One Step Closer - PART 1

One Step Closer - 128💕

Eun-Jeong poured him hot water, sporting a warm smile and dropped a tea bag in it before handing it to him. "I have some things to take care of," she announced. Then she proceeded to move far from them.

"Thank you." Jimin accepted it, dipping the tea bag a few times before removing it. He liked to drink it light unlike how she preferred to let it seep and then stir before consuming it.

Hye-Jin was thankful for the privacy. Eun-Jeong knew when to give her space. She braced herself, knowing very well her son wasn't done yet and was only beginning. The expression on his face said there was a lot to unload. As Jimin sipped his tea, Hye-Jin could sense the weight of unspoken words hanging in the air.

Jimin smiled at her. "Be prepared to be surprised then," he said. "Mom, I won't stop him from doing what he wants. He will always be my priority. Also, I think you shouldn't push those useless etiquette classes down his throat. He thinks that's going to help him but I've seen these omegas you highly speak off. I'd rather have my Cherry Blossom preserve his unique qualities and not be tainted by such classes."

His mother stared at him for a long moment with an impassive expression. "Jungkook needs to know how elite society works. You saw how Sooyeon, A-Yeong and Myeong-Suk were just the other day."

"Agreed." Jimin conceded and looked at Eun-Jeong pointedly. "But I won't let anyone change who he is as a person." His gaze shifted back to his mother. "If I wanted a purebred omega who excelled in these classes I'd have done it ages ago. But I don't. Jungkook is a breath of fresh air in my mundane life. He's different from the pretentious, cunning and manipulative omegas produced by your elite society. I respect you, mum. You're not them and he isn't one either. You should understand that."

There was a tight smile on her face but she said nothing. "You know very well what I'm talking about. I understand your concerns, Jimin. But you must also consider the benefits of Jungkook learning proper etiquette. It is important for him to navigate through different social circles with ease and confidence. While I respect your perspective, I believe a balance can be struck between preserving his unique qualities and equipping him with the necessary skills to excel in various situations."

"I'm all up for equipping him with necessary skills, but I just don't agree with the way you have chosen. The same way you were brought up, the same way every purebred omega in this society is brought up." There was bitterness in his words. "People like Sooyeon, A-Yeong or Myeong-Suk will always say what they want to say. They will believe what they want to believe and they will perceive what they want to perceive. You just saw what kind of pathetic lives they're leading. And you want us to abide by the kind of expectations these people set?" Jimin sneered. "I won't let them dictate how I should live my life. And maybe Moon goddess curse me with eternal pain and torture if I let them judge me or my lifestyle. Puh-lease..."

Hye-Jin swallowed thickly. Her son's words carried a lot of weight and she couldn't just brush them off. She knew that her son's perspective was deeply rooted in his own experiences and beliefs.

Her son wasn't done yet. "People are flawed but they just want to make you believe they and their lives is picture perfect. So stop letting these expectations control you and our lives, mom." He took a deep breath. "I'm done with this so-called elite circle. I'm done with them telling me how I should live my life and judging me as if they aren't doing the same thing as I am."

Her son's words lingered in the air, heavy with emotion and conviction. Hye-Jin felt a mix of emotions swirling within her as she listened to her son's passionate stance against conforming to societal expectations. However, there were other things to consider.

"Jimin..." she called exasperatedly. "These men from this so-called elite circle sit at the board. Your future—"

"My future is mine to decide, mom. I know how to handle them. You're wrong if you think I don't know what kind of skeletons resides in their closet." He traced the rim of his tea mug, fingers toying with his tea bag he left on the saucer beside it. "They should be the one who fears me and my wrath. They would have no place to run if I start airing their dirty laundry."