Soojin winced when the heat radiating from the curler hit her ear. Call her a tomboy or whatever but she hadn’t tried this before. In fact, everything that was placed in front of her—the lipsticks, the blush on, the makeup kit—were new to her. She shouldn’t have said yes. She shouldn’t have let Kris make her agree to this.

And now Yoona and Krystal won’t stop nagging at her.

After they visited Soojin’s mother’s grave at the Seoul National Cemetery yesterday, he offered to bring her back to his house and stay for the night—since it was sundown by the time they finished visiting. However, Soojin wanted to go home. She wanted to talk to her father about a few things.

“I’m sorry,” her father said softly, meeting her gaze. It was one of those moments when she wished she could tell him everything. Every single thing she’s thinking of and she’s feeling, or those things a daughter wanted to do with her father. But she can’t. Because it’s always stuck in and she ended up crying instead.

She hung her head low. “I’m sorry, too.”

“Listen,” he said, advancing towards her. He cupped her face in his hands and made her look at him. “Sweetheart, I really am sorry. I didn’t know what has gotten into me. You’ve been coming home late and we never have time to talk to each other anymore. I was worried. Really worried. You don’t even tell any of your ahjussis. And… I’m sorry if I had believed Jea over you.”

She frowned. She wanted to ask him a lot of things. She wanted to ask him why he’d believe Jea over her. But she can’t. She can’t dare to ask. There’s this huge lump in that’s stopping her. She wished she could tell him everything.

“It’s just…” she began hesitantly. “It’s fine.”

But he apologized, she thought, so to comfort herself. It was better than nothing at all. “I love you, Soojin. I know it’s been years since your mother… left us. And perhaps, you think I don’t love you anymore or I don’t pay any attention to you, I’m sorry. I love you and you’ll always be my favorite daughter in the world.”

He kissed her forehead, pulling her in his arms. It’s been a long time since her father hugged her. They weren’t affectionate. They’ve never freely hugged or tell each other how much they love one another. Ever since her mother’s death, things were just awkward between them. But rest assured, she still loved him so much.

And at least, they had forgiven each other.

“…Soojin? Were you listening to a word I was saying?”

She blinked, realizing that she’d just spaced. Looking up, she found a stressed-looking Krystal glaring at her. Both of her hands were on her hips and she looked like she was ready to attack her anytime. For her entire life, she had a lack of experience when it came to associating herself with typical females.

Soojin wasn’t a tomboy either. She didsn’t act like a guy or dress like a guy. Though she loved wearing overalls and sneakers, she found it comforting. Dresses or skirts weren’t her thing but she did love shorts. She wasn’t raised properly well where there are women around. Growing up with men had led her to be like this.

“I wasn’t,” she admitted sheepishly. She was about to look down when the stylist lifted her chin up. “I was busy thinking about something.”

Krystal plopped down on the bed, chuckling and shaking her head in disbelief. “You could’ve just lied to make me feel better, you know,” she told Soojin. “But I like you. You’re honest. You say what you’re thinking without hesitating. I think it’s one of the reasons why Kris oppa likes you.”

She coughed. “Like me? Oh, no! That’s not true.”

Yoona chuckled. “Like I would believe that. Krystal and I have never seen a happy Kris before, I promise. He’s all rude, harsh and merciless. He doesn’t even spare a second to compliment his employee’s work or compliment someone for doing a good job. All he says are harsh things about how they or how kids are better workers than they are.”

“So, what did you do, Soojin?” Krystal asked, crossing her arms. There was this mischievous smile on her face. “I heard you spent one night in his house. Did something happen?”

She grunted. “Oh, god! Of course not. This is so embarrassing, I swear.”

“Just believe us already,” Yoona urged, nudging her on the arm. “Kris likes you.”

Soojin shook her head lightly. “No! That’s not—where did you get that lie anyway? From your husbands?”

Krystal cackled. “As if Sehun would actually care if his Kris hyung falls in love. But yes, I did get it from him. Because he got it from Luhan oppa, who can’t stop talking about the fact that Kris oppa is finally in love!”

Soojin wanted to wilt in her chair and disappear. “No, please. I don’t—Kris doesn’t even… you girls don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Yoona stuck her tongue out. “We can go on forever and ever with this, Soojin. We have enough proof that he does love you.”

The teasing did go on forever. Few minutes later, she was done. The hair stylist, after bearing with her for a span of thirty minutes, grumbled under her breath as she made her way out of the room. Yoona and Krystal shoved her lightly inside the bathroom, forcing her to wear the dress both had picked for her. Unknown to Soojin’s behalf, Kris had bought it for her.

Five minutes later, a head popped out from the bathroom. Both Yoona and Krystal stopped talking and turned to see a nervous Soojin. They gave her a look that said, “So come out already.”

Soojin cleared , positively mortified at the thought of showing herself wearing a gown. She hated dresses, let alone a freaking gown to attend a ball. She wasn’t Cinderella who still looks so pretty even if she was just a caretaker of a house. Soojin is a completely different story.

She felt sick. What if she just escapes from here? Or what if—

Before she knew it, Krystal had grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the bathroom. Soojin came out, fumbling over her dress. Yoona’s hands flew to , trying to cover the look of surprise portrayed on her face. Krystal was speechless, completely knocked for six.

Soojin didn’t like it when she’s wearing something she’s completely foreign to. She hated the ruffles, to be exact. “Okay, at least say something,” she begged, pursing her lips. “Tell me how completely horrible it looks on me and I would definitely take this off in an instant.”

“No, no, no!” Yoona exclaimed, shaking her hands. “You look…”

“…like a woman,” Krystal concluded, awe written on her face. Yoona punched her arm lightly.

“You look so pretty,” Yoona complimented, brushing a strand of her hair on her face.

Krystal patted her arm. “I think you should stick with female clothes,” she teased, giggling. “And get rid of those tattered overalls and Converse sneakers! You look horrible in those and it hides your y legs. Tell me, how do you maintain your figure?”

“A figure?” Soojin echoed helplessly. “What do you mean?”

Yoona laughed, waving her hands dismissively. “Krys, let’s just… we have to go to the party.” She handed her a shoebox, a pair of earrings and a ring. “And wear these, too. These heels are just right for your dress and you better use them properly! The earrings and ring also go well with the dress. And remember, keep your head high. Kris will be waiting outside.”

Pausing with her hand on the handle, Krystal gave Soojin a look. “And for the record?” she said before closing the door. “You look really, really gorgeous and I bet you’ll be the prettiest there tonight. Kris oppa does love you and I bet his actions tonight would prove it. I’m not even bluffing.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle at the compliment. “Thanks, Krystal. And thank Yoona for me, too.” But as for that part with Kris? She couldn’t help but speculate whether it’s true.

Kris likes her? That’s not normal.

As soon as Krystal and Yoona left her, she staggered in front of the full-length body mirror. She studied herself from head-to-tea, still can’t get over the fact that she looks really different. She had colors coated on her face. And then there’s this dress, which perhaps made her look like Cinderella.

Was it the time for her to finally meet the Prince Charming? Will she meet him tonight? Will she fall in love? Will she dance with him all night long? Because that’s how it happened in the movie. They met, they danced and they fell in love.

I think it’s one of the reasons why Kris likes you.

Chuckling, she gave herself a mental shake. There’s no way Kris would like her. She could think of a million reasons why he wouldn’t. They were just… too different. Their worlds are too different. He’s beyond her level and he didn’t deserve someone like her.

A knock interrupted her train of thought, cracking her way back to actuality. She walked carefully, hoping she could catch the door before the one outside opens it. Before she knew it, the door opened and there stood Kris, looking so striking in a black tuxedo and his hair unkempt in a y way.

Their eyes met. And there’s this longing inside Soojin, that desire of wanting to figure out if what Yoona and Krystal had said were true.

Because if it was, perhaps, Soojin might feel the same way.

this and 49 days will probably be my last stories. will be taking a break from writing ouo;