IN THE EYES OF LOVE: Book 1 (Choi Seungcheol)

13 | Delicate

I exhaled softly as more guests arrived, filling the villa; Seungcheol still hadn't returned. I bite my lip as Mirae and Don greet guests; I grab another glass of champagne. "Hello, is Seungcheol here?" A shiver ran down my spine as I turned to see a woman straight from the cover of a Vogue magazine, her red hair in a high ponytail. "Who's asking?" I question her, sipping the champagne as we eye each other head to toe. Her red lips turn into a tight smile, "Adeline Kim, and you are?" Her voice was irritating. Adeline tilts her head lightly as she crosses her arms, waiting for me to answer her curiosity.

I chuckle and smile, "Mitxy Hong, Seungcheol's girlfriend. I apologize if I came off rude; as a woman, I'm sure you understand." I said, extending my hand out to her. Adeline's upper lip twitches lightly, "Hmm, if your insecurity bothers you, then maybe I'll understand." She says with a cocky smirk. I let a laugh escape my lips; her expression switched sour. "Oh no, I'm not insecure; I'm just trying to ensure Seungcheol doesn't get intertwined with troubled people," I said with a smirk. Adeline lets a stiff laugh leave her lips.

"Mitxy, Grandma Geum-joo wants to meet you, honey." Mirae says as she hurries over, "Adeline? What are you doing here?" Mirae asked, displeased. I bite my lip and smile at Mirae, "Eomma, Mitxy, and I should get going." Seungcheol said as he walked over to us. "Aww, Seungcheol, but I was getting used to her company already," Mirae smiles; Seungcheol's soft eyes darken upon seeing Adeline.

"Hi, Seungcheol," Her voice was flirtatious; I scoffed and glanced at her. "I completely understand, honey; you want some alone time," Mirae says with a wink. I smile; Seungcheol looks at his mother with a sharp gaze. "Eomma...please," He says; I bite my lip and look at him. "Why? Are you not eager to have some alone time?" I ask, letting my tone turn seductive. Seungcheol's dark eyes meet mine, "Mitxy, don't start." He says, his tone sounding incredibly sexy all of a sudden. Adeline seemed furious as I stood closer to Seungcheol; I sipped the remaining champagne in the glass.

Mirae smiles and nods. "Okay, well, Mitxy, I hope to see you for breakfast tomorrow," Mirae smiles and kisses my cheek before walking over to Don. "You're tipsy..." Seungcheol mutters as he grabs my arm, "Let's go...now." His voice sends waves of shock through me. Seungcheol drags me into the villa and out of the hallway; he takes the glass out of my grip, placing it on the table before we walk out the door. I try to free myself from his grip, "Let go of me," I said, yanking my arm out of his tight grip. Seungcheol halts and exhales sharply, "We were only at the event for an hour; you said that you needed the whole night. Why are you eager to leave already?" I asked, feeling anger rushing through my veins.

"Exactly; I usually stay at these events for an hour." He says, turning to face me. I bite my lip and shake my head. "No, if you truly want your family to know about your relationship, we would be overstepping our stay," I argue; Seungcheol scoffs. "Well, you already did your part of the deal," He said, my hands curling into fists. "You know, maybe your whole underpressure situation isn't your family," I implied.

Seungcheol had an amused look. "Oh, it's not? Then tell me, tell me what has me so eager and stressed to leave this place." He says, stepping closer; I close the gap between us. I look him in the eyes, "Adeline Kim," I let that woman's name fall out of my lips like knives. The corner of his lip twitches, "You don't know what you're talking about," He says. I bite my lip and try to suppress my tipsy thoughts, "Of course, I know; your eomma was telling me how that woman damaged you pretty damn good." I said. Seungcheol scoffs and turns to walk away.

I follow behind him, "Adeline Kim, a lawyer who seems to be the type to leech onto men for her own good. Let's see what could possibly be the reason she damaged you, uh, she cheated on you? No, that's not it; she broke off the engagement? No? You cheated? No, that's not it too? Maybe Adeline—" I let a gasp escape my lips as Seungcheol grabbed me by my shoulders.

My back hitting the door of his car, "Shut up, you know nothing about Adeline. You are so judgmental about everything and everyone. Did you really think I would find you attractive? I only did Chan a favor by meeting his friend and trying to go at least on one stupid date to keep him from pestering me. You are the last woman I would ever find attractive." His words are so malice and sting like salt being poured into wounds.

His grip was so tight that surely it would bruise the next day, "You know, for a second, I thought that maybe you weren't that arrogant. But I was stupid to believe that; I was so stupid even to do this favor. God, you know, maybe you are right. I am judgemental for good goddamn reasons." I said, pushing him off me. My chest was falling heavily; being under the influence while angry never had the best outcome. I take the heels off, "Since the deal has been done, the other heels and dresses will return to you. I do not want anything," I said. I tossed the heels at his feet, "As for the nails and Jane's beauty skills, I'll be sure to pay that back." I uttered and picked up my purse from the ground.

"Where are you going?" Seungcheol asked, annoyance filling his tone, "Back to my apartment, where else," I said as I walked out of the gates of the Choi Villa. I sighed and looked through my contacts, "Are you really going to walk under this weather?" Seungcheol called out. I dialed Minghao's number; I picked my pace, wanting to escape Seungcheol. "Hello gorgeous, how's the event—" I let out a shaky breath, "I need a ride, can you come get me...please," I let out. "What happened? Where are you? Text me where you are, and I'll pick you up in less than five minutes." Minghao says I could hear the background noise fading. I remove the phone from my ear and rapidly text him my current location.

"Mitxy! Get in the car! Look, I'm sorry for lashing at you; we're both under the influence." Seungcheol says as he slows the speed of his car to match my pace. "Fucking Seungcheol. What did he do?" Minghao says through the phone, "You're not far from where I'm at; you're a minute away." Minghao said. "No, thank Choi, I'm fine walking," I said, "Yah! Mitxy, can you please get in the car!?" Seungcheol asked. I stop in my tracks, seeing the familiar red Chevy Camaro speeding. My breath hitches as Seungcheol puts the car in park.

"Look, I'm sorry, okay, I was furious..." Seungcheol explains; I look at him, confused. The sound of tires screeching caused us to look at the car that came to a stop, "Yah! Seungcheol! Húndàn!" Minghao cursed. I put my phone in my bag; Seungcheol scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Seungcheol, I did my part of the deal, so now we don't have to worry about anything. You do you, and I do me," I said, walking over to an angry Minghao. I grabbed his arm before he could get to Seungcheol.

"It's not over, Mitxy!" Seungcheol calls out; I look at him. "Don't forget my eomma invited you for breakfast tomorrow morning," He says. Minghao scoffs. "Húndàn," Minghao says; I look at him. "Hao," I said, "Of course I remember, and I plan to complete the promise I made to your eomma," I said. Seungcheol sighs and nods, "Alright then, I guess it's done." He says I nodded. Seungcheol gets inside his car as I let go of Minghao's arm; they glare at each other before Seungcheol drives off.

I sighed in relief and rested my head on Minghao's shoulder, "Are you okay?" He asks. "I guess so; ugh, why did I agree to do him a favor, Hao? Why am I so stupid?" I cry; Minghao wraps his arms around me.
"What did he do? Did her hurt you?" He asked; I nodded my head. "But come on, he was drinking, and I was, too, we got into a heated argument." I whisper, "Honestly, I provoked him," I said. Minghao looked furious, "He dared to lay a hand on you?! Yah Húndàn" Minghao says as he holds me closer. "No, he didn't hurt me physically, Hao. His words were so harsh, and ugh, I wanted to slap him." I cry.

Minghao sighs and rubs my back, "Come on, let's get you home," He says as he opens the passenger door for me. "You look exhausted, and not to mention you reek of alcohol," Minghao says with a smile; I giggle. "I know, I kinda got carried away with the champagne," I said, getting inside the car. I let out a sigh as I fastened the seatbelt; Minghao is the one friend I can truly trust with things like this eventful night. He's always been there for nights like these, and I hope tonight is the last.