Chapter 4:
Warming Up
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"Huh? W-Wa-Wait…" Hwoarang stammered. "You want me to what?!" he questioned with disbelief.
Lili then let out a soft sigh. "I said," she spoke.
"I want you to be my escort to a party tonight." She said while lifting up an envelope of the invitation that was held in between her fingers. It was a sophisticated cream in colour; a gorgeous emblem etched in a corner, and the words Lili Rochefort were written across one side.
Glancing at the envelope, Hwoarang scowled. Well, that's a pretty short notice…
"Forget it," his tone was like ice. "I don't do parties, find someone else instead." He stated as he began walking past her to his room.
"Stop right there." she ordered, causing him to still. In a casual manner, she sauntered over towards him.
"I'm your mistress," she began as she posited a hand on his shoulder from behind.
"And you are my bodyguard," Lili mentioned as a matter-of-factly.
Leaning in, she placed her lips next to his ear. "You will do as I say, for this isn't a request. It's an order." She whispered threateningly. Hearing this, Hwoarang narrowed his eyes without saying a word.
"Right then," Lili uttered as she released herself from him.
"I shall be waiting for you in the limo at seven sharp." She motioned with a wave of her hand as she swept past him, leaving the hallway.
Hwoarang then smacked his forehead. Ugh! That brat princess! I feel like a puppet on strings! What was Master Baek thinking when he sent me here?
While thinking about Master Baek, he snapped his fingers. "Oh yeah, it's been four days' since I've last talked to master!" he claimed as his eyes widened.
Hwoarang surveyed his left and then his right as he searched for a phone.
"Oh, I remember seeing one near the dining table," he thumped his fist on the other as he headed out of the hallway of rooms.
Just as he was about to turn into a corner, he bumped into Sebastian, who seemed miraculously glad to see him.
"Why, Master Hwoarang! I've been looking for you everywhere!" Sebastian exclaimed as he greeted him with a slight bow.
"Huh? You have?" Hwoarang queried as he arched an eyebrow.
"Yes indeed," answered Sebastian as his eyes twinkled. "Ms Lili told me to assist you in dressing for the grand party she was invited to!" he expressed in a gracious manner.
Hwoarang immediately knitted his eyebrows together after discovering this piece of information.
"Did she now?" Hwoarang asked stolidly. That princess sure acts fast…
"Yes, she did!" Sebastian replied with haste as he grabbed Hwoarang by the arm in a swift movement.
"We must hurry, Master Hwoarang! We only have a few hours left before the party!" continued Sebastian as he dragged Hwoarang to one of the Rochefort's dressing rooms.
"What? Hey! Wa-" But it was too late. In a flash, the door slammed shut, locking them both in.
-;-
"There, finished at last." Lili announced mildly as she winked to the girl in the mirror after filling out her finishing touch.
She was wearing a vivid scarlet dress with broad straps adorned with golden roses, which completely complimented her figure. The cherry-red colour matched her deep-red stilettos, and her honey-blonde hair was swept off her neck, into a loose chignon that showed off her white-gold chain necklace.
She was indeed a true beauty to the eyes and of course, she knew it.
"Ms Lili, are you ready?" Sebastian voiced as he knocked gently on her room door.
"Yes, Sebastian. I'm ready," she replied sedately after adjusting her necklace.
Pulling herself away from the mirror, she rose to her feet, turned the doorknob to step out and soon became taken aback.
Her eyes caught sight of a sleek, svelte, lean and tall man in a tuxedo. His cheekbones were conspicuous, his eyes deep and dark, his auburn hair brushed to perfection. He looked like he had stepped out of a men's fashion magazine – Elegant. Immaculate. Refined. Gorgeous.
And she couldn't believe that it was the infamous Korean biker boy– Hwoarang.
"What do you think, Ms Lili?" Sebastian enquired as he indicated to Hwoarang whose eyes remained on the floor. It was evident that he felt awkward.
Instantaneously, Lili turned away from her gaze. "Oh! Yes, he looks fine Sebastian. Thank you for your help." Lili conveyed benignantly.
Sebastian shortly formed a smile on his lips. "It was my pleasure, Ms Lili." Sebastian bowed in acknowledgement.
"Do allow me to see the two of you to the limo," he added as he began walking out of the hallway, with the duo following behind him.
"Hmph, I didn't think you had it in you." Lili snickered while walking beside him.
Though peeved by her remark, Hwoarang resisted the urge to protest vehemently.
"Tsk. It's not like I had a choice." He uttered as he strutted ahead of her.
Observing this, Lili's corners of her mouth slid into a devilish grin. Just you wait, I'll make you feel even more out of place!
A half hour later, they reached their destination. In a reflex action, Hwoarang scanned around the posh and prominent mansion, realising that there were many people arriving as well.
"Thank you Sebastian, and would you please have the limo ready by nine?" Lili requested.
"That's the time the party would end." She continued with a smile and immediately placed a hand on Hwoarang's forearm, catching him by surprise.
"Of course Ms Lili," Sebastian assured. "I hope that the both of you will enjoy yourselves." He said courteously while heading into the limo.
Once the limo drove off, Hwoarang turned to Lili's hand and then back to Lili. Noticing this, she mouthed arrogantly, "Well, I didn't expect you to offer me your arm, so I just had to do it myself."
Hwoarang ignored her comment and the both of them took the steps, leading to the manor. Right away, they were approached by a lady who was dressed in a strapless, flowing, orange gown.
"Lili! I'm so glad you could make it!" she cried as she held her arms open.
"Alyssa! Happy Birthday!" Lili responded as they embraced each other momentarily.
"Thank you! It's been so long! You seem to be doing well!" Alyssa exclaimed and her eyes soon swept to Hwoarang, who was standing beside Lili.
"Oh my, is this handsome young man your boyfriend?" she gestured to him curiously.
"Oh no, he's not." Lili emphasized. "Just an associate of my father's," she declared as she half-turned to him.
Hwoarang soon made a polite bow in acknowledgement of Alyssa's presence similar to how normal Koreans greet guests.
"I see," Alyssa beamed sweetly at him as a reaction. "I do hope you'll enjoy yourselves! Allow me to show you two to your table," Alyssa promptly summoned a waiter.
"Yes, please do." Lili's voice sounded cultured as she took Hwoarang's arm.
Whilst walking to their table, Hwoarang muttered, "What? You don't feel comfortable mentioning that I'm your bodyguard?"
"It doesn't matter what position you really are, does it?" Lili pointed out drily.
"Fine, whatever," Hwoarang's voice – as the two of them came to a halt and he pulled up a chair for her – carried a certain amount of dryness. After taking a slight bow, the waiter left to usher other guests.
Once seated, Lili's eyes moved off to the guests who were dancing to the mellow music in the ballroom. Briefly, she stole a glimpse at Hwoarang's direction. She grinned. A golden opportunity…
"Isn't the music soothing?" she inquired as she pointed to the speakers near the ceiling.
"Huh? It's okay, I guess." Hwoarang replied in a deadpan expression as he leaned back on his chair.
Hmm, just as I expected, I'll have to initiate it… Lili thought.
-;-
In a jiffy, Lili whisked Hwoarang off to the dance floor as if he were some sort of prized possession.
"Hey! Wait, wha-Whoa!" Hwoarang grunted when Lili suddenly turned to face him while holding on to his hand, causing him to accidentally grab her elbow before they almost collided.
Lili placed his right hand on her waist and soon intertwined his left hand with her right, resulting in Hwoarang looking puzzled.
"This is called 'The Waltz'," remarked Lili as she positioned her left hand on his shoulder.
Before Hwoarang could reply, Lili took a step to the right and shortly glided to the left, forcing Hwoarang to keep up with her. Unfortunately, at the pace that he was going, there was no way he could and unintentionally, he trod on her right foot.
"Ow!" she yelped in pain as she lifted her foot in agony.
Feeling embarrassed and humiliated, he released his grip from her and began to leave. Only to be pulled in by her again once she quickly recovered.
"Look, princess. I don't dance. Get another dance partner!" He demanded softly as she steadied their dancing positions.
"How would you know? You haven't really tried!" Lili retorted. "And even if you can't, as my personal bodyguard, I demand you to learn!" she commanded while meeting his eyes.
Heeding this, he hung his head low, knowing that opposing her wishes would be fruitless. He had a job to do after all. No matter how much he hated it.
"Okay, okay." He noted, sounding serious.
Letting the music be their guide, they went slowly around the dance floor. Their dance was progressive, marked by long, flowing movements, continuous turns, and of 'rising and falling'. They performed it so gracefully and elegantly that it made them look perfectly alike experts. Any individual would assume that they were a Waltz couple as they glided around so effortlessly.
"See, you can dance after all," Lili revealed while gazing at the moonlight, with her hands on the railings.
Folding his arms across his chest, Hwoarang rested silent in response while leaning against the wall.
"Waltzing is one of the smoothest dances that even a novice like you can glide on the floor like a professional…" She muttered as she looked at him out from the corner of her eye, exposing her smirk.
Noticing this, Hwoarang diverted his eyes away. Hmph. Was that a compliment or an insult?
"Now, do me favour and fetch me some punch. All that dancing made me thirsty," Lili instructed when she turned around to face him, with her arms on the railings to support her weight as she tilted back.
Although mentally frustrated, Hwoarang clenched his fists and stamped out of the balcony, with his mouth soundless.
Relishing the triumph, she placed her fingers on her lips and sniggered. I'm completely enjoying this… Serves you right for insisting on being my personal bodyguard!
After having enough satisfaction at laughing, she looked up to the moon. It glowed dimly, like a cream disc suspended in the velvet sky. She fingered her necklace as she continued staring, her mind slowly drifting into thoughts of her past.
Unfortunately, while she stood there reminiscing, she missed hearing the soft sound of footsteps lurking about. As quick as a wink, a large hand cupped over her mouth, and another grabbed her arm, making Lili jolt slightly in shock.
"Hmmpff!" she tried to verbalise, while struggling to break free with her necklace falling off in the process.
She knew that her aggressor did not want any attention. Fearing that she was about to attack any second, he gave her a whiff of his handkerchief—knockout gas. Summarily, she went out like a light, with her aggressor secretly lugging her away from the balcony.
"Here, I got you your-" Hwoarang stopped in his tracks when he didn't see the honey-blonde girl in his sight.
Looking down, he spotted a sparkling necklace on the ground. He dropped the glass. There was no doubt about it. She was kidnapped.