CHAPTER SEVEN

The Jasmine Glass’ usual night turned into money and glamour’s meeting place.  Flashes of cameras didn’t seem to cease as popular people had their one by one red carpet entrance.  Yunho and Jaejoong were busy entertaining and welcoming their guests.  Their friends were already inside including Sooyoung who was Changmin’s date.  The two has never looked as dashing before.  From their tailored suits to their coiffures, everything was just flawless.  Everyone keeps praising them for their exemplary work at such young age but something was just off.

Jaejoong was always caught glancing at his watch and always seemed to be on a lookout for somebody.  It has been a while since he has seen Yuri and they’re never really formally talked about this evening.  He was anxious.  What if the witch decided not to turn up because she thought it was all a hoax.  He has asked the hotel staff if they have seen Yuri but they all said that Yoona is the only one supervising the event.  He eventually bullied himself for not calling the witch even if he sent her a bouquet of roses and tulips already.  What if Yunho decided to pursue her because she didn’t turn up as his date?

Suddenly the flashes of light became frenzied and talks erupted.  He was greeted by an unexpected sight.  Kwon Yuri was walking down the red carpet like it was laid down for her.  She wore a beige mermaid gown that perfectly hugged her figure.  It was strapless revealing her collar bone and her neck was revealed because her hair was tied in an elegant chignon.  He knew that the little shy smile was just an act but he couldn’t help but be mesmerized.  His heart clamored to get out of its cage as Yuri’s every step became excruciatingly slow.  At that moment, Jaejoong realized how lethal Kwon Yuri was.  She could literally take your breath away.

Yuri smiled shyly at the cameras which probably captured all of Korea’s beautiful people that night.  She knew that she looked beautiful.  She personally picked her dress while her friends took care of her hair and makeup.  She was just thankful that Yoona wasn’t there because they were all excited for her date with Kim Jaejoong.

She almost backed out of this if not for the flowers that came for her the other day.  It was from Jaejoong confirming their date.  She didn’t know what ground they were standing because they were not friends to start with.  What happened that night was an incident that just got out of hand.  She started to climb up the steps that she steps on every day.  She smiled inwardly.  She felt like Cinderella who was about to go to the grand ball without any idea what’s going to happen.

She looked up and saw Jaejoong instantly.  He was staring intently at her and their gazes locked. His eyes were beckoning her to him and she gladly let herself be into his deep eyes.  When she reached the last step, he offered his hand to her and she gladly accepted.  Without breaking their eye contact, he kissed the back of her hand softly like a true gentleman.

“I am glad you came,” he said and smiled.  He could have kicked himself after saying that.  Where did that come from?

“I would still be here if I wasn’t your date, wouldn’t I?”

He chuckled at her words.  But deep inside him, he was already beating himself to death.  Yuri never lost her tact yet here he was, fumbling for words like a kid.    

“Whatever.  I am glad that you’re my date tonight,” he just said it at the thought of keeping her away from Yunho.  But it was different for Yuri who was suddenly confused.  Could he be…?

No way!

She jus smiled.  “I will just get in first.  I know you’ll have more guests to accommodate.”

Yuri turned her back on jaejoong and started to walk towards the party hall when she was stopped by Yunho.  Yuri couldn’t help but admire his smart look.  If she was a free woman, she’d totally dig him.  Jung Yunho was totally her type.

“Hey Yuri,” he said with that perfect smile.

“Hey.  I was just about to get inside.  There are so many celebrities.  Good job on you two.  I am so honored for this event.”  Indeed this party will give more boost to their hotel.

“Nah.  I am glad that we’re holding it here.  Jasmine Glass is like a paradise.  Words are just not enough to describe it.”  He was talking with all these weird gestures.

Yuri laughed lightly.  She didn’t know Yunho could be this animated.  “My grandfather must be proud right now.  His Jasmine Glass is living up to his expectation.”

Jaejoong then appeared on her side.  He looked rather crossed which confused her further.  “Yuri, I thought you were going inside already.”  His eyebrows are crunched up.  Yunho on the other hand was amused.  Jaejoong was apparently jealous.  He knew Jaejoong when he gets jealous.  He lost count on how many times it happened and have they fought over his jealousy.  What he’s certain was  to whom was this displayed jealousy towards.

“Ah, I just congratulated her for the beautiful venue,” Yunho defended.

“Im Yoona is doing her work right now.  You should congratulate her instead,” Jaejoong said without tact.

“Well thank you, Jaejoong, for making me sound like a useless manager.  But I’ll tell Yoona anyway.  See you when you’re done.”  Yuri strutted towards the hall.

The moment Yuri entered the Jasmine Glass, she seemed to be warped into another world.  It was like that every time even at the first time her mother brought her here.  All the chandeliers were lit and their sparkles are reflected everywhere.  The hall seemed to be full of diamonds.  The pillars and the edgings were all coated with gold.  Everything was designed by her grandfather for her grandmother.  Everything was perfect.

What seemed to stand out in her eyes the most was the woman who was smiling at her and admiring her from the technical area.  Yoona was wearing her usual hotel uniform and she looks so lovely as ever.  She doesn’t need make up and fancy clothes to look that lovely.  It is one of the things that has drawn her to her.

Instead of mingling to the other guests, she found herself beside Yoona.

“You should be with other guests,” Yoona chided her.

“But I’m more comfortable here with you,” she whined childishly.  Despite herself, Yoona was glad that Yuri still wanted to be with her than other people.  She was actually uneasy with this whole Jaejoong thing.

“Don’t be stubborn.  Just sit beside Sooyoung,” she pointed at their friend who was inside Changmin’s embrace.  Yuri was dismayed that Yoona was trying to shoo her.

“Psh.  I don’t want to be a third wheel.  I’ll stay here until the program starts.”

“Suit yourself, General Manager Kwon,” Yoona smirked.

The night turned out as a big success.  The two young owners of Andromeda thanked those who became a part of their company and laid their plans for the whole year.  Jaejoong was the one who laid down the plans.  Yuri could see with no difficulty how Andromeda became on top.  Jaejoong was full of charisma.  Everyone in the room was hanging onto his every word.  For more than a few times, Jaejoong’s eyes would find hers and she would smile to give him encouragement.  It was like the most natural thing to do.

She felt elated to be his date for this night.  When Jaejoong ended his speech, applause broke out, some even stood.  Jaejoong then walked over to Yoona and discussed some technical issues.  She frowned at their interaction.

“I see that you’re getting possessive, huh?” Sooyoung suddenly said.  Yuri was startled.  The last time she saw her, she still had her arms around Changmin.

“Seeing my girlfriend with an overly charismatic guy is not very comforting.  And since did you break free from Changmin?”

“Your date and your girlfriend, classy.  Seeing my gay friend staring intently at a guy is alarming enough to make me break free.  Tell me, Yuri, are you attracted to Kim Jaejoong?”

What is this stupid girl spouting?  “You’re not making any sense, Choi Sooyoung and your Prince Changmin is here to take you away.”  True enough, Changmin stood beside Sooyoung and offered a hand for the dance.  Sooyoung sighed before giving in.  While watching them, Yuri felt her heart being pricked.  They looked so happy.  Sooyoung’s wish for a family will soon come true.  She yearned for the same thing until she met Yoona.

“Care for a dance?”

Yuri looked up and was momentarily blinded by the chandelier right above Jaejoong’s head.  He had his hand held out to her like what he did earlier.  And like earlier, she gladly accepted his hand.  They headed to the dance floor where more than a few couples were already dancing.  They started dancing to their hearts’ beat.  It was odd for they were dancing slower than the music’s beat.  Soon, all eyes seemed to be on them.  It’s not because of their slow-paced dance but because they seemed to be the perfect couple out of the beautiful people there.  They were oblivious to all of these things.

They owned the Jasmine Glass.   They owned this night.

They never thought of the two pairs of eyes who would see them.  They never thought of the two hearts breaking at that moment.

Jung Yunho had his fist clenched as he watched Jaejoong’s arms tightened around Yuri’s waist and the last time anybody has seen Im Yoona was when she was running towards her car with tears in her eyes.  But Yuri and Jaejoong continued being that perfect pair.

They were just the perfect couple.  

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Hey!  Thank you all for subscribing and giving me encouraging comments.  I love you all.  Please keep the comments coming.  Welcome new readers.  Everyone keeps giving me comments through my three stories.   I know you're all excited for this.  I hope I didn't disappoint you. ♥♥♥♥♥♥