“Am I the only one who’s a little…uncomfortable watching this?” Alessa asked as she craned her neck towards the living room again, her mother and Ahee were chatting over some tea and Chinese snacks.

“I am uncomfortable with how much you’re trying to twist your neck.” Chanyeol nodded back, her eyes narrowed at him, he broke into a grin.

“It’s fine, Alessa. They seem to be getting along well.” He said as he patted her knee, urging for her to look at the TV screen again. Lucas had excused himself and gone into his room to get something.

“What if she~”

“She wont. You can see she’s trying.” Chanyeol said soothingly, she puffed her cheeks and leaned back on the couch.

“But, you,” Alessa turned her attention to him, she lifted her feet off the floor and placed her legs across his lap.

“What?”

“I didn’t know you would really take my grandfather’s offer.”

“Oh, Shanghai? I’ve always wanted to tour around the city, but I never had the chance to while I was studying.” He said coolly as he lowered the volume of the movie they were watching.

“Yeol, going there means…I mean, the elder will see it…as if..you know,” She trailed off, not knowing how to continue.

“It’s..too much commitment, Chanyeol. My family will see it as if…I just don’t want you to get tied to something~”

“Alessa,” He stopped her, she turned to him and blinked.

“I know what you’re talking about.”

“Well, that’s good. We can always reschedule your flight~”

“And I know what my flying there means.”

“You see, you have to let me finish~”

“And I am serious about you. That’s why I want to meet everyone there.” He said with a wink, Alessa was about to protest but Chanyeol simply pressed his lips against hers.

“I mean it. It’s just you.”

Lucas looked up as he heard the sliding doors open, he turned his head from the veranda and saw his sister grinning at him.

“Lunch was okay, right?” She asked as she padded towards him, she crossed her arms against the cold.

“They actually get along well. I mean, Ahee’s love for the stock market and finance is pretty weird, but…ma seems to like her for that?” He trailed off, confused. Alessa chuckled and leaned against the railing beside him.

“I guess that’s a good thing then,” She nodded before stretching her hand towards her brother, Lucas smiled and opted to hug his sister instead. She groaned but hugged him back and patted the back of his head.

“I know, Wong Yukhei is happy. But no need to crush your sister.” She muttered, Lucas let go of her and chuckled.

“So, you’re really going to Shanghai, huh?”

“You’re coming, right? I can’t..do this alone.” She asked him, her forehead creasing. Lucas grinned and nodded.

“I asked Ahee if she wants to join us, but she declined. She said I should spend time with my family instead.”

“She’s quite….right. I mean, I would love for her to come but she has a point. You were gone for quite some time.” Alessa said as they walked back inside the house.

“You’re saying that so I would really join you guys.” He snorted, Alessa grinned and slapped his arm.

“I mean it. I would have dragged your if you said no, with or without Chanyeol.”

Lucas rolled his eyes at her.

“I’m happy you’re happy, jie. You’ve finally met your match.”

“He probably already knows about the crush thing. I don’t want to talk about it.” She muttered as they reached the living room, Chanyeol had joined the two ladies and was chatting with them excitedly.

“I don’t understand how he does it. Being so social and just…being sunny.” Alessa said with a small smile on her face, Lucas chuckled.

“Easy,”

“What?”

“Jie, he’s the complete total opposite of you. That’s why you two match so well.” Lucas hummed, Alessa blinked at him.

“So, you’re telling me I’m the opposite of sunny?” She asked as she padded after him, Chanyeol and Ahee looked up from their seats.

“They’re fighting again. What’s new?” Mrs. Wong sighed.

“You are no sun, jie. You’re a storm!”

“Wong Yukhei!”

Chanyeol chuckled as he watched Alessa chase Lucas with her unicorn house slipper in hand. Ahee smiled to herself and looked away.

“Your brother’s very..excited.”

Alessa looked up from her dresser, she was in the middle of fixing her hair.

“He just wanted you to hear him out, ma.” She set her brush down and turned to face her mother.

“I know, I made a mistake. You kids demand so much from me.” The elder grumbled back at her, Alessa grew amused and watched as her mother sat on the foot of her bed.

“What is it, ma? What brings you up here?”

Her mother smiled before speaking.

“I heard you’re flying to Shanghai with Chanyeol.”

Alessa paused but she nodded back at her, Mrs. Wong smiled approvingly.

“Your grandfather is excited about it, even ma mentioned that she’d be cooking her signature dishes.”

“Wait, she’s in town? I thought she flew to Hong Kong.”

“She flew to Shanghai a few days ago. I’m very happy for you daughter, you finally met someone who deserves you.”

“You said that about Darren.” Alessa said, her mother frowned.

“I’m joking, ma.” She snorted, Mrs. Wong eyed her warily.

“I mean it, Alessandra. I see the way he looks at you, that young man would do anything for you. And you look at him the same way.”

Alessa smiled and looked at her palms. Her mother stood up and walked towards her.

“Flying here to help your brother was a good choice, I’m glad you decided to work her permanently.” She smiled and patted her cheek lovingly.

“So, you and pa are okay if I station myself here?”

“You and Lucas are free to work anywhere you want. Just don’t apply for our competitors, okay?”

Alessa laughed and shook her head.

“We would never, ma.”

“Weather around this time back home can be quite harsh. But well, winter Seoul is pretty tough too.” Alessa said as they walked towards the mall. Ahee and Lucas had separated with them as soon as they left the Wong residence after lunch.

“Your mother seems to be pleased with Ahee, Lucas is over the moon.”

Alessa smiled and nodded, Chanyeol took her hand in his as they went inside the building.

“She’s trying to make amends, which is quite funny to see. My mother was never the…bubbly type, and yet, she almost talked my ears off earlier.”

“You’re like that too, Alessa.” Chanyeol mused as they reached the Balmain botique.

“I know, I’ve been told that I’m not exactly the most approachable person in this planet.” She said as she approached the rack of dresses.

“I mean; how did you even stand talking to me? I was always so rude or awkward around people.” She asked while pulling out a nice satin mini dress, Chanyeol gave her a thumbs up.

“Well, you were..you.” Chanyeol offered, she looked at him and grinned.

“I guess that’s why I need you.” She said to him, Chanyeol almost melted into a pile of goo at her words.

“See? You have your moments.” He chuckled before pulling the girl to his chest, Alessa sighed, aware that people were know staring at them.

“Chanyeol, there’s people~”

“It’s not like we’re hiding our relationship, Alessa. Live a little.” He joked before kissing the top of her head.

She started to grumble at his chest, Chanyeol chuckled and let her go.

“I want to try this one, can you wait for a bit? Or you really need that cheesecake fix?” She asked him.

“Can’t we just pay for it, you try it on at home then we eat now?”

Alessa laughed at his words.

“Let’s get you your cheesecake.” She mused before walking out of the boutique, but Chanyeol handed his credit card to the sales associate before following Alessa.

“Just the black one, sir?” The lady called out, Chanyeol paused, he looked at the rack again, confused.

“Just..one of every color. All in her size. Please have them delivered to my car.” He said before jogging after Alessa.

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