Chapter 38

Porter and Janine stared at each other. Janine felt like her whole world is going down the drain the moment she heard what Serge said.

It’s the end. It’s going to end now.

That was all she could think of. Although she knows that Porter isn’t going to raise the white flag, she’s still so scared that she’d lose him now. Hell, she couldn’t lose him now or she’s going to die.

Porter laced his fingers with hers and stood up. “Come on. Let’s face them.” He told her calmly. There was no trace of anxiety in his voice.

Janine stared at him. “Porter, what if they disapprove our relationship?” It was not a new question and L has answered and assured her a thousand times that she’ll always be his choice. There’s no one else.

Porter sighed and faced her, cupping her cheeks. “Listen, Janine. I’m not going to repeat this ever again.” He began. “I know you’re scared about everything. Trust me, I’m scared, too. I’m scared but it doesn’t mean that I’m going to give you up. I won’t give you up. I won’t give us up.” He spoke. “So please, hold onto me. Hold on to me, alright? Never let me go.” It wasn’t a statement. It was a plea. A plea for her to never leave his side.

Janine smiled and nodded. If Porter could fight for them, she could, too. “Never.” She replied.

Porter smiled. “I love you. So much.” He told her as he planted a sweet kiss on her lips.

Janine closed her eyes and felt his lips. “I love you, too.” She replied after the kiss.

Porter smiled. “Good. We’re on the same page.” He grinned and laced his fingers with hers again. “Let’s face them now then we’ll leave and live a peaceful life away from the people who don’t approve of us.” He smiled.

Janine smiled back, contented of everything she heard from him. “We will.” She replied as they walked out of the room.

Porter sighed when he saw his parents sitting on the couch of their condominium unit. Serge was with them while the rest of his friends are in their respective rooms.

Serge looked at Porter and smiled as he stood up, looking at Porter’s parents. “Here they are, Mr. and Mrs. Kim.” He spoke and walked towards Porter, tapping his shoulder. “Do a great job, Porter.” He told him and smiled at Janine before walking inside his room.

Porter took a deep breath and held Janine’s hand tighter as they walked towards his parents.

Mrs. Kim’s eyes were on their intertwined hands. She raised her brow but then she did not speak. Mr. Kim just stared at them without uttering a word.

Janine gulped at the pairs of eyes gazing at them. She knew it would be hard but she didn’t know it’s going to kill her like this. It’s as if she would choose to be in a cage full of predators than be in a room with Porter’s parents.

“Porter Kim,” Mrs. Kim started as Porter and Janine sat in front of them. “I didn’t raise you to be like this.” She said calmly but her voice was very authoritative.

Janine wanted to yank her hand off of Porter but he held on her hand tighter. She’s afraid. She’s afraid of everyone who’d get in their way. What if the day would come when Porter would realize that it was a mistake to love someone like her?

“I didn’t raise you to steal someone else’s girlfriend.” Mrs. Kim’s voice rose.

Porter didn’t speak and just listened. He wanted to hear everything first before firing away. He wanted this to end early but he wanted to know their side as well.

Mrs. Kim looked at Janine. “You were Johann’s girlfriend for three years. Do you know what you just did right now?” Her voice is angry.

Porter’s grip tightened. “You don’t have the right to shout at her, Mom.” He snapped.

Mrs. Kim scoffed. “You’re my only son, Porter Kim. Why are you like this to me? Why do you always give me headache?” She asked. “Did you really think you’d get our approval? You can have all the woman in the world. But why did you choose someone taken?”

Porter took a deep breath. “First of all, Mom, I am not asking for you approval. Second, there’s no word that could stop me from building my future with Janine.” He spoke.

“Porter Kim! How dare you speak to your mother like that?” Mr. Kim raged. “You should respect her!”

“Then tell her to respect my girl, Dad! I can never tolerate someone who talks shit about Janine. She’s my girl. My human. My love.” Porter retorted making his parents look at him in disbelief.

For the first time in his whole lifetime, he personally defied his parents. He used to not care about them but this is the first time that he told them face to face that he doesn’t give a damn about what they think of him.

“Aren’t you the one who told me to look for someone like her? Why are you acting like I am the bad one here?” Porter was furious.

“We told you to find someone like her! Not her!” Mrs. Kim shouted at him. “For goodness’ sake, Porter Kim! She’s your cousin’s girlfriend!”

Porter shut his eyes. “I don’t care.” He snapped. “I don’t care, alright? She’s my girl. She’s the one for me. I’m planning to marry her and build my future with her. No one could get in my way.” His words were marked with finality. There’s nothing that could change his mind.

Mr. and Mrs. Kim were awed by his sudden outburst. Janine, too! She’s holding his hand tight, wishing that he would calm down with her touch.

Porter looked at her.

“It’s okay.” She whispered as her other hand held his arm. “I can take it all in.” She assured him but he would never believe her.

She’s hurting and that’s the last thing he wants for her. He doesn’t want to see her hurting. Hell, no one could hurt her when he’s around.

“It’s not okay, Janine.” He breathed. “I can never tolerate someone looking down on you. You’re my queen. No one can ever look down on my queen.” He told her.

Janine sighed and looked down. At this point, she wanted to speak to his parents but she’s afraid that she could say something that would disapprove of them more.

“Porter, it’s okay. It’s your mother.” She told him.

“No. No one. Not even my mother. Not even your mother. No one.” He was firm to his words before looking at his parents. “Are you done?” He asked making his parents look at them with wide eyes. “If you’re done, you can leave.” He said as he stood up.

“Porter!” Mrs. Kim’s voice was pleading.

Porter looked at his parents. “I’m not a child anymore, Mom, Dad. I know what I want. I know who I want to be with. No matter how much you disagree about us, it wouldn’t matter to me because my decision is final. I am going to marry Janine Kwon whether you like it or not. I don’t need your approval. I just need her and I can live a happy life.” He spoke before pulling Janine back to his room, leaving his parents in awe.

Janine looked at Porter. “You were rude.” She commented as she watched Porter lie on the bed.

“They were rude, too.” He replied nonchalantly.

Janine sighed. “But you just turned your back on your parents.” She told him as she walked and sat beside him.

“They’re just one of the people I need to turn my back on to be with you. Trust me, I can turn my back on everyone else.” He told her with his eyes closed.

Janine stared at him and sighed. “You need to be happy with me, then.” She told him.

Porter opened his eyes and sat up on the bed, facing Janine. “I am happy when I am with you, Baby. You don’t need to say it. I am happy yesterday. I am happy now. And when you marry me, I will be the happiest person alive.” He grinned.

Janine chuckled. “How about my parents?” She asked.

Porter smiled. “We’ll talk to your parents.” He said softly. “I will see to it that we will have their approval.” He kissed her cheek.

Janine nodded. “I’m going to see to it that they’ll accept us.” She smiled.

Porter nodded and hugged her tight. “Damn. I’m the happiest man on earth right now.” He whispered and Janine hugged him back.

“I am the happiest woman as well.” She replied. “I love you to death, Porter Kim.”

“I love you more. Even more, Mrs. Kim.” He whispered and kissed her hair.

They cuddled for a while before Janine’s phone rang. Her heart raced. It’s her Mother. She got off of his grip and answered the call even though her heart is beating really fast out of anxiety.

“Mom?” She answered the call.

“I heard about what happened, Janine. Are you and Porter alright?” Her mom’s voice is worried. Her parents knew Porter because he was with them for the holidays and somehow, they seemed to like him. Now is just a different case because he’s her lover now, not just her friend.

Janine smiled. “I’m fine, Mom. I’m with Porter.” She replied as she looked at L who’s curious of their conversation.

She heard her Mom sigh in relief. “That’s good.” She breathed. “Are you going home? Here in Busan? You and Porter?” She reluctantly asked.

She smiled again. “We’ll be going there, Mom.” She assured. “Probably next week. Or maybe within this week.” She added. “I miss you. And Dad.”

“We miss you, too, Janine. Come home. You and Porter. We’ll talk. We’ll understand. We’ll approve. We’ll always be here.” Her mom replied making her teary eyed.

“Thanks, Mom. I love you.” She replied before hanging up.