Every Rule Has an Exception

"Come, let's find you a seat to change."

Both very happy with the outcome, Jinyoung and Jaebum waved to the other two as they left. Jackson gently took the lead and guided Jo to a comfortable armchair in a tucked away corner of the kitchen. Jo watched Jackson as he knelt in front of her, placing the spare shoes on the ground. She would notice later; they were matching clothes, with Jackson wearing a loose Louis Vuitton dark suit.

"May I?" Jackson gestured to Jo's heels, prepared to take them off for her.

"No need, Jackson, I can handle it no problem."

His amused eyes prevented Jo from taking any further action. She acknowledged his request and relaxed into the plush of the chair.

"It's the least I can do as one of the hosts," Jackson spoke and swiftly slipped the heels away from Jo's tired feet. He had an impulse to massage the soles but quickly shook it away. He did notice the woman's sigh of relief.

"Host?" Jo asked, wiggling her toes for a bit. Jackson noticed and stalled his movements to give her some space. "So, you're in charge of the after-cleaning?"

"Please don't tell anyone, but I lost the rock-paper-scissor game, and I need to bear the consequences of my own actions."

They both laughed. Jo felt her energy rising and motioned for Jackson to put on the slippers. She showed a mocking gesture of secrecy, "Your secret is safe with me."

"Appreciate it. I'm happy I don't have to give this suit back, so I think I'll be forgiven if I spill something on the fabric by mistake."

Jackson offered his hand again to help Jo stand, and the latter accepted happily. "Thank you, Jackson. You made my life easier."

"Again, least I can do."

Jo lingered for a little while before letting go of his hand. She was now 6cm shorter without the heels, yet Jackson did not seem to mind. Neither of those actions.

"I mean, for the slippers too, but I felt like a total clown coming in with this posh suit when everyone's wearing their comfiest clothes. At least I'm matching someone in style now."

Jackson grabbed his glass of half-finished Hennessy from the nearby counter. "Nonsense. You're extremely beautiful, with or without the suit."

Jo was not the one to get nervous by such remarks. Truth was, she was used to hearing such comments from all the men who either tried to buy her out of her business or persuade her into submission. She knew Jackson was not ill-intentioned, but she also knew it was in his nature to be friendly and unknowingly flirty. No matter how well they seemed to click during their outing the other day with Samantha and Mark.

"How come?" Jo asked and grabbed her own glass of unfinished champagne. She wanted to be cautious with the alcohol; she could not remember if she had had anything to eat during the day. "I didn't have the chance to check my makeup, and I'm sure my hair is not as slick as I want it to be."

Jackson looked as if Jo had told him the Earth was flat. "Stop toying with my feelings and just accept the facts."

"Jackson! Jo!" Bambam interrupted with a shout, his dark sunglasses vibing with the music in the speakers. Yugyeom was holding the other by the shoulders, and it seemed like they had just had another round of shots. "Don't keep all the fun to yourselves! Come on over and let's shake our asses on the dancefloor!"

"Hear, hear!" Yugyeom followed. "We wanted to be in full formula before we got this party started!"

"Full formula? What's that about?"

"I asked them to hold off for a little while till you got here," Jackson replied and gestured with his head to join the bigger group.

Someone was eagerly waiting for you.