family dinner

⋆ 𐙚 ̊.CHAPTER 26✶⋆.˚

🇽​​🇴​, ​🇪​​🇻​​🇪​​🇱​​🇾​​🇳

After the plane landed in LA, Evelyn and Minho walked side by side through the bustling airport, the hum of conversations and luggage wheels filling the space around them. Despite the long flight, Evelyn couldn't help but steal occasional glances at Minho. He was scrolling through his phone, a relaxed smirk on his face, completely unaffected by the jet lag. Meanwhile, Evelyn's thoughts were spiraling—memories from Korea, all the awkward moments, the stolen glances, and that stupid, perfect smirk she couldn't get out of her head.

Shaking herself out of her trance, Evelyn focused on finding Kitty. She spotted her near baggage claim, struggling with her suitcase.

"Kitty!" Evelyn called, waving her arm. Kitty turned, her face lighting up as Evelyn approached.

"Evie!" They hugged quickly before Evelyn grabbed one side of Kitty's suitcase to help.

"Let's get a taxi to your place. I'm dying to just crash for a bit," Evelyn sighed, dragging the luggage along.

But before they could even make it out to the curb, Evelyn's phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen — Mom. A strange pang hit her chest. The word felt almost foreign now. Her mother had only called twice during her entire stay in Korea. Evelyn hesitated but picked up the call.

"Yes, Mom?" she said, trying to sound casual.

Her mom's voice came through, brisk and business-like. "I hope you landed safe, Evelyn. Listen, I really need you to attend a family dinner tonight with Dami and Minho. We have a lot to discuss about the upcoming Met Gala — I'm officially her head designer now. And I think it would be nice if you came too. Dami says she misses you. So come straight home. I've already informed the Coveys."

Evelyn blinked, stunned. "Oh. Um, okay, Mom," she managed, but her mom had already hung up.

She sighed deeply, feeling a mix of annoyance and guilt. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Minho on his own phone call. But unlike her, he didn't look annoyed — he was grinning like a Cheshire cat. When he hung up, he turned to her with that signature smirk.

"So? Looks like you're stuck with me for the night, Raven."

Evelyn groaned, rolling her eyes. "Ugh, stop talking. I already hate you enough." She shot him a glare before turning to Kitty. "I'm so sorry, Kitty. I'll have to head home. But I promise we'll go on that shopping spree this Sunday!"

Kitty smiled gently. "It's alright, Evie. You should go. You haven't had a proper family dinner in years. And you need to see them."

Evelyn sighed again but nodded. "Thanks, Kitty. I'll text you later."

Kitty gave her a quick hug before heading towards her taxi. Evelyn turned back around, only to find Minho watching her, his hands casually in his pockets, that smirk still plastered on his face.

"So?" he said again, dragging the word out teasingly.

Evelyn groaned. "What do you mean so? My mom's sending her driver. He'll pick me up. You can rot in hell for all I care."

Minho raised an eyebrow. "I don't think your mom will let me rot in hell."

Before Evelyn could demand what he meant, her phone buzzed again — Mom.

She picked up, annoyed. "Yes, Mom?"

"Oh, sweetheart, I forgot to mention — Minho's riding with you. Make sure he gets to the dinner safely, alright? Take care of him for me and Dami."

"Wait, what? Mom, no—"

But her mom had already hung up.

Evelyn stood there, phone still pressed to her ear, eyes shut tight as she tried to calm herself. She took a deep breath, but it was no use — her nerves were shot.

Minho's voice cut through her thoughts. "I think that's our ride, sweetheart."

She snapped her eyes open to see him walking toward a sleek black BMW M2 Coupe.

"I am not your sweetheart, for fuck's sake," she hissed, chasing after him.

Minho didn't miss a beat. "We'll find that out soon enough."

Evelyn opened her mouth to retort, but before she could get a single word out, Minho turned and placed two fingers gently on her lips.

"You talk too much for such a tiny human," he said, his voice soft but teasing.

Evelyn froze. Completely froze. Her heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might burst out of her chest. Her cheeks heated up instantly, her face turning scarlet. Butterflies — no, entire swarms — flapped wildly in her stomach. Her thoughts spiraled into chaos, but her body refused to move.

Her eyes met his — deep, dark, and filled with that mischievous glint she both hated and loved. Her mind raced back to when they were six years old, to when she first noticed those black eyes, so captivating even back then.

And now, here she was — completely cooked, as Minho would say.

Minho finally dropped his hand, stepping back with a satisfied grin. "Thought so," he said, before heading to the passenger side of the car.

Evelyn stood there for another second, trying to catch her breath.

"Oh God," she muttered before climbing into the car beside him.

The black BMW M2 Coupe came to a smooth stop in front of Evelyn's house — or rather, the mansion she grew up in. Towering pillars framed the grand entrance, and the lush gardens surrounding it seemed untouched by time, still trimmed to perfection. But for Evelyn, the house had always been more of a cage than a home.

As the car door swung open, Evelyn stepped out first, her shoes clicking against the polished stone driveway. Almost immediately, the heavy oak doors of the mansion opened, and a line of maids came out to greet her, dressed impeccably in crisp uniforms. But Evelyn's eyes searched for only one person.

And then she saw her — Iris.

The head maid stood there, her hair pinned neatly as always, but her kind eyes softened at the sight of Evelyn. Without a second thought, Evelyn rushed forward, throwing her arms around her.

"I missed you so much, Iris," Evelyn whispered, her voice slightly trembling.

Iris let out a warm laugh, wrapping her arms around her. "You've grown so much, Miss Evelyn," she said, gently patting Evelyn's head like she used to when Evelyn was a child.

Evelyn pulled back, pouting. "Oh, Iris, when will you stop calling me Miss? It's been 17 years!"

Iris chuckled, brushing a stray hair away from Evelyn's face. "Haha, that's my job."

Evelyn's expression softened, her voice dropping. "But you're like my elder sister. You've been there when no one else was. No one would call that a job, Iris. You... you care for me."

For a split second, Iris's eyes shimmered with emotion, but before she could respond, an annoyingly familiar voice broke the tender moment.

"Well, isn't this just heartwarming?" Minho said, stepping out of the car, his hands in his pockets and that signature smirk on his face.

Evelyn's shoulders slumped in exasperation. She turned to him, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Oh yeah, right. That jerk is also here."

The maids stifled their laughter, but Iris didn't even try — she let out a small chuckle.

Evelyn groaned loudly and Iris shot Minho a smile. "Welcome, Minho. Let me show you to the guest room."

Minho gave Evelyn one last smug glance before following Iris inside, his footsteps echoing through the grand hallways.

Evelyn sighed deeply as she entered her room, her sanctuary but also the place where all her thoughts spiraled out of control. She threw her bag on the floor, kicked off her shoes, and collapsed onto her oversized bed, the silky sheets cool beneath her.

She stared up at the ornate ceiling, the intricate patterns blurring as her mind wandered.

Will I run into him again?What if he finds me?Will I be trapped in that nightmare all over again?

The memories of what had happened in LA before she went to Korea swirled like a storm in her mind — suffocating, heavy, and merciless. Her chest tightened as her thoughts spiraled further, the weight of the past suffocating her.

A knock on the door jolted her back. She sat up, blinking rapidly, pushing the dark thoughts away.

The dinner.

Her parents, Minho's mom — Dami — and of course, Minho himself. There was no escape from this.

Evelyn stood up and made her way to her walk-in closet. The lights automatically flickered on, illuminating rows of dresses, shoes, and bags. But her eyes landed on the outfit her mom had already arranged for the evening.

She gently pulled the hanger down, her fingers grazing the fabric.

It was a lilac slip dress — delicate, elegant, and dangerously beautiful. Made from high-end satin, it shimmered under the lights, the soft lilac hue complimenting her complexion perfectly. The thin spaghetti straps delicately framed her shoulders, leading to a deep neckline that hinted at sophistication while maintaining its grace. The material hugged her curves just right, flowing down like liquid silk, with a subtle slit along one side that would reveal just enough when she walked.

She accessorized carefully — her mom always insisted on perfection.

Around her neck, she fastened a simple yet stunning diamond pendant, its sparkle catching the light every time she moved. A delicate diamond ring slid onto her finger, glinting softly, while a dazzling bracelet wrapped around her wrist, the fine craftsmanship clear in every detail. She chose pearl earrings — timeless and elegant — adding a soft contrast to the shimmer of diamonds.

Her handbag was a white leather piece with gold detailing, completing the ensemble effortlessly.

Standing in front of the full-length mirror, Evelyn barely recognized herself. The lilac dress, the shimmering jewelry, the soft waves in her hair cascading down her back — she looked... grown. Strong. Beautiful.

But her eyes — they still held the weight of the past, the fear that gnawed at her.

She took a deep breath, forcing the thoughts away. Tonight wasn't about that. Tonight, she had to play her role — the perfect daughter, the charming hostess, the girl who wasn't falling apart inside.

And somewhere in the house, Minho was probably doing the same — masking himself behind that smug grin, hiding things he'd never say aloud.

For now, though, they had a dinner to survive. 

The soft click of Evelyn's heels echoed through the marble hall as she stood at the top of the grand staircase, gripping the polished mahogany railing. She took a deep breath, smoothing her hands over the silky lilac fabric of her slip dress, feeling the cold metal of the diamond pendant resting above her heart.

You've got this, she told herself, pushing away the lingering anxiety still knotted in her chest.

The evening sun streamed through the tall glass windows, casting golden beams that danced along the staircase, making the satin of her dress shimmer like flowing water. 

She caught sight of him first. Minho stood near the bottom of the staircase, dressed sharply in a fitted lilac suit, her mom must have planned this perfectly. His hands were in his pockets, but he was looking up, as if he'd sensed her presence before she even took a step.

Their eyes locked.

For a moment, it felt like the air shifted — heavy, thick with something neither of them could name. Minho's dark eyes widened slightly, his gaze trailing over her figure in the lilac dress, lingering just a moment too long before meeting her eyes again. 

Evelyn swallowed hard, heat rising to her cheeks under his intense stare. She forced her legs to move, descending the steps with practiced elegance, her heels clicking rhythmically against the marble.

But then—

Her heel caught the edge of the step.

It happened in a split second.

Her ankle twisted slightly, and the world tilted. She gasped, her heart lurching to her throat as she felt herself falling forward —

But strong hands caught her before gravity could win.

Minho.

He was there in an instant, his arms wrapped securely around her waist, pulling her against his chest. The momentum sent her lilac dress fluttering around them like petals in the wind. Evelyn's hands instinctively clutched at his shoulders, her breath ragged as her wide eyes met his.

"Careful, Raven," Minho whispered, his voice low, but his heart was racing — she could feel it, pounding against her own. "You're really trying to kill me tonight, huh?"

Her mind was still reeling from the near fall, but now all she could focus on was how close they were. His scent — warm, fresh, and something distinctly Minho — filled her senses. One of his hands was still firmly around her waist, the other cradling the back of her head, as if she might shatter if he let go.

"I-I wasn't— I mean, I didn't..." she stammered, her cheeks flushing furiously.

Minho's lips curled into that maddening smirk, but there was something softer in his eyes — something she hadn't seen before. "Relax. I've got you."

Her heart practically exploded at those words.

And for the briefest second, Evelyn realized she didn't want him to let go.

But she was Evelyn — stubborn, proud, and definitely not about to admit that.

She quickly tried to step back, but Minho didn't loosen his grip right away. His thumb grazed the exposed skin on her waist, sending an involuntary shiver up her spine.

"Y-You can let go now," she muttered, her voice quieter than she intended.

He arched an eyebrow, the smirk deepening. "You sure? Feels like you kinda enjoy being in my arms."

Evelyn let out an exasperated groan, finally shoving him away, but her heart wasn't in it — not entirely.

"Ugh, you're crazy," she huffed, brushing her hair out of her face and trying her best to act unbothered, though her heart was still racing.

Minho chuckled, his hands casually sliding back into his pockets, though his gaze lingered on her — softer now, almost admiring.

"Maybe," he replied smoothly, "but you fell for me anyway."

Evelyn's mouth dropped open, her cheeks burning hotter than ever. "I did not fall for you—"

But Minho was already walking towards the door, throwing a wink over his shoulder.

"You sure about that?"

Evelyn stood there at the foot of the grand staircase, still breathless, clutching at her chest like it could stop her heart from racing so wildly.

ruka:

hellooooo!!!! ill be doing double updates today haayyyahhhh

smile smile smile

your favorite author is hereee (im just assuming)

my dream yall