“What was that, jie?” Lucas asked quietly, Alessa was looking at her hand before facing him.

“What?”

“You were talking to Chanyeol hyung, it looked intense.” He said carefully, he glanced up across them, the Park elders were talking to some colleagues.

“I told him about my side of the story.”

“Story?”

“Seolah.”She said as she jutted her lips towards the girl, Seolah was chatting with Baekhyun and Jaehyun.

“Jaehyun’s hates her, you know.” Lucas added, switching to Korean, Alessa shook her head at him.

“I do, too.”He added under his breath, Alessa slowly turned her head to him.

“Lucas, what are you~”

“Jie, I know now. She was the one who sent men to beat you up.”

Alessa’s eyes widened, she was about to speak but her brother cut her off.

“Don’t worry, I wont do anything.” He gave her a wistful smile before standing up.

“Lucas, where~”

“I’m going to get us something to drink.” Lucas winked at her before leaving the table.

"Well, not yet.”He said to himself.

“She’s here for press purposes.” Kai mused as Alessa walked towards the center, Lucas and Jaehyun looked at her.

“Hyung said he already spoke to his parents.” Jaehyun murmured, Kai grinned and nudged Baekhyun.

“Spoke about what?” Lucas asked, his sister was waving her over to join them at the center.

“The wedding’s off.” Jaehyun said pleasantly before pushing his friend forward.

Seolah stood beside the Parks as Alessa joined their group, the mayor of Seoul was with them along with some well-known governors and members of the city council.

“Well, they still have an image to keep up with, but they’ll probably release something as soon as this ceremony’s done.” Kai commented as the speaker started to welcome the guests.

The event went on, Chanyeol was the first one to welcome them to the groundbreaking while Alessa remained quiet, she was handed the shovel a few minutes into his speech.

“And, now, we would like to hear a few words from vice president Wong,”

She looked up, Chanyeol handed the mic to her and took the shovel from the girl.

“Good afternoon, first of all, I’d like to thank everyone for being here. Today marks a special day for WongShen, it’s our first time working with the Korean government on a project as huge as this, and partnering up with Lotte Holdings has made things easier for us. So, I am also here to announce,”

Chanyeol spotted Dylan in the crowd, his forehead creased as he saw the male give Alessa a thumbs up, the girl smiled back at him before continuing her speech.

“I will be handling all matters regarding WongShen Korea from now on.” She finished, Chanyeol’s eyes went to her.

“You’re staying here? Permanently?” He said, surprised. He felt his mother peering over the two of them. Alessa grinned back at him and nodded.

“It’s a long story, but yes. Why? Would you rather I be in Shanghai?” She said jokingly as they went down the platform. Seolah was chewing on her lower lip as she followed the two from behind.

Chanyeol was literally beaming at her, Alessa grew amused.

“Nah, I think being in Seoul suits you better, I mean look at you, you just spoke in public!” He said teasingly, Alessa shook her head at him before walking towards WongShen’s directors.

“Oppa,”

Chanyeol paused, he turned to face the girl.

“We need to talk.” She said softly, careful of the eyes on them. Chanyeol pursed his lips before giving her a small nod.

“Yeobo, stop staring.” Mr. Park sighed, his wife was still looking at Alessa. The young lady was speaking with some of the government officials, despite her young age, she commanded not just the attention of the elders, but also their respect. She was nodding along as the mayor spoke to her about the cultural center’s goals.

Alessa unconsciously flipped her hair over one shoulder and smiled back at the man.

“Look at her, yeobo. Look. At. Her.”

Mr. Park shook his head at his wife and focused on his plate of light sandwiches.

“I know, she’s very~”

“Gorgeous. Elegant and just what I’ve always wanted in a daughter~”

“Park Nahyun, don’t go there. We already made a big mistake of arranging our son to the Gongs.” He murmured, the lady rolled her eyes at her husband.

And then Alessa was making her way towards the VIP table, their table. Mrs. Park actually straightened up on her seat, which made her husband snort in amusement.

“Miss Wong,” Mrs. Park gestured for the girl to sit beside her, Alessa nodded and took the seat next to hers.

“Why aren’t you eating yet?” The lady asked her chidingly, Alessa smiled and shook her head.

“My brother and I had a really heavy lunch, ma’am. And, you can call me Alessa. Chanyeol calls me that too.” She said amiably, and then she looked up as she saw Chanyeol making his way towards the exit doors. From the way his shoulders looked so tensed, and the crease on his forehead she could see that something was bothering him. Alessa looked at the elders and excused herself.

“I have to check on something, enjoy the rest of your afternoon.” She said to them, Mr. Park gave her a thumbs up, which surprised her. She chuckled before giving Mrs. Park a quick bow and she walked away from them.

Alessa walked away from the crowd and headed straight for the doors, she stepped out the building and winced as she realized how windy it was outside.

Well, it was a coastal property. She puffed her cheeks looked around the area, and then she spotted him.

Alessa was about to walk towards him, but she halted.

What am I doing?

I’m just digging my own grave.

I shouldn’t be seen with him without other people around us.

She started to take small steps back, but he turned and his gaze locked with hers.

Okay, ?

“You needed something?” Chanyeol spoke to her, Alessa shook her head.

“N—No, I’m looking for Dylan.” She fibbed before turning away from him.

“N—No, I’m looking for Dylan.” Alessa replied quickly before walking back towards the doors. Chanyeol chewed on the insides of his cheeks, he pursed his lips before walking after the girl.

It took him three long strides to reach for her arm.

He spun her around and made her face him. Alessa was wide-eyed as she looked at him, he could see the question in her eyes.

“Is something wrong?” She asked him while trying to hold onto the skirt of her dress, the wind was definitely being nice to her.

Chanyeol wordlessly shook off his jacket and leaned over to wrap it around her waist, Alessa’s brows rose in confusion.

“Chanyeol,” She spoke again as he tied the sleeves across her waist, he looked up to meet her gaze.

“I told my parents.”

Alessa paused, Chanyeol shrugged at her buried his hands in his pockets.

“How did it go?”

“Hmmm, not so good. They had so many questions when I told them my side. And, I also told them about…”

“That? Bed thing?” She said, not wanting to talk about it. Chanyeol’s lips quirked up as he sensed her discomfort.

“They told me that I should have told them sooner, abeoji doesn’t want me to say anything until this party is over.” He gestured towards the pavilion.

“He’s right, it’s bad press.” She nodded back at him, Chanyeol looked at her again.

“And, I…I just spoke with Seolah. I told her that I can’t do it. I can’t marry her.” He murmured as he toyed with the sleeve of his coat the hung on her waist. Alessa nodded for him to continue.

“She..She didn’t take it well. She said..that she wasn’t going to let me ruin her. She’s going to tell her parents that I played her. I don’t know how to explain this to my father.”

“Ruin?” Alessa balked, Chanyeol exhaled and shrugged at her.

“If I do back out on the wedding, it would make her look bad, Alessa.”

“W—Well, do you want me to say something comforting? Or do you want me to upfront about it?”

“You’re actually giving me choices now?” He was smiling, Alessa scrunched her nose at him.

“I try to adjust.” She offered with a shrug, Chanyeol chuckled before giving the sleeve a firm yank, before Alessa could react, the male was already wrapping his long arms around her.

“You don’t have to say anything, you just have to stay here. Even just for a few minutes.” He said softly before leaning his chin on her shoulder.

Alessa balked, she puffed cheeks before gently patting his back.

What have I gotten myself into?

This is what you get for being nosy, Alessandra.

Why is he so broad?

“I should have gotten out of this earlier.” He murmured before pulling away from her, Alessa pressed her lips together before speaking.

“Told you that the bed alternative would work a whole lot better.” She was teasing, Chanyeol snorted before looking around them.

“Do you know what would make me feel better?” He spoke as he brushed her hair away from her face.

“I don’t want to know.” She blinked at him, Chanyeol chuckled before taking her hand in his.

“Come on, let’s get out of here.”

“Are you crazy?” She screeched as he started to pull her towards the parking lot, Alessa was trying to pull him back towards the building. Which was funny to look at, she was so petite that Chanyeol didn’t even budge.

“We’re just going out for some ice cream, vice president. Besides,” He glanced back at the pavilion again.

“Besides, what? Want another scandal to come?” She muttered as they reached his G Class wagon, Chanyeol smiled before opening the door for her.

“I owe you one.”

“What?” She sighed at him as she climbed into the car, Chanyeol politely looked away as her dress hiked up her thighs.

“I just do.” He winked at her before closing the doors. Alessa rolled her eyes and leaned back on her seat.

While Chanyeol let out a big sigh of relief before going to the driver’s side. But he was smiling as he got in the car.

She…She really might be the end of me.

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