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[What you heard] - [Sonder]

Fortunately for Sora, her meeting was postponed, allowing Jay to chauffeur her home without any rush.

Upon reaching his company, he exchanged greetings with the staff. On his way to the dorm, the urgency of practice, set to commence in 30 minutes, compelled him to swiftly change his clothes.

Entering his dorm, Jay noticed the unlocked door, a rarity considering his members were usually present. He assumed it might be the cleaning lady until a familiar voice reached his ears—a voice mostly confined to phone calls.

"Jjongseong."

Mrs. Park rose from the sofa, and Jay, missing his mother, embraced her warmly.

"Who let you in?"

"Well, that's a nice way to greet your mother."

She retrieved something from her coat pocket, and Jay eyed it cautiously, realizing it was an envelope. "I came to give you this."

"The heck is that?"

"It's an invitation. The success of Park Instruments is something that Jihyuk, unfortunately, wouldn't be able to see. So, wouldn't it be nice if you're able to witness it?"

"Do not mention his name, and I told you, didn't I?" Jay started, taking a step closer. His calm and collected demeanor earlier slowly changed as he glared at his mother. "I have nothing to do with that corporation. Take that with you and leave."

Mrs. Park put the envelope down on the table before she straightened up. "I'll see you there this weekend. It's a party, so make sure to wear something formal. And do bring a date."

"Huh? The fuck are you spouting?"

"Why did you go to the forest house?" Mrs. Park suddenly said. "Ms. Jung must be special to you; you should tell her that you're bringing her along as your date. I'm looking forward to meeting her."

Before Jay could say anything, Mrs. Park had already walked past him and towards the door until Jay heard the door click closed. He stood there, eyes averting to the burgundy envelope that he so wanted to burn. But instead of doing that, Jay knew he can't.

Because he had to go, or else something bad might happen again.

Finally, Jay was done practicing for their concert stop in Gangnam next week. He contemplated whether or not to invite Sora, but now that his family knows about her, he had to do something.

After a few rings, Sora finally answers.

"It hasn't been 3 hours; did you miss that much?"

"How can I not? I also need to ask you something."

"So? What was it that you need to ask me?"

"It's about the Par—"

" Park Instruments will be holding a corporate party for the success of their new product that was recently launched in the market. Some of the well-known individuals will be in attendance, such as..."

The sound of the news in the background made Jay stop as Sora looked at the television for a second before she went back to her phone.

"I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"That," Jay said. "I was invited to attend that Park party. And I was asked to..." Jay trailed off, and he averted his eyes to the side. "Bring a date."

"And you want to bring me with you?"

Sora had no foresight into how events would unfold, starting from her acceptance of Jay's invitation to be his date for the party, to the moments spent in front of a mirror, experimenting with various evening dresses at the Prada store in Apgujeong Shopping District.

She had never before acquired such opulent attire for a party or attended an event of this caliber.

In light of recent news, she learned that the party's guest list comprised notable figures she had glimpsed on television and in magazines.

As a psychologist, Sora typically refrained from entangling herself in high society. Despite Jaehyun's persistent attempts to involve her, she consistently declined, prioritizing her dedication to patient care. The perceived absence of tangible benefits and the considerable risks associated with such social circles dissuaded her from participation.

Despite her initial reservations, Sora accepted Jay's invitation to the party. Mindful of Jay's familial ties to the corporation, she acknowledged his reluctance to involve himself in anything connected to their family business.

"No, not that one," Jay repeated, possibly for the fifth time. "It's...too flashy."

Sora examined the dress she wore, acknowledging the truth – the rhinestones would catch and reflect the lights, a level of extravagance she wasn't comfortable with. Trying on numerous dresses was a departure from her usual shopping experiences.

"How about this one?" suggested the attendant, guiding her back to the fitting room for another change.

This time, the dress was less ostentatious than the previous ones. It lacked the vibrant hues she had explored earlier, Jt was an off-shoulder black dress that gracefully embraced her curves, projecting a formal rather than casual aura. A swift glance hinted that Jay might appreciate this choice.

"We'll get that one," he finally declared, and she thought she detected a sigh of relief escaping her as she returned to change into her own clothes.

Seeing Jay at the counter surrounded by two excited girls holding pens, Sora chose to leave before him to avoid putting him in a difficult situation.

Once the dress was paid for and packed, the two stepped outside the store. Sora, thinking she could finally return home, was surprised when Jay had another store in mind.

"Shoes?" she asked. "I have heels at home, so we really don't need to buy new ones. Besides, I'll pay for this dress."

"No," Jay said.

"No? No, what?" she inquired, unsure which of the two options he was declining.

"Both," he answered. "I dragged you into this, paying for everything you'll wear for the party is the least I can do."

"I can pay for myself, Mr. Park."

"Okay fine, let's not buy shoes," he said, catching up to her as she walked past him. "Just don't pay for that dress. Treat that as a gift from a client to his therapist."

"I don't accept gifts from my clients."

"What about the Chanel handbag?"

"Well... I've been eyeing it for a long time; you just helped me acquire it."

"Then treat that as a gift from me as your—" Jay was cut off, pausing before continuing, "Just take it," he said.

"Fine, but I'll pay for lunch." She started to walk, and Jay followed right after. She disliked owing something to someone, so she decided to go to a restaurant in Apgujeong as expensive as the dress Jay bought for her as a way of repaying him.

After lunch, time seemed to blur by, and she realized she had practically spent the whole day with him without realizing it. Time passed relatively faster than when she was alone. If time is relative to each individual and how they spend it with people they like and don't like affects their perception of it, then perhaps she was realizing that time flew by a little faster today, meaning that she liked spending it with Jay.

Leaving the shopping district, their faces were bombarded by cameras. Sora squinted against the intrusive glare, Jay swiftly removed his glasses and handed them to her, to hide her face from the paparazzi. This was a mess, and the company was going to be furious; he was caught red-handed.

They briskly walked to the car, urgency in their steps. Once safely inside, Jay swiftly pulled away, driving with a determined focus. In the car's rearview mirror, they observed the loss of the paparazzi's pursuit, offering a momentary relief.

However, the tranquility was short-lived as Jay's phone erupted with incessant notifications and calls. The stream of alerts seemed unending, each one contributing to the growing tension inside the car.

Jay, realizing the magnitude of the situation, picked up a call from the manager, keeping it far from Sora to shield her from the storm of loud voices on the other end.

Amidst the chaotic conversation, Jay's manager uttered something that furrowed Jay's brow, "I'm not making any fucking statement; I'm sick of this cache cache," before abruptly hanging up, leaving an air of concern between them.

"What's wrong?" Sora asked.

"Nothing," Jay answered plainly, though she sensed there was more beneath the surface. Jay, realizing the heightened sensitivity of the situation, proposed, "Sora, want to stay at my place tonight? If I drop you off at yours, it's only a matter of time until the crazy fans leak your address."

"Are you kidding me?"

"What?" Jay asked, a smirk playing on the side of his lips as he glanced at her before refocusing on the road.

"Just do whatever you want," Sora said dismissively, leaning her head back on the headrest and closing her eyes momentarily.

Jay, glancing at the rearview mirror, harbored a dangerous glint in his eyes. He couldn't risk taking her to her place when they were exposed to the media. The idea of her address being revealed was a risk he wouldn't take.

But then again, Jay didn't realize at that moment that having her stay at his place also carried its fair share of risks. Nonetheless, he believed it would allow him to keep a vigilant eye on her throughout the night.

As they entered his place, she had barely stepped into the hallway when Jay initiated a kiss, the paper bag containing the dress forgotten on the floor. Her back lightly hit the wall, and she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

"Mark me again. I don't want any women lingering around me while we're there,"

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