It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.

“Sunggyu, what are you reading?”

Sunggyu looked up from his book, “Pride and Prejudice, a book by Jane Austen. You should know that book, Sungjongie.”

“Sounds familiar. What’s it about again?”

Sunggyu scoffed, “Surely you’ve read it in one of your English classes, literally one of the most well known books of its century. It is a story of romance, self identity, and acceptance.”

“I never knew you were into that sappy sort of stuff.”

“I’m not. It’s just interesting, seeing how things were before.”

“Oh? How were things before?”

“You just know by the first sentence,” Sunggyu replied, “ ‘It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.’ It’s so silly, I know.”

“How is it silly?”

Sunggyu shut the book and looked up at Sungjong. “It just is. It is so illogical, especially in today’s societal standards. The statement itself gives implication that women want to marry this single man for his money.”

“Don’t they?”

“Seriously, women can’t be lower than that, to marry a man for his money.”

“And why not? I mean, he is rich and will take care of them. What else could they want?”

“I don’t know, love, maybe?”

“Sunggyu, for someone so intellectual, you can be very dense sometimes. Let’s take a affluent single man in Seoul. Say, Nam Woohyun. He’s-“

Sunggyu sighed in annoyance and rubbed his temples, “Sungjongie, please do not bring Nam Woohyun up again.”

“And why not? He’s the perfect example. Nam Woohyun is rich, famous, handsome, the heir to Nam Corporations that will virtually take over the world gaming industry. And of course, his father is urging him to find a wife.”

“Urging him to find a wife? I thought we were out of those days already!”

Sungjong shrugged, “Of course not. Why else do you think Nam Woohyun holds a ball every two weeks? That’s where all the ladies go, man!”

“Sounds like a player.”

The younger nodded, “I heard he is. Sleeps with a girl every time, I heard, too.”

“How unpleasant.”

“Hey, why don’t we go to one sometime? There will be free food, free drinks, free fun, and free girls!”

Sunggyu hit Sungjong in the back of the head. “No. There is no way I’m going to a party. No way.”

“It’s not a party! It’s a ball, I told you. Like, a really formal one.”

“I’m not going to take advantage of Nam Woohyun’s money to hook up with someone.”

“Seriously, Gyu. You’ve always had your nose in a book. Look outside sometime! You’ve been living under a rock for just too long! I bet I know way more girls than you know people!”

“That’s only because you’re not like other guys,” Sunggyu stated. “You’re more… docile?”

“Yeah. Ladies love me. Anyway. I’m dragging you to Nam Woohyun’s ball, and there’s nothing you can do about it!”

Sunggyu sighed, “Why do I feel like no matter how much I try to resist, you will still drag me anyway…”

Sungjong grinned, “Because I’m right? You need to get out more, Gyu!”

Sunggyu took a deep breath. “Okay, fine. I’ll try it. But honestly, parties aren’t my thing. I’m not interested in starting a relationship at the moment. But please, promise me that after this one time, you will not bother me about it anymore.”

“It seems like you think that you won’t enjoy it.”

“Sungjongie, I know that I won’t enjoy it. I’m dressing up and going to a ball to socialize. It’s completely illogical and unproductive, when I can be doing better things.”

“Let me guess: like reading?”

“Exactly!”

“Come on, Gyu!” Sungjong whined, “I’m sure you will like it! Talking to girls is fun! Especially pretty girls!”

“Okay, okay! I’ll go this one time, alright?” Sunggyu said exasperatingly. “I’ll prove to you that parties like those aren’t my thing; I’m pretty sure I’ll be bored the entire time.”

“Yay! At least you’re going to give it a try!”

“I just hope I don’t run into Nam Woohyun,” Sunggyu shuddered.

“Aw, why not?” Sungjong cooed. “Maybe he can hook you up with someone, I bet he knows a lot of girls!”

“No. Just, no,” Sunggyu frowned, “I don’t like him. I don’t like him at all. He is not my type of person. He’s too rich and famous, not to mention a spoiled brat. Probably if we knew each other, we would be enemies. In fact, I hate him already, from just thinking about it.”

Sunggyu continued, “I’m only going so you would stop nagging me about it, Sungjong. And besides, it’s only one time, so I doubt I’m going to even see Nam Woohyun at all.”

And then Sungjong was a jumping ball of energy, squealing over what they will wear, how they will present themselves, and the whole shebang. And Sunggyu just sat there, cringing and worried, hoping that things don’t get too out of hand at that ball.

But little does Sunggyu know, that was far from the truth.