PART 5 : Meet the in-laws (accidentally)

Hyungwon barely had time to catch his breath when the roar of an expensive engine filled the street. A sleek black car pulled up to the curb, polished so well it reflected the entire café sign.

Then...

"HOSEOOKK-AH! Where's my daughter-in-law?!"

A woman's voice boomed from the rolled-down window.

Hyungwon froze. Hoseok froze. Even the trio froze mid-recording.

"...Omma?? Appa??" Hoseok sputtered, eyes bulging. "How-what-WHY?!"

Mr. and Mrs. Shin stepped out like they were arriving on a red carpet. Mrs. Shin looked chic and radiant, Mr. Shin stoic but beaming. Hoseok pointed an accusing finger at his mother.

"Did you put a tracker on my phone?! That's a CRIME, Mom!"

"Oh hush," Mrs. Shin waved him off, eyes already glued to where Hoseok's hand was gripping Hyungwon's arm. "Omoooo... is this the one?!"

Hyungwon turned pale, his stomach flipping. Every K-drama he'd ever seen flashed before his eyes. The evil mother-in-law scene... this is it...

she's going to slap me...

Instead, Mrs. Shin clapped her hands together like a fangirl. "Omo, yeobo! Look-our daughter-in-law is BEAUTIFUL!" She grabbed Mr. Shin's arm and practically sparkled. "So tall, so pretty! And those cheeks-like porcelain!"

Hyungwon's jaw dropped. "...What?"

Mrs. Shin leaned in closer, eyes twinkling. "You're the one who scolded me on the phone, aren't you? Wahhh, such fire! Such sass! Finally, someone who can handle my stubborn son!"

"Ommaaaa!" Hoseok groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "Please don't..."

Too late. Mrs. Shin latched onto Hyungwon's hands with both of hers.

"What's your name, dear? Where are your parents? Do you live alone? How many kids will you give me with Hoseok? Three? Four? Don't worry, I'll babysit!"

Hyungwon was too shocked to answer, blinking like a deer in headlights. "I-I..."

"And oh!" Mrs. Shin gasped suddenly. "Did you know Hoseok still sleeps with his childhood stuffed bunny? What was his name again? Bbo-Bbo?"

"OMMA!!" Hoseok's ears went crimson.

"Oh, and he snores when he's too tired, like a tractor..."

"APPAAA! DO SOMETHING!" Hoseok begged.

Mr. Shin only smiled proudly at Hyungwon. "Please take care of our son. He pretends to be strong but he cries watching dramas. Especially the dog ones."

Hoseok buried his face in his hands. "I'm moving to another country."

Meanwhile, Minhyuk, Jooheon, and Changkyun had ducked halfway behind a lamppost, phones still rolling.

"This is GOLD," Minhyuk whispered, shaking with laughter.

"Better than Netflix," Jooheon agreed.

Changkyun, steady as a pro, added, "Thumbnail: CEO Mom Exposes His Secrets to Future Wife."

"Now come, come, daughter-in-law!" Mrs. Shin said cheerfully, looping her arm around Hyungwon's. "We'll go buy your wedding dress today. The ceremony must happen soon! Tomorrow is perfect our family priest is free!"

Hyungwon nearly fainted. "T-tomorrow?!?"

Before he could escape, Mrs. Shin was already dragging him toward the car. Hyungwon shot a desperate glare at Hoseok, silently screaming HELP ME.

But Hoseok was too busy trying not to evaporate from shame. "Mom, please-he doesn't even..."

"Yeobo!" Mrs. Shin chirped to her husband. "Call the priest. Tomorrow we'll have the vows. Ahhh, I'm so happy!"

The trio peeked out from their hiding spot, eyes wide.

"They're actually doing it," Minhyuk whispered.

"Hyungwon's doomed," Jooheon said.

"...Or married," Changkyun corrected, smirking.

Hyungwon sat frozen in the back of the luxurious car, Mrs. Shin squeezing his hand like a prize she'd won at the lottery. This can't be happening, he thought. This was supposed to be a dare. Just a dare.

But the car drove off, and fate or maybe Minhyuk's mischief was already setting the stage for the most chaotic wedding vows of all time.

Tbc ✨

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