Chapter 33

“I’m nervous.”

Janine spoke as Johann took her hand and led her to the door of the hall for their family gathering. She knows how rich the Kims are and she knows that she’s in an awkward position right now.

What if Porter comes with some other girl? What if Porter comes and-

“It’s going to be alright.” Johann beamed. “I am here with you. And I know they will accept you.” He continued as he held her cheeks and made her look into his eyes. “I love you, alright?” He smiled as he planted a soft kiss on Janine’s lips.

Janine was partly surprised that she didn’t feel the same when Johann’s lips touched hers. Why did she feel like she’s missing something out? What is happening to her?

Johann smiled widely. “Let’s go?” He asked as he offered his arm to her.

She nodded and held onto his arm. “Let’s go.” She replied and they walked inside the hall.

Just as she expected, every single one from the Kim family clan is present in the ceremony. She could recognize some faces because she had seen them from attending past gatherings and meetings with them and she smiled at all of them. The least thing she could do now is smile at Johann’s family.

“Oh, Janine!” Johann’s mother came rushing to her with arms wide open. She hugged Janine as soon as she reached her and kissed her cheek. “I’m glad you came!” She beamed.

Janine smiled and nodded. “This is a big celebration, Mrs. Kim.” She commented. “Is there a reason for such a big celebration?” She asked.

Johann’s mother smiled. “Of course everything as big as this comes with a big celebration and reveal.” She beamed as she glanced at Johann.

Janine narrowed her eyes at Johann but he looked away. Somehow, she felt something weird from him. She knew there was something about this gathering. Johann was too obvious that she needed to come here. Suddenly, she felt really regretful that she didn’t come up with a good excuse to not come.

“Let’s sit and eat first.” Johann’s mother led her to their table.

Janine looked at Johann and he just smiled at her. She didn’t even think and just went where Johann’s mother asked her to go.

“Janine, Janine!” Johann’s mother called her as she stopped at one table. “Come here. I’ll introduce you to more relatives.” She beamed and Janine walked to where she is.

Johann’s mother smiled at her. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Francis and Heart Kim.” She introduced a very familiar looking man and woman to Janine.

Janine’s pretty sure that she hadn’t seen them but they look exactly like someone. “Good evening, Sir, Ma’am.” She bowed at them. “I am Janine Kwon.”

Mr. Francis Kim smiled at her. “Is this Johann’s girlfriend?” He asked.

Johann’s mother smiled and nodded proudly. “She’s a great catch, isn’t she?” She asked and the elders agreed. “What about your son? Is he coming tonight?” She asked.

Mrs. Heart Kim smiled and nodded. “Yes. For the first time, he decided to come.” She beamed.

Johann’s mother laughed. “Your son’s a bit aloof and reserved, don’t you think?” She asked. “But girls come to him because he’s really handsome.” She complimented.

Mr. Kim shook his head. “But he’s a pain in the ass, Mona.” He replied. “I just wish he finds someone as good as Johann’s girl.” He smiled at Janine.

Johann’s mother shook her head. “Sorry. Girls like Janine are hard to find. So he better be looking for a girl like her now.” She chuckled and the elders agreed.

Janine looked at how close the Kim clan is and smiled. Somehow, she’s proven that rich clans don’t clash with one another like how it says from the movies. She was busy observing the hall when she felt someone hug her from behind.

“So, have you met Porter’s parents?” Johann asked as he kissed her hair. He didn’t mind being sweet to her in front of many people. Besides, they are all family.

Janine froze when she heard what Johann said. “Porter’s parents?” She asked in confusion as she faced Johann.

Johann nodded. “Yes. Mr. and Mrs. Francis and Heart Kim.” He replied as he held her hand.

Then it hit her. That is why they look familiar. They remind her so much of. Mrs. Kim’s eyes are like Porter’s eyes when he looks at her while Mr. Kim’s smile reminds her of Porter’s lips.

Oh what the hell? Somehow, she started to long for him. Since when has she been wanting to be with him? She didn’t know. But right now, she needed to see him. She didn’t know why she felt guilty as if L was the legal one. But she does.

“Oh! Here he comes.” Mrs. Heart Kim beamed. “Porter, come here!”

Everyone in the table looked at Porter who’s coming their way. He looks dashing in a white shirt with a blue coat and jeans. He looks so casual but it was sure that he stood out the most.

He stopped for a while when he saw Janine and Johann near the table of his parents. He knew they would come. He knew that this gathering was made possible by Johann and he didn’t want to come but he still did. He needed to come. He just needed to.

He somehow sensed that Johann is going to do something for Janine in this gathering. Of course he didn’t want to see it but he needed to see what Janine would say. He needed to see how Janine would react to him.

Even if he was sure that she would disappoint him. Perhaps, Jonas was right. Loving someone so indecisive is like paragliding with a broken wing. It’s suicide.

He took a deep breath and walked towards his parents and Janine who was so shocked to see him. He could see how she is in disbelief as she looked at him come near her.

“Porter, long time, no see!” Johann’s mother beamed.

Porter smiled and kissed her cheek. “Sorry. I was busy.” It was known how he doesn’t use honorifics with the elders but at least he greets them. His family had accepted that fact.

He greeted his parents then he nodded at Johann. “Long time, no see, cousin.” He smirked then his eyes darted to Janine. “Nice dress, Ms. Kwon.” He commented and Janine looked down and said a soft thank you.

“I’m hungry.” Porter beamed as he seated in front of his father. “Aren’t there waiters to come and give us food?” He demanded as he looked around at the busy waiters. For once, he is regretting that he came. He should’ve stayed home and played XBox with Serge.

Janine observed Porter’s actions when he’s with his family. He’s like a rebel. He doesn’t even call elders with honorifics. He looks bossy. But why does he act so differently and so sweetly when he’s with her? She couldn’t understand.

“Come sit with us, you love birds!” Porter’s dad called her and Johann and they had no choice but sit there, with L who looks like he could kill someone any minute from now.

“Porter, you should find a girl as precious as Janine.” Porter’s mom told him as she smiled at Janine and Johann who were acting so sweet.

Porter rolled his eyes. He knew he would get this comment from his parents but what the hell? He has a lot of problems for him to handle this dilemma. And besides, he has Janine. Why would he look for someone as good as her when he has her? That’s just ridiculous.

“I don’t need to.” Porter replied as he munched the pasta.

His parents looked at each other. “Have you gotten back together with Czarina?” His dad asked him.

Porter paused and looked at his parents but the thing is, he looked at his parents to use his peripheral vision on Janine Kwon. He needed to see what her reaction would be like. He wanted to see if she’s going to look bad and awful at the mention of Czarina’s name but he didn’t get anything. She was not looking at him. She was busy with Johann and it hurt him so much.

He has everything every girl could ask for. Looks, brains, money. But why is he insisting himself to someone who has divided attention? Why did he choose to settle for less when he could get everything he wanted to in a blink?

“She contacts me.” He replied as he drank his juice.

His parents’ faces lit up at what he just said. “Then are you going out again?” His mom asked.

Porter shrugged. “It’s not that easy, Mom.” He replied.

Johann chuckled. “Why are you still denying? Didn’t you spend your vacation with her?” He asked L and Janine tried her best to not flinch.

Porter spent his holidays with Janine and her family. That’s what.

Porter smiled and looked at her. “So what if I did? It doesn’t mean that we’re dating just because I spent the holidays with her.” He replied, trying to not roll his eyes on her.

Janine knew that Porter would lie about the vacation thing but what she didn’t know is why it has to hurt that much? Why did she have to feel pained like this? Like he should’ve used other excuse and not that Czarina girl.

For once she asked herself if this is the extent of the pain Porter feels when she’s with Johann. She didn’t know but it’s as if it’s killing her.

“What about you? Did you spend your vacation with your girl?” Porter smirked.

Johann looked at Janine and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “She went home to her parents in Busan. I wanted to give her time with her own family.” He replied confidently.

How Porter wanted to laugh at Johann’s foolishness. His girl spent the vacations with her family and him. How he wanted to tell him that. But then he looked at Janine who’s looking down. He knows he needed to stop right now.

“That’s cool. Giving time for your girl to be with her family.” Porter commented. Somehow, even though she’s hurting her with every action she makes, when he sees her sad, he feels like he’s responsible to make up for it. He didn’t know what he has to make up to but he needs to. He knows he needs to.

He looked at Janine and saw her still looking down. “Oh, fuck this, Porter.” He muttered to himself. He has gone insane. He has become a fool for love.