She was on a high - dancing among the girls and a sea of strangers. The upbeat and lively energy made her feel wild and free, and it's the most fun she's ever had in what felt like the longest time. Once in a while, she'd open her eyes to the flashing bursts of neons and her friends' happy faces. It feels good to forget everything...to not go back -

A broad, strong chest halted her twirl and she found her palms already splaying on the familiar body. When she looked up, Lisa fell into those twinkling dark pools again. 

"You," She managed to breathe, despite the embarrassment creeping up.

"Hello," The hint of smirk held a humour. Maybe he's laughing at me again. Maybe not. Lisa couldn't think straight. A lot more liquors have passed down her throat after the 'incident' in the private room. 

When it seemed like she had forgotten what words were, he dipped his head slightly to her right and close to her ear, "I've seen you before," His voice sounded like a whisper, even if she's sure it wasn't. It sounded melodic...just right...along the music.

The heat came back. As he backed away, Lisa saw the twitch on his still-smiling, perfectly-sculpted lips. His expression however, was unreadable. Out of everyone here, how did he managed to find me? Is he taunting me because I mistook him for a stripper?? Lisa shook her head slightly to end the trance.

"The dance floor is for dancing," She plastered a smile, enough to just goad him. 

"I know...I built it,"

"Then why are you not participating?" She smirked and watched the flicker of awe ran through his face as she started swaying her hips...one...then two steps away from him. The fact that he didn't take his eyes away from her made her feel so damn good and she wasn't even sure why. 

Just another guy...a wannabe heartbreaker. Well, he's not breaking me. She heard herself chuckling before she made a move to turn back to her friends. Just then, a hand graced itself on her waist. Soft, yet demanding of attention. 

"Not tonight," She felt his fingers brushing a strand of her hair - tucking it safely behind her ear. "Soon...and maybe you won't run from me then," His voice was so seductively clear that she felt her knees go weak.

When did I run? He was the one who walked out with nothing more than just a name and who he was -

"For now...I'd just like to say what I didn't get to say in that room...that it's really nice to finally meet you, Lisa," 

Damn it, he sounds so hot and for what - wait, how did he know my name? Oh, maybe from the room - 

And just like how easy he came to find her, his presence disappeared seconds later. Lisa was left breathless when she took the few more steps towards the group - to some who gaped, gasped, and questioned her with scandalous delights for the night. 

...

It felt like a dream. A really bad dream. Or maybe...a really good one. Which one?

Lisa groaned, feeling thumps rising in her head. Was I so drunk - please let me be so damned drunk that I dreamed of the whole thing! She felt like shutting her eyes back to dreamland but from outside, the bright, early September light poured through the window with no mercy - forcing her to recall the humiliation from last night.

"I'm Jeon Jungkook. I own the club."

She rolled over and buried her face in the pillow when the face and voice came back in a rush. Details began drifting and floating through her mind - such strong body and his perfect, handsome face. And that smile that's to die for - damn it - 

"Soon...and maybe you won't run from me then."

Sinful. Sexy. This is ridiculous - stop!! 

Battling with the weird thoughts of wishing he's just the Hot Stripper Guy, Lisa rolled onto her back again and stared at the ceiling. No...I can't be dreaming about Hot Stripper Guy OR the Club Owner! There's no way I'll ever see him again - that's for sure - but for a much valid reason, he's the embodiment of why I am where I am.

Lisa felt that she was smart enough to recognise a disaster based on her one experience. It's the way her pulse speeds up when she looked into those daring eyes. And the way she felt special when he was only focusing on her. The club owner now reminds her a lot of the man who left her standing alone at the altar. 

He was cocky, sexy, and charming too when he was chasing her around back in high school. Probably not as generous as the guy from last night but everything about his appearance screamed 'bad boy' - even when everyone else disagreed. She used to think that it was all in her own head, but their ending had proven it to be true after all. A heartbreaker - Jeon Jungkook seemed to have the face for it.

Ugh - whatever - I refuse to give that asshole - or any assholes a second more in my life!

After she'd splashed enough cold water on her face to feel a little bit human, she made her way to the kitchen, where Chaeyoung sits comfortably on one of the high chairs. 

"You look like sunshine," It was obviously a tease.

"Thanks to you," Lisa rolled her eyes and took out the orange juice from the fridge. 

"You're welcome!" Chaeyoung cheered. "There's boiled eggs if you want,"

Her stomach growled and she knew it wasn't because she's hungry. Lisa shook her head and took a sip of the juice. Fresh! "Remind me again...what time did we get back last night?"

The chuckle escaped quick from her friend. "Like you even noticed whether you're sleeping on a concrete or a bed! Wahh...I didn't know you could party that hard, Lalisa! It's true what they say huh...the most quiet ones hold the most secrets!"

Oh no. "What do you mean? Why - did I do something?" 

"You went wild! Don't you remember anything??" Chaeyoung's gasps had her worried. 

Shit - it happened again, didn't it?! When it was clear that Lisa was left in a confused state, Chaeyoung began to laugh.

"Just so you know, no one forced you to drink that much! You did it on your own -"

"Just tell me,"

"Where should I start? The grinding with someone's girlfriend who none of us even knew..." Shit. "The dancing on the podium...and with the pole..." Double-shit! "The running to the bar and kissing the barista on his bald head after he gave you the free shots you begged for -"

"Fuck," She sighed and hid her face in both palms. "Just on the head right?"

"Only one that I saw. You almost kissed a girl too - thank God Jennie unnie grabbed you before it happened,"

Lisa sighed an embarrassed smile. "Did anyone got hurt?"

"My eyes...my eyes were hurt! And I'm pretty sure the club owner's heart was hurting too -" The rolling eyes didn't miss her.

"Ahh...the stripper,"

"That was such a hot flirting scene though...in the middle of the dance floor," Oh...so it really happened? I thought I dreamt it - "He was around you know...I saw him a couple of times - just lingering around. Not too near, but not too far. It's almost like...he was looking out for you,"

"Mmm...thank God everyone survived the night," She tried changing the subject because the girl's tone just dropped too low. Don't cloud my mind - "That's why I hardly drink outside,"

"Why? Cus you'd turn into a horny bitch?" The remark and Chaeyoung's honest pout made her laugh. 

She was a good girl, yes...but after 5 glasses of hard liquors she'd definitely make the best bad girl one could find! If that was all that happened last night, it's nothing compared to how wild she'd gotten back in her own hometown. Her friends and then-boyfriend would beg for her to join them just to see the extremely-rare fierceness showing up. They just wanna entertain themselves, really. Fuck them. 

Lisa shook her head slightly to dismiss the thought. "What time are you leaving to your mom's?"

"After lunch. You're driving me, right?" The sweet smile and voice annoyed her but she's too weak to put up a fight. It's been a tough battle which lasted more than 48 hours at this point, but Chaeyoung's bride-mode enthusiasm is not one to mess with. Especially one day before the wedding.

Maybe I should sell her car after that...just for the fun of it? But then, she did have a point about making it easier for me to have in the 'just-in-case scenarios' during her honeymoon. 

"Since you'd rather send me to jail for not having a driver's licence than spending a few bucks on a cab...yeah, sure, why not?" 

...

There's the face that's implanted in his memory. From last year...to 3 days ago. There are not enough seconds passing by without him thinking how pretty she is. What was it, really? She's great-looking, no doubt, but she didn't completely turned heads of every guy within her proximities. Maybe those who's bothered to look close enough...or long enough...like me. He wasn't sure the absolute answer to it, but everything about her presence seems to be calling for him.

She seemed lost in all the times he'd seen her - including now. Yet she seemed the wildest 3 nights ago. That same girl is living in his mind rent-free 24/7 for more than 72 hours now. Those sexy, brave pair of eyes even visited his dreams! So which one are you really? The secluded...or the accessible? You can't be both...no one's that perfect - even a romantic such as himself admits that! 

From the driver's seat, Jungkook kept watching the full emotions play across the girl's beautiful face as she fixed her ground in front of the grand country house. Indignation - or perhaps complete sadness - the expression was evident, even from a far. One, two, three, four...and she'll look to her left, then her right again. She's been doing that for the past 6 minutes and he's dying to know why.

She looked like she's hiding for something...or is it someone? No - actually, she looked like she's planning an escape...but maybe her feet refused to move. That long, hard stare at the nothingness before her...it wasn't empty. There's something there...something else. Someone else...or some place else?

...

Lisa zoned out in the midst of high laughter and loud heartfelt compliments given to the bride in this room. Her eyes are fixed on two pairs of trainers, flashing in changing colors with each small steps. Chaeyoung's relatives and friends have been coming and going but as one of her loyal bridesmaids, Lisa's not allowed to go out until it's time to send the bride.

It would be the most beautiful sight later. She already glimpsed at the fourteenth-century hall next door on her way in. Having stood for a good 10 minutes outside gave ample of time for her to recollect her traumatic past. She almost ditched the wedding but thankfully, Jennie's arrival caught her in time. Staring at Chaeyoung's glowing face in her beautiful white dress earlier reminded of her own happiness back then.

"I just got a call...he's not coming," The 3 seconds of words whispered to her by her mother in a similar room had ultimately changed the life as she knew it.

She still remembers how she couldn't find any words. Not even a one-word question of 'why?'. Instead Lisa turns back to the mirror - to the reflection of the beautifully embroidered dress and veil, to the face she hardly recognised underneath the heavy layers of make-up, and the flower bouquet that was prepared by her aunt in her right hand. 

...he's not coming?

She never heard it with a question mark until now.

How petty was it that all she could think of at that moment was how much she hated the bouquet. It was too big and round, with too many roses for her liking to be honest. It wasn't her. She wanted wildflowers, preferably with some Lily of the Valleys but it was laughed off by both sides of the family. Come to think of it, most of the decisions made during her wedding preparations were never hers. From where she comes from, wedding are meant for the families - not much for the bride and groom.

The groom... 

He would've looked ridiculous in the white tux he had chosen to walk beside her but wore to his next wedding ceremony, 6 months after his missing-in-action incident. His face was as dashing as always...but somehow the white tux made him looked like an amateur comedian on his first stage. It's probably the bitterness that planted it in her memory but the more she thought about it, the more reasons she found as to why it didn't happen for them. That was one hell-of-an-ugly tux!

Never mind that - I've moved on now. Yes, she moved countries and changed her job to her passion. She met amazing women along the way and some of them became the best people she ever knew in her life. Some of which are in the same room as her now, along with the bride. Lisa's not going to deny that she's still a little shy and reserved - particularly when it comes to men! - but she's not in any rush. Some might not understand why -

"Ji Hoon, stop teasing your little sister!" Ashley's scolding to her son snaps her back into present. "Jen, can you help with my ribbon? It's too tight, I'm struggling to breathe,"

When it's obvious that Jennie hadn't heard her, Lisa stood and took the satin ribbon of Ashley's dress herself.

"Ahh..." The woman sighed in relief. "Thanks Lisa-ya...I got nervous like it's my own wedding! This brings so much memories,"

Indeed it does... Lisa smiled to herself.

"You're such a sweetie, you know that? The first time I met you, I remember I asked Chae if you're shy or you're just really quiet. You know...before we went to the club?" Oh yes...been trying hard to forget 'the club'! "But I watched you and I think you're both...not that there's anything wrong with that," Lisa wasn't sure whether Ashley's sharing an observation or a criticism. "I think there's more to you than just a pretty, shy girl,"

Once she's done with the ribbon, Ashley turns to her with a smile. "Chae told me something about you. You know...being silent about things doesn't mean you're not brave," She gave a quick wink and Lisa blushed a bit like a little girl. She certainly sounds different than the wild woman with the big mouth the other night!

...

Jungkook had been to a lot of weddings in his life but this is probably the first time that his eyes and mind failed to focus on the bride and groom...even if the groom is one of his closest friend. There they were, both dashing and beautiful, but all he could see was the girl who stood among the bridesmaids. Third from the bride, to be exact. She must've gotten super-close to Chaeyoung to be able to earn that spot, he thought. 

She rubbed one eye, then the other with one finger - when the old officiant announced 'you may now kiss the bride'. Even from a far, he could see her soft-looking cheeks turned light pink. He could understand how sentimental women could get during weddings - it used to be one of his favourite scene whenever he attended weddings. Happy tears. There was just something heartwarming about it. But not this one.

While the others embraced to calm themselves from the giddiness, she turned to the nothingness behind - facing directly towards the door. She didn't ask for assurance, nor did she faced the others who were happily clutching on the flowers and each others' hands. Her fingers on the free hand was fidgeting on her hem - as if she's waiting...and waiting...for what?

To run? Disappear? Does she hate being here? Maybe she hates weddings? Maybe she never wanted to be a bridesmaid and she felt like it's forced on her? She didn't seem like it the other night though. She didn't look bitter on her friend's shower - fuck, no. She looked happier than the bride herself! Or maybe it wasn't happiness that I was seeing.

...