DARA'S POV
I can't believe the ball is happening tonight. I am pretty nervous considering this is my first time to attend gatherings like this. I looked at the clock and it says 6pm. I have to be ready before Jaejoong arrives. Yup, i finally said yes to that jerk. He didn't stop pestering me until i said yes.
I took a bath and wore the dress Bom picked for me. It was a long black dress with white and silver thin linings across that shows my curves. A diamond like sparkles was also added on the dress to make it look more elegant. The mask that i'l be wearing has the same design matching the dress. All in all, it looks perfect.
After applying a simple make up, I finally heard my door bell rang. I gathered my stuff and went to the door to open it.
"Good evening milady." Jaejoong greeted as he bowed in front of me.
"Good evening milord." I greeted him riding along with his antics. We both burst out laughing after our formal greetings as i stepped outside my apartment. He led the way to where his car was parked and opened the door for me.
The ride was unexpectedly quiet until he broke the silence. "So, are you ready for later?"
"Well, i prepared myself for less than a week, i don't know if am." I told him, the nervous feeling started to build up.
"Don't be nervous, i'm there with you. I'l help you with your assignment." He looked sideways to wink at me.
"Eww, what's with the winking Jae? You're giving me goosebumps all over." I gestured in front of him as if i'm throwing up.
"What's wrong with that? One day, you'll fall for my charm." He declared and winked at me again.
"In your dreams, Mr. Oh so Confident" i mockingly said while crossing my arms in front of me.
"It will be a reality, Ms. Denial Queen" he chuckled and i smacked his arm lightly not forgetting that he was driving.
We finally arrived at the venue and my heart began to double its pace when i saw how grand it was. People coming in were dressed in royalty, all were expected to walk in the red carpet spread on the floor leading inside the venue.
My observation was interrupted when i suddenly heard a voice beside me. "Hey, are you ready?" Jaejoong asked.
"Yes."
"Put your mask on, we're up next." He instructed and i immediately took my mask and wore it.
Jaejoong stopped the car in front of three men that looked like butlers standing at the end of the red carpet we're supposed to walk on. They immediately opened the doors of the car and assisted us. Jaejoong stood beside me and offered his right arm for me to take. "This is nerve wrecking." I whispered to him seeing the people on each side of the carpet taking pictures. I think they are media people from different stations that were here to cover the event. I tried searching for my staffs but the flashes coming from the cameras blinded me. Where are they?
"Relax, Dara. I'm here."" Jaejoong said as we walked slowly towards the entrance.
"Invitation please." The man, who i thought was the receptionist, asked us upon stepping inside the entrance.
"Here." I handed him my two invitations, mine and Donghae's, but Jaejoong let out a black card and show it to the guy in front us.
"Oh, i'm so sorry sir. Please, come in, come in." The man instantly bowed at us and pointed straight to where the venue's at. I gasped at his action as i heard Jaejoong chuckled and pulled me inside.
"What was that about?" I asked him.
"Nothing, just some privilege card i bought years ago. Now lets go find our table." Jaejoong said and hurriedly walked tagging me along with him.
As we entered the hall, my hand instantly flew to my mouth when i saw the whole place where the party will be held. Its so big and i can't describe how extravagant looking it was. Its obvious that they prepared it very well for all the guest who will be attending this event.
"Hey Dara, wipe your mouth, you're drooling." I heard Jaejoong laughed beside me but my hand instantly flew to his arm smacking him in the process.
I returned my gaze back to scanning the venue, "Wow, this is amazing. I've never been in places like this. I can't wait to put this on my article." I commented.
"Don't worry, i'll help you meet other business men here later. You'll get your article done in no time." He said patting my shoulder.
"But what about my staff? Will they be allowed to enter?" I asked him worrying about my team.
"Oh, that. Unfortunately, they can't. This is exclusive for those who only have invitations. Maybe that's the reason your boss gave you one." He explained. I nodded in response thinking how will i be able to cover everything without their help.
"So its all up to me now.." I frowned.
"Hey, i told you i'l help you didn't i? Don't pout like that, it makes me want to kiss you." Jaejoong said and that earned him another smack, this time harder.
"Try it and i'l punch you in the face!" I said as i showed him my curled fist.
"Hahahaha. Fine, fine. Your so cute." He pinched my cheeks making my mask move out of its original place. "There! Let's sit there!"
"Wait! Why are you so hyper!" I told him as i let him drag me to the table.
We are now sitting on our table waiting for the program to start. All tables are occupied except for the long table in front where i think the major sponsors and host will be sitting.
The background music began to stop, i saw a man walked closer to the podium and held the mic to his mouth. "Good evening ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to our annual convention, meet and greet. I'l be your host for tonight." Everyone gave him a round of applause as he held his hand in the air for us to stop. "All of these won't be possible without the help of our major sponsors. Let's all stand up and welcome the 'Big three' and their heirs." All of us stood up and welcome the incoming guest entering from the side door. A big round of applause was heard inside the venue as they showed themselves one by one.
I craned my neck sideways so i can clearly see them. "Jaejoong, who are they?" I asked him but i heard no response. I look at my side and he was no where in sight. Where the hell could he be? That idiot, i thought he's going to help me. I returned my gaze in front when i heard the host introduced them.
"Lets all welcome, Mr. and Mrs. Lee and their son." The host said. A man and his wife entered and bowed in front of the clapping guest. They stood at the far left edge of the table.
"Next up, Mr. and Mrs. Kim. Unfortunately their son can't make it tonight." They stood at the right side of the table countering the Lee's.
"And last but not the least, lets all welcome Mr. Kwon and his son." The biggest round of applause erupted in the whole place as the two entered. The old Kwon didn't bother bowing unlike his son. They stood in the middle of the table beside both the Kim's and Lee's.
"Everyone, the Big Three!" The host announce as all again gave them a around of applause.
We finally took our seats after welcoming the special guest of the night. I really can't guess who they are because of the mask they are wearing. But if i had known better, i think the two sons were quite familiar to me.
"Here's your drink!" I got startled when a glass of wine was brought in front of my face.
"Jaejoong! Where the hell have you been?" I snarled at him.
"I just got us a drink. What did i miss?"
"Everything! Aisht!" I took the glass from him and returned my gaze in front when the host started talking again.
"To make our program more exciting, we made our program extra special tonight. The reason why the theme is masquerade ball is that you are not allowed to take your mask off." Everyone looked at each other when they heard the host's announcement. "You may interact with each other, dance if you want to, but no revealing of names and of course, the mask must stay on until the end of the program." I heard disagreements and laughter from the other guest. "The person who can hide his or her identity will win 100 million won plus a brand new car waiting outside the venue, courtesy of our sponsors. Isn't that exciting?" The host excitedly announced as a round of applause was again heard from the audience. "Before the night ends, we will be accepting candidates who wants to join and confident enough that no one recognize him or her. So, before i took so much of the time, let's all party!!!" The host finally said as he went down the podium and shook hands with the sponsors.
"Wow, that was such a nice prize isn't it?" Jaejoong asked me as he took a sip on his glass.
"Yeah, the winner must be very lucky to have that." I commented.
"Why don't you join? You have the highest chance to win, no one actually knows you here except me." He suggested.
"I'm not here for that, i have an assignment remember?" I told him.
"I know, but you can still do that, just don't reveal your identity ok? Let me do the talking." He said, looking decided to help me.
"Why are you so determined to help me?" I asked as i stared at him intently.
"Because your my friend, that's what friends do. Help each other." He said and gave me his famous wink.
"Argg. Whatever Jae, just don't get me in trouble, got that?" I warned him as i took the last sip of my wine.
The night gets deeper and i got the chance to talk to some of the well known businessmen in the country. Jae really did helpedrrer me get the information i need for my article. Some introduced themselves, not really caring about the prize of tonights theme game. I almost got everything i need to complete our next months issue, only one more interview and its all done.
I am now sitting on our table sipping another glass of wine while watching the guests dance in slow music when a man suddenly approached me.
"May i have this dance?" I saw him reached for my hand.
"Ahh, sorry, i'm just waiting for my friend, and i don't know how to dance." I said shaking my hand as i smiled at him politely.
"Its ok, we'll be back as soon as he returns. I promise." He said, extending his hand to me again.
"Go on miss, dance with the boy. i'l tell your friend you'll be back." An old lady pushed me a little and that made me blush.
"Fine, just don't complain if i step on your feet ok? You've been warned." I told the guy and smiled back to the old lady sitting behind me.
The man pulled me in the middle of the dance floor and instantly held my arm around his neck as he placed his hand on my waist. We started slow dancing and swayed with the music. He searched my eyes and i did the same to him. Talk about awkwardness.
"You're new here?" He asked still looking at me.
"Uhm yes." I answered and decided to look the other way.
"From what company?" He asked again.
"Actually, i was just sent here for work purposes." I said. "Wait, you're the son of Mr. Kwon right?"
"Yes."
"Oh." I was shocked, i didn't recognize him at once. "You know, you look like someone i know."
"Really? Who?" He asked as he looked at me intently.
"A friend." I simply answered.
"Oh. Is this friend of yours handsome?" He asked and i didn't miss the smirk plastered on his face. Its so familiar.
"Kind of." I said.
"Kind of? So you like him?"
"Well, he's more likable if he's not such a jerk." I remarked.
"I'm not a jerk."
"What?" I asked.
"I mean, he's not a jerk. Maybe he doesn't know how to act in front of you." He explained as he interchanged his gaze to anywhere but me.
"Really?" If i am not mistaken, he's name is also Jiyong, if he is the same person as the jerk, i'm going to hurl. "How did you know? Have you met him?" I asked again.
"Ah no. Not yet. But i have a feeling he's kind of nice." He denied. Tsk. He is so obvious. Let's see if he can still deny.
"Yeah, its just that, he sometimes act so weird, maybe he's autistic or something." I told him.
"I told you I'm not autistic!" He almost shouted at me. Gotcha!
"You stupid jerk! Its you!" I muttered. This guy, really!