Chapter Nineteen

With good friends and family

Jiyong POV

July 24, 2015

Jiyong walks into Seunghyun’s hotel room. He was a walking zombie when he just sits down on the edge of the bed, the loud boys of Bigbang totally went silent as they watched their leader. He was still staring at his mobile blankly not believing what he just happened.

TOP just continues to pour drinks on the glasses of his dongsaeng ignoring the fact that Daesung and Seungri was staring at each other contemplating to ask what was wrong with their leader. They had no clue who he was talking to but he just walked out the room and decided to talk to them in the hallway.

It was Youngbae that had finally spoke up, “Okay what’s wrong with your dumbfounded face.” It wasn’t even a question. It was a statement of what expression is glued on Jiyong’s face.

Jiyong chose to ignore that statement and just ran his hands through his hair in frustration. He let out a growl. “It’s official. My parents are going to our concert in Manila next week”

“Ah…” Daesung said since Jiyong had been having this trouble of trying to convince his mom not to go.

Seungri then busted into laughter but then stopped the same second when the dragon glared at him ready to pounce if he say the wrong words and Jiyong is waiting for it….

Youngbae shakes his head laughing at their maknae, he then turns to look at Jiyong who had laid down on the bed grumbling to himself. He was the first one to find out how ecstatic Jiyong was when he had heard that Dara was going to Manila. He had already been planning on what he can do to be able spend time with Dara with no malice. Lately at least the two can actually hold a proper conversation without anyone needing to separate them because of it being too awkward but it still needs a lot of work. “Well, didn’t you tell her your eomma were going to take them to Australia or Las Vegas?”

Jiyong laughed humorlessly, “Yeah and she thought that was an invitation as well but she’s pretty adamant about going to Manila.”

“Wonder where you got that from.” Seungri mumbled incoherently but Jiyong can hear like a bat.

Jiyong sits up slowly his head was already turned towards their maknae’s direction. His eyes were like throwing deadly daggers at Seungri, “Do you have something to say Lee Seunghyun? Say it louder this time.” His voice was low and toxic anyone who’d hear it would probably be ready to run and not show their face for the next hour or they will receive the wrath of the dragon.

Seungri swallowed he knows when Jiyong uses his full name like that as if t’s rotten, it means that he might not see the light of day if he continues but he always have a secret weapon. “Saranghaeo, Jingyo-oppa!” Seungri pouted adorably and he raised his arms on his head forming a heart.

“Aishh… I forgot you’re an idiot.” Jiyong didn’t seem amused, he wasn’t in the mood to play any games.

“Well, it’s understandable why they want to come visit the country because they probably heard stories about it from Dara-noona.” Daesung said.

It was TOP that had answered why Jiyong’s parents going to Manila is a bad ordeal for Jiyong, “And with that, he thinks whatever progress he has with Dara might be questionable if Jiyong’s parents are there.”

“Exactly. She might think I’m using my parents to get closer to her or something.” Jiyong buried his face on his hands knowing that the reason why his parents are going to Manila is to possibly see Dara and probably. They were never over the fact that Dara and Jiyong broke up again. His mother wasn’t happy when he had started dating Kiko, sure they were civil and nice to Kiko but it was never like how they had treated Dara. “Eomma might even try to get back with Dara for me.”

November 20, 2009

“Baby, we can’t just stay in the car all night. My parents are sort of expecting us like five minutes ago.” Jiyong tries his best not to smile at Dara who was nervously biting her nails looking at Jiyong’s parents’ house. Jiyong’s family had been wanting to officially meet his girlfriend for weeks now but with his solo promotions, Bigbang’s activities in Japan and with 2NE1’s promotions as well it was kind of hard to.

He even only stayed for half a day for her birthday a couple days ago and then had to turn around to go back to Japan late that night. He was even thankful that Youngbae was all willing to fly to Korea and back to Japan  the same day for Dara’s birthday (though Youngbae claimed there will be some sort of payback for it, he’ll just have to think about what it is.) Though it subjected to a few questions as to why Jiyong and Youngbae would attend Dara’s birthday party when they were supposed to be in Japan. He was getting tired of hiding their relationship from everyone especially his best friends at least Youngbae knows

So when his parents offered to bring Dara for dinner so they can met her he didn’t even give her a chance to say no, he was tired of sneaking around pretending that they weren’t dating. So if he’s at his parents’, he can drop the façade and can actually be his girlfriend there. He picked her up as soon as he got back to Japan and only told her about it on the way to his parents’ house. He just found it adorable that she kept mumbling “I’m meeting g-dragon’s parents” as if she’s never them before.

“Can’t we just you know reschedule? I certainly don’t look like I’m supposed to meet your parents.” Her voice was so shaky he could barely understand her.

He pulls her closer and lifts her chin “You look beautiful.” He brushes his lips on hers. “What are you so nervous about? You’ve met them before.”

She widened her eyes as if shocked as to why he is taking this too lightly, “Yeah! But that was when I was this trainee who didn’t know any better or I was just Dara. It’s different now that I’m your girlfriend!” her voice was an octave higher than normal. She also didn’t like the fact that Jiyong’s lips just formed a smile and it was freaking her out, “Why are you smiling?” She demanded and she grabbed him jacket and shook him heavily hoping to wipe off that smile off his face but it didn’t seem to work.

He lightly touches her face with his fingertips. He couldn’t help but smile. “Say that again.” He said softly as he started to lean his forehead on hers.

“Say what?” then she blinks as she realizes what he meant, “Oh that I’m your girlfriend?”

He nods.

“You pabo. I am your girlfriend. Unless you want to take that back,” she teased.

“Nope, never… you’re stuck with me.”

“I’m okay with that.” Then she lifts her head so her lips would meet his. She slightly parted her lips to deepen their kiss. She hasn’t seen him for a week and only a few hours on her birthday. She didn’t even get a proper kiss from him so she was savoring it as much as she can.

He pulls away then he’d like kisses the tip of her nose, “Now can I please introduce my girlfriend to my parents?”

“I’m nervous.” She whispered still holding on to his jacket.

He smiled and shakes his head, “I promise there isn’t anything to be afraid of. My mom loves you already. When she found out that you were my girlfriend she got super excited she wanted to meet you immediately as if she hasn’t met you.” he slowly takes his hands off his jacket zipper so he can hold her hand and kiss the inside of her wrist. “I’ll even bet my money that she’ll probably even want you as her own daughter than keeping their only son.” He had said this because his mother already mentioned it too. Of course Dami-noona is a good daughter and they’d never trade that but having a maknae for a daughter was always what his mother wanted. She had shared that they were going to try for another child after Jiyong but decided against it because they were too busy with Jiyong with his child career.

Dara pouts, “I’m sure you say that to all your girlfriends.”

He just chuckled, “Come ‘on. We are already ten minutes late and I’m sure my sister has already seen me pull in because I got a text not two seconds ago.” He plants a quick kiss on her forehead. He didn’t need to tell her that she’s only the second girl he had brought home since his girlfriend when he was a trainee. No need to get her more nervous and put on a lot of pressure on her.

When he rang the doorbell, Dara was holding on to his hand tightly on his arm like a toddler’s first day of school refusing to let go of their parent due to the terrifying knowledge of the unknown. He looks over towards her and gives her an encouraging smile. He mouths, “I love you,”

The door opened and two cheerful women were at the door. “There you are!” Mrs. Kwon said enthusiastically.

“Yes eomma here I—.“ Jiyong said but then he pursed his lips and stepped aside when his mother didn’t even acknowledge his presence they were looking at Dara waiting for her to speak up.

Dara blinked and smiled all nervousness disappeared from her face, “Annyeonghaseyo.” Dara lowered into a 90 degree bow. She raised an arm to show a box that she had brought, “I have dessert.”

“That is great. It is so nice to officially meet you.” Mrs. Kwon then takes Dara’s dessert box and gave it to Jiyong. “Nice to see you, Jiyongie.” She said but she didn’t even look at Jiyong.

“Okay…” Jiyong couldn’t help but laugh as he was set aside immediately having his mom’s and sister’s attention to his girlfriend. “Eomma, noona this is my girlfriend—“

“We know who she is. She’s Sandara Park. I heard you just had a birthday, so I made some of your favorite meals, dearie.” Then Mrs. Kwon lightly holds Dara’s arm guiding her inside the Kwon’s residence with Dami following close by but not before she punched his arm and stuck her tongue out at her little brother.

Jiyong just stood there and couldn’t stop smiling. Two of the most important women in his life welcome his now girlfriend as if she’s part of the family. He was holding the box of cake that he had bought so they wouldn’t realize that he had just brought Dara here with no warning what so ever. His mother specifically had told him that she should come on her own terms.

“Well it looks like we got outnumbered by women this time.” Jiyong’s father said in amusement when he saw Jiyong walk in the house as he shut the door behind him quietly. Mr. Kwon is usually used to being outnumbered but sometimes when Dami’s fiancée or when Jiyong comes the number gets even but since Dami’s fiancée is out of town.

“Good evening, appa.” Jiyong bowed to greet his father, thankful at least that one of his family members is happy to see him.

“Aigoo my boy,” He pats Jiyong’s head lightly and reached over to take the box of cake that his wife handed to Jiyong. “We probably should sit at the table or we shall hear a mouthful from your mother.”

Jiyong just ate quietly trying to stop himself from either staring at Dara or smiling too much. He was happy about the fact that Dara seems to fit well into his family as if she’s known them for a while. She is always so timid and shy around people she has rarely knows and would always be quiet in the corner answering one word to the questions. But now Dara is actually making conversation asking questions, sharing some stories. Her laughs are so beautiful listening to embarrassing stories about him.

“Okay, that’s enough now. It seemed like I didn’t exist an hour ago, but now its funny stories about me and all of sudden you guys remember Jiyong is right here.” Jiyong pretended to be offended but the smile on his face just kind of didn’t buy his fake emotion.

“Oh you’ve been sitting there maknae-ah? Didn’t see you there, hi…” Dami said enthusiastically and started clapping her hands.

Dara was just giggling as she the kwon siblings were taking turns picking on each other.

After dinner, the ladies were still talking around totally forgetting the two males that was on the table. So when Jiyong’s dad gets up to leave, Jiyong follows him but not before he plants a soft kiss on the top of Dara’s head. They were standing outside the balcony just talking about the last soccer game the night before, Jiyong’s album promotion, Japan and others.

“Your mother is really happy you brought her here.” Mr. Kwon said with a smile as the topic came to Dara.

“I am too. I had been planning to bring her home but our schedule has been sort of rough lately.” Jiyong said. He briefly mentioned about 2NE1’s rising fame.

“She’s a really lovely lady as well. I get the feeling this she is the one for you.” Mr. Kwon’s eyes shined with wisdom in his years and the fact that he knows his son by heart.

Not that Jiyong doesn’t believe his father and his feelings for Dara but when people say that he wonders how others can see how two couples that are meant to be together forever. He is curious if there is a glow or just how the couple are with each other.

Mr. Kwon could see the question building up in his son’s eyes and he answers his unspoken question, “Yes it might be too early on that now but it’s the way your eyes always finds hers even when you aren’t actually trying like it’s habbit. The smile that won’t leave your lips when you are near her. Even now that we are talking about her it’s there. How your heartbeats fast and slow at the same time when you are with her. The same things I felt when I first realized that your mother was going to be the love of my life, the mother of my children.”

Jiyong talks to his father a lot and he is close to him, he has also heard the story about how his parents have met a few times but this is the first time he had heard about how he felt about his mother when he realized she was the one. And to be honest he feels exactly those and even hearing about it now doesn’t scare him because if Dara is indeed the one for him and he is sure of it. Then he’d be the luckiest guy alive.

“And all I’m saying is, she is indeed going to be a lucky girl to have you because my son, you have a great big heart. A heart that can love deeply.” His father said

Jiyong could swear his eyes are watering, not once has he had this heart to heart talk with his father before. It was different and he secretly wanted to thank Dara about it as well. “Thanks appa.”

“And I am sure you are very lucky to have her as well. Don’t let go of that girl. A rare creature like her who make you feel the way you do now is one of a kind.” Mr. Kwon then glances over the glass door as Dara was walking over towards them but before she lowly bows.

Jiyong smiles at his girlfriend and replies to his dad. “I am not planning to appa.”

Dara opens the sliding door and greets Mr. Kwon then looks over at Jiyong. “Your mom won’t let me help out with the dishes, so she told me to come find you.”

“Well you are our guest. We can’t have that.” Mr. Kwon said as steps forward to put his hand lightly on her arm. “Do take care of our son here, he doesn’t live with us anymore so we can’t look out for him.”

Dara lowers her head and nods, “Um, yes Mr. Kwon I will take good care of him.”

He slightly his head towards Jiyong and whispers loud enough that Jiyong could hear him loud and clear, “He is bullheaded at times… so I give you permission to smack him across the head to keep him straight,”

Dara widens her eyes not sure what to say. She giggled the same second.

“Appa…” Jiyong sighed heavily as he runs his hands over his hair, “Two seconds ago you were giving me compliments and were being nice to me. I really thought you are on my side.” Jiyong cried.

“I don’t pick sides. I am always fair.” Mr. Kwon said to Jiyong which is true. He always weighed in things before he chooses a side. There would be times when the children were little that Dami and Jiyong would just end up making up from their fight because they were too tired of explaining themselves on who was right because their father wouldn’t say anything. Then Mr. Kwon looks at again at Dara mimicking someone slapping the side of his head as if showing Dara what side to hit Jiyong with, “Just a good hard tap… that’ll do it.”

Dara just nodded as she stifle a giggle because Jiyong was giving her the puppy dog eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind, Mr. Kwon.”

“Good.” Mr. Kwon said with a smile, then he clears his throat. “I better help your mother with the dishes as well. It was really nice to meet you, Dara.” Mr. Kwon said as he squeezed beside Dara so he can get out of the balcony and slides the door behind them.