Chapter 20: Fast (and loose)

Yoona stepped out to the balcony, feeling the cold breeze immediately. She shivers as she closes the door and approached Jiyong.

When he saw her, he puts out the cigarette he was smoking. Yoona never did mind him smoking but he knows the smell bothers her.

"Your umma is about ready to adopt Jaehyuk." She said giggling. She just came from the kitchen where the whole Kwon family seems to be falling for Jaehyuk's charms. 

He was helping Mrs. Kwon cook while asking interesting questions to Mr. Kwon and Dami. They really seem to love his cheerful energy.

"It's freezing here," Yoona said as she came closer. She saw him with a faraway look on his face. "Is everything okay?"

He didn't reply but when she stopped beside him, leaning on the railings, he wrapped around an arm on her waist and pulled her closer. He was now behind her, as he rested his chin on her shoulder. He could smell her hair and he sighed. How can one's heart beat so fast and yet feel so contented.. so at-home. 

"J-jiyong," she stuttered, feeling flustered by the sudden closeness. "I'm just supposed to tell you dinner's almost ready." 

She tried to look behind them if the rest of their family can see them but Jiyong just held on to her closer preventing her to turn her head.

"Don't mind them. They're busy doting on Jaehyuk.".

"What's wrong?" She asked, not used to Jiyong being like this. "Is it because my brother agreed to this dinner? I'm sorry, I don't want to impose--"

"It's cool, Yoong." He said. He gripped the railings, wanting to hold Yoona instead but he thought it might be too much. "Hey, do you think we can skip the awards show?"

"You what?" She turned around, they were facing each other now and the gap is very close but that's not really her concern at the moment. "Why do you want to skip it? You'll be receiving a very prestigious award. You're the first awardee of artist of the decade ever."

He smiled at the way her eyes were as wide as saucers and the way her nose scrunched up while saying that lengthy sentence. "We can leave early and make it a long weekend when we go to the amusement park. What about Tokyo Disneyland, huh?"

She was almost tempted. A whole weekend just the two of them? Maybe just one room? No one watching, they could just be themselves? 

Yoona touched his face with her palm, "Ji, is everything okay?"

He held her hand that was on his face and looked away. "I just don't feel like I deserve this."

"You do."

He smiled slightly. "I thought you weren't a fan of G-Dragon."

"I once watched your entire career unfold in one night. Binged everything. I have a lot of G-Dragon facts I don't know what to do with."

She did what? Did she really do that effort to be a better manager? To know him better? Even when he treated her so bad before?

"I have another G-Dragon fact you can remember... Yoona.. I l--"

"Hyung, noona! Dinner's served!!" Jaehyuk interrupted, knocking on the glass door. 

Jiyong hung his head low as Yoona stepped away from him after being surprised by her brother's interruption. 

"We'll be there!" Jiyong growled at Jaehyuk, followed by a really fake smile. Jaehyuk only laughed.

"What was the fact?" Yoona asked after Jaehyuk left.

"I'll-- I'll tell you on Saturday. Let's go. We don't want to keep them waiting."

Jiyong turned to leave but Yoona got a hold of his hand that made him stop.

She was thinking of her and Asahi's conversation before. She made a few calls and actually confirmed her suspicions. What Yoona doesn't know is if Jiyong is ready for it. "Do you trust me?"

She looked so serious and worried but it was an easy question for him. "Do you even have to ask?"

"The food is delicious, Mrs. Kwon. " Yoona complimented as they started eating. 

"So delicious, auntie! I miss home-cooked meals like this." Jaehyuk added, giving Mrs. Kwon two thumbs up.

"Thank you, dears. I miss cooking for a large family. Nowadays, it's only me and this old man here. Dami and Jiyong barely visits." 

The two siblings looked at each other and shook their heads.

"Lay off them, yeobo. They're busy with their careers." Mr. Kwon said. "Jaehyuk, son, you are in college? What are you studying?"

"I'm a dance major, Uncle." 

"Is that you really wanted to do?"

He nodded. "When we were at the orphanage, dancing makes all of us happy and when we perform for donors and visitors, we also make them happy. Yoona noona was a great dancer too!"

"Jaehyuk..." Yoona said in a warning voice. 

"Noona made sure I can take my dream program in university. She loves me that much."

She shook her head and laughed. 

"Oh wow, how about you, Yoona-ssi?" Dami asked. "How did you get into Public Relations?"

"I was actually studying to be a lawyer. I was in pre-law in college when one of my professors noticed the way I seem to make creative solutions out of the cases presented. When I graduated, he offered me a position in his company as a fixer. A better word would be a problem solver."

"Don't you want to continue the lawyer path?" Mrs. Kwon inquired.

Yoona shook her head with a smile. "I only wanted to be a lawyer to make lots of money but then our mother got sick and I needed to step up fast. As my sunbae liked to say, in my field, I get to exercise creativity and earn at the same time. I'm happy with my current career."

"And because noona worked hard, she told me I can take whatever major my heart desires and not worry about anything else. It's thanks to her I get to do what I love." Jaehyuk said, wrapping an arm around Yoona. 

"You have a big heart, Im Yoona." Mr. Kwon said fondly. 

"That she does, appa." Jiyong agreed, sending a wink towards Yoona. 

"I hope you don't mind me saying, I know things haven't been easy for the two of you but the Lord knew what He was doing putting you two together. Oh you just make my heart warm." Mrs. Kwon sniffed, wiping her tears. 

Yoona and Jaehyuk looked at each other and smiled. If all of their tragedies happened so they can end up as siblings, it was all worth it. 

"Now I really regret not having another daughter. Woori Jaehyuk would be a perfect son-in-law." Mrs. Kwon joked lightening up the atmosphere. 

"Sorry, Mrs. Kwon, I already have a girlfriend and she's great. But we can still be family. Yoona noona's single."

Dami hid a smile. She likes the kid. Mrs. Kwon giggled and looked at his son slyly. Even Mr. Kwon laughed heartily at the implication.

"Y-ya, Jaehyuk-ah!" Yoona blushed.

"This kid! Ya, you're really testing my patience!" Jiyong glared.

"I've always wanted a younger sister. We'll go shopping together and go on spa dates!" Dami gushed, already thinking about sister dates with Yoona.

"I already approve." Mr. Kwon declared, making Yoona even redder. Jiyong almost choked on his food.

"Oh if I'm only so lucky to have a daughter-in-law like Yoona-ssi. So responsible and so kind. My son can be very loving.  What do you say, Yoona?" Mrs. Kwon teased.

She swallowed her food looking at Jiyong for a beat. "Err.. you have another son aside from Jiyong?"

All of them laughed. It was a very fun and light dinner thanks to Jaehyuk's energy. It made things less awkward especially when Mrs. Kwon would throw subtle suggestions for Yoona and Jiyong to get together.

At the end of the night, Jiyong hugged his mother, whispering to her she did not need to make such comments. He's already there.

"Yoboseyo?" Yoona answered mindlessly as she checked the script for her announcement. She will be announcing to the press today about G-Dragon being awarded the Artist of the Year.  She needs to make sure every word is careful so not to cause any controv