Red Dress | SUNGJOY

Chapter Thirty Three

"GUTE NACHRICHTEN"

(GOOD NEWS)

...

The evening air in Seoul was cool as Sooyoung and Sungjae walked up the familiar steps to Alice's house, the lights inside glowing warmly through the windows. The sound of laughter drifted out the moment the door opened.

Alice stood there with her arms crossed, grinning.

"Finally," she said. "The world travelers have returned."

Sooyoung rolled her eyes and stepped inside. "We were gone for a few months, not ten years."

From the dining area, Lisa leaned over the back of a chair dramatically.

"SOOYOUNG!" she shouted.

Sooyoung barely had time to react before Lisa rushed over and hugged her tightly.

"You left us!" Lisa complained. "Germany stole you!"

"Relax," Sooyoung laughed, hugging her back. "I came back, didn't I? And you went to Germany too."

Mark and Jackson were already sitting at the table, both waving casually.

"Welcome back," Mark said with a warm smile.

Jackson leaned back in his chair. "Did you at least bring food from Germany? That's the real question."

Sungjae dropped his bag on a chair and laughed.

"Wow. Not even a hello?"

Jackson shrugged. "Priorities."

Everyone settled around the table as Alice brought out the last dish, placing it in the middle.

"So," she said, eyeing the two of them suspiciously, "how was Germany?"

Sooyoung opened her mouth to answer, But Sungjae beat her to it.

"It was great," he said casually. "Oh, and we got engaged."

The room went silent. Sooyoung froze mid-reach for her glass.

"...Yook."

Lisa's jaw dropped.

"WHAT?!"

Mark nearly choked on his drink. Jackson slammed his hands on the table.

"YOU DID WHAT?!"

Sooyoung buried her face in her hands while Sungjae sat there like he had just mentioned the weather. Alice blinked several times before slowly looking at Sooyoung.

"...Is he serious?"

Sooyoung sighed deeply and lifted her head.

"Yes," she muttered. "Unfortunately."

Lisa grabbed her hand immediately, staring at the ring.