Alone.

Okay, let's go talk.

I stood up and followed him. Taeyong shrugged and went back to his seat. He called Jeno to come sit by him. I quickly looked at my brothers. Luhan and Kris were in deep conversation with Xiumin now. Suho and Chen were helping Chanyeol wipe the paint off the vest. The other boys had gone to the men's room to change. Mama was talking to Seul Gi now.

Jungkook walked slowly. He led me outside, by the parking lot. He stopped in front of a car. It was not theirs, it was not ours. Whoever it was, it didn't matter.

He didn't speak for about a minute. He bit his lower lip as he looked up at the sky. It was as if he was still constructing his sentence. I just stood there, looking as far away as I could. I don't know, but it felt weird. It was as if there was something wrong.

He then cleared his throat and growled softly as he looked away.

I fixed my gaze at him.

Jungkook: Uhm...okay. I...uhm...need to...

Me: Need to?

Jungkook: Uh...can I have the pendant back? I..uhm..yeah.

Me: Huh? W-why?

Jungkook: I just...I need it back.

He didn't say anything, except for me to give him back the pendant. I hesitantly took off my necklace and removed the pendant. I gripped it tight in my palms before I dropped it in his palm.

Jungkook: Thank you. Uhm...I'll go ahead?

Me: Uh...okay?

He bowed a little and walked back inside. I followed him in deep confusion. Inside me, it hurt a lot. Why did he ask for the pendant back? Was he mad at me? Did I do anything wrong? If talking to Taeyong was wrong, then maybe I should stop talking to him. But then again, there was nothing wrong with talking to that arrogant piece of spoiled real estate heir.

Back inside, I saw him approach his Jin hyung who was talking to Lay.

Taehyung probably saw me looking a bit sullen. He came and sat by me. He had changed his clothes also. He was holding V's leash on one hand. The puppy lay on his feet and slept.

Taehyung: You look..sad.

Me: No, I'm okay. I just need to rest, I guess.

Taehyung: You need more than rest.

Me: What do you mean?

Taehyung: You need to stop thinking a lot, you know.

Me: But if I don't think, then my brain would stop functioning.

Taehyung: That's a lie. Sometimes I don't think and my brain still works as it's supposed to be. Just that, I...tend to do...stupid things...Eheheh.

Me: You want me to do stupid things?

Taehyung: Well...hmmm...would you like to?

Me: I could use a stupid day, yeah.

Taehyung: Then let's be stupid today?

Me: You're silly.

Taehyung: That's what eomma always said. Yoongi hyung always tells me I was brought down from the sky in a spaceship and appa and eomma found me...and adopted me.

Me: Hahaha. And you believe him?

Taehyung: No. I look so much like eomma, you see.

Me: Yes, you do.

Taehyung: Yoongi hyung still insists that it's because of my alien heritage that I could change my appearance at will.

Me: No way?

Taehyung: He's just fond of bullying me.

Me: What does Namjoon oppa say?

Taehyung: He always agrees with Yoongi hyung. And he says that eomma placed an order for a baby online and they got me.

Me: Your brothers love you, you know. Hahaha. To be able to make up stories like that.

Taehyung: Yeah. They just want to bully me a lot.

Me: I get bullied a lot by my brothers too.

Taehyung: Really? It , right?

Me: Yeah. Especially since most of them don't stop until I scream really loud.

Taehyung: Must be hard being the only girl AND the youngest.

Me: You can say that again.

As Taehyung successfully made me forget about my hurt feeling and laugh with him, here comes mister spoiled brat, Taeyong. I didn't think he realizes it or he just doesn't want to recognize Taehyung as a rival. He spoke to me casually.

Taeyong: You, I'll pick you up tomorrow. 3 PM. I have already asked your mama.

Me: What?

Taeyong: You heard me.

Me: Yeah, I did. But why?

Taeyong: It's better if you come with me.

Me: Come with you?

Taeyong: We're supposed to spend time together, right?

Me: Does it have to be tomorrow?

Taeyong: Yes.

Me: I won't go if you'll just act like the spoiled brat you are.

Taeyong: Believe me, dear., I think you'll enjoy tomorrow.

Me: I doubt I will.

Taeyong: I promise not to be an .

Me: If you say so.

Taehyung: Can I come? If it's gonna be fun, maybe I can come and see if it's really that?

Taeyong: No. Maybe next time.

Taehyung: Hmmm...alright.

Then Taeyong leaves. He goes to his Seul Gi nuna and mama. Taehyung snorts and asked what the matter was with the boss' son. I just told him that Taeyong was supposed to prove himself that he was a nice guy. Taehyung was not having any of that. He wanted to know the real deal, so I told him that Taeyong was given two months to show he was worth to be my future husband. I didn't spill the part where Jungkook was the official...uh...yeah...aish.

Taehyung: It's a moot point.

Me: What's moot?

He was chuckling as he tried to explain.

Taehyung: He's too late. We already have V as our son, you know. Hahaha.

Me: Shut up, Taetae.

Taehyung: You talking to me or the puppy?

Me: You.

Taehyung: I thought you were talking to our son. Hahahah.

I slapped his arm and pinched him. He kept laughing.

I saw Jungkook looking at me and Taehyung. Then he went to talk to his Jin hyung. Afterwards, he picked up his backpack and walked slowly outside with his head down. Jin called J and Jimin and told them to follow Jungkook outside. He then went to Chanyeol and told him they needed to get going. He also thanked Chanyeol for inviting them to his birthday party and wished him a happy birthday. Jin also went to mama and bowed slightly to her and excused himself and his brothers for they needed to get going. He waved goodbye to my other brothers. When he saw me, he smiled and said goodbye as well. It didn't look like he knew something, so I smiled back and waved goodbye.

I went to sit at a corner and looked outside the window as Jin climbed in their car. Jimin was beside him in the passenger seat. I could see J at the back. Jungkook must have been beside him at the back.

Party ends. Chanyeol thanked everyone for coming. His classmates wished him a happy birthday again before they left the venue. Since the Kims went ahead, there was less noise now. Well, just minus the noise that Jimin and J created when they were here. LOL.

Seul Gi, Taeyong and Jeno had to leave before us, too. They thanked Chanyeol for inviting them and went to say goodbye to mama as well. They had a driver, so there was no need to drive them back to their hotel.

Yoongi, Namjoon and Taehyung stayed for a little bit. They helped carry Chanyeol's gifts to the car. The younger kids helped as well. It was noisy. Them going back inside to get the boxes of gifts and going out again.

The four oldies, Luhan, Xiumin, Suho and Kris coordinated with the cleanup of the place. I helped with picking up some of the gift wrappers that were strewn on the floor. Luhan scolded me for helping clean the place. He told me to go inside the car and to wait for them as they finished settling the bill with the paintball arena staff.

Mama had gone to the other car and helping arrange the gift boxes. Tao and Sehun were found to be opening a gift box which contained milk chocolates. They got one and divided it into two. Chanyeol saw them and grabbed the chocolate. Kai snatched it back as he passed behind Chanyeol. He took one big bite and returned the rest to Chanyeol. Kyungsoo then snatched it and ate the rest. Chanyeol just stood there with his mouth open. His hand was still raised up.

I walked to Luhan's car and opened the passenger door. Chen was already inside. He was sitting at the back and eating what looked like milk chocolate.

So, he was hiding here from Chanyeol, huh?

Stealthy.

This oppa was good.

Me: Did you get it from Yo oppa's birthday box?

Chen: Yes. Shhhh...

Me: Do you know that it's supposed to be bad if you steal stuff?

Chen: I didn't steal it. He practically handed me the box and I accepted of course.

Me: But did he say that you open it and get one?

Chen: Nope. But since he gave the box to me, it meant I am welcome to get one.

Me: Can I have some?

Chen: Sure.

And he broke a piece of the chocolate bar and gave it to me.

It was yummy of course.

Tao looked inside the car and saw us eating and he opened the backseat door and grabbed the bar from Chen. He bit into the chocolate and smiled.

Chen: Zitao! You should ask properly.

Tao: Uhmmhmhhhhmhmhmhm...yehmmmm..hyunggg...

Chen: Don't talk with your mouth full.

Tao: Hmmmhmhmmhmhmhm...

Sehun appeared on the other side of the car and saw us eating.

Sehun: I have some more.

Chen: Give us here.

Sehun: Shhhh... Chanyeol hyung might see.

He reached inside his pockets and pulled out two more chocolate bars. He smiled an evil smile and opened the car door and slid beside Chen. Tao was on the other side and he reached out his hand and tried to get one of the chocolate bars from Sehun's pocket.

Sehun: Oi, oi...wait...wait!

Tao: Don't be such a greedy Cinderella.

Sehun: Shhhhhh...

Chen: Just open one, juseyo.

Me: Can I have the other one?

Sehun: No.

Me: I'll tell Yo oppa you took two more without his permission.

Sehun: Aish. Fine, fine. Here you go.

And he gave me the other one. He divided the other one between him, Chen and Tao. I could get what I want from my brothers sometimes.

*grins*

Luhan, Xiumin, Kris and Suho went out of the paintball building. The three others went to the respective cars they were driving. Mama had gone to ride in the Odyssey that Xiumin was driving.

On the way home, Luhan decided to drop by a mini grocery store. He had said that he needed to buy some new towels for his school soccer locker. Tao and Sehun got out of the car and followe Luhan inside the grocery. The parking space was just in front of the store. There was a gift shop beside the store. There were a few cars parked outside the establishment.

Chen and I decided to stay in the car. Chen had said that the establishment was owned by one of our schoolmates. I asked how he knew. He said he saw the daughter of the owner went inside the gift shop just when Luhan was parking the car. He knew the owner because he frequented this gift shop.

I got bored waiting in the car. Chen busied himself with playing on his phone. I decided to go and have a look around the gift shop, so I told Chen I was going out, in case Luhan returns and I wasn't back.

I got out of the shop and walked towards the door. Outside, you could see cute stuff on the display window. I hurried to open the door.

"Wow! It's pretty."

"So...tomorrow?"

"Oh...yes, sure."

"Sure?"

"Definitely."

Jungkook was in the shop, talking to a girl who I recognized as a schoolmate. She was Sehun and Kai's classmate. Therefore...Jungkook's classmate, too. She was holding....the pendant that Jungkook asked to get back from me earlier. The girl was smiling and so was Jungkook.

Ouch.

I saw Jimin inside the shop as well. He was looking at the stuff on display.

I didn't go all the way in after seeing what I saw. And maybe I gasped too loud, because the moment that I was about to turn around to exit, Jimin saw me and I saw him reach his hand out to nudge Jungkook. I quickly turned around and got out the door. I ran to the car and slammed the door. It just dawned on me that one of the cars that was parked on the corner of the establishment was Jin's. And I could see his silhouette and J's.

Luhan, Tao and Sehun got out of the grocery that moment. Luhan shoved two big paperbags in the boot of the car. I glanced at the shop and I saw Jimin and Jungkook go out, they looked for me and saw Luhan's car. But before they can approach, Luhan had slid on the driver's seat and drove off. I doubt he even saw the two who were standing outside the shop.

XIUMIN:

This . Now even the younger kids know. It's just a matter of time until papa knew. I was sure he'd start questioning me and why I didn't tell him right away. I would be dead by then.

On the way home from the party, I was thinking of ways how to tell papa. Mama Wu was one way. I knew she would know how to tell papa. But I wasn't sure what I needed to tell her.

Kris was driving the Sienna and Luhan brought his own car. We couldn't talk to each other this way. I decided that when we arrive home, I'd ask them to help me out.

Tao had to answer that call. Grrrrr... I could only imagine Sohee's shock when the person who answered was someone else. She had texted me and apologized.

I'm sorry. I didn't know you didn't have your phone with you.

She had told me in her text that she had inadvertently called Tao "oppa" when he answered her call. She was expecting me to answer it, so she said that word at the beginning. Of course Tao knew. He was a smart kid. I didn't have any other younger sisters, except Xiao Yi, so no one else to call me oppa, but a girlfriend.

I had told Sohee that I would take care of everything and I would tell papa. Because if I didn't tell him, it would be the end of the world for me. It was better that the news came from me than from just anyone.

When we arrived home, I helped carry Chanyeol's gifts up to his room before I parked the car in the garage. Papa was not yet home. He had said he was needed somewhere else. When he says something like that, it only meant that his boss called for him. May it be for coffee or just plain business talk somewhere in a hotel, coffee shop, or restaurant.

After parking the car in the garage, I went to sit at the table under the tree. I had to think hard and long about how I was going to tell papa. Kris had parked the car as well and went to sit across me. He stared at me while I thought about it. A few minutes later, Luhan arrived. He got out of the car and took out two large paperbags from the boot and looked in our direction. He nodded first and went upstairs to dump his stuff. Tao, Sehun and Chen got out of his car and looked happy about something. Tao looked in my direction and grinned widely. I also saw Baekhyun's face peering from the window. Xiao Yi got out of Luhan's car really slow and she dragged her feet as she walked back into the house. Little sister was probably sleepy.

Kris: So, do you have a plan?

Me: Not yet.

Kris: Like I told you back there, I can help.

Me: And papa will start scolding you as well.

Kris: He won't.

Me: He'll probably feel bad that I told him lastly.

Kris: Let's just break it to him gently.

Me: Like, papa....I....have....a...girl...friend....

Kris: No, paboya.

Me: Start with, papa I have something important to tell you.

Kris: Exactly. Sohee is important, right?

Me: Ne, she is.

Kris: There you go. Start with that and work the other stuff after.

Luhan had gone out the house and was walking towards us. Baekhyun and Tao were peering from the window this time. I shot them an evil glare. Baekhyun ducked his head and pulled Tao down with him.

Luhan: Got a plan yet?

Me: Sort of.

Luhan: What is it?

Me: Start with telling papa that I have something important to tell him.

Luhan: That's good.

Me: What next?

Luhan: Tell papa straightforward that you are dating someone.

Me: If he asks who?

Kris: Tell him your eomma introduced you?

Luhan: Hmmm...say something like, pa...eomma had introduced me to a girl before and we have started talking and just fell for each other.

Kris: Cheesy. Hahahah.

Luhan: Then let's see what you can come up with?

Kris: Pa, this might come as a shock to you, but I am already of age and because of that, I just wanna tell you that I am finally dating.

Luhan: Isn't that a bit too...agressive?

Kris: Then mix it up with your cheesy line?

Me: Okay, okay. Wait. How about this... Pa, a few months ago, eomma had introduced a girl to me. I am already 18. I have found her to be someone special, so I and her are dating.

Luhan: Well, that could work.

Kris: Cheesy still. How about if you just do video call with Sohee when you tell papa?

Me: Let's not go there, okay? She's a bit nervous when Tao found out.

Luhan: I wonder how will papa react knowing you already have a girlfriend...

Kris: Papa will...probably ask you to give him her number and call her...

Luhan: Ask her to come to China and meet the family.

Kris: Shouldn't it be him who'd go to Korea and fetch her?

Luhan: Yeah. Papa will probably ask you to go with him to Korea to meet her and her family.

Me: Let me die now.

Luhan: Not yet orz. We still haven't met her personally. Just that video call.

Kris: We also want to see how your future babies would look like. Hahahaha

Luhan: Little buns running around and wreaking havoc in the house. Hahahaha

Kris: Appa, appa...eomma, eomma...

Luhan: Uncle Lu...uncle Yifan...

And they both laughed at the thought. I got a little annoyed because they were teasing me.

Me: Shut it Mulan, Shang.

Luhan: Well, it's kinda cute. You and Sohee look practically alike. Your babies would all look like twins.

Kris: Little twin buns.

Luhan: With their little eyes and pink cheeks.

Kris: Chubby cheeks and chubby tummies.

Luhan: Awww...go on, tell papa when he returns, so you can get married after.

Me: Seriously?

Luhan: No.

Me: Like I said.

Kris: Relax, fairy godmother.

Me: Stop with that name orz. It makes me vomit.

Kris: Bibbidi bobbidi boo! Your nausea is gone! Poof!

Luhan: I think we should call him Mushu?

Kris: No. He's too cute for a little dragon. Hahahaha.

Luhan: Who should be Mushu?

Kris: Kyungie.

Luhan: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Kris: Shhhhhhhhhhh....

Me: Oi, help me here. You two should focus on the problem at hand.

I didn't see Baekhyun and Tao walking towards us. Instead of going out the front door, they took the backdoor and went the side of the house.

Baek: Hyung. We wanna meet Sohee nuna.

Tao: Yep.

Baek: Does papa know?

Tao: Does he?

Me: What are you two doing here?

Baek: We just wanna know.

Me: No, papa doesn't know yet.

Tao: Want me to help?

Me: How can you help, Zitao?

Tao: I can help you to subtly tell papa...

Me: How?

I had to ask. This kid had his ways and I wanted to know if his plan would work.

Tao: You're starting your internship at papa's office starting December first, right?

Me: Yeah?

Tao: Then tell him that as part of growing up, you have found someone who made your heart flutter. But you have to promise him that it won't interfere with your duties in the office...because she is in Korea.

Me: How will that help?

Tao: Papa will not expect you to be dating all over the place. So he'll trust you with your relationship.

Me: You have a point. But how do I start to tell him?

Baek: Invite papa over a cup of coffee. Like how businessmen do their talks.

Luhan: Yeah. Papa will take it as you are there to tell him something important and you offering him cofee meant that you treat the situation seriously.

Kris: Like businessmen do, when they talk about business matters over a cup of coffee,

Me: Right. Thanks guys.

Baek: So, when should we meet Sohee nuna?

Me: Later.

Tao: Later tonight?

Me: No. No. No.

Tao: When?

Me: Later after I tell papa.

Baek: Why?

Me: Because it would just be normal that way. If I tell you now and introduce you before papa, he'd feel like I don't respect him.

Tao: Hmmm...

Baek: Okay. Make it fast, hyung.

Kris: On another note, I dread working at Soo Kui and Associates starting the first.

Luhan: Same.

Me: I third the motion.

Kris: Why can't Suho start then, too?

Luhan: There won't be someone to take care of the others.

Kris: There's Lay and Baek.

Luhan: No offense, Baek, but you need to minimize your playfulness for me to trust you fully.

Baek: Hey, no offense taken. I'm in no hurry to grow up.

Me: You have to grow up before we leave for London, paboya.

Tao: Do I have to grow up by then?

Luhan: You are tall enough. That's enough.

Kris: Suho would've been a good staff. He's doing staff work for the theater arts guild, right?

Luhan: Yep. But you...are...council president.

Kris: Aish. Don't rub it in. I'm just saying it would have been better if we had one more in the team.

Me: Yeah. It's always us four.

Luhan: Papa expects him to start heading the others and training him before we leave.

Kris: To be honest, I don't really wanna leave.

Luhan: Me too. But we have to.

Me: For our future.

Baek: Okay. I'll grow up. You are making me guilty just listening to your...lamentations.

Kris: Who is lamenting?

Baek: All of you.

Tao had sat on the grass and went to staring at the sky. Whatever this kid was thinking again?

Tao: Hmmm...before you leave, let us go somewhere and do overnight. Like camping and stuff.

Baek: That's good. Just like when we camped out before we left for Florida.

Tao: Mama and papa should come too.

Baek: Yeah. Somewhere near the lake.

Tao: Grandpa Wu's place?

Baek: Errrr...sort of...without really going to grandpa's place.

Tao: You are just scared of gramma.

Baek: I'm not scared of gramma.

Tao: Grandpa then?

Baek: No!

Luhan: Shhhhhh! Go back inside the house!

Baek: Me?

Luhan: Both of you. Now!

And the two rolled their eyes and walked back towards the house. Sehun met them out the front door and he made his way towards us. He was smiling. That evil smile only he can give.

"Hyung! I wanna meet Sohee nuna! Let's call her now."

Setan had come out and play.

He made it sound like he was asking for bubbletea.

How can you look like an angel, yet be evil inside?

I had to tell papa soon.

Like soon.

Feels. Like real feels. Listening to the Dark And Wild album now. When it came out last night in iTunes, I downloaded everything. I'm inlove with all the tracks. Hahaha. Especially 24/7 Heaven and Hormone War. I also like 이불킥. xD Cypher is daebak! Can I die now? LOL. SADHSAKHASGSAGSAHDGASHDGASJDEAHf!