Chapter 1:

They say acceptance is the first step when dealing with a situation. Unfortunately, there isn’t a specific step as to what to follow afterwards. What is love and why does it convert us into absolute idiots? Even Socrates stated, “I know that I know nothing.” in this moment in my life I felt just that. Confused you, have I? Perhaps if I reverted back to the beginning I can draw some clarity in this matter.

It was late summer when I first met the Woo brothers. My encounter with the Taewoon and Jiho was such a substantial event, I often reminisce in the simplicity of our first introduction. I was attending yet another of the company banquets, on behalf of my father. As always boredom had a way of reaching me despite the abundant amount of food and entertainment provided.

My father’s banquets are like no other, anyone who was anyone in Seoul were all invited for an evening of no particular celebration. A perfect opportunity for networking if you ask me. There isn’t anything my father enjoys more than to make the headlines along with his peers. He has a wall of framed photographs with celebrities (I’m confident he can’t even name one-third of them). I make do with the situation, smile when I’m required to, participate in small talk, and sometimes run a short discourse about our investments. As one the heirs of CSP Industries, it is important to set in stone I am capable of taking over the company when the time comes. If time allows it, that is.

Woo Jiho was the first of the brothers I had the opportunity to encounter. He was yet another bored soul in the sea of ball gowns and waiters carrying fancy appetizers in trays. He was the one to pull me out of the ballroom and asked me if I was interested in having some fun. I didn’t object. Anything sounded better than having another of my father’s clients telling me what a fine young lady I’ve grown into or be referred only as June and Jason’s younger sister. So, I followed the tall, dark-haired boy with an impish smile.

“You’re the president’s daughter, aren’t you?” He states rather than ask. We reach the balcony level above the ballroom. I walk forward to lean into the rail to peer at the crowd below. Surprisingly, the upper level was vacant. We had perfect view of the festivities below and for a moment I felt like a child escaping the world of adults.

“Is this your idea of fun?” I inquire after a few moments. I’m not usually one to be so bleak with responses but Jiho seemed the kind of boy with hidden charms. And I was intrigued to discover them.

“What’s your name, unless you like to be called the president’s daughter? I’m Jiho, also known as Zico, under ground rapper soon to be idol rapper but one of the good ones.” I smile at his haughty introduction and continue to look down at the moving figures. I’ve met plenty of pretentious individuals to distinguish Jiho’s personality. He was naturally cheeky but with good humor. I was amused. His smile read troublemaker but his eyes are trustworthy enough.

“It’s Maggie.” I resonate.

“Okay Maggie. Hold out your hand.” I do as he says and he pulls out a bag of skittles from his pockets and pours half of the content into my palms. “The object of the game is not to get caught.” He winks and points at the mass below.

“Rules?”

“No repeats, you can only aim at person once Now points, I heard there are American celebrities at the party they can count as four, three for CEO’s, two for producers or actors, and one for trainees and idols. Ready?”

“Ready.”

-

An hour into the game I was ahead in three points. We were almost caught in one or two occasions but the party below was unaware of the mischief occurring above.

“Watch this.” Jiho points directly below us where President Lee Soo-man stood chatting with Park Jin Young. I mentally curse at his luck. Just as I had feared Jiho manages to drop the colored candy to bounce off one CEO to the other. “Try to beat that.”

I search for any hope in redemption and I spot the possibility of my win. “Wait, what’s the prize?”

“Uh, ice cream?”

I drop my skittle onto a well-known American actor's head. I grin victoriously.

“Come on Mr. Woo, I want two scopes on my cone.” I lead the way to the stairs. A figure meets us the staircase and I mentally pray it is not one of the workers that has come to investigate about the flying skittles.

“Taewoon.” Jiho coughs. He greets the man tall man before us. Jiho’s brother has a kind smile, large eyes, and is extremely good looking.

“I brought you make connections not to hide out and throw skittles at people. You’re debuting next year and it would help you and your group.” He ruffles Jiho’s hair.

 “I’m sorry, I didn’t introduce myself my name is Woo Taewoon, Jiho’s older brother. I hope he hasn’t been getting you in trouble. Wait, you’re the president’s daughter, aren’t you?” It really wasn’t a secret so I just nodded silently.

“Maggie. Her name is Maggie.” Jiho sends me an odd side-glance and I scowl at him.

“Are you two heading somewhere? I could use an escape.” Taewoon smiles sheepishly.

I smile, I had almost pegged Taewoon like the others but his purpose in attending the party was different and selfless. So, it was settled, the three of us skipped out on the banquet and walked to a nearby ice cream parlor known to have the best ice cream in the city. In the end, I did get my two scoops despite Jiho’s previous complaints about the extra wons it would cost him.

I learned a lot about the Woo brothers. Taewoon or Jiseok had just debuted under Core Entertainment in a co-ed group named CO-ED School. Jiho is still a trainee under Stardom soon to debut in a hip-hop group with the possible name Block B.

Five years has passed since I met the Woo brothers. A lot has occurred, Jiho or should I say Zico is on top of his career mainstream and underground. As for Taewoon, Speed (his new idol group) is preparing for their Comeback on music shows.