money tree [yoongi]

4

I willed myself to move and jogged towards the house.

The house, soundless within the early morning hours had now shifted into a bustling ceremony of polished silverware and intricately shaped napkins.

Katelyn aided in the means of slipping on the dress Astrid would be wearing to the banquet. The dress resembled a robe, the bodice crossed over each other, secured by a long black silk tie. The neckline dipped down to a V, the end hovering just below her collarbones. Slits ran down each sleeve, draping down towards her elbows and exposing the upper half of her arm. The dress itself took on the darkest shade of blue, reminiscent of the undiscovered expanse of the deep sea. It was much better suited for her liking than the gown she had worn the night before.

"Look at you." Katelyn hummed, her fingers busy smoothing the edges of her dress.

The reflection in the mirror had been a complete 180 degrees.

Most all days and hours of her week were spent dedicated to roaming the streets, searching for those who seemed to be holding their breath to speak. She searched for the stories waiting to be unfolded as they waited in backstreets at odd hours of the night, in worn down tenements, in towering corporations and estates as vast as that of untouched country fields. The feeling went unparalleled. Listening to people's stories about the past they recollected with pleasant nostalgia or anguish. The stories of people who  hadn't thought of inscribing them with pen and paper. Blissful filled snippets of their lives, chronicled in their memories.

And for those who took it upon themselves to share these stories, the feeling was incredible. Some way or another, she found joy in searching for stories carefully stored in the safety of personal solitude. She had begun to accumulate shelves worth of journals filled with the precious kept memories of strangers turned into friend, and a precious memory of her own keeping.

Looking in the mirror, she found another story waiting to be read.

Except, it was still in the making.

"I'm really not suited for this kind of thing. I can't get used to it."

Katelyn placed both hands over her shoulders and smiled back at her through their reflection.

"I think this suits you just fine."

She reviewed Astrid's appearance once more before sending her downstairs to greet the people attending the banquet.

Taking her position beside the doorway, her mother stood just across from her wearing a smile designated for social gatherings such as this one. Despite the excitement her appearance seemed to display, her eyes remained sharp and tentative, a business instinct even her formalities failed to disguise.

The first to arrive had been the man who approached Astrid the night before, arm in arm with a woman whose elegance stood as a suitable contender for her mother. Their names she learned while they exchanged courtesies with Elize, were Heon Woo and Evelyn. Holding back a scowl, Astrid held out a hand and welcomed them with as much amiability she could muster.

"My what a spitting image of your mother, it's a pleasure to finally meet you Astrid" said Evelyn with a smile before placing a kiss on her cheek.

Heon Woo turned towards her with a nod and shook her hand with a firm grip.

The next to arrive had been a man whose features were similar to that of Heon Woo. His skin strikingly smooth and white, almost translucent.

The same exchange of formalities continued until the banquet had filled with business suits and ties accompanied by gowns and jewels in every corner. Astrid and Elize took this as queue to retreat to the dining hall for more small conversation and eventually commence the dinner.

Like any other dinner, food and drink was served to the guests and stomachs were generously satisfied. It was only when Elize stood for attention did the dinner become a business affair.

With a sparkling smile, she gestured towards Heon Woo and his wife, "It is my pleasure to invite the family and owner of the Malikan corporation for a toast, and any statements you may offer."

Heon Woo and Evelyn stood beside one another with equally sparking smiles and tapped the edge of their glasses to introduce their toast.

"It is our pleasure to have been invited to a banquet under the presence of such a renowned business professional" Heon Woo began, "We would like to offer this toast to Elize, and in particular, Astrid whose appearance here tonight will significantly aid the futures of both our companies."

Astrid held back a grimace as his voice echoed down the hall. He continued once the applause died down.

"With that in mind, I'd like to introduce my son, heir to the Malikan branch who I hope will enter a very beneficial and collaborative partnership with both you Elize, and your daughter Astrid."

The boy with sparkling white skin stood from his seat beside his parents and flashed a tight lipped smile. His gaze looked far beyond the end of the dining table unfocused before shifting into direct eye contact with Astrid. His gaze remained weary until another round of applause switched his expression into one of seriousness.

Elize stood from her seat and offered her glass, "I am happy to begin a connection between the two futures of our companies and extend the continuity of our successes."

Astrid joined her with a glass in hand after a nudge of her foot, and toasted in unison with the rest of the guests.

Another deafening roar of applause began as the boy with translucent skin shifted his gaze once more to meet hers, a pair of eyes who held stories waiting for her to unfold.