Sometimes I really just want to slap my mouth so hard. Yes, I really said that in front of Lee Taemin. Indirectly, I have confessed to him already. That long monologue I had just a while ago in front of him would only translate to one short sentence: I’m falling for you so stop taking me for a fool

I am such a fool right now, really. He is probably laughing inside because I confessed to him, and now he is definitely sure that every woman will fall for him. Yep. That includes me. I want to banish right in front of him a while ago. I’m just so stupid.

Now I have to act in front of his parents as if nothing just happened. Gosh.

I’m prettier than what she expected. I guess that’s a good compliment. Wait, was she expecting Taemin to marry someone ugly? Hasn’t she seen the girls he had dated? I smile at her a bit warmly but I think I can’t hide the fact that I’m really shy – literally – and embarrassed. “Hello… mother.” I buckle on the last part, thinking about what I should call her. Since Taemin called my mom as mom, then maybe I can call her that, too. I look at the person beside her. “Father.” I call softly and nod.

His mom is shorter than me, maybe just about 5’ 2” in height. She is slim and really has a fair skin. Her curly hair extends just at shoulder level. Her eyes are round with long lashes. She probably looks younger than her age. She’s wearing a light yellow blouse with white pencil-cut skirt. She really looks like a socialite. Meanwhile, beside her is a man as tall as Taemin. He’s tanned skin and all I could notice are his dark and thick eyebrows. He has a pointed nose like Taemin’s and full lips, has aged but it looks like he never fails to take care of his body. His father is in white collared shirt and denim pants. Behind him is a huge stroller luggage. It looks like they are staying for some time.

The three of us them inside the house. His mom could not stop looking and adoring Dannie. She would have wanted to carry her if not only because of the hand bag she is carrying. Finally, as they put their luggage temporarily at the living area, we go to the dinner table to start eating. They are awed by the number of dishes that are served. Again, I notice his mother clasping her hands together in delight. “You are informed in a short period of time that we’re coming but you were able to prepare all these?” She looks at me both in surprise and amusement. I nod, pretending that I cooked them all without mom’s help.

“Aahh.. this is why our Taeminnie’s gaining some weight.” His father says and we all look at Taemin.

“I’m gaining weight?” He asks horribly, touches his abdomen unconsciously and shakes his head. “That can’t be.” He is just too conscious about his figure, even more conscious than I am. “That’s it. I’m not eating tonight.” He concludes which has his mother shaking her head.

“What are we waiting for? Why don’t we start appreciating these gifts our daughter has prepared?” I blush at her statement but manages a smile. She smiles back and even winks at me. His mother has a bright personality. I can tell just by how she talks and acts.

They genuinely appreciate the meal, and I’m happy. My hard work with my mom has been paid off. The conversation during dinner is mostly just all about their stay in Hong Kong. His mother, whose name is Shin Hee, is really talkative while his father, Tae Guk, is just there nodding satisfyingly agreeing with his wife. She talks about the newly opened restaurant at downtown Tokyo, which surprised Taemin a bit since all along he thought that the couple is focused on their restaurants in Hong Kong. I figure out Taemin is a bit clueless about some other stuff his parents are venturing into.

“It’s because we know you’re busy with your life here so we thought we’ll just say it when we come here.” His father says. “And we’re even. You didn’t tell us about your soon to be wife before actually marrying her.” He strikes a look at me and giggles cutely. “I’m not against the marriage, dear Rae In. We’re happy about it, but tell me, don’t you think it’s unfair on your part to marry him without knowing us?”

I am confused, so I look at Taemin, and then to his mother.

“Not meeting us first means you don’t know half of who he is.” She teases and winks at Taemin.

“Omma.” He warns. There’s a hint of nervousness on his voice. I wonder why.

“Does she know how stubborn you are? How you often gets mad without any reason? How you always just want to push on what you want?” She starts asking to which I chuckle. She looks at me. “So, my dear?”

“I know it ever since high school.” I say and it makes them surprise. “I remember how I hated him for those things.”

“And now?”

I shut speechless when his father asks about the present. I think I said too much already.

“She realizes she likes me for those things, too.” Taemin saves me and answers on my behalf. I must admit it’s true. He laughs with the both of them and I’m left blushing.

“Honey, our gifts.” Appa reminds omma and her eyes sparkle in excitement again.

“Oh yes, yes, I almost forgot!” She says and immediately opens her hand bag to get something that I suppose are gifts.

“Here’s one for our dear grandchild.”

The good thing about the couple is that they already treat Dannie as their own grandchild. They know about why we had to get married early, and that’s because of Dannie’s custody, but from the moment they come until now, they never show any disinterest with Dannie. Even while eating, omma would always ask if Dannie needs anything else. Once, she even helped her cut the meat on her plate. It’s so sweet.

 It’s a silver necklace with a small butterfly pendant.

“This will really suit my very beautiful little girl. Come.” She reaches behind Dannie and locks the necklace around her neck. Dannie holds on to the pendant. She is staring at it wonderfully. “There. It looks even better on you.”

“Thank you, grandma. This is really beautiful.” She says and stretches her small arms to hug her tightly. Omma is surprised but giggles as she probably finds it sweet of Dannie.

“Aww, grandpa is jealous. Can I have my hug, too?” He says and extends his arms now for my daughter. Dannie goes to him right away and give him her hug. “Now, I’m feeling better.”

“Now, for the couple.” Omma takes a white long envelope and hands it to me. “For our late wedding gift.”

“That better be money.” Taemin utters and docks closer to me, waiting to open the envelope.

“That’s more than that!” His mom retracts.

I carefully pull what’s inside. It might be a check or some cash like what Taemin just said.

But it’s not. It looks like tickets.

Oh… plane tickets. Two round trip tickets.

To where?

Brazil????

“I doubt you had your proper honeymoon.” She comments which makes me immediately look at her. “So we arranged this deal with a Brazilian friend who owns several guesthouses in Rio. That’s the best honeymoon trip we could think of.” She smiles at me. I want to protest. We don’t need honeymoon or it’s more appropriate to say we can’t have a honeymoon trip, but she’s too soft and genuine to even reject this gift.

“Oh… but, we can’t leave Dannie here.” I say after realizing that there are only two tickets.

“We can bring her, then.” Taemin suggests which I find a good thing.

“No.” Omma rejects. “We’ll stay here for Dannie while you’re away. We’ll take care of her.” She rubs Dannie’s shoulder and the little girl nods. “See? She’ll be good with us, right, babe?”

“Yes.” I look at Dannie. She looks a bit sad, probably because she won’t be going with us. Of course, I want to take her. I don’t want to go with Taemin alone. That’s not a really good idea. I glance at Taemin. He’s not saying anything, and I can’t read what’s on his mind.

“We’ll go to Jeju.” It is supposed to be a whisper to Dannie but I hear appa saying that – which lifts up Dannie’s expression. “We’ll ride a plane just like your daddy and mommy, and then we’ll go to the beach and eat sea foods. Do you like that?”

Dannie nods enthusiastically which actually makes me more nervous.

Actually, it’s more convenient if Dannie will feel sad about not going with us. It’s better if she starts crying and refuse to be left with her grandparents. That’s better for me. I’ll have one more reason not to push on this precious gift.

I want to go to Brazil. It’s beautiful and I’ve never been overseas. But being with Taemin… on a honeymoon… I’m scared of that.

“Thanks for this, omma, appa. We really need this.” Taemin says at the end.

A/N: I think I can post another chapter immediately after this. :) Thanks everyone for the wishing my luck on my studies, :) Now let's wish this couple some luck for their Rio trip!