18: Pre Birthday
"It's gonna be the best party ever!" says Taylor. He and Mint walk towards the car park to go home after practice. Cole is waiting for them, and he smiles and waves at them.
"Hi, baby.."
"Hi.." Cole kisses his cheek. Taylor giggles and puts his hand around Cole's waist.
"So, when does the party start?" Cole asks.
"You need to be there at seven," says Taylor.
"Did your brother agree to come?" Mint asks. He looks a bit desperate.
"I don't know yet. But I'm trying to convince him. I told him he's been too gloomy lately and needs to go out sometimes," says Cole.
"Why all of a sudden, all the adults seem so gloomy? Your brother, Rae, even Mr. Bing.." says Mint.
"What's wrong with him?"
"I don't know. He was just staring at his phone when I came to remind him about the party. He looked like a mess," says Mint, lifting his shoulders a few times.
"Maybe it's just a gloomy week for them.." says Taylor. Soon, Youn comes out from the building.
"Mr. Wu!" Mint waves at him. Youn smiles weakly.
"Oh, what's the topic?" he asks, trying to be friendly.
"We were talking about the party at Taylor's house. Are you coming?" Mint asks.
"I don't know yet. Jazz is coming over," says Youn.
"Oh, we can invite him too! There's still room for more people," says Taylor.
"Please~~?" Mint coaxes his voice. Cole can't help but giggle. Taylor frowns as he finds Mint's cuteness a bit strange. Mint rarely uses that voice with anyone besides him.
"Alright, I'll think about it later, hmm? Cole, let's go.." says Youn, smiling at him. They get into the car and leave.
"What was that?"
"What?"
"Why were you acting so cute in front of Mr. Wu?" Taylor asks. Mint just smiles, bobbing his eyebrows up and down.
"That's a secret!" he teases Taylor.
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"You should buy something for Tay's sister too.." suggests Cole. They are all on the way to Taylor's house for the party. Jazz is driving the car, while Youn still feels gloomy as ever.
"What does she like?"
"Tay said she loves carnations. Oh, there's a flower shop over there..." Jazz slows down the car and stops right in front of the flower shop. Cole quickly gets down from the car and runs inside the shop.
Youn looks at the shop, and suddenly, something reminds him of an old memory.
"Cole, let's just get some carnations for her," Jazz calls out from inside the flower shop.
Youn nods, trying to shake off the memories that keep haunting him. He knows he needs to focus on the present and enjoy the celebration with his friends.
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Youn tiptoed towards the girl who was waiting for him under the tree. She pouted and frowned, looking at her watch a few times. He purposely came late to tease her a bit.
"Honey.." he whispered into her ear. The girl turned around and sulked.
"Why are you late~~!"
"I'm so sorry. I had to take care of something. But I brought you these.." he handed her two boxes of pastries.
"Donuts! My brother must love these!"
"And I bought this too.." he gave her a bouquet of carnations. Her eyes lit up when she saw the beautiful flowers.
"They're beautiful.." she teared up as she held them in her arms.
"Happy birthday, Rae.." he hugged her, putting his arms around her waist and kissing her forehead. She cried in his embrace.
"Thank you, Youn.." she whispered, feeling the warmth of his love and the joy of being remembered on her special day...
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"Lovely, isn't it?" Cole's voice brings him back to reality. Youn looks at his brother, who is holding the pink carnation bouquet. His heart feels heavy with emotions.
"Yeah, it is..." Youn replies softly, his thoughts still lingering on the memories of the past.
"Let's go.." he says, leaning back in his seat, trying to push away the mixed feelings inside him.
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"My God, what happened here?" asks Joe. The living room is full of roses. There's a huge bed of roses right in the middle of the room. Sunny arranged them in a straight vertical line, creating a border between the living room and the dining/kitchen area. With the open concept space, it looks like an expensive restaurant.
"There's more in the guest room and even in the toilet," says Sunny. He helps Mint and Taylor set up the table outside, where the griller is hot and ready.
"Except for Rae's room. She doesn't like roses," says Taylor. Rae comes out from the kitchen, sighing heavily every time she sees the bed of roses in the middle of her house.
"Jackson," Joe immediately understands with just one name.
"I know he loves grand entrances, but I think this is too much," says Joe, shaking his head.
"Rae, you're wearing that?" asks Taylor. She nods.
"Yeah, what's wrong with this?"
"Every single fabric. Go change."
"Why?"
"Just change it. Wear the new set that I bought for you. Go!" Taylor pushes her into the room.
"Don't forget to put on some makeup!" he calls after her. Rae rolls her eyes but complies and goes to change.
The party venue looks spectacular. There's a long rectangular table with a white tablecloth, surrounded by garland lamps. A glass vase of carnations sits at the center of the table. Mint sets up the table with cutlery sets, and there are eight seats in total.
Sunny has already started grilling the steak and seafood, with Taylor helping him plate the food. As they prepare, a huge black Ford Edge slowly enters the house.
"It's Cole!" says Mint. Taylor immediately leaves everything and runs towards the car. Cole grins as he comes out holding a huge bouquet of carnations.
"Welcome to the party," says Taylor. Jazz and Youn look around the house, amazed by the surroundings.
"What a beautiful house!" says Jazz.
"Yeah, this is a nice hanok," says Youn.
"Hi Youn! Oh?" Joe almost can't believe what he sees.
"Hi Joe..." Jazz smiles at him, blushing a bit.
"I thought you had some party to go?"
"Yeah, this party. That's why I refused to come with you. We're attending the same party, apparently," says Jazz.
"That's why he was gloomy just now," Mint whispers to Taylor. Both of them giggle.
"So, where should I put this?" asks Cole, holding the bouquet.
"Mr. Wu, can you put this bouquet inside? I need to ask a favor from Cole," says Mint. He gives the bouquet to Youn and pulls Cole's wrist, walking away.
Youn feels heavy-hearted. He looks at Joe, wanting to ask him for help, but Joe is occupied with Jazz. He has no choice but to enter the hanok alone. The atmosphere feels tense for him, and he wonders how he's going to get through the evening.
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He walks into the living room and sees some spectacular decorations. There's a huge bed of roses in the center of the house, and everything is surrounded by roses. He feels confused by it. Just now, his brother told him that Taylor's sister loves carnations. But, what's with all the roses?
He looks at the wall and notices several paintings. There's a portrait of Taylor, a painting of this hanok, and a blue-based painting of a lady. The only thing visible are her eyes, as everything else is covered by a piece of cloth, like a scarf.
"Hello?" a voice comes from behind. He turns around.
"Excuse me, I just wanted to..."
And, the carnations drop from his arms...
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