haute monde. || nct jaehyun fan fiction

17

6:48 PM – Kang Estate, Busan, South Korea

Today's gonna be a crazy day.

"Hurry up! We're almost late!" Taeil rushed his brother into the mansion, wanting to get them good seats although Iseul had already procured spots for them.

"Taeil, we're 12 fucking minutes early." Yuta reminded him, annoyed.

His brother has been nagging him the entire time they got ready for this faux engagement party. Wouldn't it be more helpful and dramatic if they came in late and made a scene? They're gonna ruin the night eventually.

Upon reaching the backyard, the two Moons were in awe of the decorations. Everything was covered in flowers. There was a white gazebo in the middle of the area, covered with flowers and shimmering lights. It was surrounded by numerous circular tables, decorated with pretty silks sheets and expensive looking silverware. Heck, even the wine was rare and antique.

"Ooh, I'll take some of that!" Yuta helped himself to some champagne when a waiter passed by them. He offered a glass to his brother, who declined. "More for me them."

"Where's Iseul?" Taeil exhaled, checking on his phone again for messages. She hasn't been replying to him for the past 20 minutes.

"Why is the décor so extravagant? It's not like it's already their wedding," Yuta can't help but notice. There's a table filled with presents, a picture of Iseul and Taeyong together – barf – and are those flower girls? "Hyung, something's not right."

"She replied!" Taeil was too distracted and worried about his best friend to even hear what Yuta was saying. "She wants me upstairs. I'll see you later, Yuta."

"Wha—Hyung, wait!" Yuta watched him disappear into Kang Manor. He took a swipe of the entire venue, something eerie creeping up his spine.

"Mom, look at me! I'm a flower girl!" He heard one of the child guests yell to her mother.

Yuta's eye twitched. Something wasn't right here.

Taeil forgot how grand and majestic Kang Mansion was. Of course, he was used to extravagant houses like this but this house was different. It literally looked like a castle inside out. Almost as if straight out of a fairytale.

He found Iseul's room at the east hall, thanking God that he had good memory of the place. He seldom visited because of Iseul's mom's distaste towards the Moons. The only time he came over was when he and Iseul had to finish a class project. Even then, he wasn't allowed to spend the night over.

Upon entering her room, Taeil caught sight of Iseul standing in front of a full body mirror, staring at her reflection. She was wearing an elegant white gown; her hair tied up into a crown braid. She looked like a princess.

"Iseul," he called, approaching her from where she was standing.

Turning around, Iseul let out a sigh of relief when she saw it was her best friend. "Taeil—" she threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly. Her voice cracked a bit, and she was letting out quiet sobs onto his shoulders.

"Hey. It's okay." Taeil soothed, rubbing her back comfortingly. He let Iseul cry to him for a minute, allowing her to let out all the pent-up frustrations these past few days. It hasn't been easy since she came back from her medical mission. "It's almost over, Iseul. I promise we're gonna get through this."

After a while, Iseul calmed down and she finally pushed herself off Taeil. "How's Johnny?" she sniffed, her swollen eyes looking up at Taeil.

Taeil gently wiped her tears away. "He's at the hospital checking out talking to the admin staff. In a while, he'll be able to check out your brother and move him to Im Hospitals via jet," he reported. "Don't worry. We got everything under control."