That XX - GDragon 

Pretense

Aerin was quiet as she sat in the passenger’s seat of her truck, trying to ignore Sehun's stare. It was a bit uncomfortable for her, but it made sense as to why he acted like that. It was only her second time wearing a dress, and a pink one at that. Aerin had always preferred wearing shorts and jeans over skirts any day. But today wasn’t just any normal day. It was the day where she’d finally visit the Oh household again. It was the day when she’d officially introduce herself as Sehun’s girlfriend.

Sehun had told her beforehand that he had been planning to properly introduce her to his family ever since that day, much to Aerin’s relief. She had prepared her clothes and shoes the night before as well as mentally preparing herself. She wasn’t really nervous; the Oh's were already like her second family--the closest family friends she and Heegun had. However, going there without Heegun made the situation different and that thought alone made her feel a bit uneasy. She may be comfortable around the family, but it still didn’t change the fact that she was going there today, not as their family friend, but as Sehun’s girlfriend.

She had tried to remain calm, thinking that it was just another ordinary visit to the Oh household. Even when she met up with Sehun, despite his usual cheesy compliments on her attire, Aerin had kept herself composed. She thought that she was doing a good job at it, but her thoughts were proven wrong when the truck finally came to a stop. The nervousness she felt reached its peak as she stared at the front of Sehun's house. It was only then that the realization of finally meeting Sehun's family dawned on her.

Closing the truck door almost hesitantly, Aerin flinched as she felt a hand tapping her shoulder. “Don’t worry too much. It’s not like they’re going to eat you. They love you, right? And besides,” Sehun grinned and grabbed her hand, holding it firmly. “I’m right here. I won’t leave you no matter what.”

Breathing heavily, Aerin nodded. She was still nervous, and her heart was still beating erratically, but having Sehun by her side had, undoubtedly, managed to put her mind at ease. Holding onto his hand tightly, Aerin followed him as they walked towards the porch and entered the house. Upon opening the front door, Aerin and Sehun jumped back in shock as Sena and Seongim’s ecstatic faces welcomed them.

“Aerin! You’re here! Our youngest son’s girlfriend is finally here!” Sena and Seongim squealed, pulling Aerin further inside the house and completely ignoring Sehun’s presence. While she was being dragged along, Sena and Seongim bombarded her with their high-pitched voices, telling her how excited they were to see her. Aerin was also happy to see them again after a long time, but she couldn’t do anything except to smile shyly. It wasn’t because she was still nervous—that tension had dissipated the moment the two older females took ahold of her. However, she couldn’t fully understand them, seeing as they spoke quickly at the same time.

Fortunately for Aerin, Sehun was quick to catch up to them and, in no time, she able to break free from the two women’s grasps. “Mom, noona, leave Aerin alone,” Sehun hissed, pulling Aerin away from the two while giving them both a nasty look. “Stop harassing my girlfriend.”

Sehun smiled at Aerin gently, completely ignoring Sena and Seongim’s presence. Luckily, they didn’t make a fuss and just stared at the two happily, finding them too adorable. For a moment, all Aerin saw was Sehun, and it made her heart flutter uncontrollably. She would have honestly continued staring at him if it weren't for the Han's familiar accented voice appearing from behind them.

“Did I hear correctly? Sehun’s girlfriend is here?” Han asked, walking towards the dining table with a big pot in his hands. Once he was finally able to place it down on the table, he turned towards Sehun and Aerin with a smile. “Aerin, you really are here.”

Composing herself again, Aerin quickly bowed ninety degrees. “Good evening, Uncle Han. I’m back.” Aerin smiled, whereas Han nodded.

“Take a seat first--the food will be done in no time.”

“Do you need some help, Uncle Han?”

“No, thank you. Luhan’s already helping me. Now, come.” Han gestured for Aerin to take a seat by the dining table to which she quickly obliged. No wonder Luhan’s nowhere in sight.

Sena and Seongim were about to sit beside her, but Sehun, knowing what would happen if they did, didn’t waste any time and quickly took the seat beside her. Since Aerin sat on the end of the table, Sena and Seongim had no other choice but to take the seats across from them.

“You’re so cheap, Sehun,” Seongim said, eyeing her younger cousin with distaste. “Why won’t you share Aerin with us? It’s not like you own her.” Sehun wasn't bothered by her comments and even by copying her actions. Aerin found their interaction amusing, making her chuckle alongside Sena.

“Don’t mind them, dear, they’re always like that,” Sena sighed, shaking her head in displeasure at the way Sehun and Seongim were acting. She didn’t scold them like how she usually did though, for she never really thought of Aerin as a guest. She was family. “Anyway, it’s really nice to see you again, Aerin.” Sena smiled. “Though I can’t believe that Sehun would actually take our words about dating you seriously.”

Quickly ignoring Sehun, Seongim joined the conversation. “Me neither. I mean, Sehun really isn’t the type to take relationships seriously. I remember one time when he was slapped by a previous girlfriend because he was caught on a date with another girl—“

“You don’t need to talk about that, noona!” Sehun exclaimed, his face contorting in horror as he glanced at Aerin. But the girl didn’t seem to mind; she was snickering. Aerin already knew that Sehun had past relationships—he had told her before—but knowing that he was too careless that he ended up getting slapped made her inwardly smirk. Now I have something to about.

Sena and Seongim were oblivious to this. They thought that Aerin was so purely blinded by love that she didn’t care about Sehun’s past. It was also obvious that Sehun was deeply in love with the girl since she was the first girl whom he introduced to his family—which was definitely saying something.

Even so, they were glad that Aerin was the one Sehun was dating, for they really liked her. But they couldn't help but worry, knowing how Sehun was with girls in the past.

“So Aerin,” Han reappeared again, placing another pot on the table before taking the seat on the farthest end beside the girl. “Does Heegun know about this already?” he asked. “About your relationship with Sehun?”

Aerin glanced at Sehun, only to be met by his uncertain expression. “Actually, none of my parents know about it yet,” Aerin answered, turning back to Han, Sena, and Seongim calmly. “But I’m going to tell Dad soon, and my mom after.”

“I haven’t really talked to her mom yet but—“ Sehun scratched the back of his head, a bit unsure of his words, but Aerin interrupted him.

“I’m sure that my mom will like Sehun,” Aerin continued with a smile, not averting her gaze away from the three adults who only looked at her with a mixture of delight and apprehension.

Sehun was surprised when Aerin cut him off, but that only made the anxiety inside him grow even more. He knew what his family members were trying to do. He knew that they were still questioning his relationship with Aerin, that they were still doubting him. Therefore, even if it wasn’t a part of his plan, he had already told them beforehand about their relationship and how serious he really was about her.

Sehun’s parents were still unconvinced, of course, but he had to try. He knew that Aerin wasn’t one who would be easily swayed by other people’s words, but he didn’t want to take a risk. He didn’t want Aerin to feel any doubt or uncertainty like how his family was feeling.

Clearing his throat, Han finally decided to break the silence. “Aerin, I assume that you already know Sehun and that you