Chapter 44
I quickly stood up from the couch.
"Uh… hello Mr. and Mrs. Min. I was just leaving…"
Before I could move...
Yoongi grabbed my hand.
Our fingers locked.
His grip was firm.
"Mom. Dad. This is my girlfriend."
His father's face turned dark.
"Yah!" he shouted.
"Whatever game you are playing, you are still engaged to Winter."
The air froze.
"I'm not engaged to her," Yoongi said calmly.
"I did everything you asked. And still, I will never be part of that deal."
His father laughed coldly.
"These foolish feelings will disappear. Where did you even meet her? When did you suddenly fall in love?"
Yoongi's jaw tightened.
"That's personal."
"Personal?!" his father snapped. Then he looked at me.
"Where are you from? Who are your parents?"
I swallowed.
"I'm… an orphan," I said softly.
Silence.
His father inhaled sharply.
"Yoongi. Pack your things. You're leaving Korea tonight."
My heart dropped.
"I'm not going," Yoongi answered.
"Is this because of this poor girl?"
My chest hurt.
Yoongi stepped forward.
"Since when did being poor become a crime?"
His father's eyes hardened.
I slowly tried to pull my hand away.
"I'll take my leave now..."
But Yoongi held tighter.
"Don't leave," he murmured so only I could hear.
His thumb brushed my knuckles.
For a second… I wanted to stay.
But this family war was too much.
I gently removed my hand.
And walked out.
Without looking back.
Behind me, I heard his father shouting.
**********
Back at the Party
"So Minju, I dare you to kiss your crush!"
The group screamed.
Minju froze.
Her eyes slowly moved to Jimin.
Her pupils were shaking.
Her lips trembling.
Jimin was focused on his phone.
Not even looking at her.
"I… I don't have a crush," she said quickly.
"Then drink!"
They handed her two glasses of alcohol.
"Drink it! Drink it!"
She gulped it down.
Fast.
Too fast.
Jimin looked up.
His expression changed.
She dropped the empty glass.
"Don't ruin the fun…" she muttered.
Suddenly someone shouted,
"Hey! Our school is hosting a couples' ball! Sponsored by Yoongi's dad and Jimin's dad!"
Everyone grabbed their phones.
Screaming.
"It's only for our class!"
.
**********
Outside After the Party
"Yahhhhh!" Minju ran outside like a child.
"Minju!" Jimin ran after her.
She was heavily drunk.
"Jiminnnnnn!" she laughed, hugging a street pole.
"Stay here. I'll bring my bike," he said.
She nodded.
But the second he turned
She ran again.
"Minju!"
She laughed loudly.
He caught her this time.
"Please be sober…"
"Am I? Am I not?" she giggled.
"Do you want to ask me out?"
He sighed.
Without hesitation...
He lifted her into a princess carry.
Her arms fell around his neck.
Her face inches from his.
The streetlights made her eyes glow.
"Jimin… do you really not have a crush?" she asked softly.
His eyes flickered.
"No."
He placed her down near his bike.
"Careful," he warned.
She almost fell again.
He exhaled deeply.
Then
He pulled her closer.
And made her sit in front of him on the bike.
Her back pressed against his chest.
His arms came around her to hold the handles.
She froze.
He started the engine.
The motorbike roared into the night.
Wind hit their faces.
Her hair flew against his cheek.
"Jimin…" she shouted over the wind.
"If someone had a crush on you… what would you do?"
He didn't answer.
She leaned her head back slightly against him.
"I have something to say," she whispered.
"Don't overreact. Just say yes or no. And promise you won't tell Jimin."
"Okay…" he said, confused.
She smiled drunkenly.
"I like Jimin."
His hands tightened on the brake.
The bike stopped suddenly.
"What?" he asked.
She laughed.
"I know he loves Sucy… but I like him. Funny, right? I want him to be my ball date."
She blinked slowly.
"Wait… you're Jimin. Where is Park Jimin I was talking to?" she giggled.
They were already in front of her house.
She tried getting off.
Almost fell.
He grabbed her waist.
"Thanks for the ride," she said softly.
She walked a few steps.
Then stumbled.
He caught her again.
She looked up at him.
Her face inches from his.
Her breath smelled like alcohol.
But her eyes…
Clear for a second.
"I love you," she whispered.
"And I know you never notice me."
Then
She leaned in.
And kissed him.
Soft at first.
But then deeper.
Her lips were warm.
Shaky.
Desperate.
Jimin froze.
His heart pounding louder than the bike engine earlier.
He didn't kiss back.
But he didn't push her away either.
For one dangerous second
He almost did.
"Yah, Minju!" her mother's voice shouted from inside the house.