Later that evening at the Kim family mansion people started arriving and the party was in session, family members, friends everyone was there.
Meanwhile in Jihoon's room:
"We don't have to be here, we can just head out and go home and have alone time." Jihoon said, "no, I want to be here with everyone. No more hiding." Minji said as he fixed Jihoon's collar.
"But I don't want any of these people to see you, my family is already hogging you up and I don't have time with you." Jihoon added.
"Well maybe stop being possessive." Minji said as he took off his ring placed it back in the box and hid it in the dresser. "Just for tonight." He smiled looking over at Jihoon.
"I'm going to be cordial for tonight." Jihoon said placing a soft kiss on his lips.
Minji smiled against Jihoon's lips, pulling back just enough to look him in the eyes. "Cordial, huh? Let's see how long that lasts," he teased, his hands smoothing over Jihoon's shirt. "Besides, it's just one night. We can survive this."
Jihoon sighed, glancing toward the door where the sounds of laughter and conversation filtered in from the party downstairs. "Alright, but I'm keeping you close," he grumbled playfully, grabbing Minji's hand as they headed toward the door.
As they descended the stairs, the warmth of the gathering hit them instantly. The room was filled with people—family members they hadn't seen in ages, close friends who felt like family, and some faces Jihoon barely recognized. The holiday spirit was alive, the mansion decorated in glowing lights and festive decorations, and everyone seemed to be in high spirits.
"There they are!" BaekHyeon called out, spotting them as they entered the room. "The famous couple!"
All eyes turned to them, and Jihoon felt Minji tense slightly beside him. He gave Minji's hand a reassuring squeeze and leaned in close. "Remember, they love you. You've got nothing to worry about."
Before Minji could respond, a group of relatives swooped in, greeting them enthusiastically. "Minji, you look so handsome!" one aunt exclaimed. "How have we not met you sooner?" another chimed in.
Minji smiled politely, enduring the wave of compliments and questions that followed. Jihoon watched as Minji handled it all with grace, but he could tell the attention was getting overwhelming.
"Alright, alright, let's give him a break!" Jihoon said, stepping in before Minji could get cornered by another round of interrogation. "We're just here to enjoy the night, not to put him on trial."
The group laughed, dispersing a little, though Jihoon could still feel the watchful eyes of curious relatives lingering on them.
"Thanks for that," Minji whispered once they found a quieter corner of the room. "I didn't realize being the center of attention was so exhausting."
Jihoon chuckled, wrapping an arm around him. "Told you. But you're doing great."
Just then, Jihoon's mom appeared with a warm smile. "You two look so good together," she said, handing them both glasses of champagne. "I can't believe how much has changed in such a short time."
Minji smiled, though he remained modest. "I'm just happy to be part of this family."
Jihoon's mom gave him a knowing look. "And we're happy to have you. Now, go enjoy yourselves before I start asking embarrassing questions!"
Jihoon raised his glass in a mock salute, pulling Minji closer as they navigated through the crowd. "Well, we survived the first round. Ready for more?"
Minji chuckled, leaning into Jihoon's side. "As long as I'm with you, I can handle anything."
"Good," Jihoon said softly, "because tonight's just the beginning."
With that, they blended back into the holiday festivities, the evening stretching ahead of them, filled with warmth, laughter, and the promise of a future together.
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As Jihoon and Minji were talking to some cousins, TaeHyun suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Jihoon-ah!" He rejoiced as he hugged Jihoon ignoring everyone around him.
"Hi, TaeHyun." Jihoon said uncomfortably as he slightly pushed him away.
As Jihoon said his name Minji looked up at him and then back at TaeHyun surprised, suddenly he grabbed Jihoon away and pulled him closer to him. "I missed you so much, how have you been?!" TaeHyun asked.
Jihoon slightly smiled and nodded, "I've been great."
"TaeHyun! How have you been!" Quinn stepped in breaking the awkwardness, TaeHyun looked at her his smile dropping and looked back at Jihoon. "Well as you can see here TaeHyun, Jihoon was busy talking to his BOYFRIEND before you interrupted."
TaeHyun's smile faltered for a second, his eyes flicking to Minji, who stood protectively by Jihoon's side. The tension in the air was palpable, and even though Quinn had stepped in to break the awkwardness, TaeHyun's focus remained on Jihoon.
"Oh, so you're the boyfriend. That's cute." His tone was laced with a mix of sarcasm and something darker, though he tried to mask it with a casual smile.
Minji didn't flinch. He met TaeHyun's gaze head-on, his voice steady. "Yeah, I am. Nice to meet you." There was no hesitation in Minji's words, and Jihoon could feel the tension in Minji's grip as he held him closer.
TaeHyun chuckled softly, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Well, it's good to see you happy, Jihoon. Didn't think you'd move on so fast."
Jihoon felt a wave of discomfort wash over him. "It's been a while, TaeHyun," he said, his voice tight. "Things change."
TaeHyun raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, I guess they do." He glanced at Minji again, a smirk playing on his lips. "I hope you treat him well, Minji. Jihoon deserves someone who knows how to take care of him."
Before Jihoon could respond, Minji spoke up, his voice calm but with an edge. "Don't worry, I've got him covered." There was a clear warning in Minji's tone, but he kept his expression neutral.
TaeHyun's smirk faded slightly, but he didn't push further. "I'm sure you do," he said, his eyes lingering on Jihoon for a moment before turning away. "Well, enjoy the rest of your night." With that, he walked off, blending into the crowd.
Minji let out a small breath, his hand still resting protectively on Jihoon's waist. "Are you okay?" Jihoon asked.
Minji slightly smiled and nodded, "what a fucking jerk!" Quinn said crossing his arm.
A few minutes later as Jihoon was talking to Jay and max, BaeKhyeon chimed into the conversation. "Dad wants you to get him some documents downstairs." He told Jihoon.
"What documents?" Jihoon asked, "he said it's on its table, just go look for it." Hyeon told him.
Jihoon groaned as he walked through the crowd of people.
Jihoon entered his father's office, filled with boxes. "Might as well be a storage room" Jihoon said to himself. He walked over to the table and found a contract on it, he grabbed it and looked through it.
As he looked through the contract Jihoon heard the room door quietly close behind him, Turning around, he saw TaeHyun standing there, a conflicted expression on his face.
"TaeHyun, what are you doing here?" Jihoon asked, trying to keep his voice steady.
"We need to talk, Jihoon," TaeHyun said, stepping closer. "I can't just let things end like this."
"There's nothing to talk about," Jihoon replied, trying to sidestep TaeHyun and leave the room.
TaeHyun blocked his path, desperation in his eyes. "I don't even see what you see in that guy, his nothing but trash. I'm way better looking, and mostly definitely I'm way much better than him in bed." He exclaimed,
"You're nothing but a piece of trash TaeHyun, so don't you dare mention my boyfriends name in your mouth!"
"Ha, stop playing hard to get, you know you want this back. This is what you like and not that piece of trash." He claimed as he wrapped his arms around him. "How about I show you some fun tonight," he smirked, "get off of me, I want nothing to do with you." Jihoon told him as he tried to release himself from the grip but, as he was about to push him away TaeHyun suddenly pulled him for a kiss. Shocked Jihoon had no reaction, but in the mist of that the door swang open and there stood Minji the smile on his face quickly disappearing.
Once Jihoon noticed him he quickly pushed TaeHyun away and ran straight to Minji, "it's not what you think!" He panicked, "You're father wants to know if you found the paper works." He said as he looked down in Jihoon's hands. "Great you found them." He bluntly said as he walked away. Panicking Hoon rushed to him without even paying attention to TaeHyun who was seated on the floor.
Once he got upstairs he lost sight of him, before looking for him he quickly gave his father the papers and went to his mother to check if Minji was with her.
As he entered the room full of ladies he searched the room and there was no sign of Minji, "are you looking for Minji?" She asked, "YES!" "He just left, he said his not feeling well so I got Mr. Min to drive him home." She told him.
Upon hearing the news he closed the door and rushed out, he hoped in his car and drove off like a maniac.
Jihoon sped through the streets, his mind racing with panic and regret. He couldn't believe how quickly everything had spiraled out of control. The sight of Minji's devastated face haunted him as he drove, pushing his car to its limits.
When he finally arrived at the apartment building, he parked haphazardly and rushed inside, taking the stairs two at a time. Out of breath, he knocked urgently on Minji's door.
"Minji, please, open the door! It's not what you think!" Jihoon called out, his voice cracking with desperation.
There was no response. He knocked harder, louder.
"Minji, please! I love you, and I can explain everything!"
Still nothing. Jihoon leaned his forehead against the door, his heart pounding. He knew Minji was inside; he could feel it. He had to get through to him somehow.
After what felt like an eternity, he heard the sound of the door unlocking. The door opened just a crack, and Minji's tear-streaked face appeared. He looked hurt, betrayed, and exhausted.
"Minji, please, let me explain," Jihoon begged, his eyes pleading.
Minji opened the door a bit wider but didn't say anything, giving Jihoon a chance to speak.
"TaeHyun followed me into my father's office," Jihoon started, his voice trembling. "I told him I wanted nothing to do with him. I tried to leave, but he blocked my way. He grabbed me and kissed me, and I swear I didn't want it. I pushed him away the moment I saw you."
"Why would you push him away once you saw me, why couldn't you push me once his lips touched yours." He cried, "You claim you love me but, if you really did you wouldn't have let that happen." He added, "I'm so fucking fed up with the constant TaeHyun arguments, if you want him that much you can go and have him. Because I'm done with this relationship." He exclaimed.
Jihoon felt his heart drop, "you can't really mean this Minji, I've already told you that he forced that kiss on me." "You have to understand that I've been done with TaeHyun and all those other people I slept with the second I asked you to be my boyfriend."Jihoon explained.
"is it that hard to ask for you trust, it's like ever since we got together you always had the thought of me leaving you for someone else. Even after I reassured you so many times that I was yours and I was here to stay." He added.
"Are you now blaming me for being insecure?!" Minji questioned tears falling from left to right, "I'm not blaming you for anything, I'm just hurt by the fact that the guy I I asked to marry me has no trust or faith in me."
Jihoon added as he took out the ring box and handed it to Minji. "I'll let you rethink you're feelings over, and if you feel like you are truly done with me then be it. Cause I'm also sick and tired of trying to prove myself over and over again." He said as he walked out of the house.
Minji stood in the doorway, the ring box heavy in his hand. He watched Jaehoon walk away, his heart torn between anger and the love he still felt. He didn't know what to do, but he knew he needed space to think. With a deep sigh, Minji closed the door and sat down on his couch, staring at the ring box.
Meanwhile, Jihoon walked aimlessly, his mind racing. He couldn't believe everything had fallen apart so quickly. He knew he had to give Minji time, but the thought of losing him was unbearable.
TBC