a/n: Listening to this song while reading might help with the mood lol (click me)

“But, unnie, I never pegged you as someone who would go for…a new brand.” Miyoung murmured as they walked in the kitchen, Minah grinned at her.

“Do you have something against H One Jewels?”

“N—No, I was assuming you’d go for the usual…Harry Winston or even Bv~”

“I read online that it’s owned by a Korean family and I am amazed how they managed to grow the company and have A-list clients in just a span of years. That’s why, I’d like to own a couple of pieces. Juice?” She asked as she opened the fridge, Miyoung leaned against the counter.

“I emailed some of my friends back home, I’ll see what I can do, unnie.”

By friends, I mean Hyungwon’s people. You will definitely get the empress cut sapphire ring and the matching earrings.

“Home.” Minah repeated as she set the sandwiches between them.

“Yeah, New York.” Miyoung shrugged as she started to eat, Minah’s forehead creased.

“But this is home, Young. Here.”

The youngest Hwang paused, she put the sandwich down and nodded.

“I-I’m sorry. I know what you mean, eat up.” Minah urged her, Miyoung her lips and faced her sibling.

“Is there anything else you wanted to talk about? I could hear the slight…worry in your tone from earlier, unnie.”

“Actually, it’s about work.”

Miyoung nodded for her to continue.

“It’s just that with everything that’s going on right now, the wedding preparations, meeting with our lawyers, plus all the renovations in the house, I….kind of have a lot on my plate,”
Miyoung’s brows rose, somehow she had a feeling where this conversation was going.

“You need my help.” She stated, Minah nodded at her.

“Just a couple of months, Young-ah. Until the wedding.”

Miyoung chewed on her lower lip, she puffed her cheeks.

“I’ll..have to discuss this with my boss, unnie. But, I’ll think about it. I’d like to help out.”

Minah beamed at her and gave her sister a hug.

“Also, there’s one thing,”

Miyoung picked up her sandwich again, the two girls glanced towards the doors when they heard a car roll in.

“Sehun must be home then.” Miyoung was about to slide down from the chair but Minah caught her arm.

“He…He saw you today.”

The younger girl paused and she turned to her.

“At the party. He..saw you.”

“Unnie, please,” Miyoung flinched and pulled her arm back, Minah’s brows rose.

“I’m not going to say anything but,”

Miyoung looked away.

“A little closure would be nice, Miyoung-ah. We’re family friends. And, you two….you were once good friends.”

“I don’t think he’d want to be friends with me, unnie.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I’d really rather not know.” Miyoung said with a small smile before leaving the table.

Shownu heard the office doors open slightly, he pinched the bridge of his nose before looking up.

“It’s fine, come in.” He called out, his secretary slowly walked into the room, carrying a cup of tea.

“I hope this will help with your….hangover, sir.”

Shownu exhaled and thanked the male. His secretary quietly left the room and he turned to his computer again.

“You…You really are back.”

“Just for Minah unnie’s wedding.”

“Can…Can we talk?”

“I’m sorry, no.”

He exhaled and closed his laptop. He crossed his arms and leaned back on his chair.

She really is back in town.

Hwang Miyoung was home.

Shownu’s lips curled up slightly, she still looked the same. Her hair was longer and darker, she had also gotten prettier. He let out a shaky breath and stood up from his seat, he buried his hands in his pockets.

But the way she looked at him. It was different.

She looked scared. Disturbed, even.

“Why?” Shownu murmured as he stood by the windows, he ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. He wanted to talk to her, he wanted to ask her so many things. But she wouldn’t even look at him.

He heard a knock on the door, and he turned.

“Sir, the front desk called. They informed me that miss Yoo is at the lobby. She says she’d like to talk to you.” His secretary carefully said, some of the staff who were working closely with him were a bit confused when Sera was no longer admitted to his office without questions.

“I’ll be down in a minute.” Shownu replied, he picked up his phone off the desk and stepped out of the office.

He got inside the elevator and his phone buzzed, he took it out and saw Minah’s name.

Are you okay? -Minah

He was about to put his phone back but another message arrived.

I know you have questions. How about lunch tomorrow? -Minah

Shownu sent back a thumbs up emoji and put his phone back in coat pocket, the doors opened and he stepped out. He saw Sera standing by the receptionist, he smiled at the girl.

“This feels weird, but this is better than having to call you.” Sera spoke as the male reached him.

“What’s up?” He asked her as they walked towards the leather seats by the lounge.

“I just came by to remind you regarding that event we RSVP-d together, oppa.”

Shownu’s brows rose briefly, but he nodded back.

“Going alone would be okay, but then again…they already know you’re coming so,” Sera said, a little uncomfortable.

“Of course, I’ll be there.” Shownu said, Sera nodded, she pressed her lips together. Before, Shownu used to offer to pick her up so they’d arrive together.

“Is that all?”

“Yes, oppa. I’ll see you later.”

Shownu nodded, he stood up and walked her to the doors.

“I feel a little hurt.” Sera said with a small smile as they reached the lobby again, Shownu turned to her.

“Why?”

“Having to meet you out here.” Sera spoke, Shownu turned quiet, not knowing what to say. He saw Sera’s car being brought around the curb.

“You don’t have to say anything, oppa.” She turned to him, Shownu nodded back at her.

“I’ve decided to wait. For you.” She said with a smile as she leaned forward to kiss his cheek, Shownu was about to speak but the girl was already padding towards her car.

The male exhaled and walked back to the doors.

“Hey, you didn’t tell me about a party.” Miyoung was trying to wriggle free from Minhyuk’s grasp as he continued pulling the girl with him. She was dressed in a nice Burberry satin dress and a thick faux fur coat.

“I don’t want to go alone.”

“This is your family’s party. What do you mean alone?” Miyoung said through gritted teeth as they got inside the elevator, Minhyuk shrugged at her.

“Did Hyungwon put you up with this?”

“I don’t get you, why are you hiding from society? You're Lotte Group’s youngest daughter and yet you’re moping~”

“I am not moping.” She argued back, the LeeSan Hotel Group son winked at her.

“You’re not used to having Hyungwon and Eunyoung around, but,”

“Stop.” She sighed, the doors pinged open and Minhyuk offered his arm to the girl.

“I just think you should be comfortable being back in Seoul. New York might have become home for you,”

“I’m trying.” She muttered, Minhyuk glanced at her. The girl was fidgeting with the ring she was wearing, it was a H One Jewels piece as well.

“Well, we have tonight. You probably will run into some familiar faces.” He said as they walked in the hall, Miyoung flinched slightly as she saw the large crowd inside. Minhyuk helped her with her coat and handed it to the doorman.

“I hope not.” She rubbed her arms, Minhyuk smiled at her.

“Hyungwon mentioned you’d be anxious attending public events, but you know he means well, right?”

“It’s not public events…I just don’t like running into people…that I know.” She murmured as she fixed the hem of her dress.

“I’ll go get us something to drink.” Minhyuk patted her hand before letting go, Miyoung puffed her cheeks and walked around. Minhyuk’s family was opening a couple of branches around the country and the party was held to purposely announce that. She walked over to the glass display when she felt someone staring at her.

“I’m sorry, but you…look so familiar. Did we go to high school together?” The young lady asked, Miyoung’s brows rose.

“Cho Sooah?” She spoke, the girl broke into a smile.

“Right, Hwang Miyoung.” She smiled and gave the girl a hug, a male appeared before her and Sooah pulled him.

“Oppa, this Miyoung. We went to high school together.” She spoke, the male smiled and offered his hand to the girl.

“Hwang Miyoung-ssi?” The male repeated.

“She’s one of the Hwangs, oppa. I’m pretty sure you do business with them as well.”

“Hwangs?” The male asked, Miyoung shook his hand.

“Minah’s my twin sister, Lotte Group.” Miyoung said, she mentally sighed and scanned the room for Minhyuk.

“Right, I was told that president Hwang has a sister who lived abroad, nice to meet you, Miyoung-ssi.”

There, I finally said it. Now, I really am back. I might as well take my sister’s job offer while I’m at it.

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you too.” She excused herself and exhaled.

“You always drag me to parties without telling me in advance.” Minah sighed as she walked with her brother, Jooheon beamed at her and took his sister’s hand.

“Appa forced me to attend this, he’s good friends with chairman Lee. And Minhyuk hyung is a good pal.”

“Your friend from school?”

Jooheon nodded at her, they made their way towards their assigned table, Minah looked around and saw Sera walk in. She tilted her head, she looked around the room.

“What are you looking at, noona?” Jooheon followed her gaze, he spotted Sera.

“Why is she alone?” Jooheon voiced out, Minah looked ahead.

“I guess Shownu hyung didn’t come with her. That’s weird. I’m so used to seeing them together.”

“Did he say something to you?”

“What?”

“Before…Miyoung suddenly appeared, I noticed that he was acting a little strange. One time I mentioned Sera in a conversation and he got a little..off.” Minah continued, she glanced around them again. She saw Shownu speaking with some familiar faces, he caught her gaze and he smiled at the girl.

“Maybe it’s because his parents have been mentioning marriage again. That’s what I heard.” Jooheon nodded, he fixed his tie.

“Well, she’s been with him for years.”

“But, they were never official. I feel bad for Sera too.” Jooheon shrugged, he stood up.

“I’ll go get us something to drink, noona.” He said before walking away from the table, Minah leaned back on her seat.

“I see Jooheon has managed to get you away from work again,”

She grinned as Shownu sat down beside her.

“It’s not like I have a choice, I can’t say no to him.” Minah replied, and then she faced the older male.

“Oppa, I…Are you okay?”

A small smile appeared on his face and he nodded.

“Truthfully, I wanted to talk to you about something. I..needed you to judge my..judgement.” Shownu said, he leaned back on the chair.

“On what? Is this about the SK Holdings acquisition? I didn’t get to read the paper about it. Did it go well?” Minah asked him, Jooheon returned with their drinks.

“No, I mean, it went well.I did this thing…I spoke with Sera a few weeks back, I..didn’t like how~”

“Noona? Noona!” Jooheon suddenly spoke.

“What?” Minah looked away from Shownu then she halted, Jooheon wasn’t calling her. He was referring to his other noona.

“Jooheon-ah,” Miyoung halted, and then her eyes went to the people sitting beside him, her eyes widened.

“M—Miyoung-ah,” Minah was stunned to see her sister, Shownu was staring at the girl.

“U—Unnie, I…I~”

“I didn’t know you were invited here. How do you know LeeSan Group?” Jooheon was the first one to approach her, sensing the tension in the group. He walked towards his sister with a smile, wanting the said tension to go away. Miyoung’s eyes went to Shownu briefly before facing her brother.

“Actually, I~”

“Mommy!”

Jooheon almost tripped on his own feet as a toddler clutched onto his sister's thigh with a huge smile on her face.

“Mommy?” Honey repeated with eyes wide as saucers.

Minah froze, she was about to stand from her seat when a tall male clad in a nicely fitted tuxedo suddenly came walking towards her sister.

Miyoung was still staring at the child holding on to her, totally out of words.

“Hi, we just arrived.”

Minah watched as the male leaned over to kiss her sister’s cheek, Jooheon staggered back. Miyoung slowly turned her head to the male, he broke into a smile as she faced him.

“H—Hyungwon-ah,”

Minah felt her jaw drop, and then she quickly stole a glance at Shownu, the older male had his eyes away from them, but she knew he’d already seen everything.

“Why do you look so surprised? I texted you a couple of times.” He chuckled before bringing her left wrist to his lips and placed a quick kiss on it.

“Mommy?!” Jooheon screeched and turned to the eldest Hwang in shock.

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