Jongin was waiting in the living room in Daran's suite while the girl gets ready for the said ball in her room.

Jongin managed to convince her to go telling her that he might need a translator at the party since many foreign guests will be attending.

"Daran-ah. What's taking you so long?" Jongin whined as he lazily sat on the sofa playing with his mask.

"Coming!" Daran beamed from the other side of the room.

5 minutes have passed and Daran hurriedly went out of her room wearing a long red gown holding a mask.

The outfits matched with Daran's red gown while Jongin wore and all white tux with a red bow tie. The two went to the ball and when they arrived, the party already started.

Daran and Jongin decided to hang out in one of the corners but everyone seems to have their attention to them.

Then, a woman wearing a black gown and a half mask approached the two.

"How are you son?" she asked eying her son then at Daran.

Daran politely greeted Mrs. Kim with a smile but gained nothing but a judging stare.

"I see you brought a date." said the mother.

"Yeah. And I came to the party so don't bother us and go away." Jongin glared at Mrs. Kim reaching for Daran's hand.

The mother is used to her son's attitude but since it's the 1st time she's seeing Jongin being protective over a person, she was intrigued. She eyed Daran from head to toe like judging the girl's soul and whole being.

"So tell me young lad, what does your family do?" she asked the girl.

Daran's face became worried and replied "I don't have a family. I live on my own." with a sad and uncomfortable tone.

"Oh. That's too bad." the lady said flatly showing no concern.

"Anyway." she changed the subject.

"Mind if I borrow my son? I want him to meet one of my daughter in law candidates." she said to Daran that made Jongin frown by his mother's behavior.

He glared at his mom and grabbed Daran's hand.

"Not going." he said.

"Why?" Mrs. Kim asked and turned to the girl.

"You two are not dating right?" she asked Daran with a disgusted tone talking about the two dating that made Daran offended and hurt.

"No ma'am." Daran replied and held Jongin's arm turning to him.

"You should go." she said to him. Jongin felt his heart crack to Daran's words letting him meet other girls.

He was about to say no when Daran gave his arm a light squeeze and an assuring forced smile.

"You should go. I'll be fine here. I'll wait for you here." she chimed hiding her crying heart.

With that smile, Jongin downheartedly nodded.

"I'll be back. And I'm not marrying anyone I meet." he whispered to Daran that made the girl look at him.

"Just saying." he added and went with his mother leaving Daran.

Daran unknowingly smiled at her friend's words.

*What's wrong with him saying things like that?* Daran thought to herself blushing. But then sighed remembering that he went to see another girl and how Mrs. Kim obviously not like her.

*Why am I feeling sad? I should be happy for him right?* she said mentally as she reached her chest to feel her aching heart.

*What's happening? Am I jealous?* she asked herself.

"HeeYoung-ah?" a familiar voice called her name.

She instantly turned around not realizing that she was called by her real name and gasped at the person standing in front of her.

*Kris!*