CHAPTER IV

*****

Taehyung drummed his fingers against the table as he cautiously eyed the scene before him. He never expected this many girls to come and take part in Jungkook’s nonsensical way of finding him a wife candidate. He sighed as the reality of the number of people waiting for a chance to be with him sank deeper into his head. The thought was too bothering that he decided to look away from the one-way mirror which gave him a clear view of what was outside the room and focus on the stack of papers on the table instead.

Apparently, Yuna demanded that the girls fill out a registration form as if this was some serious business they’re dealing with. He tried to voice out his argument on the exaggerated idea but Yuna’s glare was enough to silence him and to top it off, if he did argue, he’d still lose anyway since Jungkook would definitely side with his girlfriend. It was one against two- a sure loss for him.

“Are people still coming?” he asked Jungkook who sat beside him in the lone table at the center of the massive room where ‘auditions’ are to be carried out later in the day.

Jungkook nodded while continuing to bite the cap of his pen. “We’re expecting at least 500 or so.”

Taehyung’s eyes almost widened at the said statement. Five hundred was definitely too many.

“We can’t interview that much in just one day.”

Jungkook nodded once again. He knew this much so he actually planned for it. “Actually, I’ve already got this covered.”

Taehyung raised his eyebrows, asking the other what he had in mind. “What’s your plan?”

The younger straightened in his seat and craned his neck a bit, preparing to explain. “Actually, we’ll be closing the registration in a half an hour that’s why I estimated only 500.”

“So you’re saying that if we don’t close registrations it could reach more than 500?”

“Definitely.”

Taehyung’s mouth formed an ‘o’. Even he, himself, doesn’t think he’s that popular and sought after by the opposite . He wasn’t a celebrity for goodness’ sake.

“Well, after we close, this is where the forms come in handy. We’ll judge them one by one based on what they have written and accept only those that spark our interest. Think of it like an elimination round where only a few could get pass through. That way, we’ll reduce the number of people to actually interview. Of course, I already let everyone outside know of this system.”

“That’s acceptable,” Taehyung agreed before turning to examine the hustling lobby once again. This time, he was sure the number of people doubled, if not, tripled. Everyone was already standing so close together that watching them made him quite uncomfortable. He never did do well when it comes to girls. Only a few managed to befriend him but the one that actually did get to him only ended screwing everything up especially him. Realizing now was not the time to get emotional, he shook away the disturbing memory with a frown.

Jungkook who had his eyes fixed on Taehyung the entire time, noticed the shift in his hyung’s demeanor and instantly, he understood what it meant. So, he clapped his hands to gain his attention before giving him a huge grin, showing off his ‘bunny teeth’, as Yuna calls it.

“Okay! Since that’s settled, shall we start?”

*****

Yerin looked up at the skyscraping building towering before her. She checked the paper Yuna gave her to see if she really was in the right place. The location looked to extravagant for her taste and she doesn’t even know what she’s here for. All she knows is that Yuna would never joke about something like this. The girl was too good for her own sake.

“This must be it. The paper can’t be wrong,” she mumbled to herself only to stumble a little when a few girls bumped her by the shoulder as they headed their way inside the building.

“Are they also here for the same reason?”

Yerin shrugged whatever random thought she had and decided to go in anyway. If money was at stake, she’d willingly risk everything. It’s not only her that depended on this but her family as well. They needed cash for a place to stay and they needed it fast. She was in no situation to be picky. If opportunity comes, then she’s grabbing it. Period.

Once inside, her eyes immediately roamed the entire area, marveling the expensiveness that the room was emanating. The marbled floors were polished to perfection that she could see her reflection when she looks down. The couches by the lounge seemed so brand new and pricey that she could tell one probably cost more than her family’s entire belongings. But what caught her eye the most was the majestic fountain that stood at the center of the room, begging for attention with its display of splashing water of varying colors that changed from time to time. It was what definitely assured her that this place was, by far, the most lavish place she has visited.

“What should I expect? Yuna invited me here,” she told herself as she started walking. It was then that she realized she didn’t exactly know where to go and this building has more than twenty floors according to her estimate.

Realizing her dilemma, she scanned the area, hopeful to see someone approachable enough to ask.

“But what exactly am I going to ask?”

She hit herself in the forehead and was about to ruffle her hair but stopped when she remembered that she shouldn’t so as to look presentable enough if she ever does get to meet Yuna. Instead, she bit her lips and fisted both her hands before taking deep, calming breaths.

“I can do this. I’ll find a way,” she mumbled while continuing the breathing exercise with closed eyes. She got too coped with herself that she didn’t notice the person slowly approaching her from behind.

“Yo!”

Yerin jumped a little upon the sudden feeling of someone’s breath in the nape of her neck. That spot had always been her sensitive area ever since childhood. She turned around when she heard a laugh from behind her and she couldn’t describe properly how relieved she was to see a familiar face.

“Yuna!”

“Good morning,” the black-haired girl greeted, flashing Yerin a contagious cheery smile as Yerin found herself returning the gesture.

“Good morning to you, too. I’m so glad you found me. I honestly don’t know where to go from here.”

Yuna chuckled. “I was actually waiting for you since I realized last night I didn’t exactly tell you what’s going to happen today. It’s a good thing I caught a glimpse of you amidst this crowd,” Yuna replied referring to the people going in and out of the building. Yerin noticed that most of them were females. Being curious, she decided to ask.

“Is it just me or are the people here mostly girls?”

“Ding!” Yuna exclaimed, pointing out her index finger to indicate her correct point. “It’s not just you. You’ll see why in a minute once we get there.” She checked her watch and Yerin couldn’t help but wonder how much it probably costs.

“It’s best if I don’t ask.”

“Oh my! Registration is about to close!”

Yuna pulled Yerin by the arm and began to drag her in a mad dash toward the elevator. The latter didn’t even have the time to actually react. Once inside the elevator, both struggled to catch their breaths. It was Yuna who managed to talk first.

“I’m sorry about that but we’re really running late,” she said while pushing the button with the number 24 on it.

“It’s fine,” Yerin replied, giving a smile of assurance. “Even if I almost died running,” she continued in her mind because it wasn’t something she should say out loud to Yuna in hopes of avoiding being on the girl’s bad side. She was here to help her so Yerin thought it was best to act as nice as possible. It’ll be hard with her sarcastic nature that appears from time to time but she’ll try. It’s not like Yuna needed sarcasm though. The girl is an angel sent straight from Heaven.

Yerin was taken back to reality by the elevator sound that indicated they were at the requested foor. Yuna was the first to step out and she followed, being careful not to get far from her. Getting lost in this huge place is the last thing she had in mind.

“I didn’t expect this many people to come,” Yuna muttered with her back still facing Yerin and the latter only nodded. She wasn’t sure if she was talking to her or herself.

Yuna turned to her with the ever-present smile on her face before grabbing hold of her wrist once more. “Come with me. You still have to fill out a form.”

*****

“Where’s Yuna? I thought she was going to come,” Taehyung said, not bothering to look up from examining the contents of the form in his hand. Registration just closed and they already started to go through every paper one by one, looking for worthy applicants. He feels as if they were bosses hiring for company positions.

“She said she had something to do. She’ll be here soon though,” Jungkook replied, also busy with the paper in his hand. Apparently, he was a bit more serious in choosing who to pass compared to his hyung who accepted anyone who wrote even just a single thing that caught his interest.

“Good. We need help getting fast through all of these.”

*****

“You don’t go to school anymore?” Yuna inquired as she leaned over Yerin’s shoulder to examine whatever she was writing on her registration form. She couldn’t help but ask when she saw how the girl left the box for the school name blank.

“I stopped after graduating high school. Finances weren’t enough for college. I still have three younger siblings. I couldn’t afford to deprive them of the chance to study just so I could help myself,” Yerin answered simply. The idea of not being able to attend college never bothered her anymore. At first, sure, it was difficult for her to accept since she was the type of person who was keen on studying and learning but later, when she grew to realize more things that needed to be prioritized than colleg