A/N: Thank you so much for the reviews and support! I hope my story continues to please you! And welcome any new readers! And thank you Enigmatic-Elysium for the songs! They were pretty cool and gave me some ideas for upcoming chapters!
After 13 grueling hours of trying to sleep in a chair meant for people less than 5'5", the plane landed in Incheon International Airport.
I left the formalities with security to Short Stack and observed all the unfamiliar surroundings. All of the signs and announcements were in Hangul, and it made me feel a bit exposed. Although, I did breathe a sigh of relief when I spotted a McDonalds near the bathrooms.
"Gamsahabnida." Short Stack smiled at the security guard, before telling me we could go get our bags. (*thank you)
Korean really is a beautiful language, even better when it comes from her mouth.
'I wonder if she feels the same when I speak Italian….'
"Miles!" She held out her hand. "C'mon! I don't want to lose you in the crowd."
"Coming!"
Once we grabbed our bags, we caught the shuttle bus to Gunsan.
"It is a two hour trip, so feel free to take a nap." Short Stack informed me as we sat in the back. "I know you didn't get any sleep on the flight over."
"Sweet!" I collapsed onto her lap, sighing in bliss as I stretched my legs out. "Wake me up when we get there."
"As you wish."
In the back of mind, I wondered if she was referencing "The Princess Bride" but brushed the thought aside as wonderful slumber finally claimed me.
'To whoever is up there, don't let this trip blow up in our faces.'
"Miles." Short Stack's sweet voice coaxed me out of my slumber. "Time to wake up. We're here."
"Mhmm." I groaned, wishing for another hour or five of sleep. "Alright, let's go."
The bus station was bustling with activity, more so than the airport.
"Do you want to eat something first?" Short Stack asked me, hailing a taxi. "I know a great ramyeon place nearby."
"Nah. We should go to your house first, since your parents probably want to meet their daughter's boyfriend and all."
"Um, about that." Her expression turned sour, and I felt something heavy settle in the bottom of my stomach. "I told them you were coming with me, but…um, I didn't say you were my boyfriend."
I just stared down at her, stuck between reassuring her and wanting to throw the luggage into the busy street.
When I finally found my voice, I just said, "You increased this trip's difficulty by a fuckload, didn't you?"
She shot me a glare and punched my arm.
"Well I couldn't tell them on the phone! They never would've agreed to see us, and I'd probably be sent back here against my will! I was just hoping that if we both told them, maybe they will consent to our relationship! It's not like I wanted to keep it a secret or was embarrassed by you! I ju-!"
I swooped down and kissed her hard on the lips, drawing attention from the crowd nearby.
When I pulled away, I smiled and told her I wasn't upset.
"I understand your reasons, Young-ja. I keep forgetting your family is different than mine, and I shouldn't have said that when you are already freaking out about this."
Young-ja shyly nodded, taking my hands in hers.
"I just want them to like you. That's all. Good or bad, they are still my parents, and their opinion matters to me."
"They will love me." I smirked, resting my forehead against hers. "I'm Miles Upshur, after all."
"Such a dork." She laughed, looking like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "Come on, we've kept the cab waiting look enough."
The taxi stopped in front of a small house with a gate and tiny courtyard. I think these types of houses are called hanoks or something.
Short Stack stared at the gates like they were the entrance to Hell and took a deep breath before unlocking them.
The courtyard was very neat and tidy, giving me an idea of the two adults inside.
'This is going to be lots of fun.'
We stepped up onto a porch and took our shoes off in front of the sliding door.
"Please, let this go smoothly." She whispered to herself as she rang the doorbell.
Not a moment later, the door slide open to reveal two very pissed off looking old people.
They were so short, even shorter than Young-ja, that I couldn't help but snicker at them.
'They look like angry moles!'
"Young-ja." Her father stated, not greeted, in a cold tone before turning to me. "And you must be Miles Upshur."
"Yes, sir." I bowed, trying to start off on the right foot. "It is a pleasure to meet you and your wife."
"Come inside" was his reply, and the old mole walked away with his wife in tow.
"Did I do something wrong?" I whispered as we followed them, but Young-ja just gestured for me to shut up.
They lead us to an empty room with four mats on the ground; we each took a seat on one.
"So," Her mother spoke up this time. "You are the boy who's caught Young-ja's eye. What is your major exactly?"
"Journalism, ma'am."
"And what do you plan on doing with a degree like that?"
"I plan on becoming an investigative journalist."
"Hmm." The old bag turned her nose up at me. "If you were majoring in something worthwhile, I would understand her interest in you. Yet, since you are not, I fail to see the appeal."
"Now listen here, y-!" Young-ja elbowed me in the side. "I mean, well, that is your opinion, but it is my passion, so I plan to do what I like."
"Well, Mr. Upshur," Her father joined the conversation. "I hope our daughter has told you that she is forbidden from pursuing you."
I clenched my fists.
"She has, Mr. Park. Several times in fact."
"Then I hope you unders-."
"But, you never said anything about me pursuing her."
"Wh-?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Park, Young-ja and I are dating." Bam.
The room went dead silent. Young-ja's parents' expressions were a fine mix of shock and fury. I peeked over at Young-ja and saw her shaking, so I reached over and took her hand in mine, rubbing my thumb against her knuckles.
It was Mrs. Park who finally broke the silence.
"H-How dare you! You've brainwashed our daughter, haven't you?! We should've never let her go back to the States!"
"Umma.." Young-ja whispered, her grip tightening.
Then her father joined in.
"Park Young-ja, we forbid you from going back to the States. If that country is making you ignore our wishes and keep terrible company, then you have no business there."
"Appa.." Her voice quivered, and I spotted tears running down her cheeks.
I snapped.
"Alright, you fuckwads!" I shot up. "You have no right to treat your daughter this way! She is not a doll, but a human being with feelings and the freedom to do whatever the fucks she wants. Did you know Young-ja has the best grades of the entire sophomore class?! It's because she works her ass off to make you happy! Young-ja doesn't deserve this kind of abuse! She is the most amazing woman I've ever met, and I love her so fucking much!"
Before I could blink, Mr. Park smacked me across the cheek, sending me straight to the ground.
"Fuck off, old man." I hissed, wiping away blood from my lips.
"Listen here, boy! Have you no respect?!"
He raised his hand again, but before he could land a blow, Young-ja jumped in front of him.
"STOP IT!" Her scream echoed through the room.
"Park Young-ja!" Her mother gasped. "What do you th-?!"
"Shut up, both of you! Miles is right! For nineteen years, I've done nothing but what you asked! When I met him, he taught me how to live how I want and not care what others think. He is the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I'll be damned if I let you hurt him!" She reached down and pulled me to my feet. "My boyfriend and I will be leaving now! If you ever feel like pulling your heads out of your asses, you know how to reach me."
'Oh fuck,' I thought with a red face. 'I love this woman. Take me! Take me here and now!'
As she pulled me from the room, I whipped around and whispered, "Suck it!", enjoying their dumbfounded expressions.
Once we were outside, Young-ja collapsed against me, breathing hard and sweating bullets.
"That didn't go as I planned." she panted. "Do you think I went overboard?"
"Fuck no! Have I told you you're sexy as hell when you're angry?"
She laughed and laid her head against my chest.
"When I saw Father smack you, I stopped caring. If I want to be with you, then I will be. Screw their opinions. Fuck them actually."
"I love it when you talk like that." I picked her up and spun her around. "So where to? We have no place to stay."
Young-ja giggled and kissed my forehead.
"We can stop by that rameyeon place I told you about earlier. Then we can spend the night at my aunt's before going back home tomorrow. She lives the next block over."
"Sounds like a date." I smirked, placing her back on the ground and grabbing the luggage we dumped near the gate. "Shall we?"
"We shall."
We began walking down the street, swinging our hands back and forth like some cheesy couple.
"By the way, Miles. About what you said back there….."
"What about it?"
"Well, you said you love me." Shit. I forgot I said at out loud. "Did..did you really mean that?"
I didn't plan on pouring my guts out, but since it was out in the open, I decided to own up to it.
"Yeah. Believe it or not, I'm in love with you, Young-ja. Heart eyes and all."
She said nothing, just stared at the ground with this wide eyed expression.
"Um-."
"Don't force yourself. We can talk about this later after some chow and a goodnights sleep." I kissed her cheek, trying to hide how scared I was about the look on her face. "Alright?"
"….Alright."
A/N: This chapter originally had Young-ja's response to Mile's confession, but I felt it kinda ruined the flow of the chapter, so it will be in the next one. Also, though it would've been nice, I thought the Parks accepting Miles and Young-ja would be too Parks will come around eventually. And Young-ja finally was honest with her parents! And Miles confessed to her! Now that this area of the story is over, it is only a few more chapters then we enter the darker part of 'Milestones.' Lol. I'm looking forward to it. Yes, this story gets dark.