/////

Donghae and Hee Sun were going to be there as well as his parents. His parents should have flown to Jeju Island to celebrate their anniversary, but they’d decided to stay home in Seoul and had wanted to celebrate with both their children and their special someone’s. Eunhyuk sort of felt sick to the core just thinking even that.

He’d been driving back and forth in front of her house. Donghae should already know. He hadn’t told him but his parents should have said something to him and Hee Sun, so they would know that Victoria would also be there that night. The only problem Eunhyuk had was if Victoria would come.

“Well you started this mess…hopefully we can end it here,” Eunhyuk told himself. “It’ll be fine.”

Taking another deep breath he stepped out of his car and walked toward her house. He rung the doorbell once before Victoria opened the door.

She gave him a curious stare. “You’re dropping by sort of late.”

“Uh…well…” Eunhyuk began trying to force the words out.

“Do you want to come in?” Victoria asked taking a step back widening the doorway for him.

“No, it’s fine,” Eunhyuk replied. “But…I have favor to ask of you.”

“Favor?” Victoria cocked her head. “It’s not something stupid relating to your so-called surprise the other time is it?”

Eunhyuk pressed his lips together. “I’m sorry.”

Victoria couldn’t help but mutter a laugh. “What is it this time? Seems like I’m going to feel guilty if I refuse.”

“My parents want to have dinner together,” Eunhyuk started, “it’s their anniversary today, but they wanted to spend it with us. Lets be mature and get this over with on a good note, ok?”

“Ah…really?” Victoria asked nodding her head slightly. “Why do you seem to pull me into your troubles each time.”

“I don’t have anything to say to that,” Eunhyuk told. “You will go, won’t you?”

Victoria stared at him with no movement.

“Hae…and Hee Sun will also be there,” Eunhyuk looked away then back to her. “We still have two hours. I can wait for your decision.”

Victoria’s face expression moved a little but she didn’t say anything or do anything.

Eunhyuk felt kind of bad that he was giving her the same kind of trouble Donghae had already given her. He didn’t know what to do. His parents stood on one side eagerly anticipating and on the other side stood Hee Sun, Donghae, and Victoria who would all be hurt one way or another. What choice did he have? Eunhyuk didn’t remember ever being jammed in the middle of such problems.

“You don’t want me to go, do you?” Victoria asked eyeing him.

“Honestly…you shouldn’t go, but my parents are waiting for you,” Eunhyuk said.

“Are you having a hard time?” Victoria questioned.

Eunhyuk took a deep breath, “I shouldn’t feel as hurt as you, that’s one thing for sure. If anything should happen I’ll block you from it.”

“Don’t tire yourself out. I should still thank your mother for the food last time,” Victoria told. “Why don’t you wait inside while I get ready?”

/////

Because he felt apologetic, he felt bad because of both Donghae and Hee Sun…maybe just as he felt responsible for them she could see his feelings draining him. Eunhyuk had kept her company probably because he didn’t want her to feel lonely. He must have known that Donghae was often around but now that he was gone Eunhyuk felt the need to do something for her. Stuck in between Donghae, Hee Sun, and herself she was aware that Eunhyuk would feel some burden. In order to keep things simple for him she told herself to perform well that night.

/////

Donghae followed Hee Sun into the large banquet room that had been reserved for them only. A beautiful long white curtain hung from the top of the wall. The dim red walls created a soft atmosphere that made one want to sleep. The most striking piece in the room was the loud chandelier hanging above the wide round table. The crystals hanging off of it shone every time it hit the light. Rays of blue, red, yellow, and orange shone here and there.

Her parents were already seated with smiles plastered onto their faces. Hee Sun had told him earlier that it was their anniversary and had wanted to spend it together. If they were going to spend it together how come Eunhyuk was no where in sight? Without saying a word Donghae slid out Hee Sun’s seat for her first and finally sat down on her left. The two chairs on his left were empty, however.

“Good evening, Donghae.” Hee Sun’s father greeted. “Today’s been a long day huh?”

“Ah…yes. Good evening.” Donghae nodded. “Congratulations…your anniversary.”

“Thank you.” Eunhyuk’s father thanked. “We should have invited your uncle too.”

“He’s out of the city doing some work right now. I’m pretty sure he would have loved to come,” Donghae replied.

“Honey, did you already talk to Eunhyuk?” Hee Sun’s mother asked.

“He should be coming with his girlfriend.” Hee Sun’s father replied.

“Who?” Hee Sun asked turning toward them also grabbing Donghae’s attention.

“Eunhyuk’s girlfriend, Victoria Song.” her mother answered.

“She’s coming too?” asked Hee Sun.

“Ah…here they are,” her mother turned away from her glancing to her right waving her hand.

Donghae watched as she got up from her seat walking toward them giving Victoria a tight hug as if they were all already one family. Donghae felt a bitter feeling climb through him. Why hadn’t he known about this? Eunhyuk glanced at him nodding a little before tuning away again.

“Sit right here,” Hee Sun’s mother suggested pulling out the seat beside Donghae for Victoria.

She paused, glanced at the seat and stared at Donghae who looked back at her. A mix of questions and emotions glued on his face but not a word came from either one of them. They hadn’t planned to see each other again that way.

“Do you want to sit here instead?” Eunhyuk broke into her thoughts.

“I’ll be fine here,” she replied sitting down.   

“I heard you and Donghae are also familiar with each other,” Eunhyuk’s father started.

“Ah…yes.” Victoria nodded.

His father smiled and went on, “You must have been busy today. Sorry for calling you out so suddenly.”

“Uh…no. It’s ok, I wasn’t doing much,” Victoria replied.

Donghae slightly turned to his left forgetting about Hee Sun.

“I heard today is your anniversary,” Victoria said.

“You just being here already makes me happy,” Hee Sun’s mother exclaimed excited. “Has Eunhyuk been treating you well?”

Donghae fully turned so that the two of them were in his view. Neither Victoria or Eunhyuk looked at him, they only turned to look at each other. Why?

Victoria turned back to Eunhyuk’s mom nodding, “Perfectly well.”

“Eat up Hee Sun,” her mother urged. “It’s not good to starve yourself now.”

Victoria finally turned to see Hee Sun sitting to Donghae’s right yet, Donghae was sitting away from her. Hee Sun glanced at her before turning away. During that mere moment all Victoria saw was a young sad girl who wanted some attention from the one she loved. Pressing her lips together to remind herself her purpose for being there she reached for some food and placed them on Eunhyuk’s plate, an old gesture she’d done at their home. Eunhyuk gave her a suspicious look.

“Just eat.” she told before she felt a small kick from under the table. “Ah!” she quickly bit her tongue and glanced around. Eunhyuk’s parents were looking at her curiously. Victoria just smiled in reply and glanced from the corner of her eye at Donghae.

“Oppa,” Hee Sun called.

Donghae kept his eyes still on Victoria as if daring her to make another move.

“Eunhyuk, why aren’t you saying a word?” his father questioned.

“Oh…I’m just a bit tired,” he replied.

“Would you like to come stay with us a little bit after dinner?” his father suggested.

It felt as if she were pulling away from him when she turned away. Her eyes wouldn’t meet his properly.

“It might be pretty late, but Eunhyuk could take you back home,” his father added.

He seemed excited hoping that she would say yes and that made Victoria uncertain of her confident no. His eyes shone happily like he’d done something that no one else could do. She didn’t know what to say. Disappointing his parents wasn’t something she had the right to do…but what about Eunhyuk? He probably didn’t want her to go but his parents…

“Victoria has to go home father,” Eunhyuk cut in.

She turned to him and said, “No, I’ll go. It won’t be long anyway.”

Eunhyuk turned to her with a deep frown telling her to just let him talk.

“Eunhyuk, why are you looking at her like that? You’re not afraid we’re going to embarrass you, right?” his mother asked.

“Of course not.” he replied.

“Then why won’t you let her go?”

“Eunhyuk,” Donghae interrupted, “likes being sneaky these days. Even I don’t know what he’s up to.”

Victoria quickly turned to look at him. Donghae ignored her this time.

“Then Victoria would know what he’s doing,” Hee Sun’s mother said. She sounded so much like her daughter.

“Depends if they are together,” Donghae said in a solid tone.

Victoria couldn’t help but frown at him. Eunhyuk just glanced at him shrugging his words off his shoulder. It’s not like he didn’t know why Donghae was annoyed all of a sudden. Eunhyuk’s parent’s cheerful laughter in the background drowned them out.  

“What are if we are?” Victoria asked in a contradicting manner changing Donghae’s expression.

“That’s enough,” Eunhyuk said quietly gently elbowing her.

Victoria turned back to him biting onto her tongue then glanced at Hee Sun who was oddly quiet that night. They finally left the table when Hee Sun began running to the bathroom. While her parents stayed inside with her Donghae, Eunhyuk, and Victoria headed outside. Donghae paused once the door closed behind them and watched Eunhyuk and Victoria both walk forward. Just the sight of them made him angry. Moving his legs forward he cut in between them and stopped before them.

“What is with you?” Victoria asked.

“What about you?” Donghae questioned.

Donghae glanced at Eunhyuk who glanced back at him, “Calm down, Hae.”

“I feel like I’m suffocating when I see you…” Donghae paused.  

“You’re jealous?” Eunhyuk finished.

Donghae turned away.

“You…aren’t real.” Donghae told as if he were talking to himself.

Both Eunhyuk and Victoria only stared at him silently before Donghae suddenly clasped Victoria’s hand. He took a step forward but she took a step back stopping him.

“What are you up to?” she asked.

Eunhyuk glanced at their hands before the restaurant door opened and his parents along with Hee Sun filed out. Without a word Donghae let go of Victoria’s hand and they remained heavily silent.   

***Just as Victoria's hurt is visible to Eunhyuk, his conflicted feelings about where he should stand and whose side he should take is visible to Victoria. She sees the burden he carries unconciously. Donghae is back to square 1 tonight. This chapter is one that I added-it wasn't originally in the story.

I won't update tomorrow morning, sorry. Wait 3 weeks for me and I'll be back with the rest of the story. Again, Sorry and Thank You!