"Baby, I know you're upset-"

"Upset? I'm mad as hell, Jeon." I breathe out, passing a hand through my hair while I exhale in annoyance. Frustrated at the fact that we're once again having the meeting that caused a rift in our relationship in the first place. This time the audience is even broader. With grandparents and parents along with all my brothers sitting in. Everything planned without informing myself or Jeongguk about it.

Imagine my confusion at finding all these people in our house, seated around the boardroom table with contracts and papers setting things in stone. Things I have no knowledge of and neither does he. If anything, Jeongguk was just as surprised to see his grandparents seeing as they never visit. The last time they were in Seoul, Jeongguk was graduating university. It's been years since then.

"Talk to me." He coaxes, like we have all the time in the world. If it wasn't for me purposefully spilling red wine on his crisp white shirt, we wouldn't be in the bathroom. At the moment that was the only excuse I could think of to leave the tense area.

"I'm trying so hard to stay composed-" I crack, letting the showers pour while I turn away from Jeongguk. A mixture of make up and tears cascading down my cheeks as waves of emotion fill me.

He's quick to pull me into his chest. A position we both are very accustomed to. Since we've started with counselling, all I've been is an emotional wreck. The stress of trying to keep my relationship weighing heavily on my shoulders. Then still having to please the family. It feels like the hurdles in our relationship will never stop.

After our session with Nikita, we've so far had no upsetting conversations. We've been talking, he's taken more time off from work to spend more time together. It's really helping us grow stronger and it's beautiful to see us both actively want to fix things, but I just know this ambush of a meeting is about to ruin all that progress.

"I just feel like giving it all up." I whisper, fisting his shirt. The smell of red wine being strong beneath my head, but I don't care.

"It's our relationship. Shouldn't we get more of a say in the way things are being done?"

Jeongguk sighs, "I'm sorry, Soa. I didn't know they were here." He let's out, kissing my head while his fingers run through it as a form of comfort. "I'm just as upset about everything they're proposing right now, but we can't react now. We need to think about this. Grandpa's got a lot of power and he's not afraid to use it."

I wrap my arms around his middle, face pressing against his chest while thoughts run through my head. Every single one being how I should leave Kim Group and settle down. It's the only solution to our ever arising problems.

"I knew taking over would bring problems like this right now." I moan, sniffling as more tears fall. My heart heavy with regret and slight anger toward Taehyung and Father for forcing me into this position in the first place. Had it not been for them, getting married would not have been as complicated as it is now.

Jeongguk pulls away, finding my eyes with s frown, "You can't give in so easily. We didn't take a whole break for you to give in to my grandpa after fighting your parents and myself so hard when we made the exact same suggestions." He explains, reminding me of the time.

He's right. Last time, I've been asked to transfer my shares or leave my position at Kim Group. The only difference is that now I've been asked to let go of both. An opportunity to allow myself a life of freedom, allowing Jeongguk to be the man of our relationship because earning your own money is such a problem.

"Jeongguk, I don't have the energy for this back and forth every single time. We should've had an engagement party by now. We should've had a venue, a wedding party. Anything that says we're getting married." I speak, voice cracking the more I realise how long we've been taking. "And the worst part of all is I'm not allowed to speak up in there, but you can and you don't. You allow him to throw out suggestions and disrespect our relationship-"

"You know I would never disrespect my grandfather. I may not like him, but he's still my elder." He cuts in, causing me to take a step back from him.

"It's not disrespect. It's stating your opinion which you're allowed to have because everything being said in there affects your life too." I reply, watching as his expression changes. This conversation is taking a turn toward the same argument we had the other time and I'm not here for it. Why is it so hard for him to voice his thoughts?

"Look, I don't want to argue, but I need you to stop this. You're the CEO of Jeon Corp. now. There's no need for anyone to step in and set up contracts and deals. You have the power, so use it."

-

"So you're both saying that you refuse to cooperate?" Mr Jeon senior asks, fixing both Jeongguk and I with a smirk. One that means pure evil.

"It's funny how you were never around for atleast the past ten years, but suddenly show up and immediately dictate our lives and relationship." Jeongguk comments, pulling all eyes onto him around the room.

The sad reality is that everyone knows why he's suddenly put on this wall of defense. The relationship between the grandson and grandfather hasn't ever been the best. From the day Jeongguk was called to takeover Jeon Corp. his grandfather had always been unhappy with his leadership. That's the reason why he's here today. To help Jeongguk move things along in our marriage. The topic of contracts and shares being the main focus, as expected from Mr Jeon senior. The man loves money.

"Jeon Jeongguk, watch your tone." His father warns, but Jeongguk just scowls in return.

"Dad, the terms of the contract are ridiculous. How can you expect Soa to leave her role at Kim Group for me? I don't even want her to do that." He expresses, voice going louder in volume bringing more tension into the room.

I'm surprised at how quickly he changed from not wanting to disrespect anyone to speaking up for the both of us. It's not often that I see Jeongguk object things, but everytime I do, I feel proud of him. Now is one of those moments.

The room is silent at that. Everyone sitting in shock because again, no one expects Jeongguk to object things so openly. Even Taehyung is gawking at his best friend with the traces of a smile on his face. Namjoon and Jin are sat looking impressed. Even Father looks pleased.

"If the girl would just fulfill her role as a daughter and wife, we wouldn't need to have all these meetings." The old man says, shocking me with the amount of disrespect in his words. "And watching you submit to her is exactly why I never wanted you to takeover Jeon Corp. in the first place." He finishes, passing Jeongguk a look of dissatisfaction. The smirk long wiped off.

By now it's clear to everyone that we had been caught in the middle of a family problem. One that wasn't meant to be so loudly expressed to all. Mrs Jeon passes her son an apologetic look. One that causes me to pull his hand into my own. It's not much, but it's enough to have him squeeze it.

Judging from the shock on my family's face, I know this is new information to them. They've always ever looked at Jeongguk and seen a strong leader. Hearing him be talked down to, must be a huge surprise for them.

"Dad, that is not necessary." Mr Jeon talks, sending his father a stern look.

"I agree. If the lad sees no need for my granddaughter to leave Kim Group then it's only right that we do what we can to support the both of them." My grandpa speaks up. A quietness in his voice that makes me even fonder of the man. "It's important that we remember this union is not a merging of two companies, but a budding love between the two that has been growing ever since high school. We need to respect and treat it as such." He smiles at myself and Jeongguk. A soft expression on his face while he does.

"I hear you, Mr Kim, but unfortunately my grandson has inheritance worth more than Miss Kim has. I can't allow such a fortune to fall into her hands so easily."

I see Taehyung roll his eyes. In that moment I'm happy he won't have to face any of this when he chooses to marry.

"I think we've gone way over the time limit. Maybe we should take a step back and let the couple decide how they would like to deal with their finances." Father suggests.

-

"I'm buying us a house." Jeongguk says once we're in my bedroom. His body falling onto my bed with a sigh showing how stressed all of this has been making him. I join him, resting on top of his body while he groans in response.

His family left ten minutes ago. The atmosphere being very tense as no conclusion was reached. That means we'll probably have another one of those within the next week.

"I thought we were supposed to stay in your estate. There are five houses open, with staff." I reply, knowing his mother sent me all the information because it's only custom for Jeongguk and myself to move into one of the mansions in their estate.

"No, thank you. I want a house slightly outside of Seoul without anyone else. Only me, you and our kids. This family drives me crazy." Jeongguk huffs, pushing me off of him with such ease.

I giggle at his annoyed expression. It's endearing how cute he is even when he wants to portray annoyance.

"I'm proud of you for speaking up today." I smile, pecking his cheek. "You sounded so manly."

He hums, resting an arm on my waist. "Says the one who forced me to do it. Do you know how nervous I was?" He asks, scoffing while I laugh at his question.

"You did well. I almost wanted to make a baby."

Jeongguk frowns at me, hand pulling off of my body at the statement. His eyes looking away from me. "Is that all that's been on your mind lately?"

"You can't blame me. Have you seen yourself these days?"

He laughs, shock showing in the way he quickly rises to his feet. Car keys finding themselves in his hands. "I'm just going to leave because you're tempting me and I'm not about to give in. Goodbye."

I laugh, following him toward the bedroom door, "Love you, Gguk."

"Love you too, baby."

-
A/N

It's been a while, but my favourite couple is back.

What did you think?

Thank you for reading. ❤️