Edited.
"Minho!" I chirped joyfully as I skipped my way towards him.
"Hey, kiddo" he smiled, accepting my hug.
"How was your practice going?" he asked, wrapping his arms on my shoulder, starting to walk towards his car.
"It was good. The dance was a bit hard though but I think I can manage it" I smiled.
"You think?" he asked, glancing at me. I look at him with a slight frown before nodding my head.
"You can't think, you need to be sure!" he hyped me up. I chuckled heartfully.
"I'm sure you can do well" he said, ruffling my hair. I smiled.
"Thank you" I said before entering the passenger seat of his car.
"So where are we heading for dinner?" Minho asked, glancing at me.
"Hm, I actually missed the restaurant that we usually go with Mom and Dad but it's like so far away" I said, not expecting much.
"The one in Gimpo? Near our house?" Minho asked.
"Yeah, that one" I answered.
"Okay then, I guess we're heading there" Minho said, putting on his seatbelt. He give me signs to wear mine as well so I quickly did while looking him.
"Wait, really? Does that mean I can meet Mom and Dad?" my questions came out happier that I expected.
"Well, I guess we can" he glanced at me with a small smile.
It took us almost an hour to be arrived at our house.
"Mom! Dad!" I screamed happily as I knock on the door. Not long after, the door opened wide as Mom's face appear in front of me. My eyes were instantly blurry as I look at her.
"My daughter!" she chirped, opening her arms wide, welcoming me in. I quickly get into her arms, hugging her tight. It has been so long!
"Honey, who is it?" Dad's voice trailed off as soon as he saw me. I look at him with a big smile as he come closer to hug me. I hug him for a good minute.
"Well, your son is here too" Minho faked cough as Mom and Dad look at him with a cheeky smile. They hug him tight as Dad open his arms to me. It felt so good to hug them all once again after years.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I would've cook for you!" Mom exclaimed. I quickly shake my head.
"We're going to eat out! Minho is taking us to a restaurant" I smiled happily.
"Okay then, what are we still waiting for?" Dad smiled happily as he usher us out of the house to get in Minho's car.
We spent the day well, catching up few things, laughing the night away. This is so refreshing and it made me forgot about Vernon for awhile.
I felt genuinely happy to be with my family again.
"Your stage is tomorrow, right? Won't you be tired to be back so late?" Mom asked, already giving Minho laser eyes as he is in charge of taking care of me. I laughed, shaking my head.
"It's fine, Mom. I really want to meet you and Dad" I said, glancing at Dad also. She smiled warmly, hugging me tight.
"Take care, both of you" Dad reminded as we got in Minho's car. I nod, waving at them.
"Bye, I love you guys!" I shouted even when they are not so far away from me. Mom laughed as a smile stayed on Dad's lips. They waved at us until we left out of their sight.
"Thank you, brother" I thanked Minho with a sudden cute voice. He glance at me with a disgusted face.
"Please" he said sarcastically, already judging me. I laughed heartfully.
"For real though, I really misses Mom and Dad. And I get to finally meet them again today, all thanks to you" I smiled at him, sincerely this time. He glance at me with a small smile.
"Of course. They had been telling me that they're missing you as well. So as a good brother I am, I need to take you back home someday" he smiled, ruffling my hair with his free hand. I smiled, getting comfortable on my seat.
"Haera?" Minho called after a moment of silence. I hummed with my eyes closed.
"I'm having a comeback soon" he started. I nod, finally opening my eyes.
"You guys already told me the other day. Why? Is anything wrong?" I asked, looking at him. He shake his head slowly.
"Not really. I'm just saying that I would be really busy this time" he said, glancing at me. I nod, understanding.
"Yeah, I know. You're always busy during your comebacks preparation" I said, acknowledging his works.
"Yeah, but I'll be busier this time. We can't go out for lunch every week, or even call at night like usual" he said. I frowned slightly.
"Why? When you're having a comeback before, you still have time for calls" I asked, confused. He nod.
"I know. But we're giving our all in this comeback, so that's why I need to work harder. You know what happened, we need to stand back up and show people that we are strong even when we've been through, that" he said. My mouth shaped an o as I nod, understanding.
"Okay. I understand. I'm definitely wishing you all the best" I smile brightly.
"Thanks, kiddo" he look at me with a small smile.
"And, I probably won't be there at your last stage" he said, too quiet. I look at him with widen eyes.
"Wait, what? But-" I start to argue.
"I know I know, I'm sorry. But our comeback stage is pretty close to your debut date" he apologized, looking at me sadly. I pout, looking at the view from the window.
He promised to be there.
In a quick second, Minho has parked the car by the street. He took in a deep breath before turning to look at me.
"Promise me that no matter what happen, you'll never give up" he look at me straight in the eyes. The urge of me, being upset immediately gone as I look at how sincere he looked.
"Promise me that you will do you best, and make me proud" he smile this time. I look at him for awhile before nodding my head.
"I will" I replied quietly. He nod.
"You can do it, I know you can" he said, placing his hand on my head before ruffling my hair. I smiled, nodding.
"I'm scared I won't be there in your darkest times" he mumbled. I grab his hand that was on my head and hold it firmly.
"It's fine, brother. I understand. It's your job. And anyway, I'm sure my days would be great. I won't have a hard time" I winked jokingly when the truth is, I do have a hard time. He nod with a small smile.
"Uh, Minho?" I called him hesitately. His hands was already on the steering as he turn look at me with an eyebrow raised.
"Please don't be mad, but, I'm dating someone" I said quickly before looking down at my hands. It was a long silence so I look up to break it. He look at me with a tight frown on his face.
"Who?" he asked with a stern voice.
"Vernon, from Seventeen" I answered, looking down again.
"An idol? What were you thinking?" he raised his voice. I close my eyes tight at his sudden raised voice tone. He's scary when he's angry.
"I didn't expect you to go this far when you told me you like him" his voice was low and I can sense a disappoinment in his tone.
"I'm sorry, it's just I really like him and he asked me out so I just, accept him" I spilled, looking at him with sad eyes. He look at me for awhile before looking away while letting out a frustated sigh.
"How if your company finds out? Not only is he getting to be kick out of his group, but you, you won't even get the chance to debut" he complained.
"I know" I sighed.
"But he told me that he's thinking of a way" I added quickly. Minho look at me judgingly.
"I want to meet him" he blurted out after a moment of silence. My eyes widen in shock.
"But he doesn't know you're my brother" I regret my words the moment I spit it out. He looked hurt by my words.
"The first step to have a healthy relationship is trust, which means you need to be honest. How do you think you would even last with him when this simple information about you are not even known by him?" he argued.
"I'm sorry, it's just, I'm not ready to tell anyone about this" I said quietly.
"I'm your brother, Haera. Brother! You know how much it hurts me whenever you turn me down because you were with your friends? I'm jealous of other people being able to show off their siblings to the media. I want to brag you to other people too. I swear I want to. But you doesn't seem to want the same. It's like I'm not even important to you" he confessed. Each word stabs me like knifes.
"I'm sorry. I just, don't want the same thing to repeat" I said quietly. It was a long silence before he let out a loud sigh.
"There's no point in arguing right now. Come on, I still need to send you back to your dorm. You have a stage tomorrow so you need enough rest" he murmured before driving away from the street. I took few glances at him throughout the journey but he don't even spare a glance at me. I sigh quietly.
"Good luck for tomorrow's stage" Minho said with a tight face. I smiled. Well, at least he still care.
"Thank you, brother. See you!" I chirped, kissing his cheeks before opening the passenger door. He nod, ruffling my hair.
"See you" he smiled. I nod, getting off the car with a bright smile. I waved him, watching him leaving the street.
{End of Chapter 19}
Trust me, it was awkward writing about being a daughter to an idol's mother lmao. Anyway, thanks for reading, see ya!