“It’s too tiring…Omma~ Can you make coffee?”

“Ya! Get off the sofa, you bum! You have been like that for three days now!” his mom hit him on his

“Ouch! Omma! Don’t you love your son? I’ve been home after years and I don’t even get to laze around?”

“We are going out tonight for party anyway! And from tomorrow, I’ll have many more functions to attend and I won’t be at home at all!“

“Arasso, arasso, laze around then! I’ll go make coffee”

“I love you omma~” his mom just tsked as she headed to kitchen

Kim Jongdae or Chen as many called was a doctor. He was abroad, working in different countries for past few years and was back in Korea for break. As much as he loved his job, this break was much needed. He had worked nonstop for past few years and was about to burn out.

He had returned to Korea after his contract was over, intending to rest for few months and then starting his own practice. However his plan to laze around at home got thwarted when invitations started flowing in once people realized he was back in the country; invitations to reunion, official gatherings, engagement parties, etc. It was quite understandable since he was the type who turns out being life of party. In fact tonight was the one year birthday party of his neice.

“They sure are doing it in grand way..” he commented as his family reached S Hotel, the venue for the party

“Your sister always regretted how they couldn’t hold grander wedding, that’s why they are inviting people who couldn’t be invited to the wedding..” his mother said as she got out of the car

With his family he entered the hall. He was quite neatly dressed, not too formal yet not too casual. He took a look around and recognized almost everyone as they were either relatives or family friends. Having separated with his mother who was busy talking with her cousin, he headed to where his sister was. However, he was stopped by to greet and talk with the relatives whom he was seeing after quite a long time.

“Uri Haeunnie~” he played with her chubby cheeks the moment he reached where his sister was

“Kim Jongdae! I can’t believe you are seeing your niece for the first time today!”

“Mianhae Haeunnie~ Here’s a gift from Samcheon~ “he handed the gift over and finally gave attention to his sister

“Noona, thank god Haeunnie doesn’t look like you and looks like brother in law!” he commented, earning a smack from his sister

“Yah~ I thought after becoming a doctor you would be a bit more mature but I see that you haven’t changed at all~”

Jongdae beamed “I’ll take that as a compliment noona!”

“Yah!” before she could smack him anymore their mother had come to intervene

“Aigoo~ You’re married with a kid and you’re already a doctor but look at you guys fighting in public! In your daughter’s birthday party none the less!”

“Omma, children take after their parents you know!” Jongdae remarked and scurried away before he would get scolded anymore by his mother

Having talked with enough people, he retreated to a corner with a champagne intending to just observe. He saw everyone catching up with each other, laughing and talking. It was event like this that brought family together after all…Then he noticed her. A woman, dressed in formal wear, casually leaning across the wall, drinking champagne of her own. He was intrigued as she was all alone… and he could guarantee she was neither relative nor a family friend.

Maybe brother in law’s family?

She was standing alone, observing around and as if she could feel his gaze she looked straight at him. She raised her glass at him and gave him a smile..the smile that literally made her glow. He returned the gesture by raising the glass of his own.

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