Dressed in dresses and suits, everyone at the gathering held a glass of wine in their hands. Fake smiles, fake praises, nothing was genuine when there was a gathering of affluent folks. Even the elegance was feigned, nevertheless the classical tunes of violin being played in the background amidst all the pretence, masked it all.
The night of the 14th of December was calm and breezy. Hyunjin sipped from a glass of whatever beverage they allowed him to drink. He groaned once he tasted the last chug of the non-alcoholic grape wine. He would rather be anywhere but there.
"Kid, go enjoy with the others. " The tall, bartender, with thick black hair that had streaks of white, advised Hyunjin who sat at the bar counter.
He simply tsked in reply.
"In my 20-year experience in bartending, I have come to very well identify those forlorn longing eyes. What did she do?" The bartender flaunted subtly as he wiped the glasses.
"What?" Hyunjin placed the glass he was holding on the counter and turned his whole attention to the man.
"Rejected? Heartbroken? Did she break up with you?"
Hyunjin laughed. The man was so wrong and right at the same time. He felt nothing less of a heartbreak. It's as though his feelings grow a little stronger everyday and so does the misery of not being able to do anything about it.
"I don't know man. I have done everything. I feel like I have expressed myself enough but she doesn't seem take notice to any of it. Does that count as a rejection?" Hyunjin poured his concerns to the bartender who listened attentively while simultaneously serving the other guests who came to his counter.
"Have you confessed?"
"You see, there's this other guy, I don't even understand what she sees in him. Probably everything that I lack......" He pushed his glass towards the man, requesting for his 5th refill that night.
"You see that guy over there?" Hyunjin pointed at Bangchan who was, dressed formally in a black suit and leather shoes, talking to the Hwangs. "That's him. Look, even my own parents would rather have him as a son."
Hyunjin started laughing hysterically. He didn't know why he was opening up to this stranger but he felt lighter.
"That's tough competition." The man said plainly. "But unless she rejects you explicitly, you will never really know the truth."
"Parents may want the perfect son but not women. With them, it's more of how much of yourself you are willing to give." He spoke thoughtfully as he pushed the glass towards Hyunjin.
Hyunjin noted what the man was saying mentally. It didn't make much sense to him. But it was something worth pondering upon.
"Why do you look drunk already?" A young lad dressed in a white suit tapped Hyunjin by the arm.
"Jeongina.." Hyujin looked up.
"Come on. There are asking for you." Jeongin urged him to get up. Jeongin was Hyunjin's cousin ; among the many other cousins he had. Despite being younger than him, they got along pretty well.
"Ciao sir!" Hyunjin jumped off the tall chair.
___________________
Ugh when's this ending? Hyunjin sighed looking slightly miffed by the neverending introduction to other families. His father called it networking and forming connections but to Hyunjin, it was just sucking up to other prominent families.
Soft gasps along with mild chatters overtook the avenue following a sudden blackout. Then a spotlight on the small stage in front of the tables revealed Mr Jeon Jeongwon fixing his tie.
YOU ARE READING
Strawberries | SKZITZY
FanfictionOne is kind and caring. His smile is blinding and he brilliantly excels at all that he does. The other one is.... wild. To say the least. He couldn't care less for achievements. Yeji was certain who her heart belonged to, that too at first sight...
