After her graduation, she helped Ki Joon again for the runway show that was attended by Kim Hyun Chul, the owner of Poise, walking the runway wearing the dress he designed. Though it was her fourth time doing it for her friend, she still felt deadly nervous. But of course, Ki Joon's magic of "It's going to be alright. You're not going to fall," when he put on her makeup always did the trick.
This fashion show was special since it landed him a spot at "Poise," which made it very memorable. He was deliriously happy when Kim Hyun Chul announced it himself.
He graduated a week after her, and immediately worked for Poise.
At the same time, Ga Eun prepared the grand party to announce Lee Myng Hwan's official start as the President Director of Sang Kyu Hotel and the Lee Corporation, Lee Chung Ho's new role as the Consultant, and also, last but not least, his engagement with Crystal Jung.
It's going to be held on a summer night, at the vast garden of Sang Kyu Hotel in Seoul. She had called Crystal, asking how she wanted the party to be.
"This is a formal party, right? Just arrange it the way Myung Hwan Oppa's family usually does it."
It was not really helpful, but she decided to just do her best with the party organizer. She had trouble trying to get the list of the people Crystal and her family wanted to invite. She also had trouble when she asked Crystal what her and her parents' favorite food were.
"You know what?" Crystal Jung said on the other line one evening, "I'm tired of your phone calls. This is just a party! Not a crisis! I don't get why you ask so many questions!".
"Jeosong hamnida, Agassi. I just aim to make this a memorable party for you and Doryeonnim."
"In that case, just talk with my personal assistant. She knows our family really well."
Well then, why didn't you give me her number in the first place?
"Algesseumnida, Agassi. Please, can you give me her number?"
"I'll text you later."
She had to wait for more than 30 minutes for that, while talking about the decoration with the party organizer.
"What about the flowers, Kim Ga Eun-ssi?"
"Ne? Did you mean for the decoration?"
"Ne."
"I think we should choose Crystal Agassi's favorite, right?"
"Usually it's what we do. Especially at engagement parties."
She wanted to ask Crystal again, but she was worried she'd be furious. She wanted to call her assistant, but she hadn't got the number yet. There's no other choice except calling Lee Myung Hwan.
"Doryeonnim? I'm sorry, did I bother you?"
"Nope. What's up?"
"What is Agassi's favorite flower?"
"Crystal's favorite flower?"
"Ne. I need it to arrange the decoration."
"Hm....." he mumbled, and she waited.
"I don't know," he confessed, laughing afterwards.
"Ne???" her response was unmistakably loud.
"Wae? Is it that bad?"
"Well, um..."
"We never talk about flowers. I've never seen flowers at her place. Besides, I don't give her flowers, I give her jewels, or take her out to good restaurants, those kinds of things."
"Oh. Alges—"
"Just choose what you like."
"What I like?"
"Yes. Choose the flower you like, decorate with your taste. I'm sure it will be great. I have a lot of faith in you."
A lot of faith in me for arranging your engagement party. Great. Can I decorate it black? It's my mood regarding this matter.
"Thank you for the trust, Doryeonnim. I'll do my best."
"Okay."
They hung up afterwards, and she took a deep breath.
For you, Doryeonnim. Only because of you I could do this.
Everything was, of course, finished on time. She was ready at the hotel in the afternoon, making sure everything ran down according to plan, checking everything with the hotel staff. Many complimented that the decoration was beautiful. Including Park Hee Jin, Crystal's personal assistant.
"You did a great job. This is beautiful!"
She bowed gratefully, happy to find an ally like her. Park Hee Jin was really helpful and answered all of her questions in detail.
"I'm sorry for bothering you, Unnie," she had apologized three days earlier.
"There's nothing to apologize for. I also want this party to be perfect."
And perfect it was. A big tent was placed in the hotel's garden, hung with white and gold organza. The trees around it were hung with small lamps that emanated soft lights of gold and silver. Flowers were arranged in long bows, hanging from the ceiling tent, the pillars, behind the chairs, and around the tables.
"This is lovely," Lee Chung Ho commented, "You should arrange all our parties."
"Yah, Abeoji. Don't give her more burdens to carry!" Myung Hwan scolded his father.
He laughed. "But really. This is completely.....beautiful. If you arrange his engagement party this well, how will you arrange his wedding?"
The harmless inquiry hit home. Wedding? Right. And though her throat felt painful, she managed to cheerfully promised, "When the time comes to do that, I'll work even harder."
Kim Ae Mi said nothing, she only looked silently at her.
Crystal walked to them, and after proper greetings, the couple stepped aside for a chat she couldn't hear. Maybe it's for the better. Myung Hwan had his hand on Crystal's elbow, smiling at her as her expression turned into something sweet.
"You did a marvelous job, Ga Eun-ah," Kim Ae Mi softly said, cutting her thoughts, "I can't wait to taste the dinner."
"All the chefs have painstakingly prepared it, Samonim. I already tried it, everything is delicious, I guarantee that."
Kim Ae Mi nodded.
"And you are...alright, My Dear?" she asked, low enough to make the conversation private between them, her tone was laced with concern.
The gentle question made her want to pretend Kim Ae Mi was her mother and touched her. Maybe hug her and cry on her shoulder.
But no, that was not right, and would never be appropriate.
They both knew what she was asking about. There was no need for explanations.
So she just smiled to reassure her. "I'm fine, Samonim. I promise."
"Good to hear that," she said, squeezing her hand before leaving her to sit at her designated place.
It's going to be a long night. But she had a knight in shining armor. Or a joker in colorful clothes. Well, not really in colorful clothes but a real joker.
Seo Ki Joon entered the party wearing his black suit, his long hair neatly tied behind his head. His eyes immediately searched for her. He was still looking around when she walked to him.
"What do you think?" she asked, waving her hand around.
"Sweet. Considering the one that planned it was in a mourning mood."
It made her laugh. "I'm not mourning anything."
"Tsk. Denials don't work for me, Girl. So here I am wearing black to represent your feelings. At least one of us should be true to themselves."
She laughed again.
"When's dinner?"
"It's not even starting yet!"
"I'm here just for the food."
"In an hour. Approximately."
"Good. Now where's the girl who managed to catch your Doryeonnim?"
"There, the front center table."
Ki Joon narrowed his eyes, looking at her comfortably through the distance, his height helping him. Crystal was wearing a red mini Gucci dress, her hair was piled sophisticatedly, with matching makeup, shoes, and jewels. She was currently talking about something with Myung Hwan, their heads bent together, their bodies close with each other in their seats.
She was looking at him, waiting for his comment.
"She's.....completely fashionable."
"And....?"
"And looked completely determined to have him."
She sighed.
"She's his choice."
"I think he's stupid."
"He's smart. She'll be the perfect wife. She's pretty, sexy, stylish, smart, and will be able to follow his lifestyle, since she came from the same background."
Ki Joon chose not to respond to that and asked,
"Why are you inviting me to this party and not Jin Yang?"
"I need you here. I need you to tell me that I can go through this."
His eyebrows went up. "It's not like you're forced to do this. You can go anytime you want."
Ga Eun started inspecting the fancy meal laid on the long gold cloth table, hoping Ki Joon would shut up if she pretended she's not interested in arguing. "Instead, you stayed here. You knew this would happen. You knew he's going to marry someone else, and not you. Never you."
"I need you here to help me, not to laugh at my expense," she glared, digesting his usual sharp words.
He sighed.
"You'll get through this," he said.
"You don't sound convincing."
"You can do this. Hwaiting!" he said out loud, making several heads turn to them.
She laughed. "Yah!" she hit his shoulder. "You're being too loud!"
"Supporters cheer loudly. That's what I am."
The party started then. It began with speeches. From Lee Chung Ho, announcing he's the Consultant after that night, not the President Director anymore. "I'm very glad to step down, and I'm in full hope that being a Consultant won't give me as much headaches as being the President Director," he had said, making everybody laughed.
"It's Myung Hwan's turn now. He's young and strong, I'm sure he'll get through this really well." He said a lot of other things, reminiscing about the past and mentioning his father, before saying, "I'm happy to announce that my son has found a future....companion. They are planning to marry, and we're all happy with it. Crystal Jung came from a well respected family name. This has resulted in future plans of cooperation between our two companies. But despite that, what's more important is their happiness. And with this toast, I pray for their happiness."
After that, it was Crystal's father's speech, Myung Hwan's and then dinner. Ga Eun had consulted Park Hee Jin, asking how Crystal would feel about delivering her own speech. But she said no, it's better not. Crystal wouldn't like it.
Myung Hwan's speech was simple and sincere. "I hope I won't disappoint the founder of Sang Kyu, my late grandfather. And also my father. But this is not just a role. I've always seen my place in the company as...a path I need to go through. I've accepted it since I was a child and I will do everything in my power to make everything better, without erasing any of the achievements we've had so far."
Regarding his engagement, he said, "Crystal Jung, thank you so much, for coming into my life. And I look forward to a lifetime of happiness with you. Cheers!" He had drunk his champagne on the stage, while Crystal had lifted her glass high, smiled widely, and drank hers.
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