The one who wears Prada

Aiming for the moon

Author's note: This was in Paris before Seulgi came to meet Moonbyul and Wheein in thier suite. Enjoy!

 

Seulgi’s eyes twitched, seeing the flashing lights blinding her from every corner. She can feel the beat of the music beneath her, though it wasn’t a club that you would imagine it would be, however the classical strings drummed through her ears were as loud as it was pleasant. She looked around the huge hall, groups of people with suits and dresses talking to each other, some were younger and apparent they were there to follow the trend-setter, while others looked like those who have followed the Kim family for decades. Between the youngsters and the olds, Seulgi felt slightly out of place. It wasn’t really her scene, yet it amazed her nonetheless. Murmurs of the audiences never seem to die down after the show, and to be honest, she was one of the impressed ones. The woman was clear with her passion, yes, but watching how magical her show up close was one and only experience. Seulgi was not the one to follow the trends, she dresses to intimidate, she dresses to fight, but she never really dresses for herself – there was no need to be; people meet her to work with her, not to be friends. She has made her name out there with her skills, she has made it this far with her own ability though she was indeed started from a stable pillar built by her family – maybe that is why people still doubt her, hate her even, for herself to have been blessed for so many things. Maybe that was why she was impressed with the pink haired woman chatting cheerfully with those who wanted nothing more but to bring her down. Maybe Seulgi felt like she could understand the woman. Her family has been in the business for so long, yet the woman made a career out of herself. She has made her way to the top, yet she was always shadowed by her family’s wealth – as if she wasn’t even going to survive without her parents’ money. Seulgi sipped the white champagne, danced so elegantly around the clear glass in her hand, eyes pouring through the woman’s every move and smile. So talented was the woman, Seulgi complimented, yet her name would never be known as Yong Sun but will always be referred as Miss Kim; it shows how much power her family’s name has brought down to herself, how much strength the name has embedded through her – maybe that was why Seulgi felt some sort of sympathy, a connection, but not too long, before Seulgi caught the feelings to herself. Maybe they were similar than she initially thought, but it doesn’t make it easier for her to like the woman. The woman might have bewitched every person she has met, influenced every person she has shown a smile to, manipulated every person she has whispered on, but Seulgi hoped her best not to be one. The woman has made her reputation quite well as the devil who literally wears Prada. How cunning the woman was said to be, she was about to find out and Seulgi never prayed so hard, to avoid such inevitable faith she was about to put in between them. She put down the now dry glass on the table as she inhaled the sweet aroma of the roses in the vase on the table, she softly chuckled to herself as she smells the familiar aroma in an unfamiliar environment. She took a big breath. She wasn’t nervous but she dreaded this moment, knowing well her choice will not end well. She turned towards the woman’s direction and slowly made her way forward, heels careful not to bring attention from those around her, however, people parted their ways upon seeing the face of none other than the youngest lawyer of the Kang group. Though none of them was brave enough to stop and greet her, most of them stared for a good few seconds, to take just a tiny glimpse of her presence before returning to their conversations. As Seulgi smoothly made her way across, she finally came to a stop as the woman’s back greeted her first instead, seemed like the woman moved around as she speaks. Though the woman’s companion recognized her almost immediately, the person of interest however was quite oblivious of her interruption. Seulgi cleared , demanding delicately for the undivided attention from the host of the night where the woman right away turned to face her, leaving her guests hanging, giving them the ultimate cues for it was time for them to leave the two daughters from the most powerful families in South Korea. Upon turning, the pink haired woman’s eyes beamed in excitement.

“Hello there!” Solar greeted, smile wide as ever, eyes curious as they scanned through Seulgi’s face, as the other end settled instead with a small polite smile in return.

“Good evening, Miss Kim. It’s finally great to see you in person.”

Solar clapped in response, smile widened, as if it was possible to do so, “yes! Of course, it is nice to finally meet you Young Lady Kang.”

“Such a marvellous show, I must say. Never have I ever enjoyed as much as I have enjoyed it tonight,” Seulgi complimented, smile still intact, though never really reaches her eyes.

“Oh, you’re too kind Young Lady Kang.” Solar dismissed in a playful manner. “I do hope you pardon my choice to have a show in Paris. Most of my friends complained a lot about the distance they have to travel for this.” She laughed jokingly, quite evident she didn’t really feel that bad anyways.

“No, I actually like Paris. I’m glad I came,” Seulgi replied shortly.

Small talks never really her style, but she managed to get a response nonetheless.

“Please do send my regards to Madame Kang. It is quite unfortunate that she couldn’t come tonight but I do am happy for you to come on your parents’ behalf. I simply love meeting new people!” Solar extended her hand to shake the lawyer’s hand.

Seulgi smiled as she gripped and shook the woman’s welcoming gesture, “I’m sure.”

“Though I’m quite surprise I am being showered with your existence tonight,” the woman gleefully continued as her vision never stray away from the lawyer, “it seems that as if you have forgotten on how you rudely confronted my fiancée this very afternoon.”

Seulgi smirked.

Finally, this is the woman she was looking for.

Though she was taken aback for the sudden change in topic, she expected the woman to play around a little bit before this side of her comes out.

Solar, as if sensing the woman’s question in mind, intruded in, “there is no need for me to hide around the bush, yes? I hope you understand for the private intrusion, you did defy my lion in my hotel. Pardon my curiosity, Young Lady Kang.” She smiled.

“I didn’t plan it to be such a lovely reunion, but she was indeed fun to be with for such reactions I would have never expected,” Seulgi nonchalantly said, purposely ignoring the increased in intensity of the woman’s stare upon hearing her admittance. Seulgi celebrated in her mind to finally some sort of crack behind the devil’s eyes.

The woman’s love for her fiancée was clearly so transparent, maybe a trait Seulgi at least respected.

“I’m glad.”

“Then I’m sure you know well for my intention meeting you tonight.”

Solar laughed softly, “I don’t know everything, Young Lady Kang. But I’m sure that’s the image you have of me.”

The lawyer stayed quiet, a response well revised by the other.

Looking at the woman’s eyes was like nothing Seulgi has ever imagined – she was smiling, she was warmth herself, she was nothing but an angel. But her eyes were everything, Seulgi noticed how the pupil shook in the mention of her fiancée’s name, Seulgi noticed how the eyes narrowed upon recognizing the challenging tone the lawyer has used, Seulgi noticed how the pupil has darkened as their conversation drag on.

This woman is no ordinary one.

As if every answer was thoroughly calculated, as if every movement of her opponent was well memorized.

Never in Seulgi’s life was she ever feel so guarded, the need to protect herself from the glowing eyes of the prey, standing so innocently in front of her.

She radiated nothing but danger, as her aura engulfed the young lawyer so tightly, she started to feel suffocated.

She wasn’t dangerous, she was the danger itself.

Solar smirked as she hears no further response was given, “ah, smart.” She admitted. Most people have already fell so deep beneath her trap at this point. The lawyer, however, was careful, maybe too careful. “Now, Young Lady Kang, tell me… what I can do for you?”

Solar is no genie, but people do approach her time to time. She was indeed fearless.

Solar is no fool, she knows right away when the youngest daughter of the Kang group suddenly changed her mind to come on her show. Though the mother truly presented herself as a loyal fan, her daughter however has made quite a strong reputation in court – someone whose confidence and smart as she is, coming to meet her in person is not even on their list of priority. The Kang group are full of smart people, as the family was nothing but full of successful lawyers. It didn’t surprise anyone when the youngest one strived the best. Solar knows meeting her would be intense, but she didn’t expect this truly.

The woman stood so tall, her body stiff but that was obvious. She was a professional.

But when people like Young Lady Kang wanted to meet her, when they seldom it in their daily lives, Solar prepared herself for the worst. People like Young Lady Kang do not make intermediate request, they are one of the worst people in their world.

“Stop the marriage between Miss Moon and Young Lady Jung.”

Solar wasn’t even surprise and she wasn’t disappointed.

Yet, she replied, “you’re kidding?’

“Unfortunately, no.”

As the lawyer said with a straight face, Solar once again, chuckled to herself. How absurd it was.

“I’m surprise you would do this in public, Young Lady Kang.”

Seulgi smiled, “don’t worry. I made sure we have our privacy.”

As the lawyer finished her statement, Solar looked around the big hall. None of the guests stood near them and they seemed to be preoccupied with their conversations. What Solar noticed the most, however, was the dozens of men and women in suits standing in every corner of her sight – they were surrounding the room, letting the two women to be in the centre of attention.

Solar looked closely to the emblems on the front pocket of their suits and smirked right away – The Kang group bodyguards.

This was a planned meeting, so subtle it was, she didn’t even know it at first.

“I hope you don’t mind my people for crowding the place, Miss Kim. I’m sure people would be less suspicious of us when we meet not in private places. I don’t want words to fly around just yet.”

Solar smiled widely, “the more, the merrier.”

What the lawyer might not know was how closely monitored the hall really was, behind every close wall were her men waiting for her orders. If once hell let loose, once Solar feel like in danger, they won’t hesitate to barge through.

She was prepared.

She was the queen.

Most importantly, Kang Seulgi wasn’t the first person who tried to checkmate her.

But unlike the others, Kang Seulgi noticed how the fear never actually came to the young CEO’s eyes; it was then she knew, the young CEO was well protected.

She was clear, however, that no harm should ever come to the pink haired woman, because her plan will crumble down once they reach that point.

The bodyguards were only for shows, and deep down Seulgi knew that Solar knows.

She knows everything.

“Now,” Solar started, “why me?”

A simple question with a thousand meanings.

“You… have a reputation.” Seulgi, for the first time that night, hesitated. She was careful not to insult the woman. Trapping her into this conversation has already put her in the front page of the woman’s list, for sure.

It was a risky plan for a woman that could kill for sport.

“I’m sure,” the woman agreed, “but Wheein is a friend.”

“You’re heartless enough.”

Solar laughed loudly as tears strung onto her eyes.

It took her good few minutes before she could calm herself, meanwhile the lawyer stood loyally on her side.

“You intrigue me so, Young Lady Kang.”

Seulgi smiled politely, trying so hard not to feel intimidated despite of her loud heartbeat pounding harshly on her chest.

Seulgi couldn’t show how scared she was, she couldn’t let the woman know how small she made her on the inside.

She needed to be strong to survive this.

Solar hummed in agreement, “I am, am I?” she teased light-heartedly but Seulgi was fast enough to jump right in.

“My words were nothing but pure opinions, Miss Kim. It wasn’t my intentions to insult anybody. You shouldn’t care about it.”

“Oh no,” Solar laid her hand gently onto Seulgi’s left arm, “no offence was taken. It was oddly entertaining.”

If Seulgi squinted quite enough, she could almost see the red veins popping on the woman’s neck.

Maybe from now on, Seulgi should really start to watch her words. She shouldn’t push her luck too far – the woman is unpredictable.

“How would you know I won’t tell Wheein, hm?” She challenged.

“This is why we are negotiating, Miss Kim.”

“I don’t do negotiation, Young Lady Kang.”

“I’m sure for this one, you will.”

Solar crossed her arms, pleased with the poised tone of the woman, “what do I get in return?”

Seulgi was well prepared for this question.

“I’m sure you have come up with something for this proposition,” Solar pressed further.

“Of course, though I didn’t expect you to agree this fast.”

“Ah,” the fashion CEO waved her hand in dismissal, “I was bored. You came in the right timing.”

Seulgi felt disgusted. No matter how far her friendship with Wheein went, it was as if the woman hasn’t really care that much about it.

Was she surprised?

Not really.

She may not know the woman in personal level, but Seulgi might get the hints that the woman acted like this all the time.

She questioned Wheein’s and Hwasa’s judgement for allowing such a person to stay beside them.

But maybe that was just her hatred towards the woman talking.

Maybe, this was just a disguise.

But as much as Seulgi felt glad the woman agreed to negotiate, she started to feel like maybe it was wrong to make a deal with the devil herself.

Is she that stupid enough to do this?

“I’m offering you my name.” She finally concluded.

Solar smirked, “so full of yourself, yeah?”

“I have a reason to be.”

Solar found the whole thing amusing before something clicked into her mind.

“Wait, do you mean by marriage?” The pink haired woman gasped, “how dare you proposed such scandalous thing, Young Lady Kang?’

“What? No!” Seulgi vigorously waved both of her hands in front of the young CEO’s face, denying every word that came out of as her eyes wildly ran around the room, hoping a certain lion would be absent.

“I love Hyejin with all my heart, Young Lady Kang. As delicious and adventurous was your challenge, I have to say no to this.” Solar clasped both of her hands onto as she finished, fear to say more than needed.

“Miss Kim, you got it all wrong.”

“I love Hyejin!” Solar whispered harshly, eyes staring at the young lawyer as if the woman has killed her cat in front of her eyes.

“Alliance by papers, Miss Kim!” Seulgi closed her eyes to calm herself down.

“Oh,” Solar sounded disappointed, “that was really anticlimactic. I expected for Hwasa to enter the room and accused me of cheating. You know, like in a drama?”

Seulgi stared at the woman as if the woman has two heads, “no!” she interjected, flabbergasted at the idea. “You don’t want her to do that, ever.”

Solar stared at the woman, who was out of breath, as she recognized fear behind the woman’s pupils and shivered unconsciously, “you know what, you’re right. Let’s not allow her do that.”

It was decided that none of them wanted to get killed by a lion.

At least it’s something they can agree on together.

“Alliance by papers, Miss Kim” Seulgi repeated once their ‘joke’ dispersed.

Solar clicked her tongue and titled her head as she smiled mockingly, “you have to offer more than that, Young Lady Kang.”

Solar was playing with fire. The Kang group is arrogant, they have every reason to be. So uncommon would it be when one of them would offer their surname as an alliance form, unless of course, they would be foolish enough to do so. Their family is strong, wealthy and unstoppable. None could be compared with what the Kang group has. Most alliances are done through marriage, and thus to maintain the power, members of the Kang group often married to international groups and even to royalties. However, an alliance by papers from the Kang group are as honourable, and so very rare. So, Solar is not stupid to realize how much the young Kang wanted this alliance.

“I stood by my ground. Alliance by marriage,” she finally said.

“As your second wife?” Seulgi was already shaking her head in disagreement.

Solar jumped in, “of course not!”

“Then…” the young lawyer encouraged.

“You’ll be marrying my cousin, my aunt’s daughter.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Solar chuckled, now this is when the fun begins.

“I cannot personally offer the alliance of marriage to you because the heir of the Kim group,” Solar pointed to herself, “is marrying the youngest daughter of the Ahn group.” She explained further, “but, the Kim group will still offer you alliance by marriage.”

“I’m not following.”

“My cousin is a Kim; if you married her, you will still make an alliance by marriage with the Kim group.”

Seulgi scoffed, “I’m offering you my name and you offer me… a cousin.”

“That’s correct.”

“I’m not sure if you know this, Miss Kim, but I want to make an alliance to you. I’m sure you’ll forgive me for being biased for this reason.” Seulgi was starting to get pissed off.

Maybe she thought she was an easy one.

“And I appreciate it very much, but this is the only way I will ever agree to this.” The older woman secured.

“You’re madness.”

“I am.”

“You know how many people who would have wanted our alliance?” Seulgi stated.

“Do you how many penguins are actually in the zoo?” The woman ignored.

“I am offering you my name.”

“You do have a pretty surname.”

“And you’re offering a cousin.”

“How do you spell your full name?”

It was not as if a cousin was less… valued, but her initial plan was to acquire the heir – she has put her life on the line for this. Hearing the woman’s sudden demand didn’t help her panic arising from beneath and definitely not helping to calm her nerves.

Seulgi had enough with the woman’s antic.

“Miss Kim, would you please be serious?’

Solar stared at her before a small twisted smirk spread across her beautiful face.

“Did I pull some trigger?”

Seulgi paused, she opened her eyes and she realized she was in a trap.

How did that happen?

The woman smiled again in victory before the curve dropped.

“I’m sure you marrying a stranger is a tiny sacrifice in comparison to mine,” the woman glared, if Seulgi thought the young CEO was intimidating, the abrupt change from the smile to this side of her was absolutely frightening as she can feel the hair on her neck rose in terror,

“I’m not doing this half way. I have never done so. You’re asking me to interfere an alliance that is about to be formed between two of the most untouchable families in the whole world. If ever, they have found out I was the culprit behind their failing plan, I’m literally risking the chances of my family to have an alliance with both households.” Solar stepped forward as the other woman had no choice but to move backwards. “Madame Moon doesn’t respond well to intruders and the Jung group is as merciless as you could decipher. I’m the rightful heir to my family, Young Lady Kang, unlike you, my family’s whole future is in my hands.”

Seulgi gulped. This woman was murderous.

“So, tell me again, you playing house with a cousin is unacceptable while you asked me to do all these things? I do it because I like challenges, Young Lady Kang, but within reasons. I’m not as careless as you would have imagined, I assumed. You are desperate and I don’t make a deal with desperate people.”

She paused, and Seulgi felt her heart dropped.

“Desperate people tend to run once they get what they want.” Solar whispered, as she gritted her teeth. “I was hoping you would at least stay for someone. You’re not as heartless as I am, aren’t you?”

The fire behind the woman’s eyes could never be unseen; she was angry, she was excited, she was… everything. It worried Seulgi how the woman could have smiled so beautifully despite of the beast she just unleashed, usually stay hidden beneath her skin.

The woman talked based on experiences, that Seulgi has noticed. How sad that this may be a frequent thing the woman must face in her life.

She approached the woman in a wrong way.

“Forgive me,” Seulgi decided, maybe it was time for her to take this matter seriously, “you can’t blame me to have doubts in your plan.”

Her smile was back as quickly as it dispersed away, “that’s quite alright. I have doubts too and I don’t blame you for not trusting me.”

“I didn’t say--”

“You don’t trust me,” the older woman cut her off as her smile sweetened, “it’s okay; it’s our instinct.”

Seulgi nodded.

“I’ll think of a plan, then maybe we can discuss more on our terms?” Solar added enthusiastically.

“Very well,” Seulgi forced out a smile, now knowing entirely the type of person she was dealing with.

“We’ll meet soon enough. You see, I’m very creative when I’m driven.” She laughed quietly.

“I’m sure.”

The short answer caused the pink haired woman to stare at the younger one a she sensed some sort of reluctance, ‘we can’t have that, I was starting to enjoy it,’

“You need help and I’m perfect for it. Have some confidence, Young Lady Kang.” She teased, yet it was as if the words have different meanings behind them.

“Enjoy your night, Miss Kim.” Seulgi politely excused herself.

“You too.”

As the young lawyer left, Solar eyes follow her shadow until the woman and her men were gone from the hall. Solar smirked in glee, ‘what a prey.’

“Who was that?” She heard a tiny voice said behind her, a voice she recognized instantly as her smirk turned to a warm curve.

“No one special, a fan I guess.”

“Ah, alright then.”

“Did you enjoy the show?” Solar was genuinely curious for this one; long gone was the tone she used on the lawyer and now was replaced with adoration.

“I did, but too many people make me uncomfortable.” She stared at the floor and Solar melted.

“That’s why I put you in the VIP section.”

“Which I’m grateful for.” The woman cried causing the CEO to laugh loudly.

“Say, how’s your love life?” Solar asked all the sudden, by which she received a timid but quite a powerful slap on her left arm. The other woman sneered.

“Why?”

“Just wondering.”

“Non-existence.” She answered honestly.

Solar rubbed her arm up and down, trying to sooth down the pain as she worriedly looked at the other one. She cared so much for her.

“I heard the youngest daughter of the Kang group is looking for someone,” Solar suggested as she wiggled her eyebrows jokingly.

“Um, how about no?”

“No?”

“No.”

Solar pouted, “you haven’t met her.”

“Have you seen her in court?”

“No, have you?”

“No.”

Confusion was written all over the CEO’s face as she wondered aloud, “you do know you just contradict whatever points you were about to give… right?”

The woman growled cutely in annoyance.

“Hey, just give it a try. I will arrange a date for the two of you. You’d never know until you try,” Solar gently bumped the woman’s side in encouragement, “the Kang group is known for their loyalty. Maybe she can help with your… situation.”

The other one scoffed, “I don’t think so. It has never end well when you mix family and business.”

“Just give it a try?”

“Fine, I will only do this because I trust you and because you’re like a sister to me.” She rolled her eyes.

“That’s all I’m asking,” Solar smiled, sincerely this time.

“Hey, no promises! I only said I’m going to try,” she pointed her finger accusingly before her eyes turned in another direction, “and I’m going to the food section. See you around, Yong Sun!”

Solar watched as the woman moved away, the determination in her mind was ignited.

She would do anything for that woman, for her family, for her sister.

Solar sighed in worry as she stared at her cousin’s retreating back.

“See you around,” her smile diffused, “Irene.”

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P/s: So hi! <3 <3 <3 First of all, I apologize for the delay in update. There is a reason I actually have stopped writing for a while (I explained this through my twitter). But oh my god, thank you so much for all the support you have given me. I love writing and I will continue to write but I won't promise that I will update this fic as often.This chapter has been on my mind for so long so I just decided to write this down as quickly as possible <3 it has been quite a while since I've written something, so I'm not sure if I have improved or not. So sorry XD do comment what you guys think of this! :D thank you for the support and love for this fic, I cannot describe it enough how awesome it felt reading your comments.You guys are awesome! 

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Moon-dancer #1
please update..... continued ???????????
Astrae_17 #2
Chapter 20: Please update! I would love to know what happens next! I really enjoyed this story and it would be lovely to be able to read more of it! Thank you for the hard work you put into writing this!
Astrae_17 #3
Chapter 20: AHHHHH!!!!!!! Please update so that we can know what happens…this is such a good story. Thank you for your hard work writing this!
Doowopdoowop #4
Chapter 20: Aaah this is such a huge plot twist! I need to knowwwww ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
kulsst
#5
Chapter 20: I just reread the whole thing again.
It definitely turned dark real quick
But it’s soooo good <\3


Will you finish this author? ;___;
tobecontinued00 #6
Chapter 20: Cant believe i just found this masterpiece with such c twist
_junggureum #7
Chapter 20: what a twist! im excited, cant waitt
_junggureum #8
Chapter 20: byul what's in your mind?? im curious to death
_junggureum #9
Chapter 20: to hope for an update won't hurt right? THIS IS SOOO GOOD, the story is just starting and i love each and every character. Author-nim we'll wait <3
cyner9 #10
Chapter 20: this is really really good! great job! i hope you could finish this story.. please....