Jiwon wouldn't exactly consider that she and Yoongi had been getting along swimmingly, but compared to their initial treatment and hostility against each other, she'd had to admit their relationship during the past few days had improved. Regarding her proposition of acting civil, however, let's just say they could still do something about it, seeming that the banters were yet to die down.

Eyelids falling and head bobbing down, Jiwon jolted at the knock on her door and shook herself awake. This had been the second knock; The first was what pulled her up from lying down on her bed.

"Jiwon-ssi, are you awake?" the voice broke in from the speaker of the intercom beside her bed — also for the second time.

A yawn escaped her mouth and she climbed out of bed, tucking her hair on her ear. She pressed the button on the intercom. "I'm awake now. I'll be out in a while."

No answer came thereafter, and Jiwon assumed the house helper had left after successfully relaying the message — though she could barely recall the details due to her clouded mind and her current concern being her dry throat. But what she did remember was the fact that a wedding planner was in her house, which was practically what had caused her to stir up from her slumber in the first place.

Deliberately, Jiwon sauntered towards the living room as she hugged herself with hands on her waist. She barely had time for herself due to her thoughts rambling on their own as she prepped up, settling with the first clothing she had reached on her closet: a pale blue button-down shirt tucked in a white knee length skirt with minimal touches of navy and baby blue flowers cascading.

"She's here!" Mrs. Kim announced as she motioned her palms. Then to Jiwon, she said, "This is Hyunjoo."

The wedding planner stood up and they exchanged formal greetings and bows. Hyunjoo was a woman nearing her forties, and despite Kim Seulhee in her fifties, the two elders in front of Jiwon appeared like they were of the same age.

As they settled themselves on their seats, Jiwon surveyed the atmosphere. On the coffee table laid a laptop, a notepad, and stacks of catalogs.

Hyunjoo briefed the bride-to-be on matters that had been talked about, most of which touched on the number of guests and the level of intimacy the wedding ought to be.

Jiwon absentmindedly nodded whilst Hyunjoo elaborated how Mrs. Kim had mentioned that the guest list would be limited to the family and prominent people they knew, also that if Jiwon wanted to add people, to just inform Hyunjoo for the invitations to be taken care of.

Another point for elaboration regarded the general public. The Kims and Mins would organize a charity event in a form of an after celebration for the couple and Jiwon owned the choice of its beneficiary.

For the two matters, Jiwon could have said yes. Yes to the part she would want to add people on the guest list, and yes to the charity event because even though it was probably just a scheme for the image of the business, it didn't change the fact that there would be people benefitting from it.

She could have said yes, truly. But not when her mind clutched on the truth that none of this would push through.

"I think you've talked about most of it and settled it with my mother then." Her voice was sharp, yet smooth that you'd think twice if she were implying something together with the neutral smile on her lips.

Hyunjoo returned the smile. "I'm sure your mother only meant to lessen the things you have to plan. The important decisions are still left to you, after all."

"I understand." Jiwon glanced at Mrs. Kim and the corners of her lips tugged up. "I'm certain my mother knows what's best for the wedding anyway."

The wedding planner handed Jiwon different catalogs as they delved further with the planning. Hyunjoo spoke eloquently whilst commenting with what brides-to-be like Jiwon usually encountered.

But to Jiwon who wasn't prepared for this — not the least bit — it felt like a bombardment of questions during an interrogation. Not to mention, they were still yet to be publicly engaged. Relief washed over her at the thought that she didn't have to deal with arranging that.

"First we'd need a theme so we can start setting the location. Have you thought about it before?"

Jiwon shook her head stiffly. She tried to open her mouth, but no words came out.

"Don't worry, dear. It's normal not to know what you really want at first. Here." Hyunjoo pulled a magazine from the pile resting on Jiwon's lap. "There are examples here that might help. We could always improvise when something is not to your liking. If your fiancé has time, he could help you out."

Mrs. Kim excused herself shortly, leaving the two to talk.

For the following hour, Jiwon simply let out insights and nodded as if she were taking Hyunjoo's suggestions into consideration.

"I'll leave the color samples so you could decide when you wish to."

Jiwon feigned a cheerful expression, but her jaded eyes betrayed her, that when Hyunjoo's gaze met hers, the wedding planner sent her a comforting look.

"It's normal to be overwhelmed at first. Planning a wedding isn't easy, but the end point is always rewarding," she assured.

After finalizing a few things and practically being dumped with a list of to-dos, Jiwon called a house helper to escort Hyunjoo out. Once she was alone in their living room, she plopped herself down and heaved a sigh, reaching for a magazine beside her and stared at it blankly.

Glancing down at her watch, she pressed her lips into a thin line and made a mental note to grab something to eat before going to work today.

↠

Jiwon's line of work dealt with the company's finances, most of which required her to oversee financial reports and monthly analyses. Lately, much to her dismay, even the wee bit of her tasks were diminished in order for her to give her full attention to her wedding.

So when Jiwon stumbled upon a rather peculiar document waiting atop her table, her brows furrowed with each turn of its pages.

First, her assistant, So Eun, hadn't mentioned anything about it, which she usually did whenever she left files on Jiwon's office table. Second, there wasn't any note attached, and the information on the document seemed too... odd. And shady, Jiwon might add.

"Why would Mr. Im's account be here?" she wondered to herself, a curious hum leaving her lips. She tilted her head, trying to figure things out.

Jiwon recalled her brother mentioning over breakfast something about Mr. Im, but what confused her were the file's contents. It was not solely Mr. Im's account which concerned his business with the Kims, rather, it contained information about his properties and connections, surprisingly even his wealth movement.

And in-depth information like this could only be acquired through private investigators, as far as Jiwon could tell.

Closing the folder, Jiwon held the file to her side. She double-checked whether her assistant simply overlooked the matter, but when a perplexed expression painted So Eun's face, Jiwon concluded her assistant had no knowledge about it.

This raised her suspicion.

Refusing So Eun's offer for assistance, Jiwon decided to bring the matter to someone she could trust. She might be wrong to fuss over it, but just to be circumspect, she carried the file with her and left for her brother's office.

Kim Seokjin might have assumed Jiwon visited him again just for a talk, which he was very willing despite trying to make it seem like he didn't like the disturbance. But the moment his sister had opened up the matter, a hard look etched on his face.

"It was just on my desk. So Eun doesn't even know about it."

"Isn't she the only one who has access to your office?" Seokjin asked.

"That's the thing. And we all know So Eun's like..."—Jiwon's eyes wandered to the side—"the worst liar. I mean, that's basically why she was placed with me. Ah, but that aside..." She shrugged and threw her brother a meaningful look.

Seokjin skimmed through the pages, a frown threatened to appear on his lips.

"Do you think there's something wrong with this?" questioned Jiwon and Seokjin lifted his head at her and slumped back on his chair. He shook his head.

"I'll handle this," he said. "There was a problem with the paper signing last time and we're revising something. This might help."

"Alright," she agreed. "But if there's something I could help with, just tell me. That was in my desk in the first place."

Seokjin nodded his head down sternly, and Jiwon caught the tiny lack of his usual composure. Blinking away her pointed gaze before her brother might catch it, she clasped her hands behind her and raised her brows, lips curved upwards.

"I'll be in my office then," she dismissed herself.

Just because her brother told her he'll handle it, doesn't mean she couldn't involve herself with it, right?

Besides, what would be the purpose of her scanning the files earlier for a copy of safe-keeping if she wouldn't put them to use?

— ✿ —
❝I'm sorry if this is bothersome, but I would really appreciate if you could leave comments. These days, I really, really, feel anxious with my writing. The chapters are longer, but I'm afraid they're simply getting irrelevantly wordy at the same time. Also, if you have read my other works, it would be helpful if you could point out a few comparisons especially with aspects that might be lacking and could be improved. I always appreciate constructive criticism, especially from the point of view of my readers. Thank you so much!❞