I didn’t really cry, but somehow he felt I was on the verge of crying. I slowly pushed him away and made a face when I met his eyes. He chuckled.

 

Me: I’m not a crybaby.

Him: You were about to cry.

Me: I wasn’t.

Him: Yeah right.

Me: Honest.

Him: Liar.

Me: Let’s just pretend, okay. It’s getting awkward.

Him: Hmmm. Alright.

Me: Good.

 

He smiled and patted my head. I felt like a puppy when he did that. He straightened up and looked around. Then he asked me.

 

Him: Are you hungry?

Me: Not really. Why? Are you?

Him: Kinda.

Me: You’re not gonna eat ice cream, right?

Him: Nope. I want something heavy on the stomach.

Me: You didn’t eat lunch?

Him: Nope.

Me: Pabo.

Him: I was thinking of right now, so I didn’t eat.

Me: So that’s why you came over to the main campus and decided to follow me around.

 

That wasn’t a question. I had assumed that was the reason why he was there earlier today. He just nodded. I wanted to knock his head and scold him for not eating, but I just sighed. I stood up and placed my hands on my hips.

 

Me: Let’s get you something to eat.

Him: Uh…

Me: What are you sitting there for?

Him: Oh…kay?

 

And he slowly got up. I had to raise my head a little because when he stood up, I just realized how tall he had become. I didn’t allow his height intimidate me. I stood my ground and raised my eyebrows at him.

 

Him: What?

Me: Nothing. Let’s go.

 

I started to walk back towards his car. He followed me. When we reached his car, I told him to unlock the car, then I opened the passenger door and got in. I didn’t wait for him to tell me to buckle up. I strapped on the seatbelt and eyed him. He had his mouth slightly open as he slid in the driver’s seat. As he closed the door, he turned to look at me.

 

Him: So, where are you taking me to eat?

Me: You’re the driver.

Him: *chuckles* Okay. How about our house?

Me: Uh…sure, sure. Just drive.

 

He smirked a little and started the ignition. Okay, so yeah, we were going to his house. I guess it was a good decision because he could eat properly. And not to mention the fact that I would be able to finally see their new house.

Him: Are you going to cook for me?

Me: Huh?

Him: I doubt there will be food at home right now. It’s not time for dinner. It’s too early to cook.

Me: Just drive.

Him: Okay.

 

He sounded amused. But good lord I was nervous. I was expected to cook for him. Or was he just bluffing? Damn you Jungkook.

He drove slowly but surely and stopping on red traffic lights. I silently praised him for his driving. I remembered Sehun and his drag racing issue. I had to look out the window and contemplate on the pros and cons of him working at the Min’s ice cream shop. But, as I contemplated, I received a text from Kai. Namjoon had agreed. Sehun would start working on Saturday. Namjoon had said that he wouldn’t tell his appa that he let Sehun work in the shop. Mr. Min might tell on papa and possibly be the reason for papa to ship Sehun to military school. Sehun had also sent me a text to inform me of the “good” news.

I placed my phone on the dashboard. I peeked at Jungkook from my peripheral. I saw him smile. I guess he was also looking at me. He started to hum something I didn’t recognize. He kept smiling to himself. I let my eyes focus on the road. I was caught staring at him and I felt awkward.

 

Him: So, do you know how to drive?

Me: Yeah.

Him: You drove yourself to school in London?

Me: Nope.

Him: So, how did you learn?

Me: Taeyong taught me.

Him: Oh.

Me: Lu ge allowed me to drive the car around the block sometimes.

Him: With his supervision, I guess. *chuckle*

Me: Yeah.

Him: But with Taeyong…with him…you…drive…uh…

Me: He let me drive on my own sometimes.

Him: Are you good?

Me: I don’t know. But I haven’t bump the car since I started driving.

Him: Hmm…I wonder…

Me: What?

 

And he suddenly stopped the car. He faced me and grinned.

Right.

He wanted me to drive his car.

To his house.

But…

 

Me: I don’t even know where your house is.

Him: Just go straight and make a left on the next block, then straight ahead. It’s the third house from the corner of that block. Left side…

Me: Are you serious?

Him: It’s my house, of course I’m serious. I know where it is.

Me: No. I mean…Grrrrr….

Him: Hmm?

 

He grinned again. Then he got out of the car and quickly walked over to my door and pulled the door. I had locked it, so he knocked on the window and motioned for me to unlock the door.

I had no escape.

I unlocked the door and he pulled it open.

 

Him: C’mon. You get to drive without your Luhan ge.

Me: What if I bump your car?

Him: You won’t. Come on, get out.

 

He pulled my arm and playfully dragged me out. I got out of the car and took a deep breath. He chuckled and pushed me toward the driver’s seat.

 

Me: Okay, okay. Don’t push me.

Him: Ooops. Hahah. Sorry. Aren’t you excited?

Me: Very.

 

I slid in the driver’s seat and waited for him to get in the car. He tapped my shoulder, reminding me to buckle up. I rolled my eyes and did as I was told. He kept laughing to himself as he put on his seatbelt.

 

Me: Okay. So…straight ahead, make a left, then three houses down.

Him: Yup. On the left side…

Me: Okay. Right. Left side of the street. I got this.

Him: Relax.

Me: Okay.

 

I took another deep breath before I started the ignition. Why didn’t he just drive all the way? Grrrrr… I was nervous all of a sudden. I fumbled on the steering wheel as I stepped on the accelerator. I glanced at him and made a face.

 

Him: Eyes on the road.

Me: Yes, sir.

Him: Just drive. You can do it.

Me: Gahhh.. Okay. Here we go.

 

And the car moved forward. I held my breath as the car moved smoothly along the road. His car was sleek. I kind of like the feel of the steering wheel under my hands. I suddenly had a reckless thought. What if I snuck out with Sehun’s car and join a drag race one time?

Hahahah!

I’d be dead meat the minute I step back inside the house.

I had to smile to myself.

Jungkook was looking at me the whole time. I could sense that his eyes were on me. I tried to concentrate on driving. I realized we were in a gated community, most of the houses were somehow similar. White, modern, large houses were lined up on either side of the street. We reached the end of the block, where I had to make a left.  I carefully maneuvered the wheel and made a left turn. I counted the houses as we made the turn.

The first house was rather big, so I had to look ahead to see the next house on the left. The second house had a round driveway and had two gates. Probably one was for the entrance and the other the exit. Then, finally, the third house on the left side of the street. I slowed down.

 

Him: This is home.

Me: So, do I park outside?

Him: No.

Me: Okay. How-?

 

And he reached out to press the car horn. His fingers brushed mine for a second and I almost let go of the wheel. I held my breath and waited.

The gate automatically opened after a minute and he muttered something. I didn’t quite get it, so I turned to look at him. He raised both eyebrows at me and wiggled them. I snorted.

 

Him: Just drive through.

Me: Okay.

Him: Just park the car right…over…there…yeah…a few feet more…yup. Here.

Me: Alright.

 

I carefully parked the car. He grinned at me and gave me a thumbs up as I turned the ignition off.

 

Him: Good job, Wu Yinzi.

Me: I didn’t crash your car, that’s good.

Him: Hahah, yeah. Now come on. You still have work to do.

 

I almost forgot. I was expected to cook for him. And I would. Because he was starving. I didn’t want him to starve. I got out of the car and reached to get my backpack from the backseat. He walked over to me and I handed him the car keys. He pocketed the keys and gestured for me to follow him inside the house.

The front looked exactly like how it was in the pictures. There was a few steps up to the front door. He opened the door and let me in first, before he walked inside.

Straight ahead was a large hall. It looked like it was the formal living room. To the right was the receiving room and saw that there was someone vacuuming the carpet in there. Jungkook led me toward the large hall. I followed him. He asked me to sit down first. He took off his school jacket and draped it on one of the armchairs. I sat down and looked around. To one side of the area, there was a grand piano. The room overlooked the backyard. French windows gave the room natural light. And just a little way off was an archway. I tried to peek what was in there. I caught a glimpse of a glass shelf full of chinaware. Then to one side of the hall was another arch made of glass cases full of bottled wine. Just the exact place where I saw some of his pictures were taken. It looked like it was the wine bar area.

Kim Jaejoong and his glass house.

LOL.

Jungkook sat down opposite me and reclined on the armchair. He looked amused. I stopped looking around and fixed my eyes on him.

 

Me: You said you were hungry. Show me your kitchen.

Him: Oh. Yeah.

 

He got up from the chair and waited for me before he led me to the kitchen. He pointed towards a door and told me that it was the pantry. He told me to get whatever ingredients I needed for the food I would be cooking for him. I nodded and prepared myself for the kitchen battle.

I walked toward the pantry and opened the door. I looked around, thinking what to cook for him. He had not eaten lunch, so he needed something heavy. It would be sort of a late lunch and early dinner. I started picking on ingredients and carried them to the kitchen counter.

Jungkook appeared holding out an apron for me.

 

Him: You might get some…err…stuff on your uniform.

Me: Thanks.

Him: Welcome.

 

He sat down at the counter to watch me prepare food. I had to turn my back as I put on the apron. I was blushing madly. I was starting to hallucinate again.

*snorts*

Yeah. Hallucinating that I was here, cooking for him after a hard day’s work. And that I would be calling our kids for dinner after I finished cooking.

Stop it, Xiao Yi!

I decided to cook a simple meal for him. I didn’t really have any broad knowledge on the cooking side, unlike Lay and Kyungsoo, so I gathered what courage I had to cook the food that I could.

LOL.

Macaroni soup.

I know. It’s not much. But I was doing it for him.

I kept facing the other way to avoid his eyes. He was watching me intently, oblivious to the awkwardness I felt. He looked like he was merely watching a cooking show on TV and couldn’t care less whoever was it who was there cooking for him.

 

“I smell something nice. It’s making me hungry. Is that for- Oooohhhhh…..A girl.”

 

Hoseok.

His J hyung had entered the kitchen. He looked surprised to see me. And it looked like he didn’t recognize me.

 

J: Oh, hi.

Me: Hi.

Jungkook: Hyung. You don’t know who this is?

J: Huh? Nugu?

Jungkook: Xiao Yi.

J: Ahhh. Jinjjja? Jinjjjayo?

Jungkook: Ne.

J: Ahhh…

 

I smiled. He couldn’t believe Jungkook, so he walked over and stood beside me. He tilted his head and examined my face. I snorted. He burst out laughing.

 

J: AHHHAHAHAHA! Ne, ne…It’s Xiao Yi-ah.

Me: Oppa.

J: *shivers* It’s weird. Don’t call me oppa juseyo. Call me J, please.

Me: Okay. You haven’t changed. Still funny.

J: You…changed.

Me: Uh-

J: You look different. Taller. And…hmmm…

 

He stood beside Jungkook and nudged his little bro on the shoulder.

 

J: She’s prettier, ne?

Jungkook: Tchhhhhhhh…

J: Come on, admit it. Come on.

Jungkook: Yeah.

J: Ahhhh. Yiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.

Jungkook: Hyung-

J: Xiao Yi is cooking our dinner. Is she…going to live here, from now on?

 

Then, another voice was heard coming from the hall.

 

“Going to live here? Who?”

 

Mrs. Kim.

Don’t tell me the next person to get in is Mr. Kim.

Then Jimin.

Then Jin.

*Freezes*

 

J: Eomma. Home early. Waeyo?

Mrs. Kim: Hoseok, you greet your mom like that? I got off work early. I’m tired. And, we have a guest—cook.

Me: Good afternoon, Mrs. Kim.

Jungkook: Eomma-ya, do you recognize her?

Mrs. Kim: Hmm.

Jungkook: Wu Yinzi.

 

I bowed a little as Mrs. Kim looked at me, surprised.

 

Mrs. Kim: Xiao Yi?

Me: Hello.

Mrs. Kim: Welcome to our home dear. But, why are you cooking?

Me: I…err…Jungkook…was kinda hungry.

Mrs. Kim: Jungkook?

 

The lawyer in her suddenly got out. I felt like an interrogation was coming. Jungkook grinned sheepishly and ran his fingers through his hair as he explained to his mom that he didn’t eat lunch and since we were together, to just come home and show me around their new house and at the same time, I cook something for him.

Mrs. Kim narrowed her eyes at her youngest son. I stirred the soup as I awkwardly witnessed the interrogation. J had stood beside me and poked his head nearer to the pot to inhale the scent of the soup. Mrs. Kim saw him do that and told him off. J grinned at his mom an went to sit beside Jungkook.

 

Mrs. Kim: Xiao Yi dear, your mom’s back in Beijing?

Me: Not yet, Mrs. Kim.

Mrs. Kim: Oh. Do you know when she’s coming home?

Me: Next month, probably. She’s helping Suho oppa with his internship.

Mrs. Kim: Yes. Right. Suho is taking up medicine, too.

Me: Ne, he is.

Mrs. Kim: Well, since you are here now, why don’t you stay for dinner?

Me: Uhm.

Mrs. Kim: Oh, don’t worry about your papa. I’ll have Jaejoong tell him that you are here.

Me: Papa is in Thailand.

Mrs. Kim: That’s even better. No need to worry. Who’s left at home, then?

Me: Kai and Sehun…?

Mrs. Kim: Ah, call them dear. I know they won’t mind you staying for dinner tonight.

Me: Uhm…

J: Ma, I think Jungkook has to call Kai and Sehun. He was the one who invited Xiao Yi, right?

Mrs. Kim: Yes. You’re right, Hoseok. Jungkook.

Jungkook: Eomma.

Mrs. Kim: Call Kai and Sehun. Tell him Xiao Yi’s staying for dinner.

Jungkook: Arasseo.

 

His head snapped alert as he heard his name being called by his mom. I turned the stove off. The soup was done. I kept stirring it just so it won’t stick to the bottom of the pot. I saw J wiggled his eyebrows at me.

He was teasing me.

I made a face at him.

J: First dinner with the family, eh?

 

Right. Hoseok-oppa. Right.

 

 

Xiao Yi having dinner with the Kims. ^_^ Family dinner. 吴愛你們。我愛你們。 ♥♥♥ [played Clair de Lune in the background]

TRB in the USA in a few more days. Why can't I go to see them? But I'm happy that I will be finally breathing the same air that they breath. LOL.