PERFECT (F4 THAILAND)

getting ready (42)

"Listen-before you start rejecting it," Ray said, leaning casually against the doorframe with his arms crossed, trying to sound normal, "we've been invited to a birthday party. As special guests."

Rose didn't even look up from where she was sitting, her attention still half on her phone, half somewhere else entirely. "Okay," she replied simply. "So when are we leaving?"

There was a pause.

A long one.

Ray blinked.

"...What?" he said, genuinely caught off guard, straightening a little as if he hadn't heard her correctly. "You're... agreeing?"

Rose finally glanced up at him, one brow slightly raised. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I didn't even tell you whose party it is yet," he said slowly, narrowing his eyes in suspicion now.

She tilted her head just a little, like it was obvious. "Ren's birthday, right?"

That only made it worse.

Ray stared at her for a second, then let out a quiet, disbelieving laugh under his breath, dragging a hand down his face. "I thought I'd have to go through World War Three to convince you," he muttered.

Rose ignored that completely, already setting her phone aside and shifting her attention fully to him now. "So," she said, tone calm but a little too quick to be casual, "what time?"

Ray nearly lost whatever composure he had left.

For a brief second, he just stood there, staring at her like she had suddenly turned into a completely different person.

This was the same girl who avoided gatherings, dodged social events like they were life-threatening situations, and preferred staying locked in her room over anything remotely loud or crowded.

And now-

She was asking for the time.

Voluntarily.

"...Eight," he said after a moment, still trying to process it. "Eight p.m."

Rose nodded once, as if that settled everything.

"I'll be ready."

Ray blinked again.

Then a slow grin started forming on his face, something mischievous and slightly dangerous. "Oh, no," he said, shaking his head as he pushed himself off the doorframe. "If you're actually going, we're doing this properly."

Rose frowned slightly. "What does that mean?"

"It means," he continued, already pulling his phone out, "I'm sending the parlor ladies over."

Her expression immediately shifted. "That's not necessary."

"It absolutely is."

"I can get ready myself."

"Not for this," he shot back, already typing something quickly. "This is a special event."

Rose crossed her arms, unimpressed. "It's just a birthday party."

Ray looked up at her, one brow raised, a knowing look settling in his eyes. "Is it?"

She paused.

Just for a second..

His grin widened. "Yeah," he said, almost to himself. "Definitely sending them."

Rose let out a quiet sigh, turning her gaze away as if she didn't care anymore-but the slight tension in her shoulders gave her away.