Meetings after meetings with the board and investors left Taeyeon feeling wearied. His new secret venture is also ongoing. With the back and forth routine of work and checking the site, he had been spending less and less time with Karina. He must admit, he missed her. But work is work. He had to prepare relevant documents and statistics to present in the next meeting. The dark circles under his eyes getting more prominent as the week goes by. His health gradually declining as he began to cough.
"You really should take a rest, Minjeong. You're doing too much," Jennie said while flipping the newspapers.
Yizhuo lowered the volume of the television down, "Yeah, man. Where have you been anyway? You don't even ask me to drive you around."
Rubbing his temple, Minjeong said, "Work. Here and there. You know how it is. But Karina and Aeri need your driving more than me."
"Here, catch," Yunjin said while throwing a can of flavoured water at him. Chaewon stood next to Yunjin, there's quite a difference in their height. "Is the ballroom being used?" Chaewon softly spoke.
Sooyoung nudged him, "Louder."
Chaewon cleared his throat, "Can I please use the ballroom if it is not being used?" Jennie looked up from her papers, "What for?"
"I would like to throw a party, if you guys would allow me to," he said in one breath. Minjeong shrugged, "I don't know, man. Ask my sister nicely."
Jennie eventually agreed but she also laid out some conditions. His guests are only allowed in the ballroom, and not to wander into their living quarters. They then planned for the party to be held during the upcoming long weekend.
The weekend arrived, Minjeong has just got back from work when he saw the outside of the ballroom decked out with neon signs. There are no guests yet, so ample of time to freshen up.
Karina greeted him when he entered the living room, she's still wearing her home clothes, a form-fitting tank top and loose sweat pants.
"You're not getting ready yet?" Minjeong asked while eyeing her.
Karina laughed, getting closer to him, "The room is yours today. Chaewon is preoccupied with the party." Minjeong nodded his head, kissed her cheek and went up his room.
He opted for a slim black turtleneck and denim trousers. He brushed his hair up, sprayed his favourite cologne. He picked up his gold-rimmed glasses instead of his usual black.
The thuds of the speaker could be heard from his window. He looked at his wrist watch, 8:00PM, The party is scheduled to start at 9:00PM. An hour to kill. He headed downstairs, grabbing a cup of water in the kitchen. He's going to get wasted tonight, he thought.
He heard his sister's voice. Ah, they're finally ready.
He quickly emptied the cup and placed it in the dishwasher. He jogged out of the kitchen.
"Hey, guys.," he said while trying to check on his clothes. "You guys ready?" He stopped.
Taking a double take to look at Karina, who is now wearing a draped dark green midi dress, her thighs peeking through the slit.
"Close your mouth, Minjeong. You look like a fish," Jennie said while closing his mouth. She pat Minjeong's shoulders, "Do not be drunkard tonight. Please remember your limit." Minjeong nodded, his eyes still on Ti!any.
"Let's go now. Chaewon is waiting for us!" Yizhuo shouted from the entrance door.
Minjeong saw Karina getting closer to him, "You look good, Minjeong."
Minjeong smiled, offering his elbow, "And you, look beautiful as ever."
They entered the ballroom, Minjeong couldn't recognise the place anymore. It was decorated with balloons, smoke machines, and all party things that he couldn't name. More and more people kept pouring in. He didn't know any of them. But he saw Jennie greeting each and every one of them. Karina stayed by his side, slightly gripping his arm.
