix of shock and disbelief. "But why?" She demanded, her eyes wide. "He's so perfect!"

You took a deep breath, trying to gather your thoughts. "It's complicated," you said, feeling the weight of your decision. "Our relationship was just for fun, nothing serious. But last night, Jungkook said something that made me feel... dirty."

Minseo sat down next to you, her hand on your shoulder. "What did he say?" She asked, her voice gentle.

You took a deep breath, trying to push down the bile that rose in your throat. "It doesn't matter," you said, shaking your head. "I just... I can't be with someone who thinks of me like that."

Minseo nodded solemnly. "Okay, okay," she said, patting your shoulder. "But let's not dwell on it, alright? You need to take your mind off things."

You looked at her skeptically. "How do you propose we do that?" You asked, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of your mouth despite yourself.

Her grin grew mischievous as she grabbed a bag from the kitchen counter. "I brought reinforcements," she said, holding up a bottle of soju. "Come on, Y/N, don't be sad. Let's drink!"

You stared at the clear liquid with trepidation. "You know I don't drink," you reminded her.

"Just come on," Minseo urged, pulling you to your feet. "You need to let loose, just for one night."

You hesitated, the bottle of soju feeling heavy in your hand. But the thought of numbing the ache in your chest was tempting. "Okay," you relented, the word slipping out before you could reconsider.

The two of you clinked glasses and downed the first shot. The burning sensation in your throat was a welcome distraction from the tumult of your thoughts. You felt your shoulders relax slightly as the alcohol began to warm your body.

As the night progressed, the conversation grew louder and more uninhibited. You found yourself laughing, sharing stories, and confiding in Minseo in a way you hadn't with anyone else in a long time. The soju bottle grew emptier, and your inhibitions grew thinner. You felt a strange sense of freedom in the chaos of the evening, a stark contrast to the strict rules and expectations of the BTS world.

Eventually, the clock ticked past midnight, and the room started spinning. "Y/N," Minseo slurred, her eyes half-closed. "It's really late now. I should go."

You nodded, feeling the weight of the world return to your shoulders. "Okay," you mumbled, stumbling to your feet. "You're right." You walked her to the door, the floor feeling like it was made of jelly beneath your unsteady legs.

As the door clicked shut behind her, you leaned against the frame, the room swimming before your eyes. With a heavy sigh, you stumbled back to the couch, collapsing onto it with a thud.

You don't know how much time passed before the doorbell rang again, jolting you awake. You sat up with a start, your head pounding. The room was spinning, and the light from the hallway was a harsh reminder that you were still very much drunk. You managed to haul yourself up, using the wall for support, and made your way to the door.

Somehow, you found the coordination to unlock the door, and there, standing before you, was Taehyung. His eyes widened at the sight of you, swaying slightly in the doorway, your hair a mess and your clothes rumpled. "Y/N," he said, his voice filled with concern.

You blinked at him, the room spinning. "Tae," you slurred, reaching out to cup his face. "You're so handsome," you murmured, your thumb tracing the line of his jaw.

Taehyung's eyes searched yours, the concern in his gaze morphing into something else entirely. "You're drunk," he said, his voice gentle but firm. He stepped into the apartment, closing the door behind him.

"Mmhmm," you nodded, your eyes fluttering shut as you leaned into his palm. "But I'm dreaming right?" You mumbled, your voice thick with alcohol.

Taehyung's eyes searched yours, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "No, you're not," he said gently, his hand moving to steady you. "But maybe you should sit down before you fall over."

You nodded, allowing him to guide you back to the couch. You collapsed onto it with a dramatic sigh, feeling the cushions envelop you like a warm hug. "Tae," you murmured, your eyes half-closed. "You're so handsome."

He chuckled, his voice low and rumbling. "Thank you, Y/N," he said, his eyes never leaving yours. "But maybe we should talk about this when you're sober."

"No, no," you protested, your voice high and baby-like. "I wanna tell you now!" You grabbed his hand, pulling it closer to your heart. "You're like the sun," you said with a dreamy sigh. "Warm and bright and weirdly cute."

Taehyung's smile grew, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Weirdly cute?" He repeated, amusement lacing his voice. "I'll take it."

You nodded vigorously, your eyes half-closed. "Mmhmm," you murmured, your cheeks flushing. "And your eyes, so big and pretty."

Taehyung's smile grew, his thumb gently caressing the back of your hand. "Y/N," he said, his voice a gentle reprimand. "You're not making any sense."

You pouted, your eyes fluttering open to gaze at him with a tipsy earnestness. "I know exactly what I'm saying," you murmured, leaning in closer. "Your smile, it's like sunshine after rain," you slurred, your eyes glazed with a mix of alcohol and unshed tears. "Why can't you see that I love you?"

Taehyung's eyes searched yours, his own expression a tumult of emotions. He leaned in, his breath warm against your cheek. "Y/N," he said, his voice a whisper. "You're drunk."

"Mmhmm," you nodded, your eyes drifting shut. "But I love you," you murmured, your voice a soft confession. Before he could react, you pressed your lips to his, the kiss tentative and clumsy, your heart hammering in your chest.

Taehyung didn't pull away. Instead, he deepened the kiss, his arms wrapping around you to pull you into his lap. You felt a wave of heat rush over you as his hands roamed your body, his tongue dancing with yours in a passionate embrace. His grip was firm, yet gentle, his kisses leaving you breathless.

You felt your body respond to his touch, your heart racing as he traced the line of your neck with his lips, sending shivers down your spine. His hands found their way to the hem of your shirt, and with surprising deftness, he began to lift it over your head.

"Don't," you murmured against his lips, your eyes fluttering open. But the protest was weak, your body betraying your true feelings. Taehyung paused, his eyes searching yours, questioning. You realized with a start that you didn't mean it. You wanted this, even if your brain was foggy with drink. So you leaned back into the kiss, giving him the silent consent he needed.

With a gentle tug, he removed your shirt, his eyes drinking in the sight of you. Your cheeks burned with a mix of embarrassment and desire as he trailed kisses down your neck, his hands exploring your bare skin. His touch was intoxicating, making you feel alive in a way you hadn't felt in a long time.

You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer, the alcohol-induced bravado giving way to a genuine need. His hands found the clasp of your bra, and with a quick release, it fell away.

Taehyung's eyes darkened as he took in the sight of you, his gaze lingering on the swells of your breasts. He leaned down to kiss the sensitive skin there, his tongue flicking over your hardened nipples, eliciting a gasp from your lips. The sensation was electrifying, and you arched into his touch, lost in the moment.

With surprising strength, he pushed you back onto the couch, his body following until he was on top of you. You felt the weight of him, the heat of his skin burning through his clothes. Your hands roamed over his back, feeling the tension in his muscles as he kissed you, his teeth nipping at your lower lip.

He paused for a moment, his breathing ragged, and began to unbutton his shirt, revealing a chest that was just as toned and perfect as you'd always imagined it would be.

As his shirt fell open, you reached up to touch him, your fingertips grazing over his abs, feeling the heat and solidness of his body beneath your touch. He groaned, the sound sending a shiver down your spine, and captured your lip again, his kiss deep and demanding.

Taehyung's hand slid up to cup your breast, his thumb gently stroking the peak. You moaned into the kiss, unable to resist the wave of pleasure that crashed over you. Your body responded instinctively, arching into his touch. His hand grew bolder, squeezing gently as his kiss grew more insistent.

You tangled your fingers in his hair, pulling him closer, as the kiss grew hotter, more urgent. You felt his other hand slide up your thigh, his fingers tracing patterns on your skin that had you gasping for air. The room spun around you, but you didn't care. All that mattered was Taehyung and the way he made you feel.

But as you felt his hand move closer to your center, he pulled away, his eyes searching yours with a sudden look of concern. "Y/N, wait," he panted, his voice strained. "I don't have... protection."

Your eyes fluttered open, trying to focus on his face. The fog of the alcohol made it difficult to understand, but his words sunk in eventually.

He leaned back, his hand moving to gently cup your cheek. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his eyes filled with regret. "I can't go further without it. But I can still make you feel good," he promised, his thumb brushing against your lower lip.

Your eyes searched his, the fog of the alcohol clearing slightly. You nodded, the haze of desire still thick in the air. He took that as his cue, his lips trailing down your neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. His teeth grazed your collarbone, making you gasp, your nails digging into his back.

Taehyung's hand slid down to your waist, his fingers deftly unbuttoning your pants. He kissed down your stomach, his tongue tracing the path of your navel, making you squirm with anticipation. You felt the coolness of the room against your exposed skin as he pulled your pants and underwear down, leaving you bare to his gaze.

You were so lost in the haze of desire that you barely registered the feeling of his fingers slipping into your folds, his touch gentle yet insistent. Your hips bucked upward, seeking more of the sweet friction he provided.

Each stroke of his fingers sent a shock of pleasure through your body, making you cry out against his mouth. He kissed you deeper, swallowing your moans as he curled his fingers, hitting that spot inside you that made you see stars. Your body felt like it was on fire, every nerve ending singing with pleasure.

You could feel yourself getting wetter with every passing second, and Taehyung's touch grew bolder. He slid one, then two fingers inside you, his thumb circling your clit as he kissed along your jawline. Your breath hitched in your throat, and your hands gripped the couch cushions tightly as he began to pump them in and out, the rhythm matching the beat of your racing heart.

His kisses grew more insistent, his teeth grazing your skin as he suckled on your earlobe. "Do you like that, Y/N?" He whispered, his breath hot against your neck. You nodded, unable to form coherent words as he brought you closer and closer to the edge.

Your hips moved in time with his hand, the friction building until you felt yourself about to shatter. He curled his fingers inside you, and you came with a gasp, your body convulsing with pleasure. Taehyung held you through it, his kisses turning soothing as your breathing evened out.

As the haze of your orgasm cleared, you felt him kiss a trail down to your chest, his mouth closing around one of your sensitive peaks. He sucked gently, leaving a mark that burned like a brand. You whimpered, your body still trembling from the intensity of your release. His teeth grazed your skin, the sensation sending aftershocks through your body.

"Tae," you murmured, your voice still thick with desire. He looked up, his eyes dark with need. You reached up to cup his face, pulling him back up to kiss you again, the taste of yourself on his lips. He groaned, his hand never leaving the slickness between your thighs, his thumb lazily circling your clit.

Time passed there, the two of you lost in a world of touches and whispers. His fingers slid in and out of you, setting a slow, sensual pace that had you panting and begging for more. Your own hands explored his body, feeling the tension in his muscles as he held back, not wanting to push too far. But every touch, every kiss, was a silent plea for him to take you again.

The next morning, you woke up with a start, your head pounding and your body feeling like it had been through a war. You blinked blearily at the ceiling, trying to piece together the events of the previous night.

"Last night was a dream," you murmured to yourself, your voice hoarse. You couldn't believe what had happened with Taehyung. It had to be a dream, right? The way he had touched you, the way you had responded to him – it was all too perfect, too surreal.

"That was not a dream" Taehyung's voice washed over you, and you turned your head to find him leaning against the doorframe of your bedroom.

Your eyes widened in horror as you realized you were naked, a thin sheet the only barrier between you and his gaze. You yanked it up to cover yourself, your cheeks burning with a blush that could be seen from space. "T-Tae!" You stuttered, mortification flooding through you.

He took a step into the room, his expression a mix of concern and something else, something that made your heart flutter. "Are you okay?" He asked, his voice low and gentle.

You nodded, still unable to find your voice. The events of last night played back in your mind, the confession of love, the passionate kisses, the way he had made you feel... It was all too much. "What... what happened?" You croaked out.

"You don't come to work yesterday," Taehyung said, his voice laced with a hint of accusation. "I was worried."

You squinted against the harsh morning light, your head pounding. "I... I called in sick," you mumbled, the fog of last night's events slowly lifting.

Taehyung's eyes searched yours, his gaze unreadable. "Yeah," he said, his voice tight. "But I was worried. And when I got here, I found you... like this." He gestured to the state of the room, the empty soju bottles scattered on the floor, the mess of your clothes from the night before.

You felt a cold sweat break out on your forehead as reality set in. You had kissed Taehyung. You had confessed your love to him while intoxicated. "Oh god," you murmured, squeezing your eyes shut.

He sighed, walking over to sit on the edge of the bed. "You kissed me," he said, his tone even. "And you told me you love me."

Your eyes flew open, and you stared at him in horror. "I did?"

Taehyung pulled you closer, his eyes searching yours as you clutched the sheet tightly to your chest. You felt the warmth of his body against yours, the remnants of last night's passion still lingering in the air. "Y/N," he said, his voice a gentle rumble, "last night, I really enjoyed it, but there's one thing I'm really disappointed about."

You swallowed hard, your heart racing as you waited for him to continue. "What is it?" You managed to ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

Taehyung's expression grew serious as he took your hand, his thumb stroking the back of it gently. "I wanted to take you fully," he murmured, his eyes searching yours. "But I didn't have a condom, and I won't risk that."

You felt a wave of relief wash over you at his words.

"But you know, you're really lucky," Taehyung said, his eyes searching yours with a seriousness that sobered you up more than the cold water splashed on your face could have. "Many girls have told me they love me, approached me even, but you're the first girl I've ever let get this close."

You stared at him, your heart racing. Did he mean it? Was he saying that he felt the same way? The silence stretched between you, thick with tension.

"But," he continued, his thumb still stroking your hand, "you need to move on from me. It's not fair to you or the group. And if you want to just... hook up, I'm okay with that. But we can't let this get complicated."

The room grew quiet as his words sank in. You felt a knot form in your stomach. Hook up? That's all you were to him? You knew it was a possibility, given his reputation, but hearing it said out loud was a slap in the face. But you also knew that you had no right to expect more. You were just his assistant, after all. And you had a job to do.

You took a deep breath, trying to steady your racing heart. "Tae," you whispered, your voice shaky. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I don't know what came over me last night."

He nodded, his eyes never leaving yours. "It's okay," he said, his voice soothing. "But I need to know if you're coming to work today."

You nodded again, your throat tight. "Yes," you rasped. "I'll come."

Taehyung's gaze searched yours for a long moment before he nodded, standing up to leave. You watched him go, his words echoing in your ears. The door clicked shut behind him, and you were left alone in the quiet of your apartment.

You felt the weight of the world settle on your shoulders as you slowly sat up, the sheet sliding down to reveal your nakedness. With trembling hands, you wiped away the tears that had started to fall without your permission. Your heart felt like it was in a vice, torn between the hope that had briefly flared to life last night and the cold reality of this morning.

With a deep sigh, you pushed back the covers and forced yourself to stand, your legs wobbly from a combination of the alcohol and the intense emotions. You stumbled into the bathroom, the light stinging your eyes as you turned on the shower. The hot water washed away the physical evidence of last night's tryst, but the memories remained, etched into your soul like a tattoo you hadn't asked for.

After dressing in the first clean outfit you could find, you made your way to the kitchen, your thoughts racing. How could you face Taehyung today? How could you pretend that nothing had changed when everything had? You poured yourself a cup of coffee, the bitter taste a welcome distraction from the bitterness in your heart.

You took a deep breath and stepped out of your apartment, the cool morning air doing little to dispel the warmth of embarrassment that clung to you. As you arrived at the BigHit building, you couldn't help but feel thankful that Jungkook was on an overseas trip. The last thing you needed was to deal with his possessiveness on top of everything else.

Inside, you threw yourself into your work as Taehyung's personal assistant with a newfound fervor. The more you could keep your mind occupied, the less you had to think about the previous night's events. You avoided looking directly at him whenever he was around, focusing intently on organizing his schedule and managing his messages.

As the day drew to a close, the tension grew. You knew you couldn't avoid him forever, but the thought of facing him, especially after your drunken confession, made your stomach churn. The last thing you wanted was for him to think you were clingy or delusional.

That evening, you found solace in the familiar company of Minseo at a cozy restaurant. The dim lights and soft music provided the perfect backdrop for your troubles, and as you sipped on your second glass of wine, you found yourself spilling the beans.

"Minseo," you whispered, your voice a desperate plea. "I'm in a big, big mess."

Her eyes widened, a hint of concern etching her features. "What's going on, Y/N?"

You took a deep breath, the words tumbling out of your mouth like a waterfall. "I told my mom I had a boyfriend," you confessed. "And she's so happy, she's telling everyone. But the thing is, I don't have a boyfriend. And now, my dad wants to meet him."

Minseo's eyes grew even wider. "Oh no," she said, setting her chopsticks down. "That's a big problem."

You nodded, taking a gulp of your juice. The sweetness did little to ease the bitter taste in your mouth. "I know," you sighed. "And the worst part is, I don't know how to get out of it. My mom is so happy. She keeps talking about planning a dinner to introduce us."

Minseo leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. "What if you had a... fake boyfriend?" She suggested, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Someone who could play the part for one night, just to get your parents off your back?"

Your eyes widened at the idea. "A fake boyfriend?" You repeated, the words sounding ridiculous in the quiet restaurant. "Where would I even find someone like that?"

Minseo grinned. "I know someone," she said, leaning in conspiratorially. "A friend of a friend, who's totally into theater. He'd love the chance to play a role like this. And the best part is, he's totally reliable. He won't spill the beans, and he's got the charm to convince anyone."

You felt a spark of hope. It was a wild idea, but it might just work. "But what if he says something weird, or does something embarrassing?" You bit your lip, worrying about the potential disasters that could unfold.

Minseo waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry, I'll brief him thoroughly. And he owes me a favor, so he'll do it for free. Plus," she winked at you, "it'll be a good story to tell the grandkids one day."

You couldn't help but laugh, the tension in your shoulders easing slightly. "Okay," you said, taking a deep breath. "Let's do this."

The next afternoon, the air in Jimin's studio was thick with a different kind of tension. Clothes were scattered on the floor, and the rhythmic creak of the sofa filled the space. In the midst of their passionate entanglement, Minseo's phone vibrated insistently on the coffee table.

"Shit," Minseo muttered, her eyes flying open as she reached for the device.

Jimin, propped on an elbow, his hair tousled, frowned. "What's wrong?"

Minseo's expression was a mixture of frustration and disbelief. "You won't believe this. That 'friend of a friend,' the one I lined up for Y/N's fake boyfriend gig? He just canceled. Something about an emergency rehearsal." She tossed the phone back onto the sofa with a sigh.

Jimin's eyebrows shot up. "Fake boyfriend?" he repeated, a curious smirk playing on his lips. "What fake boyfriend?"

Minseo quickly told him the whole story: Y/N's little lie to her mom about having a boyfriend, her mom's super happy reaction, and now the upcoming "meet the boyfriend" Lunch. She explained her clever plan – a temporary actor to pretend to be Y/N's boyfriend, just to get her out of the tough spot.

Jimin listened quietly, a slow smirk spreading across his face, a playful sparkle in his eyes. He didn't say anything, but it was clear he was cooking up an idea.

On the other side of town, you sat at a fancy restaurant with your parents, the nervous energy in the air palpable. The clock on the wall ticked away the seconds, each one louder than the last, as you fidgeted with your napkin.

"Y/N, where is your boyfriend?" your dad asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and impatience. "It's been an hour. Is he not coming?"

You felt your mother's concerned gaze on you, her eyebrows furrowed as she placed a comforting hand over yours. "It's okay, sweetheart. He's probably just stuck in traffic."

Time passed, and the tension grew so thick you could almost slice it with a knife. Just as you were about to confess the truth to your dad, a familiar scent filled the air. Before you could even react, a pair of arms wrapped around you from behind, and a warm, familiar voice whispered, "Sorry, baby, for coming late."

You froze, your eyes widening in shock as you looked up to find Jimin standing beside you, a cheeky grin plastered on his face. "Jimin?" You choked out, your voice barely above a whisper.

He leaned down to kiss your cheek, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Hello, Mrs. Choi, Mr. Choi," he greeted your parents, his grip on your shoulder tightening reassuringly. "It's so nice to finally meet you both."

To be continued in the next chapter...