Chapter 3
Jungkook
Soobin, are you okay?
Mahiyah
*What is a rental boyfriend doing here?*
Shock and confusion hit both me and Aera
Jungkook shuts his mouth tight and looks around him.
A few seconds later, he seems to grasp the situation and bows apologetically
Jungkook
Oops, sorry. Wrong room
Aera
Huh? but you called out for "Soobin", didn't you?
An awkward icy silence falls on the room. My uncle is the one to break it
Soobin
Guys, thanks for playing along. But I can't lie to these nice girls anymore
Namjoon
Soobin, are you sure you wanna do this?
Soobin
Yes, if I keep up the lie any longer it might ruin our relationship
Mahiyah
Uncle Soobin, what are you talking about?
Soobin
Aera, you know Jungkook, don't you?
Aera
well, "know" is a pretty strong word
Jungkook
Aera was my girlfriend today
Soobin
I see. Did you use a fake name when you requested him?
Aera
Yes, I did. I was worried about word getting out so I gave you a fake last name. Sorry about that
Soobin
Don't worry about it. Lots of our clients do that.
Soobin
Aera, dear, do you have our business card?
My uncle smiles softly, says thank you, then turns his serious gaze on me and reaches out his arm
Soobin
I'm sorry I've been hiding this from you the whole time. But I'm the owner of the agency, "Boy For Rent". This is my job
Mahiyah
Why ... why did you chose that as your job?
Soobin
I wanted to create an environment for women to have their dreams realized
Soobin
A dream world that is sweet and romantic, but that they knew would end.
Soobin
While thinking that, it led me to Prince Charming in the fairy tales
Mahiyah
but ... this world you've created can only be bought with money, right?
Mahiyah
isn't this kind of love that my uncle offers, a lie?
Soobin
Indeed, what you just said is true, but even if the situation is not real, there are people who need love
Soobin
For me, these services allow me to provide an outlet for women who need healing in their lives
Mahiyah
but when they wake up from the dream, whenever that is, won't they feel even worse than when they did before your "love"?
Mahiyah
is that sort of fake love really okay?
???
Hey, why are you so obsessed to what your uncle has choosen to do?
His eyes and voice are cold as ice
Mahiyah
One more thing, why did you wait so long to tell me?
Soobin
I'm sorry. But, I'm not ashamed of what I do for a living. I'm proud of what i do
Soobin
However as family, I didn't want to make you sad and I was scared that you'd despise me for it, Mahiyah
Mahiyah
*My uncle loves me and knows me very well. He knew I'd react this way. And I love him too so why didn't I try to consider his feelings?*
Mahiyah
I'm so sorry ... I -
Soobin
Oh my dearest Mahiyah
Not knowing what to say or do, I dash out of the room without thinking
My uncle became this important figure in my life on the same day that my mother's remarriage was decided
Mahiyah
Soobin, do you really approve of it?
Soobin
Well, I think it will make your mom happy
Soobin
Mahiyah, all these emotions you're feeling. I want you to know that it's completely normal
Soobin
but, I also think that your mother's change of heart is also normal
Soobin has been great at comforting people
No matter who you're, he'll always be a shoulder to lean on
Mahiyah
It's barely been a year since dad died
Soobin
How many years have to pass before it'll be okay to remarry?
Soobin
I understand how you feel but she can't keep living in sorrow. That'll keep her stuck in the past, you know?
Soobin
hey Mahiyah, if you're okay with it, want to stay in Japan and live with me?
Soobin
Deciding to go to New York was because your mother wanted to follow her heart
Soobin
But you don't need to follow her heart's decision, Mahiyah
Soobin
You always have a choice and that choice is always yours to make
From that day, my uncle Soobin not only became my father figure but my mother figure as well
My uncle wanted me to become a woman who considers the feelings of others, while still putting my own feelings first
Mahiyah
*i love my uncle so much, and I just stomped on his heart. How could I be so horrible?*
After leaving the hospital room, I've nowhere else to go, so I sit on the hard bench by reception in the lobby
And then, I see someone stop and stand in front of me
Aera
I'm going home, okay?
Mahiyah
Oh, sure. Thanks for coming with me. Sorry you had to see that
Aera
it's okay. I'm not bothered by it. Just make sure you talk this out with your uncle, okay?
Mahiyah
Yeah, thanks. You too Aera, stay in good terms with your boyfriend, okay?
Aera smiles sympathetically at me, then walks away
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