Before the storm had brewed and managed to spiral its way to her life, Kim Jiwon had already predicted the scenario during breakfast. Incessant lectures as the first meal of the day, as if she were sixteen, instead of twenty-four, over not being home the previous night and for ditching an auspicious dinner meeting — Both of which did not happen.

Instead, her morning had been the total opposite of her prognosticated scenarios. As Jiwon stepped into their dining hall, her father had acknowledged her presence with delight. Mrs. Kim's eyes, although cold and distant, still regarded her arrival. And Seokjin simply lifted his brows at her in greeting.

This should have been the normal morning routine.

Except that Jiwon would often arrive at their wide dining hall whilst everyone was halfway their course, the conversation already at its full swing that she could not catch up even if she tried to. So, she'd often get lost in thought, staring at the view outside their ceiling-to-floor glass windows, watching the gardener do his work.

That was how her mornings usually rolled. With the exception of her and Seokjin exchanging glances occasionally.

Notwithstanding, it had been that way for so long to the point where she could not remember the first time she had witnessed the changing of the seasons through those windows, how the flowers bloomed in spring, how the plants grew dormant by autumn and how they slowly withered in winter.

But that feeling of isolation had turned into a commonplace for her. The solitude now her comfort zone that she'd prefer it over some commentary that might just upset her morning.

And even if it seemed as if she didn't exist within the same corners at all, she did not really mind so much about her unacknowledged presence.

Yet as of the moment, all the attention was on her, and they could actually see her, as if she had done something great, when she should actually be getting in trouble for her actions.

How ironic.

"Jiwon," Kim Seulhee began, her tone stern and cautious. "You never told us about you and Yoongi."

"It's no wonder you keep running away from your previous marriage meetings. I was starting to think you wanted to die alone."

Jiwon mildly coughed on her food.

"Father," Seokjin broke in.

"What? I was just joking." Kim Jungsoo, the supposed to be respectable father, chuckled before continuing with his course. "Can't old people have humor?"

"We should start making the arrangements," suggested Mrs. Kim. "Should I call Mrs. Cho to get us the best wedding planner she has?"

A hesitant smile curved on Jiwon's lips. "Isn't it too early for that?"

"Too early?" countered Mrs. Kim. "In the end, you're still going to marry him."

"Correct," Mr. Kim remarked. "It's best to plan things ahead. Maybe you should take a leave from work and focus on your wedding."

Taken aback, Jiwon shook her head vehemently. "There's really no need for me to take a leave," she said. "And can I– Uh... talk about this with Yoongi first?"

Mrs. Kim sent a questionable look at her way. Then, she shrugged. "Alright... I don't see anything wrong with that."

"The press must know about this soon," noted Mr. Kim.

"Ah, well..." interrupted Jiwon with a dry laugh. "I'd like to talk about that with Yoongi as well."

The Kim siblings discreetly exchanged knowing glances. Mr. Kim shot her a subtle look, and Jiwon could see the dubiousness in his eyes. Nevertheless, he nodded in understanding.

"I hope I don't have to remind you about the things you're not supposed to say," Mr. Kim said. "Even if you both are serious with each other, be cautious."

Jiwon's eyes twitched involuntarily. She blinked at her father with pensiveness and figured exactly what he meant. "Don't you think the person I'm going to marry should know about that?"

"That's not for you to decide," Mrs. Kim said, almost in a warning.

Not for me to decide?

Her grip on the utensils tightened, nails digging on her flesh. "Seulhee-ssi—"

"That's enough. We are not going to talk about this," Mr. Kim interjected. "There is a possibility that the Mins will use it against us in the future. We'll never know." In a much serious demeanor, he gave Jiwon a stern look. "Everyone in the family kept this truth for twenty years now, Jiwon. And don't forget that this is also about you. Don't get carried away."

Reminded of the reason why she could never stomach this agreement, not even tolerate it, disgust crawled up from her spine, to her shoulders until it reached the nerves on her fingertips. Her lungs closing in, throat constricted.

This engagement is nothing but a big joke, all for the sake of convenience. But what difference does it make with my life?

Jiwon forced a deep breath in, drowning her sentiments in her lungs that contributed to the weight already sheltered within, and turned to her father, suppressing any opposition. Like she always did.

"Yes, father."

"By the way," Seokjin suddenly piped in, tone suggesting a different topic, and Jiwon threw him a thankful look. "Mr. Im will sign the papers today."

"So he finally made a decision, I see."

The rest of breakfast carried on with the two men's discussion. All the while, Jiwon's thoughts remained troubled over how she was going to take action about the mess she had gotten in.

On one hand, she felt rushed, as if everyone was suddenly throwing her into the whole marriage fiasco. On the other, there was this obscure sense of passiveness within her, somehow assuring her that she still had things in control.

Still, she reckoned it was best to take action as early as possible.

Two hours later, Jiwon was greeted by a cluster of three towering buildings, each connected to the other by a covered walkway and a common entrance hall. She pushed her head back as she examined the exterior covered mainly with tinted glass.

Nothing really overwhelming — at least to her, considering that the Kim's structures were nothing less. But it sure made her feel, hmm... strange? She couldn't really point her finger on it.

"I wonder if those glass walls are bulletproof," she mumbled to herself.

A begrudging sigh left Jiwon's lips just as her eyes caught the gold sign letters at the center of the main hall's exterior: MYG INDUSTRIES. Without a doubt, this was the place. And now with the confidence that she'd find the other half of the disaster inside, the bigger problem dawned on her.

How exactly was she going to find him?

Jiwon had never really anticipated that she'd ever have a reason to be here. Each step she took was calculated, as if any minute she'd get caught for being on uncharted territory. She reached the information desk and sported a friendly smile as she made her query.

But friendly smiles don't really do much.

"I'm sorry, but you need an appointment to meet Mr. Min Yoongi," the receptionist politely told her.

Jiwon had expected the response, knowing how protocol usually worked. But she didn't really had much of a choice.

A serious look replaced the smile on her face as she composed herself. "I'm his fiancée."

The receptionist subtly frowned at her with a questioning look, perhaps even half-judging her for being a lost cause.

Of course. If she was his fiancée, why would she even have to go through the reception desk?

"Look, I just need to talk with Yoongi."

"I'm really sorry, Ma'am. We just follow protocol here."

"But—"

"Kim Jiwon?"

Both ladies snapped their head towards the owner of the voice, only to be greeted with none other than Min Hyo, clad in her exquisite clothing and a designer bag on her arm.

The corners of Jiwon's lips stretched on both sides, not really out of happiness, but more of disbelief. Out of all days, she just had to cross paths with the mother of her supposed to be fiancé.

Upon confirming that it was, indeed, Jiwon, a huge smile broke onto Mrs. Min's lips, eyes wide in delight.

"Dear, what brings you here? Are you looking for Yoongi?" Mrs. Min sauntered closer, initiating a cheek-to-cheek kiss with her soon to be daughter-in-law. "Does Yoongi know you're here?"

Jiwon let out a dry chuckle, not exactly sure if she should be relieved or worried at the same time. She held onto her purse tighter.

"Not really," Jiwon admitted. "I— I wanted to surprise him."

She mentally commended herself for the quick, yet clever excuse. Not to mention, totally believable.

The delight on Min Hyo's face grew brighter. She turned to the receptionist. "Get someone to guide her to my son's office and call his assistant to let Jiwon in." There was a pause. "Ah! But make sure she doesn't tell Yoongi who it is."

Although Jiwon wasn't exactly sure if this was a good thing, she could only be thankful. It was even a miracle that something finally went her away after a series of unfortunate events.

After showing her sincere gratitude towards Mrs. Min's intervention, Jiwon followed her guide into one of the elevators. She couldn't help but be awed by the view outside.

"Are all your elevators like this?" she asked the male beside her and turned to him. "What about people who are afraid of heights?"

The male employee's eyes had a glint of surprise in them, perhaps at her out of the blue concern.

"We have completely covered ones for them and other people who prefer enclosed spaces," he told her with a smile.

Contented, Jiwon thoughtfully nodded and stared outside again. An inner peace welled in her heart as they got higher and higher, away from the ground. And perhaps if she could stay just a little longer, she would.

At the halt of the elevator at their destination, she composed herself and unknowingly drew in an air of rationality with a dust of patience, probably her subconscious mind preparing her for whatever was to come.

For when Min Yoongi's eyes met with hers, the first thing he said to her was far off from a greeting.

"What are you doing here?"

— ✿ —
❝I think most of you know by now how I kind of like to confuse my readers, oops, but rest assured everything has a logic behind and will be revealed in the right time.

for now, it's time to drop your theories about what this 'secret' might be. anyone who guesses correctly gets to see the complete raw draft of the next chapter :)

stay healthy and hydrated everyone ♡❞