Birthday gifts.

Since Yo-han knew nothing about the troubles Min Corporation had been facing recently, he conveniently planned a birthday surprise.

Since the day Na-Gil and the guys came back from the sport arena, Yo-han noticed they had been less talkative. Even the loquacious Won-Shik managed not to talk much. He felt like they were definitely trying to hide something from him. 'Perhaps she is seeing someone already.' that was his hunch.

His suspicion made it difficult for him to want to go to the birthday party. He could only send his well wishes. To his surprise, the brothers also did not plan on forcing him to come along. That's unusual. He knew that something is off but he decided to not ponder much on it.

Whatever it is, she would be his after tonight afterall.

He sat in his study looking at the window behind his desk. He relaxed on the swivel chair as he watched the stars and a soothing vinyl record plays at a corner of the room which lightens the mood. It was a song by his mom's favorite Classical Musician Elaina Kwon. The song was so perfect for his mood and it compliments the view of the starry night.

He checked his watch for the time and by now the party should have sailed halfway. "She should be getting the surprise in a while."

He rose from the chair and stood by the window to savour the fresh air. He flipped the white thigh length jacket that covered his casual white round necked top and pants to the back and rested his hands on his waist as he peered into the distance.

_

To celebrate Choi Dan-Bi's twenty third birthday and a welcome home after five years, the Choi family paid a lot of attention to the preparations. They even rented a whole floor at Sun's hotels HQ with rooms for some of the important guests to stay at before and after the event.

It wasn't just an ordinary birthday party, it was... flamboyant.

A young boy shuffled between the many figures in suits and evening dresses looking for a particular someone but when he couldn't, he rushed to the celebrant's room to ask.

The fair lady sat in front of the dressing mirror while the stylist and makeup artist tend to her. She was dressed in a long red evening dress. She clutched her phone with her hand and held unto her dress tightly with the other hand. She seemed to be nervous.

"Sis, where is brother Yo-Han?" Choi Dae-Jung asked immediately he entered the room. He walked up to Dan-bi and saw the change in her expression the moment he mentioned that name.

Dan-Bi looked at his direction and said. "Isn't he your brother?, How am I to know if you don't?, Is No-Eul here?" She sounded glum and her expression seem to darken at first but she brightened at the mention of No-Eul.

"...Here I am girlfriend" No-Eul announced her arrival as she walked into the dressing room. Behind her were the Kim Brothers.

The three who just walked in had gift bags with them and after greeting Dan-bi, they passed the gifts to her.

No-Eul went first and passed hers and Kim Do-Hyun's gift. It was a box with a small note on it. She placed it on the table and thanked them so much.

Kim Do-Joon went next and gave a small wrapped box, almost only 10cm in length to Dan-bi, accompanied with a bright smile.

"Happy birthday Dan-bi." He said and passed the box. "I don't know if you would like the gift, open it to see." He added bashfully.

Dan-Bi threw him a smile and unwrapped the box. She placed the box on the table and gently opened it. Inside it was a necklace, one that glisten under the bright chandelier.

"Is it beautiful?" Asked Kim Do-Joon as he watched her. She nodded her head and commented how pretty the diamond is. Her eyes glistened just like the diamonds and her praises tugged a string in his heart. He felt an overwhelming joy when her sweet voice played in his ears and a confident smile assumed his face.

Dae-Jung watched the scene closely and he was beginning to get infuriated. He sneered at Kim Do-Joon and for the first time since they arrived, he spoke. "It's not beautiful, the necklace looks cheap. Give it to the maids when we get back." He said to Dan-Bi.

His words caught all their attentions and even the stylist and makeup artist spun their heads around to look at him. They had all ignored his presence and focused solely on Dan-bi up until now.

"Dae-Jung what's wrong with you why will you say such a thing?" No-Eul said beratingly.

"It's rude to say such ..." Dan-Bi also tried to chide him but he cut her off almost immediately.

"I am only telling the truth." He turned to Do-Joon. "Ugly uncle, why did you give my sister a necklace. Are you trying to court her?, You know you can't stand a chance against her boyfriend don't you?"

His words stunned everyone of them and Do-Joon himself was left speechless for a while.

'Ugly Uncle???'. He turned to Dan-Bi, to Dae-Jung and back to Dan-bi. "Who is he?"

"I am her brother, Choi Dae-Jung." The lad replied before Dan-bi got the chance to speak.

Do-Joon walked over to Dae-Jung and said. " Young Man, this face here is not ugly, it's the finest you can find. Hmm?, Also is there a problem with courting your sister?, Don't involve yourself in adults business, okay??" His voice was quite scary but it had no effect on the lad.

"Tch, You are just boasting whereas your face can't compare to mine, not to mention brother Yo-Han's." He turned to Dan-Bi and said. "Why are you seeing this ugly uncle, when did your taste become this bad? So embarrassing." Dae-Jung spoke bluntly and showed his dissatisfaction of Kim Do-Joon frankly.

He marched out of the room after hissing at Kim Do-Joon.

The room tensed up immediately the lad left and everything became awkward.

"I...I... Am very sorry." Dan-Bi managed to give an apology. She bowed her head in embarrassment as the stylist and makeup artist rushed to conclude their work. She could not bear to look at anyone of them in the eye, in short she felt bad.

"It's okay, he is just a young lad." Kim Do-Joon said and stepped out of the room.

Though he said it was okay, every one knew he only wanted to overlook the insult because of Dan-bi. Moreover it's her birthday, he should not do anything rash. He was only giving Dan-bi face. She was nervous earlier, now she was also feeling guilty.

"I will deal with that idiot, why is he siding with Yo-han?, Those fellow are really brothers." No-Eul said as she pulled Kim Do-Hyun out of the room to follow after Do-Joon.

Though Dan-Bi felt bad for Kim Do-Joon, she couldn't change what had happened. This useless nephew of hers is soo... How should she even describe him?.

Unfortunately, the two who just had a confrontation are cousins, unknown to them, only Dan-bi understood.

To make Kim Do-Joon feel better, Dan-bi decided to wear the necklace. She stood and walked elegantly after her makeup and hair was done. She made an astonishing impression when she entered into the celebration hall and caught a lot of attention, afterall they were celebrating her so she had the spotlight.

She wasn't just the Choi family princess but also CEO of Ant Animations hence she had a lot of greeting to do with people in the business circle. She also received lots of presents.

After walking round the hall receiving gifts, she was heading back to take a sit when a little girl dressed in Cinderella gown tugged at her dress.

She peered down at the kid and asked. "Pretty little girl, what do you want me to do for you?" Her voice was very friendly and it made the kid smile.

The little girl brought forth her hands from behind her back and pointed to the window in front of her at a range. Dan-Bi followed the girls hands with her eyes and fixed her gaze to the window, questioning what the girl was trying to say to her.

Just when she was about to look back at the girl, the girl said, " Don't look away."

Dan-Bi obeyed the little girl and fixed her gaze on the window. Just then, something flew up into the sky and caught her attention. It was a firework, no several fireworks began to light up the night sky.

She hurriedly ran to the window to gaze out to have a clear view of the sky. Her movements also drew attentions of several other people who followed her actions but didn't move too close to her.

It was as if hundred of fireworks went off at the same time and lit up the sky, making the scene so beautiful.

She savoured the scene gladly and happiness struck her and she let go of her nervousness immediately. She stretched her neck out of the window to see and enjoy more of the view.

For the first time throughout the night, a sincere and happy smile painted her face and it was undeniable that her joy surged higher in her heart.

Just before the fireworks stopped, the little girl tugged at her dress again and passed her a note. She immediately unfolded the note and read the words.

"Am a stranger from a faraway land.

I met a beautiful damsel and I yearned for her for so long,

but because I am only a servant in her father's house,

I only get to see her face and I smile secretly to my self.

I mistakenly stepped on her foot one day as I walked in the busy streets of the emperor's market,

Oh dear lord she was furious at me and I felt so bad.

I wanted to apologise but I wasn't sure how to.

Scared to come up into your castle for I could not bear to show my face, a lowly servant that I am.

I wait patiently at the foot of the stairs to your large castle,

with my head bowed to the ground feeling sincerely apologetic..."

"Dear Lady Choi, A young man stands at the last floor of this building waiting for you." The Little girl said with her tiny childish voice and placed a bouquet of roses in Dan-bi's hands and walked away.