before you love me | jjk

chapter forty-five

━━━༻ ˚✩‧₊ december 2020₊‧✩˚༺━━━

"I am going to vomit."

It was finally the day that Narae would be meeting Jungkook's parents, and it was safe to say she was absolutely bricking it. She was usually good when it came to talking to adults, but this was different. If Jungkook's parents didn't like her, she knew even if he didn't show it, Jungkook would be upset. She needed to make a good first impression.

"Relax, it's going to be fine." Jungkook placed a hand on her rapidly bouncing leg to soothe her, sending her a comforting grin before focusing on the road again as he drove them to their destination.

"How can I relax? They're your parents – this is important! What if they hate me?" Narae was conjuring up the worst possible scenarios in her head, each one more outrageous than the last and sending her deeper into her state of worry.

"They're not going to hate you." Jungkook stated confidently.

Narae wasn't convinced. "But how do you know?"

Jungkook laced their fingers together and brought them up to his mouth to place a tender kiss on the back of her hand as he continued driving. "I know they won't hate you because they love me and I love you. By extension they love you already."

"God, that's so cheesy." Narae groaned but she felt her nerves ease slightly at his words.

"I mean it though. They only want to see me happy and you make me happy. That's enough for them." He said, smiling gently at her as they paused at a red light.

Narae stared out her window to avoid his gaze, biting her lip to stop the smile growing on her face. Still facing away from Jungkook, she spoke softly, "You make me happy too."

He kissed her hand twice before dropping it to change gears. Once he was done, he picked it up again, resting it against his thigh whilst his thumb rubbed circles into her skin. "It's going to be fine Narae, I promise."

Narae took in deep breaths as they passed through the streets of Seoul. She wished she could roll down the windows and let in fresh air, but she didn't want to risk being caught by anyone passing by. She settled for cracking it open slightly and focusing on Jungkook's hand in hers.

Before long, they were making their way through the security checks of the gated community, eventually stopping in front of a traditional, slightly above average-sized house. They got out of the car, Jungkook going round the back to bring out the gift basket Narae had prepared.

As with everything, she had gone slightly overboard and had filled it with fruits she had picked at the grocery store herself, as well as vitamins and Red Ginseng products. In addition, she had brought a stunning bouquet of flowers, the arrangement which she had been told signified good health and prosperity.

She clutched onto the flowers as Jungkook rang the doorbell and waited for the door to open. When it did, she was met with the smiling face of Jungkook's mother.

"Hello Eomma." Jungkook's smile was miles wide as he caught sight of the older woman.

"Jungkook-ah! Come in, come in!" She enveloped him in a tight hug before ushering him inside. Narae trailed behind him nervously, slipping her shoes off whilst she waited awkwardly to make her own greeting.

"And you must be Narae yes? Jungkook has told us so much about you." Mrs. Jeon turned to Narae who tried to bow but was cut off when his mother wrapped her in her arms. For a small woman, she was very strong.