Chapter: 30

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As Miyeon and Nari stepped out of the sleek black car, Miyeon surveyed the scene before her.

“When I said yes to this party, I thought it would be at a club, not a mansion,” she muttered, though the grandeur of the mansion before her was hardly something that could faze her. She’d grown up in similar surroundings—her family’s wealth and influence made sure of that.

The opulence was nothing new, but the particular vibe of the event set her slightly on edge.

The two stood in front of a sprawling estate, the mansion illuminated in warm, golden lights that highlighted its grandeur from outside. It's exterior, painted in pristine white, was adorned with intricate architectural designs that spoke of wealth and old money. The air was crisp with the scent of manicured gardens, and the soft hum of distant chatter floated towards them from within.

“It’s just the beginning,” Nari muttered under her breath as she stepped out of the driver’s seat, shutting the car door behind her. Miyeon raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension in her friend’s voice.

After practice, she had been more or less dragged into this event by Nari, who had been uncharacteristically insistent.

She hadn’t been thrilled about it, but after a call with Hana, her team captain, she’d been convinced that attending was practically mandatory. Hana had stressed the importance of maintaining their team's reputation, even if it was through showing face at these kinds of social events.

Not that Miyeon wasn’t used to such gatherings—her family’s status meant she’d been attending similar events for most of her life. But this was different. This wasn’t just another socialite gathering. This was a display of power and status within their university as well as others.

A way to instill hierarchy within.

"What do you mean?" Miyeon asked as they made their way up the stone steps towards the mansion’s grand entrance.

They were met by a pair of bodyguard's, who bowed politely as they took their invitations and allowed them inside.

"Wen Jiyang is the one organizing this party, and we..." Nari trailed off, searching for the right words, "Don’t exactly get along. She just doesn’t like me, it seems."

"Without any reason?" Miyeon frowned, glancing over at Nari as they passed through the entrance and into the mansion’s grand foyer. The ceiling stretched high above them, adorned with an enormous chandelier that cast a warm glow over the polished marble floors.

Nari sighed and gave her look. “We had our differences since high-school. Since after you left.”

As they moved further into the mansion, Miyeon’s sharp eyes caught the way people around them reacted to their presence. It was something she was used to—the subtle glances of envy, curiosity, or even disdain that followed her wherever she went.

Her family name carried weight, and with it came expectations. But it wasn’t just her wealth that drew attention tonight; it was the undeniable aura she and Nari exuded as they walked together, commanding the space around them.

And unfortunately, she could feel it in evey fiber of her being.

Miyeon’s outfit for the evening was both bold and elegant, perfectly chosen for a night like this.

She wore a cherry satin top that shimmered under the lights, its neckline highlighting her collarbones. Paired with a black leather skirt that hugged her figure and ended just above her knees, she looked effortlessly stylish.

Her boots, with their high heels, clicked softly against the marble floor as she walked. Her hair, styled in loose waves, framed her face perfectly, and her makeup—minimal but flawless—accentuated her natural beauty without overpowering it.

Nari, on the other hand, was the epitome of confidence and allure. Her long black hair was styled in a loose braid that fell over her shoulder, with a few strands artfully framing her face. She wore a black dress that clung to her every curve, the hem just grazing the tops of her thighs. Her heels added height to her already tall frame, and her makeup was flawless, bringing out the sharpness of her features.

As they walked, it was as if the crowd parted for them. Heads turned, whispers followed, and eyes trailed after them as they moved deeper into the room.

The two of them exuded a kind of effortless elegance and confidence that made them stand out even in a room full of beautiful people.

Miyeon could feel the weight of their gazes, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she straightened her back and lifted her chin, channeling the confidence she saw in her father everytime he walked into a place full of judging eyes.

They might have been here under strange circumstances, but that didn’t mean they had to let it get to them.

Together, they were a sight to behold, living up to the nickname they had earned in middle school:

Two Pretty Best Friends

As they reached the center of the room, Miyeon couldn’t help but glance at Nari, who was scanning the crowd for someone. Undeniably for her group and following her lead Miyeon looked around her eyes searching for Wonwoo.

She had called him the previous day and he had told her that he would be there with his team for the pretty much the same reason as her. Even if she could not be with him for the whole night she wanted to at least be able to introduce him amd Nari.

As if on que, a light tap on her shoulder made her turn around at be met with his smiling bespectacled face.

"Hey!", he gave her a light wave which made her chuckle and step forward to envelop him in a quick hug. "You are  looking beautiful."

"You don't look bad yourself. ", she smiled nodding at him in a teasing manner. As if a sense of deja vu washing over them a cough took their attention and Miyeon turned around to Nari who was looking at Wonwoo with narrowed eyes.

Once she realized that she had Miyeon’s attention, she gave her a raised brow nodding towards Wonwoo, asking who he was.

"Oh yeah," Miyeon widened her eyes and introduced the two and watched as they shook their hands.

"Nice to finally meet you Wonwoo.", Nari said, offering him a small smile.

"Likewise.", Wonwoo nodded, giving her a smile as he looked at her as if caught off guard. He then turned back to a smirking Miyeon and shook his head, "Do you want to meet some of my acquaintances?"

"Acquaintances?", she couldn’t help the laugh that escaped her lips, "Really? Not friends?"

He shook his head, "I don't really want to make friends anymore. "

Miyeon nodded giving him a small smile and then turned to Nari, "I'll met you in a while."

Nari nodded eyeing the two, "Call me if you can't find me.", and with that she turned around blending in the crowd.

"She doesn't like me.", Miyeon turned to Wonwoo with a frown, "It's not that. She's just a little cautious with new people. You'll be surprised how similar you two are in more then one way."

Wonwoo shook his head in denial, "I'm one in a million, sweetheart. "

"Won't deny that."

Wonwoo gently took Miyeon’s hand, guiding her through the crowd toward the far end of the room. The atmosphere was vibrant, filled with the chatter of people and the soft clink of glasses.

As they navigated through the sea of faces, Miyeon caught sight of two boys standing against the wall, both exuding an air of quiet confidence.

One of them held a drink in his hand, but he didn’t seem interested in actually drinking it—he was merely swirling it around as if lost in thought. The other boy scanned the crowd with sharp, observant eyes, as if sizing up everyone in the room.

The two were indulged in a conversation when the guy with the drink noticed them first. A gentle smile graced his features, softening his expression followed by the other guy the two standing straighter to greet her.

As they came to a stop in front of the pair, Miyeon couldn’t help but marvel at their striking appearances. Recently, she found herself surrounded by extremely attractive people, each encounter leaving her in awe.

She wondered how she had become so fortunate to be in the company of such captivating people.

"Guys, this is Miyeon," Wonwoo introduced, his voice calm and smooth, "Miya, this is Junhui—" he gestured toward the boy with the drink. Junhui stepped forward with an easy, charming smile, extending his hand to her.

"But you can call me Jun," he said warmly, his blonde hair brushing lightly over his eyes as he gazed at her. His voice had a melodic lilt to it that matched his relaxed demeanor.

"And this is Minghao," Wonwoo continued while adjusting his glasses, nodding toward the other boy, who had been watching Miyeon with a neutral expression. At the mention of his name, Minghao’s face softened into a polite smile as he, too, extended his hand toward her.

"Nice to meet you, Miyeon," Minghao greeted her, his voice cool and measured.

"Likewise," Miyeon replied, shaking their hands in turn before stepping back beside Wonwoo, feeling a sense of ease in their presence

Jun’s smile widened, and he leaned casually against the wall, his posture relaxed yet poised. "So, Miyeon, how are you finding the team so far? Wonwoo’s told us about you and how good of a player you are."

Miyeon glanced at Wonwoo, feeling slightly embarrassed by the attention but he just gave her a casual shrug.

"It’s been… interesting," she began, choosing her words carefully. "Everyone has been pretty decent, and the environment is really different from what I’m used to. I’m still getting the hang of things, though."

Minghao, who had been quietly observing her, finally spoke up. "It can be overwhelming at first, especially if you’re not used to this kind of atmosphere. But you seem to be adjusting well."

His voice was gentle, almost soothing, and Miyeon found herself relaxing a bit more. "Thank you. I guess I’m just trying to take it one step at a time."

"That’s the best way to do it," Jun agreed, his tone light but encouraging. "Don’t worry too much. We both have been there too, and it’s normal to feel a bit out of place at first."

Wonwoo, who had been listening quietly, gave her a small nod. "You’re doing just fine, Miya. Besides, you’ve already impressed a lot of people with how quickly you’ve adapted."

Miyeon smiled, feeling a warmth in her chest at their supportive words. "I really appreciate that. I’ll keep doing my best."

She was happy that Wonwoo was able to find such good people to surround himself with.

Jun took a sip from his drink, finally giving it some attention, before adding, "And if you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re all here to help each other."

His words carried a sincerity that made Miyeon feel genuinely welcome, and she nodded gratefully. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thank you, Jun.”

The conversation continued smoothly, with Jun and Minghao sharing stories from their own experiences on the team. They spoke about the challenges they faced when they first joined, the friendships they’d formed, and the moments that had defined their time together.

Miyeon listened intently, finding comfort in their stories and realizing that she wasn’t alone in feeling the way she did.

As the evening wore on, Miyeon found herself laughing and chatting with ease, the initial nerves she’d felt fading away. Soon she took her leave to go find Nari giving the boys a wave.

The night was still young, but for Miyeon, it was already one to remember.

______

Jun and Minghao are here!! 🤌🏻

And Taeil- I'm speechless and I hope that the victim gets the justice they deserve.

Happy Reading!📚🤍