𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗜𝗧 | 𝗞𝗧𝗛 [coming soon]

000 prologue

~Where it all begins~

"Seriously Harlow, you have to come here!" Anna practically screams at me down the phone, due to the loud music in the background that is overpowering her voice, even though she's outside. "The Christmas party is insane this year! It's like the events unit spent the entirety of HR's funds for the year!"

"I don't know, An. Let It Snow is on and that sounds like a much better party to be at," I reply, looking down at the toffee ice-cream pot in my lap and jabbing it repeatedly with my spoon in attempts to soften it.

"What, a party for one? Seriously H, stop being an introvert for once and get you ass here! It's literally Christmas Eve and you're telling me you'd rather spend it at home? By yourself?" She sounds desperate now, the exasperation in her voice at my stubbornness evident.

"Not necessarily..." I trail off. "You could always come and join me?"

"As if," Anna scoffs, cutting me off. "Please come," she begs.

"I'd rather n-"

"Hoseok is here!" She yells, as if using this as a last resort. Damn you for knowing me inside-out.

"Fine!" I reply, standing up to put my sweet treat back in the freezer. I pause Netflix and turn the TV off before making my way to the door, not bothering to change. It's not like he'll notice me anyway. "I hate you, but I'll be there in fifteen."

"Yay! Thanks bestie. Oh! Got to go, they're playing All I Want For Christmas Is You. Love you!" She hangs up. I sigh and get into the car, driving to the dreaded night club.

~🍁~

"You're here!" Anna screams, running over to hug me as soon as I arrive outside. "Woah, what the hell are you wearing?"

"Clothes," I reply bluntly. "Now come on. If I'm going to be here, I can't do it sober. I need a drink," I push her inside.

"Okay!" She shouts, beginning to shimmy her way to the bar while I follow her like a sheep.

Several drinks later - I stopped counting at four - I find myself on the dancefloor, throwing my arms around in a drunken attempt at dancing while my feet fight with each other in order to keep me standing.

Suddenly, the music stops and the piercing sound of feedback from a microphone cuts through the silence. Someone clears their throat and everyone in the club that had been rented out by the company for the night looks to where the voice came from.

Stood front and centre in front of the DJ booth, is Jung Hoseok, the man I have been in love with for the last three years. But he's not alone. Beside him, Aurora Mansen stands with her hands politely behind her back and her smile beaming down at everyone. There's no doubt she's the prettiest girl in our department, if not the whole company. It's a wonder she never became one of the models herself.

Hoseok, who had cleared his throat seconds ago, smiles as he watches everyone with their attention on him. "I have an announcement to make," he looks at Aurora for a moment before his eyes wander the crowd once again. "Aurora and I are engaged!" He announces, holding her hand out to everyone to show them the dazzling diamond that's wrapped around her perfect ring finger.

My heart breaks and I would be crying from the pain right now if it wasn't for the excessive amount of alcohol in my system. It's the same alcohol that causes me to wander forward, parting the crowd like the red sea as I make my way to the front. I snatch the mic from Hoseok and turn to the sea of people. Some look at me in disgust at my matching lilac sweats and oversized hoodie, including Aurora, but I'm too drunk to notice. My brain barely processes the words after forming the sentence before they are stumbling out of my mouth in a dazed slur.

"I have an announcement too," I say unnecessarily loudly into the microphone, holding one finger up in the air as if proving a point. "I have a boyfriend!"

And as I look back now, I wonder what my first mistake was that night; going to the club, or lying about having a significant other.