Twist Of Fate

Chapter 44

Step Up The Act

Your heart was racing frantically inside your chest, throughout the ride to Yongguk’s family. You are thinking deeply about what to do, how to act, and pretend to be a happy girlfriend for Yongguk in front of his parents, when all of this didn’t come natural to you, because truth is, that you are only living together to raise Ki Joon.

For a moment, you felt your chest tighten, and that uncanniness crept inside you. You brushed it off, as you had to plan your next move.

You had various ideas in your mind but didn’t know how and where to begin. You chewed on the inside of your lower lip. Your emotions were building up.

Should I pretend to be overly happy? Should I look at him differently, with what they call the lovers-look? Should I be touchy? What should I really do now? You sighed deeply and pouted as you stared out.

You were feeling warm suddenly and you wore that stupid jacket because of Yongguk, when the car was heating up, or maybe it was just your body temperature that was rising.

Either way, you felt like an oven, rising in temperature. This was all Yongguk’s fault, damned that jacket.

Why did you even have to wear it? maybe he didn’t like to see you dressed up, maybe it made him feel uncomfortable, or worse, it reminded him that you are of the opposite gender, which he maybe doesn’t like.

Oh my God, maybe he hates to look at me like this?

You held in your gasp, when you stole a glance at Yongguk, but just like always, he had that cold and unreadable look.

His eyes were on the road, they were deep and dark. He didn’t have to try to look handsome, he was naturally handsome.

What am I thinking now? You wanted to laugh at yourself.

When he didn’t smile, he almost looked scary, in a good way. Your thoughts were like and endless track, it had no end.

“Is everything alright, you’ve been quiet for a while?” He broke the silence.

Says the man, who is the best at being quiet and brooding. You bit on your bottom lip and shook your head.

“You sure?” He asked, keeping his eyes to the road, and you nodded.

“Ki Joon, is everything okay at the back? are you also feeling warm?” You asked as you stole a glance at the backseat.

Ki Joon held his Avengers figures; Thor and Hulk and he was playing with them, fighting and he made loud sounds.

“Yaaah, yaaah.”

“Ki Joon?” You called out once more and in a clearer tone.

He was evidently delved in his game and didn’t hear you calling his name. Ki Joon finally looked up and with a confused look. He blinked his eyes a couple of times.

“Yes?” He said with an innocent look.

“You don’t feel warm, do you?” You asked, and he shook his head.

You turned around in your seat and looked out. You stole another glance at Yongguk, his eyes were fixed on the road, and his hands gripped the steering wheel somehow quite firmly. You couldn’t take it anymore.

You took off the jacket and place it on your lap. Instantly, you felt Yongguk’s eyes on you, but he looked at you for a split second, before he retrieved his eyes back to the road.

Soon, he stopped the car at a red signal. He looked out of his side window and rubbed his chin with his index finger and thumb.

You looked at him with a frown. He seemed uncomfortable. Then he scratched the back of his neck for a bit.

“Are you feeling warm too?” You asked as he seemed rather uncomfortable. You hadn’t seen him like this before.

“Yes.” He breathed deeply, and he quickly rolled his window down.

“Well, its warm today, and you even told me to wear a jacket.” You muttered at the latter part and rolled your eyes.

You noticed how Yongguk tightened his grip on the steering wheel, so hard that his knuckles turned white. You stared at the veins on his hands.

As soon as the signal turned green, he sped off fast and you gasped. Ki Joon laughed for a bit, and Yongguk slowed faster than how he sped off.

“Slow down.” You said in a low tone and he tightened his jaw, not saying anything.

What is up with him? you couldn’t really wonder about Yongguk’s odd behavior right now as Ki Joon was rather loud at the back.

Ki Joon’s sounds turned louder at the backseat, and none of you said anything, as he was having fun on his own, entertaining himself. He made movements with his arms, fight- gestures, making the two heroes fight each other.

“Hulk Smash!” Ki Joon growled. “Thunder!” He added in a loud voice, and you smiled. That was supposed to be Thor saying ‘thunder’. You looked at him and saw how he made Thor hit Hulk on the head. “Yaahh!” He continued, in a loud voice.

“You can’t beat me, I am hulk!” He shouted and made Hulk hit Thor on the head like what seemed harder. “You are big. I have fought bigger!” Thor, aka Ki Joon shouted back at the Hulk figurine, and began an intense fight.  

You looked out of the window, smiling, and silently laughing to yourself. Ki Joon was an adorable and fresh little boy. He screamed this time and you placed your hand on your mouth to prevent from laughing aloud.

“He is so happy today.” Yongguk said.

“I know right.” You said as you turned to look at him with a smile on your face that you couldn’t wash off.

“I haven’t seen him play this loudly before.” Yongguk said as he finally looked at you with a smile, and you nodded.

“Yeah, he usually just plays these calm games.” You mentioned, and Yongguk seemed to agree. He nodded a couple of times.

“But I like this, that he is expressing himself differently now.” Yongguk said with his eyes to the read.

“Yeah, I agree.” You said softly, and Yongguk looked into your eyes for a quick moment before he averted his eyes to the road.

You turned your eyes back to the passing streets and sighed softly. But in the back of your mind, all you could think of was how to act today. It required a lot of work, a lot of mind-work, specifically.

~❋~

The ignition turned off, and you were already there. It was now. You stepped out of the car and hurriedly went to get Ki Joon out of the car. Yongguk locked the car as soon as all of you were out.

“I can’t wait to play with Min Jun!” Ki Joon squealed, and he held his two Avengers figurines. He looked so ecstatic and eager. 

You ruffled his hair, making his smile grow bigger. “Maybe Min Jun also likes Thor and Hulk.” Ki Joon said.

“You can ask him that, when you see him.” Yongguk suggested with a smile, and the boy nodded.

Ki Joon hurried off to the front door. He clearly couldn’t wait to see his friend and cousin. In the blink of an eye, Ki Joon was at the front door to the villa.

He pressed on the bell and it rang. Then he jumped on his feet on the porch, eagerly waiting for the door to open. He had so much energy in him right now. It was amusing to see this fresh side to him.

Yongguk stood beside you and he let out a low chuckle. Suddenly, you sensed Yongguk move closer to you and your eyes wandered up his sturdy body and to his dark eyes that shone as he looked at his son.

He was about to speak, but you grabbed his arm and laced your arms together. He stiffened, closed his mouth, unexpectedly at your sudden change. You looked up at him with a smile on your face.

I should be touchy tonight and look extra happy. You agreed to yourself.  

“Since we haven’t seen your family in a while, don’t you think our relationship has taken it to the next level?” You asked in a soft tone.

You tried to sound as calm as possible, when in fact your heart was mad at you, slamming against your chest, for making such a bold move.

Well, it might not be a bold move, but it was a bold move to you, considering it was Yongguk, whom you held, and not just any random man.

What am I doing? What am I doing? Oh my God

The thought alone made your heart jump. All you did was grab his arm and your heart was acting up against your accord. It was too late to let go and back out. Soomin’s consistency made you pull yourself together.

But you could feel the muscles in his arm tense at your hold. You held your breath for a bit as his eyes bore in yours as though he was trying to read your mind.  

You gazed into his eyes quietly and you still held onto his arm. His face was clearly hard, his jaw was clenched, and his eyes will pierce a hole into your face soon if he kept on staring at you like that.

“What do you mean?” He breathed out deeply.

“The act, remember?” You fluttered your long lashes at him and he tensed up further.

You could feel it, feel the muscles in his upper arm flex for a quick second, and his arm became possibly harder. Somehow your heart skipped a beat. Maybe this act would be fun after all.

“Right.” He said.

It seemed like he had forgotten about it. At that point you felt him relax. However, he still had that imperturbable look and that just won’t do now, when you are supposed to seem close.

“Well, smile, you have to look like a boyfriend, who loves me.” You said before processing the words.

Your face heated up instantly, and you stared at him, trying to look calm as before. Yongguk stared at you, looking taken aback, for a moment.

But then you didn’t give him a chance to talk further, you dragged him to the porch. You held his arm, leading him to Ki Joon. Yongguk silently followed you.

Just as you were headed to the front door, it opened and Yongguk’s mother, Mrs. Bang stood there with the biggest and brightest smile on her face, when she discovered, who had pressed on the bell. Her eyes wandered down to the little boy, who looked up at her.

Ki Joon, much to your surprise, leaped into his grandmother and hugged her tightly. Mrs. Bang looked out at the pair of you with a look of surprise and curiousity as Ki Joon held onto her.

You smiled to her quickly before she moved down to Ki Joon and pulled him in for a tight and warm hug.

“Sweetheart.” She cooed at the unexpected love and affection that Ki Joon showed her.

“I missed you.” Ki Joon said.

“Aww, my boy, I missed you too.” She cooed and pulled him in for another hug. “And you too, my big son.” She added, when she looked at Yongguk, the moment you stopped in front of her.

“Hi mom.” Yongguk said, and you had to let go of his arm.

Yongguk moved forward with his arms outstretched to hug his mother, but you had noticed how Mrs. Bang grinned upon seeing your arms locked together.

Yongguk wrapped his arms around his short and petite mother. The older woman hugged her son tightly and the two stood still for a moment.

Your heart couldn’t help but to melt at the sight of mother and son hugging each other, like they haven’t seen each other in years. Yongguk has a family that is full of love.

Then he slowly pulled away and grasped her face in his palms. He leaned down and gave his mother a quick kiss on her cheek.

“I’ve missed you too, mom.” He said, and she grabbed his hands.

“Come inside, I’ve already made dinner with Natasha.” She piped.

“Of course, you have.” He chuckled.

Ki Joon couldn’t calm down, he stormed inside after taking his shoes off. He was gone in the blink of an eye. He was obviously looking for his friend.

“Min Jun, Min Jun, Min Jun, where are you? I’m back! Min Jun.” He shouted in the middle of the hall.

“I am here!” You heard Min Jun scream and he came running to Ki Joon.

“What is happening with Ki Joon? He seems so much more social now.” Mrs. Bang asked with a look of amazement.

“We don’t really know.” You admitted.

“He is probably getting used to us now.” Yongguk told with a beaming smile, and you nodded.

“I think so too, sweetheart.” You said, and you grabbed his arm again.

Yongguk stiffened and looked at you with a blank look. You stared back into his eyes with a sweet and innocent smile.

You didn’t know why you were smiling like that. Maybe because Ki Joon was so happy to see Yongguk’s family.

You heard Mrs. Bang giggle. But your eyes remained locked with the man beside you. His eyes were pulling, making it hard for you break off your gaze.

Yongguk was so quiet. He didn’t even smile, he was supposed to act too.  Your smile faded, and you gave him a little smile afterwards. Then you let go of his arm and looked at his mother.

You felt embarrassed, when you saw her smiling so brightly at the pair of you. This act made you want to curl into a ball and hide.

“It’s so refreshing to see him this positive.” She broke out, and you smiled with beaming eyes.

“I love it too.” You said as you were looking at Ki Joon.

He had found his friend, and the two were hugging each other. Your heart melted at the sight.

“They are so fond of each other. They are so adorable.” You said.

“Yes, they are.” Yongguk finally spoke.

Yongguk’s big sister stepped into the hall and smiled upon seeing you. “Hey you too.” She cooed, and you walked up to her, and hugged her.

Natasha gave you a tight squeeze, making you giggle. You had missed her. She pulled back with a smile. Her big eyes shone.

Like always, she wore such pretty makeup. She was so chick, cool, and yet so pretty. You could be fooled by her cool looks, she is a down to earth woman.

“It’s been a while.” She said, and you nodded.

“How are the kids?” You asked.

“Areum is sleeping, and as you can tell Min Jun is hyper.” She said as he glanced at your little boys who were jumping whilst holding hands, and you giggled, agreeing.

“Hey kiddo.” She laughed, when she looked at Yongguk.

He scowled at the nickname, but quickly smiled to his sister, walked up to her, closed his arms around her, and gave her tight a hug.

“I missed you, big sis.” He said, and she tapped his back.

You looked at the two with a smile on your face. It was as though, Yongguk turned into this whole other person, whenever he was with his family.

Yongguk looked warm, loving, and happy. Which was something you didn’t see often, other than, when he looks at Ki Joon. He looked like such a family guy, or whatever you would call it.

“Yongnam and dad are in the living room.” She told, and the pair of you nodded.

When you stepped into the living room, you spotted the old man. Yongguk’s father was seated on the couch, and he stood up as soon as you stepped in.

He ignored his son and went straight for you, surprising you. He hugged you closely and patted your back lightly.

You stiffened for a second, but then you hugged him back. Your heart was at the point of melting. Yongguk’s entire family is so lovely.  

“How have you been dear?” He asked as he pulled back, looking into your eyes with a smile, still not looking at Yongguk, and you smiled.

“I’ve been good.” You said and asked about his wellbeing.

Mr. Bang turned to look at Yongguk once you were done talking together, and you flinched, when he smacked Yongguk’s back lightly. You hadn’t seen it coming, but it was clearly a fatherly-affection.

“Kid.” He chuckled, and Yongguk smiled as he pulled in and hugged his father.

“Hey, Sera.” Yongnam walked up to you, appearing from a room, with his hand outstretched, and you grasped his hand, giving him a light tug.

“You guys have finally come.” He smiled.

You apologized for being gone for so long, but he shook his head and told you that everyone is busy with work and the kids at home.

You genuinely felt bad for not having visited them for days. Even when they aren’t really your real family. You felt a connection to them all. Right now, they felt like your friends.

“I’ve missed you all.” You confessed without thinking it through, and Yongguk instantly looked at you.

You could feel his eyes on you for a moment. Yongnam stared at you, looking a bit taken back, but the corners of his lips soon curved up to a smile. He grinned, happily, his smile reached to his eyes.   

You sounded so genuine that you were surprised of yourself. But this was no act. You really like Yongguk’s family. Upon seeing Yongnam and the others smile, you felt relived and let out a little nervous laugh.

“Sera, you are such a lovely woman.” Mr. Bang said. “We have missed you too, and Ki Joon, of course. Forget about Yongguk. He is too busy to come visit us.” He scowled at the latter part, but quickly smiled.

“Dad. I’ve been busy since the business trip to America. I have meant to come visit earlier.” Yongguk sighed deeply, and you giggled. Yongguk looked at you again, and you pursed your lips.

“I know, I was joking my son.” Mr. Bang smiled, and Yongguk sighed aloud, but smiled, nonetheless and everyone laughed.

Then Yongnam suddenly placed his arm over your shoulder and drew you towards him in a sidelock. He laughed, making you giggle.

“We’ve missed you too.” He said, and then he took off, dragging you with him to the kitchen. “I have to ask you something, Sera.” He added in a serious tone.

Yongnam was walking fast and his legs are much longer than yours and you tried to follow his pace as you glanced up at him.

Oh my god, does he know that Yongguk and I aren’t together? Has he caught us in the lie? What do I do? is he about to confront me?

Your heart was racing frantically now as Yongnam led you away from the living room, away from the others, and Yongguk.

~❋~

You made it to the kitchen, which was vacant, and he pulled his arm back, looking at you intently. You felt like your chest would explode and your heart would rip out of you, because of this anxiety.  

You stopped to look at Yongnam. You didn’t dare to look at him, but you met his gaze with confidence. He gazed at you for a moment quietly, looking thoughtful. He probably knew it.

Should I confess? What should I do?

“I met this girl.” He broke out and he was smiling coyly.

You looked at Yongnam, unable to hide the look of surprise. His cheeks had changed color and it was your first time to see Yongnam blush and look shy.

In a way, it was odd to see Yongnam like this. He always looks cool and calm, just like Yongguk. However, he looked like a young boy right now, like someone who has a crush.

Yongnam must really trust you since he told you this. He has never told you a secret before. This made you feel like you had gotten closer. Another reason to feel guilty for keeping this secret from him.

However, as much as you want to be honest with your families, you can’t do that now. You must wait for some time yet.

You looked at Yongnam with anticipation now. He smiled widely, when he finally saw you smiling at him.

You were relieved deep down that it wasn’t what you had feared and expected, because you honestly don’t know what to do, if you got caught in this lie.

You would probably scream for Yongguk’s help, not really. You will apologize deeply and then run away. You won’t be able to face the Bang family again.

Thankfully, you didn’t confess anything right away. You nearly told him the truth. You could just imagine Yongguk’s face, when he discovered it.

“What is it that you need to tell Sera?” Yongguk asked as he stepped into the place, and you turned around quickly, meeting Yongguk’s curious gaze.

You were taken back upon seeing Yongguk. Yongguk had followed you into the room, and you wondered why.

He came just a minute after you got inside. Had he possibly also been worried that you might have gotten exposed?

“It’s nothing.” Yongnam replied as he looked at his twin brother.

Your eyes flickered back and forth between the twins. They looked very identical, but Yongnam was just a bit more muscular and buffer compared to Yongguk, who is lean and toned.

Yongnam is also an instructor, so it made sense that he was this built. But the look on Yongguk’s face told you that he didn’t believe his brother.

“We don’t keep secrets, brother.” Yongguk said as he took a step towards you.

Yongnam furrowed his brows and laughed. “Sometimes, you do have to keep some secrets, brother.” Yongnam replied with a calm look and a smile.

Why did it look like Yongnam knew something? You furrowed your brows, and drew your eyes to Yongnam, who stood beside you.

Yongguk looked serious somehow. But why couldn’t he accept that Yongnam has secrets, when the pair of you are keeping a big secret to yourself; that you aren’t really a couple, and you had to lie, so your parents won’t chew you out for breaking old traditions.

Then Yongnam laughed, when he saw his twin look serious, and Yongguk’s silence was brooding. Yongnam wasn’t clearly mad.

You were slightly feeling anxious without knowing why. Yongguk’s cool eyes and silence made you tense up.

“Calm down, Guk, I met a girl, and I just need to ask Sera a few ‘woman questions’.” Yongnam said, and Yongguk looked at his brother with a deadpanned look now. It seemed like he hadn’t expected this answer.

Yongnam turned to look at you and his eyes fell upon the silver necklace you wore, the one Yongguk bought for you.

“Do women like getting necklaces? Did my brother give you that?” He asked.

Your hand instinctively moved up and you grasped the stone and rubbed the edges. You could feel Yongguk’s eyes on you again.

You thought about it. You had been wearing the necklace on some days. Today, you just put it on without much thought.

You had to act now. You had to sound like a happy girlfriend, who is overjoyed at getting this necklace. The opportunity was here.

“Yes, they do, well some women do.” You told.

“Do you?” Yongnam asked, and you paused to think.

“I was touched, when Yongguk gave me this necklace..” You paused and looked at the bright stone. “Although, I don’t care about getting fancy gifts. I believe the thought matters the most. But, it was nice getting this from Yongguk. It made me happy.” You told, and your eyes flickered to Yongguk, unknowingly as you spoke the last words.

Even though you were acting in front of them, what you had said wasn’t exactly a lie. You knew that deep down.

Sometimes, you caught yourself in touching the necklace, staring at it, and spacing off. It was just an item.

However, you really cherish this necklace, probably more than you should. It had been your first time receiving a gift from a male, who isn’t Taecyeon or a relative.

Besides, it was Yongguk who got it for you. Yongguk, who rarely expresses himself towards you. It made this gift more valuable to you.

Yongguk was still looking at you, you could feel his eyes on you, see his eyes on you from the corner of your eye. You breathed deeply.

Somehow, you felt your heart shake inside you, and you closed your palm on the stone, knowing, you probably were shaking a bit.

I need to pull myself together. It’s not like I c