Broken Guitar Strings

Chapter 30

(CHANYEOL'S POV)

We had a tough time keeping reporters out of the building, but a few extra security guards took care of that for us. People started arriving just as the minute hand reached the "twelve," and seven o' clock was finally here. My parents announced that the dinner would start at just around 7:20, and to feel free and walk around, talk to others, and enjoy the appetizers. Allie's family got here at about five after. She looked even more beautiful than the day we had our Thanksgiving feast. Her hair was in a braided bun sort of chignon thing. Don't look at me, I'm a guy. I have no idea what it's called, but it's stunning. Her dress was sophisticated yet showed a younger side to her. Her long silver earrings and fitting neck piece were dazzling. Everything about her was just...perfect. I take a deep breath in and exhale. My parents and I walk over to greet their family. I greet Mr. and Mrs. Thompson while Allie does the same thing with my parents, and then we exchange. Out of the corner of my eye I can see the Burkes (who run a relatively popular water delivery company) staring at me and Allie. I shake her hand give her a hug that's not too over the top. My mom invites them to come sit with us near the front of the room for dinner, and Mrs. Thompson says, "We'd be happy to."

Appetizer time consisted of small talk and...well, appetizers. I didn't get to talk much with Allie because every time someone new came in (which was about every four to five minutes) we had to get up and greet them. At seven-twenty my father got up to the front of the room and gave his "thank you for coming tonight" speech and announced that dinner will be served shortly. Just as people were settling down at their round dining tables, a family of three walked into the room. There was a well-dressed couple in their lower forties followed by...a gorgeous looking girl with curled blond hair down to her waist. She wore a formal casual black dress with floral lace sewn on near the hem, and her complexion was...amazing. I don't know who she is, and that surprised me because I have met quite a lot of heirs in my lifetime. Then again, I didn't know Allie before she came to Chicago, and she's the heir of Adidas, so I guess this is fair. My eyes can't help but follow the alluring girl to a half-open dining table. My father calls out, "Welcome, Brad! I'm glad you and your family could join us all the way from Orlando."

Orlando...that's in Florida.

Florida? Is that...Miriam?!

What the hell happened to her braces?! Her wide-framed glasses?! Her lime green scarves with pink polka dots?! For a second I think that I'm overreacting, because this is a very formal and important event after all. It's not like she'd wear the neon crap from her fashion line to this. But...I've seen her at these sorts of business "parties" before. She would try to walk as close to the line as she can, pushing gradient skirts and purple frames. She really did change, didn't she? It's funny how when someone leaves you, the image from the last time they saw you stays stuck in your head and you associate it with that person. We don't realize that people can change so drastically. Was I so different when I was thirteen?

Psh. I've always been hot and handsome.

We had seven spices pasta with small side salads and light dressing served first. Then we moved on to roasted chicken with tomato soup, and finally cherry pie for dessert. It was an oddly styled dinner, but a delicious dinner at that.

All throughout the different food courses, I talked to Allie. Our parents were striking up widely ranged conversations all over the place, and so we didn't really have a good chance to talk to them even if we wanted to. Allie and I talked about the normal stuff like school, music, and finally the engagement. I don't think she's upset with me anymore because I got Lay a new guitar that he fully and rightfully deserved. I pull out something small and black from my suit jacket. I place it in my palm and hand it to out to her. She swallows her tiny bite and asks, "What's that?" She asks. I take out another one and place it into my right ear. "They're wireless earbuds made by this European entrepreneur company named Earin. I carry them to all sorts of parties so people won't judge me for my seemingly passionate music taste at a party. Care to listen?" She sticks it into her left ear and smiles at me. I pull up the photos from our photoshoot that were posted on an onto my phone We had a great time looking through each and every single one.

Everyone also played some word games just to loosen up the tension a little bit. You may be thinking, "Word games?" But they were actually really fun and everyone participated. My eyes drifted more to Miriam than they should've. Her presence is very strong. I don't know what the hell she did in Florida, but her fashion choices are three times more on point. She also won multiple word game rounds that we played. Her voice was low and husky, but it was round and...drew me to her. I'm not going to lie, it was sexy.

But I love Allie, and that's that. That's all. I can't let other girls distract me.

After assorted types of entertainment, a huge screen lit up in front of the room so we could all watch the crystal ball drop in New York. This building is really high tech, but I have no idea what it's used for normally. Allie and I had even more attention on us as time reached closer and closer to midnight, because it was expected that all young couples kiss each other when all three hands line up at the twelve on the clock. Man, am I ready for 2015. A fresh start. We laughed at the outrageous performances and chuckled at the three minute celebrity interviews atop the building in Times Square. Finally, everyone joined together into counting "TEN! NINE! EIGHT! SEVEN! SIX! FIVE!" I stole a glance at Allie, only to find her looking back at me. She looks down onto her nonexistent plate. "FOUR! THREE!" Let's not screw this up. "TWO! ONE!!!" The reporter on TV shouts, "HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!" And then the next minute was just the filming of people cheering and screaming and hugging and kissing each other.

Except almost no one was looking at the screen. Everyone was hugging and looking at me and Allie through their hug. There are tiny stars in her eyes and I can tell that she's scared and nervous. My lips crash into hers nonetheless, leaning over and pushing her down. I put my hand behind her back to support her, and kiss her passionately. Gracefulness isn't exactly my cup of tea, but I think I pulled this one off pretty well for someone who's never done that before.

A lot of people started cheering. I mean, even if it's a bit controversial because it's between two majorly wealthy heirs, who doesn't support young love?