CHAPTER EIGHT POINT ONE

"You're late," Hye Jin teased, her eyes glinting with mischief as Oner slid into the back row of the wedding hall, hoping his entrance went unnoticed.

"Traffic," he muttered, adjusting his tie. The air buzzed with excitement, and as his gaze swept the room, he took in the elegant blend of cultures. Delicate white cherry blossoms framed the aisle, while plush velvet chairs mingled with traditional Korean cushions. Women in vibrant hanboks floated gracefully alongside men in sleek barong Tagalogs, the fusion of Korean and Filipino traditions creating a warm, festive atmosphere.

"Didn't you say you needed to talk to someone?" Hye Jin leaned in closer, her voice a conspiratorial whisper.

"Yeah… if I can find her. She didn't answer my calls or replied to my texts. And a week has already passed," he replied, tugging at his collar. His stomach knotted at the thought of facing Khynny after the incident. Nerves twisted inside him like a tangled cord; he hadn't expected to see her here.

The ceremony unfolded, the bride—his cousin Seo Yeon—radiating joy in her traditional hanbok. Oner couldn't help but smile. The groom, Marcus, tall and affable, stood relaxed, effortlessly charming everyone around him. It was the kind of wedding that felt familial, full of lighthearted teasing and shared smiles.

As Marcus and Seo Yeon exchanged vows, his Tagalog mingling sweetly with her soft-spoken Korean, laughter erupted when he stumbled over a word, igniting chuckles throughout the crowd.

"You're in luck; she's here somewhere," Hye Jin whispered again, tapping his arm and subtly pointing toward the front. "But be warned. Her entire family is here too."

His breath caught when he spotted her—Khynny, seated with her family, her dark hair catching the soft golden light filtering in through the windows. She looked stunning in her deep maroon gown, the color highlighting her radiant dark complexion. The way she laughed at something her brother whispered made his heart ache, her joy infectious.

As the ceremony ended and guests spilled into the reception, Oner plotted his approach. He needed a moment to gather himself—apologizing had never been his strong suit.

The reception hall buzzed with laughter and chatter. Long tables boasted a delicious fusion of Korean and Filipino dishes: bibimbap nestled beside lechon, bulgogi paired with pancit. The air was rich with the mingling aromas, tempting and vibrant. Oner navigated through the crowd, shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries, but his gaze was magnetically drawn back to Khynny, who stood beside the groom, laughter lighting up her features.

Beside Marcus stood Kyrht Mhndz, Khynny's older brother, the chief legal officer of their family's construction empire and the groom's best friend. He exuded confidence, his well-groomed appearance commanding respect. The two men shared an easy rapport, their laughter echoing even to Oner's ears across the room.

"Ah, remember that time you followed Langga around like a lost puppy?" Kyrht grinned, his voice playful and teasing. "I'm surprised you ever had time for anything else."

Marcus groaned dramatically, rubbing the back of his neck. "Come on, that was ages ago. I was… what, fifteen?"

Kyrht laughed. "Oh, fifteen and hopelessly smitten. If it weren't for us, you'd probably have been sitting outside her window with a guitar."

"That's an image," Khyrby, one of the younger Cuenca brothers, chimed in, mimicking air guitar chords. "Marcus, the serenading Romeo."

Laughter erupted, and Marcus shook his head, clearly taking the teasing in stride. "Alright, alright. Yes, I had a crush on Khy, but it was strictly platonic. I've always been like a brother to her." He shot a glance at Khynny, who sipped her drink, amusement dancing in her eyes.

Oner observed quietly, feeling oddly comforted by the lightheartedness. The bond between these families was palpable—years of memories, playful jabs, and unwavering respect. He could see why Marcus felt at home with the Cuenca siblings; they had a way of making everyone feel like they belonged.

"And what about that disaster during prom?" Kyrht smirked, his tone both affectionate and teasing. "Remember when you knocked over the punch bowl trying to ask her to dance?"

Marcus groaned again, eyes wide with mock horror. "Why are we bringing that up now? It was one dance!"

"One dance that you tripped over," Khyrby added, a grin spreading across his face. "Ate had to drag you off the floor before you drowned in punch."

Laughter grew, and even Khynny couldn't suppress her giggles any longer. "It wasn't that bad," she interjected, finally joining the banter. "But I'll admit, it was pretty hilarious."

Marcus threw up his hands in defeat. "Fine! You win. But in my defense, I've been nothing but smooth since then."

Kyrht raised an eyebrow. "Smooth enough to marry Seo Yeon? I'll give you that."

Oner's ears perked up. His cousin, the bride, had always been close with the Cuenca family, but he hadn't realized how deep their ties ran. The playful teasing over Marcus's old crush was one thing, but hearing the deeper layers of their friendships made his heart ache a little more.

Khynny tilted her head slightly, her smile fading as the conversation shifted to a more serious tone. "But jokes aside," Kyrht continued, glancing at Marcus, "we really appreciate everything you've done for Langga during this heist mess. Keeping her safe, expediting the investigation, pulling strings with Han—it didn't go unnoticed."

Marcus shrugged modestly. "It's nothing. She's family, and I've known her for longer than I've known myself. When I heard what went down, I had to do something. Couldn't just stand by while Khy got dragged into that chaos."

A brief silence fell over the group, laughter fading into quiet reflection. Oner's chest tightened as he listened. He hadn't realized how deep this situation ran. Hearing it now from Marcus, who had actively protected her, made everything feel more urgent.

Kyrht gave Marcus a firm pat on the back. "Han told me there are still threats circling. We've got our security in place, but it's reassuring to know you've got eyes on her too."

Marcus nodded, his face serious. "I'll keep working with Han and his team. Seol Ji Won's case is tied to bigger players, but we've got leads. It's all about staying vigilant now."

The mention of Ji Won stirred something in Oner. His ex had been at the heart of the mess, and his tangled emotions had only added to the chaos. But knowing Khynny had real, loyal support from people like Marcus and her brothers both relieved him and made him confront how misplaced his jealousy had been.

Khynny, ever the diplomat, offered Marcus a small smile. "You've always had my back, Mak-Mak. I appreciate it, really."

Marcus grinned sheepishly. "It's the least I could do, Khy."

Warmth radiated from their group—the care and history binding them together. Oner stood there, still silent, feeling like an outsider despite his own family being nearby.

He hadn't realized just how interconnected Khynny's world was with his own. The playful jabs about Marcus's old crush were one thing, but hearing how they had each other's backs—it made Oner's heart ache a little more.

These were the people she'd grown up with, trusted, leaned on. They'd kept her safe through thick and thin. And here he was, barely able to manage his own emotions without running away.

His resolve hardened.

He had to make things right with her—not out of fear of losing her to her family's closeness, but because he now understood how much she deserved someone who stood beside her without faltering.