Kai was searching through his phone and looking for a replacement chain. He felt horrible for starting everything, but even worse for Jennie. He looked at Monggu, who was staring directly at him. It made him laugh as he turned his head, looking at him from an angle. As he started talking to him, Monggu continued to respond. Kai chuckled to himself, the conversation still being carried on. He wanted to fix the necklace and was thinking aloud with Monggu. He asked if he wanted to go on a walk, having excited yelps echo throughout the apartment.
His thoughts focused more on seeing if Jennie had gone to sleep yet. He knew Tae wouldn't hurt Jennie, but he was worried about her. Thoughts of his father's behavior being in Tae was consuming him. He didn't want that to happen to Jennie, but he couldn't be there to protect her when she didn't want it. Monggu happily galloped around the road as the two walked around while Kai stared down it. He looked towards Jennie's dark windows, assuming she was already in bed.
When the morning came, he was ready to see her. He wanted to know about last night but also to talk with her. Kai had spent most of the night thinking about Jennie. She had begun littering his brain increasingly, and he now wanted to take a chance. He wanted to take more of a chance with her, and the phone call from his mother only confirmed it. He looked at the phone that rang on the counter, seeing her name flash across the screen. Kai took a deep and heavy sigh at the thought of not answering before he picked it up.
"Hey, mom." He spoke into the phone before pulling his ear away.
"Don't forget to come tonight." She shouted a bit. Kai rolled his eyes at her words, resting his ear against the device. "Your father has more guests tonight, so you need to be here. Okay?" She asked.
"Okay, okay." He tried to sound annoyed, but his mom pretended not to hear.
"Your father would like you to come home and get ready."
"No. I have things to do." He responded quickly, looking at the necklace that still lay on the counter.
"It wasn't an option, Kai. You know how your father is." She stated and tried to get off the phone before he could respond. "Have a good day, and I'll let your father know you'll be here to greet the guest."
Kai looked at his phone flash before the call ended. He sighed, placing it on the counter and swapping it out for the necklace. He knew things were becoming more complicated, and there would be an end to something. He could not keep attending these stupid dinners but could not continue this charade. How could he tell his parents that he was not marrying Krystal but was in love with Jennie? He felt in love, at least, but it was more than he ever felt for Krystal. He thought to himself for a bit, his plan slowly piecing everything together. The only problem was how.
Kai walked from his building, the plan slowly being constructed piece by piece. The thought of walking to his parents, the events playing out in his head. It seemed to go as planned, his focus being taken away for a split second. He spotted Jennie walking from her home. He smiled softly, wanting to jog towards her but changing his mind. He wanted to watch from afar for a bit, and watching her was more refreshing. He watched her deep in thought, wondering what had her so bothered.
He watched her uncertain looks, her eyebrows furrowing as she thought and disagreed with herself. Kai watched her every move, making sure she was safe on the way while his concern grew. Thoughts of his actions made her second-guess things. Was she angry with him? Did he need to talk with her? She said she was fine, but how could he be sure? He waited patiently behind her, and now he was worried. He looked at her confused facial expressions, and something was going on.
He needed to be patient, and she would come to him. This, he was almost sure of. He tried to stay close, pushing his thoughts to the side. She had not glanced up to look at him yet, and he wondered why. His eyes were only on her and never focused on anything else. As she wrote, he admired her handwriting and the little wrinkles that scrunched up on her forehead when she focused.
-
When his final class ended, Kai slowly began his walk home. He didn't want to go to his parents, but there wasn't much choice. He hated that. His plan had slowly been pieced together, and now he was ready to execute. He could see a few holes where he might need to improvise, but he was willing to do that. His stomach turned flips the closer he got, the house and the gate coming into view.
He walked through and could smell the cooks who had already begun prepping the food for the night. He tried his best to go up the stairs silently; his room was the end goal. He heard small laughing from outside, his parents talking about something. Kai tried to move faster, wanting to escape before they saw him.
"Kai?" He heard his mother's voice, turning to see her caked-up face and sparkly dress. Behind her stood his father, staring his son down.
"Hey, mom." He walked back down, flashing a smile as she went in for a hug.
"You got here sooner than we thought." She smiled and patted her husband's shoulder.
"Yeah, well, I left class early. That's what you wanted." He lied, wanting to guilt trip them. She smiled and nodded.
"Good. This is an important night for your father." She looked back at him; he had not taken his eyes off Kai.
"Sure." He turned to walk back up the stairs.
"I have 6 investors coming and Krystal's family. Hurry and get dressed." He announced, his lips shaped around the glass he lifted to them. He was already drinking. Kai shook his head at the thought, starting back up the stairs.
He retreated quickly to his room, letting his bag fall on the ground next to the door. He was starting to hate this room, which was entirely different from his place. They kept The small child things and the family photos that were placed about. Each had an annoying argument with a fight behind every captured moment. He took each frame, flipping them over out of sight. Kai fell back on the bed, his arms outstretched behind his head. This was not going to be easy, but he could try.
After getting dressed and nagged by his mom, Kai came downstairs to start welcoming the guests. He listened as they talked to him. Every guest excitedly listened and talked while bragging about his studies and how he was on his way to being a doctor. He watched his father put on a brave front, managing his emotions and control even under the influence. There weren't many days that he did not see his father drink, but there were more days that his father's drunken rants resulted in him getting hurt. As his father picked up the fourth glass of the night, he knew things would become more difficult.
Kai tried to sneak off as his father slurred his words, instructing others where to carry the drinks and controlling the environment. He stood against the stairs, keeping himself close to the party, hoping to go up without being seen. His father drunkenly laughed with his colleagues, small beads of sweat covering his forehead. He watched his mother stand by with a proud smile, taking a handkerchief and patting the sweat away. It made his stomach turn. He had enough and was ready to retreat when he was called.
"Kai!" He turned to see an excited Krystal coming towards him. His eyes darted to the fathers, who were watching him closely, waiting for a reaction.
"Yeah?" He asked, his eyes moving from the parents to her.
"Can we go outside to talk?" She asked sweetly, and he could see through her facade. He noticed his father's cold eyes staring at him and shrugged in response. Krystal walked towards the door, but only the nod from his father permitted him to follow. He walked behind her, closing the door and gate behind them.
"What is it?" Kai asked her, looking at the car that was parked in front of the home. He leaned against it, not really caring much for who owned it. He watched her slyly move towards the gate, keeping her eyes on him.
"Let's get married." She spoke bluntly, looking at him directly. He wasn't sure if he should be intimidated or angry with her audacity.