48: Dinner with Jimin's Parents

JAMIE POVJimin and I arrived at the restaurant that his parents wanted to meet us in. It was a fancy Japanese restaurant that sold fancy sushi and authentic food. I felt embarrassed walking into such a high-quality place wearing jeans and a t-shirt, but Jimin seemed to feel fine in his jeans and t-shirt so I simply stayed quiet and followed him into the restaurant.

Upon entering, Jimin's parents came into view and his father waved us over. Jimin and I exchanged glances before proceeding to the table, where we sat across from his parents. They were already eating their well-prepared meals.

"We got hungry so we started before you two could arrive. Please, order what you would like." His father said to Jimin and I. Jimin simply nodded and held up the menu to select a meal, but I remained motionless. Jimin's parents didn't like me, and I had no intention on freeloading.

"Jamie? What would you like?" Jimin asked. I shook my head slightly.

"Thank you so much for the offer, but I'm not very hungry." I spoke aloud for everyone at the table to hear.

"What? Come on, I don't want to have to worry about you eating breakfast AND dinner. It's fine about the cost, if that's what your worried about." Jimin responded, as if his parents weren't even there. I gave him a pleading look, but he just gave me one of reassurance.

"Jamie, please don't feel burdened and order anything you would like. It's our way of getting to know you." His father said. Jimin's mother stayed silent the entire time, focusing on her food as she slowly consumed it.

I took a deep breath, not wanting to be rude, and I slowly picked up the menu. I quickly scanned it and my eyes landed on the cheapest thing on there: a poke bowl. I subtly pointed to it for Jimin to see, but he shook his head and whispered,

"Jamie, cost doesn't matter." He said again.

"I know, but it appeals to me." I whispered back. He gave me a questioning look and I nodded. Eventually, he gave in and sighed. He ordered his food and mine, and we waited for the food to come. As we waited, the table fell silent and all that was heard was the chewing of Jimin's parents' food. Finally, when our meals arrived, Jimin and I dug in, and that's when the real conversation started. By this time, Jimin's parents were finished with their meals, and they were watching us now, making me more nervous by the second. If glares could kill, Jimin's mother would have murdered me a million times by now.

I felt the situation intensify, so I cautiously lifted my cup of water for a sip. However, the second the water hit my mouth, I heard Jimin's father say,

"So, when do you guys want to get married?"

I choked on my water as my eyes widened, and Jimin turned to me in surprise, his eyes widened as well. He pat my back as I revived from my state of shock.

"Ha ha very funny dad." Jimin said as he handed me a napkin. I looked up to Jimin's father to see his serious expression.

"Did it sound like a joke?" He asked. Jimin chuckled.

"We aren't getting married right now dad, what are you talking about." He answered.

"Well, I don't want my boy to date someone he sees no future with. High school is very important and if your not serious about your relationship, then don't waste your time." His father said sternly.

"This is ridiculous, just leave Jamie alone." Jimin muttered.

"Jamie, what do you see yourself doing in the future? What do you like to do?" Jimin's father suddenly asked me. I fixed my posture and smiled softly.

"I like to dance, sir." I answered, but I immediately regretted it. His father broke out laughing and Jimin's hands curled into fists.

"Like my son? Dancing does not characterize a future for you, unless you plan on becoming a world-famous dancer. Success in that world is fairly difficult and often unstable. That's why I became a doctor. It's stable and professional. Jimin's a smart boy, but he doesn't get his priorities straight when he has to." He said, turning to his son.

"My grades are good, I'm the captain of the dance team, I have an amazing girlfriend, and I have plenty of friends. What part of my life is broken in any way that I have to fix?" Jimin fought back.

"Everything you just said. Your grades are... average? But they can definitely be better. The better you do, the better college you get into. Dance is a hobby, not a profession. Instead of being the captain of the dance team, why don't you go for valedictorian or something, something worth while. Your girlfriend here, she is very pretty." His father turned to me. "Good height for you, fit, smart I suppose, and kind. But what will she do for your future if you don't even plan on being serious with her? And friends? Your little Bangtan group? How far do you think they will support you? They are fun, loud, and caring now, but friends all drift apart. Son, I'm saying this for your own good. You need to start thinking about how you can get yourself to the top. Get into a good college, follow a stable major, and even become a doctor like m--" Jimin slammed his hand on the table, catching me by surprise. I turned to see his angry expression, and I turned back to see his father's unchanged poker face.

"Park Jimin where are your manners! This is a public space, do not embarrass me like that." His mother spoke. I put my hand on Jimin's thigh and felt him relax a bit. He looked at me from the corner of his eye and blinked a couple times before hiding his angry expression.

Jimin's father saw this and raised his eyebrow. This one girl was able to control Jimin's anger, something even he couldn't control.

"Jamie?" He asked. I slowly turned to him, feeling uncomfortable. "Do you have any interest in following your father's footsteps into business?" He asked.

"Um... I have taken it into consideration." I confessed. He nodded his head.

"And your mother?" He asked.

"Dad." Jimin interrupted. My grip on his leg tightened and Jimin looked back to me. I froze for a second before proceeding to answer.

"My mother passed away when I was little." I said. His father's expression was still solid.

"I see, so you're an only child and you live with only your father?" He asked.

"I have a nanny who takes care of my father and I." I said again.

"And your father, he knows about your relationship? Perhaps we should meet up and--"

Jimin stood up from his seat.

"Okay, that's enough. I can't believe that I thought you were actually going to be a normal dad for once and not bring up how horrible you think I'm doing. Let's go Jamie." He said before grabbing my hand and dragging me out slightly with my crutches. In the process, I quickly bowed to his parents and gave them an apologetic expression. Once we were out, we walked towards a nearby park. Jimin was silent the entire way, until we got to the swings. There, I sat down and Jimin paced in front of me, kicking the sand. He sighed multiple times.

"I'm so sorry Jamie, I shouldn't have taken you to that stupid dinner." He said.

"No no, it's fine." I answered. "I'm sorry I couldn't leave a good impression and for bringing up dance." Jimin stopped pacing and knelt in front of the swing I was sitting on.

"No no don't say that. Dance is what makes us who we are, what makes you, you. My dad has been like that for as long as I could remember. He never liked me doing anything except looking at stupid surgical documentaries, because he wants me to be like him. Well, I don't want to be like him. Always away from home and making lots of money for no reason. My life is not about money." He said. I leaned down a bit and cupped his raging face with my hands. He let out deep breaths as he glared into the distance. I smiled.

"Dads have high expectations, I get it. I'm fine, I'm more worried about you. You're a great dancer and boyfriend, and I know that you will do great things in life. I love you for who you are, and you know your father loves you. He just wants you to be successful like him." I said. I pecked his lips and put my forehead on his.

"And plus, I wouldn't mind being married to a doctor." I joked. Suddenly, his glare softened and he let out a soft chuckle.

"Your something special Kim Jamie." He breathed out. I smiled.

"I know." I replied. He laughed and kissed my lips again. When we broke apart, he sat in the swing next to me and we talked. About what? Well, anything. Anything that distracted us from the disastrous dinner we had. We laughed and shared secrets, telling each other that we loved each other and how much we appreciated each other. After around an hour and a half, it got dark, so we decided to head home. When we arrived at my front door, Jimin hugged me and I smiled in his embrace. It always felt so right and protective. When he let go, he sent me a wink and I smiled contently as I walked away.

"Goodnight Jiminie." I chanted.

"Goodnight Jamie. Sorry again about tonight." He said. I shook my head.

"Don't worry about it." I responded. Then, we waved goodbye and I entered my home. Upon doing so, I put my stuff down, greeted Elizabeth, and headed upstairs to take a shower.

.

.

I came out of the shower, put my clothes on, and started to dry my hair. I entered my room only to hear my text alert ring. I took out my phone to read the text.

To: meFrom: JiminieHey, I need to talk to you, can you come outside to the front for a second?

I made a confused face as I looked through my window. He would normally ask to talk through the window, why does he need me to go outside?

Jimin's room was dark, so I shrugged it off and snuck out, knowing that my father and Elizabeth would be asleep by now. Once I went out, I looked around for Jimin, but I couldn't see him. All I saw was his porch light on, and someone sitting on the bench in front of his house. I walked closer to see that it was his father, and I quickly noticed and bowed. He waved for me to approach, and so I did. I sat down next to him and my heart began to race with anxiety.

"Thank you for coming out to speak with me. I apologize if you were expecting my son, he is sleeping right now and I needed to speak with you." He said. I was a bit frightened by the situation, but I simply nodded.

"O-Oh, it's no problem. What did you need to speak with me about?" I asked.

"My son... he is a very capable boy. Once he sets his mind to something, he goes through with it. I am in the process of trying to set him towards a medical track, but as you can see, he is very stubborn. However, I saw tonight that he almost instantly calmed down with your presence earlier, which proved to me that he really does care for you a lot." He spoke, not making eye contact with me. "So... I was wondering if you can help me out. Will you help me convince Jimin to quit dance and go into biology and to focus more in his academics?" He asked. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My anxiety suddenly turned to anger.

I took a moment to calm down and think of a response.

"I'm sorry sir, but I cannot do that. I respect Jimin's decision and choice of path. It is his life. Who am I to tell him what to do or who to be? I respect and love him for who he is. I'm sorry but I can't change him." I said, as respectively as I could. His father finally turned to face me, and upon making eye contact, my anxiety almost immediately returned.

"No? You won't help me make Jimin a successful man?" He asked with a sterner tone. I stood my ground.

"I believe that he will be successful in any career he chooses. As you said, he sets his mind to something and achieves it. In my eyes, he knows what he is doing." I said, a bit softer than before. His father sighed.

"I knew it wouldn't be easy. You don't seem like an easy girl." He said. "Well if you won't help me, I have to do it all by myself. I need him to focus on the path of medicine, meaning that he needs to minimize his distractions. I can't do anything about dance, but you might be a growing distraction as well." He said. My heart raced as I sensed where this conversation was going. He wants me to break up with Jimin.

"I will not distract him or distance him from his work in any way. I have my attention fixed on my academics as well, so I don't believe that that will be a problem." I said. Then, I quickly stood up. "It was very nice meeting you sir. It was an honor, and I am sorry for what happened today at dinner. I have to get going now." I said as I bowed. "Goodnight sir." I said before turning around. However, before I could get away, I heard words that made my heart pound with freight.

"You breaking up with Jimin will help him move towards a better future. Please, don't let this affect the both of you more than it has to." He said. I gulped.

"Goodnight sir." Was all I can say, and then I proceeded to walk. When I got to my home, I breathed heavily as I closed the door and leaned back on it. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. Why is everyone against us Jimin? Why is it so hard, and getting harder? I love you, but what should I do?