“Where were you?”

Before I entered our home, I paused in front of the door, calming down my nerves and fixing up my damp clothes.

“I, I was with a … nothing. I’m just coming home from school.” Her eyes follow me and the tiny droplets of water trailing behind me until I enter my room and even then I feel her gaze on the back of my head.

Dinner was quiet, considering that we are not exactly in good terms at the moment. She would give me an occasional look and I would return her look after a few minutes but that was it.

“Danbi, I trust you. You can talk to me with anything and everything, ok?”

I hummed and nodded as a response.

“You seem so secretive all of a sudden.” She adds, unsatisfied with my reply.

I try searching her eyes, like what I have been inclined to doing these past few days. Her dark orbs looking like shiny chocolate, always full of thought and not a dull moment. Preoccupied, that’s the word.

“We’re having a company dinner on Saturday. Will you come with me?” She sets down her chopsticks and gathers the dirty dishes.

“Yes. I would love that.” I join her but she just waves me off and tells me to go and study.

 Friday, during lunch time I found myself alone yet again. This week Juri has been effectively avoiding me hence leaving me to eat in a lonely misery.  Sanghyuk joined me sometimes but I felt guilt swallowing me so I told him to return to his friends and convince him that I’m not even that hungry when the truth is that I’m starving to death.

“Princess.” Sangyuk plops next to me, warming up the coldness surrounding me.

I gaze faraway, searching for Juri but I didn’t need to she was already approaching us. “Hi, Danbi.”

“Hi.” I nod at her and sullenly look back to my lunch.

“Juri, I want to extend my apolo…” She raises her hand, her palm facing me. She smiles and I knew I was forgiven. Naturally, I exhaled a sigh of relief, easing the tension off my back.

“You are so kind, Juri and I am such an awful friend.” I picked at my rice and try separating each grain from the other.

“Believe it or not, I have moved on.” She tilts her head towards Sanghyuk and smirks.

Sanghyuk chuckles nervously and sends me a knowing smile. My eyes flew to his, thinking back yesterday. Is he different from Leo?

“I found someone more…” She pauses to find an appropriate word “my style.” Juri continues and stuffs her face with meat, kimchi and rice.

“Well, Juri. I’m glad.” I smile at her clapping my hands a few times.

“I’m glad too.” Sanghyuk butts in and signals a thumbs-up. “Princess is the only one in my heart.” He pats the left side of his chest.

“What? A confession already?” Juri feigns sadness even chuckling bitterly.

“Sanghyuk…” I sigh, still stabbing at my meal.

“Woah!!~~ Today’s really my day. Princess even said my name. I think I’m in heaven!!~~” He closes his eyes, bringing my hands to his face and inhales deeply.

“Omo, that’s so romantic.” Juri joins in with the teasing.

“Let go.” I sternly say.

“Back to square one.” He pouts and Juri pats his back jokingly.

**

My evening started off by visiting the salon, my mother’s delighted to have this memory with me and frankly I do to. It’s hard to admit but because we don’t have a chance to vanity back from where I’m from, the most is to admire others and to see beauty in other things than from our bodies.

Instead of seeing the delicate curves of our waist to our hips we appreciate the curves of the rolling mountains much more. Painting the color of the sunset is much more appreciated than painting the blush of our lips and cheeks.

“Thank you for this, mother.” I whisper to her as she drives us to the hotel. She gives me a small yet excited smile and a few minutes later we approach the double doors to the hall.

All eyes we’re on us as we both set foot on the venue. Mother was wearing an emerald green dress, my second favorite color and I am wearing a silver backless, floor-length dress.

I hear muted conversations and gasps at the same time, wives and girlfriends seeking the attention of their husbands and boyfriends as they gape at me.

“Good evening, Ms. Park.”  An older male, maybe nearing 60 years old approaches us, probably mother’s boss.

“Good e