[Encore]

The fake officiant is surprised to see me among the group that exposed that wack bride. He seems to be aware that I was also part of the plan. I wonder why Bre hasn't told me about him yet, or how she got in touch with him.

I eye her for an answer, but she's busy chatting with Kaitlin and Sally, who played the role of fake bridesmaids. The way they acted meek and coy while side eyeing Bridezilla was amazing at best.

So, I'm just here, stuck with this tall, broad man with very long hair and a cast on his arm who pretended to be an officiant to break up Adam and that woman. I wonder how many side men she had all this time... That's in the past, though. The guy in front of me is far more important to me.

I ask him, "How do you know my name? Is that because of that quiz?" He nods; I excuse myself. "Oh, I didn't mean to take part in it. There was this woman in my block, Lesley Jester, who'd taken part in it months before I did. She claimed I'd make a lot of money with that..."

He concludes. "So, you went there and won nearly ten thousand bucks. Holy shit." I still can't believe I got rich that easily. Eight thousand dollars are a sum I'd usually earn in four months. I can seriously treat the others to lunch as I promised, but it'd be lavish.

"By the way, I'm Sim Daejung." I offer to shake hands as he introduces himself. He only accepts because he has all eyes on him.

He suggests. "Let's go. To be honest, I don't see a party really happening here. It's reminds me too much of that Bridezilla. Plus, as Breanna said, we only have time until 2pm here. How about we meet up tonight instead?"

Lacey eyes him with skepticism, not thinking his plan will lead us to anything good. I intervene to reassure her. "There's this club called Rose Nix not far from here. I've heard the atmosphere is amazing and they make bomb drinks. We should try it."

Kaitlin groans. "Ugh... I'd love to go, but I got banned last year because of a stupid fight." Really? She doesn't strike me as the type of girl who'd go physical in an argument. The other party must've provoked her, or she must've been drunk.

"Just let go of it. If it happened last year, there's a chance the ban is over and you can join us. Otherwise... I can try and sneak you in." The idea of possibly breaking laws to just enter a club is stupid and dangerous, but it intrigues me. I shall keep it as the very last change in case anything else doesn't work, though.

With so much time left to spend at the ceremony hall before it strikes 2pm, I take a few minutes to book entries for the club. Afterwards, I decide to launch a game that may sound cruel to others, but not to me. It's something I watched on TV last year, and it seems a good way to get the rest of the elevator gang and Daejung closer.

A fake wedding, like one you see in those lame ass dating shows.

"I need a volunteer. Someone to pose as my bride," I state. "Come on, don't be shy. Who wouldn't want to marry the Jung Sanghyun?"

Adam retorts. "Dude, you don't even look like you've ever dated in your life."

"Come on, Adam, stop being a killjoy," replies Roy. "It's just a staged wedding—not like you know what."

"I'm not going to be the bride, I'm telling you. I'm better off as the honor bridesmaid," points out Bre. "Plus, brides often get the short end of the stick."

"Isn't it the other way around?" I ask, confused at her words. Why would a bride be unhappy to be in her position? That is, unless she's Elise Aubrey.

I turn to the other ladies after Bre's refusal. "Lacey, you've saved my ass since the day we met. Please?"

She tries to give in to my pleading eyes, but also declines the offer. "I'm sorry, I can't. I haven't told you, but I have a boyfriend." I can't tell if it's just an excuse to avoid pretending to kiss me or if it's true, but I respect her choice.

At this point, I don't care who plays the bride. I decide to change the rules of the game. "Whoever kisses me will win... paid access to the VIP lounge of Rose Nix." Four people line up in front of me: Kaitlin, Sally, Bre and... Daejung.

"I've been told I'm not that great at kissing, so I want to be sure if it's either Americans having such high standards or if I'm indeed a bad kisser," says the latter. My nose wrinkles out of embarrassment. He can't be worse than me at kissing.

Adam, Roy and Lacey take seats at the first row. They start giggling like high schoolers as I pull closer to Kaitlin for the first kiss. Actually, it's nothing serious—just me pressing my lips on hers, and that's it.

The same goes with Bre, who, as soon as I'm done with her, goes and sits behind Roy. I catch her whispering to him. "Ugh... Sanghyun isn't very good at kissing. He's a newbie. Has he ever even had a girlfriend?"

I can't blame her for this comment. It's no-one else's fault if I'm such a weirdo and girls have always found me repulsive. Even though my parents would convince me I won't die alone, I don't think I'll score a relationship that easily unless I change approach.

The kissing game continues. Next in line is Sally, who blushes as soon as I make eye contact with her. I already noticed tension between the two of us this morning when she dragged me here, but now it's back, like a shockwave.

What if it's love? The only way to find out is to do my part. Hands on her hips, I let her lean close to me before I press my lips on hers. We stick on one another for what seems to be an eternity, but it's actually five minutes.

Only Daejung's insistent tapping on the floor interrupts us. Yes, I know, I have to do my part and kiss him, too. I'd love to put an end to the game, but I'm a man of word.

The others taunt me. "Come on, it's obvious you only have chemistry with Sally," says Kaitlin. "You don't want to back down on your promise, do you?"

I approach him. He smirks. "You're a bad dongsaeng, you know?"

I deadpan. "Please... As if you were a saint, hyung. Now, let me kiss you and put and end to this show, shall we?"

My attempt to take initiative fails as he precedes me. He puts his right hand on my left shoulder and bends to plant a kiss on my lips before I can even react. I freeze.

The rest of the gang laughs profusely, followed by Daejung. I stand idle, unable to react. It looks like he beat me at my own game. I have a lot to learn from him.

When I regain my composure, Daejung snaps his fingers at me. "The game is over, Sanghyun. Stop idling, okay? You're not as bad as I thought." He has a point. Why should I beat myself down over a kiss?

After all, before this one, I gave Sally a much better one. I'll stick with that, hoping this isn't the last I'll ever give her.

The clock finally strikes 2pm and we can all leave this gloomy hall. Now, I have to think of what to wear at the club, and how to spend my big budget.