If glares were daggers, a certain man should have collapsed on the floor by now, body covered with multiple stab wounds; the siren of the ambulance drawing close whilst everyone inside the restaurant were in panic, and probably some newsmonger feigning concern by the perimeter — A complete chaos, to say the least.

But then reality was not so kind to give her such upper-hand.

Despite Jiwon glaring her eyes out for the duration of the night, Min Yoongi couldn't be bothered and only kept a straight face, pressing his lips tight into a thin line from time to time.

However, those simple gestures were enough for both of them to be aware of what they had just thrown themselves into.

Other than this plan simply failing, it backfired. And ironically, with a big hit.

Contrariwise, spirited chatters and laughter filled the air. Jiwon couldn't understand how the two families meshed so well, when in fact, this was probably the first time they ever had an actual conversation.

She poked on the quail egg on her plate with a fork, which rolled away as she did, and grimaced. This began her childish battle with the quail egg as it rolled away from the fork a few more times.

Sure, Jiwon. Busy yourself battling a quail egg while everyone's busy conversing about business expansions.

A few insufferable hours later, both families had decided to end the night. Well at least not after the never ending goodbyes came to a close, and they started their way out of the restaurant.

Finally, Jiwon thought, wanting to get out as soon as possible.

A hand tugged on the crook of Jiwon's elbow just before she could reach the door and spun her around to face him. Gosh, I forgot he still exists.

She put on a blank look, showing that she was not in the right mind for any arguments anymore.

"Did you all plan this against me?"

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she pointed at herself. Yoongi seemed to have a natural talent at turning her gears on, unfortunately.

"Do I strike as someone pleased about this?" she demanded. "Yah! If only you had listened to me when I told you we should have left then maybe this didn't happen."

"I didn't know you were Kim Jiwon."

"And I didn't know you were Min Yoongi," she retaliated. "If you had told me when I asked then maybe I could have remembered."

"Are you really going to blame me for everything?" he shot back. "Don't make me start pointing out where this is also your fault."

While their heated argument went on, the limited view outside did not reflect the same scenario. Au contraire, the way their faces were so close with each other as they whispered-shouted their appeals back and forth made it appear as if they were having an intimate conversation.

It wasn't everyday that the Mins nor the Kims appreciated ever waiting for anyone, and rarely did they ever had to, but today was definitely an exception. They did not mind watching the two have their moment — even had the humor to joke about how in love they were with each other.

When the two finally decided to end their argument — or at least put it on hold, they exited the restaurant to join their families outside.

But not before Jiwon pushed Yoongi as he took his first step down the staircase, and not before Yoongi dodged all too quickly, which made Jiwon lose her balance.

And for the second time since their first meeting, Min Yoongi had caught Kim Jiwon in his arms.

What a classic.

"You can't make me catch you all the time, Kim Jiwon." Yoongi snorted and she clenched her teeth as she wriggled away from his grip.

Jiwon couldn't comprehend how one moment he was seriously arguing with her, and now he was making fun of her so freely.

"We're not through with this, Min Yoongi," she threatened, regaining her composure and sent him a stern gaze.

"Of course we aren't." A smirk spread across his face.

She huffed. "I can't believe your amusement is over serious matters like this."

After their prolonged moment of flirting — or fighting, rather — they soon joined their respective families, each to their own ride back home. Jiwon wished she had brought her car with her, but that only reminded her that it was probably still parked at the restobar where she had left it. Unless luck was definitely against her side and it had magically disappeared or got stolen.

That then, left her with no choice but to be in the same vehicle with her family on the way home.

Jiwon closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath to conceal herself from bursting. When she blinked them open, she was greeted by her brother staring at her through the rear-view mirror with a look that obviously said they were going to talk about this.

↠

"I didn't do this on purpose, okay?" Jiwon defended whilst motioning her hands for emphasis. She plopped down on her bed and heaved sigh out.

"Then would you mind telling me everything?" pressed her brother, and she glanced up to meet his unnerved gaze. "And don't miss out any detail. I want to know everything."

So she did. Although, she omitted a few details here and there, specifically the part where she woke up in Yoongi's bed the following morning with the man himself beside her. She need not to agitate her brother further.

"Yah, Kim Jiwon!" She flinched at his exclaim. Jiwon bit her bottom lip, bracing herself for the lecture about to happen. "How many times have I told you not to go to a bar all by yourself? You're a woman... and getting drunk alone? Are you out of your mind?"

"Yeah, I totally am," she blatantly admitted, before her shoulders slumped down as she drew a long breath out.

"It's hard to keep yourself sane when you feel like you're chained to how people define you. As if you're nothing but a pawn waiting for the next move given to you, and despite how you try so hard to get your efforts noticed, nothing ever happens. Nothing ever goes your way. It's just... It's just so..." she paused to breathe, but her tears came faster than her next words.

Seokjin opened his mouth, but she beat him to it.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't lash out on you. Just go." The last words left her mouth in a soft whisper.

"Jiwon." Kim Seokjin's voice was nothing but calm and concerned. His eyes softened at his younger sister, watching the bitter smile paint her face as she rubbed her tears away with her arm.

"Just go," she mumbled, voice cracking with her heart inside her chest. She knew her brother was only concern for her. After all, he was the only one she had who understood her. And she knew that if Seokjin could do anything, he would.

Yet the last thing she wanted was to get her brother in bad terms with their parents.

Seokjin stood still, eyes never leaving her sister. A cold silence had ensued the room. Until her clouded voice, almost as light as a feather, broke in.

"I'll be fine. Just go."

He crouched down in front of her, extending his arm to reach for the crown of her head. "You'll always have a brother to care for you, Jiwon."

And Jiwon believed in him. She always did.

She watched his broad back as he walked towards the door and out of her room, leaving her to the doldrums of her room and the commotion in her mind.

Jiwon knew that the moment she closes her eyes, she'd have to wake up to the uncertainties of tomorrow. The thought might have terrified her, but not as much as how her insecurities often kept her awake at night.

— ✿ —
❝hi! I'm planning to set an update schedule, probably Tuesdays and Fridays, if my time and creativity would be kind to allow me to do so. does that sound good? anyways, thank you for supporting this book, I really enjoy reading the comments haha❞