Pardon Me!?

Chapter 1

Siyeon was excited to spend the summer in London and to spend time with her cousin Penelope.

Her cousin had a penchant for always dragging Siyeon into whatever schemes she was planning and a mischievous streak a mile-wide that never failed to get them in trouble with Penelope's oldest step-brother Derrick, her other step-brother Reynald would often disparage them for being 'childish' but most times as long as their plans for 'mild chaos' - Penelope's words, not hers - didn't involve him he would let them go about their business.

As Siyeon walked into the airport terminal, wheeling her bag behind her, she spotted Penelope's vividly dyed magenta hair not too far away - she was dressed in an emerald-colored blouse, black high-waisted pants, and an expensive-looking necklace.

Siyeon was almost to where Penelope was sitting. Penelope looked up from her phone, smiling as she caught sight of her cousin.

Penelope stood up and called out to her, "Cousin! How was the flight? I hope your awful brothers didn't book you one of the worst seats. Although the fact that you're arriving now means you had to get up at an ungodly hour to catch your flight. Would you like to go for some coffee?"

"It was fine. The seat wasn't the worst, wasn't the best, though. Coffee sounds heavenly." Siyeon answered.

"Great! I know the perfect place."

-----

'The Perfect Place' was a little hole-in-the-wall shop named The Dragon's Hoard. The grey-haired barista named Ecklies blushed as Penelope ordered their coffees. Siyeon just raised her eyebrow and looked expectantly at her cousin. Penelope made an I-don't-know gesture once the man's back was to them as he made their drinks. Siyeon knew better than to believe the other girl. Her cousin always knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to go after it. This poor boy, however, would be the latest in the string of broken hearts Penelope left in her wake.

After their drinks were made , they picked them up and walked over to a table in the corner near a large window. Sipping on their coffees - an Americano for Siyeon and a caramel macchiato for Penelope - they chatted, catching each other up about their lives, switching frequently between speaking in English and Korean.

A tall, blond man walked by the window, catching Siyeon's attention. His hair looked like spun gold. She thought in a trance.

Shaking her head, she turned back to Penelope, who had a look in her eyes that promised trouble. A moment later, the man entered the coffee shop.

"You know..." Penelope started, speaking in Korean, "You should ask him out."

"What!?" Siyeon said, reflexively speaking in Korean as well.

"Don't think I didn't see you checking him out as he walked by the window."

"I was not!" Siyeon refuted. She wasn't, although if she was momentarily captivated by his hair that looked like precious ore, that was no one's business but hers.

"You totally were!" Penelope exclaimed, "You know it's not often you're interested in live men."

The blond man, who is now standing in front of the counter makes a sound that could be a cough.

"What!? Don't say stuff like that! You make me sound like some freak. You know, becoming an archeologist is my dream."

"I know, I know, rocks this, broken pots that, human remains," Penelope shivers, "Blah, blah, blah. You know I'm far more interested in romance, and if you don't ask him out, I will."

"You'll break that poor barista's heart if you do."

"Well-" Penelope starts before they're interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Siyeon looks up, only to be greeted with golden blond hair and ruby red eyes shining with mirth - it seems while they were talking, the man got his coffee and decided to approach them for whatever reason.

"I'm sorry, but I'll have to refuse your offer," He starts smoothly, speaking in perfect Korean to Penelope. Siyeon is instantly mortified. "Your friend on the other hand..." He turns to Siyeon with an arrogant smirk, "What do you say, princess; would you like to go on a date?"

"I-I..." Siyeon stutters.

"She'd love to!" Penelope interjects with a devilish grin, "Give me your phone, I'll put her number in." Penelope holds out her hand expectantly.

He hands it to Penelope as Siyeon comes momentarily to her senses. "Do I get a say in this?" She asks.

"No." they simultaneously respond.

Penelope hands him the phone back. A stunned Siyeon realizes that she doesn't even know his name. "I'll text you later, princess." He says, winking as he leaves.

"Wa-wait!" Siyeon says, coming to her senses, but it's too late he's already left."

"So...princess, hmm?" Her menace of a cousin says.

Siyeon really should disown her family.