LITTLE DO YOU KNOW

• TWELVE •

THE memories were like a movie reel in her mind, and she relived the night where she tried so desperately to impress the people seated around their table. Her hands reached for her reflection in the mirror, as if trying to grasp the essence of the past. Her gestures were filled with the weight of her past actions, and it was clear that the echoes of that evening continued to haunt her, driving her to make a decision she couldn't escape.

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"YOU look so beautiful in that dress, Hyun-ie!"

Jennie's admiration for Dahyun's dress lingered in the air as she vocalized her praise, her eyes sparkling with genuine enthusiasm.

For their first formal meeting with the woman who shouldered their education fees and allowances, Dahyun chose to dress well and elegantly. She was adorned in an ensemble carefully curated for the significance of the occasion. The baby pink one-shoulder long sleeve top, adorned with a cascade of white, shimmering diamonds, framed her figure with an elegance that hinted at a meticulous sense of style.

The fabric clung delicately to her form, accentuating the gentle curves that graced her silhouette. The one-shoulder design added a touch of sophistication, allowing a glimpse of her gracefully exposed collarbone. Each diamond on her top seemed to catch the ambient light, casting a subtle sparkle that mirrored the glint in her eyes.

Complementing the top, Dahyun's choice of a short fitted skirt in the same enchanting shade of baby pink. The skirt hugged her hips with a gentle embrace, gracefully cascading into a hemline that flirted with the boundaries of chic and alluring.

Her newly-colored grey hair - dyed for the occasion - cascaded in soft waves down to her shoulders. The strands, like threads of silver spun by moonlight, added a touch of mystique to her appearance. A few rebellious strands danced playfully, framing her forehead like a natural curtain.

"Wow, you both look so pretty tonight!" their mom exclaimed, spreading warmth like a cozy blanket around the two. Just before they could return the praise back to their mother, their dad joined the scene, a sturdy presence figuring out fancy clothes like it was a puzzle. The tie became his tricky opponent, making Mr. Kim grin in a kind of funny way, not used to dressing up for fancy stuff.

Mrs. Kim, her sweetness shining through, offered to sort out the tie trouble, a proposal that Mr. Kim gladly accepted. A sense of relief played on his smile as he drew closer to his wife, bending his knees ever so slightly to match her height. Once Mrs. Kim expertly finished tying his tie, Mr. Kim straightened up, his posture refined, and he leaned in to plant a gentle peck on Mrs. Kim's forehead.

Witnessing this tender moment, Dahyun and Jennie couldn't help but share a light-hearted giggle. In that fleeting instance, they harbored quiet hopes for future partner – a man who would embody the same caring, humorous, gentle, and sweet qualities as their father.

Dahyun's smile widened as she daydreamed, envisioning her ultimate crush falling for her and treating her with the same adoration her dad reserved for their mom – a treatment fit for a princess.
                  
                
                
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Even before stepping foot into the restaurant, Dahyun's anticipation was laced with a sense of wonder. This sense of optimism had sprouted days earlier when her father unraveled a revelation that sparked the flames of her curiosity. The knowledge that Kim Taehyung, the grandson of the woman who had been a steadfast supporter in her and her siblings' educational journey, cast a warm glow over Dahyun's expectations, even if it sent a flutter through her bladder, prompting an urgent need to relieve herself.