Flashback~

It was painfully awkward. The jazz song playing softly in the background did nothing to help calming Jeongyeon’s racing heart. It was honestly one of Jeongyeon’s greatest flaws; meeting new people or public speaking has been always quite a struggle for the shy girl.

People don’t really talk to her that much, as she’s always been on by herself ever since she was young. Nayeon was definitely one of the rare people who are able to enter her life quite unexpectedly and actually stayed. Though the girl is 2 years younger than her, but Jeongyeon often feels like Nayeon is sometimes more mature than what people have given her credit for.

Jeongyeon converted her gaze away from her tightly clutching and clammy hands on her lap to the black Mercedes Benz parked across the street from the warm and tiny coffee house, where the older woman has invited her for the private talk earlier on. She can see Hyunbin from afar, standing stiffly beside the car. The rain is now dropped in a much gentle manner compared to 10 minutes ago when the girl was first approached by the older strangers. The weather finally allows the older man to abandon his seemly obsession with the dark blue coloured umbrella.

‘So he’s a butler? How very fancy.’

Jeongyeon lost in her own observations and thoughts, failed to hear the soft sounds of the clicking heels against the surface of the woods that were slowly making their way towards the tiny table. All of a sudden, Jeongyeon heard someone cleared their throat, and without even realizing it, Jeongyeon stood up and immediately paid her attention back towards to the older woman, now standing beside the table with an amused expression.

The woman smiled and lightly joked, “You don’t have to stand up every time I approach you, you know?”

Jeongyeon, embarrassed by her own actions, sat down quickly and mumbled a quiet ‘sorry.’

“I hope you don’t mind I’m getting you a hot chocolate rather than coffee I’m having? I wasn’t sure if you like any of them.” The woman, now taking a sit across her, frowned upon realizing her mistake in taking the orders on behalf of the much younger girl.

“No, that’s okay. I prefer tea more than I prefer coffee, and I love hot chocolate.” Jeongyeon hurriedly reassured her, hooking her finger on the handle of the pink cup and her other unoccupied left hand went to lightly embraced the body of the object, balancing the cup with her two capable hands before she took a slow sip of the hot liquid, heightened her body temperature almost instantly.

The older woman, who has been staring at the girl the whole time instead of taking a sip of her own drink, smiled softly upon seeing the satisfaction expression that slowly sneaked its way across the younger girl’s face.

“Umm... thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Jeongyeon, beginning to feel like an interrogated victim, avoided the woman’s intense eye contacts as much as she possibly could. The woman, however, was quite persistent with her stare.

“So, uhh...” Jeongyeon started, trying to throw away the awkward silence that have been lingering between the two them. “Not to be rude, but who are you?”

The curious question from Jeongyeon caused the woman to finally avert her attention towards the glass window next to their table before letting out a deep sigh; silently preparing herself with whatever conversation they’re going to have and knowing that it won’t be easy on the girl’s part.

“My name is Yoo Seo Yeon.” She stated simply.

Jeongyeon, as she expected to hear more, stared openly instead of giving out a response to the other woman. The older one remained mute for about 10 seconds before she took Jeongyeon’s similar silence as her cue to carry on.

“People know me more often as Madame Yoo from the Yoo household.”

“Oh, I think I have heard about you!” Jeongyeon upon hearing the familiar household’s name; raised her right hand in excitement.

“Really now?”

“I’ve heard your name a couple times on the television. You own the Star company, right?”

Madame Yoo, now impressed seeing the younger girl’s not-so-limited knowledge about the country’s well beings and politics, asked the girl further, “What do you know about the Star?”

“It’s like a private military thingy, here in South Korea. Am I right?” Jeongyeon eagerly replied, a wide smile now can be seen on her tiny face.

“Indeed.” Madame nodded. “You seem to know quite a lot about us.”

Jeongyeon blushed. “I’m interested in learning laws.” She admitted softly.

“I see. No wonder.”

Jeongyeon smiled in return.

“My son was also interested in learning laws.” Madame Yoo divulged.

“Oh, you must be proud.”

“I am.”

“Is he not interested in learning them anymore?” Jeongyeon wondered, recognizing the word ‘was’ in Madame Yoo’s sentence.

“No, unfortunately he didn’t get too far.” Madame Yoo paused. “He died, a few years back.”

Jeongyeon, who didn’t expect that answer from Madame Yoo, froze in place. She struggled to find words to comfort the older woman but found none, so she opted to remain quiet instead.

After a few minutes of comfortable silence, Jeongyeon finally said, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“It’s quite alright. That was a long time ago, 17 years ago to be exact.”

Jeongyeon nodded and gave her a tiny smile.

“That’s why I’m here actually.” Madame Yoo added causing the younger girl to frown in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

“My son, Yoo Ji Hoon, was married to a woman before he died.” She paused, “Before they died.”

“He was married to Ji Hye. Do you know who they are?” Madame Yoo continued.

Jeongyeon upon hearing the names for the first time in her life, shook her head gently in response.

“They are your parents, Miss Yoo.”

End Flashback~

 
“You cleaned up nicely.” Madame Yoo smiled, seeing the attires the usually boyish-girl is currently wearing.

“Thank you.” The younger girl half-heartedly replied, distracted with the idea of seeing a particular person in a few minutes to come.

“Are you nervous?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

“Madame.” Jeongyeon warned, unimpressed with the woman’s attempt to rile her up early in the evening.

“They’re going to love you.”

“Good.”

“I mean, that was what I’m hoping for. Be on your good behaviour.” Madame Yoo added, folding her hands on her lap, eyes staring intently outside the car’s window.

“I always have been.”

“Not in that clothing. You’re obsessed with suits.” Madame teased, a rare occasion to be witnessed.

“You asked me to wear them when I first became the CEO.” The girl scoffed. Madame Yoo hummed in response, not denying the truth behind her grand-daughter’s reasoning.

“I meant it, Jeongie.” The taller girl, upon hearing the old nickname only Nayeon has ever been used against her, took a glance at the older woman’s face.

“Be on your good behaviour. The Hirais may have taken a like on you but we never got the chance to meet Young Lady Hirai last night. Impress the girl.” Madame sternly ordered.

“Yes Madame.”

“We are here Madame Yoo, Miss Yoo.” Hyunbin informed, staring at the two women from the car’s front view mirror.

“I thought you said it’s a dinner party?” Jeongyeon wondered, confused with the lack of people upon seeing the entrance to the Hirai household’s mansion.

“It is, for VIP only. It will be a private one so you’ll be seeing quite a lot of people working under you.” Madame Yoo confirmed. “We will be having a remote meeting first with the Hirais before you’ll meet the others. We don’t want to