Narrator POV

“A rumour like that hurts the company.”

Hyungwon sneaked a glance at the clock.

Two hours.

That was how long he and Ara had been standing there, heads down, hands folded, in front of the two adults.

Occasionally, he’d sneak a glance at Ara. Her long black hair formed a curtain around her face. She was standing stick straight and hadn’t moved at all for the past hour. Hyungwon wondered if maybe she fell asleep.

“Once again, we are more than glad to see you two getting along but please refrain from getting into trouble again.”

Hyungwon bowed, “I understand.”

His father nodded and waited for Ara’s response but it never came.

“Ara?” her mother’s voice was stern.

Slowly, Ara lifted her head and scanned the people in the room. Her eyes settled on Hyungwon. From the alertness in her pupils, Hyungwon knew that she could not have been sleeping.

“I think…” Ara spoke thoughtfully, “I want to dye my hair silver.”

“Excuse me?” the old man uttered, completely caught off guard.

Even Hyungwon had turned away to hide his smile.

“Ara!” her mother scowled alarmed.

“Hum?” Ara blinked innocently.

“Have you been paying attention to anything I’ve just said?” the old man asked.

“Oh yeah,” she looked bored, “The rumours right? Not my problem.”

“Not your problem?” he appeared amused, “But your name is in it.”

“Does that concern you?” Ara questioned.

“You’re my daughter so yes.”

“Do you not like the rumours?”

“I do not.”

“Then cancel this marriage,” Ara challenged seriously.

“CHAE ARA!” her mother screamed.

On the side lines, Hyungwon was having the time of his life. He had never seen his father so… not collected. As far as Hyungwon could recall, his father never lost his cool. A volcano could erupt right in front of him and he would just frown while brushing the ashes off his shoulder but right now, well he looked like the erupting volcano and it was hilarious.

“Do you not want your degree anymore?” the old man asked.

Ignoring his words, Ara stared at her mother, “It’s Im,” she blew on her nails once before meeting the old man’s eyes, “Seriously though you should consider my suggestion,” Ara smile dauntingly, “because I can’t guarantee that my name won’t appear in the headlines again.”

*                      *                      *

“They have a million pictures,” Kihyun scrolled furiously through his phone, “But not one of them NOT ONE has a clear view of her face.”

“They said that an inside source confirmed that the girl was his new step sister,” Jooheon scanned the article, “Which means it might not even be his sister.”

“Huh,” Kihyun rubbed his chin, “That will be even more interesting then.”

“Why do you even care?” I.M asked while pouring a shot.

“I want to see what kind of a girl can get Hyungwon to ditch Wonho and skip Jooheon’s concert,” Kihyun winked and Jooheon nodded feverishly in agreement.

“A ing goddess that’s who,” Wonho muttered under his breath.

Although all the pictures of the girl were blurry and