I sat on the smooth polished leather seats of my dad's Rolls Royce, staring at my parents, who were seated opposite me. The limo was on the way to the Park Hyatt hotel, the most luxurious hotel in Seoul. We were supposed to have dinner with my dad's stock partners, and since my dad wanted to appear to be more "wholesome", my mum and I had to go too, so we could appear more as a "united family". Just thinking about it made me sick.

"Ji-eun, listen." I looked up at my dad as he continued "If any of my partners ask how are you, you have to reply that you're doing absolutely fine, arraso? It's important that I have to appear as a family man. I can't let anything dampen my image now, not when I have to sign that Fitzgerald contract. If I can't sign that contract, it might mean the doom of my company."

I felt a familiar bitter feeling in my chest and I smirked. "Of course. I can't stand in your way, after all." My dad nodded and started to discuss with my mum about how she should present herself. I clenched my fists at the way both of them talked to each other. They talked to each other like they were business partners, not like a married couple with a 17 year old daughter. 

My thoughts flashed back to last night, when Sehun grabbed me and kissed me. I was so shocked that I forgot to resist. His lips moved against mine in rough unfamiliar patterns and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of helplessness. I suddenly gained superhuman strength and pushed him away from me. He stumbled a bit and stared at me with shocked eyes. 

I stared at him breathlessly, registering the hurt look in his eyes. I didn't know why, but I craved his warm embrace. I wanted him to kiss me again. I felt a dreaded emptiness settle in my heart as I turned back and raced to my apartment. I slammed the door shut and ran to my bedroom. I burried myself inside the covers and tried to make the emptiness and heartache go away, but nothing worked. I felt terrified. 

Sehun remained there, staring at my closed door. He felt bitter and even a slight hint of heartache. The cold wind blew through the corridor, and his tall figure shook slightly. His eyes were clouded with a million emotions and he felt like he was going to die.

Why are you doing this to me?

We arrived at the Park Hyatt and the doormen opened the limo doors for us. I stepped out gracefully. I plastered a polite smile on my face the minute I stepped inside the hotel. I knew I had to continue this game my dad had started. We stepped inside the ballroom and instantly, my dad was greeted by his stock partners and their families. My dad beamed as he conversed happily with them. He was in his natural element. My mum stood beside him elegantly, also making conversation. She was the perfect trophy wife.

I, however, stood at the side, looking in. I would never be the perfect trophy daughter. 

Luhan and his parents entered the ballroom and greeted everyone. He immediately started looking for her. His parents were huge stockholders in her dad's company, so it was natural that they would be present at this dinner. He spotted her after a while. She was standing by the corner, looking out of the window. She was dressed magnificently in a long strapless dress that flowed out and showed off her perfect thin figure. Unlike the other short cute girls lurking around, she was tall and graceful, like a swan. She had an aura of infinite grace and beauty to her, something that dazzled him at the first sight.

She was looking out of the window again and he furrowed his brows. Every time she went all quiet and stood at a corner to look out a window, he knew she would be extremely upset. Years of friendship had caused him to have such a deep understanding of her. He slowly walked over to her and said softly "Ji-eun, are you okay?"

I looked up and saw Luhan smiling at me. He was dressed sharply in a fitting Armani suit and he looked especially dashing. I smiled weakly and said "Why would I not be?"

Luhan grabbed my hand and said "Come, dinner's starting already." I nodded and followed him to the dining table. Most of them were already seated and when we walked in with our linked hands, it caused quite a few whispers and many stock partners' daughters threw me jealous looks. Luhan gently pulled out my chair for me and I sat down. He sat beside me and unfolded my napkin for me.

Luhan's dad looked at us and chuckled loudly "Aigoo, look at these two kids. It's hard to believe that just some years ago, they were playing in the garden together." My dad nodded happily and said "Both of them have grown up well." Just then, an important partner of my dad's, Park Seong Yeol cut in and said briskly "Lee Ji-suk, I see you must have spent a lot of time with your family. Your daughter appears very well-maintained. I admire that. It's very hard to find important businessmen who have time for their families."

I stiffened slightly and Luhan grabbed my hand. 

My dad practically radiated with glee. Park Seong Yeol was an extremely important man in his business, and crucial in the deal of signing the Fitzgerald contract. He was ecstatic that he managed to land into his good graces and immediately gushed "Of course! I always make sure to spend at least two hours a day with my family, and even if I'm overseas, I have to call Ji-eun all the time." He looked at me, gesturing for me to continue this lie.

I smiled and added politely "Yes, my appa calls me and asks me how I'm doing all the time." I shook slightly and Luhan's grip tightened even more. His familiar warmth rushed through me and I blinked slightly.

Park Seong Yeol nodded thoughtfully and my mum continued on "There's nothing more important in our family than family values. We feel that communication is key to establishing a harmonious family relationship." My dad nodded and I bit my lip. 

I stood up suddenly and everyone looked at me. "Excuse me, I have to go to the washroom." I walked quickly out of the ballroom and once I was out, I dashed to the exit, ignoring all the looks that were thrown at me. I burst out of the hotel and gasped as the cool night air rushed through me. I trembled slightly as I continued running. I didn't know where I was going, all I wanted to do was to get away from that place. I needed to escape all the lies. 

The cold wind blew through me as I dashed down the streets of Seoul. Unknowingly, I had ended up in the park. It was the same park where Sehun and I sat on the swings and he confessed to me about his past. I sat down on the swing and my long dress flowed out behind me. The pale moonlight shone on my skin, giving it a translucent glow.

I felt a sudden ache when I realized I wanted Sehun to be beside me right now. 

Sehun walked around the park, his hands in his pockets, his face betraying no emotion, forever in a cold passive state. He had felt depressingly empty ever since she pushed him away last night and he thought a night stroll would help clear his mind. Unfortunately, it didn't help. Thoughts of her filled his mind and he rubbed his temple, frustrated.

He suddenly saw a thin figure clad in a long flowy dress, seated on the swing. Her back was facing him and her long brown hair tumbled past her waist. His breath caught slightly and he found himself walking slowly towards her, as if he was hypnotized. Was it her?

Just then, she turned around slightly and Sehun felt like his heart stopped. He could see the outline of her beautiful face, half clouded in shadow. There was a depressingly hollow look in her eyes and her face literally glowed in the moonlight. She was so beautiful, he could feel his heart thumping faster. She still hadn't noticed him yet and he slowly sat down beside her on the swings. 

I looked up and saw him sitting beside me. He looked so perfect and something stirred in my heart.

I had landed myself in the pits of hell.

I had fallen in love. 

******

Sigh, well, it took 11 chapters, but IU's finally realized she's in love with him, so yay.

Super sweet stuff up next chapter, so double yay. Hahahaha. Comment more, please! Love it when you all comment. :)