☁️☁️

i fixed the cap on my head.

"jungkook?" chaeyoung called me. why does she look so shocked?

"what...?"

"what are doing here?" she asked.

"i took the day off."

"you didn't mention that this morning though."

"i thought you'd be happier to see me if i surprised you like this. are you not...happy to see me?" i asked, sounds sad.

"no, no! of course, i'm happy to see you."

"i told you to take it easy today, but look at you...you're already flushed." i put the cap that i wore on her head.

"and...you should be careful, chae. you almost fell." i added, glancing at the female teacher.

i was right. chaeyoung was upset about work.

i thought tzuyu might be the reason why she was upset, but she already been arrested for breaking and entering, and chaeyoung didn't seem concerned about her once we moved.

so i assumed something at school upset her.

yesterday, i called jimin just to cancel today's schedule and decided to go to chaeyoung's school.

i was willing to attend the track meet. if it would mean i could figure out what was upsetting chaeyoung.

"it must be nice being pregnant since everyone has to bend over backwards for you."

"if you're that jealous, why didn't you get pregnant then?"

"how could you be so crass, ms. park? i'm going to be conventional and get married with the person i love first."

basically, i heard everything. i heard their conversation just now.

however, i had no idea this is what she had to deal with.

"did you really take the day off? where did you even get the shirt?" chaeyoung asked, touching the hem of my shirt. the same shirt that she was wearing.

"i've got an ally on the inside." i said, looking at a particular direction. or particular someone.

the shirt getter, kim jisoo.

"oh dear, mr. chairman!" the principal suddenly called out, running towards me. followed by the vice principal behind him.

"hello! we didn't realise you'd be joining us today!" the vice principal panted, taking a deep breath.

"ah, well, teacher park here said she'd be participating in the track meet, but i was concerned since she's pregnant. i should've let you both know i'd be attending. i'm sorry. i didn't mean to spring this on you." i said.

i'm here today as chaeyoung's husband and not as a chairman.

"oh, it's no problem! there's no need to apologise. we're honoured to have you here!"

"i'm grateful that's the way you saw it. since i'm here, i'd like to take the staff out to dinner after the track meet. would that be all right?"

"of course! we'd be delighted! i'll share the news with the staff!" the principal smiled, clapping his hand.

"yes, thank you."

i took a glance at the female teacher. the conversation between her and chaeyoung rushed into my mind the moment i looked at her face.

"...saying things like how i only got married because i got pregnant or that i'll get kicked out after i give birth."

"if you're so concerned for me, why didn't you just come and talk to me directly?"

she just kept quiet from earlier, looking so nervous and anxious.

"darling, what's the name of that teacher over there?" i asked chaeyoung, pointing at the female teacher.

"what...? she's ms. choi soo-young." she said hesitantly.

is darling the correct word?

"ah, yes, ms. choi. it'd be much appreciated if you could tell the other teachers about the dinner tonight. you don't have a problem with that, do you?" i said to her.

"ah...of course not..."

-

☁️☁️

i looked at the way mr. jeon treating chaeyoung. he is so considerate, i said. he's fanning her wife all the time, knowing the weather is so hot and not comfortable for a pregnant woman like her.

"darling, are you thirsty? do you want me to grab you a beverage?" mr. jeon asked chaeyoung.

"i'm fine..."

"are you feeling hot? should i fan faster? is this speed all right?"

"i-it's fine..."

"let me know if you need anything, darling. you know i'd do anything for you."

they're lovey-dovey in front of everyone, making the atmosphere a little bit awkward. all eyes are focused only on them.

"it seems like ms. park and the chairman are quite the happy couple. you can practically see the hearts falling out of his eyes." i became startle when ms. shon suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

"it doesn't seem like they were forced into marriage..." she added.

"w-who said anything?" i said, not looking at her.

"i just remember you grumbling about it last time. that's all." she said, letting out a short laugh.

i glanced at the couple once again.

i wonder if he heard my conversation with chaeyoung.

i hope he didn't.

-

☁️☁️

i sighed.

"jungkook, can you please stop calling me that?" i said, not looking at him.

"calling you what?"

seriously?

"don't act like you don't know. i'm already flustered at you showing up unexpectedly, but this is just too much."

yes, he calling me darling is just too much for my heart to take.

"what's wrong with that though? it feels natural to me..." he asked, eyes never left me.

"it makes me feel...oddly tingly." i honestly said. it's so cringe that he calls me darling.

he laughed, "it does, doesn't it? i don't mind it though."

i looked at him, not saying a single word. i became speechless. how can he laugh in such a serious situation?

i immediately stood up, too lazy to deal with his unserious behaviour.

he stopped laughing and asked, "where are you going?"

"to my class. it's almost time for the jump rope event."

to my surprise, he also stood up, ready to leave. i looked at him weirdly.

is he tired of being here? or does he have an urgent matter to do in the office?

i'm super glad if he does.

"why are you getting up? are you leaving?" i asked jungkook.

"no, i'm going to go jump rope."

huh? what the-

"whaaat?! why?! if you aren't getting up to leave, just please sit back down!"

"i can't do that. i'm here as your plus one today, you know. well, aren't you going to lead the way?" he said, stretching his body.

i don't think he's here just because he wanted to be my plus one. something's definitely up.

"why are you really here?"

"i told you that i took the day off. i missed my wife and i also didn't want to stay home alone all day." he said, smiling sweetly.

liar...

i know you're busy at work.

-

that evening, all teacher and staff gathered for dinner as promised. a high class restaurant was chosen by my husband.

"kudos to you, mr. chairman, for jumping rope with the kids! it was refreshing to see! and thank you for taking us out to eat!" one of the male teacher said to jungkook, giving him a thumbs up.

"haha, thank you." jungkook replied.

"chairman jeon, you could've sat with us..." the principal suddenly came, inviting jungkook to sit with them.

"ah, it's alright. i wanted to sit next to teacher park."

"then since it's staff dinner, if you could say a few words..."

"ah, no. thank you..."

"aw, come on, mr. chairman! please say a few words before we dig in!" another teacher shouted.

"yeah! speech, speech!"

i just kept silent. honestly, i hope that he will not give a speech. i don't know, it makes me feel a bit uncomfortable. but, i really don't mind if he gives one.

jungkook stood up, "yes, then i'll keep it short."

everyone cheered.

"i just wanted to say a few words as teacher park's husband since i didn't come here as the chairman. if i'm being perfectly frank, i often worry that i've put teacher park in an uncomfortable position due to my status at the school. that's why i'll sometimes ask her how things are going at school, but as you all know, chaeyoung is too thoughtful and considerate to tell me anything." he said, placing his hand behind my back.

jungkook, why are you talking about me? in front of the staff? this is so embarrassing!

he scratched his head and smiled, "ah, i'm sorry. i can't seem to help myself from saying these things after getting to marry the most beautiful woman. as her husband, i'd like to make a request to all of you."

the most beautiful woman?! i could die of a heart attack because of his sweet words.

"i don't want teacher park to be treated differently just because she's my wife, whether that difference is good or bad. i ask for your help. i hope that you can all help teacher park chaeyoung to just be exactly that...a teacher."

i looked at ms. choi to see her uncomfortable reaction, making me feel guilty.

but jungkook's words, has touched my heart.