5Dlbn: Hello, everyone !I'm back with another long waited chapter! Between birthdays and school and holidays and all the other unnecessary drama of life, I've bene so busy I haven't been able to update! This story is not dead and neither am I, so it will keep going!
Nbld: Sheesh, you're a dork.
Disclaimer: I own auntie, Snagwoo's uncle, some names and that's about it. Everything else belongs to Koogi. I make NO money off writing this!
Dedication: Happy belated birthdays to my brother-in-law and my sister! Both of them started their hormone treatments, so those are their new birthdays. Love you guys!
Dedication 2: To my best friend Meg for finally kicking that dumpster fire abusive twat burger boyfriend of yours to the curb. You and the kids are much better off without a guy that says he doesn't care about either of his kids just because you don't want to be his toy anymore. You go girl!
000
The following night, Sangwoo stood awkwardly on the front doorstep of the Min residence, wearing a dark suit with an open blazer and blood red tie. He held some flowers in one hand and a bottle of wine in the other. Uncle had insisted on the wine, and auntie had insisted on the flowers. The fact that Bum had practically pounced on him before he left had his confidence through the roof as he waited for the door to open. If Bum thought he looked good enough to throw himself at, hopefully the Min family would be impressed as well. The door finally opened and Jieun was on the other side. She wore an open pink cardigan over a slightly formal green dress. Her hair was pulled back and she had painted a bright pink heart under her eye, fingernails done up in blue with purple and orange gems. Sangwoo bit back bile at the sheer gaudiness of the outfit as a whole.
"Oh, Sangwoo...you look amazing…" Jieun looped her arms around his neck. "Oh, my parents are going to love you as much as I do. So handsome…" She leaned to his ear. "I'll give you a nice little present tomorrow if tonight goes well."
"Jieun, stop. I told you no…"
She started to speak, but was interrupted by a woman clearing her throat.
"Oh, mommy! I didn't hear you." Jieun smiled at the woman behind her. "Mommy, this is Oh Sangwoo. Darling, my mother."
"A pleasure, Mrs. Min." Sangwoo bowed slightly, offering the flowers. "These are for you."
"Thank you. " She took the gift. "They're lovely. Welcome to our home. Please, come in."
"Thank you. What a lovely home you have." Sangwoo shuddered inwardly.
This was painful.
"Why, thank you. My husband designed it."
"He has great taste." He slipped out of his shoes and followed the Min women down the hall.
Sitting in a lounge-style room was a man with short greying hair and glasses, reading something in the newspaper.
"Dear?" Mrs. Min greeted. "Our guest has arrived."
"Excellent!" He folded the papers, standing. "Min Sujin."
"Oh Sangwoo." Sangwoo shook the hand outstretched to him when the older male stood up.
"Nice grip you have there, Sangwoo." He stated.
"Thank you…"
"Welcome to our home. Dinner will be ready soon. Why don't you and I sit and have a chat? Jieun? Go check on the desserts, would you?"
"Yes, daddy." She curtseyed, bowing slightly for him before she left.
Her mother followed, scolding her for running in the house.
"Please, have a seat." Mr. Min motioned.
"Thank you, sir." Sangwoo began to do as told. "Oh, how foolish of me." He smacked his forehead. "My uncle gave me this for you." He handed over the wine.
"Ah, a lovely spirit." Mr. Min put it on the table at his side. "Give him my thanks, would you?"
"Of course, sir."
"Now, let's cut to the chase."
"Sir?"
"My daughter is very fond of you." He started. "You seem like a nice young man, raised right...but I need to give you the standard father talk before we continue tonight. If you find my line of questioning offensive, or feel you can not hold up to our standards for our daughter's suitors, you are welcome to leave. No questions asked."
"I understand…"
"What's the first thing you noticed about my daughter…?"
"Her personality, of course." Sangwoo stated. "She's very sociable. It's pleasant."
"I see...have you and my daughter engaged in any...unorthodox...activities…?"
"I'm not sure I…?" Realization hit. "Oh no, no." He shook his head. "I don't believe in doing that kind of thing before you're married."
"No? Not a lot of young men think that way anymore."
"Well, Jieun managed to find a rarity, then."
"She definitely did…" He paused. "Why did you move here?"
"Ah, that's a sore subject…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "My mother...she went over the edge and murdered my father, then took her own life. Their wills entrusted me to my aunt and uncle. They live about half an hour south of here."
"Oh, my condolences."
"Thank you."
"Did they say why…?"
"I'm not really sure I'm comfortable answering that one…"
"Family secret. Okay, got it, won't ask again." He made a check in the air as if he were crossing it off a list of acceptable questions. "So none of those activities before marriage...what are your intentions with my daughter…?"
"Well, I would like to take her out. A dinner here and there, maybe the movies. Something nice we can do together that she would like." Sangwoo shrugged.
"Would you consider marrying my daughter one day…?"
"Hey, now, I'm a high schooler. Marriage is the last thing on my mind." Sangwo admitted. "But I suppose one day, I could see her walking down the aisle…"
Fuck that. He'd marry Bum before he married Jieun. Bum...in a wedding dress...the idea almost made him giddy. Such easy access if they wanted to fool around at the reception.
"I see, I see." He nodded. "Now, I have to give you the standard warning. Break her heart, I break you."
"I wouldn't dream of hurting her."
What she didn't know about his post-school activities wouldn't hurt her, after all.
"Good." He nodded. "I suppose you've passed my test. But do not get comfortable."
"Of course not, sir…"
"Good."
"Dinner is done, daddy!" Jieun bounded into the room.
"Excellent!" He roared. "Come, Sangwoo, let us feast!"
"Yes, sir." Sangwoo bowed his head a little. "It would be an honor, sir."
Jieun clung to his arm the moment her father left the room. "Well? Does he like you?"
"I think he approves…"
She squealed. "Oh, this is wonderful! We can go on actual dates now. I can't wait!"
"Me neither…"
She pulled him towards the kitchen.