off limits ✧ zb1 applyfic

✧ seok delilah

neptune by annlvr

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"This is bad," Lilah repeated for the hundredth time, pacing around the room. "This is really, really bad."

Matthew sighed, leaning back into the couch, as he watched his sister work herself into a completely unnecessary state of panic. Their parents had told them about the party at the Zhang mansion two hours ago, and she'd been unable to stop stressing out about it since.

"I already know how this is going to go. All of the old men at this party will flock to me, ask me about my dad and his business, and ask if I'm planning on working with you when you inherit the company, and then—"

"Seok Woojoo Delilah," Matthew said in a firm voice, sitting back up to catch her eyes.

That seemed to get her attention as she turned to him, a frown on her face. "Agh, full name? That's worrying."

"I told you, there's nothing to worry about. You won’t be the only guest at this party. The old businessmen are gonna have a field day with how many rich heirs will be attending. Hell, they're more likely to talk to me about business, than they are to talk to you."

Lilah bit the inside of her cheek before throwing herself onto the couch, nearly crashing into Matthew, who dodged at the last second. At this point, calming her down when she was anxious could have been considered a full time job. Matthew could only wish that he was better at it, that he would know exactly what to say to make her feel better in an instant. But lately, it felt like there was never a right thing to say. In fact, ever since they'd moved to Korea, he'd had to see his little sister hide herself in her shell, so far from the vibrant girl she was back in Canada.

"I know you're right," she murmured, "and yet, it's still scary."

"I get that. You know what, if any old businessmen come ask you questions, just pretend you're dying or something."

Her head snapped in his direction, a confused expression on her face. "Dying? What in the world? They'll think I'm weird."

His lips stretched into a thinly veiled mischievous grin. "No, they’ll think you're dying."

"Right, and then they'll call an ambulance for me, and now I'll get to make a fool out of myself in front of paramedics as well as businessmen. Real good idea there, champion."

Maybe Matthew wasn’t too good at comforting her, but he was the best at helping her get some of her bite back. After all, as much as they loved each other, it was rare for them to go a day without bickering. Their mom said something about them being too alike, which they had both vehemently denied, appalled at the idea they could ever have anything in common. Still, she was right. Matthew saw a lot of himself in Delilah, and he could only hope that would help him get through to her.

"My friends will be there too," he finally said, shrugging. "We can just form a circle around you and hide you."

Without missing a beat, she replied, "your friends are weird."

Matthew spun around to face her, a pearl-clutching hand on his chest. "What, they're not weird! You don’t even know them."

"I don't know them, but I've heard them, when they were hanging out in your room. Some of them are really loud."

Matthew stopped to think for a second. "Okay, that's just Gyuvin. He stubbed his toe. He's not usually that loud."

She pursed her lips, unconvinced. Lilah had never taken much interest in meeting his friends. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Whenever they would come hang out, she would just hide in her room until they’d leave. Even when he'd told her that one of them was her friend's brother, she had refused to meet him. Matthew could understand to some extent — boys their age, well, maybe they weren’t the best company for a socially anxious girl. Still, weird was too strong a word.

"Alright then, my last point," he said, raising both of his hands up in the air. "If that doesn't convince you to come, I give up."

She furrowed an eyebrow, unsure. "Shoot."

"Narae will be there."

Touché. He watched as Lilah's eyes widened and her entire face lit up. "Will she?"

"Yup, confirmed by her brother. So, you should at least come to be with your friend, right?"

She took a second to think, but ended up nodding shyly. "Yes, you're right."

Bingo. In the end, Lilah was a sweet girl, and she liked being with her friend just as much as he liked being with his. Hopefully, attending that party would help her make one, or two more friends.  He'd aim for more, but if Lilah could make just one more friend, he would already be so, so proud of her.