money tree [yoongi]

5

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

The crowd of people had now shuffled out from their seats and pooled into the ballroom. Elize pulled Astrid along and urged her to exchange introductions with different guests, pushing her into nearly every social circle present.

After a few last exchanges she eventually pulled her towards the Malikan family who stood in the farther corner of the room, a smaller group of people surrounding them.

"Heonwoo, Evelyn, another big thank you for opening your door to new assets." She then turned to address the boy, their son, who stood a few feet away. "And it's a pleasure to see you again Yoongi."

He winced at the sound of his name, bowing to her mother before looking out into the ballroom. He seemed to be detached from the group formed around him, as well as his parents who stood just far enough to separate him almost completely.

"You've grown up wonderfully, it's a shame you and my daughter Astrid didn't meet earlier."

He turned back to look at Astrid, his eyes signaling some sort of recognition, "Hi Astrid." He spoke simply, almost lackluster.

The informality of the greeting took her aback, his parents and Elize also slightly baffled. They all seemed to sense each other's shock and made an attempt to laugh it off, entering into more formalities. She moved away from the side of her mother and closer to Yoongi until they stood beside each other. They stood like this for awhile, both watching over the crowd of mannequins dolled up in gowns and jewelry entering into disingenuous conversations with other mannequins.

"Have we met before?" Astrid finally asked, eyes still scanning over the crowd of partygoers.

"Sure."

His replies were short and curt, fitting to his outward demeanor. He turned to her then, hands folded behind his back as he tapped his right foot against the floor, a sharp clap resounding off the heel of his shoe, "You're a journalist correct?"

His tone sharpened, expression darkening against the backdrop of the chandelier hovering above him.

Flustered by the switch in temper, she replied carefully, "Yes."

He nodded, "I've read some of your work," he confessed, his expression hidden as he turned back to the crowd "I've always wondered why you stopped publishing them, those stories of yours."

Before she could begin to interpret his intentions, Elize approached them and placed a hand over his shoulder, flashing him a brilliant smile.

"You've grown into a very handsome young man," she doted with a motherly tone, uncharacteristic of her image "what have you two been discussing?" She raised a suspecting brow before smiling back at Yoongi.

"We've already begun to deliberate over possible promotion strategies" he explained coolly, hands still resting behind his back "since your daughter has experience in journalism, we can certainly use it to the company's advantage right Astrid?"

She nodded in agreement, reflecting the same smile as her mother's. Her mother hummed in satisfaction patting his shoulder, "Isn't it just lovely how well you two are getting along."

She pulled Astrid back to her side, excusing the both of them as they made their way out of the ballroom towards the front doors where people were already beginning to call it a night. They positioned themselves by the door once more as they had done when they greeted the guests.

As they stood by the door sending off the last of the guests Astrid couldn't help but think back to the brief conversation she held between herself and the enigma that Yoongi proved himself to be.