Loving The JEON

CHAPTER 31:-

Jungkook takes my hand, and we follow the chattering crowd to the large marquee.

The interior is stunning. Three enormous, shallow chandeliers throw rainbow-colored sparkles over the ivory silk lining of the ceiling and walls. There must be at least thirty tables, and they remind me of the private dining room at the Heathman - crystal glasses, crisp white linen covering the tables and chairs, and in the center, an exquisite display of pale pink peonies gathered around a silver candelabra. Wrapped in gossamer silk beside it is a basket of goodies.

Jungkook consults the seating plan and leads me to a table in the center. Somi and Scarllet are already in situ, deep in conversation with a young man I don't know. Scarllet is wearing a shimmering mint green gown with a Venetian mask to match. She looks radiant, not stressed at all, and she greets me warmly.

"Lisa, how delightful to see you again! And looking so beautiful, too."

"Mother," Jungkook greets her stiffly and kisses her on both cheeks.

"Oh, Jungkook , so formal!" she scolds him teasingly.

Scarllets parents, Mr. and Mrs. Trevelyan, join us at our table. They seem exuberant and youthful, though it's difficult to tell beneath their matching bronze masks. They are delighted to see Jungkook.

"Grandmother, Grandfather, may I introduce Lalisa Manobal?"

Mrs. Trevelyan is all over me like a rash. "Oh, he's finally found someone, how wonderful and so pretty! Well I do hope you make an honest man of him," she gushes, shaking my hand.

Holy cow. I thank the heavens for my mask.

"Mother, don't embarrass Lisa." Scarllet comes to my rescue.

"Ignore the silly old coot, m'dear." Mr. Trevelyan shakes my hand. "She thinks because she's so old, she has a God-given right to say whatever nonsense pops into that woolly head of hers."

"Lisa , this is my date, Jackson." Somi shyly introduces her young man. He gives me a wicked grin, and his brown eyes dance with amusement as we shake hands.

"Pleased to meet you, Jackson."

Jungkook shakes Jackson's hand as he regards him shrewdly. Don't tell me that poor Somi suffers from her overbearing brother, too. I smile at Somi in sympathy.

Lance and Janine, Scarllets friends, are the last couple at our table, but there is still no sign of Mr. Jeon.

Abruptly, there's the hiss of a microphone, and Mr. Jeon's voice booms over the PA system, causing the babble of voices to die down.Chris stands on a small stage at one end of the marquee, wearing an impressive, gold, Punchinello mask.

"Welcome, ladies and gentleman, to our annual charity ball. I hope that you enjoy what we have laid out for you tonight and that you'll dig deep into your pockets to support the fantastic work that our team does with Coping Together. As you know, it's a cause that is very close to my wife's heart, and mine."

I peek nervously at Jungkook, who is staring impassively, I think, at the stage. He glances at me and smirks.

"I'll hand you over now to our master of ceremonies. Please be seated, and enjoy,"

Chris finishes.

Polite applause follows, then the babble in the tent starts again. I am seated between Jungkook and his grandfather. I admire the small white place card with fine silver calligraphy that bears my name as a waiter lights the candelabra with a long taper. Chris joins us, kissing me on both cheeks, surprising me.

"Good to see you again, Lisa," he murmurs. He really looks very striking in his extraordinary gold mask.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please nominate a table head," the MC calls out.