JUST LIE TO ME

09. The Engagement

SOCH GRAND HOTEL | Myeong-dong South Korea | 29th October 2019 | 7:00 PM

"You look so beautiful, Seojin-ah!" Bae Joohyun, remarked while gazing at me with the brightest simper. 

Realization suddenly crept up on me after seeing my reflection in the mirror wearing the white dress that I chose yesterday. This dress quickly caught my attention, it looks contrasting as the top part was just plainly a sleeveless cut while the skirt part has a crumpled-layered effect - just like my head - contrasting and confused.

"Do I?" I bid trying to sound a bit more pleased. I took a deep breath and forced a smile - It is really happening, I am indeed doing this thing and I am curious if I would be in the same situation if Mommy is still here. 

I doubt it, who would be happy to see her daughter marrying someone for business?

"Uhm, you look really pretty though I can tell that you didn't seem to get some sleep last night? I don't want to seem to pry but when we picked up our dresses yesterday, you were literally spacing out. Is something bothering you?" Joohyun added.

It was true. I just slept for an hour around four in the morning since my brain seems to have gone on a power trip and the culprit - Park Chanyeol. After what he did, he never spoke to me at all. I know he was keenly thwarting my gaze and was just keeping a straight face which was actually working in my favor, at first until it made me feel as if I was the one who did something to him.

As much as I hate to admit it, thoughts of him kept me awake till morning.

"I'm fine Joohyun eonnie and thank you for helping me out. Maybe I am just a little too excited about this engagement party. I mean that should be it, right?" I feigned a simper and heaves another deep breath.

"Hey, I know that you are doing your best and your brother and Dad appreciates that. They both love you to bits and pieces and you know that if there's any other way than pushing you into this they would both choose that. Just for a year, Seojin. Hmm?" she remarked and I do appreciate that she knows how I am feeling right now. It might be a simple gesture of concern but it somehow made me feel appeased.

"A year, right. I think we should head down to the grand hall now? I can't be late." I mumbled and as soon as she nods in response, we both marched out of the suite. 

As soon as we are in the hallway, I instantly saw Park Chanyeol standing near the lift wearing a rather dazed expression - here we go again with his extreme mood swings. He wouldn't dare glance at me yesterday now he stares as if he doesn't want to look away. Joohyun held my hand signaling that she'll go first so I just bob my head in agreement. He waited until eonnie was inside the elevator before he walks closer to where I was standing.

"Wear this." Chanyeol coldly directed extending his arm towards me.

It was a small golden silk box and sure as I am, it was a ring. Of course, we are now engaged so I should be wearing an engagement ring to make it more realistic. I swiftly took it without even looking at him straight in the eyes, his voice is more than enough to tell me that we are back to square one. Cold and even colder.

"There. Happy? Can we go now?" I asked nonchalantly after slipping the diamond ring on my finger and showing it to him in a jiffy before I press the button for the elevator.

"Why are you being like this again?" Chanyeol asked as if I was the one who was acting unusual now. I scoffed then look at him dead in the eye, I saw how he breathes deeply before looking away.

"I am being like what again, Park Chanyeol? Far as I can remember, you were the one who was acting all strange since YESTERDAY, now answer your own question for me - why are you being like this again?" I return the query to him but the lift arrived just in time prompting both of us to sigh in annoyance.