Love Next Door

22

An Awkward Dinner

Ryujin's muscles ached in the best way possible, the burn from her workout still fresh as she tossed her towel onto the bench and stood in front of the gym mirror. She hadn't worked out in a while, being buried under endless architectural drafts and deadlines, but today she needed it. Desperately. It was her usual way of dealing with frustration, and lately, frustration had been a constant companion. The dumbbells had felt good in her hands, and the sting of pain in her shoulders from the last round of bench presses had numbed her mind for a moment, giving her something else to focus on.

Ryujin leaned over the sink, splashing cold water on her face, her mind drifting back to the dinner she was invited to. The dinner where Daniel was being celebrated like a returning hero. She adored Yeji's mom—always had—but the way she lit up at the mention of Daniel made Ryujin's blood boil. Why does she have to be so happy that he's back? Ryujin thought bitterly. Why didn't Yeji's mom ever think of her as Yeji's potential partner, as more than a friend? After all these years of being close to Yeji's family, why was Daniel always the one who fit the picture ?

It wasn't a question Ryujin wanted to answer. She was already exhausted by the emotional tug-of-war happening inside her every time she saw Daniel getting closer to Yeji. Sighing, Ryujin shook off her thoughts, grabbing her gym bag and heading for the showers. The dinner was looming, and she had no energy left to overthink it anymore.

By late afternoon, Lia arrived at Ryujin's parents' house, dressed casually but with her usual elegance. She bounced in with a small box of desserts in hand and smiled as she saw Ryujin sprawled across the couch, still in a towel after her shower.

"You're cutting it close, aren't you ?" Lia teased, dropping her bag on the floor and sitting beside Ryujin.

"Maybe. It's just a stupid dinner," Ryujin muttered, staring at the ceiling. "I don't even know why I'm going."

"Because you love Yeji and her family," Lia replied matter-of-factly. She then eyed the bag next to Ryujin. "What did you bring to the dinner, by the way ? Please tell me you didn't go empty-handed."

Ryujin shrugged lazily. "I bought popcorn. What ? Everyone likes popcorn."

Lia laughed out loud, the sound echoing in the living room. "Popcorn ?! Really ? You're unbelievable," she chuckled. "Of all things you could bring to this fancy dinner, you bring popcorn."

Ryujin grinned at her friend. "It's a classic ! What's wrong with it ?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Except for the fact that it's Daniel's welcome-back dinner, and you didn't think to bring something, I don't know, more fitting ?" Lia's voice dripped with sarcasm.

"Why would I bring something for Daniel ?" Ryujin shot back, sitting up, a playful spark in her eyes. "He doesn't need anything from me."

Lia smirked, narrowing her eyes. "You're so transparent, you know that ? You're so mad about this dinner and Daniel's 'grand return,' it's honestly hilarious."

Ryujin groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I'm not mad. Just... frustrated."

Lia leaned back on the couch, laughing softly. "Oh, sure. That's why you've been working out like a maniac and bringing popcorn as your grand contribution to the evening."

"Shut up," Ryujin muttered, throwing a cushion at Lia, who caught it easily. "I just didn't want to make it a big deal."

"And yet, you are," Lia teased again. "Come on, get dressed. We're going to be late."