[Jung Sanghyun et alii]

I have six pairs of eyes glued on me. Six bitter glares, filled with poison, along with the popular belief that I hit the emergency button on purpose. I have two choices: to surrender and be bullied over that slip up, or to twist the situation at my advantage.

Of course, I choose what's more convenient not only to me, but to them. I flash a forced smile, which all but Lacey reject. Still, if they resent me for pushing that fucking button, even though it's just an accident, they're forced to tell me. They can't keep it all for themselves.

I say, "Now, if you're craving for five minutes straight of insults, this is your chance. I'm your target. Come on, stop pretending you want to keep your cool and bully me! You can slap me, kick me, threaten me!" My words don't move them enough. I have to insist. I have to bring them all past their breaking point.

"That way, your resentment becomes mutual, and I will also have a good reason to think ill of you," I continue. They're all ready to attack me, exactly as I wish. All except Lacey. She stands at a corner and gives me a pleading glance.

She begs. "Sanghyun, please stop provoking these people. Do you want to get in trouble?" Even though she has good intentions, I ignore her. I want those other people to hit me. I want to prove myself right. I want to believe my first impression on these rancorous fuckers matches reality.

One of the other women on this elevator speaks up. Her dark hair is tightened in a messy bun, letting several curls out of place. "Sir, what's even the problem with you? Is that some sort of joke? Or are you trying to convince yourself you're not that guilty for trapping us inside?" Her voice is raised to the point that it cracks. She herself isn't convinced she can hate me that much.

Another girl interjects. "Bre, maybe he's not wrong. I mean, not completely. He shouldn't have leaned against the buttons with his elbows, but it happens." So far, she seems to be the most understanding, apart from Lacey, of course. I guess I have to appease her first before turning to the rest.

The other girl insists. "Sally, don't defend him. He can't have hit it on accident. He leant his fucking elbows close to the buttons! Now, how am I supposed to be on time for the appointment at Leanne's? She'll-"

I cut her off. Her cry reeks of desperation. Doesn't she know that Leanne Betts is the Devil in person? "You should thank me instead." I retort. "That woman will shred you to pieces unless you do exactly what she wants, even if it's unreasonable."

Lacey confirms. "Yes. I got fired a few days ago over her antics. Trust me, you don't want to be under her scrutiny, even as just a bridesmaid." What? Does Lacey know this woman? Are there any other desperate customers from that shop? Can't they find better options?

She turns to me. "Oh, I have to tell you, Sanghyun. Most of the people here are customers at Leanne's shop. So, you should really try and make amends, because... because... otherwise you might face a lot of trouble," she advises.

I gasp. "Really? I guess I should've known better." I gesture at the other folks in the lift. "Listen, I know two ways to earn forgiveness from at most one of you. Either I turn into a superhero and burst open this trap, or we can vent our thoughts while waiting for emergency operators to rescue us-"

The girl named Sally, a brunette with oval glasses, raises her hand. "Is insulting you still allowed? I myself don't feel like cursing at you, but the others might do..."

"How about cursing at Leanne Betts? That's more productive—and less stressful." I suggest. I mean, who likes her here? Lacey and I can't be the only ones hating that woman.

Sally nods out of agreement. "You're right. That woman is trouble. Poor Lacey... Working under her must've been stressful to say the least." She turns beet red; as the glares turn to her, I raise a hand.

"Okay, you all seem to know the Devil, but you don't know me. That's my fault. I should introduced myself, do you agree?" For the first time since we're all blocked in the lift, the pointed glares turn into confused looks. Maybe things will go back to how they were when we all got stuck, but, at this point, who cares?

"I'm Jung Sanghyun, and I'm the cause of your trouble right now." Lacey facepalms, frustrated at my attempt to save face. Maybe I should've stuck to just saying my name, and that's it. I talk too much and tend not to weigh words as I should.

One of the two other men in the elevator chimes in. "Okay, Mr. Troublemaker, I guess you owe all of us more than an apology. Perhaps a drink?" He chuckles as he makes the offer, which the women find outrageous. I think it's intriguing, though.

"Fine... whatever your name is. I'm in. As soon as we're out of here, I'll pay drinks for everyone." My latest statement is so bold that it leaves everyone open mouthed. Instead of displaying annoyance at my attitude like before, Lacey just shrugs. At this point, she's used to my bullshit.

"It's Roy, by the way. You seem a cool dude, by the way. I can't understand why the others don't." Lacey and Sally clear their throats. They don't want to be thrown in the mix of deadly glares at me anymore. I mean, they're opening up more easily than the others.

The woman named Bre intervenes. "Don't mind Roy. He always has this 'happy-from-the-get-go' façade, even when he's deep in the shit." She scoffs as she says these words. She gives me the vibe of an extremely pessimistic person by nature. If my sisters were around, they'd tell me to avoid her.

Since they're not here, though, and I hardly ever pay attention to any sort of advice, I'll believe Bre can prove me wrong, as well as the other way around. Same with the others. I love challenging myself. There are only a couple of things more rewarding than pushing myself beyond my limits.

She restarts talking. "By the way, Jung Sang-whatever-your-name-is, you shouldn't play with buttons. You're lucky you're not alone. If you were-" She cuts herself off when I run a hand through my hair. She must be a really desperate bridesmaid, I guess.

"Tell me, why Leanne Betts among all wedding dress business owners? Is she really worth the hype? And, no, I'm not just asking because of what happened to Lacey." I put the emphasis on the last four words. I need to find a way to get anyone away from that viper.

She throws hands nervously. "Don't ask me! As a bridesmaid I don't get to question the bride's choices—I just do what I'm told, and that's it. By the way, that marriage will bring nothing but sufferance, trust me."

She seems to know something no-one else does. I need to get that information out. That way, I can help her and make sure to catch those wayward bride and groom. So, I ask, "Why? Has she done or said something that landed you in trouble?"

She shakes her head. "No, not exactly. I don't think you'd understand, by the way."

I insist. "I'll find out, one way or another. Your bride might be at that hellish shop, getting brainwashed, while you're here with me. I don't think she can hear you spill your secrets."

"She's not even my friend, so cut the bullshit!" She raises her voice at my persistance, which means that I've just hit the mark. She has no other choice than spill. "Okay, okay, I give up. I'll tell you. That girl is the one who stole my crush from me."

Her crush? Not even her boyfriend? Really? All that mess for a petty reason? There must be more than just that.

Bre continues. "Anyway, the man I'm talking about is in this elevator. You'll have an easy time finding him." Okay, I guess I'll have to make him come clean about his upcoming wedding. Unless he wants to use me as his punching ball, of course.