Park Chaeyoung is an expert at poker faces.

In some respects, Park Chaeyoung had no choice but to be able to appear calm and collected amid adversity, particularly considering how the industry she was in was the type that could smell fear a mile away. It was a survival mechanism, and one she'd increasingly became a master at after giving birth to her son and fighting for her spot in the entertainment industry. Along those lines, she'd became increasingly better at reading people, and the moment Jeon Jungkook comes back to her home after his conversation with Park Sooyoung, she can see, that he was bearing bad news. She notices the disappointment in his eyes, and the stress in his aura.

Park Chaeyoung knows, that negotiating did not go well.

"It's okay, we'll figure it out," she takes a deep breath and hugs her arm around him, "... Alice and my father are looking into taking legal action, but it seems it'll only protect Dongsun since he's not a public figure."

"I'm sorry," he simply responds tired as he rests his head on the top of his shoulder, "... they're posting an article tonight, at 10pm."

So soon?

Park Chaeyoung blinks in surprise, but does his best to comfort him, patting his hand over his back, "... I see, it's okay Jungkook."

"It's not," he huffs, "... it's my duty to protect you two—you and Dongsun, but instead, I caused this mess."

As much as she'd never admit it out loud, Park Chaeyoung enjoys hearing that from his lips.

Since the beginning, it was always him. Her true love. The one she wanted to spend eternity with.

The two remain in an embrace for at least a few minutes before the sound of her phone ringing breaks through the comfortable silence. As she pulls away, she feels his arm tugging at her.

"Ignore it," he tells her, "... I want to stay like this for a bit."

She chuckles, shaking her head, "... I think it's Dongsun's playdate, I need to pick him up."

Park Chaeyoung can't help but smile, seeing the way his pouts.

"Let's order pizza tonight and have it with Dongsun over Disney movies," she tells him.

Not only for their son, but perhaps the two also needed a break from reality too.

-

"Mommy, is Uncle Jungkook sleeping over tonight?" A vibrant Dongsun questions as he leans his head against his mother's arm, his arm circling them in an embrace as they finish watching a movie.

She turns her head to him, noticing the smile on his face as he nods.

"Yes honey, Uncle Jungkook will," she responds, to be met with cheers and a fist bump between Dongsun and Jeon Jungkook.

Park Chaeyoung gets up from the sofa, seeing the time on the clock was a little past 9pm. They had an hour before her world would come crashing down.

As she makes her way to the kitchen to clear the dishes, she jumps a little at the feeling of his arms around her waist, as he sneaks a few kisses against her cheek.

"Jungkook!" She whispers, eyebrows furrowing together, "... what if Dongsun sees!"

"Mhmm," he practically growls, "... who cares, he should know how he was born."

Park Chaeyoung turns her body and playfully hits him, causing for him to fake gasp.

She knew that one day, she'd have to have the conversation about their relationship to her son, but Jeon Jungkook was very understanding in that he knew it'll take time. Park Chaeyoung herself, wanted to make sure their relationship was strong first and foremost.

"Mommyyyy!"

Park Chaeyoung, with mothers instinct turns to see her son and quickly walks to him, kneeling down to give her full and upmost attention to him.

"Why does Uncle Jungkook always sleep on your bed?" The young boy questions.

Park Chaeyoung's face turns completely red.

"Do you want me to sleep with you tonight, champion?" Jeon Jungkook inquires.

"Of course not! I'm a big boy," Dongsun proudly pouts, "... but Uncle Jungkook is bigger than me but he still sleeps with mommy!"

Park Chaeyoung turns and sees him trying hard to control his laugh.

"Mhmm, Uncle Jungkook is still scared of the dark sweetie," Park Chaeyoung playfully jokes.

Despite a few glares from him, the conversation later ends as Dongsun requests to be read a few bedtime stories. When the two leave the room eventually, Jeon Jungkook wraps his arms around her and kisses her hard.

"Really? Scared of the dark?"

Park Chaeyoung smiles, "... it's either that or you sleep alone tonight."

She knows, he wouldn't dare pick the latter.

As the two make their way to the main bedroom, he makes sure to close the door shut before sitting on the side of the bed, tapping on the space beside him. She quickly sits beside him.

"It's almost 10pm," she lets out a sigh, "... are you okay?"

"Chaeyoung," he tells her, "... my agency tried to negotiate with dispatch when you went to pick up Dongsun."

He watches as her face lights up with curiosity, "... and?"

"Dispatch are open to a one year contract with exclusive rights to me—shows once every two months, appearances, etc," he informs her, "... but after the year, it'll be exposed for sure."

"Ah," she sighs, "... it's not that great of a partnership though... it'll be too tiring for you, and inevitably we'd still be exposed, just a lot later."

"It'll buy time though, Chaeyoung... for us to figure it out," he tells her.

"It's okay, anyway it's a bit late anyway right? They're wanting to publish the article in ten minutes..." she muses, "... you'll be too tired, especially on top of group activities."

"I already told them I'd do it," he tells her.

"What?!"

"I'm serious, I want to protect you and Dongsun, Chaeyoung. However way possible," he tells her, holding his hand out to hers, squeezing her tight, "... you don't have to worry about the article."

"But Jungkook..."

"No buts," he stops her, "... you sacrificed a lot, now it's my turn to do so too."

"Are you sure?" She asks him.

He nods, "... there's no hesitation in me, at all."

Overwhelmed with emotions, Park Chaeyoung leans in and hugs him.

"It's always been you, Chaeyoung. The woman that I love."

-