The Party (IV)

The party had become much more boisterous in the short span of time that he spent chatting in the gazebo with his Grandmother and Aunty Shin. It seemed the guests had loosened up or that the alcohol had just started to show its effects.

Either way the atmosphere was much more in tune with what a party should feel like. Aunty Shin and Min-soo's Grandmother nodded to him before they wandered over to the centre of the room and mingled with the other guests.

Min-soo felt slightly peckish and looked around to find something to eat. His eyes, however, were invariably drawn towards a familiar face. Min-soo was a little surprised to see Nam-joon laughing and chatting away with another person in the attire of the waiters. They were not that eye-catching but given the contrast, it still raised a few eyebrows of those around.

Min-soo walked over and Nam-joon who was facing towards him waved at him as soon as he saw Min-soo. The waiter turned around in surprise and Min-soo felt a jolt of surprise upon seeing his face.

What were the chances? Kim Tae-hyung, or better known by his stage name V. Min-soo had no doubt that this was the person before him. What was more surprising was that Nam-joon and Taehyung seemed to be rather close.

"Min-soo, where did you run off to? I was looking all over for you. I heard some interesting rumours floating around." Nam-joon immediately asked.

Min-soo, however, ignored him and asked, "You two know each other?"

Tae-hyung and Nam-joon looked at each other, before Tae-hyung shook his head, "Nope. I don't know him, Mr Lee."

Nam-joon also nodded his head, "I accidentally bumped into him and we just started chatting. Sorry, what's your name?"

"Kim Tae-hyung. Same Kim as your own, Mr Kim." He responded politely. "Uh, I should get back to work. Sorry for bothering the two of you. Mr Lee. Mr Kim." He nodded two the two of them before running off, while clutching a metal tray tightly.

"Why were you so surprised to see that kid?" Nam-joon asked Min-soo suspiciously.

"Nothing. Nothing. He just looked familiar. Actually, hearing his name, I think I have heard of it before. I am not sure where. But I am sure I know it." Min-soo acted oblivious.

"Well, anyways, I heard that Beom-seok confessed to you and you rejected him and so he ran away dejectedly. People said they saw him crying as he ran away. What is all this?" Nam-joon asked in an excited tone.

Min-soo felt a headache come over him, "What are you on about? How did it become like this? He randomly came up to me and just hugged me, he then says something mysterious and then runs off. How am I supposed to know what's wrong with him? How did it become some romantic episode?"

Nam-joon laughed raucously. He was thoroughly enjoying Min-soo's embarrassment, it was not often that he could see him so distraught.

"Fine. Fine. I believe you. But I am not sure everyone else does." Nam-joon hinted as he nodded towards a group of gossiping ladies by the corner who occasionally sent Min-soo hesitant glances before shaking their heads in disappointment.

"Do you need my help?" Nam-joon offered enthusiastically.

"No. No. Don't get involved, otherwise, something even more bizarre might get spun out of it. People have too much time on their hands." Min-soo lamented.

Min-soo suddenly heard a ringtone go off and saw Nam-joon reach into his pocket and pulled out his phone. The ringtone was an old American rap song from the nineties, it was a little jarring in this party setting. But barely anyone noticed.

"Ah, it's Seok-jin, he's arrived. I'm going to go find him, see you later, Min-soo." Nam-joon said as he ran off back to the entrance.

Min-soo was suddenly alone and took this opportunity to grab himself a sandwich off of a tray being carried around by a nearby waiter. It was essentially a buffet, but people did not really come to fill their stomach with food, they came to fill their minds with gossip.

Just as he finished his sandwich, Min-soo saw Hyun-woo walk over, "Already found your sister?"

"Yes, she is doing quite well it seems. In fact, she is 5 months pregnant, they don't want to find out the gender until it's birth."

"Congratulations on being an uncle. You should have spent some more time with her." Min-soo admonished gently.

"No need. She promised to come visit and inform my parents of her pregnancy next week." Hyun-woo responded proudly.

"Very well. Hyun-woo, you might as well take the week off. Spend time with your sister." Min-soo offered.

"Young Master, I don't think that is necessary…" Hyun-woo began.

"Just take it." Min-soo interrupted impatiently.

"Thank you. Young Master." Hyun-woo bowed in acceptance.

"Oh, Hyun-woo, I would like you to find someone for me. There is a person about a year or two younger than me, his name is Kim Tae-hyung and he is working as a waiter tonight. I think he is well suited to be an idol. When he gets off work, could you find him and ask if he's interested?"

"I will do my best." Hyun-woo accepted. He had a few questions, but he decided it was better not to ask, at least not here. He then headed off in the direction of the kitchen, he would do some digging first.

With that off his mind, Min-soo relaxed but unfortunately for him, at that time the speakers were activated, and a voice came booming through.

"All guests, thank you for attending our Ji-eun's 18th birthday. Would you please assemble outside, on the eastern side of the house, out on the courtyard, for a firework show? Thank you."

Min-soo got up and following the other guests made his way over to the eastern courtyard. It was already almost half-past eight and the brilliant night sky was illuminated by the full moon. It was rather beautiful in itself.

Min-soo was flagged down by his Grandmother and pulled along towards the front. The courtyard was large enough to fit all two hundred guests comfortably and then some.

All of a sudden, the crowd broke out into song and began singing happy birthday. The crowd split into two and out of the house came Ji-eun. Dressed in a simple, light blue formal dress, Min-soo could not take his eyes off her.

But carried along by the cheerful and boisterous atmosphere Min-soo joined in the singing. As if she had prepared for this moment all of her life, Ji-eun strode down the aisle confidently and with a bright smile.

It seemed more like a runway and Ji-eun, the model, was making her presence known. Min-soo could see quite a few jealous women in the crowds and of course, there were the odd creeps with suspect gazes. Min-soo made a note to remember their faces and names.

Everyone here were people of importance, at least those that were not the plus ones. Fortunately, none of them were stupid enough to cause any commotions to detract from Ji-eun's happy occasion. If they had, Min-soo was not too sure how he would have reacted. Without a doubt he would not have treated them well.

Min-soo was brought back from his dark thoughts by a gently smiling face before him. Ji-eun had made her way over to him, of all people. Just as he was going to wish her a happy birthday, Min-soo was unceremoniously pushed to the side by his Grandmother.

"Ji-eun-ah, you're so pretty. Very beautiful. I wish you a very happy birthday. 18 already."

"Thank you, Aunty Lee." Ji-eun replied bashfully.

"Ah, you know how to flatter an old woman like me, calling me an Aunty." Min-soo's Grandma laughed cheerfully.

"Alright, alright, stop hogging my daughter. Everyone, thank you for attending my dear daughter's eighteenth birthday. Since I have you all here, we might as well cut the cake." Aunty Shin interrupted his Grandmother, before making the announcement.

The doors once again opened, and a waiter wheeled out a massive white chocolate mudcake. It was expertly decorated with various edible arrangements. They were followed after by ten waiters pushing carts of utensils, plates and refreshments for the guests.

Min-soo spotted Tae-hyung among them. During this time, he failed to notice how the crowd had backed off slightly and were watching Ji-eun cut the cake. The knife cut straight through to the bottom and a cheeky member of the crowd seeing this immediately shouted out, "The knife touched the bottom, you have to kiss the closest male!"

Soon the youngsters in the crowd murmured along in agreement, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" they chanted.

The more mature among them only shook their heads at the antics of their youngers but nonetheless watched with avid interest.

It was only then that Min-soo realised that he was the male in question, and he looked up in shock.

Min-soo felt that the voice sounded eerily familiar, he suspected the culprit was none other than Kim Nam-joon. He would have to follow him up on that.

Ji-eun was suddenly put on the spot and blushed in embarrassment, Aunty Shin seeing this situation, wisely stepped up and suggested something less intimate but equally entertaining. "How about a dance instead?"

"Dance! Dance! Dance!" the youngsters quickly chanted in agreement.

Min-soo knew that this was where he should step up, "Miss Lee Ji-eun, happy eighteenth birthday. Would you honour me with a dance?"