Aera sat across from Heeseung's father, barely able to breathe as she stared at the table, focusing on their food and trying to ignore her rising dread. She already had to deal with his mother... now his father was going to start bothering them too? Why couldn't his parents just leave them alone? 

Maybe she really was bad for Heeseung. 

Maybe she really would drag him down. 

Maybe his mother was right. Maybe the right decision would be to break up. 

She shook her head, trying to clear her bad thoughts. No. She wouldn't think like that. She liked him and he liked her, and that was all there was to it... right?

"Should we eat first, then chat?" his father finally asked. 

Aera took a deep breath, her hands balled into fists under the table. "No," she said slowly. "No, I think we should talk first. And before you do... I think you should know something. I think you should know that I really like your son and that I'm not planning on breaking up with him, regardless of how much you threaten me." 

For a moment, there was silence. She couldn't even bring herself to look at him. 

And then he started laughing. 

Aera looked up in surprise, and he raised an eyebrow at her. 

"You've met my wife, haven't you?"

She let out a small laugh, unsure of how to feel right now. 

"Tell me, Aera," he said, looking at her name tag. "What do you like about Heeseung?" 

That question made her pause. 

Why did she like him? She thought back to all their moments together. From their first meetings to his recent phone calls and everything in-between. And though she hadn't liked him in some of those memories, and though some of them brought her pain, thinking of their time together brought a smile to her face. 

"Everything," she finally said, her smile widening. "I like everything about him. I like who I am with him. I like how he can make me smile and laugh easily, and I like seeing him being happy and playful. I like when he's serious and that he's someone who really cares and is always there for me. I like how he tries so hard to act cold, but in reality, he's very sweet. I just like everything about him, really."

"Are you rich?" was his only response to her confession. 

Aera couldn't help laughing. "No. Far from it. But my family and I are working very hard." 

"I take it that my wife doesn't approve of your relationship?" 

She just shook her head, not saying anything. But now she was wondering about this man's relationship with his wife. Didn't they communicate? She wondered if it was arranged. She wondered if there was any love there. 

"You guys have a lot of barriers," his father said slowly. "A lot of obstacles ahead of you, and you should both consider this very carefully. There are the economic barriers, and then also the fact that he's going to be an idol soon. Do these bother you?" 

Maybe he was expecting her to say no, without hesitation. 

But she couldn't do that. She couldn't lie. 

Those things did worry her. His family had the power to destroy hers, and she sensed that his mother was just barely holding back from totally ruining her. When he debuted, he'd have fans. He'd have nice fans, but he'd also have crazy and possessive ones. Fans who would try to dictate his life. Fans who would hate her if they found out about their relationship. Fans who would claim that as a rookie he should focus on his career, or that he's too young to start dating. Fans who would try to control him, when it's really none of their business. Fans who were already hating on his fiancée. 

She was worried about her family. She was worried about Heeseung, and how everything might mentally affect him. 

And she was worried about herself. 

She was worried that she was ruining her life with these choices. She was worried that their love, if you could even call it that, wouldn't work out. 

"I am worried," she said after a long moment. "Those things do worry me. But I don't think those factors should stop us from being together." 

There was a pause, then, "I don't either." 

Aera looked at him in surprise, but he was already beginning to eat his lunch. 

"You have to hurry and eat. We've talked for too long, you might be late." 

A smile came to her face, and she nodded. "Yes. Thank you," she said softly, beginning to eat her lunch as well.