016: LOVING GAZE

"There is no greater glory than love, nor any greater punishment than jealousy." 

- Lope De Vega pov

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016: LOVING GAZE

Rona pov:

"Eun-byeol, I got a ticket for the fashion show you told me about. Should we go after the competition?"

Seok-kyung smiled at Eun-byeol, who nodded her head with a small smile.

The two keep talking about fashion, travel, and shopping.

I can't help but feel envious of their life.

They don't have to worry about anything at all.

But at the same time, I pity them.

They don't know how cruel the world is.

They don't know anything about the world because they're pampered and sheltered by the prestige of their parents.

They can do whatever they want, and no one will say anything.

I can't help but smile, thinking of how they will be when their family loses power and money.

Min-hyuk and Jenny join the conversation as all of them talk only about the latest trends.

'Why are Min-hyuk and Jenny here?'

From what I remember, they didn't make it to the final round. I gazed deeply at them as they all asked Seok-kyung to give them tickets.

"Buy your own!!"

Seok-kyung scoffed at Min-hyuk's words.

"Come on, please, please?"

"Okay, stop. Stop."

I fisted my hands below the table while watching them.

'Someday, I will also be in that kind of position. When that time comes, no one will ignore me anymore.'

. . . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

"For the final round, it is going to be a simple inspirational speech."

"You will give it to a group of judges that will judge your manner of speaking, your tenor, and your inspirational content."

He flaunts his hands as he explains the last round.

'So basically, we'll be giving a speech to a group of judges about Cheong-ah arts.'

"Another popularity competition." I looked around and saw Rona looking at the content of the final round so seriously.

"Can we get the list of judges?"

"No!" He firmly eyed us as I only breathed deeply.

'I'm sure our parents will have a list of the judges anyway.'

"Is that all for our meeting?"

"Good luck, future ambassador of Cheong-ah Arts."

He winked at me, which I frowned at.

'Disgusting.'

Why not just announce me as the winner.

This is why backdoored teachers are the worst.

. . . . .

Seok-hoon pov:

All four of us decided to make a speech together so we won't repeat each other's speeches.

Seok-kyung has been annoying Eun-byeol on what she should point out.

"I think we're going to have a foreign judge. Let's translate our speeches into English and practice where we should shift from Korean to English, okay?"

"Good idea."

"English too?"

I smiled at my sister's annoyed look as she stopped typing and instead lay on the sofa, fiddling with her phone.

Eun-byeol looked at her and shook her head playfully.

"No one will do your speech Seok-kyung."

"But I can't think of anything at all."

Eun-byeol reminded her as she continued to type her speech.

"I'll focus my speech on how Cheong-ah strives to focus on preparing their students for their respective careers in the future, so eliminate that from your speeches."

She reminded us as she continued to type her speech.

"Since I'm the new student, I'll focus my speech on Cheong-ah's facilities and how Cheong-ah updates it to the best facilities yearly to motivate the students to study and practice harder."

Seo-jun said while typing his speech.

"I'll focus my speech on different organizations and clubs that improve each student's social and personal skills."

"Seok-kyung. . . what do you want to focus on. . . ."

"I feel like you've taken everything. . . what else can I say?"

I smile at my sister, who becomes even lazier as she rolls on the sofa, looking like a sloth.

"Hmm. . . try focusing your speech about the Cheong-ah festival. Research its history and benefits. Talk about the previous winners of the Cheong-ah trophy and their current lives because of it."

"Cheong-ah fest is one of the highlights of the school. Shouldn't you talk about it?" She mentioned.

"It's going to sound like the daughter of the Cheong-ah director promoting the school, so no."

"Okay. Let's do this!" I said and took my sister off the sofa and guided her to her seat.

She continued pouting as she lazily typed on the board, asking us how to begin her speech.

. . . . . . .

Rona pov

I practiced in front of the mirror as the makeup artist fixed my makeup.

Lately, everything's been going great for my mother, so our life's better now.

"Seok-kyung, don't forget to shift from English to Korean properly. We might have a foreign judge, so it's better to be prepared than not."

"Okay. . ."

I looked at them as they practiced in silence while their stylist fixed their hair.

'Foreign?'

'I didn't think about that possibility.'

I frowned as I looked at my speech, that's written in all Korean.

"Let's begin! The first one is. . . Han Seo-jun."

"Good luck!"

Seok-kyung smiled at him as he returned the smile and waved his hand goodbye.

'How did Seok-kyung and Eun-byeol patch up their friendship so fast?'

'Maybe she doesn't like Han Seo-jun that much.'

"Don't you think you're being way too obvious with how you're looking at them?"

I turned to Min-hyuk, who glanced at me before returning to playing his game.

"It's not like you didn't know that you never had a chance to get into our world, right?"

"You're finally feeling it, don't you? The feeling of being different."

"We live in completely different worlds, so it would be best if you knew your place as early as now."

"The earlier you know your place, the better your school life will be."

I glare at him as I crumple my speech with my hands.

'I also belong in that world!'

'I will prove to you that I will be in his world soon.'

I turned my gaze to Seok-hoon, who was playfully talking with Seok-kyung.

'I can also be beside him.'

. . . . . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

"Next is Bae Rona. . ."

Rona fixes herself before going with our adviser. She cast a competitive glance on me before the door closed.

"Did she just glare at you?"

"How dare she. . . ."

Seok-kyung glared at the door where she had just left.

"Don't mind her. . ."

Seok-hoon calmed her down.

The door opened again, and Seo-jun appeared with a smile.

"How was it?"

"I think there is not just one foreign judge?"

"What do you mean?"

"I think I heard an unfamiliar language?"

"Don't worry, we all did our best. Changing our speech now just because of an unexpected judge will be even worse for us."

I looked at Seok-kyung and smiled.

"You will do well. . ."

I assured her.

. . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

"Lastly, Ha Eun-byeol. . ."

Seok-hoon gave me a pat and smiled.

"Good luck."

I smiled at him and went with our teacher.

I met Seok-kyung on the way.

She smiled at me. Our hands brushed on each other, and I nodded to her.

"You'll do great."

I entered the stage and tried to peak at who the judges were.

'That is. . . Russian?'

"Hi. . .

"I am Ha Eun-byeol. . ."

I started in English.

I continued my speech without a hitch in Korean before shifting to Russian.

"We have an excellent guidance counselor who also majors in career counseling which helps us and motivates us toward our bright future as musicians and singers. . ." I shifted to Russian with a smile.

"The students of Cheong-ah are not just intellectually trained but also socially active and prepared to be a part of the society as proud and talented artists." I then shifted to English

I continued to shift from Korean to English and then to Russian with a smile, looking side by side, then to the middle.

"Cheong-ah Arts is my proud Alma which I am proud to be a part of. The memories that we make here are as precious as Gold."

I ended the speech in Korean before bowing to everyone.

"My, what a beautiful speech!"

. . . . . .

Seok-kyung pov:

We waited for her in the dressing room.

The door opened slightly. Our eyes trailed expectantly.

Her head peaked through the door with a playful grin.

"Boo. . ."

She opened the door wider, entering the dressing room with us waiting for her.

"How did you do?"

"Well, I'm sorry to tell you guys, I think I will be winning this competition."

"Wow! Such high confidence!"

"Of course!" She crossed her arms over her chest with a playful grin on her.

She leaned on my shoulders. Resting on it while we wait to be called.

. . . . .

Judges room:

"The last participant delivered the best speech."

"Speaking fluently to Russian because she noticed us having a Russian judge means it wasn't part of her plan."

"She has an excellent Russian accent. I can't believe she's Korean!"

The Russian judge smiles at the photo of the last participant.

"I like how Joo Seok-kyung delivered her speech. It is very informative and highlights the success stories of every artist who won the Cheong-ah trophy."

"Her twin brother is just as good as her. He highlighted the different organizations and the impact it has on the growth of each student."

"The twins highlighted each other's story and created a blend that really informed us about Cheong-ah Arts."

"Well, I rather like Ha Seo-Jun's speech. He focused more on the psychological health of the students and how Cheong-ah made sure to take care of the well-being of the students."

"How about this student. . ."

"I think her name is . . . Bae Rona."

"Her speech is futuristic, similar to the last speaker, but I must say, I like Ha Eun-byeol's speech more."

"Bae Rona's speech is a bit too idealistic. She focused on how Cheong-ah becomes a breeding ground for amazing talents. Also, unlike the other students, she spoke in pure Korean."

"So. . . I guess We've come up with the decision. . ."

. . .

Yoon-hee pov:

I stare at the invitation in my hand.

"I formally invite you to the Birthday party of Joo Seok-hoon and Joo

Seok-kyung."

A personal message is also written on the invitation.

"I am personally looking forward to our beautiful future. - JDT."

I sighed deeply from the letter I received.

"I have to survive first!"

"I need to live!

For Rona!!"

I decided to betray Shim Su-ryeon. I also feel sorry for what I did, but I can't falter now. I have been given a chance to live a better life, to give my daughter the life she deserves. No matter what happens, I will definitely give her the life she truly deserves.

. . . . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

Seok-kyung has been hitting the refresh button every 10 seconds. I smile at her as I watch the ballet performance of Lee Yeon-Seo. I really like all her performances, but for me, her best one is definitely Giselle.

'If only I can be half as good as she is.'

"What are you watching?"

I turned to Seok-hoon, who stared at the video on my phone.

"Swan Lake." I gave him a better view.

He sat on the armrest of the sofa, leaning to my side.

I can smell citrus oranges on his uniform. He nonchalantly watches the video. I put an ear pod on his ear as the two of us enjoys the performance.

"AHHHH!!"

Seok-hoon jumped up at Seok-kyung's voice while I gasped at her scream. She jumps up and down in joy while screaming loudly.

"Did you win?"

"We all did!"

"What?"

I checked the posted announcement and really saw our name.

"Congratulations! Ha Eun-byeol, Joo Seok-hoon, Joo Seok-kyung, and Han Seo-jun have equally been chosen as the ambassador Cheong-ah arts!"

I smile in delight as I finish reading the announcement.

"Asso!!!" She and Seo-jun hugged each other in delight.

. . . . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

"Seo-jun, this is the invitation for our birthday. You have to be there, okay?"

I kept my eyes on the video I watched, letting them talk about the upcoming birthday party.

"It's gonna be a yacht party; we can even go diving during the day if we

want."

"Wow! I guess I will finally see your wing tattoo, right?"

My brow raised at Seo-jun's revelation.

I looked up at him and forced myself to smile while turning my phone off.

Seo-jun's eyes changed, shocked by his own revelation. He shut his eyes tightly and bit his lips before opening them again and looking at me with apologetic eyes.

'Eun-byeol doesn't have a tattoo!!'

"You. . . shitty bastard!" I mouthed to him, glaring at him while Seok-kyung and Seok-hoon turned to me, shocked.

"You have a tattoo?"

"Even I did not know that. . . Ha eun-byeol, you have a tattoo?" Min-hyuk probed as well, grinning from ear to ear.

"Hahahaha!" I laughed dryly as I tried to think of other ways to get out of this situation.

"It's. . ."

"I got it. . . a few months ago. I was feeling idiotic. . ."

I forced myself to smile as they all had their eyes on me.

"I want to see it too." Seok-kyung pouted as she looked at me with puppy eyes.

"Hahaha! It's just a small tattoo! Not even that beautiful."

"I still want to see it."

"Uh. . . ."

"Me too! I want to see it too." Jenny also smiled hopefully at me.

Min-hyuk pointed his finger at himself as if he was saying he wanted to see it too.

"Next time, I'll show it to you next time. . ."

I went back to glaring at Seo-jun, who's been avoiding my eyes the entire time.

"To think you actually got a tattoo. That is so unlike you, Ha Eun-byeol. . ." Min-hyuk kept on grinning at me as I only frowned at him.

'You're dead, Han Seo-jun!!'

. . . . . . .

Seok-kyung pov:

The photography starts today.

Two themes were decided for the photoshoot.

For now, we're being photographed in our uniforms.

Later, we'll put on our gowns and pose on the stage as if we're performing.

After finishing my shoot, I went back to browsing my phone while waiting for Eun-byeol to finish her shoot.

I was looking around while the boys finished their session when I noticed our dressing room door to be slightly agape.

I was about to close the door when Rona walked out of the dressing room and looked around.

I hid for a while, and when she was gone, I immediately ran to the dressing room, opening the door carefully to find out what she had done inside.

'What is she doing here?'

I covered my mouth as Eun-byeol's gown was tattered and destroyed.

I turned to the door with a glare.

My eyes went dark while my hand fisted into a tight ball.

I bit my lip until I could feel blood dripping to my chin.

"BAE RONA!!!!!"

I ran after her immediately, not minding the calls I was getting from someone.

'Where is that bitch!!'

. . . . . .

Eun-bi pov:

Chaos.

Everyone is now panicking at the current state of my gown.

The gown I was supposed to wear for the performance photoshoot is ruined.

Seok-hoon and Seo-jun are trying to calm Seok-kyung down when she tries to rush away, mumbling the name of Bae Rona.

"Did you see who did this?"

She looked away before saying no.

'She's definitely planning something with Bae Rona.'

"Well, can we use any gowns available?"

"But, we don't have one in your size. Plus the color. We were told that you have to wear a white gown."

The stylist paced listlessly.

"We can't delay this any further. We're already behind schedule."

"I think I have something at home. Can we use something else instead?"

"Really?"

"Uhmm! I will have someone take it. For now, take the boys' photoshoot and we'll proceed to our makeup while we wait."

I smiled at the stylist's frantic expression, then proceeded to call John and asked him to take the white gown I wore for the cruise party hosted by the Russian prime minister.

'It should be fine to wear it since that party is a private party with no journalists and photographers."

I crossed my fingers, hoping that no one would notice the gown.

"You look very worried."

"Cause I am. Seok-kyung is going to kill whoever did this, and the boys whom I thought would be able to calm her down are useless."

"It's Rona, isn't it?"

I turned to Min-hyuk, who looked too serious.

'I guess even he is starting to feel pissed off.'

There are not a lot of students brave enough to do anything to us, and with Rona doing it, he probably doesn't like it.

The hierarchy of Cheong-ah high is starting to collapse on its own.

"I should be happy that she didn't destroy everyone's outfits."

I smile at Min-hyuk, who invited himself to take videos of us.

"Until when are you going to let her swim like this?"

"I get that you don't want to harm her as much as possible, but this . . . is definitely not her last show."

I smiled weakly at him.

'I know that too. . .'

. . . . . .

Seok-hoon pov:

"Seok-kyung, who was it?"

"I'll deal with it!"

My sister's eyes are still glaring at nothing.

"Seok-kyung-ah, you should at least tell me what you're planning. How will I help you if you keep quiet?"

She turned to me with her dark glare.

"I can handle this on my own! She's just a filthy rat after all."

It made me more sure when seok-kyung said: "she."

The other door inside the dressing room opened, and the stylist happily exited with Eun-bi, who wore a beautiful white gown.

I stood in reflex as my eyes concentrated on her.

I put my hand on my chest, and I can feel my heart literally bumping on my chest as it beat fast.

"It really is pretty! I've never seen a more beautiful gown than this." The stylist praised the gown as the assistants assisted her to the stage

"Close your mouth, brother; you're drooling."

. . . . .

Yoon-chul pov:

I kept on drinking as I felt even more miserable. I can't even do anything against Seo-jin, who is now openly dating Joo Dan Tae.

I want to kill them both, but . . . .

I rang the doorbell over and over again.

"Ha yoon-chul?"

I looked at Seo-jin, but it wasn't Seo-jin.

"Yoon-hee-ahh. . ."

I held her face close and smiled.

"It's really you. . ."

I hugged her tight and kept her close.

"I'm sorry, Yoon-hee-ahh. . ."

. . . . . .

Yoon-hee pov:

I dragged Yoon-chul to my sofa and gazed at him.

I smile as I remember how Seo-jin looked the other night when she saw him and me kissing on the same spot she did back in college.

I took a picture of Yoon-chul.

I sent the photos to Seo-jin and also sent a message.

"Don't worry, I will take care of Yoon-chul tonight for you, neighbor."

'Soon, I will take back everything you stole from me, Cheon Seo-jin.'

. . . . . . .

Seo-jin pov:

I was changing when I received a message from an unknown number.

A picture of my husband on an unknown sofa.

"Where is this?"

When I scrolled down,

"AHHHHHHHHH!"

I destroyed everything on my vanity table.

"OH YOON-HEE!!!!"

I screamed some more and destroyed everything in the room.

"HOW DARE YOU COVET WHAT'S MINE!!!"

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!!!"

. . . . . . . . .

TO BE CONTINUED