The Choices I Never Made (annyeongz version)

She's Back, Bitches

This is the first time Wonyoung makes an official public appearance after a long time under the radar in Japan, therefore it's only expected that she prepares pedantically for this arrival even if it's just stepping out of a car and walking a few steps into some fancy restaurant.

Now that she's back in her apartment, the idol-turned-actress has more options to style herself with. A variety of Jimmy Choo and Christian Louboutin's for her heels, Fendi, Balenciaga, and even street-style couture waiting to wrap themselves around her body, and some subtle-but-million-dollar jewelry to finish things off.

Wonyoung's not going to lie. To be the center of attention again is riveting, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she takes one last look at the outcome of almost three hours styling herself in her walk-in closet.

"Hmm..." Wonyoung hums as she runs a hand through her wavy, freshly blow-dried locks and inspects herself in front of the body mirror. She takes her time—at least ten minutes just staring at herself in the mirror—and concludes with a smug snort, "Yep. I'm gonna slay this."

Kim Gaeul though, in her Mercedes waiting outside of Wonyoung's apartment, looking totally rad in her white blazer and white office jumpsuit, hair flowing down gracefully on square shoulders, knocks Wonyoung's shit-eating grin out in one greeting,

"You look like a grandma."

Her grin is wiped out in a second, replaced by an upset frown. "Ya." She hops inside Gaeul's Benz. "I literally just helped you out with your guilt earlier and this is how you repay me? By insulting my fashion sense?"

Gaeul rolls her eyes as she backs the driveway. "This is your first public appearance and you choose to dress like that?" She casts a playful disappointed glance at the younger woman before turning focusing back on the road. "Is this what being with Yujin has done to you? I actually expected Liz's fashion sense to rub off on you, or even Minju's, but I am totally disa--..."

"Okay, first of all", Wonyoung interjects with a defensive snap, craning her body to face Gaeul from her seat. "This is Fendi. You dare insult Fendi, Kim Gaeul?"

"Fendi for Senior Citizens?"

"Okay, that's harsh." Wonyoung hisses as she slumps back down on her seat and straps the seatbelt. "Also, I do not have to dress for the cameras. I only dress for myself and I don't need--..."

"Whatever, Wonyoung." Gaeul cuts with a sigh. "Just make sure that's what you want to be seen wearing when you grace the front pages of every online news portals and social media sites."

That's where their ridiculing ends. Gaeul focuses on navigating through the mild Seoul traffic smoothly and effortlessly, everything Wonyoung isn't as practically glues her chin to her chest, sandwiching her double chin, picking on the lowermost button of her brown Fendi long-sleeve cardigan and the safety pin that's holding her black loose pants together from falling down and ending her already-ending career.

(Okay, maybe the pants weren't a good idea...)

***

They arrive in front of an upscale French restaurant, a Michelin-star judging from what Wonyoung can see on the outside. At the side of the two entrance doors is a floor-to-ceiling glass panel window showcasing the affluence from inside the restaurant. On a normal occasion, this would be the type of place where Wonyoung would be spotted casually dining at on a daily basis—not that she's boasting...

Gaeul parks the Benz a few cars away from the entrance of the restaurant where media cameras and reporters are already waiting at.

"How did they know we're going to be here?"  Wonyoung begins fretting as she unclasps her seatbelt and touches up in front of the car's vanity mirror.