IRREVOCABLY AND IRRETRIEVABLY

Chapter Five: The Meeting

The shrill ring of the landline shattered the tranquility of the early evening, jolting Evelyn from her slumber with a start. Groggily, she reached for the receiver, her mind clouded with sleep as she struggled to make sense of the urgent request on the other end. It was Mrs. Park, her tone laced with a hint of dread as she implored Evelyn's immediate presence in the main hall.

Blinking away the remnants of sleep, Evelyn glanced at her phone, her heart sinking at the sight of the time – 6:14 pm. She had overslept, a rare occurrence that left her scrambling to make amends for her tardiness. With a sense of urgency coursing through her veins, she hastily threw on a robe and grabbed her reading glasses, the only pair she could find in her haste.

Navigating the grand staircase with the grace of a newborn fawn, Evelyn's heart pounded in her chest as she narrowly avoided a misstep that threatened to send her tumbling to the marble floor below. Finally reaching the main hall, she found herself face-to-face with Mr. Whitmore, the imposing figure seated regally on a high-backed chair, his steely gaze fixed upon her with an air of disapproval.

"Ah, Miss Evelyn, fashionably late as always," Mr. Whitmore remarked dryly, his tone softened by a hint of amusement as he gestured for her to take a seat beside a strikingly beautiful girl with sun-kissed skin and cascading curls.

"I apologize for my tardiness, Mr. Whitmore," Evelyn murmured, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she sank into the empty chair, acutely aware of the curious gazes of the other residents.

With a small nod of acceptance, Mr. Whitmore turned his attention to the assembled group, his commanding presence filling the room with an aura of authority. "Welcome, everyone, to Sunflower Residence," he began, his voice echoing off the walls with a commanding tone. "I am Mr. Whitmore, the proprietor of this establishment, and it is my pleasure to welcome you all into my home."

As Mr. Whitmore's introductions commenced, Evelyn found herself captivated by the eclectic cast of characters assembled before her. Each introduction was delivered with a dramatic flair befitting a seasoned orator, leaving an indelible imprint on Evelyn's mind.

"Beside me, on the right, sits our eldest resident, Min Yoongi," Mr. Whitmore declared, his voice resonating with a note of reverence as he gestured towards the boy with headphones draped casually around his neck. "A man of few words, but his wisdom belies his years."

Next in line was a boy who smiled like a sunflower himself, his infectious grin lighting up the room as Mr. Whitmore introduced him as Jung Hoseok. Evelyn couldn't help but smile at the sight of his radiant expression, feeling a sense of warmth wash over her despite the tension in the air.

Following Jung Hoseok was a boy with a certain seriousness etched upon his features, his thoughtful gaze betraying the depth of his intellect. Mr. Whitmore introduced him as Kim Namjoon, his voice carrying a note of respect as he acknowledged the young man's scholarly demeanor.

Seated uncomfortably close to Kim Namjoon was a boy with a magnetic personality that seemed to draw everyone's attention, his easy charm and affable demeanor making him an instant favorite among the group. Mr. Whitmore introduced him as Kim Seok Jin, his words laced with admiration as he praised the young man's amiable nature.

On the other side of the room, a wild-haired boy with a playful glint in his eye waved to Evelyn in the cheeriest way possible, his exuberant greeting earning a chuckle from Mr. Whitmore. "That's Park Jimin," Mr. Whitmore said with a smile, his tone affectionate as he acknowledged the boy's exuberant energy.

Next to Park Jimin sat a shy, timid boy who seemed to radiate a quiet strength beneath his unassuming exterior. Mr. Whitmore introduced him as Jeon Jungkook, his voice tinged with a note of pride as he praised the young man's resilience and determination.