Y/N-

Our dining room was filled with the warm aroma of my mom's cooking as we all gathered around the table, enjoying one of our rare family dinners. My dad seemed in a particularly good mood, his eyes sparkling with a rare excitement. It wasn't often that he talked about work during meals, but tonight seemed different. My curiosity was piqued, and I couldn't help but notice the proud smile that played across his lips as he looked at my mom.

Halfway through dinner, my dad cleared his throat, setting his fork down and looking around the table with a pleased expression.

"Well, I have some exciting news," he began, his tone carrying a note of pride. "Our collaboration project with KTH Enterprises was a massive success. It's done even better than we anticipated, and Taehyung—Mr. Kim—has organized a celebration next week to mark the achievement."

I looked up, a smile spreading across my face as I caught his enthusiasm. "That's incredible, Dad! Congratulations!" I said, my eyes shining. I knew how much he'd put into this project, and seeing him so happy filled me with pride.

He chuckled, nodding his thanks. "Thank you, sweetheart. This collaboration was a big milestone for Hales Textiles, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner than KTH Enterprises. Mr. Kim is truly a brilliant young man. He has such a strong vision, and the way he leads his team... it's impressive, to say the least."

As he spoke, a glint of admiration flickered in his eyes, one that I rarely saw in him when he talked about other business partners. I'd heard him mention Taehyung Kim in passing before, but this was the first time I'd seen him speak so highly of someone in the industry.

"We'll all have to attend the party," he continued, glancing around the table with a broad smile. "It's not every day we get to celebrate something like this together. I think it'll be a wonderful evening, and it's important that we support KTH Enterprises in turn."

"Of course," my mom replied, sharing in his excitement. "We wouldn't miss it. It'll be nice to meet the people behind the success and to see the team that made it all possible."

Her face softened as she looked at my father, pride evident in her eyes. It was clear that his success meant the world to her, and knowing how dedicated he was to his work, she always supported him wholeheartedly.

I continued to smile, though a small twinge of nerves curled in my stomach at the thought of attending the party. It wasn't just a family celebration—it was a gathering of some of the most powerful figures in the business world, people who had carved out their own paths and achieved extraordinary success. I'd grown up in a world of privilege, but I'd rarely been part of the events that defined that world. Usually, I'd just hear about them from my parents.

As I took a sip of water, I couldn't help but wonder about the party. I had heard of Kim Taehyung, of course—KTH Enterprises was practically a household name in the business world. And I knew of him through my father's stories about their meetings and collaborations. He was known not only for his business acumen but also for his kindness and integrity. Even though I hadn't met him, I admired him for the positive impact he had on my father's career and for his reputation as a fair and responsible CEO.

My mom noticed the look on my face and reached over, squeezing my hand gently. "It'll be fun, Y/n. Besides, you could use a little celebration yourself. You're almost at the end of your final year in university. It's a big accomplishment, and we're so proud of you."

Her words warmed my heart, and I found myself smiling despite the nervousness I felt. "Thanks, Mom," I murmured, touched by her kindness. It was easy to get lost in the day-to-day stresses of university, the never-ending assignments, and the looming uncertainty of what lay ahead after graduation. But hearing my parents express their pride reminded me that I had a lot to be grateful for.

Then, as my father continued talking about the upcoming party, another thought crossed my mind.

As I headed to my room that night, I found myself thinking about what Tzuyu had said earlier that day about my feelings for Jungkook. I wondered if he'd be willing to accompany me to the party, as my friend, of course. It would be nice to have him there by my side, sharing in the celebration. Maybe, just maybe, this could be an opportunity to let him see a different side of me—a side he hadn't noticed before.

But as I turned off the lights and climbed into bed, I pushed the thought aside, deciding to keep things simple. After all, the party was about celebrating my family's achievements, and I didn't want to complicate it with matters of the heart.

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I leaned back against the wooden bench under the university courtyard's familiar tree, watching as students passed by in groups, laughing and chatting. My final year was coming to a close, and it felt bittersweet to think of leaving behind this world of endless lectures, assignments, and my friends. Jungkook and Tzuyu sat beside me, sipping their iced coffees as we all enjoyed the cool autumn breeze.

After a while, I took a breath, gathering the courage to speak. I wanted to invite both of them to the success party KTH Enterprises was hosting. Even though it was technically a business event, it would be a grand celebration—one I'd love to share with my best friends.

"Hey, guys," I began, smiling a little too brightly. "So... my father's company is co-hosting a party with KTH Enterprises next week to celebrate their recent project. I was wondering if you two would like to come with me?"

Jungkook looked at me, a hesitant expression crossing his face. He seemed unsure, glancing at Tzuyu as if hoping she'd answer first.

Tzuyu fiddled with her cup, offering me a sympathetic smile. "Oh, Y/n, I don't know... That's a huge event, right? I mean, with all the big names there? I'd feel a little out of place."

I tried to reassure her. "It's just a celebration, Tzuyu. And it would be more fun with you both there. Besides, you won't be alone—you'll have me, and it's just one evening."

She gave me an apologetic look, sighing softly. "I know, but I don't think I'd fit in. All those fancy people and business talk... I'd just feel left out."

I glanced at Jungkook, holding onto a glimmer of hope. "What about you, Kookie? Would you consider going?"

Jungkook's gaze softened as he looked at me, clearly not wanting to let me down. But after a moment, he shook his head. "Y/n, I... I really appreciate the invitation. But honestly, I don't think I'd be comfortable there either. That's a different world from ours, you know? People would just see me as some... kid who doesn't belong."

His words hit a little closer than I expected. I'd always known there was a difference between my life and theirs but hearing him say it made it feel so real.

"Y/n," he continued gently, "it's not that we don't want to be there for you. It's just... your world, with all those people in suits and fancy venues, it's a little intimidating. I wouldn't know what to say or how to act."

I forced a smile, trying to mask the pang of disappointment I felt. I had wanted to share this special night with them, to have them by my side. But I couldn't push them into a situation that would make them uncomfortable. I understood their reluctance; I knew how different our worlds were and how that could make them feel out of place.

"I get it," I said softly, giving a small nod. "I just thought... it might be fun if we went together. But really, I understand."

Tzuyu reached over, squeezing my hand. "Hey, we'll still be cheering for you from here. And we can celebrate together afterward, maybe with a movie night or something?"

Jungkook nodded, giving me one of his warm, reassuring smiles. "Yeah, exactly. Besides, this is your dad's big night, right? You'll shine just fine on your own."

I chuckled lightly, masking my disappointment with a playful smile. "Alright, alright. I'll hold you to that movie night, then."

As we spent the rest of the afternoon laughing and talking about other things, I couldn't shake the lingering feeling of sadness. Jungkook's words echoed in my mind, reminding me of the gap between us. It was strange; I'd never truly felt it before, but at that moment, it felt almost insurmountable.

When it was time to head home, I hugged them both goodbye, watching as they walked off together. A small part of me felt left behind, even though I knew it wasn't their fault. They were my friends—my best friends. But sometimes, it felt like there was an invisible line separating our worlds, one that grew harder to ignore as we got older.

As soon as I arrived, I was greeted by the warmth of our home, and my mother's voice calling out from the living room.

"Y/n! You're back just in time. Come, I wanted to show you the dress I thought might be perfect for the party!"

She waved me over, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she held up a beautiful gown in a rich shade of deep blue. The fabric shimmered under the lights, elegant and timeless.

"What do you think?" she asked, her face glowing with anticipation. "I thought it would be perfect on you."

I smiled, admiring the dress. "It's beautiful, Mom. Thank you."

As she placed the dress in my hands, her gaze softened, and she reached out to smooth a stray hair from my face. "Are you excited about the party?"

I hesitated, but I didn't want to worry her. "Yeah, I am. It'll be a big night for Dad, and I'm happy to be there to support him."

She tilted her head, sensing something in my tone. "Are you sure, sweetheart? You know you can talk to me about anything."

I took a breath, choosing my words carefully. "It's just... I wanted Jungkook and Tzuyu to come with me, but they didn't feel comfortable. It's silly, I know, but I feel a little strange going alone."

My mother gave me a sympathetic smile, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. "It's not silly at all, Y/n. I know how much they mean to you, and I'm sure they wish they could be there, too. But sometimes, we have to walk certain paths alone. It's part of growing up. And who knows? Maybe this will be an opportunity to meet new people, make new connections."

I nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. She was right; this was an important night for our family, and I wanted to honor that. Maybe stepping out of my comfort zone was just what I needed.

My mother's smile widened as she gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. "And remember, we'll all be there with you—your father, me, and plenty of people who care about you."

With her words in mind, I felt a little lighter. I would go to the party and celebrate my father's success with pride.

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