It is the day of the party and you are zero percent prepared for today. Jumin will be arriving in a little less than twenty minutes. Ms. Pak took Iseul to the park while you are getting ready so there isn't an episode when you try to leave. Mina talked you into wearing a shorter dress to show off your "sick tatts" and putting in all of your piercings to give off a "don't fuck with me" vibe. The dress you picked is a charcoal, chiffon long sleeve with a large back cutout and a midi high-low hem that started mid thigh and ended mid calf. The shoes are black platform pumps with small gold spike accents on the heels. You decide to keep it simple with your hair and makeup by taming the already wavy hair, pulling the right side back with a few bobby pins and putting on a little winged eyeliner and a sheen metallic gold lipstick.

You are looking at yourself in the mirror when you hear the doorbell ring. You look at the front porch from your bedroom window and see Jumin standing at the door. Taking one more quick glance you realize that the clasp at the top of your dress is undone. You open your bedroom window.

"The door is unlocked, I will be right down." you shout, realizing you sounded in distress.

"I can wait here." He is looking around, trying to figure out where your voice is coming from.

"Up here. It's really no issue please, I'll be right there." you huff back at him. Jumin nods and opens the door. He is greeted by the smell of vanilla and the combination of creams and jade that decorated your living room. Meanwhile, you are struggling to try and hook the clasp at the top of your dress which is so conveniently located at the exact spot you can't reach.

THIS. IS. NOT. HAPPENING.

You let out a sharp huff trying to think of any way to avoid having him help you. The thought makes your skin crawl with anxiety. You spray on your favorite perfume and mentally prepare yourself for what is about to happen when you hear his voice traveling up the stairs.

"Ms. Gho? Are you alright? I hate to bother you, I just hear a lot of noise." You open your bedroom door and see him leaning against the wall at the end of the hall with his face in his phone like it always is.

"Jumin?" you half whisper. He shoots up, standing at attention to the sound of you calling his name which makes you jump a little.

"I hate to ask but, I need a bit of help." you try your best to get out the words without choking on them. Jumin's face starts to turn red and is disappears as quickly as it came. He enters your bedroom and takes a quick glance at the heather walls and the few succulent plants you have around the room.

"What seems to be the issue?"

"T-There is a clasp on the back of my dress and I can't reach it." you stutter.

"Yes, of course." Jumin's voice goes back monotoned and his face stoic. You turn around and move your hair out of the way. You hear him gulp behind you and his hands hover near your back. You look at him in the mirror and see his face almost glowing red and you can't help but grim. Jumin takes his time hooking the clasp, studying the details of your back, the tattoos, the scar, the way your shoulder blades curve against your dress. You hear him let out a sharp breath as he grabs your gold clutch purse off the desk next to you.

"Thank you." You turn around and give him an almost smile, avoiding eye contact. He hands you your purse and follows you out of the house.

The ride has been dead silent so far and he has no idea what to say to her. He wants to ask her about Iseul, her past, her father. He wants to tell her how beautiful she looks but, he doesn't want to put his foot in his mouth and risk ruining the night.

"You look nice tonight, Mr. Han." He is a little shocked that Soo-Min would even give him a compliment.

"Thank you Ms. Gho, I have to at least try to look worthy enough to stand next to a such a beautiful woman." He continues to gaze out the window.

"Oh, which woman is that?" She rolls her eyes.

"Well, you of course. I hope you don't think of me as a playboy…" Jumin is almost immediately interrupted by Soo-Min.

"I am just busting your balls… Thank you, Mr. Han." She smiles at him and he chuckles a bit.

She is too hard to read. This is borderline embarrassing.

Jumin does a double take as he notices the tattoos on her legs and feet. He is confused by the fact that she can look so elegant and rough at the same time. Her left calf bares a geometric band with elephants inside that wrap around the leg. Her entire right thigh is done in a colorful traditional japanese sleeve. Her left foot has a simple floral design across the top and the right he can see a bit of writing in the inside area of her foot. He begins to wonder what they mean, when she got them, why she got them.

"Ms. Gho, I noticed your tattoos, would you tell me about them? I am curious."

"Umm, sure. I have eight all together I think. What do you want to know?" That smile she gives him is so rare and it is enough to make time stop.

"Oh well, I was wondering what other tattoos you have since I only see six."

"I have a sunflower on my left ribs and a bull skull piece" She gestures to the center of her chest right below her bust line. The thought makes Jumin shiver a little.

"Did they hurt? All of them I mean?"

"Yes, and if anyone tells you otherwise, they are lying." She groans back at him.

You arrive at the party and you hear Jumin mumbling to himself.

"They are like vermin." He is talking about the reporters crowding the limo. The door is opened by one of the security guards. Jumin steps out, holding his hand out to help you out of the seat. You take is hand. His grip is gentle but, firm. The paparazzi swarm you with questions and flashing lights but, a guard soon steps in between you and the horde. Jumin links his arm with yours and tries his best to shield both of your eyes from the lights. You step inside the venue and Jaehee immediately greets you.

"Soo-Min, you look amazing! Mr. Han, you look very nice as well. V hasn't shown up yet, but the rest of them are in there. I heard Luciel say he is looking for you." Jaehee talked swiftly as she was looking down at her clipboard.

"Thank you, Assistant Kang. Ms. Gho, please follow me." Jumin leads you into the hall where the party is taking place and leads you to a table that has your name on a place card next to his.

"I will go grab us drinks. What would you like?" He asks you.

"Anything that will make me black out." You joke with him.

"Whiskey it is, then. Please excuse me for a moment." You watch as he begins to make his way to the bar but is quickly grabbed by two men, one with silver hair and one with red. It seems urgent.

Guess I'll have to wait a little bit longer for my liquid courage then.

Jumin is pulled out to the balcony by Zen and Luciel.

"Who the hell is that?!" Luciel asks.

"Please don't tell me you bribed that poor woman to date you… wait… she isn't a prostitute, is she?" Zen fold his arms across his chest.

"Zen, please control yourself. You of all people should know that I am above escorts. She is a business associate and she owed me a favor. She gets me out of being hounded about Sarah and she gets a literal night out. It is a mutually beneficial situation." Jumin retorts.

"Okay, so what I am hearing is that she is fair game because she is fucking gorgeous." Zen teases Jumin.

"Technically, yes." Jumin huffs.

"What do you mean technically?" Zen looks at Luciel and nudges him with his shoulder.

"I wouldn't say she is the most approachable woman. I was all I could do to have her be civil with me." Jumin adjusts his watch.

"That is because you are a boring, stick in the mud and I am a charming gentlemen." Zen scoffs back.

"I don't need your lip service tonight, Hyun." Jumin mumbled as Zen started to walk away.

"Is that her?" Luciel leans against the wall next to Jumin.

"She is beautiful but, your description did her no justice." Luciel chuckles.

"Don't start…" Jumin scoffs and walks back toward the table.

You are standing at the bar hoping that one more drink will be enough to make this a little more tolerable. The man with red hair from earlier takes a seat next to you.

"You must be Soo-Min." he turns in the barstool to lean against the bar.

"I am. Who are you?" you sneer.

"Oh, me? I am Luciel or Seven, whichever suits you, I suppose. Jumin has told me a lot about you." He winks at you.

"Hopefully good things." you put your chin in your hand with you elbow on the counter.

"If by good things you mean calling him an obnoxious, mouth breathing asshole then yes. I've heard good things…. Heya Zen, this is Soo-Min." Luciel laughs and gives a little wave to the silver haired man walking toward you.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Zen." You smile and shake his hand. He is probably the most gorgeous man you have ever seen.

"The pleasure is all mine. So tell me, did Jumin coerce you into coming?" Zen kisses the top of your hand and gives you a soft grin.

"Something like that. Although I can't complain much. This party is wonderful so far." You are blushing. What is this guy's deal? Why are you blushing?

"So I know that we hardly know each other but, I just don't think I would be able to live with myself knowing I didn't ask you when I had the chance. Would you be interested in going out for dinner sometime?" Zen looks at his feet trying to muster the courage to look you in the eyes.

"I am very flattered but, I will have to respectfully decline. I am not really on the market, so to speak." You can feel your face turning red and before Zen could respond Jumin touches the small of your back to get your attention. You jump at his touch.

"Ms. Gho, would you join me at the table please we are about to begin." Jumin lifts his hand toward the table allowing you to walk in front of him.

"I hope Zen wasn't bothering you. He can be a bit pushy." Jumin pulls your chair out for you.

"No, not at all." you smile back at him as Jaehee takes the stand in the front of the room.

Jumin opens the car door for Soo-Min and climbs in behind her, beginning the ride back to her home.

"I hope you had a good time Ms. Gho." Jumin has been tense after the reports have been swamping him with questions about Sarah.

"I did, thank you for forcing me to come." She is looking at her hands, picking at her cuticles. He can tell she is anxious about something.

"If I may be honest with you for a moment." Jumin pushes his hair back out of his face looking over at her.

"I'm all ears, Mr. Han."

"My whole life I have been handed whatever I have wanted. I can't really recall a time in my life where I have been genuinely curious about something. I know you aren't particularly fond of me, but I do hope that we could be friends some day. I don't have many friends and I am hoping to become friends with someone who is actually interesting for a change." Jumin confesses to her.

"Yeah, maybe we could be friends. But, no buying me things and no handouts. I know that it is late, but if you would like to come inside, I know Iseul would like to see you."