Dressing Up is Hard
Haewon sent a suit to my dorm. A real one. With buttons and a bowtie and instructions that said: "Try not to look homeless."
I stared at the fancy clothes like they might bite me. Minjae had to help me tie the bowtie.
"Stop moving," he said, wrestling with the fabric. "Why are you even going to this rich people party?"
"Because Haewon promised fireworks if I come," I said. "Literal or metaphorical, I'm not sure yet."
The bowtie snapped loose again.
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The Red Carpet Problem
The Yoon Corporation gala was being held at some hotel where the chandeliers probably cost more than my hometown.
At the entrance, a security guard blocked my way. "Invitation?"
I pulled out the gold card Haewon gave me. The guard looked at it, then at my face, then back at the card.
"...Problem?" I asked.
He whispered into his earpiece: "We have a Code 9 at the door. Possible party crasher."
Before I could explain, Haewon appeared in a sparkly red dress that made my brain short-circuit for a second.
"He's with me," she announced, looping her arm through mine.
The guard looked horrified.
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Rich People Are Weird
Inside, the party was... a lot.
Old men argued about golf scores. Women compared jewelry. A waiter walked by with tiny foods on fire.
Haewon dragged me past them all. "Stop gawking. You look like a lost puppy."
"I am a lost puppy," I said. "What even is that?" I pointed at a bubbling drink in a champagne flute.
"Don't touch it. It costs more than your scooter."
I touched it.
---
Joonho Strikes Back
We found Joonho holding court near the dessert table, surrounded by people laughing too hard at his jokes.
His smile froze when he saw us. "Haewon. You brought your... charity case?"
The crowd tittered. My bowtie felt tighter.
Haewon squeezed my arm. "Dojin is my guest. Be nice, or I'll tell everyone about your hair plugs."
Joonho's eye twitched. I filed that info away for later.
Then Haewon's father approached. Uh-oh.
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The Father Test
Mr. Yoon looked me up and down like I was a stain on his favorite rug. "So. You're the boy my daughter won't stop talking about."
I swallowed. "Hopefully the good stuff, sir."
"He thinks our company should pay more taxes," Haewon blurted.
WHY WOULD SHE SAY THAT.
Mr. Yoon's mustache quivered. "...Interesting." Then he walked away.
I turned to Haewon. "Did you want him to hate me?"
She bit her lip. "I panicked!"
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The Almost-Kiss
Later, we hid on a balcony away from the crowd. The city lights glittered below us.
"You survived your first gala," Haewon said, stealing my drink.
"Barely." I loosened my bowtie. "Your dad definitely wants me dead."
She laughed, and for once, it wasn't her usual ha-ha-you're-poor laugh. It was... nice.
Then she leaned in close—too close—to fix my crooked bowtie. Our faces were inches apart. Her perfume smelled like flowers and trouble.
My heart did a weird flip.
A loud CRASH from inside made us jump apart. One of the waiters had dropped a tray.
Haewon cleared her throat. "We should... go back."
"Yeah," I said, my voice oddly hoarse. "Probably."
Neither of us moved.
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Next Chapter Teaser:
- The morning after (Awkwardness level: 100)
- Rumors spread ("Did the café boy really kiss Yoon Haewon?!")
- Joonho's revenge plan (Dun dun dun...)