“Miss, please wake up, it’s already ten past nine. Your parents will be home soon and if-“ The heiress groaned and raised her right palm to prevent the timid maid from continuing her preach. She fluttered her hand to and fro, signalling the dismissal of her human alarm clock. The drowsy girl lay in bed for another good fifteen minutes before coming to the conclusion that it’d be best not to upset the almighty father – and by father she meant her literal father, not God. She rose to a sitting position like a zombie and was tempted to fall back onto her heaven of a bed but thought better of it. Her heavy eyelids struggled to stay open as she dragged her feet off her bed and towards the bathroom whilst groggily rubbing her eyes.

She let the steam of the shower seep into her pores as she diligently cleaned her body. She leaned against the cool marble and exhaled. As she breathed in, she could feel the misty air linger on the surface of her tongue before rushing to her lungs. Her mind was still blank as the warm water spilled onto her body through the showerhead. She examined the tiny beads of water that rested upon the skin of her hands. She noticed that they all ran in one specific direction and didn’t draw away from their set course. Just like she was supposed to. She sighed as she rinsed off the last trace of soap from her body. She was hesitant but reluctantly stepped out of the shower. Leaving behind the comfort in which the divine warmth provided. She gently patted down her soft skin with her thick, white towel before draping it round her body. She then wrapped her soaking hair with an extra towel before exiting her bathroom. She faced her vanity and stared at the apathetic girl in the mirror. She took her seat and let the maids blow-dry her hair. Thus beginning the standard day of Hong Yookyung.

♡

“Honey,”

“Yes mother?” Yookyung replied.

“Could you please come to dining hall a moment? There’s something I’d like you to try.” Her mother called out to the living room.

“Of course mother.”

Various aromas of different meats, wines, cheeses, pastas, breads and deserts wafted from the dining hall. That meant only one thing: her father was throwing a dinner party.

♡

Yookyung glanced at her reflection in the mirror once more to certify that her father would approve of her chosen outfit. He had to feel satisfied of course, as he had personally selected her dress for the occasion. However, she triple checked her ensemble, just to be safe. She had to admit, her father had splendid taste. Her dress didn’t just exude elegance. It screamed it. The bottom of her gown reached the floor and sashayed gracefully with every step she made across the floor; the gorgeous lilac colour highlighted her splendour. Her hair softly cascaded down her back in delicate curls and the maids did a marvellous job with her makeup as they kept it exquisitely simple. She could hear the string quintet playing downstairs, indicating that most of her father’s party guests had arrived. She hesitantly placed her shaking hand on her door handle and felt the cool metal beneath her fingertips. She took a deep breath to regain her composure before pushing the heavy wooden door open and exposing herself to the outside world.

The piercing stares of her father’s associates bore into her as she gradually made her way down the stairs. She fluently greeted the guests with effortless charm as they fawned over her beauty and mannerisms. She could do nothing but smile and thank them in response. If it were anyone else in the same position they would have fumbled over their words, blushed furiously, made dozens of mistakes; but it wasn't just anyone else. It was Hong Yookyung. A young lady with years of experience under her belt. Yookyung wove her way through the sea of guests, greeting them all in turn, occasionally stopping by to engage in futile small talk about the weather.

♡

“So tell me more about yourself Yookyung, I haven’t seen you in years” Her mother’s friend kindly asked.

“Well I currently attend Seoul Grammar” The heiress replied.

“Oh do you now? What year are you in Yookyung?”

“I’m just finishing my third year of high school, next year will be my last.”

“I see… and how are your grades darling? If I remember correctly you were always a smart girl” The elder woman’s eyes crinkled in delight. Yookyung couldn’t help but smile. Her parents had heard their friend’s question and decided to flaunt their daughter’s accomplishments, just a little.

“Her achievements are just astonishing aren’t they sweetie?” Her father cut in.

“She’s been attaining straight A*s all year round” Her mother further encouraged. Yookyung felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment, she was ready to bury her head in her hands; she didn’t of course. Her dignity and poise was to be maintained at all times.

“Really now? Then you should definitely meet my son. He’s about your age.”

“She would be delighted to.” Her mother’s eyes sparkled at the thought. Yookyung imagined herself rolling her eyes. She could never physically roll her eyes in front of her parents, oh no, she’d be fed to the wolves immediately.

“Kim Jong-In!” The good-natured woman motioned for a young man, presumably her son, to come over.

As he strode over, Yookyung couldn’t help but take notice of his dashing features. His sharp jaw line paired with his glowing bronze skin just oozed y. His black hair was slicked back and his tall, toned build was smartly dressed in a black suit and skinny tie, with branded shoes to match. She was discrete with her observations. She didn’t ogle. She never ogled. If anyone were to ogle, it would be at her, not the other way round. Although, Yookyung grew up believing that she was neither ugly not pretty. She, herself, couldn’t find any spectacular feature on her face or body. She assumed that the thousand and one compliments were due to her wealth. She knew her peers yearned for a position of social power so she didn’t buy it. Nevertheless, Yookyung could deny it all she wanted but she was indeed a vision of loveliness to everyone else on the planet.

Jong-In bowed immediately after reaching his mother and the Hongs. Yookyung followed suit. He inwardly grinned at the sight before him. He was undoubtedly captivated by her beauty, though he’d never say something so sincere out loud. He would silently take that to his grave. Jong-In flashed a charming smile towards the parents before his mother made a request.

“Jong-In why don’t you take Yookyung out to watch a movie, I’m sure she’s suffocating in this room full of businessmen.” His mother smiled. Yookyung was quick to (politely) decline her offer but her mother thought it was a ‘great idea’ and had ushered them outside. Before leaving, Jong-In offered his arm to her. How could she refuse with all her parents’ guests watching? Thus she gingerly laced her hand round his sturdy arm, kept her head held high and smoothly exited the mansion.

----

I'm so sorry! It's such a boring chapter I know. It's so incredibly slow. I've already written the first three chapters though :3 So I'll post the second straight away to make up for this sloppy one.

Thank you to all the subscribers even though I hadn't even posted anything yet. So incredibly grateful.

@yoshido: I've finally decided who I'm including in the story. I'm sorry but I won't be including the entire ensemble of Exo and APink just because I feel like it would become too messy as there wouldn't be enough focus on specific characters. I've decided to use Luhan, Naeun and D.O. for the other three characters. Is that alright?