Today I Met The Girl I'm Going To M... - Chapter 59: Chapter 59

All of us are sitting around the table waiting for my dad to say grace.
And I do mean the whole gang.
Hanbin and Bobby are sitting across from Jennie and me.
Rosé is to my left.
She showed up just before we sat down for dinner.
Of course that means I still haven't had the chance to speak with her. She certainly doesn't give off the impression that she had her head in the toilet for hours last night however.
I'm feeling slightly better seeing her look like her normal self but I still have the slightest bit of worry about what's on her mind.
My mom has made a true feast.
And I can't wait to dig in.
I do have to wait for my dad to finish blessing the food and saying thanks for all the great gifts in his life.
Joon and Maddie are here as well.
They're seated on the other end of the table, closer to my parents.
I don't know why, but I always seem to forget about them.
Yes!
My dad is done!
I'm starved.
You'd think I had enough to eat this afternoon.
Ha ha!
But my activities with Jennie burned off a lot of calories.
Speaking of Jennie, she can't stop smiling. She hasn't stopped since she cleared the air with my extraordinary mother. I'll have to find a way to thank my mom for being so awesome without her knowing I was listening in on their conversation.
I'll get in trouble if I tell her I was.
I look across the table and see Hanbin grinning at me.
Because I'm not threatened by him anymore, I can attest to the fact that he is indeed a nice guy.
And very, very gay.
I'm surprised I never noticed it before, but now that I'm not freaking out about whether or not Jennie is into me, I see things a lot clearer.
Hanbin's self appointed nickname of Papa Bear should have been a huge clue for me. When Bobby called him that before dinner started, Jennie and I had to hide our laughter.
She told me that when Hanbin first came up with that name she made fun of him relentlessly.
I can see why!
Now that I have no issue with Hanbin, I can use him to my advantage.
Oh my god!
Not like that!
Perish the thought!
I'm gay and in love with Jennie!
No, I have something else in mind for D.B.
Something a lot more sinister.
"Hey, Hanbin," I say as I snap my fingers. He's currently arguing with my brother about how many carbs there are in a serving of rice.
Hanbin looks in my direction. "What can I do for you, Jis?"
On reflex I want to toss my dinner roll at his head for using that name with me, but then I remember he's not the enemy, so I don't.
Jennie is happily devouring my mother's cooking and not really paying attention to me.
She will be soon enough.
I wait until the table is silent before I ask my very important question. "Did Jennie have any nicknames as a child, and if so, please explain the reason why said name was given to her?"
Jennie drops her fork.
I knew it!
I knew there was one!
When I pushed Jennie on this subject the other day she behaved very shady and avoided my question.
Now it's time for the truth.
I can handle the truth!
Jennie points her finger at Hanbin. "Don't even think about it!"
Whether it's because he's no longer part of Jennie's idiotic plan to play straight or whether it's because he's sitting a good number of feet away from her, Hanbin doesn't seem the least bit intimidated. "Whatever, Jen, you don't scare me." I swear I hear him add the word "much" but I can't be sure.
"You should be," she growls. After watching Jennie and Hanbin interact this evening, they actually remind me a lot of Bobby and myself. He's the infuriating older brother and she's the wonderful, charismatic younger sister. "If you answer Jisoo there will be consequences to pay."
Ooh, this is getting good!
"And you," Jennie says as she turns to me, "should be ashamed of yourself."
Me!
I haven't done anything wrong, oh person with no short-term memory.
Even though Jennie seems to have forgotten asking my mother the exact same thing, I love how comfortable she is around everyone.
The whole table is smiling as they watch Jennie freak out.
We're like one big happy family.
Jennie might be "acting" upset but I know she's happy and having a gay old time.
"I'll defend you," I say to Hanbin because I really need to find out what she's hiding from me.
"Actually that's my job." Bobby is wearing a cheesy grin as he covers Hanbin's hand with his. That is until Jennie glares at my brother, then he mutters, "You're on your own" to his boyfriend.
My mom clears her throat, so we all turn to look at her. "You know, Jennie, a good relationship can't have any secrets."
I love you mom!
You rock!
And burn!
In your face Jennie!
Sucker!
It might be a good idea for me to calm myself down.
There's nothing Jennie can really say to that and she goes silent.
Hanbin leans forward. "Flash, that was her nickname."
Huh?
That doesn't seem so bad.
Why is Jennie overreacting?
"Was she a fast runner?" I ask Hanbin as my now pouting girlfriend starts to blush.
Hanbin lets out a hearty laugh. "No, not at all. Flash was actually shortened from Flasher."
Oh my god!
Jennie is a pervert who likes to expose herself!
Shut up, brain, you aren't making any sense.
"You are so dead," Jennie says to Hanbin, but he doesn't seem at all fazed by the evil eye he's getting from her.
"When we were in the third grade, our dear Jennie read a story she wrote in front of the entire school," he begins as the table stops eating so we can learn the origins of Jennie's nickname. "She had on the prettiest dress that I helped her pick out."
I would normally make a comment here but I'm too excited and I don't want to interrupt Hanbin.
Aw!
How cute is the image of a young Jennie in a dress though!
I think she'd rather eat glass than be caught in anything that girly today.
Hanbin takes a huge sip of water, I think for dramatic effect. "She finished her story and the whole gym applauded because it was really good." I know he's having fun with Jennie right now, but it's impossible to miss the affection Hanbin has for her in his voice. "She got really excited about how well she did so when she went to sit down, she wasn't exactly watching what she was doing."
I glance over at Jennie and she's covering her face with her hands.
I almost feel sorry for her.
Almost but not quite.
I've been in her shoes a lot.
A hell of a lot.
I won't lie; it's nice having the spotlight on someone else for a change.
Especially someone who I can later use this information to tease.
I'm guessing Jennie is wishing she didn't laugh so hard at my Mr. Spock nickname.
Hanbin blows a kiss at Jennie that she does not return. "Anyway, after she sat down, she lost her balance and went tumbling backwards."
Oh my!
That's hilarious and so something that would happen to me.
Jennie groans as the table erupts in laughter.
Me included.
"She landed on her backside with her feet in the air." Hanbin is having a hard time getting the last part out because he's laughing so hard. "And the entire school could see that she was wearing her days-of-the week underwear."
Holy shit!
I can't breathe.
That is both the cutest and funniest story I've ever heard.
I'm crying.
Tears are actually rolling down my face.
Don't fret, Jennie is laughing at herself, which is good.
Because there is no way I could pretend for one second that I didn't find Hanbin's story humorous.
My stomach is hurting but the pain is so worth it.
I now have ammunition on Jennie that I can use in case she gets out of line.
Flash!
Classic!
I'll have to make sure Hanbin tells that story at our wedding.
What?
Once the laughter subsides, Jennie makes it clear that she has revenge on her mind. "Thank you ever so much for sharing that information," she sarcastically says to her friend. "I'm sure everyone here would be interested to learn that you wet your bed until the age of ten."
Hanbin gasps in horror.
So do the rest of us.
Jennie seems very pleased with herself.
"Jennie!" he squeals so loud it hurts my ears. "I can't believe you just said that."
Neither can I.
Hanbin is a bed wetter!
Hanbin is a bed wetter!
Sorry, sorry, that was insensitive of me.
I wonder what other embarrassing facts there are to learn about those two.
"Well, I can assure you, he doesn't do that anymore," Bobby chimes in.
"Gross," I exclaim. "I'm trying to eat over here."
Honestly!
It's bad enough I have that visual in my head from when I caught Hanbin and my brother together.
"Shut up, Jisoo," Bobby snarls. "I wouldn't have said anything if your girlfriend didn't have such a big mouth."
I censor the dirty reply that pops in my head.
"Don't tell Jisoo to shut up," Jennie says to Bobby without me having to.
"She's my sister; I'll do whatever I want," Bobby retorts.
"Oh dear god," Rosé mutters as the situation spirals out of control.
"Children, children." My dad shakes his head as he gives each of us a disapproving look. "Can't we have one dinner without everyone fighting?"
His father tone works and the four of us go quiet.
"Very good," he says with a triumphant smile. "I think a change of topic is in order."
It seems Bobby is not to keen to behave like an adult. He shoots me an evil smile before he opens his big fat mouth. "How about we discuss the time I told you guys I wrecked the car, when it was actually Jisoo who took it without your permission."
Oh my god!
What a fucking jerk!
He promised to keep his mouth shut!
I wasn't a licensed driver at the time so I knew if my parents found out they'd kill me.
I cleaned Bobby's room for two months and did all his chores to garner his silence.
He just broke the brother-sister code!
"Nobody likes a tattletale," Jennie snickers and I love her even more for diverting the attention away from my crime.
"How come I didn't know about that?" Joon asks me.
Poor guy.
He was too much of a goody two shoes to ever be the one I went to when I screwed up.
Plus he's a terrible liar.
Not that I'm saying that's a bad thing.
"It's ok," Hanbin says to Bobby. "You don't have to embarrass your sister for me."
Damn right!
Bobby is sadly mistaken if he thinks I'll take this lying down.
I have way more dirt on him than he has on me.
Way more!
"I think you should apologize to Jisoo," Hanbin suggests and my brother is not exactly pleased by his boyfriend's request.
But he does as he is told.
"Sorry," he mumbles.
He is so whipped!
I refuse to look at my parents because I'm not sure if they're going to admonish me for something that happened years ago.
"I didn't catch what you said, can you say it again?" I ask my disloyal brother.
Oh, I heard him all right.
I just like making him squirm.
"Sorry," Bobby repeats in a tone that makes it clear he's anything but.
Hanbin pats Bobby hand. "There, much better."
I keep glaring at the betrayer. "Thanks, D.B., I really appreciate what you did."
I go back to eating my dinner without realizing the mistake I just made.
"Why did you just call me D.B.?" a very confused Hanbin asks.
Oh shit!
Jennie's not the one with a big mouth, I am.
Come on brain, think of something quick.
Don't fail me now.
Ah!
I cough like my food went down the wrong way in order to buy more time.
The entire table is waiting for me to explain why I called Hanbin by my super-secret-but-now-it's-not-a secret nickname.
"Uh, I called you that because," I wipe the corners of my mouth with my napkin, "because uh, well, it's actually uh, short for delightful boy, which is totally what you are." I feel myself become flushed and I'm sure my face is red. "So I just sort of shortened it in my head and you know, called you D.B."
Whew!
I think I covered up quite nicely.
"You're such a sweetie," Hanbin coos. "I know we're going to be great friends."
"Me too," I sincerely reply. "Especially if you give me even more details about Jennie's past."
"That can be arranged," Hanbin says as Jennie pinches me under the table.
Hey now!
Not in front of the 'rents!
We get through dinner without anymore drama.
I kept glancing over at Rosé to make sure she was having a good time. If she wasn't, then she did a great job pretending that she was.
At one point my father asked her if she planned on settling down, seeing as she was the only single one at the table. I nearly choked on my food and my mother chastised him for being so insensitive.
Rosé laughed the incident off by saying she was holding out hopes that my mom would realize that she's gay.
Ew!
That's my mom she was joking about.
Neither of my parents seemed offended and Rosé succeeded in making my mom blush.
Ew again!
Once I'm done grilling Rosé about last night, I will have to throttle her for that comment.
I had every intention of pulling her aside at the end of dinner but my father told Jennie and me that he had some things he needed to discuss us.
He said we should go to his office, his home office, that is, and he'd be along shortly.
So that's where we are right now.
"Calm down," I whisper softly to Jennie because her knee is bouncing up and down like crazy. "You have nothing to worry about."
"I'm not worried, I just want to know what why your dad wants to meet with us," Jennie tells me as she latches on to my hand for support.
"You look like you're about to face a firing squad, chillax," I say but Jennie is too jacked up to take my advice.
I understand why she thinks something bad is always around the corner, but I hope that she won't always feel that way.
"You being here helps," Jennie admits and I would kiss her but my dad could walk in at any moment.
"That's what girlfriends are for a very wise person told me," I echo Jennie's words from last night and I finally get the tiniest of smiles out of her.
Jennie's posture becomes less rigid. "They sound like a genius."
I chuckle and nod in agreement. "They have their moments."
We get lost in each other's eyes until my dad opens the door. He takes a seat at his desk before he pulls out a file with Jennie's name on it. "Sorry to keep you waiting, I had to make a quick call."
"No problem," Jennie replies as her bouncy knee starts up again.
My dad gives her a warm smile but he doesn't succeed in making Jennie less fidgety. "You've certainly kept me a busy man these last few days."
"Sorry," Jennie breathes out.
"You have nothing to apologize for," he tells Jennie. "It's been a while since our office has received so many phone calls."
I wonder if it's bad that nobody seems to have missed my presence this past week.
"Before we discuss the nature of those calls, I want to bring another matter up with both of you." My dad goes into business mode and so do I. "I know Jisoo is the one that you picked to represent you, but I'm concerned that she might not be the best person for the job."
What?
I miss a little bit of work and suddenly I'm not good enough at what I do!
How unfair.
"Let me explain," he says when he sees I'm about to have a fit. "I know you're an excellent publicist, Jisoo."
Damn right I am!
I see where he's going with this.
"I know that Jennie's career comes first," I professionally reply. "Duty calls before booty calls. Got it."
My dad is visibly uncomfortable now and Jennie is looking at me like I've lost my mind.
What?
I just wanted my dad to realize I could forget how hot Jennie is when I'm on the clock.
When I'm off the clock, well, that's a different story all together.
"That wasn't what I was referring to," he clarifies.
Oh.
Oops.
"You're involved with Jennie and sometimes tough decisions have to be made without personal feelings getting involved," my dad continues without missing a beat. "I don't want you to take this the wrong way, Jisoo, but I'm not sure you can be impartial when it comes to Jennie."
I totally can.
And if anyone tries to take advantage of Jennie while I'm watching out for her, I'll make them regret it.
"I don't care," Jennie says cutting short the discussion between my father and me. "Even if Jisoo can't be all business, I don't care." I'm digging this more assertive and aggressive side of Jennie. "I trust your daughter and I want her by my side because I know whatever she does, she'll have my best interest at heart."
Wow!
What a glorious thing for her to say.
I glance over at Jennie but she's looking at my dad.
I squeeze her hand to say thanks for having such confidence in me.
"That settles that then," my dad smiles as do I. "Now, onto the real reason I called you guys in here for. I've gotten quite a few requests for interviews and there are a lot of people who want you to make appearances on their shows to sing."
"Why?" Jennie asks before my dad can go into further details. "I said I had no interest in a music career anymore and I figured lying all this time would make the public think badly of me."
My dad shakes his head but he's not being condescending. "There are two things you'll learn pretty quickly in this business, Jennie." I probably should have told her this myself, but I've recently been very preoccupied with other priorities. "Number one, there really is no such thing as bad publicity if it's spun correctly, and two, people have very short term memories."
Jennie still isn't getting it.
I would interject but my dad can handle this on his own without me adding my two cents.
"Right now, the public sees you as standing up for your beliefs and they're rallying around what you did." The public rocks! "Your former record company has been inundated with angry phones calls and I've even gotten inquiries from some of our clients about cutting their ties with them."
Jennie looks at my dad in disbelief. "Really?"
"Really," he assures her. "You were very courageous and people like an underdog. We've positioned you as a David of sorts, and you've certainly bested your Goliath."
Figures my dad would use a Bible analogy to get his point across.
"I think the best course of action for the immediate future is to do a select number of interviews to avoid becoming overexposed." Excellent idea, father. "And you won't do any singing because having some mystery surrounding you, Jennie, will help you in the long run."
"What do you think?" Jennie asks me.
"I think my dad is exactly right," I confidently tell her.
"Ok, that works for me," she says to my dad.
"Great, we'll go over the list of people who have asked about you on Monday." My dad opens up the file folder he's been holding this whole time but I can't tell what's on the piece of paper he just pulled out. "I've also had every major record label contact me about getting you a contract."
I should explain something I've neglected to mention up until now.
When Jennie's agent found out she lost her record deal, he dropped her an hour later.
Fucker!
So even though we as company don't normally represent our clients in contract negotiations, my dad made an exception for Jennie.
I know!
He's awesome just like my mom.
Oh and yay for that great news!
Jennie freezes and I chuckle.
I told her that she was going to the top and she's definitely on her way.
I knew this kind of publicity would land her a deal she could sign that doesn't have some horrible morality clause in it.
"Smile, Jen," I say as my dad and I look fondly at her.
"They want to sign me even though they know I'm gay?" Jennie inquires like she refuses to believe it's true.
"This may sound horrible, but all they care about is making money," my dad explains. "And as of now you are the most coveted and famous unsigned artist around." Jennie blinks furiously and I'm so happy because her dreams are finally coming true. "You're a hot commodity and we have to take advantage of all the free publicity you're getting."
I told you my dad was extremely good at his job.
"Wow," Jennie quietly exclaims. "This is all happening so fast."
"But it is happening," my dad warmly replies. "Your former label even contacted me to see if you would consider resigning with them..."
"They did what?" I angrily snap. "If those homophobic assholes even think for second that Jennie would come back to them they're fucking delusional."
Jennie seems amused by my outburst, my father does not.
It's not my fault!
They're dicks and the nerve they have is unbelievable
Mofos!
"Yeah, what she said," Jennie smirks.
"I will deliver that message but with a lot more tact," my dad replies with a stern look in my direction.
I grin sheepishly at him but I had every right to get so worked up considering they played a part in Jennie deceiving me.
"I actually received an email the other day that was sent to me on your behalf and I want you to take a look at it." He hands over that piece of paper to Jennie and we both watch her read it.
I see many different emotions cross her face as she reads and I'm extremely curious as to what the contents of that email are.
By the time Jennie is done, she has tears in her eyes.
She turns to face me but she's too overwhelmed to speak.
Instead of explaining what was written, Jennie hands me the email so I can read it for myself.
Jennie,
I'm not sure if you remember me or not, but I produced every one of the albums that your dad released. Both with his band, and his solo ventures. He and I would spend countless hours at the recording studio I now own and the memories I have of him are truly special to me. We met when you were quite young but I recall how excited you were the second you stepped inside my studio and how you wanted to know what every button and knob did.
In those late night sessions, your father would often express his pride at how talented you were, but he would also express his concerns that you wanted to follow in his footsteps. Don't get me wrong, he believed in you but he was worried that our business could have a negative impact on your life, like it has had on so many others. He also shared with me his regret that he couldn't be a father that was home more often. I know it wasn't easy for him to be separated from you, but he wasn't the type of man who could settle down in one place. Believe me, he tried. He used to show your picture to anyone who would look at it and when you wrote your first song he was beaming from ear to ear.
It came as no surprise to hear that you had signed your first record deal and when I heard the news I knew that somewhere, your dad was toasting to your impending success. What did surprise me was seeing you on television the other day, and finding out what you had to sacrifice in order to get that deal. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to walk away when you are so passionate about music. But I have to say, and this might sound strange considering we don't really know one another, I am so very proud of you and I'm certain your father is as well.
The reason I'm writing to you is I hope that you will reconsider giving up your career. Your father constantly pushed me to follow my dream of running my own record label, and his last album before he passed away was the first one my company ever produced. We worked side by side on that record, and now, I'd like the opportunity to do that with you. We may not be the biggest label out there, but our goal is to work with our talent to put together an album that is not only commercially successful but also an album that stays true to our artist's vision.
I've spoken with a few people who also worked closely with your father. Each and every one of them, when I told them of my idea, jumped at the opportunity to possibly work with J's daughter. Whatever you decide, please get in contact with me so at least I can meet the amazing woman you've grown up to be.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Teddy Park
T Music Inc.
I glance over at Jennie when I'm done and she still looks like she wants to cry.
I can't even imagine what she must be feeling after reading all of that.
To hear how proud her dad was of her.
That he talked about her and obviously loved his daughter even if he wasn't around for most of her formative years.
To get an offer from someone who worked closely with him.
To have the chance to make her first album with a man who did the same thing with her father.
To record her songs in a place where he did as well.
Jennie always said she felt connection to her dad through her music and this will only forge that connection and make it stronger.
"I took the liberty of arranging a meeting with you and Teddy this week," my dad informs us, and it's obvious by her reaction to the letter and the quick nod of her head, that Jennie is happy that he did.
I give Jennie her letter back and the first thing she does it read it again.
"Excellent, I have a very good feeling you won't be an unsigned artist by the end of this week," my dad predicts. "That's all the business we need to talk about tonight, if I keep you here much longer I'll be sleeping on the couch tonight."
"Thanks, dad," I say to him because Jennie is too distracted by the email.
"Take a few minutes and when you're done, I have it under good authority that there's chocolate cake being served." He exits the room, leaving Jennie and me by ourselves.
"How are you doing?" I ask Jennie because she still hasn't said a word.
"Do you mind if I just have a moment to myself?" Jennie responds as she finally looks over at me. "It's not that I don't want..."
"No need to explain," I say because there really isn't.
I think she needs to absorb everything and she needs to do that on her own.
I've learned that about Jennie, that she sometimes she has to work things out in her head without me and I don't feel threatened or unwanted because she does.
That's just who she is.
I plant a soft kiss on her lips before I stand up. "I'll be outside so when you're done, let me know."
"Thanks," Jennie whispers and I can tell she's grateful I'm not pushing her to share her thoughts with me.
She will when she's ready or she'll find another way to communicate with me if she's not comfortable articulating them out loud.
I lean against the wall outside my father's office and marvel at how well everything is turning out for her.
When Jennie emerges a short time later, she's more composed and she seems determined about something. She takes my hand and leads me into the living room without explaining what she is doing.
Jennie asks me to take a seat and then she tells me she'll be right back.
I see her talking to my dad and when they're done, he nods his head before leaving the room.
I want to ask Jennie what is gong on but she has a look on her face that says to be patient.
I'm not a patient person.
But I guess I have no choice in the matter.
Whatever Jennie is up to, I'll find out when she's ready.
And hopefully I won't have to wait too much longer for that to happen.