Kai's POV:

The announcement from Chairman Moon still rang in my ears. His words pierced me in the chest and ı stared at Jessica. She stood on the stage with her jaw hanging slightly open, shock radiating from her body. The photographers gathered at the front of the stage to quickly take pictures. Besides her Sehun stood with his face emotionless, giving nothing away. He knew ı was here. For a brief second we met gaze before looking away.

Jessica stared at me with wide eyes. Looking at her, ı felt a dull throb in my chest and had to turn away, but ı couldn't bring myself to leave. Not until ı talked to her. Their parents pushed them closer, and Jessica finally tore her eyes away from me. She seemed to drop back down to reality as she quickly composed her face. Besides her a shadow of a smile appeared on Sehun's face, just for the cameras. Occasionally we would look at each other and our eyes would meet, but like the pro he was Sehun gave nothing away on his features, but his eyes told a different story as they peered at mine.

They seemed to stay up there forever, but when they finally stepped down Jessica got to me as fast as she could. "Kai sunbea" she said in a quiet voice as she appeared besides me. I cleared my expression and looked at her, forcing something like a smile on my face. She wasn't fooled for a second. "Yah, why did you look so surprised up there? You fool" ı said lightly in a vague attempt to make her feel better. She stared at me with worried eyes. They darted back and forth as she studied my face. I tried not to let my hurt show. "I didn't know you were here. I'm sorry" she murmured, her purple locks glistening in the light. I sighed and smiled, a stray strand away from her eyes.

"Why are you apologising? Aigoo, making me feel uncomfortable" ı pinched her cheek, a genuine smile appearing on my face when her nose twitched and she wriggled away. It was adorable and hadn't changed one bit since she was a kid. Seeing my smile ı could feel her relax a little, but then she tensed again as her father called, "Jessica." We both turned to see him and his wife emerge from the crowd, along with the Oh's. I met Sehun's eyes, and gave away no emotion. He stared back blankly. The ability to keep our face's blank of emotion was something we had in common since childhood.

Chairman Moon and Chairman Oh then noticed me standing with Jess. "Jongin-ah!" Chairman Moon exclaimed, clapping his hands in surprise whilst a familiar smile spread across his face. He had been close to my father since childhood, hence my family's close relationship with the Moon's. "Chairman" ı bowed respectively to him before then greeting the Oh's. Chairman Oh and his wife smiled back awkwardly. We had never been close. The reason was because ı never saw them often. Sehun would always insist to come to my house instead.

"Ah, it's been such a long time! We should have you and your family around now we're back!" Chairman Moon said, clapping my shoulder. "You've grown up to be quite handsome" he complimented. I bowed and thanked him. I met eyes with Sehun again. Jessica looked between us both, a frown appearing on her small mouth. I snapped my gaze away and turned back to the seniors. "I must go early. Please excuse me, and congratulations" ı bowed again before turning and disappearing into the crowd.

Outside the cool, crisp air cut into my thoughts and helped me focus. Jessica was engaged, and not only that but it was to Sehun. Sighing ı rubbed my temples with my fists, waiting for the driver to fetch the car. There was a dull ache in my chest whenever ı would think of Jessica's face. I couldn't help but feel that she was being taken away from me again.

Jessica's POV:

Kai left quickly after exchanging a suspicious look with Sehun. When he disappeared ı looked at Sehun for any sort of clue but his face held nothing. However, now that Kai was gone, it was as if some warm and safe candle light had been blown out and all that was left was the cold dark of the families stares. "Jessica, come. You should greet the guests" my mother said. I tore my gaze away from where Kai had disappeared and now glared at both my parents.

"You didn't tell me this was the announcement party" ı said stiffly, trying to remain calm as the Oh's were present. My parents stared back at me with an authoritative look in their eyes, as if my future wasn't my concern. "We'll talk about that later. For now, come along" my father said in a smooth voice. Kyle appeared from behind me and gave me a nudge, as if to say 'just do as they tell you to'. I moved away from him. I hoped he got the message that as far as ı was concerned, he was a betrayer and was so dead when we're alone. "You're just as bad as the rest" ı whispered to him when we set off walking, out of hearing range from my parents. He immaturely stuck his tongue out at me. I kicked his shin but not hard enough for it to hurt. That would be saved for when we got home.

Then ı stopped to find Sehun watching us with something foreign in his eyes. He looked away quickly and stared directly ahead of him. His own brother walked besides him, his expression detached and uninterested. However it was different to Sehun's. For his brother, there really seemed to be nothing beyond the surface. You could try to see inside him but would just find the same blank emotion. However when Sehun pulled the same expression, there was still a gleam in his eyes. It was as if there was a whole other world and a completely different person inside of him, unable to reveal himself like a prince in hiding. I quickly pulled away from my thoughts. Why was ı thinking this? Sehun was no prince charming! He was just a spoiled, arrogant child. And ı was sure the jerk on the surface ı had quickly grown to hate was the same as the jerk on the inside. Right? Yet as ı glanced back at Sehun ı couldn't help but feel there was a lot more to him than what meets the eye.