580.

[NEXT DAY]

Hye-Jin looked up from her tab at the sound of Han Eun-Jeong's tingling laughter. Her assistant covered her mouth as she stared at her phone screen.

"This boy..." Eun-Jeong said, "He has balls."

Hye-Jin rolled her eyes. "Every male has balls."

"But not every male has the courage to speak his mind. You know what I mean," Eun-Jeong replied. "This one is a spitfire. He rejected the schedule." She pushed her phone toward her. Curious, Hye-Jin peered over to catch a glimpse of what had brought about such amusement. "See for yourself."

Hye-Jin leaned in to look at the phone screen, where a series of messages between Eun-Jeong and her daughter Aera popped up. She read through the conversation, a small smile playing on her lips. She purposefully made the schedule that way to see how he would react.

As she read through the chat, she burst into laughter. She threw her head back and laughed until there were tears in her eyes.

Jungkook didn't disappoint. Her future son-in-law definitely had balls of steel. His replies had so much fire that she couldn't help but reread again. It was so entertaining.

She was thrilled to read every word that was exerted with assertiveness. The tone was professional but the way here drew the boundary was exceptional.

"He's definitely not someone to follow the crowd," she remarked. "I like his spirit."

Eun-Jeong nodded, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Right? It's refreshing to see someone stand their ground. He's brave, confident and knows his worth. I doubt anyone can push his buttons unless he allows them to," she added. "Your son won in this life," she said.

"I totally did," Jimin said. "You should stop throwing things at him like this, mum." He kissed on top of her head. "My Cherry Blossom is full of surprises and he's no pushover. But he can do so much without you adding to his plate."

Hye-Jin patted his hand with the same grin. "I just wanted him to stand his ground even if it's me who is pressuring him. This is necessary. He needs to know what he's stepping into."

Jimin chuckled. "Did he pass?"

"Surprising with flying colors," Hye-Jin admitted. "My fear and worry was prejudiced and wasn't needed here. He's a brave omega."

"At least you admitted he's brave." Jimin smiled warmly. "Trust him, mom. He's really amazing."

His mother hummed, stirring her tea. As the fresh morning breeze caressed her skin, the familiar scent of herbal tea wafted to her. It was her habit to drink a cup of tea after breakfast. "I'll think about it."

"Tea or coffee?" Eun-Jeong asked him.

"I'll have what she has."

Same as before. Hye-Jin smiled warmly. Jimin hasn't changed in that regard, though she couldn't say the same for the man he has become. He was extremely cold, arrogant, confident and had a short fuse.

Eun-Jeong poured him hot water, sporting a warm smile and dropped a tea bag in it before handing it to him. "I have some things to take care of," she announced. Then she proceeded to move far from them.

"Thank you." Jimin accepted it, dipping the tea bag a few times before removing it. He liked to drink it light unlike how she preferred to let it seep and then stir before consuming it.

Hye-Jin was thankful for the privacy. Eun-Jeong knew when to give her space. She braced herself, knowing very well her son wasn't done yet and was only beginning. The expression on his face said there was a lot to unload. As Jimin sipped his tea, Hye-Jin could sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

Jimin smiled at her. "Be prepared to be surprised then," he said. "Mom, I won't stop him from doing what he wants. He will always be my priority. Also, I think you shouldn't push those useless etiquette classes down his throat. He thinks that's going to help him but I've seen these omegas you highly speak off. I'd rather have my Cherry Blossom preserve his unique qualities and not be tainted by such classes."

His mother stared at him for a long moment with an impassive expression. "Jungkook needs to know how elite society works. You saw how Sooyeon, A-Yeong and Myeong-Suk were just the other day."

"Agreed." Jimin conceded and looked at Eun-Jeong pointedly. "But I won't let anyone change who he is as a person." His gaze shifted back to his mother. "If I wanted a purebred omega who excelled in these classes I'd have done it ages ago. But I don't. Jungkook is a breath of fresh air in my mundane life. He's different from the pretentious, cunning and manipulative omegas produced by your elite society. I respect you, mum. You're not them and he isn't one either. You should understand that."

There was a tight smile on her face but she said nothing. "You know very well what I'm talking about. I understand your concerns, Jimin. But you must also consider the benefits of Jungkook learning proper etiquette. It is important for him to navigate through different social circles with ease and confidence. While I respect your perspective, I believe a balance can be struck between preserving his unique qualities and equipping him with the necessary skills to excel in various situations."

"I'm all up for equipping him with necessary skills, but I just don't agree with the way you have chosen. The same way you were brought up, the same way every purebred omega in this society is brought up." There was bitterness in his words. "People like Sooyeon, A-Yeong or Myeong-Suk will always say what they want to say. They will believe what they want to believe and they will perceive what they want to perceive. You just saw what kind of pathetic lives they're leading. And you want us to abide by the kind of expectations these people set?" Jimin sneered. "I won't let them dictate how I should live my life. And maybe Moon goddess curse me with eternal pain and torture if I let them judge me or my lifestyle. Puh-lease..."

Hye-Jin swallowed thickly. Her son's words carried a lot of weight and she couldn't just brush them off. She knew that her son's perspective was deeply rooted in his own experiences and beliefs.

Her son wasn't done yet. "People are flawed but they just want to make you believe they and their lives is picture perfect. So stop letting these expectations control you and our lives, mom." He took a deep breath. "I'm done with this so-called elite circle. I'm done with them telling me how I should live my life and judging me as if they aren't doing the same thing as I am."

Her son's words lingered in the air, heavy with emotion and conviction. Hye-Jin felt a mix of emotions swirling within her as she listened to her son's passionate stance against conforming to societal expectations. However, there were other things to consider.

"Jimin..." she called exasperatedly. "These men from this so-called elite circle sit at the board. Your future—"

"My future is mine to decide, mom. I know how to handle them. You're wrong if you think I don't know what kind of skeletons resides in their closet." He traced the rim of his tea mug, fingers toying with his tea bag he left on the saucer beside it. "They should be the one who fears me and my wrath. They would have no place to run if I start airing their dirty laundry."

Hye-Jin exhaled louder, knowing that her son had grown into a force to be reckoned with. "That's not the way you deal with everything, Jimin," she said. "You cannot handle every situation by airing their dirty deeds. Someday it's gonna backfire on you."

Jimin boomed with laughter. He threw his head back and let out a deep, rich sound. His styled hair bounced with that movement. When he stopped, he just glanced at her with a smug smile.

"The tabloids have been airing my dirty laundry for years. What more could they have?" He leaned on his elbows, fingers intertwined. "And what makes you think I'm gonna provide them with more material?"

"You saw those condescending articles. You—"

"It'll stop when I start suing them," her son cut her off. "They can try, mom and I'll show them a side they've never witnessed before. Jungkook isn't a one-night stand or a short fling. Jungkook is my future mate and husband. He will be the father of my pup or pups, however much he's willing to give me. Let them try harming the hair on his body and I'll show them what I'm made of."

Hye-Jin sucked in a sharp breath.

"Speaking of pups, mom, why would you insist on him being on birth control?" He scowled. "I was two years old when dad was my age." That earned him a chuckle from his mother.

"And I was an established entrepreneur," she countered.

"Maybe, but I'm not postponing on that one. If Jungkook is ready then we will start our family before or after his graduation." He huffed. "But in all seriousness, regular omegas already have their rights denied in every way possible. Choosing whether or not they should give birth or when they should give birth is mostly decided by their alphas or others for them. It should be their fundamental right. It's his body and so he should be the one to decide when and how he wants to have pups. I will not have another purebred tell him if or when he should be having pups," he said with conviction. "Before you ask me, yes, he already told me he'd love to have pups someday and he wants to be a parent. So I know that's in his wish list. Also, I'm not standing against any of his wishes. I won't. I honestly don't care what the others would say about us. They aren't gonna like this mating either way. So I don't give a damn either. And these people have no right to judge us considering how their personal lives are the real circus but they pretend that the circus is outside and even put on a show to make others believe their life is perfect. You should know this better than anyone. So mom, please, stop trying to make him someone he isn't."

Hye-Jin could only nod mutely. That was a lot to take in. She took a moment to reflect on Jimin's words, pondering everything he just said.

"Alright..." Jimin glanced at his wrist watch. "I have a meeting in an hour so I better leave."

"You don't usually stop by in the morning. Did you come here to give me that talk?" She tilted her head to the side. "And tell me to stay away from him? Already taking your omega's side I see."

"Nope. Your son-in-law is not a damsel in distress, mom. Jungkook can handle himself without my intervention. If he doesn't want you near, he's capable of telling you himself." He chuckled. "I was here to meet dad and get his signature on a few files. We did that over breakfast and here I am." He stood and leaned to kiss her head. "See you soon, mom. Don't worry that pretty head of yours."

She couldn't help but watch her son Jimin with a mixture of pride and amusement. The purebred omega smiled at the display of his unwavering support and belief in Jungkook. "Okay," she whispered. "Take care, son."

"You too, mom."

Eun-Jeong approached her once Jimin left. "They grow up too fast, don't they?" She eyed the direction Jimin disappeared into.

Hye-Jin nodded. "He's right," she admitted. "I'm too hung up on the things they taught me and maybe it's time I see things from his perspective." She exhaled. "Didn't you say the effective way to bridge the gap with your child is to change yourself to adapt to the changes?"

Eun-Jeong gave her a knowing smile. "You're absolutely right."

Jungkook was indeed a unique and strong individual, and perhaps it was time for her to trust in his abilities and let go of her worries.

She looked at Eun-Jeong and nodded, a newfound sense of understanding dawning on her. "I'd like one of those macaroons, please," she said, feeling a sense of peace settling within her. It was time to embrace the future and have faith in the choices her son had made.

Eun-Jeong handed her a tray of macaroons with a beaming smile and took a seat, pouring herself a cup of tea. "Hye-Jin-ah, trust your son. I've never seen Jimin being so sure about someone else before. I can tell he's no longer the carefree pup who wandered with no direction or purpose. He knows what he wants. I also know you did all this to test your son too. I hope this has cleared any doubt you had in your mind."

Hye-Jin smiled with a nod. "Well...He couldn't have made it any more clear."

As they sipped their drinks, Hye-Jin felt a sense of contentment wash over her. She knew that Jungkook and Jimin's bond was unbreakable, and she was grateful for the love and support that surrounded them.

581.

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