Ace of Hearts

Eyes on You

Elder Oh guffawed cheerily. "So you've met? Then, that makes dinner less complicated."

"Yes, sir," Jin sunk into her seat.

"I invited Jin to Sehun's wedding. I'm pretty sure they met there." Hwayi informed.

"You were at the wedding?" Madam Oh asked. "We must have missed each other."

"It's no big deal. I didn't stay long due to personal matters." Jin graciously smiled.

Namjoo's gaze slid over to Sehun. He was still icily unmoved.

What a strange situation this was. Namjoo wasn't quite sure where she fit into this puzzle. The pieces were becoming more and more misaligned. If she could just slither away...

"What are you two doing? Come sit," Sehun's father scolded. He waved for her to take the empty seat in front of him. Ensuring her with a gigantic smile as she sat. Leaning close to speak to her, "I had the most delicious meats put on my side. Make sure to eat up."

Naturally smiling, Namjoo said, "Yes, thanks father." while deep inside her internal organs quivered uncomfortably.

"You're so busy these days, I wonder if you actually have time to stay and chat during dinner," Sehun eyed his cousin.

"It's hardly polite to reject a meal offered by my favorite aunt," Hwayi's lips curved up notoriously, "and I'd like to get to know my sister-in-law better. I hardly know her Sehun."

Their exchange made Namjoo so overly conscious she hardly lifted her spoon. Did Hwayi intend to spill something about her? Why was Sehun already going on the offense?

"Stop being so hard on Hwayi, Sehun." His mother chided. "Everyone deserves a good meal."

"Your mother is right." his father agreed. Glancing at Jin, he kindly encouraged, "Please don't be shy and eat everything."

"Yes, I will, sir."

Touching her utensils, she peeked at Sehun. There was something quaint about the atmosphere loosely unthreading above them like the plenty things majority of them weren't being vocal about. Her and Hwayi. Sehun and her web of lies. Sehun and Jin.

How was he feeling right now? Was a part of him aching now that he was seeing Jin again? Did he feel remorseful, regretful? Maybe the sight of her was conjuring the pain he'd experienced that day he'd seen her with someone. Was he currently hurting full force? Perhaps his deep feelings for her had reignited. This must be such a horribly uncomfortable position for him to be in.

Namjoo further observed his neutral expression. Seeking hint of sadness throbbing in him. Only made proper sense for there to be something there. A faint dimness in his eyes, the downturn of his lips, anything.

She couldn't find evidence of anything brokenhearted about him. On the other hand, she was bad at reading his face. He always looked so serious.

As if sensing her long stare, Sehun wondered. "What?"

Returning to her empty plate, she excused, "Nothing."

There was no need for him to put her on the spot. In front of them all.

"I'll help you." Sehun offered.

Too late.

Leaning forward he scooped a heap of meat onto her plate before she could object. Adding to the mix, sides of healthy veggies and devil eggs.

At this, his father cooed joyously. Boasting to his wife gladly, "Would you look at that?"

Breathing an airish giggle, his mother just had to start nosing. "How've you been doing, dear? I know that Sehun has gone back to work. If you're bored at home, please do come over. Your father and I would love your company."