The Choi mansion loomed ahead like something out of a fairytale.
The first time I was here, I went to the guest house. I was amazed at the size and the architecture of that. But that did not hold a candle to what I was witnessing now.
Nestled atop a sprawling estate, the massive structure was a blend of traditional Korean architecture and modern extravagance.
The tiled roofs and wooden beams were illuminated by soft, golden lights that gave the house an ethereal glow against the night sky.
The long driveway lined with cherry blossom treesâblooming despite the winter chill thanks to some botanical magicâled us to the grand entrance.
No doubt, the trees were planted and maintained with a lot of money to bloom even when it wasn't the season.
I swallowed hard as Beomgyu helped Saehi and me out of the car, the sound of my heels clicking against the polished stone echoing louder than Iâd like.
âThis place is ridiculous,â I murmured to Saehi, who gave me a conspiratorial grin.
âWelcome to the Choi world,â she said, looping her arm through mine.
âJust keep smiling and pretend you belong.â she whispered and gave my arm a reassuring squeeze.
We stepped through the grand double doors, each one carved with intricate designs of cranes and clouds.
Two hosts were quick to bow lower than they were in front of other guest, definitely observing that were with one of the Choi Heirs.
Inside, the opulence of the mansion hit me like a tidal wave.
The foyer alone couldâve housed at least an entire commercial building with room to spare.
A crystal chandelier hung from the high ceiling, its shimmering light cascading over the marble floors. A grand staircase curved gracefully on either side, its bannisters adorned with silk ribbons and fresh flowers.
The party was already in full swing. The room buzzed with the hum of conversation, laughter, and the faint strains of classical music played by a live string quartet stationed in one corner.
Waitstaff in perfectly tailored uniforms weaved through the crowd, carrying trays of champagne and little foods that looked too delicate to eat.
âWow,â I whispered, my gaze darting from the towering floral arrangements to the opulent decorations that adorned every surface.
Gold accents glinted under the light, and the air smelled faintly of roses and something sweet I couldnât quite place.
Beomgyu, standing a step ahead of us, turned back with a smirk.
He was styledfrom head to toe by what I am assuming to be a stylist because his tuxedo was stitched to perfection, little gold thread detailing the lapels, adding an extra glimer to his outfit.
His orange hair was styled back and cut short in the sides, making the angles of his face stand out.
He was wearing brown contacts that warmed his eyes but the twinkle of mischief was something that I don't think would ever leave him.
âFeeling a little overwhelmed, Yuri?â Beomgyu joked.
I nodded, too awestruck to deny it.
âThis doesnât feel real. Itâs like stepping into another world. The guest house is nothing compared to thisâ I told and he laughed it off lightly.
âWelcome to the circus,â he said, his tone light but tinged with something I couldnât quite place.
âThe Choi family never does anything halfwayâ there was an underlying bitterness to his words that I couldn't find the root of but I was spiralling in my own head to really grasp on others.
As we moved further into the room, the guests came into focus. Men in sharp suits and women in gowns that couldâve been plucked straight off the Paris runway mingled effortlessly.
I did see a few familiar faces in the crowd, letting me know there were other students from Royals High here.
Saehi was not kidding. Even with the silk dress that made me look more mature than I would like and the make up and hair, I still felt underdressed in this crowd.
Their conversations seemed effortless, filled with words like "mergers," "deals," and "expansions."
I tugged at the hem of my dress, suddenly hyper-aware of how out of place I felt.
âRelax,â Saehi whispered, nudging me.
âYou look amazing. And if anyone gives you side-eye, just let me know. Iâll take care of themâ a mischievous twinkle jn her eyes that mimicked so much of Beomgyu.
These two were too alike and yet if anyone dared say it out loud, it would lead to a huge argument with both the sides denying it whole heartedly.
Her confidence was contagious, and I managed a small smile.
Taehyun and Kai joined us, their dates on each of their arms who looked good enough to be models and I am pretty sure I had seen them on some covers of magazines as well.
Taehyun and Kai wore tailored tuxedo, hugging their bodies in the most perfect manner, as if made for them.
Taehyun's lapels had green silk along with green satin trim, an emerald brooch highlighting the outfit. A matching bow tie to match his blazer. His hair was dyed darkest brown and styled in a middle part with each edge of his hair falling perftly to frame his face.
Kai looked just as dashing, if not more with his hair kept down over his forehead in a disheveled and yet styled manner, no doubt making other boys want to copy it first thing tomorrow. His lapels and bowtie were designed similar to Taehyun, blue satin along the silk trim of the lapels and a huge saphire brooch to highlight the blazer and a matching bowtie to complete the look.
"You look really beautiful today Yuri and Saehi" Kai nodded curtly at both of us and I smiled him.
"You two look handsome as well" I wished out the unwanted compliment to Taehyun as well because he did look good today.
I just hoped his words matched the elegance of his clothes tonight.
Taehyun glanced at me and I could actually see him bite his lips to say something spiteful.
I stared at him in challenge but at last he just mumbled a thank you and busied himself with some tech talk with Beomgyu and Kai.
As Beomgyu, Taehyun and Kai stood together for a few photographs, I understood why people swoon over them so much.
I could hardly think any other highschooler looking this way.
Their presence demanded an audience and I am sure they were too used to it to actually think too much of it, posing for pictures and cordial handshakes with businessmen coming naturally to them.
As we walked deeper into the main hall, my eyes landed on a sprawling buffet table that looked like it belonged in a royal feast.
Plates of food arranged like works of art stretched across the table, from glistening seafood towers to decadent pastries dusted with gold leaf.
âPlease tell me weâre allowed to eat that and not just those little candy sized food being passed around in trays,â I whispered to Beomgyu.
He chuckled.
âHelp yourself. Just donât spill anything on the carpet. Thatâs a Choi family cardinal sinâ he shuddered as if a past memory slipped up front in his mind.
Before I could respond, a familiar voice cut through the air.
âYeonjun!â
I turned to see Yeonjun, standing near the right staircase at the top, his sharp suit making him look even more striking than usual.
He wore a similar tuxedo as Beomgyu but instead of the gold thread details, his lapels were adorned with silver thread. The design was too intricate for me to see what it was from the bottom of the stair. He wore a bowtie to match the design.
His hair was parted to the side and sleeked back, a few strands coiling over his forehead.
Each and every plane of his face was highlighted, contrasting against the shadows and dips, giving him a statuesque look.
He had his signature scowl and idaf energy about him as he stood at the top of the staircase, as if letting people see him before he made the descent.
His gaze swept over our group, lingering on me for a moment, his eyes lighting up with emotions that I wasn't sure what to make of right now. His lips parted, as if he was itching to say something but he shook his head before moving to others.
I did not like this tension.
Hopefully tonight, maybe for just five minutes, I could steal him away and we could finally have a conversation.
I was pining to hear his voice. And it hadn't even been that long since we talked but I did not want to fight with him anymore.
'he's so hot' someone whispered from the crowd and my scowl could have countered Yeonjun as I searched for that voice.
Why did he have to look so hot?
"Soobin!" Another voice made everyone's head turn towards the left of the room where another staircase stood on the same floor.
Soobin had just entered from another doorway and stood atop the stairs opposite to Yeonjun in everyway possible.
Soobin's outfit was the same as the other Choi brother, again the contrasting details in the lapels, his dancing in the light with red silk threads and a bow tie of the same silk on his neck to match.
His blonde hair was parted sideways and sleeked back but unlike Yeonjun, not a single strand of hair was out of place.
He wore blue contacts, which only hilghted his pale skin and hair, matching the overall lightness of his outfit and style.
His face was set in a welcoming smile, frozen in place, a politician's smile as he addressed the crowd below with acknowledging nod.
As his eyes scanned over our group and landed on mine, something in his eye sparkled, a real smile with the dips of his dimples showing as he looked at me.
I smiled back because damn his smile was beautiful.
âHere we go,â Saehi muttered under her breath, sensing the tension.
Both of them started descending down the stairs, their pace equally in sync.
Each an entity in their own right, Soobin's light a stark contrast to Yeonjun's shadows, somehow balancing perfectly to form a semblance of synchrony.
I didn't - couldn't keep my gaze on Soobin for long because I felt him staring at me now, giving his full attention to me, forcing me to look his face.
I turned to see Yeonjun stepping down from the stairs, not paying any attention to the crowd who was showing him with compliments and trying to get his attention.
Yeonjunâs jaw tightened as he walked toward us, his steps deliberate. The crowd seemed to part for him, and I felt my pulse quicken.
âBreathe, the party has just startedâ Saehi whispered, squeezing my hand.
But as Yeonjun closed the distance between us, I wasnât sure if I remembered how.
A/n: helllo! Did I just stick to my schedule for once? Another update!
What did you think of this chapter?
And did anyone notice the subtle hint? Did anyone notice it? Tell me if you did.