My author of the month is Lang Leav and her poems create various plots in my mind. I am so inspired. Read her books, too! ^^

Dedicated to HubbyHobi ! You're just soooo active. haha. Thank you for reading! Sana nagugustuhan mo per chapter. :) Godbless and keep the spirit alive! xoxo!

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B Y U N   B A E K H Y U N

Kim Taeyeon's fingers are as gentle as feathers, especially when she's fixing me like this. She ran her palm over my hair, flattening all the stubborn strands and her movements just made me more nervous and uncomfortable. I sighed as i stared at her through my mirror.

"Is he here?" i asked.

Taeyeon glanced at me. "Who's he?" she asked back.

I cleared my throat as she reached for my collar. "Oh Sehun." i murmured. Since that night, i can't say his name without a little bit of irritation in my voice. I even hate saying his name, it feels like thorns running along my esophagus.

She gave me a look. "Nah." she answered. "He went back to Canada to fix some documents."

Although relieved, her answer made me curious. "Documents for what?" i asked. "Don't tell me it's for that stupid wedding." i hissed and i turned on my chair to look directly at her. I frowned and Taeyeon just looked down at me with a sympathetic look on her face.

"That's one." she answered though and i groaned inwardly. She then pushed my shoulder so i could look back at the mirror again. Taeyeon continued spraying expensive perfume on my suit and i hate that my mother won't let me fix myself. Am i not worthy of their trust yet?

I touched my now perfect hairdo. "And... for what else?" i asked quietly.

Taeyeon frowned as she placed the perfume back on the table. She then placed her hands on either of my shoulders as she looks at me through the mirror in front of us. Taeyeon is pretty and she's very kind to me. No matter how many secrets i tell her, none of them will reach my mother.

Maybe in the future, i'll make her my own assistant.

"He's... transferring. To your school." she muttered. "But their classes already started there so Sehun would have loads of things to finish first. So... don't worry about it. Yet." then she gave a small smile which made me roll my eyes.

I sighed. "Do you know what he said to me?" i muttered and i can do nothing but stare down at my hands. I am holding the silver mask i will wear tonight. Taeyeon made it herself, said it will suit me more than those ready-made ones mother gave me.

She frowned. "What?"

I bit my lip. "He said he will make me love him." i whispered. "That i have nowhere else to run after our marriage." and our conversation started flooding in my mind again, all those knowing and intense eyes. Like he knows he has me in his grip so tightly. And somehow, he made me realized again and again how a prisoner i am.

And that would always bring me to tears.

Taeyeon squeezed my shoulders. "Baekhyun, please don't cry." she said gently and she reached for a tissue paper from the table, handing it to me. "You're ruining your eyeliner! It took me half an hour to make it perfect!" she added in a joking tone and i gave a laugh as i patted my face with the tissue. 

"I'm sorry." i said and grinned at her. "Tonight's my party. I shouldn't feel like this." i added and i am basically talking mostly to myself. Damn that Oh Sehun to be making me feel like a total loser tonight.

Taeyeon nodded her head. "That's right!" she said enthusiastically. "You've got to rock this night, Baekhyun! Show your parents they're not getting under your skin!"

I rolled my eyes but i'm laughing. "Sounds good." i agreed. "No one's ruining this night." 

P A R K   C H A N Y E O L

"We'll ruin everything."

Jungkook gave me a glare under his white mask. "Who's ruining something?" he asked as he slammed his car door shut. I hesitantly went out of the car, closing the door slowly.

"We are." i hissed. "What if the Byuns find out---"

"They won't if you're not stupid." Jungkook snapped. He gave me another glare before he tossed his keys to the valet waiting by the stairway. I looked up at the mansion and swallowed.

This is the first time i'll enter their home.

We walked up the stairs and handed the invitation to a young woman by the doors. She gave us a warm smile. "Please follow me gentlemen." and without another word, she opened the giant oak doors into an empty hallway decorated by paintings and porcelain statues.

I stared in awe at the gold-ish view in front of us. "Woah." i whispered. "Their architect's really great." i muttered just low enough so only Jungkook could hear.

He gave me a disgusted look. "Our home's more beautiful than this, okay?" he hissed at me. "They're so old fashioned here. See? There's no glass. All marble. Ew." then he shook his head and covered his nose as if he's smelling something awful.

"I didn't even compare." i told him. But a part of what he said is true. The Byun mansion is full of anything marble and anything gold. It's as if the house is shining in its own glow. Anywhere you look, you would be greeted by gold and marble. Even porcelain.

The Park mansion on the other hand is a modernized version of this one. The walls are all glass and my father, the head of the house, fills it with silver and gems. He likes anything transparent. And anything expensive.

But most of all, the Byun and Park mansions are anything but contrasting.

At the end of the hallway, we reached another pair of giant oak doors. The young woman pushed it open and we're welcomed by a classical music played by a live orchestra at the far end of the ballroom hall.

The hall itself is all gold. The floor is marble and it's so shiny you could make it into a mirror. The tall windows are all over the walls with thick, red curtains covering them. In between every windows is a door that leads to a balcony but no one seems so eager to leave the crowd. A majestic giant chandelier, even larger than a car, is hanging at the center of the ceiling in which hundreds of bulbs were placed. Anywhere you look, even at the people present, you could only have one word. Luxury.

"Woah." I breathed as i stepped into the hall.

Jungkook grinned in appreciation. "Outstanding."

People are chatting and laughing everywhere. Servers go around and about with trays of champagne and wine. Men and women occupied the dance floor, whether it's a fast or slow music. Everyone are wearing large and beautiful masks, i find it hard to make out faces of such.

"Oh shoot." Jungkook hissed then he suddenly grabbed my arm, leading me to a long table where the buffet is set. He's gripping my arm so hard and i did nothing but lean against him when he started whispering something unintelligible.

"What?" I breathed. I suddenly feel nervous. WHY ARE WE EVEN HERE?!

Jungkook glanced behind me. "I think i saw Kris." he hissed. "He's wearing a dark blue tux and mask. Watch out for him."

My eyes went wide a little. "How did you even know it was him!?" i hissed back.

Jungkook reached out and patted my chin. "This." then he laughed and i joined him eventually.

B Y U N   B A E K H Y U N

"You're really a pretty lad, Baekhyun."

"Your son is very much like you, Sylvia." 

"He grew up in China, didn't he?"

"When's he getting married?"

"He should really be of use now."

Well that last statement pretty much hurts. I tried to gave a polite smile and my mother laughed. I am currently being introduced to her casino friends. Or casino buddies as i call them. Or more like user-friends, which is the truth!

"Of course!" my mother exclaimed, waving her gloved hand in the air. "Baekhyun will be of use soon." then they all laughed together like me, being used for the company, is a big fat joke. Which is disgusting.

One of my mother's friends, a fat woman with a too bright lipstick, grabbed my arm. "Let's dance, Baekhyun!" she called at me happily.

Like... what the-- I don't dance with just anyone!

I smiled shyly. "I'm sorry Madam, but i don't dance." Then i glanced at my mother and she's already glaring at me. But i don't give a damn right now so i stepped back. "And i think i'm feeling a little bit hungry already. Please excuse me for a moment." then i smiled brightly and bowed at them before walking away to the buffet table.

I leaned against it with my hand and fought the urge to remove my mask. I gave out a sigh of relief and glanced at the server. "Juice please." i asked and he immediately went to grab me one glass.

At the other end of the table, a tall man is holding his glass without really drinking from it. He's wearing a jet black tux and his hair is very neatly done over his matte black mask. I noticed him because he's just staring at his shoes, frowning, like he's not enjoying this party after all.
I didn't bother waiting for my juice as i approached him, ready to ask what part of the party made him upset.

"Excuse me?" i called as i stopped beside him.

The guy looked back at me, startled.

"I'm sorry but---" then i paused as i noticed a bruise just beside his lips. It's small and even fading but still evident. I frowned in curiosity as i tried to remember why a small bruise suddenly triggered something in my mind.

And just when i'm getting there already, the tall guy spoke.

"B-baekhyun?" he asked, his eyes suddenly turning into that knowing look.

And it's that voice.

That deep, beautiful voice i will never forget.

I gasped. "Chanyeol?"

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Good night everyone! Have a lovely day~

Godbless and much love from me~ MUA!