Round Fifty-Nine

“I love her. That’s why I won’t agree to be engaged with her.”

“Son—”

“No, Dad. Please don’t. She’s…she’s so pure. I can’t. I’m not the one for her.”

“I’m afraid it won’t be your call. You’ve always been aware that you will marry someone we pick for you.”

“Anyone. Anyone but her.”

“You’re giving me a headache, son.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I know you are. Well, for starters, you can stop going out with random girls for a while. Can you do that?”

“Yes.”

“Good. We’ll talk about your scandal with Krystal a little later. First, we’ll have to deal with the company’s board of directors.”

~~~~~

She was ready for it. Or so she thought.

Eyes followed her as she entered the building. It was so evident that people were gossiping about her even if they tried to be inconspicuous. The more they tried to hide it, the more obvious they were. The irony of it all.

It hurt. It hurt like it did in school. When she was deemed to be lesser just because of the circumstances of her birth into this world. It never seemed fair to her. Why was a person any lesser than another just because he or she wasn’t born into a regular family? She had a father and mother just like everyone else. The only difference was that her father wasn’t her mother’s husband. Did that fact have to shape the way people saw her? Why couldn’t they accept her as she was? She was just an ordinary girl like everybody else!

Yet the more it hurt, the more determined she was to show them what she’d got. She had enough of the shallowness and superficiality of people who didn’t even come close to knowing who she really was. She was top in sales for three months running. She’d show them. She’d shut their mouths up with her outstanding work performance. Work performance was something that was undeniable. No one could say anything if she topped the charts for six months running, could they? No. They couldn’t.

With a bright smile, she approached a man who looked interested in their new sedan, the 2012/2013 Azera. However, as she neared the man, her co-worker elbowed her out of the way and got to the man first. It was all she could do to hold her tongue and prevent herself from confronting her co-worker there and then.

It didn’t happen just once. It happened all day. Time after time, somebody would cut in and get in her way of whoever she tried to approach. Even the laziest of them all was working that much harder today. All because of her parentage?

“Why are you still coming to work? Are you shameless or something?”

A co-worker stopped her as she was about to head off for a break.

“What’s wrong with coming to work?” Krystal tried her best to stay level.

“You’re really shameless, aren’t you? No wonder you have no qualms about stealing somebody else’s boyfriend. I knew it. You and the boss’ son couldn’t have been platonic. Who were you trying to kid? All of us suspected that there was more but Sulli convinced us that you weren’t like that. She must be kicking herself right now for defending you. Defending such a . You’re just like your mother. A woman of no morals.”

Hold on. That was wholly unnecessary. Why was her mother dragged into the picture? What did this woman know about her mother? How would she feel if her own mother was insulted like that?

“Excuse me, but don’t you think you’ve gone too far? If you want to talk bad about me, go ahead, but there’s no need to bring my mother into this.”

Her co-worker scoffed. “Heh. It’s a fact that you’re illegitimate, isn’t it? And the Jungs don’t want anything to do with you. Why else would you be working like us ordinary people? Your mother must have tried to pull the same trick you’re pulling with Young. Like mother, like daughter. Always going for the rich guys. You are the kind of girl who makes us girls look bad.”

Krystal clenched her fists as anger swirled from the depths of her tormented heart. Her mother had suffered enough. She was gone from this world, at peace at last. Who did this woman think she was? Who was she to judge?

“Shut your filthy, good-for-nothing mouth before I slap you so hard that you can only have porridge for the rest of your life,” she seethed.

Her co-worker looked taken aback by her ferocity and took two steps back.

“You’ve finally shown your true colours. You’re scary.”

And Krystal was left standing in the locker room with emotions that she wasn’t quite sure how to handle as her co-worker made a hasty retreat. Sulli had defended her? Oh no. Sulli. She froze. If there was anyone who deserved an explanation, it was Sulli.

~~~~~

“Sulli, can I talk to you for a moment?” Krystal approached the girl who was talking to another co-worker. The co-worker looked at her with distaste but she ignored it completely. Sulli was the one she cared about.

“What do you have to say to me?”

Krystal was thrown off balance by Sulli’s curt tone but she persevered.

“Please, just give me a few minutes. In private.” She pleaded with her eyes as she prayed for Sulli’s understanding in her heart. She had but one friend in this place. Please, she didn’t want to lose a friend.

“Fine. But make it quick. I’m quite busy.” Sulli excused herself and followed Krystal to the rooftop—their usual hangout.

“I suppose you’ve heard the news,” Krystal began tentatively.

“I’ve heard it. Everyone’s talking about it,” Sulli said gruffly.

“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t tell you before.”

“So it’s true then? You’re really an illegitimate Jung girl?”

Krystal hung her head low. “Yes. It’s true.”

“And you’re involved with Young?”

“No! That’s not true!” Krystal shook her head violently. “I’m not involved with anyone!”

“How can I trust what you say? You’ve been lying to me all this time.”

Sulli’s voice was low and quiet. Completely devoid of the usual perkiness that Krystal was used to hearing. Her eyes. Krystal couldn’t bear to look into her eyes. They were the windows to Sulli’s upset soul. She knew what Sulli must be thinking right now. She understood the sense of betrayal that Sulli must be feeling right now. Sulli had always been upfront and honest about herself. And as a friend, she had been supportive and stood by her side. Krystal knew that a simple apology would not suffice. Yet, there was nothing else she could do or say to undo the lies that she had told.

“I really had no choice. Please forgive me.”

“No choice? I told you everything about me. Everything. Even the ugly details of my parents’ divorce. I told you my deepest and darkest secrets. I thought we were really good friends, Krystal. I thought we were sisters. And while I was putting myself out there, you were keeping everything a secret. How do you think I’d feel?”

“I know that you feel betrayed right now—”

“Hell yeah I feel betrayed. I feel like I’m totally played! I thought you were some poor girl with parents who aren’t there. Just like me. I thought that you had suffered. Just like me. We were two girls struggling to survive in this cruel world. But what are you? You’re the daughter of a freaking rich man. Filthy rich! You have all the money in the world! And here you are, pretending to be ordinary like the rest of us. Do you think it’s funny? Huh? Do you think it’s fun to ride on buses and trains with the rest of us? Is it like an amusement park ride to you? HUH?!”

Sulli was raging and her voice had reached a pitch so high that it was about to crack.

“I’m not a regular daughter, okay? I’m an ILLEGITIMATE daughter! And it sure as hell isn’t easy to live my life, okay? I’ve suffered. Lord knows I have. I’m been teased, ridiculed, insulted, even bullied because I’m illegitimate. I just want to be like everybody else. I don’t want to be me.”

“Did you think that I would think less of you because you’re illegitimate? Am I that kind of superficial person?”

“I couldn’t tell anyone. I couldn’t risk it. If the truth leaked out like it has now, my family would have a lot of problems to deal with. My father now has to deal with questions from everywhere. The press, his business associates, family, friends. My sister has to deal with it too. Even Young is having a really hard time and it’s affecting his family and his company. Please understand why I chose to keep it a secret.”

Sulli laughed coldly and shook her head.

“You didn’t keep it a secret because of other people. You did it for yourself. You didn’t want to be seen as illegitimate again. You wanted to be just another girl on the street. And because of that, it has become a problem for everyone. And you would lie to your best friend about who you are just because you’re afraid of being treated differently.”

“And is there anything wrong with wanting to have a new life as a new person? Is it a crime to try to start out anew?”

Sulli shook her head sadly and teared.

“No. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not a crime at all. But now, I feel like I don’t know you at all. Everything you said you were. Everything I thought you were. For the past few months, everything you told me was a lie. Best friends don’t lie to each other about who they are. Best friends shouldn’t be afraid to be who they are. I would have kept it a secret for you if you really wanted me to. And it hurts to know that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me the truth.”

“Sulli…” Krystal couldn’t find the words to express herself. She was in turmoil. Bullies she could handle. Insults she could ignore. Ridicules she could laugh off. But Sulli’s accusations were true. They were just. She was guilty as charged. And it hurt. It hurt real bad. It hurt to know that she was the cause of Sulli’s tears. It hurt to think that she had hurt someone that she truly cared about. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I lied about who my father was. I’m sorry I lied about my family. But I didn’t lie about my mother and how we lived in San Fran. And everything else. I didn’t lie about anything else.”

“Krystal. I don’t think I can hang out with you for a while.”

“What? No, no, no. Please, you’re my only friend.” Krystal reached for Sulli’s hand but she backed away.

“No, I’m not your only friend. You still have Young.”

And as Krystal watched Sulli turn her back on her, she bit her lip to stop herself from crying. She bit hard. Hard enough to break the delicate skin of her trembling lips. She could taste the rancid taste of iron on her tongue and pain kicked in soon after. But the pain was a welcome feeling. She deserved it. She deserved it and more.

~~~~~

“How was work today?”

“It wasn’t too bad, Mother.”

Mother was the extent of what Krystal could bring herself to address Mama Jung as. Mommy and mom were reserved for her real mother. She would never call anybody else that.

“Are you sure? Did anybody treat you badly at work?”

“No, Mother. It was alright. Nothing I can’t handle.”

“Alright, if you say so. Remember that we’re right here for you if it gets too much to take.”

“I know.”

~~~~~

“Hey.”

“Hey.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t call earlier.”

“It’s okay.”

“I heard that you turned up for work today.”

“Yeah, I did.”

“Did… anyone…”

“Young, don’t worry about me. I’m sure you have plenty to deal with right now.”

“Krys, how can I not worry about you.”

“Look, you’re not the one who’s responsible for this. It’s my fault for pulling that stunt on your ex.”

“About that.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you say those things to Malina?”

“Why?”

“Yeah. Why.”

“I don’t know.”

“You don’t know?”

“I guess I didn’t like her that much.”

“Were you…jealous?”

“Jea—what? No! I wasn’t jealous. Why would I be? It’s not as if I’m in love with you or anything like that.”

“Oh. I see.”

“Yeah.”

“I was just curious, that’s all.”

“Okay.”

“And there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“My dad…he thinks that we should get engaged.”

“WHAT?!”

“Yeah, I know. That was my reaction too. Listen, my dad thinks that the best way to shut mouths is if we get engaged so that Malina looks bad instead of us.”

“I—”

“But don’t you worry. I told my dad that I won’t agree to it and neither will you.”

“You won’t agree to it?”

“Of course not. We’re best friends forever right? Best friends don’t get engaged. Besides, I’m not good enough to be your husband.”

“Young—”

“Krys, listen to me. My dad is going to talk to your dad. Your dad might think that it’s a good idea too so you have to object. Violently.”

“Is that what you want me to do?”

“What?”

“You want me to object to the engagement. Violently.”

“Yeah. Surely you don’t want to be engaged to me, do you?”

“Oh, no. No. of course not.”

“Yeah, I thought so too.”

“Thanks for the heads up, Young.”

“No problem. I’ll always look out for you. You know that, right?”

“I know.”

~~~~~

Taeng’s phone rang at half past nine. He answered it in a jiffy. It was Tiffany calling.

“Fany!”

“Taetae.”

“It’s not ten yet.”

“I couldn’t wait any longer.”

“But—”

“Are you not happy that I called?”

Tiffany was frowning. Oh no!

“No, no. I’m very happy! You can call me anytime you like!”

Tiffany giggled.

“I can’t wait to make it up to you.”

“Make it up to me?”

“Uh huh.” There was a gleam in Tiffany’s eyes. The way she looked at him (or the camera, rather) was making waves in his little thumping heart. “I’m really sorry about missing your call last night.”

“But how…?”

Tiffany giggled and winked. Something about that wink told him that he should put his peas away.

“What are you doing, Taetae?”

“Er, I’m keeping my peas.”

Tiffany giggled again. “Why are you keeping your peas?”

“I don’t know, but I think I should. Just give me a moment, please.”

He quickly put his peas back into their pod and zipped it up. Then he turned back to his phone and smiled. “Done!”

“Good. Now, do you want to tell me about Hayeon’s graduation first or let me make it up to you first?”

“I-I d-don’t know.”

“Why don’t you tell me about Hayeon’s graduation while I make it up to you then?”

“O-Okay.”

Taeng got his camera and began showing Tiffany pictures of Hayeon’s graduation.

“This is Hayeon and I at her school gates,” began Taeng. “And this is Hayeon and her teacher. Her teacher said that Hayeon is a very good girl.”

“I’m glad to hear that. She looks very cute in the pictures, Taetae.”

“She’s very pretty, isn’t she?” Taeng felt proud of his little sister.

“I’m sure she has boys hot on her trail.”

“I think so.” Taeng frowned. “She was taking pictures with many boys. Too many, in fact.”

Tiffany laughed and rolled her eyes a little. “Brothers. What other pictures do you have?”

Taeng’s eyes bulged when he looked at the screen again after fiddling with his camera. Tiffany had taken off her t-shirt.

“F-Fany, w-what are you doing?”

Tiffany giggled. “What am I doing? I’m making it up to you, of course.”

“O-Oh.”

“Do you like it?”

“Y-Yes.”

“Should I keep on taking my clothes off?”

“H-Huh? I…”

Tiffany didn’t wait for Taeng to answer. With a simple manoeuvre, her brassiere was unclasped and hung loosely on her shoulders. Taeng couldn’t breathe. A tiny squeak escaped as her brassiere dropped and revealed her beautiful treasures to his eyes. He couldn’t blink.

“Taetae, I can’t wait for you to come home.”

Her voice turned husky and set his heart on fire.

“I miss you, Taengoo.”

“I miss you too, Fany ah.”

“I—”

Suddenly, the door burst open and Hayeon bounced in.

“Oppa! Are you talking to Fany unnie? I want to talk to her too!”

Taeng squeaked in fright and clutched his phone to his chest immediately.

“No, no, you can’t. I’m talking to her.”

Hayeon pouted. “Don’t be selfish oppa. Just let me talk to her for a few minutes.”

“Fany ah, Hayeon says that she wants to talk to you.” Taeng sneaked a peak at the screen. Tiffany was scrambling to put her clothes back on with her phone in her hand and the camera was terribly jerky.

“R-Right. I-I’m ready.” Tiffany had her clothes back on, albeit a little untidily.

“Hayeon ah, don’t be too long.”

“Sure thing, oppa.”

Hayeon grabbed the phone from him and started chatting with Tiffany merrily. In the meantime, Taeng looked down at himself in despair. He could feel the effects of Tiffany’s seduction and it wasn’t good. He’d have to cool down before Hayeon noticed anything. Cool down. Cool down. A shower! Yes, a quick shower would be good.

~~~~~

After having dinner with his grandfather, Yoong was invited into the study to talk.

“Yoong, I had lunch with Sunny yesterday.”

“No, you didn’t. What kind of stunt are you trying to pull on me this time?”

“I’m not pulling a stunt. I really did have lunch with Sunny.”

Yoong scoffed. “She said she met an old friend during lu—” He faltered mid-way through his sentence as he recalled how Sunny had tensed up when he asked her about it.

“She told you she met an old friend?” Grandpa Im chuckled. “She does have a way with words, this girl.”

“Wait, so…you are the old friend she was talking about?” Yoong spluttered.

“I’m afraid so.”

“Then why did she lie to me about it?!”

“It’s my fault, I’m afraid. I made her promise to keep it from you.”

“What? Why? What are you up to now? If you’re trying to break us up, forget it. I’m not leaving her for anything or anyone. I love her, grandpa. I love her. I refuse to accept anybody else. You can tell Hyesun to scram.”

“Calm down.”

“How can I calm down?! Are you even making sense? Why did you ask her to keep things from me? Do you know that I almost thought badly of her today? Do you know how much trouble I have trying to trust her?”

“Yoong, I was testing her.”

“Testing her? Why?”

“I wanted to find out more about her. I need to know if I can entrust you to her.”

“Of course you can! She’s the one, grandpa. She’s the best girl I’ve ever met.”

“Yoong, that’s what you said about her too.”

Yoong was silenced in that instant.

“Don’t blame me for being extra cautious this time. I’m just worried about you.”

“Sunny is not like her,” Yoong said flatly.

“I agree.”

“What?” Yoong was surprised.

“I like Sunny.”

“WHAT?!”

“If I were younger, I’d give you a run for your money.” Grandpa Im chuckled.

“I-I don’t understand. I thought you were trying to break us up. Especially with Hyesun in the picture and all.”

“Hyesun came to me. I didn’t go to her. I didn’t see anything wrong with Hyesun so I went along with it.”

“So you aren’t trying to break us up.”

“I was considering it. But I changed my mind after talking to Sunny over lunch.”

“She’s really something, isn’t she?” Yoong asked excitedly.

Grandpa Im chuckled and nodded. “I liked how much tenacity she had even when she was intimidated. She didn’t back down in front of me. Her answers were straight, honest and I liked how she could look me in the eyes confidently while answering. And as a final test, I asked her not to tell you about meeting me. She lied to you to keep her promise to me. In doing so, she has passed the test.”

“She passed the test by lying to me? Please explain your insane logic.”

“She lied to you because she cares more about you than herself. It was a risk that she’d be found out but she did it anyway. She could have blown the whistle on me and gotten you all riled up over me but she didn’t. She was protecting your relationship with me. This girl is a keeper. Yoong, you’d better not mess this up.”

Yoong broke into a glorious grin. “Does this mean that you are okay with my engagement with Sunny?”

“Yes. I will tell Hyesun that you are taken.”

“YES!” Yoong punched the air with his fists jubilantly while Grandpa Im sat back and smiled with a twinkle in his eye.

~~~~~

Jessica kept her chin up high as she strode into the grand house that belonged to Mr Lee Kun Hee, the richest man in South Korea, with Yul, Krystal and her parents. He was throwing a lavish party, a party that was deemed as the most important social event of the year. It was the party to see and be seen at. Top celebrities, politicians, South Korea’s richest and Mr Park’s business associates from all around the world were among the guests invited. The invitation list was in itself a ranking of the who’s who in high society.

As usual, the Jungs were invited. Interestingly, this year, the invite read like this:

To: Mr and Mrs Jung and daughters

My, my. The news was barely out a couple of days ago and already invites were including Krystal? Krystal was surprised.

Papa Jung, on the other hand, had merely grinned when he showed Jessica and Krystal the invite.

Jessica smirked. “Nice move, Dad.”

“Why, thank you.”

“Can somebody tell me what is going on? Why am I invited to this party? Can I give it a pass?”

Jessica turned to Krystal and glared at her.

“You’re going to this party whether you like it or not. Dad got you invited to this party for a good reason.”

“Why? I don’t understand how going to a party can be good for me.”

Papa Jung sighed.

“Soojung ah, I know that you don’t want to be part of this world but I hope that you can go to this party. We are in a very superficial world. A world that is full of people who measure their self-worth in terms of how others perceive them. To be seen at this party may not mean anything to you. It may be a chore and a hassle to you. A thoroughly unpleasant experience even. But in our superficial world, to be seen at this party is worth its weight in gold.”

Papa Jung looked at Krystal meaningfully.

“The news has caused some damage to our family’s reputation and our company stocks have dipped because of it. I need you to go to this party because it will help our standing in our circle. We need to stop the tongues from wagging and one of the best ways is to face it head on. Once the tongues stop wagging, the fear of the unknown will dissipate and confidence can be restored in our company. Do you understand what I’m trying to tell you?”

Krystal was silent for a while.

“Soojung…” Jessica held her hand and smiled her sweetest smile. “Unnie will be there. Yul oppa will be there too. We will be with you all the way. You won’t feel so bad with us around.”

Krystal turned to Papa Jung. “If going to the party is going to help the family, I will go.” Then she turned to Jessica. “Unnie, please help me. I don’t know anything about parties like these. I’m scared.”

Jessica grinned and put her arm around Krystal.

“You’re looking at the princess of all these parties. I’ll tell you everything you need to know. And you have nothing to worry about because you’re a princess too.”

“I’m not a princess. I’m just an ordinary girl.”

Jessica shook her head. “You’re my little sister and that makes you a princess as well. Hold your chin up high and don’t let anyone trample on you. Woe to the person who dares to try.”

“But—”

“No buts. It’s about time you embrace who you really are. Enough of the crap about living life like before. You have Daddy’s blood in you. That makes you a Jung. A freaking rich Jung. Princess Krystal Jung Soojung. That’s who you are. And don’t argue with me over it.”

So with her arms linked with Yul and Krystal’s, she led the both of them through the milling crowd who were looking at them curiously. People turned to each other and whispered, presumably about the identity of the girl she was with. But it was no matter. They would have to accept that Krystal was a Jung girl. Just like her. They would award Krystal with the same respect and awe that they awarded her. After all, to be seen at this party meant that you weren’t just anybody.

Papa and Mama Jung had left them earlier upon Jessica’s assurance that she could take care of both Yul and Krystal. It was their usual practice. Papa Jung would be busy networking and socializing with the who’s who in the business world while Mama Jung would stand beside him and engage in conversation with the wives of those men. Meanwhile, Jessica would hang out with Amber and Suzy, her favourite people at such events.

Jessica found them by the chocolate fondue—their favourite spot to hang out at. Their favourite parties were the ones with good chocolate fondues.

“Hey girls.”

“Nice to meet you again, Amber, Suzy.” Yul smiled handsomely at them and Jessica couldn’t help giggling at them. Even after seeing Yul a few times now, they were still affected by his handsome smile.

“Jessica, Yul, you’re here! And this must be Krystal.” Amber smiled warmly at the younger Jung and stepped forward to give her a quick hug. “I’m Amber and this is Suzy. Don’t worry, Jessica has already told us about you. We’ll take care of you too.”

“Er, thanks.”

Jessica smiled and gave Amber and Suzy a hug.

“Thanks girls.”

“Narsha and company will be arriving soon.” Suzy looked up from her phone. “They just texted me.”

“Noses will bleed when they arrive.” Jessica smirked.

“Why?” asked Krystal.

Jessica exchanged a knowing glance with Suzy before turning back to Krystal and saying, “You’ll know what I mean when you see them.”

Just then, an unwelcomed acquaintance breezed towards them.

“Sicaaa…”

“Haraaa…”

Jessica felt Krystal’s hand gripping her a little tighter at Hara’s appearance and patted her hand to assure her. She was in turn assured by Yul’s hand which made its way to her waist at the sight of Hara.

“You’re so lucky to be invited after that great, big scandal. I’m so happy for you…”

Jessica scoffed inwardly at Hara’s lies but her smile grew wider.

“Why wouldn’t we be invited? It almost sounds as though you wished we weren’t but you love me too much to wish that on me, don’t you?”

“Ha ha ha…” Hara covered and laughed airily. “You have such a sense of humour, Sica ya…” She shook her head slightly. “I would never ever wish that on you.”

“Have you met my sister, Krystal?”

A look of shock registered on Hara’s face and Jessica smirked. She knew that Hara would not be pleased to see Krystal.

“I’m sorry, I did not notice you at all. All of my attention was on Sica. I am so pleased to meet you, Krystal.”

“It’s nice to meet you too.”

Jessica had the urge to laugh. Krystal did not excel in hiding her true feelings. Her tone was so forced that anyone who heard her would have known that she felt otherwise.

“I guess… we have the scandal to thank. If it weren’t for the scandal, Krystal would never have agreed to join our fabulous world of parties. She was so adamant on living her own life comfortably that I couldn’t get her to come with me at all. Now, I’ll have her to accompany me to these things.”

Jessica watched Hara’s face carefully. She had her suspicions. And her suspicions were confirmed when Hara’s face looked constipated. If she had nothing to do with the scandal, she would have laughed airily and scoffed. Instead, she looked as though she didn’t know what kind of expression to put on. Suspicious. Definitely.

“Anyway, please excuse us. I need to bring Yul and Krystal around to meet other friends.”

“And I was just about to say the same. Great minds think alike, don’t they?” Hara laughed airily again before walking away.

“Unnie, I don’t know how you can do it,” whispered Krystal after Hara was out of earshot.

Amber and Suzy giggled. “Krystal, your sis is one of the best actresses in this party because she’s had lots of opportunities to practice.”

“You can be as good as me too. If you want to.” Jessica winked at Krystal.

The younger Jung shuddered and shook her head vigorously. “No, I don’t want to be good at this.”

~~~~~

“Mr. Jung, how are you?”

“Reporter Song, I’m surprised that you have the time to attend this party.”

“To be honest, I attended it mainly because I knew that you were coming.”

Mr. Jung flashed a wry smile. “And this is probably the only way you can get to ask me some questions.”

“You know better than I do that it is incredibly difficult to get to you if you do not want to be reached.”

“Mr. Lee must have made it known to you that you are not invited as a reporter but as a personal friend. So I expect that whatever I say to you will not be reported. Mr. Lee will not be pleased otherwise. He has gone to great lengths to ensure the privacy of his guests who come to this party.”

“I am aware of the ban on reports of this party. Mr. Lee even has a private enclosure for us get off our cars. I know that it is the exclusivity of this party that gives it its reputation and I do not intend of break that rule. I simply am curious about the state of your affairs as a human being. After all, I have known you for a long time even if most of the time, we meet for less pleasurable purposes.”

“Well, you can find out as a reporter real soon. I will hold a press conference on this.”

“Really? I’m surprised. You could smother the news if you wanted to.”

“I want my family to be at peace. I don’t want them to have to deal with all the gossips.”

“Very noble of you, Mr. Jung.”

Mr. Jung smiled and shook his head. “I’m just a husband and a father.”

Reporter Song smiled back. “You have changed a lot over the past few years.”

“As you age, you begin to understand what really matters and cherish them more.”

“Your appearance belies the extent of your experience in life.”

“Now you’re just flattering me.”

Reporter Song chuckled. “No, I assure you, I am not.”

~~~~~

“Oh my gosh, Krystal!”

The sudden exclamation made them jump and they turned to see Young gaping at Krystal.

“What are you doing here?”

Jessica took offence at his question.

“What do you mean by that? Krystal has every right to be here. She was formally invited.”

“No, no. I don’t mean it that way. It’s just that, Krystal doesn’t like these things. And… she didn’t mentioned it to me.”

Young turned to Krystal and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming to this party?”

Krystal merely shrugged.

Young whistled. “You look absolutely gorgeous in this dress, Krys. Absolutely beautiful.”

Krystal turned pink and looked very awkward. Jessica had to stifle her giggle. The woman next to Young didn’t look so pleased, however.

“Young,” she said, as though to remind him at she was just beside him.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Young looked rather apologetic.

“Jade, this is Krystal.”

“Krystal, Jade.”

The two ladies shook hands. Jessica noted with interest how tensed her sister looked. There was definitely more to this than friendship.

“This is Jessica, Krystal’s sister and Yul, Jessica’s fiancé.”

They shook hands and smiled at each other politely.

“Jade is an old friend of mine and we’re going to be engaged soon.”

~~~~~