Chapter Text
The pearl necklace weighed heavily on her collarbone.
“Smile!!” Flash! Without skipping a beat, she bared her matching pearly whites at the camera.
“ Beautiful, simply beautiful!” shouted the photographer, “Let’s take 5 before we start with the next set!”
With a flick of his wrist, the crew swarmed the set, like an almost angry horde of bees. Streaks of vibrant greens and browns flashed by, as they dismantled her plastic garden of eden. Automatically, she stepped off the stage as her eyes glazed over. She was used to this sight by now.
It never failed to captivate her though.
She stood awkwardly, in the middle of the harshly lit warehouse, as she stood mesmerized by the flurry of colors and exchanges. How could they scrub an entire environment clean to the bone, until not a single trace remained? Until only a blank canvas was left, prepared for the next plastic portrayal? As if it had never belonged in the first place...
Why did it feel so familiar?
The AC’s dull drone finally registered in her head, snapping Shin-ae back to reality.
Sighing heavily, Shin-ae rubbed life back into her eyes as she glided across the concrete floor. It had been an exhausting few hours. And this was a really heavy dress. Waves and waves of creamy fabric rippled around her every move, perfectly in sync with the clicking of her matching satin pumps. A sophisticated shoulderless cut framed her dainty shoulders, perfectly highlighting her pale, delicate collarbone. She looked beautiful.
And with her oh so carefully crafted poise, she plopped onto the nearest fold out chair.
Almost immediately she could feel the stares of the concerned crew. Piercing. Judging. Maybe concerned about their immediate futures. Who knew, the Hirahara family had a big name.
“ M-ms. Hirahara! Are you sure you don’t want to sit in one of the nicer chairs by the fountain? Mr. Hirahara had it s-specially broug -”
“ It’s Ms. Yoo, not Mrs. Hirahara. I actually prefer it here, but thanks for asking,” Shin-ae looked up as she tiredly smiled, trying to come off as friendly.
“ R-right, apologies Ms. Yoo!,” the assistant began stuttering as she slowly backed away. Crash! She jumped as she knocked over a nearby cupcake display, “I- I’ll let myself out now,”
Worried, Shin-ae instantly reached out a comforting hand, “Wait it’s really oka -”
Ping
Swiftly Shin-ae turned around and whipped out her phone, mind completely blank now. The distressed assistant became all but an afterthought as Shin-ae scanned her notifications. Duolingo: Looks like you forgot your Chinese lessons -
She quietly cursed and tossed the phone back in her bag. Figures, after all that insistence, looks like his plane got delayed. Again. She felt sick. She wanted to go home. This wasn’t even her idea in the first place!
No Shin-ae, you can do this. Take deep breaths, just like you practiced.
“ Oh look, the matching velvet outfits came earlier than expected! Mr. Hirahara will be pleased, the ballgown’s layering is extra dense!”
Oh hell no. Hauling 10 pounds of satin around for a while was one thing, but that didn’t include makeup prep, lighting checks, the fucking accessory treasure hunt, and oh god. She needed to leave, she realized, as she abruptly stood up. Velvet and her didn’t exactly get along.
“ M-ms. Yoo, we still have a few more sets to photograph!” the photographer called out before swiftly following her, “They’ve been picked out and everything -”
Click clack, click clack. Shin-ae only quickened her pace, heading straight towards the glaring light called freedom. Or the exit sign, whatever fits.
“ I’m not staying Julio. I’m sorry but there are some pressing matters I must attend to,” Shin-ae lied through gritted teeth, “If you’ll excuse me -”
Instinctively, she flashed another one of her killer smiles. Eyes scrunched, teeth blindingly white. Just another trick she learned from the Hiraharas. Or one in particular.
Julio just wouldn’t get the hint though.
“ Yes but Ms. Yoo, these are VELVET garments. Straight from the house of Wucci, they haven’t even been released yet!”
Shin-ae’s hand reached the knob. Almost there -
“You shouldn’t pass up this opportunity, who knows when you’ll get the chance ag -, OOP,” Julio’s hand quickly clamped over his mouth as he paled.
Immediately, Shin-ae froze. Her breath stopped coming in little puffs. Her breath stopped coming at all.
“ I… I shouldn’t have said that. Ma’am I’m so sorry...,”
Figures the gossip would reach here too. They’re all the same, aren’t they?
“... and so I’m completely at fault here. My cat just wouldn’t let me catch a wink of sleep last night, hence my error. Only deliriousness would allow this,” Julio babbled, his eyes as wide as saucers. Saucers filled with a panic that screamed, please don’t fire me.
Shin-ae only stared back. Dumbfounded because it had already been 4 years of this exact same behavior, perpetuated over and over again until she wanted to barf. Awestruck because for once both the bustling warehouse and Julio were quiet, something even Kousuke couldn’t accomplish. Angry because once again, peoples’ useless gossip came back to bite the odd one out. And maybe, a little bit hurt, because people continued to believe it.
It was just like high school.
Shin-ae had enough. She wanted to lash out. Maybe say something badass, metaphorically drop the mic while threatening his career, and just walk out. She wanted to feed into the assumptions people made about her. Gold-digger. Slut. Opportunist.
But she also recognized something in those saucer wide eyes. Need. For a split second, she broke eye contact with Julio and swept the warehouse. It was deafening silence. Scores of those saucer wide eyes met hers, almost frozen in time, and silently screamed, please don’t fire me. I need this job.
Shin-ae closed her eyes and reluctantly sighed. Julio didn’t need this job, but what about his dedicated crew? How would they get by? She could already name four who she knew had kids at home, and that was just within her sightline.
Shin-ae slightly cracked her head towards Julio, her chin slicing through the warehouse’s thick tension. She subconsciously narrowed her eyes as she sharply breathed one word, “ Julio”
He immediately froze.
“ ...Jay’ll reschedule sometime by the end of the week. Expect to hear from him,”
Immediately Julio perked up, eyes instantly lighting up as he gasped, “Oh yes, yes! Of course Miss Yoo, you won’t regret this!”
Shin-ae opened the exit door, the sun’s natural light flooding the harshly lighted warehouse. She took a half step outside and quietly inhaled the fresh scent of the blooming azaleas. Better.
“ I did not say I would be scheduling the appointment, I said Jay would,” Shin-ae said as she slightly turned towards him, “My fiance and I will arrive promptly and expect the first set to already be prepared. Do not disappoint,”
Once again Julio’s eyes widened, only this time in surprise.
He’d heard the rumors of the foul mouthed, uncouth girl who enchanted Mr. Hirahara back in her highschool days. How she used his connections to claw her way to the top, becoming one of the best, most sought after data analysts in the business. Everyone needed something to gossip about, and she was the only flaw the family had. Well the only glaring one but… they didn’t talk about the other Hirahara boy.
Either way, the rumors were dead wrong.
He’d only felt this presence, this power, once before. And she was supposed to be on a business trip in Japan.
He gulped, “ As you wish Ma’am,”
* * *
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEP
“Urghhh,” Shin-ae groaned as she repeatedly bumped her face against the car horn.
She lightly rested her chin atop the cartwheel as her fingers absentmindedly played with the surrounding waves of satin. It was so soft, just like her bed. And cool to the touch too.
Reluctantly, Shin-ae sighed and leaned back into her seat. She was so caught up in the moment, she’d completely forgotten to change before leaving. Now she would just have to wander the streets in a ballgown.
Ping
Shin-ae reached for her phone again, only this time slower and more reluctantly. Her eyes dimly scanned the notification bar, before immediately brightening once she read the name.
** Min-Hyuk: guess who just landed at Seoul Airport
Shin-ae: Min-Hyuk!!
Shin-ae: Oh god, are you serious? Me and Maya have missed you like crazy!!
Shin-ae: You better not be messing with me or I swear I’ll steal your deep dish memorabilia for myself
Min-Hyuk: AHH NOT THE PIZZA BABIES !! I SWEAR IM AT THE AIRPORT RN JUST LOOK!
Sent Image
Shin-ae tapped her phone, her manicured nails clinking against the screen. As the image loaded, Shin-ae held back a snort. It featured Minhyuk in the middle of the airport terminal, holding up a peace sign while simultaneously photobombing an unlucky pair of tourists. A series of photos followed soon after, each detailing Minhyuk’s escapades with the now angry tourists.
Min-Hyuk: man florida tourists are scary
Shin-ae: You did ruin their picture. How cruel
Min-Hyuk: AND THEY THREW AN ALLIGATOR PLUSH AT ME!! WHERE DID THEY EVEN KEEP IT??!!
Shin-ae: Lollll
Shin-ae: Where are you right now? Do you need me to pick you up?
She absentmindedly began tapping her fingers impatiently against the wheel.
Min-Hyuk: My mom’s actually on her way… I kind of ditched her running away from the tourists T-T
Shin-ae snorted as a small smile tickled her lips. She instinctively began typing, at least i won’t burn alone, before immediately backspacing.
Shin-ae: Once again, how cruel
Min-Hyuk: I FOUND HER FSJLHJGHG
Min-Hyuk: SFLJKJSDFDFSJK
Min-Hyuk: LJFS8*(%)$#JfsdOHS
Shin-ae: Min-Hyuk??
Min-Hyuk: Hello Shin-ae this is Mrs. Park
Oh shit
Min-Hyuk: Min-hyuk can’t come to the phone right now because I’m about to give him the ass whooping of his life. Also he needs to apologize to the tourists, those poor things.
Min-Hyuk: Anyway Shin-ae sweetie, it’s been so long since you’ve come over for dinner! Your job has kept you far too busy, I need to fatten you up again!!!
Shin-ae burst out laughing, accidentally spraying spittle everywhere. But she could care less, only Ms. Park could threaten Min-hyuk and invite Shin-ae to dinner in the same message.
Shin-ae: I’d love to come over Ms. Park, would this evening work?
Shin-ae’s cheeks glowed, she really did mean it.
Min-Hyuk: Ah yes it would! But this evening’s just jam packed with Maya’s plans… how about tomorrow evening? I’ll prepare extra pork belly and we can even invite Simhan!
Shin-ae: Fantastic! I’ll bring a bottle of wine to top the evening off as well :)
Shin-ae squirmed in her seat, she was already looking forward to it. Granted, she did want to see Min-hyuk as soon as possible, but she could wait. Good things only came to those who could wait. That had been drilled into her, to the bone.
Min-hyuk: My goodness, cheeky as ever! I don’t care what my baby Min-hyuk says, your job definitely hasn’t dulled your fire!
Eyes widening, Shin-ae stopped at the glowing “Min-hyuk says”. He said something?
Min-hyuk: We’ve finally found the tourists! I need to make sure Min-hyuk properly apologizes to them, see you tomorrow Shin-ae sweetie!
Shin-ae: See you
Shin-ae’s fingers lingered above the glowing keyboard before she bit the inside of her cheek. Her head fell back on the wheel, softly this time, as she rested against the leather cover. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of the time. 1:35… and she’d been running on 4 hours of sleep this entire time.
Her stomach rumbled.
And no food either she guessed.
“An utter crime,” she mumbled as she grabbed her emergency jerky stash and shifted into drive.
* * *
Shin-ae took it back. Now THIS was a crime.
“ ALICIAAAA, I want THIS princess dress!!”
“ Nuh UH, I wanted it FIRST!!”
“ SCREW OFF EMILY WHAT PART OF DIBS DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND,”
There were two 5 year old girls precariously hanging off of Shin-ae’s dress, in the middle of the restaurant lobby. Correction, there were now two *crying* 5 year old girls hanging off of Shin-ae’s dress, in the middle of a now *staring* lobby.
Just smile and wave girl.
Shin-ae took a quick, deep breath to compose herself before saying, “ Hi there! There’s no need to fight you guys, you both are darling princesses. Even without a dress! -” She caught sight of the worried parents and immediately stepped back.
“ OH MY GOODNESS THERE THEY ARE”
—--
This was just not her day.
“ Kousuke.” she repeated sharply, she had heard enough.
“ Shin-ae, dear, I’m so sorry this happened again, there was a slight setback -,”
“Just stop,” Shin-ae leaned against the mahogany drawer, pinching the skin between her eyes, “ Stop talking,”
“...”
“... Shin-ae -”
“ Just stop already!” Shin-ae’s arms flew as she stared Kousuke dead on, red eyes flaring, “Stop making excuses and just admit you’ve taken on more than you can handle!”
Taken aback, Kousuke only stared at her, the flurry of conflicting, painful emotions painted clearly across his face. He really did try his best to make it to the airport on time. Didn’t that count?
“ I’m making excuses? You’re the one using my promotion as an excuse to chew me out!”
“ I’m just trying to make you see! This isn’t healthy for you Kousuke, or us!!”
“ I can’t believe after all these years, you still don’t believe in me!”, Kousuke’s eyes flared in indignation, “I’m not a child, I know what I can handle!!”
“ AND I NEVER SAID YOU WERE!” Shin-ae’s voice cracked into a pained, high pitched whine, before wrapping her limp arms around herself, “ I don’t know where you get that idea, but…”, she dropped to her knees as silent tears began falling down her face, “I’m still your fiance, aren’t I? Don’t I have a say in this?”
Kousuke froze. His stiff mask of anger instantly cracked. Gaping open, his mouth gasped for a sound, any sound to make in response.
“Shin-ae,” he quietly whispered before also dropping to his knees. At her eye level, he tentatively reached out and cupped her face, brushing away any stray bangs, and worriedly searched her eyes. They remained shut.
Shinae always knew he had to deal with the repercussions of his shit childhood and his shit adulthood, but it was never this hard. Or rather, it was never this difficult to work through together, as a team. It was always hard and it would always be hard, but that was okay. Because if it was with him, she wanted to do this. She wanted to work through the rough patches, wanted to console him during his down episodes, wanted to bicker over the little, insignificant things, and wanted to continue seeing his therapist again for treatment. She wanted all of these things. But together.
And lately it seemed like he didn’t.
When we’re at a steady point in our lives, let’s get married, Kousuke still remembered the glowing smile she said it with. How she tugged his hands closer to her heart, looked up, and asked, “Promise?” He was a bit taken aback. His normally feisty girlfriend didn’t usually partake in what she called “cheesy”. But here she was doing just that. Just for him. A soft smile spread over his lips, his adoration pouring into his eyes as their foreheads touched, and tenderly whispered, “Promise,”.
Unspoken however, he promised her two things. One that, yes he would wait until they were both in steady positions. And two, that he wouldn’t break her fragile trust.
3 years later, he did just that.