WOW HELLO ITS BEEN AWHILE! THANK YOU FOR STICKING WITH ME AND WAITING FOR THIS UPDATE!  WITH THE RETURN OF EXO, it was a must to post an update!!!!!!!! Sorry for any errors, it's kind of rough I'll edit more tonight! Enjoy!   ----   In the years of living here in Chicago, the most “fun” you’ve had was rebelling against your father with your friends. As a child, you thought life was filled with vast brightness and gleaming hopes that sprung about as the day goes on. Growing up, you learned that happiness wasn’t something that visited you often. In fact, happiness very rarely knocked on your door. Most often your only companion was confusion and anger.    Except of course, when you were with Kris.    Most folks would find it that after being together secretly for almost three years, your relationship would have dulled. To no one’s surprise, every day with Kris only ignited your love for him even more like the sun, which only shines brighter each year. It was the same as if you two had just began dating yesterday. Every moment felt as exciting as the first. Perhaps it was the knowledge of being absolutely spontaneous and going behind your father’s back just to be with him.   Now, however, “courting” with one of the richest men in Chicago city, your father expects you to change your personality completely and be happy; be as if “courting” this kid was the best thing in the universe. What a shame because if NO man—aside from Kris—can make you feel this way, how can this BOY make you feel this way?    Now your father, Big Boss, ever since he opened Windy Harlem, had been nothing but strict on you. He had worked so hard on shaping you to act how he wanted you to act. He wanted you to be mature and he wanted to show you off to the public as if you were a mechanic built upon his instructions, with no feelings of your own. To him you were an object with no robust human emotion. But now here you were, sitting in the backseat with Byun Baekhyun next to you, an innocent look on his face as he held on two tickets to the state fair with Kris in the driver seat as he drove the two of you to your destination. A disapproving tight frown was on his Kris’s lips as he drove; his hands were stiff on the wheel, the white bone protruding out of his skin so evidently as if he could crush it the wheel any minute. The frown lines marked his skin deeply, showing off how upset he was. There was tension in the air and you felt it radiating out from Kris. You sighed and tore your gaze away from the rear view mirror and glanced out the window. It was almost dusk, the sun was setting, and the stars began to make their way into the heavens.   This was getting tiring. These dates were going nowhere; as far as you were concerned, each date, you only ended up learning more and more uninteresting facts about Baekhyun. You didn’t know why he didn’t get the drill by now. It was obvious that you were not going to let him lead you on and it was obvious that you had no interest, but this boy was a tough cookie to crush. He never appeared bothered or discouraged. Each glare you sent him was returned with the warmest and softest of smiles with an act of kindness that ended up making you grow guilty just a bit. It was the type of smile which radiated understanding. Once you had been so bothered that you had almost let it slip about Kris and you, but before you could tarnish your father’s reputation, Kris interrupted the moment by “accidentally” pouring tea all over Baekhyun’s dress pants…   “Rose,” Baekhyun’s soft voice pulled you out of your reverie.   Your eyes darted over to the rearview mirror where you met eyes with Kris for a second. His eyes were hard and they stared back at you, unblinking, before he tore his gaze away. You held in a sigh.   “Rose,” Byun Baekhyun said again. His voice a little bit louder this time. Baekhyun knew at this point that you wouldn’t answer to him. That was fine. He had grown accustomed to your cold shoulder and pursed lips. He wasn’t sure why he pursued you the way he did, but he saw something in you that he didn’t see in other girls.    Baekhyun lifted the corner of his lips into his signature smile. He looked at you, the way all girls wanted their lover to look at them. “Aren’t you excited to attend the state fair this year?”   From the corner of your eye, you could see that darn smile. You shifted in your seat a little bit; the leather beneath you made a small gasp, almost like an exhale of some sort. You knew Byun Baekhyun was persistent and you knew that he was going to wait for your answer, even if he had to wait all day. Your eyes were still glued to the rearview mirror. “Of course, I am. Why else would I get all dolled up for?”    “I don’t see why you would need to get dolled up for,” he chuckled. “You’re beautiful just the way you are.” You rolled your eyes and scoffed, but for some darn reason, you could still see Byun Baekhyun smiling beside you.   “Your enthusiasm is the greatest, Rose,” was the last thing he said before he turned away, with the silly smile still on his face.    You made a face. Only Byun Baekhyun would take your snarky remark and consider it enthusiasm. What more could you do to convince Byun Baekhyun that you were never going to fall in love with him? No matter how cold you were, how spiteful you acted, he didn’t seem to get the drill. He just didn’t seem to want to back off.   Glancing back up at the mirror, you met eyes with Kris once more. Something tender hid behind his glazed brown eyes. They were trying to say something to you. But before you could make out what they were trying to say, Kris looked away once more; ending the secret conversation between his eyes and yours.   ---   The state fair was absolutely in wonders. It was grand, and filled with people from all around the city. There was a dynamic Ferris wheel, a glistening merry go round, there were play booths for kids who could win stuffed animals and treats, and play booths for adults who enjoyed gambling. There were carts that sold candy apples and popcorn. Laughter and screams of joy filled the whole fair.    There was an outdoor patio for the rich folks in Chicago who sat underneath a grand gazebo, smoking cigarettes and drinking champagne. It was all white, and fancy, and pure. There was a large exotic plant that stood high and tall in the center of the gazebo. The branches bent a bit at the ends, leaving the petals to hang loosely above it as if the delicate thing would fall off any minute. It was ripe and exotically colorful. Very summery, almost. A little bit too bright for your liking. Men were on one side discussing their business details, their hands busy with champagne and cigars, while their wives on the other side gossiped about the city and the children and their husband and their secret lovers. They’re giggles were echoes that were as vibrant as the colors on the exotic plant.   In front of the patio was a large stage where a performance was to be held. Kris had informed you that tonight’s performance was more or less than a performance than a skit. A comedy skit to be exact. You didn’t quite fancy American comedy; mainly because you lacked American humor.   The moment Baekhyun and you entered the fair, all eyes were on you. Screams were heard, gasps were heard, loud chatters filled the entire area. It was pandemonium. Far more crazed than Windy Harlem on Saturday nights. You could see why. This was white land, and for two foreigners of great prestige to walk amongst the whites were a privilege and an honor. Not to mention with looks as divine as yours, and money as grand as Baekhyun’s, this was an absolute state affair!   “IT’S THE SHINING JEWEL OF THE NATION!” “ROSE! ROSE IT’S REALLY YOU!” “BYUN BAEKHYUN. SON OF THE BYUN’S WINERY! WELL GODDAMN!” “Are the two dating?!” “Have you not heard? They’re engaged!” “I heard they got married secretly in Dubai!” “SHE’S EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL IN PERSON! No wonder men are bedazzled by her!”   Kris had one of your hands while Baekhyun held the other. The two of them moved through the crowd of people with much difficulty. Kris was tugging you hard and you felt his hand grow warm with nervous sweat as he tried to pull you towards the gazebo. Baekhyun, on the other hand, held onto you gently but firmly. He smiled and greeted everyone as he passed by. He exchanged hello’s to people he didn’t know, and complimented on the women who complimented on the two of you. You tried so hard to keep a pokerface on, but all these whispers and gossips made your pursed lips droop lower and lower into a frown.   There were flashes coming from somewhere to the left. Paparazzi. Great. Just as Daddy had expected.   By the time the three of you arrived to the front entrance of the Gazebo, you could see the sweat underneath Kris’s bangs. You reached in your clutch and grabbed a napkin. “Kris—“   “Is that for me?” Interrupted Baekhyun, with a thoughtful smile. Before you could respond, Baekhyun took the napkin anyways and wiped away his nonexistent sweat. His skin was as clear as daylight. Not a sweat in sight. Agitation rose in your chest as you fumed at him. “I clearly said Kris.”   “Oh, but Rose, I did not hear.” He chuckled, and dabbed his forehead gently with the napkin. His lips quirked into a smile, seeing you glare at him. “Thank you, Rose. Very admirable that you are so considerate for lending me this napkin.”   You took a deep breath and swallowed the lump that appeared in your throat. “Keep it. I don’t want it back.”   Kris, who was oblivious to the situation behind him, spoke quietly to the waiter. He slipped Big Boss’s business card to the waiter and the young man nodded as they exchanged secret information with one another. The young man, in his full white attire, undid the ropes and led the three of you underneath the gazebo where h’orderves was served, and champagne was popped. Your elegant, long shiny silver dressed made a swish noise as it slid on the floor while your heels clicked and clacked. With the paparazzi and rich folks eyeing you and Baekhyun, you smoothly slid your arm around his, clinging onto his elbow softly and breaking into your breathtaking smile that won over the hearts of many. Baekhyun, who was surprised as ever, maintained his appearance with a happy smile on his face. Kris walked behind you two, his expression as hard as a rock.    His only job today was to deliver you and Baekhyun to the state fair. When he had made sure that you two were safe and sound underneath the gazebo, he had to leave. This was Big Boss’s order. As much as Kris disapproved of the idea of leaving you two alone and unguarded, he couldn’t disobey Big Boss. According to the boss, the state fair will be under strict security tonight with all the rich folks in town for this once a year state fair and therefore you two would be guarded from harm. Somehow though, Kris couldn’t help but feel as though Big Boss was just trying to get Kris to distance himself away from you. Almost as if he is beginning to speculate and question the relationship between his lovely daughter, Rose and his prodigy. Kris could sense the animosity in the order he was given today by his Boss, but of course, there was no way Kris would ever blow his cover. He entrusted that Big Boss was right and he will, for a few hours, trust Baekhyun and the security guards with your safety.    The waiter stopped at your table which had a reserved sign. He picked up the metal block and made a grand swooping motion with his hand. With a friendly grin on his face, his ocean blue eyes gleamed at you and Baekhyun. “Your table, Mademoiselle and Monsieur.” From what you picked up, this young waiter had a very strong, thick French accent. You had to admit, you were a er for accents.    “Thank you kindly.” You smiled at the young man, causing a breath to get stuck in his throat. Baekhyun liked it when you smiled. If only you would smile his way sometime. That would be great.    Before Baekhyun could walk over and slide out your chair for you, Kris had already done it. Frowning in disappointment, Baekhyun slid his chair out and sat down.    Kris pushed in your chair smoothly. Before you could thank him, Kris bent down to your ear and whispered almost incoherently, “Don’t make a scene and listen to me carefully. I can’t stay with you and Baekhyun. This is important to laoban. I have to go now but I’ll be back to pick you both eleven sharp. Stay safe Rose, and don’t throw any damn temper tantrums while I’m away.” You felt your mouth go dry. His hand gripped onto your shoulder for a quick second, so quick that not even Baekhyun could catch it. But you did, because you felt his warm hand against your skin. And then you felt your shoulder slump down.   Kris turned to Baekhyun, bowed at him at a 90 degree, and strode out of the gazebo. He didn’t even turn his head to glance back at you two. Not even once. And as his figure began to blur, you felt yourself grow even gloomier.   The food that was pre-ordered by your father arrived, but you weren’t hungry. Not one bit. The were h’orderves, medium rare steak with asparagus and mashed potatoes, there was bread and butter and even chicken soup, with your favorite chopped parsley.