Two weeks had flown by since the party. James had returned from the US after wrapping up his work there, ready to dive back into the wedding preparations. He had agreed to take on the project largely because of Phuwin’s persuasion, and the excitement was palpable among those involved.

The private cozy café chosen for the meeting was tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the city, offering a serene and intimate atmosphere. Its  soft lighting, comfortable armchairs, and wooden tables, perfect for discussions without the distraction of a busy crowd.

Phuwin and James arrived at the cozy café, the warm, inviting space perfect for a private discussion. The place had been chosen specifically for its quiet atmosphere, a necessary choice given their public profiles.

Phuwin looked around, ensuring everything was set for their meeting. "Everything’s good here. Let’s wait for the others."

James nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. "Yes, let's. I’m excited to get started on this."

After a few minutes, Joong and Dunk walked in, greeting everyone with friendly smiles. "Hi, everyone!" Dunk said enthusiastically, giving Phuwin and James a hug. Joong followed, waving. "Sorry for keeping you waiting. Traffic was a mess."

"No problem at all," Phuwin replied, "We just got here ourselves."

They settled into their seats and started catching up. As they waited for Pond, Phuwin checked his phone and frowned slightly. “Sora hasn’t shown up yet. It’s been a while.”

James raised an eyebrow. “I thought you didn’t want her included in this meeting?"

Phuwin sighed. “That’s right. But it seems Uncle Earth insisted that Sora be here. It’s frustrating.”

Just then, Pond arrived, looking visibly unhappy. He greeted everyone with a subdued smile, clearly not thrilled to be there. “Hi,” he said, taking his seat.

"Hi, Pond," Phuwin greeted him, trying to mask his concern. "Glad you could make it."

Pond offered a small, polite smile but didn’t seem enthusiastic. "Yeah, I’m here."

The group made small talk while they waited for Sora. As time passed, the drinks arrived, but Sora was still absent. The group tried to make the best of the situation and started discussing the wedding plans.

James started discussing the wedding plans. "So, let’s talk about the theme and venue for Joong and Dunk’s wedding. Do you have any preferences?"

Joong looked at Dunk with a loving smile. "I’ll go along with whatever my baby  wants. He knows what he’s doing."

Everyone laughed, and Dunk playfully rolled his eyes. "I’m thinking of a beach wedding. I’d love something intimate, with just a few close friends and family."

Joong nodded in agreement. "That sounds perfect to me."

James turned to Pond. "And what about you, Pond? Do you have any thoughts on the wedding plans?"

Pond’s expression darkened slightly. "Honestly, just don’t include me in this. If I had a choice, I wouldn’t even be having this wedding. Just go with what you guys want. It’s your wedding."

The table fell silent, the weight of Pond’s words hanging in the air. The others exchanged worried glances, feeling the impact of Pond’s discomfort.

Pond chuckled softly, trying to ease the atmosphere. "I’m just joking around. Let’s get back to discussing your plans."

James smiled sympathetically. "Alright, we’ll focus on making this day as special as possible for Joong and Dunk. We’ll make sure it’s a day to remember."

The conversation shifted back to wedding details, with Joong and Dunk enthusiastically discussing their vision for the event. Despite the initial awkwardness, the group began to focus on creating a beautiful and memorable celebration.

As the discussion continued, Phuwin glanced at Pond, who seemed a bit more relaxed now.

The café's quiet ambiance was abruptly disrupted when Sora finally arrived. She swept into the room with a loud, screeching voice that immediately drew everyone's attention.

“ Just get this done already,” Sora announced with exaggerated annoyance. “You know, my day is so packed. I’ve got a million things to do and didn’t even want to waste my time here. I’m only here because Uncle Earth insisted. Otherwise, I’d be busy with more important things...like my appointment at the parlour.”

She continued blabbering about her busy schedule, flaunting her wealth and perfect life as if she were the center of the universe. “James, you better make this quick. I’ve got to get to my appointment. I can’t waste time chit-chatting with you guys.”

Pond’s frustration reached a breaking point. He slammed his hand on the table and shouted, “Just go to hell with your parlour! We didn’t even invite you. So just get out of here!”

Sora’s eyes widened in surprise, and she shot Pond an irritated glare. “Who do you think you are, shouting at me like that? You’re not so perfect yourself, you know!”

Before things could escalate further, Phuwin took a deep breath and calmly addressed Sora. His voice was cold and controlled. “Sora, get out of here before I call security. You’re not invited. Just go to your so-called parlour and add some extra fakeness to your already faked body.”

Sora’s face flushed with embarrassment, and she struggled to find a retort. “I’ll tell Uncle Earth about this!” she shouted as she turned on her heel.

“Go ahead,” Phuwin replied icily. “Maybe he’ll understand why we don’t want you around.”

Sora stomped out of the café, her frustration evident in her angry footsteps and shouted threats. The remaining group watched her leave in silence, the tension still palpable in the air.

Pond slumped back into his chair, feeling a mix of relief and exhaustion. Phuwin turned to him with a reassuring smile. “Sorry about that. Are you alright?”

Pond nodded, still a bit shaken. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks for handling that.”

James gave Pond a sympathetic look. “We can continue now, if you’re ready.”