Jungkook leaned his hip against his car as he went back to the story Chaeyoung posted on her Instagram, a short clip of her posing in front of a long mirror with a tiny caption saying 'starved myself to feast today'. The ring clearly shown on her finger as she zoomed in and out of herself in the clip sent a small smile across his lips.

"Why are you smiling?"

Jungkook almost dropped his phone, his smile instantly removed from his face. Chaeyoung seemed to suppress her smile at the way he was surprised and Jungkook cleared his throat, standing straight and slipped his phone in his pocket.

"Nothing," he said and opened the door for her. "What took you so long?"

"Am I late?" she muttered the question while flicking her wrist to check the time. "I'm like five minutes early."

Jungkook ignored that and took long strides to get into his car after she settled in.

Chaeyoung turned to him. "This is going to be dinner, right?"

"Yeah," he briefly looked at her before slipping out of the parking spot. "Why?"

"Nothing," she said but a few seconds later, she hesitantly asked, "Who cooked?"

Jungkook furrowed his brows in confusion. "My mom. Why?"

Her response somehow made him chuckle as she lightly squealed in delight and her hands made excited little claps on her lap.

"You really like my mom's food that much, huh?"

"'Like' is such an understatement. I love everything that she cooked," she admitted with a smile.

"Is that why you 'starved' yourself so you could 'feast'?"

Chaeyoung let out a soft playful gasp. "How are you stalking me but never followed?" She took out her phone and tried to search for his profile but couldn't. Jungkook didn't even use his real name, there was no way anyone could find it unless they could find it under Jimin's or Taehyung's thousands of followers list, but since his two friends' accounts were private and Chaeyoung wasn't following them, she wouldn't be able to find it.

She was chuckling on her own and Jungkook furrowed his brows, briefly glancing toward her. "Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing," she chuckled and Jungkook decided he'd find out about it sooner or later.

When they finally arrived at his parents' place, Jungkook casted a wary glance over the extra car in the driveway that he didn't recognize. His steps halted upon hearing a voice he hadn't heard of in a long while. Jungkook's brows furrowed in confusion, wondering the reason for the owner of that voice's presence here in this dinner that was supposed to be between his parents, him and his fiancée.

"Jungkook!" The voice boomed as soon as Jungkook saw his cousin who was having a chat with his parents.

The last time Jungkook had seen Sungjae was around five years ago, just right after Sungjae had gotten married before he left the country and migrated. The last look on Sungjae's face before he left held so much anger directed toward their grandfather that Jungkook was convinced that would be the last time he would ever see his cousin.

But here he was, in Jungkook's parents house with his wife on his side, his hand reaching toward Jungkook for a handshake. He briefly wondered if he had just simply come to visit or there was something else hidden in his sleeve. Jungkook forced himself to display a smile for his cousin as he returned the handshake.

"Sungjae," he nodded and pulled his hand back, "it's been a while."

"It really has been a while," Sungjae chuckled and turned his attention to Jungkook's left and his smile widened. "This must be the lucky girl. Chaeyoung, is it?"

Jungkook's jaw tightened when his fiancée and cousin shook hands, completely bothered by Sungjae's statement. He placed a hand on the small of Chaeyoung's back, his thumb instinctively rubbing a small circle.

"If anything, I am the lucky one," Jungkook said and noticed Chaeyoung turning to him briefly before letting out her chuckle that by now, he'd recognized as her way to hide her awkwardness.

Sungjae cocked an eyebrow at him and simply smirked before he subtly asked, "Is it?"

The silence between them went longer than he thought it would, as they both stared into each other's soul, waiting for the other to back out first.

"Let's start dining, shall we?" Jungkook's mother broke the silence, "I'm sure everyone is starving."

Jungkook contributed nothing to the conversation that slipped into the dinner, letting his parents handle it all with Sungjae as he talked about his business being successful without the help of anyone. He was pretty much a self-made billionaire, now with plans to branch out his business to other countries. It would be a lie to say that Jungkook didn't envy his cousin's success after what happened in the past. Jungkook inhaled deeply as he poked the fork into the steak, working his knife to cut the meat.

After a full conversation with Jungkook's parents, his father briefly excused himself when he received a phone call while his mother went to the kitchen to refill a few dishes.

"Talking about work is a bit boring, isn't it?," Sungjae chuckled, averting his focus to Jungkook. "Let's talk about the main person here. Care to share how you two met?"

Just before he opened his mouth to answer, Chaeyoung beat him to it, her silky voice calmly answering the question Sungjae asked.

"We first met on a blind date." She smiled sweetly, her hand gently placed over his on the table before her fingers closed around his appendage.

The look Sungjae displayed made Jungkook question whether it was wise to let Chaeyoung answer that. "Jungkook? Blind dates? I didn't know you'd do that," he laughed. "For as long as I know my cousin, he doesn't go on blind dates. And to make him do something he hates to do, there has to be something good for him in return. Not surprised, though."

If Chaeyoung was surprised with Sungjae's response, she hid it well. Jungkook's jaw tightened, even as Chaeyoung's hand gently squeezed his.

"So, did you guys hit it off right away?" Sungjae asked further.

"Of course, not," Chaeyoung responded fast, smirking at him briefly before letting his hand go. "I made him work for it."

Sungjae hummed, nodding his head slowly. "What's in it for you?"

Chaeyoung blinked. "Sorry?"

"You made him work for it," Sungjae repeated her answer. "Did he offer you something?"

"What makes you think I offer her something?" Jungkook interrupted, his own voice dropping an octave. He didn't like Sungjae's tone when he questioned Chaeyoung about that.

"For someone who was not quite interested in a relationship that would require commitments, I'd take you as someone who'd hire a partner."

If Jungkook gripped the fork tighter, it would snap into two. He let go of the fork and managed a dry chuckle. "Why would I need to hire a partner if I'm not interested in a relationship? I'd rather not have one at all since hiring one would give me commitments too." Jungkook placed an arm on the backrest of Chaeyoung's chair, his fingers softly grazing on the shoulder of a stiffened Chaeyoung on his side.

The way Sungjae pursed his lips and nodded made Jungkook's blood boil within him.

"So, when's the wedding?" Sungjae asked cheerily. "Chaeyoung?"

Chaeyoung sipped her drink briefly. "We haven't discussed the date."

"Oh, really?" Sungjae clapped his hands once and looked around. "Isn't now such a perfect time to discuss it?"

"We'll discuss it among ourselves," Jungkook replied. "Besides, her parents aren't even present."

"Right," his cousin nodded. "May I suggest a date?" When no one responded to that, Sungjae chuckled. "Why not set the wedding next week? Why wait, right? The longer you wait, the less chance you'll get what you want."

"What are you talking about?" Jungkook asked, brows knitting.

Sungjae merely smirked, shrugging his shoulders and let the conversation end despite seeming as though he wasn't satisfied with the answers.

"Everyone," Jungkook's father interrupted and went back to his seat. "Let's all just eat. This is no time to discuss such matters."

"Of course," Jungkook said, his eyes never leaving Sungjae's who was looking at him with playful eyes.

"Of course, uncle," Sungjae finally said after he broke eye contact with Jungkook.

*

"So, how exactly did you two meet?"

Chaeyoung's heart almost leaped out her chest upon seeing Sungjae leaning against the wall just right in front of the toilet. He'd asked the question earlier, how else did he want her answer to be?

"Blind date," Chaeyoung answered simply, not knowing how else to form her words when that had been the truth. She might have replaced her friend for the blind date, but that was exactly how she first met Jungkook. She knew him before she knew that their parents wanted to be in-laws.

Sungjae hummed. "I still find it hard to believe that my dear cousin went on a blind date."

Ever since the first time she was introduced to Jungkook's cousin, Chaeyoung had an upsetting feeling about him. Despite the huge smiles he never failed to deliver, there was just something so bothersome about him. "Well, people changed," Chaeyoung said calmly with a small smile. "Maybe he figured that it was time for him to finally settle down and went on that blind date."

Sungjae smiled at her and if he spoke no word after, she would've thought that he was only being a curious relative to Jungkook's changed perspective.

"How much did he pay you?"

Chaeyoung's smile dropped. "What?"

"Engaged just right before his birthday..." Sungjae trailed off momentarily as he made a thinking face. "If you were me, wouldn't you feel weird?"

She stayed silent, already having a gist where Sungjae was heading to with this secret conversation. "Don't you need to use the toilet? I should—"

"I grew up with him, Chaeyoung," Sungjae placed a hand on her shoulder when she walked past him. "I have known him longer. I know him more than you do. As someone who knows him well enough, you might want to hear me out. Whatever amount he promises to pay you to help with his plan on securing the wealth, you won't be getting any. This whole game you guys are playing? Is only going to benefit him."

Chaeyoung inhaled deeply before she turned around and gave a tight smile. "Thank you for your concern. Though, I can assure you that there's nothing to be concerned about." She quickly pushed his hand off her shoulder and stepped away.

"Is it worth it to sell yourself for nothing in return?"

Her brows dipped and she slowly turned to face the man. Sungjae only raised a brow, concern wasn't even on his face as he looked at her, waiting for an answer.

"I don't know how you get that idea, Sungjae. And I certainly don't understand why all of this is any of your concern."

Chaeyoung immediately left, surprisingly calm despite getting smacked with an insult. But her steps faltered when she almost ran into Jungkook who was standing still watching Sungjae behind her. Before the staring contest turned into something worse, Chaeyoung linked her arm with Jungkook's and pulled him away, thanking the god that he wasn't being stubborn.

She took him out of the house and managed to display a polite smile when she walked past Sungjae's wife who seemed to be looking for her husband.

Jungkook pulled his arm away from her when they finally stood near the pool. He gazed at her firmly for a few seconds before asking, "What did he say to you?"

Chaeyoung was glad that Jungkook didn't hear any word coming out of Sungjae's mouth or she couldn't imagine what he would do. Would what happened in the club happen again even in his parents' house?

"Nothing, really."

"Chaeyoung." His tone was of warning.

"He just asked me if it was true that we first met on a blind date," she said with a calmer voice. "That's all."

The expression on his face was unchanging. "I don't buy it."

Chaeyoung huffed a sigh. "What do you want me to say?"

"The truth."

"It was the truth!" She lightly stomped her foot on the ground. "If it wasn't, what do you plan to do anyway? Attack him? Here? At your parents' house? I won't let that happen."

Jungkook stayed silent for a moment. "I'll drag him away from the house then."

She shook her head and shut her eyes. A chuckle involuntarily broke from her. "Can't you just let it go?"

He looked away and muttered a low 'no'.

"Jungkook..."

"This dinner is a mistake. I should have checked with my parents who would be present."

Chaeyoung might not be the most observant person out there and her judgment wasn't always accurate, but Sungjae made everything so simple with his actions that she didn't need to be at the level of Sherlock Holmes to analyze the situation. Jungkook's parents seemed to be uncomfortable with Sungjae's presence and that could only mean that he had shown up uninvited.

"I doubt your parents were expecting him," she simply said. "And by the look of it, he probably arrived just a few minutes before we did."

He seemed to still be fuming, his eyes were away and his lips were tight. Chaeyoung gently nudged his rib with her elbow. "Hey, don't blame your parents for his actions."

"I'm not blaming them," he sighed with a roll of his eyes. "He shouldn't have said that." When he finally turned to look at her again, his gaze was softer. "I'm sorry about what he said."

"Why are you the one apologizing?" Chaeyoung pulled a small smile. "Look, it's alright. It's kind of the truth, though. So I don't take offense."

Jungkook's brows furrowed further. "But he has no right to make this dinner as a session to insult you."

Chaeyoung turned her whole body toward him. "Look, I'm not fine with him insulting me either. But you need to calm down."

"It doesn't matter how true his guess was that we were made of a deal, he could've approached me and talked about it nicely. But he chose to be rude, not just to me, but to you too," he said with gritted teeth.

"What do you want to do to him? Punch his mouth?"

"If that'll shut him up, I'll do exactly that."

"Yeah," she chuckled dryly. "And that's just going to further prove that he's right. Although, technically, he is right."

"So what do you want me to do?" Jungkook cocked a challenging eyebrow at her.

Chaeyoung gazed deep into his eyes. From the corner of her eye, she could see two figures moving around inside the house, and there was no doubt that the two were Sungjae and his wife, probably watching them from just behind the sliding door. She wanted to laugh at how little effort they made to not be obvious.

Her eyes went back to Jungkook who was clearly waiting for her answer. There was only one way she could think of that would be quite helpful with crossing off the suspicion Sungjae had.

"Kiss me."

Jungkook's big doe eyes looked back at her in confusion, his brows knitting and his forehead slowly creased. "What?"

Chaeyoung briefly glanced back at his lips, her mind running across the moment they had almost kissed before and her insides fluttered. She flicked her eyes back to his and swallowed hard. "Kiss me."

He stilled for a couple more seconds before he turned away and chuckled. "You're fucking drunk, are you?"

A frown settled itself onto her face. "Can I get drunk from water?"

With that response from her, Jungkook looked back at her and her frown had transferred onto him. "We're discussing about my rude as fuck cousin insulting you, Chaeyoung."

"And I'm simply being nice here trying to help you." She lightly groaned. "They're watching us right now, Jungkook. If you kiss me, we can prove to them that we're not just business, even though we actually are, but that's besides the point. If he thinks that we're not just business, maybe he can stop with... whatever he's trying to do."

She watched as Jungkook's eyes went from being fixated to hers before they slowly traveled downward. Her stomach knot when his eyes stayed at what she assumed was her lips. If Sungjae was watching, they couldn't risk getting caught being awkward around each other for just a kiss. Without thinking twice, Chaeyoung placed both her arms on his shoulders and shifted closer. She felt tingles around her skin when his hands found her waist.

Chaeyoung had initially put up a fake smile when she shifted closer toward him, another act served to fool Sungjae into thinking that they were comfortable enough for public displays of affection. But that smile soon faded when the gaps between them decreased.

"Chaeyoung." His voice was almost unrecognizable as it pulled her out of her train of thoughts.

She didn't know if Sungjae was still watching. She could no longer see with Jungkook's forehead only an inch away from hers, but she knew Sungjae was still making himself an audience somewhere. They were so close and if he or she had just moved a little, their lips would meet and that thought alone sent heat all over her body.

"Hm?" she managed.

Jungkook inhaled deeply, his shoulders rising as he did so. Their noses briefly touched before suddenly his hold on her waist went firm, stopping her from moving forward.

"Stop." Jungkook stepped back and his hands disappeared. "He's gone."

Chaeyoung whipped her head to look at where Sungjae and his wife were. The spot was now empty and Chaeyoung forced the frown forming on her face to vanish as disappointment settled within her.

"It's getting late, I should get you back home now."

She simply nodded and followed him from behind while he walked fast. When she was bidding goodbye to his parents, she caught sight of Jungkook talking with Sungjae for a while.

Jungkook had initially calmed down while they were outside by the pool earlier, but as he and Sungjae exchanged words, Chaeyoung noticed the tense in his shoulders and the way his jaw clenched at every word Sungjae said to him. She tried slipping her hand into his and hoped to have him hold her hand tight while pulling her away, but he didn't hold her back. Whatever the reason behind the beef between Jungkook and his cousin was no business of her, but she couldn't help the roll of her eyes as she gave Sungjae a last glance.