𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆, 𝑰'𝒍𝒍 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒊𝒕 𝒅𝒊𝒆

[33]

Namra walked gracefully through the grand hall, her black dress flowing with each step. The golden glow of chandeliers illuminated the space, the hum of conversation blending with the soft clinking of glasses. She barely paid attention to any of it. Her focus was on her father, Mr. Choi, who stood near a private seating area, engaged in a discussion with another man.

Mr. Ji.

Her father’s closest friend. His presence at this party was no surprise. Namra approached silently, her usual composed demeanor in place. Mr. Choi noticed her first and gave a slight nod.

“There you are,” he said, his tone neutral.

She nodded back, standing a respectful distance away. “You called me.”

Before her father could respond, another presence entered the scene.

Sooheon.

Dressed in a fitted black suit, Sooheon approached with his usual confidence, but the moment his eyes landed on Namra, something in his expression shifted. He slowed his steps, taking her in.

Namra had already seen him from above, a fleeting glance before she descended the stairs. But now, it was his turn to look at her properly.

His eyes moved subtly, noting everything—the way her dress hugged her frame, the way her long dark hair rested over her shoulder, the elegance of her presence. There was nothing extravagant about her outfit, no excessive jewelry or makeup. Yet, she stood out effortlessly.

Sooheon had always known Namra was beautiful, but tonight, there was something different. Something striking.

Their eyes met.

A brief moment of silence stretched between them, a quiet understanding neither of them acknowledged aloud.

Then, Mr. Ji spoke, breaking the moment.

“Sooheon, you made it just in time.” His father’s voice was casual, but there was amusement in his tone.

“Of course, Dad.” Sooheon quickly slipped back into his usual easy-going demeanor, but Namra had already seen the flicker of surprise in his gaze.

Mr. Choi glanced between them knowingly. “I assume you’ve already seen each other at school.”

Sooheon smirked slightly. “Yeah. We’re in the same class.”

Namra simply nodded, keeping her expression unreadable.

Mr. Ji chuckled. “Well, that makes this easier.”

Neither Namra nor Sooheon responded, but there was an unspoken tension lingering in the air.

For the first time in a long while, Sooheon found himself unsure of what to say. And Namra, as always, remained a mystery.

___

As the brief conversation with their fathers ended, Namra turned slightly, walking away from the private seating area toward the main hall. Sooheon naturally fell into step beside her, his hands tucked into his pockets.

The grand hall stretched before them, filled with elegantly dressed guests, businessmen discussing deals, and socialites exchanging pleasantries. Servers moved between the crowd, offering drinks and hors d’oeuvres on silver trays. The atmosphere was refined, the kind of event neither of them particularly enjoyed but were obligated to attend.

Namra glanced at Sooheon. “Chanmi is here.”

Sooheon didn’t look surprised. Instead, he nodded as if it was expected. “Makes sense. Her dad’s a well-known businessman.”