Gratitude could be repaid through the agreement of a benevolent act. The party did not interest Hyunmi, knowing ridicule would follow her trail to the front door, and mocking cackles would resonate in her dreams. However, she believed in the notion of an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Woohyun did aid her, providing words of encouragement beyond the expectation she had imposed on him. Seeing how eagerly he desired her presence by his side, it was only fitting to answer favorably.   What followed afterwards was Woohyun upholding his promise. He truly wished to cultivate her beauty in a way only he had seen. As a wealthy man, he didn't fear investing in luxurious and stunning items. The outcome, at the end, pertained more worth than any tangible goods could accumulate to.   She had meant to fulfil a benign service, to compensate him for his kindness. However, as she descended the stairs and entered the living room in a dress gifted by Woohyun, everyone was filled with mesmerized wonder. It was a velvety red dress matching the fire of Woohyun’s blazer. Golden embroideries ran at its sides, creating detailed floral patterns to enhance its luxury. The dress elevated her social status to that of a woman born into wealth.   Hyunmi kindled great admiration for the dress, but her genuine awe resurfaced when she watched Woohyun’s reaction. Though she was aware of his ability to spew honeyed words, she also knew he could not feign the same facade through his expression. There was a glint of genuinity when his pupils dilated during her entrance, a sweet satisfaction as his lips fell into a granted curl, and his beam of pride that for once did not focus on himself, but rather, on whom he was with.   “Oh, Hyunmi.” Youngtaek showed an entirely unexpected behavior when he began to cry woefully, locking her arm into his. “Must you go? I am afraid you will have plenty of suitors asking for your hands in marriage.”   “More rivals for you,” Joochan chimed.   “Nay, he never stood a chance to begin with,” Jangjun teased, and the children all laughed at the young boy’s suffering.   “If it assures you, I will ensure it shan’t happen. I have no intention of staying away from her tonight. Anyone attempting to converse with her shall have to include me in their company,” Woohyun spoke, making a few of the orphans giggle again, knowing it worsened Youngtaek’s worries instead.   “It is a tragedy! You are my greatest rival,” Youngtaek exclaimed, gritting his teeth. “Can’t I come along?”   “You don’t own a suit,” Rika said.   “You can’t even dance,” Donghyun snickered.   “And you’re stupid,” Jineul blatantly spoke, inducing laughter in the house. It had been a week, and she perfectly blended with the orphans. Her apathy towards the male was constantly emphasized at every opportunity, but she learned to manage, and they learned to cope.   “Don’t be so harsh on him,” Hyunmi said, gently ruffling Youngtaek’s hair, mirroring the caring image of a mother or an older sibling. “A change in my outer appearance won’t alter my inner character. This party gathers the rich and arrogant in one place; you are aware of my loathing towards them.”   “Well said. Now, this particular rich and arrogant man would like to request your company now. We can’t be late,” Woohyun said, taking no offense in her words. In fact, he had grown accustomed to them and found it stranger had such derision not departed her lips. He held his arm out for her. “After you, my lady.”   Hyunmi stared at his extended offer, wondering once more whether she had made the right decision. She turned to her brother, seeing him gleam in agreement. A pang of guilt shadowed her heart, albeit this time, Dongwoo was made aware of her decision to leave at her own consent—at both their consent.   “Careful,” Dongwoo called as they set foot outside. He beamed with a mixture of pride and awe, showing none of the drooly signs she dreaded to see. He never inquired to be brought to the party, finding comfort in his own home among his own people. The party would exhibit him as a fool’s attraction.   “Return with lots of savory snacks,” Jangjun shouted.   “I second that,” Sungyoon always agreed. “Enjoy yourselves.”   Daeyeol stayed quiet, thinking of the two men he encountered during Jineul’s rescue mission. Sungjong and Sungyeol were brothers, as he had come to learn afterwards. He hoped those two would abstain from their beloved mother, wishing no harm would come her way. He folded his hands and uttered a prayer to the heavens, one to abstain Hyunmi and Woohyun from mayhem. Only that way could he watch them head towards the coach with ease.   “Must you really do that now? Envy has begun to infiltrate my heart,” Woohyun spoke, holding the door open for her.   “What?”   “The way you touched his hair.”   Hyunmi couldn’t help but chuckle, seeing a pout form on his lush lips. He looked less the arrogant man and more an adorable child. “It is a mere gesture abstained from any romantic feelings.”   “To him it is an entirely different matter,” Woohyun insisted.   “It means naught. I have repeated this action from time to time again as a kind gesture, and nothing more,” she defended.   Her words were empty unless proven directly to him. In the moment of spontaneity, she reached her hand to his hair, gliding her fingers between his soft ebony strands, striding it over his cheeks in a light caress. A mimic of her playful action resulted in an entirely different reaction she had not accounted for. Her heart staggered deliriously, and breathing became dizzying. She wondered whether the tight corset was at fault.   “I have proven my point.” Woohyun gently grabbed her hand from his cheeks. He drew a grin, taunting and teasing at the same time. There was a great urge to continue holding her hand, to lace his fingers between hers, rub his thumb over her skin, and to make her his very own. Realizing he had held her for a second longer than intended, he removed her hand from the clasp of his fingers. Now he was left with no other excuses to initiate deliberate contact.   Woe was he.   ***   Seulyi’s party was famous for its grandiose scale, the details of the decoration including the imported flora, and the festive atmosphere set by the musicians. All of these showcased her abilities as a great hostess. The musicians played a wonderful tune, but even without a biased opinion, Hyunmi found more comfort in Joochan’s emotional melodies. Servers roamed around with food trays in their hand, dressed in a rag closely resembling her previous outfit.   Hyunmi’s second visitation begged to differ, intending to leave a better impression. She presented herself as a noble woman, locked in the arm of the wealthiest man in town, entering a world she despised to feign her elation. How ironic of a situation she had found herself in. People stared with condemning looks, regarding her as a hypocrite upon arrival. Though of course, this was the judgement she perceived in her own head.   “Well, good evening, Woohyun,” a familiar female voice greeted. A beautiful upper class lady dressed in the finest gold and most expensive apparel appeared, her arms woven around a man whose good looks would evoke a Greek God’s envy.   “Mr. Myungsoo, Seulyi,” Woohyun spoke, his lips curling to a grin. “Such a pleasant surprise meeting you here!”   This made the married couple laugh. “You utter nonsense. This is our house. Why shan’t we be here?” Myungsoo asked with amusement.   “The subject of my interest lies in the female companion beside you.” Seulyi’s gaze darted to Hyunmi who still had her arms locked around her companion. Without recognition to Hyunmi’s social class, Seulyi regarded her as one of her own, presenting a treatment much friendlier and respectable in nature. Outer appearances would never cease to evoke judgements. How Hyunmi wished to take herself asunder from such despairing notions.   “When you inquired my assistance to have a dress sewn from scratch, I did not expect you to gift it to a particular person—a female one, at that,” Seulyi continued with a teasing grin, then turned to Hyunmi and winked her long eyelashes. “Do not be mistaken. My surprise stems off the fact he has found himself a companion.”   “What are you implying?” Hyunmi questioned, awaiting Seulyi’s answer, studying Woohyun’s tight lips, and overlooking Myungsoo’s expressionless face.   “Woohyun religiously attends my parties ever since I set foot into the Kim household. Not once, dear woman, have I seen him a female companion,” Seulyi continued, the grin settling deeper on her face to imply a greater meaning. “He is a known gal sneaker, and women surround themselves around him like butterflies attracted to nectars. I am elated to see a change for once.”   The news was expected and lacked the factor to surprise her. Hyunmi could imagine the number of women who fell for his sultry invitations: for his ability to bedazzle them through speech alone, and his visuals worthy of worship. God seemed almost unfair for creating a being of utmost perfection, but Hyunmi knew more than anyone, his true beauty lied in his flaws.   “He is a frivolous man who charms everyone around him,” Hyunmi finally responded, disguising her censure as a compliment. The addition of her smile made her statement all the more believable.   “And yet, one woman finally managed to charm him,” Seulyi continued, sparing a playful look at Woohyun.   The possibility of being dear and special to him made Hyunmi’s heart react with a violent tug. Nay, it couldn’t be true. These two were close friends, as she observed through the absence of honorifics. They could be scheming behind her back and she’d be the fool for allowing such deception to succeed. Her dubious logic suppressed her fluttering emotion.   “I am most honored of such beliefs. However, I must correct you there. I have not charmed him, rather, I have something in my possession he wished to obtain,” she said, referring to the land upon which their house stood.   “Truly?” Seulyi looked surprised.   “It is true,” Woohyun confirmed. “Her heart is a delicate subject not mine for the taking, yet.”   How clever of him to spin a lighthearted statement in order to withdraw the topic from his ulterior motive. His manners translated beguilingly which enchanted even Hyunmi to emit a small chuckle she never intended to produce.   “I take it you are Jang Hyunmi, then. One of the owners of the land desired by Mr. Kim Sunggyu,” Myungsoo began to speak, shattering the cold shell of Italy’s finest statue people would mistake him as. “My name is Kim Myungsoo, Seulyi’s husband, and owner of this estate.”   If Hyunmi was surprised, it did not show on her composed demeanor. With anyone else, she would’ve questioned how such detailed information about her private life was made known. However, Myungsoo’s career as a judge allowed him knowledge of public and private secrets. Yet, the neutral judge began to pick sides when he leaked her information to the opposing party.   “Being the high judge yourself, I assume you have a perfect understanding of Mr. Nam’s intention?” She feigned her friendliness, making a small curtsy to formally greet him. The rich were all the same, except one.   “I shall be honest with you. I supposed I did.” Myungsoo gave Woohyun a suspicious eye. “However, I can no longer claim so with certainty.”   The small sentence managed to stir her heart with big tides of hesitation. She must prevent her feelings from getting drowned by this ocean of reveling emotions, knowing the storm shall eventually come to pass. She wished for Woohyun to deny the statement, to set her heart at ease, to return the rational logic to her mind, but of course he wouldn’t. The man was beguiling in his ways and longed for nothing more than to witness her fall for his tricks. And inde