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. Probably at the fact that her earrings were nowhere to be found. Also because she was fearing that the lilac embroidered dress she wore was too short and revealing, although it went up to her mid–thigh and the neckline was not revealing whatsoever. She stood in front of her mirror, her dyed hair falling in waves down her arms and resting almost at her waist. The white heels proved difficult to cooperate with.

"I'm going to be late," she seethed, picking a random pair of earrings; small white pearl earrings that she secretly stole from her mom's vanity table. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

The time was twelve thirty and the luncheon began exactly at one. However, Ara still felt like she had so much to do before she was even close to leaving the house. Namely letting her phone to charge fully as it was dying in the twenties.

A knock on the door contorted her heart. Kyungsoo! He was probably standing impatiently outside the door, Kyungri anxiously waiting for her favorite friend to appear.

"Give me a second!" Ara screamed out before running towards her charger and yanking the iPhone out — practically pulling the plug out of its socket alongside it. The amount of times she tripped was crazy. Opening the front door after recieving her purse and phone, Ara painted on a grin.

Do Kyungsoo was clad in a smart casual attire consisting of a button up, whereas his daughter was wearing a floral dress looking cuter than ever. Her usually unruly hair was tamed and reached her small shoulders. She hollered seeing Ara and grinned. Even Kyungsoo was impressed at Ara's beautification, his bushy eyebrows raising and doe eyes scanning up and down to take in her radiant self. However, it was purely platonic.

"You look really pretty, Ara," he mentioned sweetly, taking her aback at his sincerity. Ara bowed clumsily and pulled the now escaping hairs back.

"Thank you," was all she replied with before pinching Kyungri's cheeks. The little girl squealed at the attention she was getting and clung onto her leg.

Five minutes later and they were all sat in Kyungsoo's car. Ara sat next to Kyungri at the back due to her never ending persistence, whilst her father sat at the front using Google Maps confusedly to get them at the hotel before it began. It was twelve forty–two and Ara felt hugely bad that her slow dressing caused the ex–husband of the to–be–wed to become late. It would be horrible for him.

The hotel was a really epicurean, expensive hotel at the outskirts of southern Seoul where the people leaving and entering it must've been worth millions. Entering felt like they were walking on thousands with every step — and suddenly they felt underdressed. Even the receptionists were suited in delicate silks colored in deep purple. They looked around in hope to find some sort of clue about where the luncheon was being held.

"Ask the receptionist," Ara advised. "Maybe they'll know."

Kyungsoo approached the first female receptionist. Her alluring facial features just represented the lavish hotel; her flawless nose bridge, impeccably filled in eyebrows and rouge lips that were curtained by dark, split end free hair that fell in curls around her. She gave Kyungsoo a smirk, narrowing her eyes. Yet, when her eyes reached Ara from behind him, they darkened.

"Do you know where Im Juhyun's pre–wedding luncheon's being held?" He questioned innocently. The receptionist looked down at her flat screen computer and began typing.

"Ah, yes. The hall across," she pointed with her manicured nail. "Just keep walking and you'll find it. It's quite easy."

She kept giving sultry gazes and sending winks that Ara had clocked on, but Kyungsoo remained oblivious. He thanked her politely and led the way.

The receptionist was right with the simplicity. The luncheon was held in the biggest hall the hotel had. It was decorated with large circular tables that were spotless and pearl white, and the room was themed powder blue and white. It looked very grandeur, but for Kyungsoo it wasn't surprising. Juhyun was extremely extra. The special lady herself sat regally in the middle table beside her parents and Junmyeon. They were openly holding hands over the table and staring deep into each other's eyes.

She spotted Kyungsoo and waved, standing up and plodding towards him. Juhyun looked even more beautiful than usual — her hair was styled extravagantly, and a white sundress was worn with some ivory heels. She pulled her ex into a tight hug.

"It's great you came," she greeted once pulling away. "I thought you were going to ditch me last minute."

Kyungsoo cringed a little. "Juhyun, you know I'm not that kind of guy."

"Yeah, I know. I'm just teasing you."

After squeezing Kyungri to death, her eyes wandered to the uncomfortable Ara, Juhyun's brow arching. She took in Ara's features and outfit silently.

"Hi," she grinned fakely. "I'm Juhyun."

They shook hands quite stiffly and Ara could feel the tension from the grip. She greeted Juhyun back as politely as she could.

"You didn't introduce your friend to me," Juhyun turned back to Kyungsoo. "I didn't know you were able to make female friends!"

He rolled his eyes dramatically at her dig before introducing Ara. "This is my friend and neighbor Jung Ara. I invited her because I'd assumed you wanted me to bring my friends."

"By friends I meant Baekhyun, Jongdae, Chanyeol and the others," she hissed. Another smile painted on her face. "But she's lovely! I hope you enjoy the luncheon, Ara."

"I'm sure I will," Ara answered a little too preppy. Although she couldn't hide the churning feeling in her stomach from hearing Juhyun's words. From how Kyungsoo described her from where she lived to the venue of the luncheon, Ara expected a model–eske ex–wife — but she didn't expect such a rotten one.

Kyungsoo tapped her shoulder gently, bringing Ara back to reality. "We should sit down. Or else Kyungri's going to cause havok."

It seemed the girl was disappointed with how Juhyun treated her as he said afterwards, "don't worry about her. She's always been a little uptight. Trust me when I say it's not because she's got something against you."

That worked as the toothy smile Ara usually beared reappeared as she scooped Kyungri in her arms and placed her onto one of the chairs at the table. Already sitting there seemed to be close friends of Kyungsoo as he hugged and laughed with each and one of them. It was quite eye–opening seeing him so happy; usually he looked worn out and stressed. His friends also hugged and squeezed Kyungri as she stayed silent, small eyes darting back and forth at them. Being only three years old, it was surprising how calm and composed she was. Like her father. They all turned to Ara and looked awkwardly at Kyungsoo due to their lack of knowledge of her.

He took the hint and directed at her. "Ah. This is my neighbor and friend Ara."

"Hi, I'm Jongdae," one of the guys uttered nicely. He had a mop of silky black hair arranged on his head, alongside a prominent eye–smile, carved cheekbones and a bright grin on his face. "I'm Kyungri's favorite friend and also an acquaintance of Kyungsoo."

"Acquantaince my ass. It wasn't acquantaince when you were begging me to sleep on my couch," Kyungsoo grumbled in response, sparking laughter out of everyone. Even his daughter was bursting out in random babbles of laughter although she didn't understand the joke.

"I'm Chanyeol," the tallest one introduced himself. Unlike Jongdae, his features were a lot softer. A pair of round, kind eyes and a charming smile to compliment. He had dyed silver hair that suited him a lot.

The other three males were Baekhyun — accompanied by his extremely beautiful girlfriend who went by the name Taeyeon, even though she looked a little peeved off. It was clear as day that the two were in love, but it would've been convenient if they were less obvious. Minseok, whos almond shaped eyes focused on her carefully, cute hamster teeth coming to view when he beared a smile. Lastly, Sehun. Ara thought Kyungsoo was the moodiest guy, but once she met Sehun it was clear that he wasn't. Though he was handsome with perfect eyebrows.

After the usual greeting, a general conversation commenced between the guys and ocasionally Taeyeon.

"You guys are such weirdos," she laughed after a while. The first time she'd actually smiled in this place and honestly, her smile made Ara look like a potato. It was shocking that none of the other guys didn't seem attracted to her — she definitely was.

The food was kind of bland. It was an array of small yet filling dishes, including cute little pies containing some sort of spicy meat. Kyungsoo wasn't a huge fan of small foods; he was actually quite creeped out at the tiny size. It sort of mocked his alarmingly short height, enhanced further when Jongdae and Chanyeol repeatedly commented at how the food was made for him. Even Ara was sniggering quietly beside him.

Juhyun suddenly sprung up from her seat and clinked her wine glass to bring attention to the middle of the room. She beamed excitedly whilst her eyes scanned everyone in the room.

"Hello everyone," she began with a fake peppy tone that probably only Kyungsoo caught out. It was her nice tone, the voice she'd make when she attempted to sound like she cared. "I'm just so grateful that you all attended today. Junmyeon and I are also over the moon that we're recieving all of your support!"

Jongdae turned to Kyungsoo with an evil glint to him. "You happy that you're here now?" He hissed.

"Shut up."

Juhyun continued as Junmyeon took his space next to her, his arm wrapped tightly around her. "I hope you're all enjoying today as much as we are, and we do hope that every single one of you attend the wedding. I promise the food will be better!"

Everyone laughed in response. Obviously except Kyungsoo, who was agreeing about the food. Yet he refused to ever laugh at anything that involved Junmyeon. They talked for another five long minutes about their love life and other stupid crap that Kyungsoo couldn't stand listening to. He found himself surfing the interweb under the table whilst Ara sat misty–eyed, surprised at how cute she found the pair.

"I also want to thank Kyungsoo for saving my butt actually," Juhyun piped up to Kyungsoo's shock. His head swooped up to meet her crescent–shaped eyes. "He's been such a sport, performing on our wedding. I'd just like to mention that because what you're doing for us is so sweet."

He just nodded his head, accepting the gratitude. The guys on the table began patting his back rather painfully but he played it off with a smile. It was heartwarming for Juhyun to mention him at the luncheon, but it made him feel quite lonely at the fact that she was up there with a new life to start alongside her future husband, whereas Kyungsoo was watching silently from the sidelines, waiting for his happily ever after.

—

After the luncheon, Kyungsoo moved to Juhyun who was having a conversation with his former mother–in–law. Juhyun's youthful mother adored him because he was so young and cute looking yet extremely mature. She squeezed the life out of poor Kyungsoo and then Kyungri, cradling the little girl as if she was a mere infant.

Kyungsoo pulled Juhyun into a hug to thank her for the mention. Her arms wrapped around his almost automatically, nostalgia surrounding them. To Juhyun, Kyungsoo's arms were almost home. They used to be where she felt most at peace, most happiest. Now? They were somehow foreign to her.

They pulled away from each other, childish smiles both etched onto their faces. Then turned away; somehow symbolizing their failed marriage. When they couldn't do it anymore, they turned around and walked away. While Juhyun returned to her fiancé, Kyungsoo returned to his sweet yet quiet neighbor Ara.

She was holding Kyungri's hand whilst spinning the small girl around as she squealed in joy. Seeing his daughter so happy made him happy. It wasn't easy being a single father sometimes, but seeing moments like this made it worth every second of it.

"Hey Kyungsoo!" Ara brought him out of his daze with a quick wave of her hand. "Are you ready to go?"

"Y--yeah," he responded a little embarrassed of his small episode. "Let me just say bye to the others."

It wasn't quick, however. Chanyeol clung persistently onto Kyungsoo's waist while screaming at him to never leave his side. Jongdae was spurring the lanky friend on, Sehun humiliated at them all although being the youngest and Baekhyun uncaringly staring at his phone.

Taeyeon approached Ara and lay a hand on her shoulder. "So Kyungsoo, huh? You guys secretly dating or something?"

Those words immediately made Ara perspire and turn red. "Date? No! No, he's just my neighbor. And friend. Just friends."

"Okay, wow, Ara. I only asked a simple dating question, not whether you have drugs on you or something."

"Ah, sorry," she apologetically answered. "I'm pretty unexperienced in the dating field."

"Aw," Taeyeon cooed. "You seem young. I'm guessing late teens, early twenties?"

"Yep. I've turnt twenty–one a couple months back actually."

Taeyeon softened immediately, thinking of Ara as a small, innocent child as she was already twenty–seven. She leaned closer to her.

"Kyungsoo's a really good guy. Means well. Everyone loves him, you know. I'd say you're extremely lucky you live close to him, and make sure to stay friends with him for a long time. You won't regret it."

With that, Taeyeon turned on her heel and tottered back to Baekhyun who was standing up to leave. Kyungsoo arrived back to her, puzzled.

"What was all that about with you and Taeyeon? She tried to scare you or something?"

Ara raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Not at all — she's really nice."

"Taeyeon's a weird one," Kyungsoo mumbled whilst retrieving his car keys from his back pocket. Kyungri was still holding Ara's hand as they advanced out of the hall and out in the open. "She's a lovely girl, don't get me wrong. But she's awfully lonely. It's...odd."

Ara entered the car in scepticism. "How can someone like her be lonely? She's so kind!"

"Yeah, we're all surprised. Baekhyun says she usually just stays at home when she's not working. That's why she kind of depends on him a lot, which could be super overbearing at times. I really do advocate befriending her. Maybe you'll get her out of her 'house fairy' state."

"That's really sad to hear," she frowned. "I'll try my best."

"Thank you, Ara."

She stared at the window and breathed out. "You're welcome, friend!"

—»

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