I Too Had An Unrequited Love Story

32- Cradled in Chaos

"Annyeong!" Veronica chirped brightly, flashing a warm smile as she entered the restaurant.

A chorus of "Annyeong" greeted her in return, with everyone welcoming her in unison. They had been waiting for her to arrive, and as soon as she joined, the group made their way inside. The place was bustling with activity, brimming with the lively ambiance Veronica had often seen in Korean dramas. She couldn't help but feel a little nostalgic as they navigated through the tables. Someone from the group mentioned how packed the place was, and soon enough, they were shown to their seats.

Veronica followed the others and sat beside Lim Yoona Ah, grateful to have someone who could help her navigate the unfamiliar terrain. As the group began ordering food, Veronica quickly realized the menu posed a challenge for her vegetarian diet. Lim Yoona Ah graciously stepped in, explaining to the staff that Veronica was vegetarian and asking if they could make some suitable options for her. After some back-and-forth in Korean, Yoona turned to Veronica and said, "They suggested japchae and some vegetables for the barbecue. Will that be okay?"

Veronica smiled gratefully. "That sounds perfect. Thank you!"

With the food order placed, Veronica's excitement shifted to the drinks. She had heard a lot about traditional Korean alcohol like makgeolli, soju, and beer, and tonight seemed like the perfect opportunity to indulge. As the drinks arrived, the group's energy spiked. Everyone eagerly awaited one of the guys, Kim Yoon Woo, to take the lead in making the drinks. He dramatically opened a bottle of soju, performing an exaggerated dance as he twisted the cap off with flair. Veronica learned from Yoona that this playful routine was a tradition in Korean drinking culture.

Yoon Woo began pouring drinks, starting with soju in small shot glasses, then following it with a round of beer in taller glasses. Once everyone had their drinks, the group enthusiastically shouted "Geonbae!" and clinked their glasses together. Veronica, wanting to fully embrace the moment, joined in and downed the shot of soju in one go.

Yoona's eyes widened in surprise. "Wow, you're a good drinker!"

Veronica shrugged, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips. "I've had soju before. But it definitely tastes better here in Seoul."

The group laughed, and soon, conversations and jokes flowed as easily as the alcohol. Not everyone was fluent in English, but Yoona continued to translate for Veronica, making sure she felt included. Throughout the night, Veronica learned more about Korean drinking etiquette—how to politely receive a drink from someone older, how to offer a drink using both hands, and how to avert your gaze when drinking in the company of elders as a sign of respect. The cultural insights fascinated her, and she felt herself becoming more immersed in the experience.

As laughter and chatter filled the air, Yoona introduced Veronica to more of the group. They were friendly and eager to learn about her life in New York, and she found herself opening up about her internship at Alden Enterprises, conveniently leaving out the part about her marriage to its CEO. The drinks kept coming, and while Veronica was having fun, she realized she'd been drinking far more than she was eating.

Suddenly, Kim Yoon Woo, the same guy who had started the night by pouring drinks, sat beside her. He flashed a lopsided grin and struck up a conversation.

"So, Veronica... are you single?" he asked casually, his eyes twinkling in a way that made her feel uneasy.

Veronica blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, no. I'm not."

Yoon Woo's face fell in mock disappointment. "Really? That's a shame. I was hoping to get to know you better."

She forced a polite smile, assuming he was joking—until he leaned in closer and said, "Maybe you can forget about your relationship for tonight? We could have some fun."