[Encore]

After the rollercoaster I lived with my new elevator mates yesterday, I'm glad to be back to normality. At least, for now. I take a walk in a park, trying to forget everything and act as if nothing happened, when someone suddenly catches up with me.

I turn to find a familiar face. "Sally? What are you doing here?" She gives me a puzzled look. She seems to have just taken a run through the green area, which I can see by how she pants. I ask her if she wants some water, but she declines.

"Don't worry, I already have my bottle." To prove her point, she shows me a half empty plastic bottle. She unlids it and takes large sips from it. As she's done drinking water, she collects herself and says, "You have to come with me, Sanghyun."

"But why?"

"I can't tell you, it's a surprise." I choose to trust her and follow her away from the park. As we walk down the street, she notices I'm a little messy. I forgot to comb my hair this morning, and literally picked the most basic outfit I could choose. A pair of blue jeans, a white T-shirt, and sneakers.

If she plans to take me on a date, then she has a point, even though I don't see anything wrong in dressing casual. That is, unless we're set to go somewhere fancy. I'd like to ask questions, but retain them because, otherwise, what would even "surprise" mean?

After walking for almost an hour, we find ourselves at some venue. I don't know this place, but I trust Sally. She stops at the entrance, and I follow through. She says, "So, the 'surprise' is inside. I'm sorry you don't have anything formal to wear, but I guess I can find a solution. Have you got at least a brush?"

I shake my head. "But I do have a hairband. Let me pick it." As I remember correctly, I have three in my pockets. I choose one and use it to tie my hair in a bun. "Do I look like an idiot?"

Sally bursts into laughter. "No! Come on, Sanghyun, that's bullshit. You look amazing!" That said, she hands me a pink envelope. I open it, and find it an invitation for a wedding. My name has been written over dried white-out, which means the invitation is likely forged.

Why do I feel like Sally is part of a plot to crash said wedding? Is that the same ceremony Bre casually mentioned on the lift? I guess that, in this case, I have to play along, which I'm glad to do. I actually enjoy ruining wedding parties.

Back in South Korea, I used to sneak into receptions with my sisters, especially when people we disliked got married. We'd go there and embarrass the bride and groom of the moment by exposing them for bullying, cheating or other shit, or by spilling drinks on the bridesmaids by "accident," or by simply swapping the music. It landed us in a lot of trouble, but it was fun.

Since I'm so used to it, crashing this wedding will be child's play. I might not know the plan behind this, but I definitely know someone will be in hot water.

***

The bridesmaids and best men have already taken their place at the altar, waiting for the bride and groom to arrive. All seats in the audience are occupied. Among others, I recognize Lacey and Roy. They wave at me to sit next to them, which I gladly do.

I whisper. "So, do we know the groom? I know the bride is acquainted to Bre, but nothing about him. Isn't that weird?" They nod. Usually, when someone is supposed to get married, it's made public. Or, at least, their close friends and loved ones know.

The first line seems to be entirely occupied by relatives and closest friends, or this is what I think. Their expectant looks don't match the eerie atmosphere around the event. No-one, apart from a few of us, knows this wedding is going to collapse.

Finally, the groom arrives, visibly nervous. I overhear him mutter. "Fuck! I'm late! Everyone's here!" He passes through lines to check if every invitee is here. I recognize him in a matter of seconds.

Adam? He's the groom? I had an intuition about him struggling with his girlfriend, but, this... What a plot twist. He's shocked to see me. "You! What are you doing here? You aren't in the list."

Roy reassures him. "No, Adam, he is. I made sure your best men and bridesmaids went through the list in a thorough manner without letting anyone out of the list. So, yeah, you can check with them. Sanghyun was invited." He's adamant in insisting that I'm in the list, because it's part of the plan.

I'm shocked that, for one reason or another, Adam doesn't know about it. I wonder who's the mastermind behind this plan. Perhaps Bre herself? Or someone related to her? She owes me answers later on. But, now, it's time to enjoy the show.

After two hours, the bride also shows up. She's excruciatingly late, even more than Adam thought he was. I'm not used to tardiness at weddings because in Korea, for this kind of events, there's a set timeline. No-one is allowed to exceed the time limit, and there needs to be a proper explanation as to why a ceremony is postponed or cancelled.

Anyway, the bride's lateness brings more drama to the table. The bridesmaids have been gossiping all the time, which means they might've revised the last details of the plan. Even though I'm not directly involved, I'm satisfied.

Last to come is the officiant, who's obviously late, as well. Is punctuality an optional now? Anyway, silence falls in the ceremony hall, and the event can start. After the usual ritual premise, he pronounces that fateful statement. "If anyone is against this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."

And, then, here comes the shock. The bridesmaids and best men raise their hands, one by one. Among the former, I see familiar faces: Kaitlin, Sally and, as expected, Bre, as the honor bridesmaid.

She indeed speaks up, turning to the groom. "Okay, Adam, listen, before you make the final decision, I want you to be sure you can trust this woman next to you," she says, making the bride go pale out of embarrassment. The groom's family are open mouthed. I can hear whispers from every corner of the hall, until the officiant calls for silence.

"Anyone else?" he asks. Before he can get more eager answers, Bre hands Adam a huge file. I don't know what that means, but a major scandal is incoming. I secretly rub my hands, knowing that I did the right thing by putting my faith in her. We might only have known each other for, like, two days, but I think I might be a better friend to her than that bride.

Adam turns purple as soon as he reads through the file, page by page. I'd really love to see what it consists of, so that I can decide if I'd react worse than him at such a discovery. He, as well as the majority of the attendees, are disappointed at the outcome of the event. The rest of the gang, including me, on the other hand, is happy.

This is only the beginning.