The next morning

5 A.M

A soft classical ringtone stirred you awake at an unusual hour. You felt the warmth radiating from your soulmate's arm, wrapped snugly around you. Attempting to manoeuvre gently out of his embrace to check the time, you found Hobi peacefully asleep. But as you glanced at the digital alarm clock on the nearby dresser, your tired eyes widened in shock.

Oh my gosh! The time on the clock made your face go pale. You hadn't expected your soulmate to stay over, and now he needed to return to his room before his sister Jiwoo or, worse, his father discovered them together. The mere thought was utterly embarrassing.

Your soulmate, however, was content not to sleep alone, and the both of you lost in the moment, had unfortunately drifted off in each other's arms.

"Hobi, darling..." you whispered into his ear. He squirmed in his sleep, eliciting a breathy snicker from you, but he remained soundly asleep. As you gently brushed his bangs away from his face, his features flushed, and your loving gaze lingered on his contented expression.

Attempting to rouse him again, you gently nudged his shoulder, but he remained unresponsive. Opting for a classic trick, you lightly brushed your lips over his half-open ones, causing Hobi to scrunch his nose in slumber. With a mischievous smirk, you nibbled playfully on his earlobe, stirring him from his sleep.

"Kira, I'm still exhausted," he murmured, pulling the duvet over himself, which made you giggle. You repeated the gesture, amused.

"Do you want Jiwoo-unnie to find us here? Our parents might hear about our little midnight fest," you teased softly in his ear.

At the mention of Jiwoo, Hobi's eyes shot open, still disoriented. Spotting you, he jolted up. "Oh my gosh! We fell asleep," he exclaimed, scanning the room in horror.

Hurriedly searching for his pyjamas strewn on the floor, he scrambled out of bed while you watched, finding his antics amusing.

"Kira, this is bad," he said, dressing quickly, and you chuckled softly.

"Don't worry, it's still dark outside. Sneak back to your room. Keitaro won't even notice," you reassured, trying to calm him down.

"I'll be in so much trouble with your dad," he grimaced, quickly crawling on the bed, cupping your face gently and softly and planting a morning kiss on your warm lips. "I almost forgot. Good morning, darling. I love you," he sighed deeply, smiling at you.

"Sorry that we can't have our early morning cuddle time... I'll make it up to you," he whispered regretfully before dashing out, cautiously peeking, and then leaving quietly, fearing discovery.

You shook your head in amusement and laughed softly, slipping back under the covers for more sleep.

Hobi tiptoed back to his room, relieved to find Keitaro sound asleep. The thought of Jiwoo, the early riser, catching him made him shiver; she'd use it as prime blackmail material, something to embarrass him at the worst possible moment.

.....

A few hours later...

After refreshing yourself, you slipped into a cute charcoal black sleeveless summer dress paired with shiny flats, letting your dark mahogany hair cascade loosely around your face. With a touch of light neutral makeup and a dab of red-pink gloss on your lips, you felt rejuvenated after spending the night with your soulmate.

Smirking, you strolled down the open hallway leading to the stairs, marvelling at the beauty of the Jung mansion. The expansive windows, spanning two stories, bathed the morning in radiant sunlight.

A broad smile graced your face upon finding your mum and the Jungs chatting in the kitchen. While you were engaged in preparing a Korean breakfast, your mum and Ms. Jung were busy making kimchi pancakes. Jiwoo, already up and frying eggs on the stove, filled the kitchen with delightful aromas of freshly cooked food. Platters of pancakes, assorted bread rolls, and hot veggies adorned the marble countertops.

Greeting them sweetly, you said, "Good morning, family...mom, Ms. Jung...Jiwoo." You greet in English, only you, and kiss your radiant mom's cheeks. Seeing her well-rested appearance lifted your spirits; witnessing her looking so radiant and healthy brought immense joy, especially after the stress of her surgery and the search for answers about your past.

"Good morning, my princess. Did you sleep well? You look well-rested," your mum remarked, noticing your flustered expression.

If your mum learned about your visitor, she'd launch into a lengthy lecture. Even though your parents were aware of your red-gold marriage, they still saw you as their innocent daughter. After the drunken incident with Byron, you didn't want to risk your dad having a heart attack.

You nodded in agreement but noticed Jiwoo looking smug while arranging eggs on a white platter. A teasing glint in her eyes made you nervously purse your lips. Did Jiwoo somehow know that you'd spent the night with her brother? Oh my gosh, that would be so embarrassing.

Ms. Jung beamed, "You look refreshed and beautiful, my girl," giving you a light hug and brushing her palm over your blushing cheek, to which you expressed gratitude.

Jiwoo chuckled. "Good morning! Strangely, Hobi is still sleeping. He's usually an early riser. Hmm... odd. Maybe he's in the indoor gym with Jordan and your cute brother," she said, placing the platter on the buffet table alongside roasted veggies and fried sausages.

You nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps Kei is a heavy sleeper. I hope Hobi can wake him up. Keitaro isn't a morning person," you chuckled softly, reminiscing about when your mom would appoint you to wake your brothers.

Kenichi was an early riser who loved the gym, while Keitaro preferred late-night gaming and staying up late—a constant issue during their high school days at home.

"Would you like a cup of coffee, Kira?" Ms. Jung offered courteously, gesturing towards the breakfast buffet in the dining room adjacent to the kitchen. You were assisting by carrying platters to the breakfast buffet nook.

"Thank you, Ms. Jung. I'll have some, please... I'll try an espresso with milk," you replied with a smile.

Your dad and Mr. Jung entered the kitchen area cheerfully, exchanging greetings with you and Jiwoo. They had been outside on the porch discussing college-related matters.

Spotting you, your dad turned, and you hugged him, respectfully greeting Mr. Jung.

"I hope you enjoyed your first visit with us, and we'll see more of you even without Hobi; his schedule is very tight," his dad remarked with a friendly grin.

You smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr. Jung. When I'm confident to drive, I'll visit you, especially when Hobi is out of the country, and I'm not assigned as a therapist."

However, deep down, you knew that Hobi or the group wouldn't prefer to travel without their therapist. Suddenly, you felt the absence of your kitty boss, wondering if he, Hobi, and Jimin had reconciled after that night's fiasco that you wished to forget.

Though Hanbin had sent you a text with a simple "Hi," you chose not to respond, hurt by how he had disregarded your friendship, something you relied on intensely.
Restoring that bond would take time; you decided to maintain distance at the agency.

Jiwoo handed you a hot cup of coffee, and you thanked her as your dad and Mr. Jung relaxed in the sitting room.

The woman in the kitchen was almost finished, creating a relaxing atmosphere.

Ms. Jung grinned, her dark eyes sparkling with excitement. "Today, we ladies will spend the day together at the mall. Jiwoo booked a spa treatment for us—a full package from nails to facials to hair. We can have lunch at one of the restaurants there."

Both you and your mum appeared very keen about the outing, relishing the idea of a day filled with new experiences.

Jiwoo clapped her hands. "Oh, Kira, you'll adore our mall. It boasts the best international brands. We'll shop till we drop. I plan to try new hairstyles for my wedding in three months."

Your mom's eyes enlarged. "Oh, wow! Congratulations! We need to get your gift before we leave."

Jiwoo giggled softly. "It's okay. But thank you." Then she gazed at you with a newfound brightness, leaving you wondering about her cheerful expression.

"Kira, you know you have to be at my wedding, right?" she said, raising her eyebrows as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

You nearly spat out your coffee. Blimey!

"I'm invited to your wedding, but won't it cause a stir?" Your voice carried a hint of nervousness as you felt flabbergasted.

Jiwoo gave you a deadpan look: "You'll look like family. We have Japanese relatives attending. I'll seat you with them to blend in, and no one will link you to my little brother," she said triumphantly, noting your stunned expression.

Oh my gosh! What if someone spots her?

Ms. Jung patted your shoulder reassuringly and said, "Don't worry, dear. Jiwoo invited the whole band and some close management. Even BangPd-nim is invited. We can place you with the agency, and no one will ask questions."

She seemed content.

You nodded.

Jiwoo grinned. "Yes, even Naledi and Do-han are invited. You won't feel awkward."

You smiled softly and said, "Okay. If the whole group attends, I'll support you."

Just then, laughter echoed in the kitchen's direction. Your soulmate seemed cheerful. Suppressing a snicker at the thought of this morning when your poor soulmate tried to leave your room, you inwardly smirked.

The group became noisy as multiple greetings followed. Your handsome soulmate looked captivating in his Fila tracksuit. The men planned an outing on the lake for fishing. According to Mr. Jung, roasted fish will be on the dinner menu tonight. While preparing the food, the women would indulge in beauty treatments.

When Hobi clocked you, a light blush tinged your cheeks. His presence sets your heart racing. He grinned and gave you a wink as he strolled to where you were perched.

Hobi pulled you into a tight backhug, kissing your cheek warmly. "Good morning, baby. Did you sleep well? You're looking gorgeous today," he teased. You wanted to snigger because you'd already seen him this morning, and obviously, you'd slept like a log, cosied up in his arms.

You bit your lip to stifle a giggle. "Sure did."

Jordon greeted everyone politely before heading towards his soulmate, beaming as he enveloped Jiwoo in a tight hug and kissed her pursed lips. She giggled like a teenage girl with her first crush.

Keitaro smirked and politely greeted the adults. His sister seemed so elated. Ms. Jung urged the guests to take their places around the breakfast table.

The mood at the table was cheerful and laid-back. The British guests relished every aspect of their Korean breakfast. The grown-ups discussed the day's plans. On Sunday, the Jungs planned a sightseeing tour. Your parents would extend their stay for another few days, but you and your soulmate had to return to work on Monday. You could already foresee the upcoming chaos. After settling the bond, the group was eager to hear about your honeymoon phase.

You already felt a sense of dread. After breakfast, the women piled into Jiwoo's Silver Suv and headed to the Lotto Department Store, Jiwoo's favourite hangout. The atmosphere in the car was relaxed. Jiwoo sported comfortable shorts and sandals. The resemblance between her and your soulmate was uncanny.

Your mum and Ms. Jung chose the back seats, donning summer dresses and cute flip-flop sandals. They even discussed the day when you and Hobi would tie the knot.

You occupied the passenger seat beside Jiwoo. She laughed with a teasing glint in her eyes, stealing glances at you. You wore the Gucci sunglasses that Hobi had gifted you in Malta. Though you decided to wear your promise ring, you avoided stirring unnecessary office gossip.

You preferred to keep your relationship under wraps, hoping that you and Hobi could manage the secrecy, especially since you were a full-time worker at Bighit. The other soulmates only showed up occasionally, mainly for shows in distant countries.

"So, Eomma, are we heading straight to the spa or planning to shop first?" Jiwoo asked her mother, who was engrossed in conversation with yours.

Her mom glanced up, furrowing her brows. "We can head to the spa first and get that out. Our appointment is at 10 a.m. Then, we can do some shopping and grab a light lunch. Your aunt warned me not to stuff the Wilsons too much, as he wants to treat them to his famous fish BBQ."

Jiwoo nodded. "That's alright. I'll take Kira to my favourite stores, and maybe she'll find something for her friends."

It didn't take them a full hour to arrive at their destination. The massive department store left you in awe, resembling something close to Harrods in London. It brought back memories of your shopping days with your mum. Seeing your mum laughing happily with Hobi's mum filled you with satisfaction, knowing his family had warmly accepted all of you.

Jiwoo skilfully navigated the vast underground parking lot, finding one of the best spots near the elevators. The excitement of a shopping spree with the girls was palpable. You, Do-yun, and Naledi still had plans for an outing to shop in Seoul. Hopefully, the tight schedule won't overwhelm all of you.

The mall buzzed with shoppers. You observed affluent individuals exiting luxury stores, hands laden with bags, while couples intertwined, laughing and lost in each other's eyes. A sudden pang of missing your soulmate hit you.

Upon arriving at the Spa, you were pleasantly surprised by the reception. Almost forgetting Jiwoo's stature as a social influencer, she was about to post her experience at this celebrity Spa on Instagram.

The owner was overjoyed to serve the sister of one of BTS' acclaimed members. You were introduced as an acquaintance of her mom's from the UK. The less they knew, the better. You began with hydro-facials.

Your mom and Ms. Jung opted for new hairstyles. Your mum delightedly chose a cut and blow, opting for a brighter platinum blonde colour. She looked stunning. You washed and blew with mahogany highlights, leaving your hair soft and voluminous. You adored it. Jiwoo snapped a few pics of you and sent them to Hobi, who responded with squealing emojis, expressing how much he loved it.

Jiwoo chose to wash and blow-dry her hair straight. She looked stunning, especially when various styles were experimented with for her wedding day. Ultimately, she settled on an elegant bun, drawing admiration from everyone.

Following that, it was time for manicures and pedicures. You want a cute French manicure with diamonds initially, but Jiwoo objects. Both you and Jiwoo wanted to get creative and opted for BTS-themed nail art. While you were hesitant about being too ARMY, Jiwoo picked the cutest theme for you—the Love Yourself theme with pink and orange hues. You adored it.

"Look at that! It's beautiful. Not too long like mine," she said, admiring your nails up close. Hers were much longer, a daring dark purple adorned with silver glitter and diamonds on the pinkies. Jiwoo made you capture a video as she styled her hair and nails, intending to post it on her Instagram and YouTube channels.

Everyone at the spa admired how stylish your nails appeared. You smirked and snapped a cute picture, sending it to the Bells Chat group, not the Bangtan one.

Immediately, numerous comments flooded in:

Funsize: "OMG, that's adorable, Kira. I want the Little Tannies theme. It's so stunning!"

IndiaSweetheart: "That's seriously cool. Are you enjoying your weekend with Hobi's family?"

You: "It's quite an experience. They are so welcoming. Just like Hobi, very friendly."

Ji-Ho: "Enjoy the weekend. Sami and I will still be at the Mansion to welcome you. Yunru and Tae are still in Beijing. They might be back on Tuesday."

Yunru: "Home is lovely. Taeove is with my dad on the lake. I'm here with Lui-Mei."

You: "I'll catch up with you soon. We're off shopping now, then lunch."

Ji-Ho: "See you. We miss you, bestie."

Funsize: "I can't wait to spend time with you at the mansion. We're all waiting for you to spill the tea."

You: "Okay. See you."

You exited the chat.

Exiting the spa, you left a generous tip for the owner to distribute among the staff who served you so well.

Jiwoo instructed Hobi not to disturb you for a few hours.

Your mum looked radiant and thrilled after the pampering session. Jiwoo dragged you from shop to shop. You splurged on jewellery from Cartier, grabbed Levi jeans, shorts and T-shirts, and indulged in Jimmy Choo sandals you adored. Realising your shortage of casual or sporty outfits for outings, you bought each man at home a cute sun hat and a silver bracelet with their name engraved.

Jiwoo loved indulging, and her mum shook her head. The shopping spree continued with makeup from a renowned designer brand. Ms Jung gifted both you and your mom beautiful designer Hermes bags. Initially hesitant to accept due to their steep price tags of almost £50,000 each, you eventually embraced the luxurious gifts. You chose a baby pink one, while your mum selected a ruby red one.

 The expensive gifts took you aback. Most of your shopping spree was covered by Jiwoo and her mom, leaving you astonished by their overwhelming generosity.

Ms. Jung didn't flinch when she paid using her exclusive black credit card. It dawned on you how the Jungs were living a life of luxury, basking in their celebrity status. Their children were prosperous in their own right, especially J-Hope, the wealthiest Bangtan member. It explained why Dove, your love rival, was determined to win him back. This added another layer of complications that you desperately wished to avoid. You wondered what the other interns might think, considering you and J-Hope were absent simultaneously. You hoped they bought into your explanation.

Ms. Jung seemed thrilled to spoil you with the best and didn't take no for an answer. You and your mum let them take the lead.

She was the one who suggested and booked the restaurant for lunch. As you all chatted excitedly en route, it became evident it was a unique Korean restaurant. Your mum decided to sit inside the private glass enclosure.

"Oh, my, this is so cute," your mum gushed as she settled her shopping bags besides her, her eyes filled with excitement. The restaurant buzzed with the lunchtime rush. You grinned at her enthusiasm for trying new things.

"I adore this restaurant; their lunch menu is fabulous." Mrs Jung smiled brightly, noticing how relaxed and happy she appeared.

You and Jiwoo exchanged smirks, deciding to sit on the edges. A waitress beaming with enthusiasm hurried to your table, presenting a digital menu on a tablet. As your mum placed drink orders, you and your mum opted for special local Korean drinks.

Excusing herself for the restroom, Jiwoo suddenly breathes in, her eyes widening in shock. Your mum, perplexed, questioned her, but Jiwoo quickly composed herself, looking over at her mum and then at both of you. You and your mum were left wondering what had flustered Jiwoo.

"What's the matter?" her mum inquired, puzzled.

"It's the Lees' mum; they can't see Kira! Nobody can know about Hobi's soulmate! Kira, come with me—quick!" Jiwoo's urgency was tangible as she frantically glanced around the restaurant.

Ms. Jung also seemed agitated, waving you away. "Go, go quickly! I won't order for you. I'll call you when they've left."

"Eomma, I'll take our shopping bags to the car. We need to move swiftly and discreetly," she urged surprised by the sudden rush.

She grabbed your hand, and you followed her, your cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she crouched and hurried across the restaurant. You began to wonder who the Lees were.

Reaching the exit, both of you dashed into a music shop, Jiwoo releasing your hand with a sigh of relief.

Furrowing your brows, you followed her inside, finding refuge behind an aisle of vinyl albums. "Jiwoo, what's happening? Why the panic? Who are the Lees?" you asked, a hint of confusion in your voice.

Jiwoo sighed, her expression remorseful. "They're family friends—Hobi's ex-girlfriend's family," she confessed, a hint of agitation evident.

Your heart raced. So, they were Dove's parents. You nearly forgot about that vengeful woman.

"You mean Dove?" You choked out, mentioning her name, always sending shivers down your spine.

Jiwoo nodded. "Yes... her parents adore Hobi, and they're still hoping to arrange a marriage between them. We don't want that family involved with us, Kira."

With pursed lips, you braced yourself for the impending struggle with a girl unwilling to move on. "Why can't she move on from him?" you pondered.

Jiwoo examined a CD as she explained, "Dove is a yellow string; she's obsessively in love with my brother. He cared for her, but she betrayed him, causing tremendous hurt. He was considering quitting training and leaving BTS because of her. For five years, my brother distanced himself from casual relationships. He gave up on love, which pained my family. He's so happy and content now... We all love you, Kira," she reassured, a warmth in her eyes intensifying your longing for your soulmate.

You smiled warmly and said, "I love all of you too, and Hobi means the world to me. I'll protect him," you vowed.

Jiwoo cautioned, her grin fading, "Just be careful, Kira. Dove is dangerous. When she sets her mind on something, she'll go to any lengths to get it. And right now, she wants Hobi."

Your heart constricted at the thought. Facing Dove's unwavering determination seemed daunting, sending a chill down your spine as you envisioned her calculated and icy demeanour, more vicious than a viper.

Sensing your emotions, Jiwoo enveloped you tightly, "Be cautious around Hobi in her presence. In the past, some of Hobi's dance crew girls were aware of Dove's wrath. Hobi was off-limits. Knowing he found his true love might put you in harm's way."

Jiwoo doesn't want to scare her little sister-in-law, but angering Dove brought pain to many girls who were after Hobi or even looked at him innocently.

You took a deep breath, contemplating the dangers looming over you—the Japanese yakuza clan pursuing something inexplicable, an obsessed saesang after your soulmate, and Dove, a silent danger waiting to strike unexpectedly. The idea of finding total bliss seemed distant.

Jiwoo's phone interrupted your distressing thoughts. She smirked. "Finally, the Lees left. Now I'm famished—I could eat your arms off. Let's quickly take the bags to the car."

Nodding quietly, you followed her to the escalator leading to the underground parking. A sudden sense of foreboding settles in your heart.

A/n: There you have it, guys: The bonding of the two families.

Thank you to all those long-time readers still invested in this book. I hope you like the chapter. 

Shout out to the new readers, those who added the book, the followers, comments, and votes. You give me motivation to carry on writing and not to give up.

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1. Do you think Akira must attend the wedding?

2. Do you think Dove will be planning something to hurt Akira?

3. Must Akira make up with Hanbin or leave him be?