"Wow." Yeji's eyes widened as they took in the sight of the expansive suite before her, complete with a balcony, a spa-like bathroom, and a master bed that put Ryujin and Yeji's apartments to shame. "This is..."
Ryujin rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Ugh. Sorry. My mom must not have heard me when I told her to get two beds. She wants grandchildren."
Yeji lifted a sculpted brow, cheeks reddening almost instantly.
Ryujin shrugged casually, as if it were a question she answered every day. "The woman is a professor with a Ph.D, but doesn't seem to get basic biology." She made her way over to the welcome basket, completely with pre-sliced pineapple, on display on the main counter.
Yeji Chuckled, watching Ryujin's reflection off the polished marble of the counter, taking a step towards her. "It's fine. I'll just sleep on the couch."
Ryujin rolled her eyes, turning to Yeji with a piece of pineapple in her hand. "Shut up." She mumbled through her full mouth, stuffing the piece into Yeji's with a smirk.
Yeji immediately reddened once more, wondering if wearing blush was even necessary if she was going to be spending all her time with Shin Ryujin. She bit down on the fruit, savoring the sweet juices that flooded into her mouth.
"You get off on pineapple?" Ryujin raised a brow, leaning back against the counter with an amused look.
Yeji hadn't realized her eyes were closed in pleasure. She opened them, glancing up in surprise. "I-what?"
"You were moaning." Ryujin teased, eyes glimmering with wry amusement. "Good to know."
Yeji shook her head, stepping away from Ryujin, turning towards the bedroom, yanking her suitcase from the front of the door. "You are incorrigible." She muttered, hoping Ryujin wouldn't notice the way she almost stumbled over her words.
Ryujin grinned, following her into the bedroom, dragging her own suitcase behind her. "Nice digs, right?"
Yeji nodded, making her way over to her suitcase, kneeling as she unzipped it.
"What are you up to, Hwang?" Ryujin asked with a huff as she sat back onto the bed, feeling out the mattress like an excited twelve-year-old.
"What does it look like, Ryujin?" Yeji replied. "Unpacking."
Ryujin grinned, sitting up. "Oh, this is classic Yeji."
Yeji wheeled around, unaware that she was holding a bra. "What is?"
Ryujin's eyes widened. "Whoa, you brought lingerie? Yeddeong, is there something you want to tell me?" She teased.
Yeji's eyes widened as she dropped the lacy bra, watching it fall into her suitcase with a soft thud. "Ryujin!" She sighed, bending over. "It's not lingerie." She mumbled, setting back to taking out her clothes, which looked like they were organized by color, size, use, and possibly something else Ryujin couldn't think of. "I, I didn't know what kind of clothes would be needed, so I simply prepared, for the-event, that might-I don't know!" Yeji huffed.
Ryujin chuckled to herself, shaking her head. "Relax, I'm kidding. Is this your idea of foreplay? Rambling?"
Yeji blushed profusely. "Shin Ryujin, you can sleep on the couch tonight." She scolded teasingly, watching as Ryujin hopped off the bed, turning to her suitcase.
"What are you wearing?" Ryujin murmured, gazing at her haphazardly thrown clothing.
"Tonight?" Yeji asked tentatively. "I don't know-a dress?" "Nothing too formal." Ryujin nodded in agreement. "But, hey with your body, who needs formal, am I right?" She shrugged nonchalantly, leaving Yeji gaping at the bathroom door that had now just shut before her.
She couldn't help the shy smile that found its way to her lips.
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"Ryujin." Yeji knocked on the bathroom door tentatively. "It's been-" she glanced at her watch. "-two hours. I can hear you pacing in there."
Ryujin's protests were for naught.
"I'm not pacing." "Why are you still in there? I changed already." Yeji called back, leaning against the door.
"I-this dress isn't going to work." Ryujin sighed from her side. "Can you maybe, look into my luggage and choose something else?"
Yeji's eyes widened, and she immediately caught onto what was happening. "Again?" She asked somewhat incredulously. "Ryujin, you've been out maybe three times. What's gotten into you? You're supposed to be the cool one."
"I am the cool one." Ryujin's teasing was half-hearted.
Yeji straightened up, knocking on the door.
"Yes?" Ryujin sighed, unsure of why Yeji just bothered knocking after their entire exchange.
"Ryujin." Yeji murmured. "May I come in?"
"Yeah, yeah." Ryujin sighed once more. "It's open."
Yeji stepped in, pushing the door open tentatively as her eyes went up to meet Ryujin.
Yeji gaped.
Ryujin looked simply stunning. She was wearing a summer dress, in a cool ashburn hue that matched her eyes. Her earrings were just visible, sparkling behind her loosely styled hair, her makeup light and soft.
Shin Ryujin was a goddess.
"You look-"
"Terrible, right? Over the top?"
"What? God, no. Ryujin, you look so beautiful." Yeji murmured, forgetting where she was and why she was there.
She was losing herself into Ryujin's gaze, and she was fine with drowning in those pools, allowing the currents to float her away into Ryujin's embrace.
She snapped out of her haze when she noticed Ryujin's intense blush.
"What, seriously?" Ryujin gaped back at her, glancing in the mirror, her frown slowly fading. She then wheeled around, her eyes taking in every inch of Yeji's body.
Yeji herself was wearing a black dress, the straps thin on her tanned shoulders, revealing her athletic physique under her wavy brunette locks, which sat freely on her shoulder. Her feline eyes danced with light, the dress matching her own gaze.
"Huh." Ryujin shook her head, leaning back against the sink.
"What?" Yeji asked, slightly self-conscious, heart sinking. Ryujin didn't like the dress?
"Do you ever look bad?" Ryujin shook her head, voice in awe. "I just-you always look so damn good."
Yeji blushed, heart pounding against her chest, feeling foolish for having doubted Ryujin in the first place. "I'm sure that's best friend bias."
Ryujin shrugged. "I pity your future girlfriend. Everyone you date will just pale in comparison."
Yeji rolled her eyes. "We're already dating Ms. Shin. No need to charm me."
Ryujin smirked. "Shut up, nerd." She slapped Yeji's arm lightly.
"Ryujin?" Yeji asked after a moment of silence, grabbing Ryujin's wrist gently to capture her attention.
"Hmm?" Ryujin hummed, turning to meet Yeji's gaze.
"Why are you nervous?" Yeji asked softly.
"How could you tell?" Ryujin mumbled, stepping out of the expanse of the bathroom, secretly admiring how Yeji had so neatly unpacked and organized both of their personal belongings.
"I'm your best friend. Comes with the territory." Yeji affirmed. "Also, the pacing is a dead giveaway."
Ryujin blew out a laugh, shaking her head. "I don't know. It's just-this has always been a challenge for me. The first time I came out to my family, the first time I told them I wanted to pursue art." She trailed off, eyes glazing with the memories.
"Were they unkind to you?" Yeji asked, suddenly quite defensive.
"What?" Ryujin looked up in sudden surprise. "No, no." she shook her head. "Nothing like that. I just-I've found that I'm always under the heaviest judgement here. And I guess, some part of me just wants to make them proud. But lately, with my career, and no boyfriend or girlfriend..." She sighed, shaking her head once more. "I don't know. I can't help but feel a bit like a disappointment."
"You have me." Yeji nudged her arm with a small smile.
Ryujin sighed. "I-I know. And thank you for agreeing to do this. But, I guess-It's me that I'm having trouble convincing. I'm the one who doesn't really believe in myself."
Yeji sighed, pulling Ryujin into a deeply expressive hug as she rubbed her back comfortingly, allowing Ryujin to melt into her.
"I can't think of a way to say this that won't sound trite, or dull, but god, Ryujin, if someone deserves to hear this, it's you." Yeji mumbled. "You're perfect."
Ryujin fought off the tears that threatened to spill, opting for a hoarse laugh instead. "God, Hwang-Don't go falling in love with me." She teased, but the sentiment behind the idle words were strong.
Yeji shook her head, hugging Ryujin closer as she laughed in turn. "Don't worry, I won't."
Ryujin took a step back, drying the mist from her eyes with a tissue she plucked from the nightstand beside her, careful not to ruin her immaculate eyeliner. "Ready?" She asked gently.
"Always." Yeji smiled, offering her hand as Ryujin laced it with her own, beginning the great pilgrimage to the restaurant.
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The sounds of the buzzing restaurant set Yeji on edge.
Okay, so she was nervous. A little.
She knew that it was all fake, that the impressions she made with Ryujin's friends and family weren't so important in the long run, but she still felt as if she owed it to Ryujin to be on her best behavior.
Ryujin had still been holding her hand, idly brushing it with her thumb every now and then, without noticing. Of course, each time, Yeji had gotten chills, but she simply attributed it to the "chilly air".
Granted, Los Angeles knew no such thing in the summer, but it was the best excuse she had.
They approached the two doors marking the entrance of the hotel's main restaurant, which had a line wrapping around the back end of the hall.
Yeji fought the urge to gape. "Ryujin, you said your parents already have a table?"
Ryujin nodded. "My dad can pull some serious strings." Yeji nodded slowly, taking in the glory of it all. That kind of power, the influence...she wanted it all. She wanted to have that kind of control over her life.
Maybe Keith's support of her business was her first step towards that.
They approached the hostess, who stood behind the podium looking particularly flustered. When Ryujin approached, however, she perked up.
At first, Yeji thought it was because she was interested in her. Her grip on Ryujin's hand tightened ever so slightly.
Then she actually spoke.
"Shin Ryujin?" She asked, forcing a smile onto her tired features. "Yeah." Ryujin nodded. "I'm here to meet-"
"-right this way. Your family is in the private room towards the back." The hostess replied promptly, turning on her heels.
Yeji gave Ryujin a look of surprise, while Ryujin herself muttered, "Perfect."
They followed the hostess into the restaurant and Yeji's senses were immediately assaulted in a dramatic fashion. The first thing that Yeji noticed was how dim the lighting was. This was, mainly, due to the fact that Ryujin miss-stepped and nearly stumbled into her; had it not been for her smooth catch, keeping Ryujin perfectly on track as the hostess didn't turn her head at all.
"Easy." Yeji murmured in her ear, unaware that her simple motion gave Ryujin chills of pleasure.
"Sorry." Ryujin croaked. "This place is darker than Chaeryeong's soul."
Yeji held back a bark of laughter, trying her best to maintain her polite manner. "They'll be here, right?"
Ryujin nodded. "Are you kidding? Chaeryeong missing dinner is about as likely as the sun not coming up tomorrow."
Yeji smiled to herself, eyes taking in her surroundings as they made their way past elegantly set tables, mostly with dates over candle lit dinners, or groups of wealthy friends who'd come out to celebrate.
High ceilings boasted elaborate chandeliers, and plants filled the vacant corners beside the bustling tables, waiters passing them left in right, heavy looking trays of irresistible smelling dishes in hand.
A jazz band played in the corner, and Yeji couldn't remember the last time she'd seen a restaurant with such good live music.
Ryujin's parents had really gone all out.
Yeji hoped that with their help, someday, she'd be able to return the favor. To Ryujin, at the very least.
"Here we are." The hostess stopped in front of two double doors in the back, pulling one open with minimal effort. "Enjoy your evening, ladies." With that, she turned and left Ryujin and Yeji to their own agenda.
Yeji could hear the chatter pouring out of the open doors, and straightened slightly.
"You're going to be fine." Ryujin reminded with a smile, not hesitating to push the doors open all the way, forcing a smile as she pulled Yeji into the room.
The room was long and rectangular, boasting a table with a great many seats all the way across, elaborate place setting in each spot. No one was seated- everyone was standing, mingling, chatting about their achievements and failures for the past five years.
The room all but fell silent when Chaeryeong piped up from the back, Jisu beside her, the two both elegantly cleaned up. "Look, Ryu's here!" She cried out, directing each and every gaze to her helpless friend.
"Son of a-" Ryujin began, but stopped when Yeji stepped ever so gently on her toe. "Hey guys!" Ryujin corrected her course with haste. "I'll come around and say hi to everyone individually just-uh-do your thing!" She offered rather lamely, to which Yeji responded with a sympathetic gaze.
That relative moment of peace, of course, didn't last.
Ryujin was thrown out of Yeji's grasp, not for the first time that day, by a gorgeous brunette, who now had her arms laced around Ryujin's neck.
"Hey Karina." Ryujin grinned, stepping back from her friend's embrace.
"Hey yourself." Karina responded coolly, her straight brunette hair falling around her shoulders gracefully. "Looks like we both have significant others to introduce, huh?"
"So, I've heard." Ryujin took a step back, re-lacing her fingers with Yeji's, while Karina turned, bringing forward the very attractive man Ryujin had seen while stalking Karina's social media accounts.
"Ryujin, this is Jefri. He's my boyfriend." Karina smiled.
Ryujin took in the man before her, taller than any of them. His head was shaven, and he wore a wry smile. "Ryujin." He stuck his hand out. His tone was warm, welcoming, the kind of tone Ryujin wanted to lose herself in. Like Yeji's. "Pleasure to meet you."
Ryujin shook his hand with a smile of her own. "Hey, I'm honored to meet anyone who meets Karina's standards." She teased. Ryujin watched the way Karina made a motion to flip her off from behind Jefri, hiding her grin. "And this-" she turned to Yeji, allowing her to step forward. "is my girlfriend, Yeji."
Yeji shook Karina's hand, and then Jefri's, a smile on her lips.
"So, Yeji." Karina smirked, slyly wrapping her arms around Yeji, who immediately blushed at the contact. "You want to hear some embarrassing Ryujin stories?"
Ryujin rolled her eyes at her antics. "Ha! No, thanks, Rina. We have better things to do."
Yeji bit her lip. "Well, now that you mention it..."
"Yeji!" Ryujin pressed her lips into a line, resembling Lana when she got impatient. "Baby, you don't want to hear any of that." She tugged on Yeji's arm, and Yeji snapped out of her reverie upon hearing Ryujin's pet name for her. She wasn't sure why it made such a brilliant warmth radiate within her.
"Sorry." She smiled apologetically to Karina, who winked in response, as if excusing her to move forward.
Ryujin dragged Yeji over to the next group- Jisu and Chaeryeong were there, surrounded by three boys. Ryujin motioned to the first one, a tall boy with a polite smile and an extended hand. "This is Ri-ki, genius of all things techy."
"Techy?" Yeji repeated amusedly, shaking his hand.
"She's trying to call me a geek without actually saying it." Ri-ki elaborated. "You sure know how to choose them, Yeji."
Yeji hid her grin at the exchange, eyes turning to the next boy Ryujin motioned to, with shaggy hair and a flirtatious smile.
"Sunoo, this is Hwang Yeji, my-"
The boy leaned forward, pulling Yeji into a hug which lasted about a second too long, murmuring, in a faux debonair manner, "Hey, I'm Sunoo, and I'd like t-"
Yeji froze, unsure of what exactly had happened in the split second between their meeting and his romantic advances.
"-And that's my girlfriend." Ryujin specified once more, voice low, tugging Sunoo off. "As in, off limits."
"I thought you were kidding." Sunoo defended, eyebrows shooting up. "Have you seen her?"
Yeji blushed slightly and Ryujin rolled her eyes, shoving him out of the way. She turned to the final boy with long locks that he combed back, and yet another flirtatious smile, which had been aimed at Chaeryeong, until that point.
"Chan." He grinned, offering up his hand. "I hear you're quite the entrepreneur."
Yeji felt Jisu's hard stare at the back of his head. So, Jisu had already decided that she didn't like this Chan character?
"Yeji's talking business with my dad later, Chan. You can join them if you want." Ryujin cut in, knowing full-well that Chan's wealth wasn't something to be taken lightly.
"Sure." Chan nodded, settling his gaze back on Chaeryeong and Jisu. "So, you two are just friends?"
"Yes." Jisu answered, her tone short and clipped.
"Why, Chan?" Chaeryeong smirked. "Looking for round two?"
Jisu clenched the stem of her glass tightly, and Yeji feared her white-knuckled grip would soon send glass shards into her friend's hand.
What the hell was going on there?
Yeji was dying to hear more, but Ryujin wasn't finished guiding her through the tangled web of friends and family.
Nearing the far end of the table, Yeji approached Keith and Lana, who were conversing with another woman who looked to be about their age.
"Mom, Dad, Aira." Ryujin cleared her throat, and they all turned, grinning at Ryujin delightedly. "You two know Yeji, my girlfriend, but-this is Aira, Felix and Karina's mom."
Ryujin allowed Yeji to step forward and shake her hand, offering a polite greeting.
Ryujin did a quick sweep of the room with her eyes. "Where's Felix? And Changbin?"
She asked. Aira smiled knowingly. "Felix is coming with Changbin in an hour or so. They arrived later than everyone else. I'm so glad you thought of him, though. He'll be absolutely thrilled to see you, Ryujin. He doesn't ever stop talking about you."
Ryujin offered a small thanks and a smile, and she felt Yeji suddenly slip her arm around her waist, pulling them side by side, anchoring her to Yeji. She felt the familiar sensation of thrill sweep through her entire body at Yeji's touch.
Lana stepped forward. "Yeji, honey, you look beautiful. How about that drink, sweetie?" She motioned to the bar.
Ryujin knew this was Lana's shot at one-on-one time with Yeji, and if she approved, then all Yeji had to do was convince Keith. This was her shot.
"I'd love to, Mrs. Shin." Yeji nodded, but Ryujin interrupted. "Sure, sure, no problem mom." Ryujin nodded enthusiastically, perhaps overly so. "Can I just steal her for a quick second?"
Lana nodded, turning back to Keith and Aira, but Ryujin could see that she was still watching from the corner of her eyes.
"Ryujin, I'll be fine." Yeji murmured. "We're ready for this."
Ryujin leaned forward, sliding her arms around Yeji's neck for show, and she felt her friend stiffen beneath her. She leaned forward, towards Yeji's ear, so that she could hear the whispers over the sound of music and chatter. "-Just be you. She'll love you. Everyone does." She murmured, and she felt all the eyes in the room, suddenly on them.
Yeji took in a sharp breath through parted lips, hoping she didn't look as nervous as she felt.
Karina, Jisu, Chaeryeong, Sunoo-they all looked on expectantly, shamelessly.
"See you in a bit, baby." Ryujin cooed as she leaned forward, enveloping Yeji's soft, pillow-like lips into a Tender kiss, feeling Yeji's electric-like shock at the contact. It was a chaste, Tender kiss, but both girls melted into it almost instantly. Ryujin felt heat spread all over her body as she fought it off, leaning back.
"See you, baby." Yeji murmured before detaching herself with a smile, following Lana, who'd been staring at them rather pointedly, out the door and back into the main restaurant.
Ryujin was still smiling stupidly, feeling her lips with the tips of her fingers. "Man." Karina smirked, coming up beside Ryujin. "You've got it bad."
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Lana had guided Yeji to the bar, where two seats were reserved at the center, amidst a bustling scene.
Yeji fought the urge to look surprised. Had Lana booked this in advance? Had she been plotting this?
Yeji sat quietly beside her, straightening up, knowing that this was her ticket to impressing Lana, or satisfying her, at the very least. If she did that, Keith would be willing to do anything for her.
She just had to play her cards right.
Lana looked entirely predatory as she sat beside Yeji on the stool, leaning forward, motioning for two drinks, effectively ordering on Yeji's behalf.
The barkeep nodded, and Yeji had to gape at the efficiency with which Lana was served.
Ryujin wasn't kidding about money carrying weight and importance.
And ordering a drink for her? That was certainly bold.
"So" Lana began, swiveling to face Yeji, taking the entirety of her figure in with a hard glance. "Yeji."
"Mrs. Shin." Yeji replied evenly, a small smile gracing her lips. She had to keep it amicable, even though she knew Lana's game.
"You and Ryujin met-how long ago?" Lana asked with a wry smile.
"About, a little over a year ago." Yeji replied, thinking back to their first meeting, and how Chaeryeong hit on Jisu while Ryujin and Yeji gaped at each other.
"I see." Lana nodded. "Neighbors, right?"
"Yes ma'am." Yeji responded. "And when did you two officially get together?" Lana prodded. "Ryujin hardly keeps me up over the phone."
Oh, shit. Had they gone over that? Yeji's mind was drawing a blank. She decided to go with the time Ryujin had "asked her out" after her stupid balcony-hopping stunt that left Yeji breathless for several reasons.
"A few months ago. But, of course, we were always friendly from the start." Yeji replied smoothly.
"Friendly as in-casual sex?" Lana pressed, eyebrows raised. Y
eji's eyes widened as she struggled to hold Lana's gaze, her cheeks burning, the dim lighting hopefully masking that. "What? No, I mean-we're best friends, Mrs. Shin. We were friends before we pursued a relationship."
It didn't help that Yeji was now imagining sleeping with Ryujin. She crossed her legs, glancing away momentarily.
"Right. That's good. Relationships based off friendships tend to be more satisfying, in the long run." Lana nodded, sounding satisfied.
Maybe she believed Yeji because Yeji actually sounded like she and Ryujin were some celibate couple who'd never been intimate in their lives.
Yeji wanted to internally kick herself for not having prepared for that question, but who knew Lana was going to be so forward?
The Bartender set their drinks down, and Yeji realized that Lana had ordered what was no doubt two glasses of an expensive looking scotch, neat.
Maybe it was a metaphor for Lana. No games, no fancy cocktails, just hard, a little abrasive, and to the point.
"I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of ordering for you." Lana slid the drink towards her. "Ryujin usually dates people who can handle her partying lifestyle."
Well, that was certainly a challenge, wasn't it? "I'm not one for partying, Mrs. Shin." Yeji replied, taking a sip, her expression indecipherable.
"Really?" Lana shot back, taking a sip of her own. "One would think that, maybe you and Ryujin aren't compatible, then?"
Yeji wore a smirk. It couldn't have been liquid courage. Not after one sip, that was still in the process of burning her throat. "Quite the opposite, I think. It just means I'm better equipped to care for her."
Lana would have sputtered or choked on her drink if she didn't have the self-control of a practiced woman of her age. "I see." She nodded. "And what is it you do for a living, sweetie?"
Yeji cleared her throat. "I have my own financial company."
Lana was nodding now, as if testing the waters. "Ryujin tells me you're quite the scholar."
"Georgetown." Yeji shrugged nonchalantly, as if it hadn't been one of the greatest achievements of her short lifetime. As if she hadn't spent nights studying, dying to put her own miserable past behind her and begin anew.
"Impressive." Lana gave her credit where credit was due. "You and Ryujin don't exactly seem like a match." She sighed.
Yeji cocked a brow. "I'm sorry?"
"Yeji. You're a numbers girl, a dedicated scholar, and you seem like you like a good amount of order in your life. I like that. Very much."
Yeji nodded slowly, accepting the compliment, wondering when the big "but" was coming.
"But..." Lana began.
Fantastic.
"-Ryujin is a wild spirit, a free soul, an artist. That's a lot of Keith's doing, I'm afraid. Ryujin loves inChansely, and deeply..."
Yeji stiffened, feeling entirely too uncomfortable. This all felt a bit real, a bit too genuine and authentic, and Yeji had to wonder if she'd maybe gone too far down the rabbit hole with this entire charade. But Lana admitted that she respected her. That was something worth fighting for, wasn't it? So that all this effort, all her schooling, all the hours she'd poured into her business wouldn't be for naught.
"I just-I'd hate to see her heart broken." Lana spoke softly and tersely all at once, a warning and a threat.
Yeji froze, swallowing almost audibly. "Mrs. Shin, I-I would never hurt her. She's my best friend."
Well, that part wasn't a lie.
Lana nodded, eyes locking with Yeji's, and Yeji felt as if she were being hunted by a predatory Lioness, defending her cub with great intensity. "That's what makes this so tricky. Yeji, I know my daughter. One glance into her eyes tells me that she's head over heels for you. I've never seen Ryujin like this, in all her years."
Yeji's heart was hammering inside her chest as she struggled to keep from spilling her drink on herself, taking a steady sip to numb her senses, to no avail.
Lana wasn't simply trying to get under Yeji's skin. She feared for Ryujin, and as far as Yeji was concerned, that meant they shared the same views.
"What exactly are your intentions with Ryujin, Yeji?" Lana asked, her voice fair but threatening, as if she were giving Yeji one chance, and one chance only, to answer correctly.
Yeji took in a breath, deciding to go with a simple truth, as it would sound more believable in the end. "I don't know, Mrs. Shin. What I can guarantee you, however, is that Ryujin is one of-no, the most important person in my life. I cannot speak for her, or our future as a couple, but I know that I will always love and care for her."
Lana nodded, tossing back the rest of her drink, looking satisfied. "You're not sugar-coating it. I like that, Hwang. Let's get back to the others, the kids are dying to get to know Ryujin's new love."
Yeji wanted to heave a sigh of relief, but she couldn't muster the strength. So, she'd survived the first round of Lana Shin.
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Ryujin's eyes shot forward as she saw Yeji step back into their private dining room, Lana in tow. Her hazel gaze searched Yeji's for any clues, any answers at all, but Yeji remained stoic, her expression schooled.
Ryujin had been chatting with her father and Jefri, and had turned to approach Yeji, who instead motioned for her to stay and finish her conversation with Keith.
Yeji knew it was her time to assimilate into the group, and she knew it would feel more natural if Ryujin wasn't looming beside her nervously.
She missed Ryujin's adorable pout as she approached Chaeryeong, Karina, and Jisu, who'd formed their group off to the side.
"Hey Yej." Jisu muttered, out of earshot of the other two girls, allowing the best friends some time to catch up. "Tell me you're having a better time."
"Hardly. I was attacked." Yeji muttered her response, trying to keep the scowl off her features.
"Who's the thorn in your side?" Jisu smirked, watching Yeji fight away any aggravation.
"Ryujin's mom." Yeji replied, nudging her gently.
"Yikes. She looks like a hardass." Jisu muttered apologetically.
"She is." Yeji grunted. "I heard she really wants Ryujin to get with this one's-" she jerked her head to Karina, "-brother."
Yeji's eyes narrowed. "Easy there, Yej." Jisu smirked. "It's just for a week. You don't need to get all riled up. Unless, of course... you're actually whipped for Shin."
"Yeah?" Yeji countered with a hiss. "I saw how pleased you were when Chan was approaching Lee back there. What was that? You're not even fake dating, no excuse there."
"Yeji." Karina's low voice interrupted as she tossed a friendly arm around Yeji, who immediately relaxed her features to eliminate any trace of the little friendly spat she'd just had with Jisu.
"Karina." Yeji greeted politely, forcing a smile for the umpteenth time that evening.
"I promised you some dirt on Shin, and I-" Karina fished her phone from her purse, slung over the back of the chair in front of her. "-am a woman of my word."
Chaeryeong smirked, going to stand beside Jisu, who mirrored her expression.
"Well, I couldn't possibly lie and say I'm not interested." Yeji admitted, shifting to turn to Jefri and Ryujin, who were at the other side of the room, still talking with Keith. "Fine." She sighed. "Something quick."
Karina smirked. "That's my girl. Let's see here.. I saved some screen shots of our award winning texting conversations just for this moment."
Yeji's brows shot up, and she ran a hand through her hair nervously. This wasn't planned. Ryujin never mentioned that she'd been texting Karina about Yeji.
This was real. These were Ryujin's actual thoughts and feelings about her.
Yeji readied herself for whatever was coming her way. Was it awful? Did Ryujin hate her? Yeji steeled herself.
"Okay, first one dates back to-Oh! Ryujin was at a party with Chaeryeong, so... the first day you moved in, I think. Let's see." Karina's screen lit up as deft thumbs scrolled through various screenshots until she landed on one, grinning. She passed Yeji the phone.
The conversation read:
Ryujin (10:42 PM): Rina, you're not gonna believe my luck
Karina (10:43 PM): Did Chaeryeong lose another bet?
Karina: I told her she's not as smooth as she thinks she is
Ryujin: NO
Ryujin: BETTER
Karina: It's a girl, isn't it?
Ryujin: Yes
At this point, Yeji's heart was racing as she scanned the screen, scrolling to the next portion of the conversation, trying to look amused, but worrying herself to death internally.
Karina (10:45 PM): Damn. Fill me in.
Ryujin: Rina, my new neighbor is probably the hottest person I've ever met.
Karina: Shit really? Like hotter than that girl you dated from the coffee shop?
Ryujin: YES. Like stunning. Insanely hot. And her VOICE.
Karina: Her voice?
Ryujin: It's low and commanding and ugh just take me to bed already
Yeji had to keep from choking, unable to fight the grin that made its way onto her face. She never had any idea.
Karina: Wow Ryujin calm the thirst there. You get her name? Her #?
Ryujin: ...No...
Karina: What? Why lol?
Ryujin: Idk her! She's probably not even into girls.
Karina: wow she must be something, you're never nervous
Ryujin: she is.
Yeji was unable to contain the immense rush of warmth that spread throughout her body, just knowing how Ryujin thought about her. If only Ryujin knew that Yeji, while not an avid fan of texting, had the exact same thoughts about her at the time.
They were both such idiots.
Ryujin: Her name is Yeji. Like, even her name is Sexy, Rina.
Ryujin: Oh. I got it! Sexy Yeji
Ryujin: I'm a genius.
Yeji's blush burned her cheeks as Chaeryeong and Karina burst into tears of laughter, effectively alarming Ryujin from the other side of the room, as she now hustled over, yanking the phone from Yeji's grasp.
"Karina!" Ryujin's eyes scanned the screen and her voice was hoarse with humiliation. "What the hell?"
Yeji couldn't mask the giddy feeling she felt inside, yet she still felt awful for the violation of Ryujin's privacy. In her defense, it was to better her budding relationship with Ryujin's friends, of course.
"Oh come on!" Karina grinned, snatching her phone back. "You're dating! It's not like its news!"
"Yeah." Jisu pressed, smirking at Shin. "Sexy Yeji, huh? Way to be subtle."
Chaeryeong was still shaking with laughter, leaning against Karina for support.
Ryujin's cheeks flushed as she hid her gaze, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. Who can I trust anymore?"
Yeji then realized that everyone was glancing at her expectantly. She cleared her throat, turning to Ryujin with an apologetic smile. "Ryujin, I'm sorry I thought it was-very flattering." She admitted, causing Ryujin to turn beet red. "
You suck." Ryujin muttered, getting more laughs from her companions.
"Oh, come on, Ryujin." Yeji spoke soothingly, wrapping her arms around Ryujin, Ryujin mortified into stillness, leaning her head against Yeji's chest. "It was cute." Yeji added.
Of course, Ryujin was actually mortified because that was what she actually thought about Yeji, outside of their little fake couple arrangement.
Now Yeji truly knew how attractive Ryujin had found her. Perfect. This totally wasn't going to add to their already awkward dynamic at all.
Yeji knew she was playing the part right, as everyone watching "awed" in approval. It also just felt like the natural thing to do. She really was consoling Ryujin, telling her that her feelings and compliments were valid.
"Seriously, I'm flattered." Yeji murmured to Ryujin's ear, knowing that at least some part of Ryujin would know that she was being genuine.
"You're totally sleeping on the couch tonight." Ryujin muttered, but Yeji knew she was only teasing her best friend. She knew Ryujin well enough to know the difference between grumpy Ryujin and actually-angry Ryujin. This was certainly the former.
"Sexy Yeji, huh?" She teased, earning her a jab to her stomach.
"Don't let it go to your head." Ryujin muttered, cheeks still rosy, friends still laughing.
This certainly changed things, didn't it?
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It was right as the appetizers started coming in platters through the double doors, that Yeji first laid eyes on the notorious Park Felix.
He was tall, and true to his pictures on social media. Yeji could see why he was such an item of attraction within the group. His mop of curly brown hair was brushed out of his eyes, and his smile was warm.
Yeji hated that he actually looked decent in a black button up, next to the man who was presumably Seo Changbin, who wore a leather jacket and a bored expression, drink already in hand.
As Felix made his rounds, greeting everyone, he made eye contact with Ryujin over a hug from Jefri, winking at her with a smile.
It wasn't even flirtatious. It could have been interpreted as any number of things. It could have been a greeting, or an inside joke. It could have been anything.
But Yeji didn't like the feeling it gave her in the pit of her stomach.
"Ryujin, look!" Lana smiled, just having greeted Felix. "Felix's finally here."
Ryujin muttered under her breath, "I have eyes, mom."
Yeji stifled a laugh at that, politely following Ryujin, stiffening when Felix enveloped her into a hug, lifting her slightly off the ground.
"Hey, princess." He smiled, voice deep and smooth.
"Hey Tim." Ryujin smiled and Yeji could tell it was genuine.
"How's my best friend from the east end?" Felix teased, setting her down.
Best friend? Yeji ignored that little stinging sensation she felt.
"Busy, and broke." Ryujin replied with an airy laugh. "Tim, I have to introduce you to someone."
"Sure." Felix smiled, stepping forward with his had extended for Yeji to shake. "You must be Hwang Yeji, right?"
Yeji looked surprised. Had Ryujin spoken to him about her? When had Ryujin even spoken to him?
"I uh. Yes." Yeji wanted to curse herself for the lamest reply she'd ever given. "You must be Felix. I've heard a lot about you." Felix nodded.
"All good I hope? Ryujin and I have had some...questionable experiences. Like that time in Aus-"
"Tim!" Ryujin smacked his prominent bicep, and Yeji resisted the urge to act possessively. She was being irrational. "Stop! I've been embarrassed enough tonight!"
Hwang Yeji always kept a level head. Even if Lana was staring lovingly at Ryujin and Felix like they were some picturesque celebrity couple out of the magazines.
Changbin just nodded to Ryujin and Yeji from afar, slinking beside Chaeryeong, his most trusted companion in the group.
Keith lifted his glass, tapping on his flute of champagne with his knife lightly, the ringing bringing everyone to attention. "Guys." He smiled. "Our little family is back, with some new faces." He smiled at Yeji, who blushed lightly. She'd decided that she'd taken a liking to Keith. "And some old ones." He smiled at Karina, who'd been chatting with him moments ago. "I think we're all starving, and this dinner should get underway! I'm just so happy to see all of you again. I can't wait to spend the next few days catching up, and I'd just like to welcome Jefri, Jisu, and Yeji to our family. I hope we don't scare you off." He winked at Yeji, and Ryujin shook her head, amused by his antics. "Let's eat."
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Yeji had been seated next to Ryujin, of course, with Felix a safe distance away across the table.
Unless of course, they'd been brushing feet together under the table.
Which Yeji totally hadn't checked for, while picking up Ryujin's dropped napkin for her.
The food was delicious, and though Yeji was a bit of a health freak, even she splurged on the elaborate dishes brought before them, courtesy of Keith and Lana.
Chatter filled the table at every level. Karina told Jefri all about her college antics, while Chaeryeong and Jisu snickered to themselves. Chan and Changbin were arguing about football, while Sunoo and Ri-ki fought over a piece of chocolate cake when the dessert trays arrived.
When Ryujin's eyes spotted a cookie, she instinctively reached for it, her arms not quite reaching the platter.
"Here, baby." Yeji murmured instinctively, earning an adoring look from Ryujin when she handed her the cookie.
Keith smiled at Yeji. "Good looking and you pay attention to her cookie needs? There's a keeper, Ryujin." He grinned.
"Dad..." Ryujin groaned, shaking her head in embarrassment as Yeji blushed.
"You know..." Felix began by clearing his throat. "Ryujin's always been a cookie person."
Of course, Felix would have some adorable little anecdote about Ryujin's eating habits.
Yeji narrowed her eyes, schooling her expression. It wasn't a competition.
"You said you were neighbors, right Yeji?" Aira Park spoke from her end of the table, a smile on her features.
Yeji nodded. "We are, yes." She replied with a smile.
Lana smiled to herself, eyes glazed over with memories. "I remember when the Parks moved next door for the first time. Ryujin, you were maybe, five?"
Felix grinned. "Yeah, and even then, you were a thief."
Ryujin dropped her cookie, playfully offended. "Am not!"
"You were!" Felix smirked. "I remember we heard a crash from the kitchen, and everyone ran over, and you tried to climb the sink counter to get to my personal cookie stash!"
The whole table combusted into a laughing fit at the familiar memory, and Yeji felt oddly left out.
Ryujin's cheeks reddened as she muttered, "Almost had them, too."
Felix nodded, continuing. "Yeah, you were always adventurous like that."
Yeji saw her opportunity and seized it, consequences damned. "Yes, like how she asked me out for the first time. She scaled her balcony and leapt over to mine."
Lana choked on her food and the table roared in approval, Sunoo and Ri-ki banging their fists down in laughter while Ryujin smirked triumphantly, Felix's jaw dropping.
"You what?" Lana demanded but by that point the conversation was out of her hands.
"Well..." Felix recovered airily. "I actually believe that, because Ryujin's never been afraid of heights."
"Oh, holy shit." Chaeryeong muttered under her breath to Jisu.
"This is a pissing match, isn't it?" Jisu agreed, smirk on her features.
She'd take Yeji's side any day of the week.
"But, you know what Ryujin is afraid of?" Felix began, looking as if he had a fantastic story on the tip of his tongue.
"-Snakes." Yeji supplied, watching his face fall slightly.
Everyone at the table watched the match like it was a Tennis rally, eyes going back and forth between Yeji and Felix, their eyes wide and their jaws hanging.
Ryujin seemed to realize what was happening, and she froze, unsure of what to do.
"You know, once, we were playing in the backyard at our old place-" Felix began confidently.
"The one with the treehouse!" Karina chimed in. Jefri smiled at her enthusiasm, pressing a quick kiss to her hand.
"Oh, you and Felix used to pretend to get married in that treehouse." Aira smiled fondly.
"And one day, I was digging a pool, for my beautiful wife-" Felix teased, watching Ryujin bury her head in her hands. "And we came across a rattlesnake. I'm pretty sure Ryujin started sobbing."
"I was eight, let it go!" Ryujin rolled her eyes, smiling nonetheless, and the table once again found themselves laughing at a fond memory.
"Well..." Yeji shrugged. "I mean, we don't have a yard at our place, so Ryujin just paints incredible views from the balcony."
"Aww, Yeddeong." Ryujin turned to her with a genuine smile.
Ryujin blushed at Yeji's compliment, meeting Keith's eyes, brimming with pride at the mention of his daughter's artistic talents.
"I'll bet you're painting sunsets." Felix chimed in. "We always used to watch those together. You love them."
"Well I mean-"
"Well, she certainly loves pizza, but you don't see her painting that." Yeji quipped bravely, earning a roar of laughter from the table.
"I'd actually believe it if she had a few 'pizza portraits" Chaeryeong smirked, dodging a bunched-up napkin that Ryujin threw at her.
"Ryujin used to challenge me to pizza eating competitions." Felix challenged, leaning forward. "She can't do more than four slices in a sitting."
"But she can eat an entire carton of chocolate ice cream." Yeji countered.
"Oh, this is just so flattering." Ryujin muttered, shaking her head. "Thanks, guys."
Jisu snorted with laughter at that, the entire table grinning, oblivious to their obvious competition.
"Speaking of ice cream..." Felix began.
Changbin smirked from behind his bite of cheesecake, readying himself for the grand finale that was so inevitably coming.
"Lix..." Ryujin whined, eyeing him. "Ryujin accidentally dropped an entire cone of vanilla ice cream on her chest at prom, and her dress was-" Felix never finished.
"Brown, because she wanted it to match her eyes. And its also Ryujin's fa-"
"Favorite color. Which I know, because..." He turned to Ryujin with a wink. "We've been best friends for years. We're close."
"Damn." Chan muttered under his breath. How was Yeji going to top that outright statement this time?
Hwang Yeji was never one to back down from a challenge, no matter how petty. In retrospect, she probably should have.
Maybe it was one too many drinks.
Ryujin looked red in the cheeks, reaching forward in an odd attempt to distract them both. "Look, guys. Cake."
That statement was thoroughly ignored.
Ryujin sighed, biting into the frosted edge, hoping that it would end right there and then.
"Well, I mean, there's no competition here." Yeji reminded with a light laugh and a wry smile.
Felix smiled, thinking that Yeji was formally backing down. Until she opened her mouth again.
"I wouldn't beat myself up, if I were you, Felix. I suppose I know her a bit more... intimately." Yeji replied coolly, leaning forward to kiss a little frosting off the edge of Ryujin's lips.
Lana began coughing.
Jisu grinned and Chaeryeong dropped her fork, not bothering to miss a second of the apparent show Yeji and Felix had just put on.
Ryujin's eyes went wide as she felt Yeji's lips brush against the corner of her own, so unexpectedly, tasting a tiny bit of Yeji mixing with the frosting. It was heavenly.
There was a moment of silence, likely for Felix's dignity.
Yeji's heart was beating so hard against her chest that she thought she might have been having a heart attack.
And then Chaeryeong muttered, "Holy shit, nicely done Yeddeong!" Under her breath, and groups began barking out laughs of their own. Yeji was earning smirks and smiles left and right as Chaeryeong slow clapped it out for her.
Felix laughed himself, likely to avoid the awkward tension he and Yeji had just built up.
Keith himself broke out into a grin, having never been fond of Felix and Ryujin's relationship, knowing how uninterested Ryujin was. He only stopped when Lana roughly elbowed him in the side.
Ryujin turned to Yeji with a look of utter attraction, a numb smile on her lips as she eyed Yeji, who licked her own lips in a satisfied manner.
Just then, the waiter came back into the room, platter in hand. "Who ordered seconds?" He grinned.