Sehun looked absolutely alluring in her red spaghetti-strapped cocktail dress. After spraying Paco Rabanne's Ultraviolet in her pulse points, she slipped into her crimson stilettos. She remembered the anecdote that came with this particular pair and smiled to herself.

She does not usually appear on stage after each play that she writes and directs. Maybe that was one of the reasons why theater enthusiasts flock on her plays wherever it maybe—the mystery that came with the person who wrote it. But that night in Brussels was different. After ensuring that nobody brought any cameras, she decided to show herself to the audience on the last day of the theater production. Ad Astra, her most recent theatrical masterpiece had a following around the globe and garnered three Tony awards. After endless fights with her agent and the producers of the play, she stuck to her decision that this would be the last leg of their supposed world tour and that she'll be taking an indefinite leave from writing. She wanted to concentrate on one of her growing passions at that time. Not caring that she almost exhausted all of her personal savings in buying the contract.

Surprise was an understatement when the audience learned that the playwright was actually a girl just out of middle school. She curtsied and gave her thanks to the people who took their time to be there and headed out. The lights were dim and she deliberately wore a newsboy hat and vintage shades. She didn't think that they would recognize her anywhere. Or so she wished.

Sehun took the liberty to tour the city the next day. She'd been in Brussels once but never had the chance to check it out. Her bodyguards were watching her from a distance. She loathed having someone trailing her closely behind so she specifically requested to her father that her bodyguards should wear normal everyday clothing and not wear shades at night like the Secret Service.

She entered a shoe store famous from being sinfully expensive. A pair of shoes locked inside a glass box caught her attention. It was a red pair of stilettos. What attracted her to it was the intricate red stone detail. Now I know why girls would kill for a pair of shoes from this store. She thought.

"That is real ruby and we do apologize, we only have a size 39 for that particular design." She was startled by the deep voice behind her. She turned to the tall, middle-aged, blonde man behind her and gave him a shy smile. She noticed that he was actually looking at her feet. I forgot I look like a pauper! He would definitely throw me out of the store and my bodyguards would take notice and oh!

"Ah ha ha...I don't even wear high heels." She was smiling awkwardly while taking steps backward ready to bolt out of the store when she heard him speak again.

"I guess it would not hurt to wait for the day that you could actually wear this pair of shoes, right Ms. Choi?" He said while unlocking the glass box.

"I think you’ve mistaken me for another person.” She tried to remain calm.

"I was in the audience last night." He replied simply.

At the corner of her eyes, she saw that one of her four bodyguards already entered the store and pretended to browse among the display racks. She felt panic beginning to rise. They might be wondering what was taking her so long. She saw Eva, the only woman in her team of bodyguards, closing in. She sat on one of the benches within hearing distance with a pair of purple stilettos in tow. She crossed her legs and started to remove her knee high boots. Of course that's where she hides her hunter knife. The ditzy woman was an expert with knives.

She turned her attention again to the man in front of her. He isn't a stalker, is he? He looks decent though. She thought but alerted herself nevertheless. Now, more than ever, that she had to thank Buddha she didn't win the last verbal battle she had with her father. She wanted to ditch all of her bodyguards insisting that she could very well take care of herself; thus, the idea that they won't be following her like a puppy. She's a judo black belt but she didn't even know if she could function well now that her knees were beginning to wobble in fear.

Her eyes widened when she heard the man speak again. "By the way, pardon me for my manners, I am Stuart Weitzman." He extended his right hand. It took sometime for the statement to sink in. Stuart Weitzman? The designer and proprietor of the store? She saw Eva's head jerk up together with hers. She shook his hand and managed to say a weak, "Nice to meet you Mr. Weitzman. You got wonderful shoe designs."

"Thank you very much Ms. Choi. If it would not burden you so much, I would like to ask for your autograph. My wife Jane and I are your biggest fans and we watched every single play of yours and have read all of your books. I didn't really go to Brussels to check on the business but to watch Ad Astra. It was such an honor to be there and to witness your first public appearance especially that you've already announced that you won't be writing for a long time. I did not imagine that you are very very young. I mean, we already know that Han Yi is a young literary genius but I didn't expect that you are just about our son's age and he's just fourteen." He blabbered nonstop.

"But I am fifteen, Sir." She blurted out stupidly. She took the notepad that he handed her and gave in to his wishes. She was about to say goodbye when he handed him a beautifully-wrapped package.

"I would love to see my favorite artist wearing my creation." He told her.

"Oh no! You didn't have to!" She declined, pushing the package back to him. She saw Eva zipping her boots back and handing the attendant the purple stilettos that she tried. She ended up buying the pair!

"Please, Ms. Choi? It would really mean a lot to me if you accept this."

"Oh. Okay. If you really insist then..." She trailed off, accepting the package. "I am afraid I have to leave now, Mr. Weitzman. Thank you very much!" And she hugged him briefly and bolted out of the door. She walked towards an outdoor bistro and called Scott, perhaps the most lethal among her bodyguards and a former CIA agent. He worked for her father but he gave Scott to her when she started trotting the globe for her love of theater.

"Ciao Scott? Si. Lei sa dove sono. Lei puo raccogliermi dopo dieci minuti? Si. Molto bene. Grazi!” She conversed in Italian, Scott's native tongue. Not a second later than the agreed time, she saw the black Cadillac Escalade pull up in front of the bistro. She left a few bills under the milk shake glass and got inside the car. She sat beside Eva who's perusing her new purchase.

“Eva! I did not know that you're into stilettos." She exclaimed, holding the left shoe. "And purple! How I love it!"

"I was eyeing this in Barney's but I didn't have my cards with me. When I got back, the last pair was gone. Glad I found it here!" She looked really happy and animated. "How about you, can I see the pair that he gave you? I can't believe that the great Stuart Weitzman is your fan!" Eva's shrieking in delight. Scott, seated in the front passenger seat looked at both of them through the rearview mirror and shook his head in amazement. Sehun took the box out of the floral package and opened it.

"OH MY GOD!!!" The women.

"He told me it is real ruby and he just gave it to me?" Sehun turned to Eva and her bodyguard just shrugged her shoulders. "By the way Eva, it's your birthday on the sixteenth, correct?" She saw her nod her head, wondering how on earth she knew it was her birthday. "Send me the bill, the shoes is on me."

"Really? Are you sure?! Thank you, Ms. Choi!" Eva could not believe she saved almost US$3,000!

"Women." They heard the other bodyguard murmuring.

"What did you say, Scott?” The women chorused.

Sehun was put out of her reverie when she heard the knock.

"Come in." Jongin's head poke into the doorway.

"Ready, Princess?" He asked when he entered her room. He's stunning in his simple button down long-sleeved shirt and -hugging dark jeans, hinting his washboard abs and gorgeous behind. Thanks to the grueling Marine training. He roamed his eyes around the lavish bedroom. "This is the first time I entered your room again after you left. I can see that nothing's changed. Mama saw to it that everything would be exactly the same."

"Yeah. It felt like I never left the house but at the same time, I know that it would never be the same again." She caught his dark eyes and challenged him into a staring contest. He was first to look away.

"I am sorry, Oppa. I know what happened between you and Krystal--"

"We are not talking about that woman!" He cut her off harshly. She was taken aback. It was the first time in her entire nineteen-year existence that Jongin raised his voice on her. "I'm sorry." His voice and his facial expression softened and he took her hand. "There is nothing for you to say sorry about. It's not your fault. Come on, you don't want to keep them waiting." They walked hand in hand to the poolside where their family and friends were gathered. She vowed to temporarily forget the worries that were building up inside her and enjoy the evening.

She was talking to one the guests when she caught sight of a familiar figure and she instantly felt her blood boiling. "Aunt Donghae, I'll just roam around. Are you going to be fine?"

"Of course, darling. Go ahead."

****************************

"What are you doing here?" She asked the man in front of her without preamble. He turned around and she came face to face with a very good looking man in his mid-twenties. But she can never be fooled. Never again. He returned her piercing gaze with equal intensity.

"Welcoming you, I guess." Minho took the rock glass to his mouth.

"I specifically told my mother that only family and close friends should be allowed in and the last time I checked, you are neither of the two." She emphasized the word family in gritted teeth. Did he have an amnesia of some sort and forgot what he did? For the life of her, she can't think of any reason why he even bothered to show his face at her welcome party.

"I am still your cousin so I believe I am still family." He reasoned.

"Family does not go after each other's girlfriends." She said ruthlessly. "Now, before he sees you--" She was silenced when somebody grabbed her by the arm and hugged her.

"I'll take care of this." He whispered. "Now, how I missed you, Pet." He said in his normal voice before he turned to Minho. "I think it would be best if you'll just leave. Please." He used the word please but Taemin's tone was far from pleading. Minho did not say a word but gave them an annoying smirk before he went away.

"Why did he even bother to come here?!" She hissed. She didn't want to attract any attention especially those of her family. Sehun was thankful that Minho was standing at the dimly lighted part of the garden, away from everyone else.

"I really don't know. C'mon, Pet, this is your party. Don't bother yourself with some useless . Now, come on, give me a bear hug." Pet is the nickname Taemin and Onew gave her when they were kids. Taemin was Donghae's son on her second marriage. Onew's father, Kim Kibum, died in a car accident when he was barely three.

"My point exactly! This is my party. And I am not a kid anymore, Lee Taemin." She said giving him a hug. Taemin wouldn't fail to cheer her up whenever she's feeling down ever since she can remember. They were practically siblings and she even lived with him and Onew in Massachusetts when they were both in MIT. She didn't want to stay in a dormitory with all the college girls six years her senior so she ended up occupying the spare room in their pad.

"Well, you're absolutely not a kid anymore." He admitted while taking a good look at her. "Wit-wiw!" He faked a whistle. "When did you start wearing so less? Could you go back to your room now and change before you catch pneumonia?" He asked in a serious tone.

"Come on! I had a hard time picking this outfit! And besides, everyone here is family!" She whined. She's sure he would her upstairs and force her to change.

"Fine. Just this once, okay? If ever see you again barely wearing anything, you know what I can do."

**********************

"Hey babe. I was looking all over for you." Hankyung took her to where their family friends were seated.

"Auntie Heechul." She acknowledged the presence of one of the oldest Choi Group executives. She’s proven time and time again her loyalty to the family and the business. She was once governess to Yifan and Luhan when they were toddlers but Siwon saw a big potential in Heechul and brought her to the company when it was still a struggling enterprise. Now, she holds the position of Vice President for Operations. The only downside was she never got married.

"Sehunnie." She kissed her on both cheeks. "You look smashing! Hankyung, when did this girl become so beautiful?" She turned to her mother. "I thought you have six boys, not five." She fell into a fit of laughter and the rest of the people on the table joined her soon after.

She perfectly knew what she was talking about. When they were kids, she would always imitate her brothers. How they dress, talk, even their hair!

There was one time that she snuck out of the house and followed them to their yearly all-boys camping trip to the private forest inside their property. Her brothers left the mansion before dusk and when she found the right timing to go after them, it was already dark. She brought a flashlight and her backpack with her but after long minutes of walking; she would always end up at the foot of the oldest mahogany tree in their property. She became too confident of her navigation skills alright, forgetting that she always went to the forest during daytime and with her brothers, too. She started to tear as the rain fell. She ran and ran to nowhere and soon her weak five year old frame gave in.

The search party found her almost lifeless after a few hours. Her heartbeat was so low and she was running a very high fever. She was airlifted to the hospital immediately and stayed in the Intensive Care Unit for three days. The incident caused her mother to have a mild . Months later, she was sent to an all-girls boarding school in Geneva. She stayed there for five years finishing grade, middle and prep schools ahead of everyone else.

"You wound me Auntie Heechul!" She pouted. She adores the old woman.

"Where is your boyfriend, Sehun?" It was Jung Yunho, General Manager for the Choi Builders branches Hong Kong and Seoul. He was seated beside his son Yonghwa.

"I'm afraid he hasn't found me yet Uncle." She gave him a heart-warming smile and turned her eyes to Yonghwa. "Hey!" She raised her hand for a high five. "I thought you're based in San Fo now? That's what Joonmyeon-oppa told me."

"I took a vacation for the--"

"Hunnie!" Sehun turned to the direction of the hollering female. She saw her one and only best friend, Seohyun. She looked stunning in her black and white empire cut strapless dress that reached her ankles. Trust her best bud to always dress to the nines. When they were younger, Hankyung would always ask Seohyun to teach her how to dress, talk and act like a lady.

"Seohyun!" She shrieked and totally forgot that she's wearing a dress and ran to hug her best friend. "I thought you’re not going to show up.” She pouted.

"Mian. I was stuck in traffic. I guess I do not know how to navigate Seoul anymore." She greeted her mother.

"Seohyun Sweetheart." Her mother kissed Seohyun on both cheeks and introduced her to the other guests. "I’m glad you’re in town. You are hardly home too, I know."

"Good thing she just finished her world tour." Sehun butted-in. Seohyun's also a genius. In music that is. She knows how to play a variety of musical instruments but cello became her favorite because Jongin became interested in learning how to play it before. Her best friend harbored romantic feelings for her brother since forever but he didn't seem to notice up to present. When Jongin got engaged, Seohyun went to New York and explored what the international music industry had to offer to nurse her wounded heart. She played in Carnegie several times and has just concluded her world tour.

"Congratulations Seohyun." Yunho shook Seohyun's hand. I have seen one of your conciertos in Hong Kong years ago. You are very good. No, excellent."

"Thank you so much Mr. Jung." Seohyun noticed the young man beside him, gaping at her.

When Yonghwa recovered from shock, he stood and offered his hand to Seohyun. "Jung Yonghwa. I am your biggest fan." He said without letting go of Seohyun's hand and without breaking eye contact. He's sporting his brightest smile ever. "I've been in your Carnegie recitals twice and one in San Francisco. I absolutely love y-- uhm, how you play."

"Oh. Kamsahamnida." Seohyun eyed Sehun, silently asking for help. She pulled her hand awkwardly from his firm grip.

"Uhm, if you would excuse us guys, we would like to get something to eat." Sehun dragged Seohyun to the buffet table.

"Thanks so much Hunnie! That was really creepy!" She felt relief rush through her when Yonghwa was out of sight.

"Hey, Yonghwa's a good friend. He’s a nice guy not to mention a good catch."

"But you saw how he’s looking at me! Like he wants to devour me or something. You know how I hate those kinds of guys. It annoys me!" She whined, totally appalled by Yonghwa's public display of affection.

"Yeah yeah. You hate those kinds of guys 'cause you're really into guys who don’t like you at all."

"You don't have to remind me." Sehun saw fresh tears at the corner of her eyes. "Sehun, I came here because I wanted to see you." Sehun could sense that Seohyun's really hurt.

"Oh my! What did I do?" She hugged her. "I'm sorry Seo. I didn't mean it that way. It's just that, I know you are still into him. You know how much I vouch for you and how I would really like you to be my sister-in-law but the guy's not into you. I want you to be happy. And you can't be happy with someone who doesn’t love you back." She explained.

"It's okay...I know you meant well. I am trying my damnedest to get over him, I swear. And I could proudly say I am halfway there. I have given up on him years ago. And even if he's no longer engaged, I know I still don't stand a chance." She smiled bitterly. How could fate be so cruel?

"Somewhere out there, a guy's ready to sweep you off your feet. The one who would gladly be your slave for the rest of your life. The one who would not complain carrying all your shopping bags!" The girl's a shopping freak and she saw that finally, her smile reached her eyes.