Namjoo's POV

"Drink! Drink! Drink!" chanted Chorong and Naeun unnie in unison as we were already at our 7th bottle of soju. They're really too much. After revealing that I was going get married, they were so happy and excited. Chorong unnie suddenly said that beer isn't enough for this "celebration" and proceeded to order endless amounts of soju. I swear, that's absolutely rubbish.

"Unnie! I can't drink anymore!" I exclaimed, looking at the shot glass of soju in my grasp. I could already feel my body telling me to stop. I've reached my limit. One more shot and I might just knock out.

"Well, why didn’t you tell us you were secretly dating someone and suddenly decided to get married?" asked Chorong unnie with a teasing smile.

"You didn't even tell us who you're marrying, that's even more reason why you should drink." said Naeun unnie with a giggle.

A sigh escaped from my mouth. I don't know. Why do I feel uncomfortable telling them about Hayoung? Knowing them, they would start stalking her if I revealed her identity. I'm only doing this to protect her.

"Fine. I'll drink." I said, dunking down the soju in one gulp. I can already feel the heat from the liquor sliding down my throat till my stomach. Ugh, a horrible feeling.

"Ooh~ our Namjoo has grown~" hummed Chorong unnie with amazement.

"Next." giggled Naeun unnie as she suddenly snatched my glass and poured another shot.

"Unnie!" I shouted in desperation. "Seriously, If I drink any further, I'll really get  drunk!"

"And that's exactly what we're going to do." smirked Naeun unnie as she glanced at Chorong unnie who was also masking the same smirk. Oh no. What on earth are they planning now?

"Let's move on to the next question Namjoo-ya. It's very important since you're so persistant in not telling us who you're marrying." said Chorong unnie as I gulped nervously. Looking straight at my eyes, she said "Is it a man or a woman?"

"W-Why are you asking me that-"

"You know Chorong unnie is dating Bomi unnie who is a woman. She's dated men before too but it was never successful. In this society, we can date and marry anyone of any gender." explained Naeun.

My eyes faltered.

"Or.." paused Chorong as she looked at me. "If you refuse to answer, drink it." she pointed towards the glass I was holding.

Great. I'm totally screwed. I'm sorry Hayoung, I think I knew their plan all along. They are going to get me drunk, send me home and start digging out my personal belongings for an answer. But I'm doing this to protect you. Knowing your personality, you would feel uncomfortable to have these unnies stalking you day and night.

It's better to reveal your identity only on the wedding day itself. You have no idea how crazy these unnies can be.

I took a deep breath and gulped down another round of soju. I felt an immediate and sudden wave of dizziness coursing through my head. I knew this would happen.

As much as I love Chorong unnie and Naeun unnie, there are times that I hate them so much.

Hayoung's POV

I knew this would happen. We were gathered at a barbeque restaurant, grilling meat at the front as the table was scattered with various side dishes and bottles of soju. The mood was surprisingly calmer than I had expected. On my left is Eunji unnie who downed her 13th shot as she hummed happily to a song. On my right, is Bomi unnie who is too engrossed stuffing meat into . Oh and I forgot to introduce her, she used to be in the same class as Eunji back in college. They took the same major, even discussed about opening their own company together, but because they each had different ideals, they went their seperate ways.

In fact, Eunji and Bomi unnie were fighting to see who would take me into their company. In the end, Eunji unnie won and I began to work for her. Bomi unnie on the other hand, continued to set up her company and introduced a phone app where people can order food online. Yup, it's related to food, her favourite thing in the world.

[30 minutes ago]

"You what?" asked Eunji with a gasp.

"I'm getting married." I said with an unchanged expression.

"Hey." she said walking up to me and suddenly hitting my arm. "Don't joke with me, brat." she laughed.

"It's the truth."

Immediately in that trance, her expression changed from confusion to sheer happiness.

"Really?!" Her tone was now in a higher pitch.

"I don't have any proof because it's too expensive to buy a ring but yes, it's true."

"Hey. You're not going anywhere right?"

I shook my head.

"Good." Eunji unnie suddenly locked her arms in mine. "We're going to have a lot of bonding tonight." she smirked as she dragged me somewhere else while taking out her phone, calling someone.

"Bom-ah! Big news! I don't care if you're busy or not, you better show up! Our Hayoung’s getting married!"

"Hayoung-ah, I'm waiting." said Eunji unnie all of sudden.

"Spill it, I cancelled a date with Chorong unnie just for this moment." said Bomi unnie as suddenly, all the attention is on me.

"There is no need to spend so much celebrating a marriage." I sighed.

"That's not what we want Hayoung-ah." said Eunji.

"Wow, you're really beating around the bush." said Bomi.

"What?"

All of a sudden, the two of them stood up and slammed their hands onto the table at the same time.

"Who are you marrying?!" They shouted, causing the whole restuarant to stare at us briefly. Right, I forgot that when these two are together, they are pretty embarrassing.

I sighed.

"Is one of the men that your grandmother set you up on those blind dates? One of those investor boys we met last year?" interrogated Eunji unnie with excitement.

"Or are you like me?!" said Bomi as if competing to see who would get their answers first. "Is it a girl? A pretty girl from the coffee shop you frequent? That female vet that's always doing checkups on Bbang?!"

They are really noisy.

Putting my chopsticks down and crossing my arms, I simply huffed. "It's a woman."

Immediately, I could see Bomi unnie mouthing the words "Yes!" as if announcing her victory while Eunji scrunched her eyebrows. I guess she lost this round. I don't get their strange rivalry in this situation.

"How did you guys meet? You know, you're not the type to go to clubs or attend social gatherings, did you bump into her like those love stories on TV?" The unnies interrogated with several other questions. Most of them, were not worth my time and breath to answer. Like curious children who were suddenly so interested in my private life, I guess I would understand their excitement. I have no friends in my high school nor college days except for these two after all. They accepted me for who I am and even taught me how to expand my skills into becoming a good programmer. Can't say I'm not thankful.

Where do I start? Do I reveal the puzzle one by one? I wanted to respect Namjoo too. During our discussion earlier that the day, she spoke about revealing our identities as a marriage couple to our friends. We made a decision to keep it a secret, until the wedding day. The only ones who would know of our identities would be our families.

It's not that we're teasing them. Both Namjoo and I agreed that our friends can become scary stalkers trying to find out who the other half is. In a way we are very similiar, we are people who are in their thirties and have absolutely no experience in dating or falling in love.

"Sorry unnie. Please wait until I have received blessings from my grandparents and her parents."

The two of them looked at each other, sighing in defeat.

"It's just so unreal to think our Hayoung is going to get married. This isn't a dream right?" said Bomi unnie as she poured a glass.

"You've really grown up you little brat." smiled Eunji unnie as she ruffled my hair.

There was a sudden silence as the two of them just looked at me with motherly eyes. It felt warm yet uncomfortable because I wasn’t used to this kind of behaviour from them.

"Alright! Our Hayoungie is getting married! That means we're going to get drunk!" said Eunji as she gestured the waiter to bring more soju.

"You're just using this as an excuse to drink...." I mumbled.

"Who cares, I'm paying cos I'm the CEO!" smirked Eunji.

"Hey! I'm a CEO too! I'm paying!" said Bomi as she suddenly stood up from her seat.

It's starting again. Their pointless rivalry.

For hours, we continued to drink and grill meat, while listening to Eunji and Bomi unnie bickering with each other. It has been awhile since the three of us gathered like that and I listened to their stories, just like I always do. In the end I always end up taking them home because the two are too drunk.

Don't worry about me. My alcohol tolerance is better than the two of them.

In fact, I'm the best drinker.

Author's POV

Midnight seeped through as a taxi stopped outside the entrance of Moonbean Residences. Closing the door behind was Hayoung with a flushed face as she checked the time on her phone. 12:15am. She had wondered if Namjoo was at home. She texted her earlier but received no reply. After dropping a very drunk Eunji and Bomi at their respective homes, the girl was exhausted yet relieved at the same time because she managed to keep Namjoo's identity a secret. As she walked through the makeshift park, leading to the stairs, there was a sound of a car parking, wheels screeching, following a boisterious ruckus of girls.

Turning her head around for a peek, she spotted someone familiar. Namjoo. She was with her friends and certainly, she was drunk. Chorong and Naeun were holding her side-by-side, helping her walk as she was mumbling nonsense. Hayoung froze, deciding if she should help or pretend that she didn't see. She wanted to push through the possibility that Namjoo had successfully hidden her identity to her friends and walked over.

"You must be Namjoo's friends. Here, let me help." Hayoung said to which the two girls looked at her, scanning from head to toe. The taller girl did feel a bit uncomfortable with the stares she was getting.

"You're Namjoo's housemate, right?" asked Chorong.

"Yes." replied Hayoung like a robot as she led her friends into their apartment building. Unlocking the door and helping a drunk Namjoo lie down onto her bed, the programmer was now left in an awkward situation with Chorong and Naeun. Observing the two girls who were looking around their living room and kitchen, Hayoung was a little suspicious of their motives.

"Would you like a drink or something?" asked the taller girl, causing them to stop their movements.

"No, it's okay. We'll leave now." smiled Chorong. "Please take care of our Namjoo. I'm sure she's given lots of trouble as your housemate. I will apologize on her behalf if she has ever made you annoyed or anything."

"It's nothing really. She's a good person." said Hayoung as she followed them to the door.

"Glad to know that we can trust her with you. You're Oh Hayoung right?" asked Naeun as she looked at her.

"Yes."

"Make her happy okay?" she smiled as they left, leaving Hayoung rather confused at her words. As she closed the door, she thought deeply about Naeun's words.

Did they figure it out?

Hayoung's POV

I couldn't help but feel disturbed by Namjoo's friends. It was as if they were checking up on me. Were they that sharp to realise that I'm the one who's marrying her? But that isn't important right now. What on earth am I supposed to do with my drunk housemate? As I peeked into Namjoo's room, she was in a really uncomfortable position. I can't believe her friends just tossed her like that. I should probably move her body into a better position on the bed. Otherwise, she would wake up with sore muscles the next morning. I stared at her for a moment, surely she reeked of alcohol but I just couldn't leave her like that. I'm doing this because it's my responsibility as a landlord. Nothing else.

Putting my two arms underneath her back, I tried to lift her upwards. I couldn't. With a grunt, I tried it again. I guess I was just too weak. It would be a little rude to say that she's heavy. Taking a deep breath, I tried it again but to no avail. What do I do now?

"Hayoung-ah.." mumbled Namjoo.

Do I respond? She's in a drunk state, surely it's just pure nonsense. All drunk people behave the same. After all, Eunji unnie and Bomi unnie are like that.

"Yes?" I asked.

"It's hot...." she mumbled.

I gulped. No. This is crossing the border. I am in no place, to do such a thing. In fact, I should leave this room immediately. I will pretend that none of this happened and create a lie about her friends bringing her here. Not me. Sometimes, little white lies should be used in a situation like this. Turning around, I was about to head to the door when I felt something warm grabbing my wrist.

"Hayoung-ah...."

Great. Why do I feel like I've dealt with a lot of drunkards today?

"Yes?" I asked again.

"Don't leave me." She mumbled with a pout. "Stay here. With me."

"Namjoo-ssi, I have to go. I have no rights to stay in your room."

"I said stay with me!" she whined all of sudden in a louder voice.

I was taken aback.

Well, I've taken a note to not make her angry. I decided to sit down on her bed, her hands still cuffed tightly around my wrists as I could do nothing but listen to her drunken rambles.

"....and then he says he is married! What kind of nonsense is that? I can't believe Minjae was such a sly man. I hate him for breaking my heart."

I've been stuck in this position for about 30 minutes now. It's a bit suffocating but I can't do anything. Perhaps, she would calm down and soon loosen the grip on my wrist. Then, I can escape.

"Hayoung-ah."

"Yes?"

"Are you listening to me?"

"Yes, I am."

All of a sudden, Namjoo jolted up from her sleeping position. In a perfect upright state, she stared deeply into my eyes. I gulped in nervousness.

"Lies." she mumbled as she cupped my cheeks. I froze in that moment. I had absolutely no idea what she was going to do from now. I can't escape either. Her grasp is too strong. "You know Hayoung-ah, you're a really interesting girl." she mumbled. "If only.... if only you are more expressive, you would be so much better..." I could already feel her breath against my face. "Don't you know that you look so pretty when you smile? Smile more okay?" I nodded, hoping that she would let go of my cheeks. But instead, it backfired.

Suddenly, a wide smile formed as she chuckled softly. "That's a relief....." Her happy expression suddenly changed to a straight one. "I'm hungry." she said while scanning her eyes onto my lips. "Those look delicious..." she mumbled.

Oh no. I need to get out.

Now.

I tried to move but Namjoo kept me tight into her grasp, I could not escape.

Before I could even do anything else, I felt something wet on my lips.

Namjoo's POV

Dizziness hit me first thing in the morning, like a sharp knife penetrating through my head. Ugh, I knew it. Those unnies really overdid it this time. As my senses kicked in, I realised that I was at home, safe and under my blankets. I guess they took me home. Wait, does that mean Hayoung saw me drunk? I'm going to be so screwed. The thing about me getting drunk is because, I don't remember a single thing at all!

What I did first thing, was to touch myself. Okay, I was still wearing clothes from last night and yup, it totally reeks of alcohol. Looking around my room, it looked exactly the same from where I left. Good. I think I just came back home and collapsed onto my bed. Nothing bad at all. I nodded in relief only to suddenly hear a quiet rustle of the pillow.

Hold on.

I began to realise a sudden space of warmth behind me. There's someone in the same bed as me. .

My mind began to go wild thinking of what kind of things I could've done. In fact, I was too scared to turn around and see who it was. Was I so drunk and suddenly brought a random stranger to my house? No way, that can't be possible. I'm fully clothed. Then, did Chorong and Naeun unnie have a sleepover at my house? It would make more sense since I've slept with them before. This is driving me insane. I wouldn't know those answers unless I muster the courage to turn around and see who is behind me. It can't be that bad right? As long as I didn't lose my ity or anything. With a deep breath, I tossed my body around to my left side.

Beside me, was a brunette, and already I could recognize her face. I could sense the fear building up inside my heart. No way.

"Hayoung?!" I gasped.

But the girl was still sleeping so deeply that she didn't even hear me. For a moment, I calmed down as for once, she didn't look that intimidating. She always had this frown printed all over her face but here, she looks at peace. Taking in the little features of her face, she's really pretty in all honesty. I have such a beautiful housemate but she doesn't even make use of it, to attract other guys.

Yet alone, smile.

But slowly, I found myself trying to piece the puzzle together.

What is Hayoung doing in my bed? How drunk was I? More importantly, what on earth happened last night?

I had so many questions to ask her but I didn't want to disturb.

Instead, I thought this would be a good moment to fully take in the sight of my housemate. It's still funny how we're going to get married. Usually people marry out of love, but for us, it's pretty complicated. I extended my hand, wanting to ruffle her hair. But the moment I touched it, Hayoung's eyes suddenly shot open like a horror scene. She then bolted up, in an upright position as she looked at me with widened eyes.

"M-Morning Hayoung-ah...." I said, a little surprised.

I could see her gulping in shock. There was a brief silence as we stared at each other.

"Namjoo-ssi. I mean, Namjoo unnie." She finally spoke.

"Y-Yeah?"

"Do you remember what happened last night?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Actually when I get drunk, I don't remember anything at all."

Hayoung sighed in relief. "Good. Then, let's pretend that this never happened." she said, suddenly getting out of my bed.

"Wait!" I grabbed her wrist tightly. "W-What happened last night? Did I-"

"Let's not create assumptions and simply forget that it happened. Now if you excuse me, I need to wash up." said Hayoung coldly as she took my hands off her wrists and walked off.

I was left confused and hanging. There's no way I can let this slide. I tried to get out but the aftereffects of being drunk were far too great. I felt myself falling backwards as I landed back onto my bed, glued to the sheets. I wanted to call out to her, to ask her no matter how many times it took because,

I needed to know what happened that night.

--

A/N: Namjoo, you're screwed lol. Girl better not be touching any more alcohol from now on. Is Hayoung scarred for life? What on earth happened that night? Do share your thoughts and I will update the next chapter soon. Thank you for reading!