CHAPTER EIGHT POINT TWO

"Hey, you're going to bore a hole in the wall if you keep staring like that," Hye Jin teased, nudging Oner with her elbow as she sauntered by. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. "Come on, you've never seen her with people before?"

Oner blinked, momentarily disoriented. "I wasn't staring," he mumbled, though he knew he was lying to himself.

"Right." Hye Jin's smirk deepened. "Well, just so you know, Apa and Eomma have been watching you watch her. It's like a drama playing out over there." She gestured to where their parents sat, clearly entertained.

Oner glanced over. His father's sharp gaze felt like a spotlight, while his mother's warm smile held a hint of knowing amusement. "Oh great, what now?" he muttered under his breath, straightening as his father motioned him over.

"Go on," Hye Jin urged, her tone teasing. "It's not like you can avoid them forever. Besides, you might get some decent advice for once."

With a resigned sigh, Oner walked toward his parents. His father wasted no time, his voice low but firm. "So, that's her, huh?"

"Her?" Oner asked, his pulse quickening.

"The woman you've been mooning over these past few weeks," his father said, eyes narrowing slightly, a smirk teasing at the corners of his mouth. "Why are you shocked? Just because I don't directly ask about your whereabouts doesn't mean I don't know. I have my resources; don't forget that." He leaned in, his gaze sharp. "Doctor Cuenca, right? The one you're interested in?"

Heat crept up Oner's neck. He wasn't used to his father being so direct about his personal life. "Yeah… that's her."

"Impressive," his father remarked, his lips twitching into what might have been a smile. "Smart, confident, comes from a good family. From what I overheard, she can hold her own."

"She's incredible," Oner admitted, the weight of the words settling heavily on his chest. He didn't say things like that often, but with Khynny, it felt like an understatement.

His father nodded, contemplation in his gaze. "So, what's your plan? Because from where I'm sitting, you've got a lot of work to do if you want to be the kind of man worthy of someone like her."

Oner blinked, surprise washing over him. "I know I need to make things right. I messed up."

"Messing up isn't the issue," his father replied, leaning back, fingers steepled. "It's how you handle things afterward. Anyone can walk away when it gets tough. The real question is: are you willing to be someone she can rely on? She already has plenty of people looking out for her. You'll need to prove you're not just another guy who can't handle the weight."

His father's words hit Oner like a blow to the gut. He opened his mouth, the words swirling in his mind, but couldn't quite articulate them. His father was right; it stung.

"I need to do better," Oner finally said, his voice steady. "And I will."

His father studied him, the weight of the moment heavy in the air. Then, unexpectedly, he smiled. "Good. Start now. Quit waiting for the perfect moment to make things right. You'll never get it."

Just as Oner was about to respond, his mother, who had been listening quietly, placed a gentle hand on her husband's arm. "You're being too harsh on him, dear." She turned to Oner, her voice softening. "We trust you, Hyeon Jun. You'll figure it out. Just be honest with her. The rest will come."

Her words washed over him like a balm, and for the first time that day, Oner felt a flicker of hope. His mother had a way of knowing exactly what he needed without making it feel like pressure.

"Thanks, Eomma," he murmured, a small smile breaking through.

She smiled back, her eyes crinkling. "Now go. Don't let the opportunity slip by."

Oner took a deep breath, purpose flooding him as he stood. His father's challenge loomed heavy, but his mother's faith in him gave him the courage he needed.

Before he could take another step, his father's voice called after him one last time. "Remember, Hyeon Jun—being a good man isn't about never making mistakes. It's about owning up to them and doing better next time."

Oner nodded, the words sinking in deeper than he expected. He cast one last glance at his parents before turning toward the reception hall, his mind clear for the first time in days.

It was time to stop hiding. Time to make things right with Khynny, no matter how vulnerable it made him feel.

With renewed determination, Oner scanned the room. Khynny was still chatting with her brothers, her laughter illuminating the space around her. She was the center of her world, and he wanted nothing more than to be part of it.

Steeling himself, he started toward her. But before he could reach her, a ripple of excitement surged through the reception hall. His cousin, Seo Yeon, was making her way from table to table, laughter spilling from her lips as she introduced guests to her new family.

Oner froze, watching as Seo Yeon approached Khynny's table, all smiles and warmth. This was the formal introduction—the moment when their worlds collided—and neither Seo Yeon nor his family knew of the shared history between him, Hye Jin, and Khynny.

His heart raced, palms clammy. Hye Jin shot him a warning glance, her eyebrow raised in playful caution. She shook her head, urging him not to interfere.

Seo Yeon's cheerful voice rang out as she clasped hands with Kyrht, who introduced himself as Khynny's brother and the groom's best friend. "I'm so glad to meet all of you! Marcus has told me so much about your family."

Mariposa Cuenca, the matriarch smiled warmly. "The pleasure is all ours, dear. It's a beautiful wedding, and we're honored to be here."

Karlo Cuenca, the patriarch nodded, his usually stoic demeanor softening. "Marcus is practically family. Great to finally meet you, Seo Yeon."

Seo Yeon's eyes sparkled with appreciation. "And who's this?" She turned to Khynny. "Marcus mentioned you're the genius professor, already a doctor in archaeology at 28. You're the only girl in the family, right?"

Oner's stomach twisted. He half-hoped the earth would swallow him whole before this conversation continued.

Khynny's smile was warm. "Yes, I'm Khynny Myggz. It's a lovely wedding. Congratulations."

"Thank you!" Seo Yeon clasped Khynny's hand, her face lighting up further. "I've always admired professors. You must have so many fascinating stories!"

Khynny chuckled. "I do, yes. History and archaeology are full of surprises."

"Oh, I bet! I'd love to hear them sometime," Seo Yeon continued. She paused, glancing over at her own family. "Speaking of family, I should introduce you to ours! Come, I want you to meet everyone."

Oner's heart raced. He watched helplessly as Seo Yeon led the Cuenca family toward their table. Hye Jin's expression mirrored his anxiety as she braced for impact.

As they approached, Seo Yeon was already making introductions. "This is my uncle and aunt, Mr. Hyeun Woo and Mrs. Eun Ji Moon."

The Cuencas and Moons exchanged polite greetings, warmth mingling with formality. But Oner could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. The real bomb was about to drop.

"And these are my cousins—Hyeon Jun and Hye Jin," Seo Yeon said, smiling brightly. "Hyeon Jun's one of the top esports players in Korea, and Hye Jin's an engineering genius."

Oner and Hye Jin stood to greet the Cuenca family, movements stiff with the weight of anticipation. Khynny's expression shifted to polite interest—until her eyes locked with Oner's.

Recognition flickered in her gaze, surprise momentarily overtaking her. But she quickly regained her composure, keeping her expression neutral. Oner struggled to maintain his own, the apology he'd rehearsed for days stuck in his throat.

Hye Jin, quick as ever, stepped forward to shake hands with Kyrht and Khynny as if it were their first meeting. "It's so nice to meet you all," she said brightly, masking the tension in the air. "I've heard a lot about your family from Marcus."

"Yes," Kyrht replied, shaking her hand, his gaze flicking between her and Oner, curiosity glinting in his eyes. "It's great to meet you too. Marcus and I go way back."

Oner finally extended his hand to Kyrht, feeling a mix of relief and nervousness. "Nice to meet you," he said, his tone as neutral as possible.

"And you must be the famous jungler of T1. The Owner of the Rift," Kyrht remarked, smiling.

"My brothers have been talking about your team for a while. Impressive stuff."

Oner nodded, his eyes darting briefly to Khynny. She stood just behind Kyrht, her gaze steady yet unreadable. His heart raced, and the weight of the moment hung heavy in the air.

As laughter swirled around them and the warm atmosphere enveloped the room, Seo Yeon's eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait a minute!" She clapped her hands, the sound cutting through the chatter. "Khyrby Myx! You're the famous singer! I've heard your songs!"

Khyrby gave a modest smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm flattered, but famous is a bit of a stretch."

"No, no!" Seo Yeon insisted, practically bouncing with excitement. "You have to perform for us! It's my wedding, and hearing you live would be amazing!"

Khyrby chuckled, already sensing where this was headed. "I don't know if this is the right time—"

"Oh, it is!" Seo Yeon interrupted. "Please! And since you're here with your brothers and sister, you can do a family performance! I'm a huge Disney fan—can you do a medley for us?"

A collective groan erupted from the Cuenca siblings, especially from Khynny. "Oh no, not Disney," she muttered, shaking her head.

But before any of them could refuse, their mother, Mariposa, who had been quietly listening, chimed in with a gentle but commanding tone, the echo of her opera singer past clear in her voice. "Children, this is a special occasion. Seo Yeon has made a request, and as guests, it would be rude not to oblige."

Khyrby sighed, casting a glance at his brothers. "Looks like we don't have a choice."

Kyrht Mhndz, the most composed of the Cuenca siblings, smirked. "Fine, but only if Khynny sings with us. No escaping this time, Langga."

Khynny groaned. "Why do I always get dragged into these things?" But she caught the sparkle in her mother's eyes, a glimmer of excitement. Music was their second language, woven into their very being. There was no way she was getting out of this.

Mariposa smiled warmly. "Your voice is a gift, my dear. Now go on and perform."

Khyrby shook his head with a grin. "Alright, folks, I guess you're getting a Cuenca family special!" He gestured to his brothers to gather their instruments, and Khynyth, Kyrht, Khyvhn, and Kydyhr quickly set up. Khynny took a deep breath, nerves bubbling in her stomach as she joined Khyrby at the makeshift stage.

As the Cuenca siblings finished setting up, Khyrby adjusted the microphone with a playful grin. "Alright, Seo Yeon, you wanted Disney, and you're getting Disney. But since this is a special day, we'll give you a medley of our favorites—with a twist."

He strummed a few experimental chords on his guitar as Kyrht set the tone with a soft piano intro. The room fell silent, anticipation thick in the air. Khynny, standing beside Khyrby, felt a rush of warmth mixed with nerves.

"Let's hope we don't butcher this. It's been a while since I last held a mic and no practice, either," she muttered, loud enough for the front row to hear, prompting a few chuckles.

Then the music began, starting with a soft rendition of "A Whole New World" from Aladdin. Khyrby's smooth voice carried the melody, and Khynny's harmonies floated effortlessly alongside his. Guests swayed gently, enchanted by their seamless blend.

As the medley transitioned into "How Far I'll Go" from Moana, the energy picked up. Khynny took the lead, her voice rich and clear, hitting every note with precision. Krhyz and Khyvyn on bass and lead guitars, Kyrht adding gentle flourishes on the piano, Khynyth with the violin, and Kydyhr's drums grounded the performance.

The guests were captivated, but the real showstopper came when the opening notes of "Into the Unknown" from Frozen 2 echoed through the room.

Khyrby took a step forward, nudging Khynny playfully. "This one's all you, Langga."

With a mock groan, Khynny launched into the powerful, haunting melody. Her voice soared, high notes ringing out across the hall, sending a chill through the audience. As she reached the iconic chorus, Khyrby joined in with a deeper harmony, adding intensity to the performance.

"Into the unkn-oooown!" Khynny belted, her voice effortlessly climbing to stunning heights.

The room held its breath, utterly captivated. Even Oner, mesmerized from the start, felt a shiver run down his spine. He couldn't tear his eyes away from her—her presence on stage, her voice, her confidence. It was like witnessing a new side of her, deepening his admiration.

As the song reached its climactic end, Khynny's and Khyrby's voices blended perfectly, echoing the haunting refrain one last time. The siblings brought the medley to a close with soft, harmonious chords, the room silent in awe before erupting into thunderous applause.

Oner's parents looked visibly impressed, his mother's hand resting on her chest in wonder. "I didn't know she had such a powerful voice," Mrs. Moon whispered.

"Neither did I," Hye Jin added, eyes wide. "She's incredible."

Oner, listening intently, leaned in toward Hye Jin. "This family is something else. I see why they're so close-knit. If you truly want someone like her, Hyeon Jun, you're going to have to step up."

Oner didn't respond, but his gaze never left Khynny. His father's words hung in the air, a challenge and a reminder that if he wanted to be part of her world, he had to prove his worth.

As the applause finally began to die down, Khyrby took a bow, grinning from ear to ear. "Thank you, everyone! And thank you, Seo Yeon, for making us do this. I can honestly say it's been a while since we've had a family performance like that."

Khynny, still catching her breath, gave a sheepish smile. "You owe me, Seo Yeon," she joked.

Seo Yeon, clapping enthusiastically from the head table, beamed. "That was beyond amazing! You guys just made my wedding even more magical."

As the Cuenca siblings stepped down from the stage, they were met with praise from family and friends alike. Mrs. Cuenca enveloped her children in a warm embrace. "You all did beautifully, as expected. You made your father and me very proud."

As the evening settled back into celebration, Oner's thoughts swirled. Watching Khynny on stage, surrounded by her brothers, their family dynamic so strong and natural, gave him fresh perspective. She wasn't just the woman he admired—she was part of something larger, something he wanted to understand and be a part of.

His family exchanged knowing glances, aware that something had shifted. The connection between Khynny and Oner had deepened, and it was clear that this woman, seamlessly woven into their lives and hearts, was special.

For Oner, the performance solidified what he already knew: Khynny was extraordinary. She wasn't just a talented genius—she was warm, grounded, and deeply connected to the people who mattered most to her. That was exactly what he wanted. Now, more than ever, he was determined to make things right between them.

As they moved through the dwindling crowd, Oner's heart raced. He could still hear the echo of Khynny's voice, the way it resonated deep within him, a promise of what could be. He had to find her, to express everything left unsaid. This was just the beginning of their story.