You Belong With Me

Chapter 23: A Night of Chaos

A week had passed since the day at the library when Ryujin and her friends shared laughter and heartfelt conversations. It was now the night of a business party hosted by the Shins, a prestigious event that brought together business partners and associates.

As Ryujin entered the elegant venue, she could feel the excitement and tension in the air. The hall was adorned with opulent decorations, and the soft glow of chandeliers illuminated the room.

It was a gathering of the city's elite, filled with people who held power and influence in the business world.

Ryujin's heart raced as she scanned the crowd, wondering if she would catch sight of the person she hadn't seen in years.

Her anxiety began to mount, and she could hardly concentrate on the polite conversations around her.

And then, just as she had feared and secretly hoped, she saw her. The girl, the one who had once held her heart in her hands and then shattered it, was there, mingling with the guests, wearing a stunning evening gown that accentuated her grace and beauty.

Overwhelmed by a flood of emotions, Ryujin turned and hurriedly left the crowded venue, needing a moment to collect herself.

She stepped outside into the cool night air, her breaths coming in quick, shallow bursts. The city lights twinkled around her, offering a stark contrast to the chaos inside.

Moments later, the door swung open, and there she was-the girl. Her presence had a magnetic pull, drawing Ryujin's gaze.

Their eyes locked, and for a moment, neither of them spoke. It was as if time had stopped, and they were suspended in a space between their shared history and an uncertain future.

"I knew I'd see you here," the girl finally said, breaking the silence. Her voice was a mixture of nostalgia and longing.

Ryujin felt her heartache anew, but she couldn't allow herself to be vulnerable again. She took a step back, putting distance between them. The girl, undeterred, closed the gap, her hand reaching out as if to touch Ryujin's arm.

But just as their fingers were about to make contact, Ryujin expertly sidestepped the touch. It was a deliberate move, a silent refusal to let the girl back into her life without a fight.

The pain of their past had taught her to protect her heart at all costs.

Tears welled up in the girl's eyes, and she looked at Ryujin with a mixture of regret and longing. It was a painful moment, fraught with unspoken words and unresolved emotions.

The mysteries of life had brought them face to face once more, but it seemed that time had not yet healed all wounds.

Without saying a word, Ryujin turned and walked away from the unexpected encounter, leaving the girl outside in the cool night air. She knew that she couldn't bear to confront their history again, not at this moment.

With each step she took, she buried her emotions deeper, determined to enjoy the rest of the evening inside the venue, far away from the girl who had once held her heart.

Meanwhile, across town, Yeji and her squad, comprised of Chaeryeong, Soobin, Hyunjin, and even Heejin, had decided to head to a bustling bar for a night of fun and relaxation. The moment they stepped inside, the vibrant atmosphere washed over them.

The bar was alive with energy, a cacophony of laughter, chatter, and the rhythmic beats of music.

People from all walks of life filled the space, and the air was tinged with the enticing scent of various drinks. The dance floor was a whirlwind of sweaty bodies moving to the rhythm, and the neon lights painted the scene with vibrant colors.

They made their way through the crowd to a corner of the bar where they could relax and soak in the lively atmosphere. For a while, they enjoyed the music, the laughter, and the thrill of the night.

Yeji excused herself to visit the bathroom, stepping away from the group for a moment. As she touched up her makeup and adjusted her outfit, she noticed a girl nearby who looked a bit flustered.

"Excuse me, do you have lipstick?" the girl asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "I'm with my boyfriend, and I want to look perfect."

Yeji smiled and offered her lipstick, understanding the desire to look your best in the midst of a fun night out. The girl thanked her and hurriedly applied it before rushing off to rejoin her boyfriend.

As Yeji returned to her squad and resumed the party, she couldn't help but glance around the bar from time to time. And then, to her shock, she spotted the girl she had just helped.

But what sent a jolt of recognition through her was the all-too-familiar face beside her.

Yeji's heart pounded loudly in her chest as she turned to Soobin, her voice barely above a whisper. "Isn't that Seungmin, Lia's boyfriend?" she asked, her eyes locked onto the couple across the bar.

The realization hit her like a ton of bricks, and her mind raced with the implications of what she had just witnessed.

Soobin followed her gaze, and his eyes widened as he recognized Seungmin, Lia's boyfriend, with the girl by his side. A sense of unease settled over him, and he turned to Yeji, his expression mirroring her worry.

Heejin, who had noticed their tense demeanor, chimed in, her curiosity piqued. "What are you looking at, you two?"

Hyunjin, who had caught wind of the situation from Yeji and Soobin's reactions, joined them and directed her attention to the couple across the bar. There, she saw Seungmin with the girl, and a frown creased her brow.

As tension filled the air, Soobin couldn't contain himself any longer. With a sense of determination, he excused himself from the group and made his way over to Seungmin. Approaching him casually, he greeted him with a friendly, "What's up, bro?"

Seungmin, not expecting any trouble, responded with a nonchalant nod. But before he could react, Soobin's fist connected with Seungmin's face, a sharp gasp rippled through the bar, and time seemed to freeze.

The sudden act of violence had taken everyone by surprise, and the previously lively atmosphere now hung heavy with tension.

Seungmin stumbled backward, clutching his jaw in pain, his expression shifting from nonchalance to shock. He struggled to regain his footing as Soobin's friends watched with a mix of concern and anxiety.

The bar patrons, initially stunned, began to murmur among themselves, their attention now firmly fixed on the confrontation that had erupted before them. The hushed silence was broken only by the low hum of whispered conversations and the nervous rustling of those nearby.

But as the situation threatened to escalate further, a new source of chaos emerged.

Chaeryeong, who had been watching the unfolding scene with a sense of shock and anger, suddenly lost her composure. With a swift and impulsive motion, she reached out and grabbed the girl who had been with Seungmin by her hair, pulling her away from the confrontation.

The girl cried out in surprise and pain, her pleas for Chaeryeong to let go drowned out by the chaos around them. Chaeryeong's actions added another layer of confusion and turmoil to the already chaotic scene, drawing the attention of onlookers who were now unsure of how to react.

The situation had spiraled out of control, and the consequences of Soobin's punch and Chaeryeong's impulsive actions remained uncertain.

In the midst of the commotion, Yeji, Heejin, and Hyunjin could only watch in shock and concern, their close-knit group now entangled in an unexpected and potentially dangerous confrontation.