Contract Marriage 18+ [A Hopekook Fanfiction] ✓

9.4🥀

"oaidekiteureshidesu," she murmured haltingly, not sure if she had said it right or if they even understood her but the smile Jeon directed down at her was filled with so much overwhelming pride and tenderness that Hobie felt bathed in its warmth. He entwined the long, lean fingers of one hand with hers but she didn't understand why he felt the need to make the gesture when their hands were out of the camera's sight.

"I'm pleased to meet you," she repeated in korean, in case the couple hadn't understood her, which seemed likely if their baffled expressions were anything to go by. His mother's lips pursed in what looked like disapproval but his father's smile broadened and he said something in rapid fire japanese that Hobie didn't stand a chance of understanding.

"My father says that you are truly beautiful," Jeon translated for her.

"And that he is very happy to finally meet you." Her eyes flooded with tears and she nodded slightly.

"Thank you... grazie," she smiled warmly at the fragile looking old man and he looked delighted by it. He once again said something in high speed japanese and Jeon chuckled before responding in an amused voice. It was obvious that they were talking about her and she turned to Jeon waiting for the translation, when it didn't look like it was forthcoming, she prodded him with a nudge from her shoulder and he grinned before saying something in a wry voice to his mother and father before turning to her with that same warm humour in his eyes.

"My father says that while you look as sweet and docile as an angel he does not imagine that a woman with such a beauty can be easy to live with. He believes that the angelic exterior must hide a fiery temper..."

"Oh?" She asked in a deceptively calm voice, even while she narrowed her eyes at him. "and what did you say?"

"I told him that he definitely knows women a lot better than I do because when I married you I thought that the angel was all there was, until I provoked the fiery demoness into showing herself, to my detriment."

"Demoness?" She asked in a highly offended voice and both his father and he chuckled simultaneously.

"Easy hobie," he lifted his free hand in a gesture of surrender and his father burst into warm, genuine laughter, the sound so happy and carefree that for an instant everyone, including his wife simply stared at him with huge smiles. The older man finally brought his laughter under control and said something in Korean, which seemed to be aimed at Hobie. She looked at Jeon for a translation and he hesitated for a millisecond before clearing his throat and turning back toward Hobie.

"My father says that it's good to see me with a woman who isn't intimidated by me, who can give as good as she gets. He thinks we will have strong sons and daughters..." he cleared his throat slightly before continuing, even though the huskiness persisted. "He is honoured to call you daughter and is proud that his son's children will come from a worthy woman like you."

"Oh..." Hobie whispered, her hand going up to cover her mouth and her eyes flooding with tears. "Oh God."

"Hobie," his soft voice in her ear pleaded with her to keep it together and she nodded, closing her eyes briefly to keep her surging emotions under control, before bracing herself and opening her eyes to meet the wise, old eyes of a man who was halfway across the world.

"Thank you," she told him again. "You are so very kind to say that. I am equally proud to know that my child comes from a strong family such as yours. I look forward to the day I can present my son to you, sir."

"Or daughter," Jeon inserted smoothly, before translating what she had said to the beaming older man.
"You are... lovely girl. I sorry for all trouble," the man suddenly said in broken but understandable korean and Hobie's lips trembled with emotion. "You make my boy happy. I see this... . I so worry... but I see now, he very happy with you. Very much love here. I see."

She couldn't respond to that with much more than a nod and another emotional words, overwhelmed by the perception that had allowed the sick old man to see how much she loved his son. He and Jeon were now having a solemn conversation and the older man started pausing more and more frequently, seeming to lose track of his thoughts more and more until his wife stepped in and called a halt to the conversation.

"Mama says he is tired and needs to take his medication and rest," he whispered to Hobie, as they watched the older man protest half-heartedly before allowing himself to be wheeled, for he was in a wheelchair, out of the room with a few last farewells to Jeon and Hobie. Jeon's hand was squeezing hers so hard that it stopped the blood flow into her fingers but Hobie didn't protest, knowing that Jeon was probably wondering if it would be the last time he would ever see or speak to his father. They watched in silence as the door closed behind his mother's ample form before they both suddenly became aware of the fact that another person was in the room on screen. A wizened old woman suddenly plonked herself into the seat, Jeon's mother had just vacated and Jeon's entire face lit up.