The princess has arrived.

I quickly skipped over to the door while taking off my apron, not wanting to make our guest wait. Jiyong excitedly followed behind me as I opened the door, revealing the most perfect couple I've ever seen. Hwayoung was beautiful. Long flowy hair with natural waves down to her waist, sweet child-like smile, dressed in a simple white top and a long skirt down to her ankles. Her fringe was pinned up, showing her flawless features. Right then, I immediately knew why Seunghyun liked her.

"Annyeonghaseyo." she greeted with an angelic smile.

I stepped aside, letting the couple in. And as soon as they stepped into the house, it somehow felt like I was submerged in royalty. Taeyang and Jiyong each sat at the ends of the table, leaving Seunghyun and Hwayoung on one side, and Daesung, Seungri myself on the other. It did feel like a family... But I didn't like the scenario this time.

"Top, your fiancee is getting prettier and prettier each time I see her." Jiyong praised.

So they've met. I was the only stranger. Sitting directly across from me, Seunghyun seemed to have noticed my discomfort immediately, thus introducing me.

"This is Haerin. She just returned from the states. She's living with us now."

I bowed my head slightly, smiling as naturally as I could.

"Ahhhhhh, Haerin. How old are you?"

"23." I replied.

"Oh, I'm 26. I'm your unnie then. Do you mind if I speak comfortably then?" she grinned sweetly.

"Of course not." I beamed, unsure of what else to say. I was surprised by how calm she was after just hearing her fiance tell her that he's living with another girl, as if it was no surprise. The amount of trust she had in him was so noble, I couldn't help but envy.

"Hwayoung Noona, do you think I've grown more handsome since the last time we met?" Seungri playfully asked, earning a laugh from Hwayoung and scoffs from the rest of the guys.

"Noona, did you bring me anything?" Daesung cutely interupted.

"Mianhae, Daesung. I'll be sure to bring your favourite chocolates next time!" she cooed so sweetly, it was difficult to blame her.

Although it was rather impolite to visit empty handed, her arrival alone seemed to have shone through everything else. And nobody seemed to care if anything she said or did was unrefined. One smile from her solved everything. She was someone whom you couldn't help but like. And even with a guest in the house, they were as lively as ever. I felt like I was watching some drama through the television screen. There was this glass separating me from the rest of them at the table and while I watched them chat and joke around, they couldn't see me, or even notice my existence. Taeyang looked my way a couple of times, just to check if I was alright. But everyone's primary focus was on the goddess that sat before our eyes. I couldn't blame them. I never knew a girl could be this perfect.

When I noticed that her drink was almost finished, I got up and went into the kitchen to get her more. And as expected, she was well mannered, and perfectly poised. She wasn't socially awkward, or even a teeny bit worried about how we viewed her. Either because she was absolutely confident we'd love her to bits, or she simply paid no attention to what others thought of her.

Seunghyun was lucky. He was the luckiest man on this earth. Yet throughout dinner, he was different. No flirty comments, no playful smirk, no pet names. The cool Top was nowhere to be found. Instead, I saw a glimpse of Seunghyun, the shy and introverted boy.

I politely excused myself before my emotions got the better of me. I stood in the kitchen alone, listening to the vague murmurs coming from outside.

"Haerin cutie..."

I turned around to find Seunghyun holding onto his plate like an innocent child.

"Can I have a second helping?" he squeaked. I took the plate out of his hands, gladly serving him his second helping of pasta.

"Here you go." I smiled, handing him his plate. I expected him to quickly return to the table of endless joy while I took a break from the pretense I was putting up. But he just continued standing there, looking at me.

"What's wrong?" I asked. He shook his head, a smile forming on those lips.

"Thanks."

With that, he left.

After hiding in the kitchen for awhile longer, I decided to join the group outside. I didn't want to be a spoil sport.

"You must be really hungry, Top. I've never seen you ask for a second helping, even if the portion's small." Hwayoung laughed, picking up a napkin and wiping the cream off the corner of Seunghyun's lips.

"That's because Haerin's cooking is awesome." he meekly smiled, looking my way.


After everything was over, Seunghyun drove Hwayoung back. And a miracle happened when Jiyong, Seungri and Daesung offered to clean up.

"Are you guys up to something?" I questioned, raising one brow in suspicion.

"Oh come on, Haerin, we're always this helpful!" Jiyong exclaimed.

"Right..."

I left the boys in the kitchen and headed to the backyard for some fresh air. The night was still young, but it felt as if the whole town was asleep and I was the only one taking in the silence. And yet no matter how quiet it was, there was a ruckus in my head that just wouldn't die down. I took another deep breath to calm my nerves.

"Hey." Taeyang approached, the back of my head, as if telling me I've done a good job.

"I know I've been asking this question far too much, but are you alright?"

I laughed, checking if the ground was clean before sitting down. Taeyang settled himself beside me.

"I'm fine." I replied, giving Taeyang a thankful look. He nodded.

"I promise this is the last time asking."

We both chuckled at that.

The silence was comforting. I could hear the crickets chirping and the distant rustling of the trees. On a night this perfect, I decided to put aside the pain and focus on enjoying the breeze.

"They really are a happy couple, aren't they?" I spoke. Taeyang looked over at me with a look of worry, which was quickly replaced with a smile the moment he saw that I wasn't depressed or hurting.

"I guess so. Are you envious?"

"Yeah. I'm envious of Hwayoung." I admitted, "I'm envious of how she was able to change Seunghyun, and yet still keep the boy I missed so much."

"What do you mean?" Taeyang asked, confused.

"Seunghyun's different around her..." I mumbled, the sadness slowly slipping in again.

"How so?"

"When she's around, he turns back into that shy, awkward Seunghyun. It's as if she's the only one who can get that old Seunghyun back..."

My voice grew softer and softer with each word, almost turning into whispers. I kept my eyes fixed on the ground, but I could see Taeyang's troubled expression from the corner of my eye.

"I don't think so, Haerin." he mumbled, as if in deep thought. I looked up at him, waiting for an elaboration.

"I think you've got it wrong." He said again.

"What do you mean?" I muttered, taken aback by his words.

"The only time he isn't shy and awkward is when you're around, Haerin."

I blinked hard.

"Excuse me?"

Both Taeyang and I turned back in horror to find the owner of that voice looking back at us with a pained expression.

"Seunghyun..."