♯ 재시작。

"I'm more than good, I'm great at them."  That smirk catches his eye from his periphery and he's sure they were back on track. "I can't wait to hear that acknowledgement. My ears are fucking ringing from excitement," he says with sarcasm, pulling over on one of the parking spots in front of the apartment complex. Being considerate over that situation she had back there at the mansion, he looked around, checking the side mirrors for any signs of suspicious vehicles that may have followed them on the way. "Do you think the coast's clear? Do you have like a stalker or something? I mean, I didn't want to pry, but since you're bound to go out again and be seen by the outside world–but what the fuck was that all about."

It was something she was used to, however, speaking to strangers from time to time. She didn’t find it awkward at all that there was someone else in the room as she grew up with changing servants from day to day, rarely seeing her own family since they were always so ‘busy’. The soft strumming filling in the void as she stops– then starts playing again as if she was having intervals just incase he spoke. 

In her mind, she probably didn’t need to introduce herself. Arrogant as it may sound, many people have come to know her father’s deeds, good and bad, that she may even be in the picture. She just needed to show her face and people just seem to know that this lady is the daughter of a rich man. But her kind morals speak otherwise, saying that she should be polite. “I’m sorry- I haven’t introduced myself, my name is Ch-” she stops halfway, self reminding that it was probably best not to lay out which family she came from. “Sooyoung.” she nods firmly, her formal tone being careful as she didn’t know who he was, maybe he’s older? Or younger? Maybe another new business partner, an under cover muckraker, a one-time friend? who knew? 

"So it was you?" Soon enough, her actions revealed the answer as he entered the room with her. "You sound good, trust me," he says as a compliment, being it a means of gratitude that she let him be her sole audience this evening. He wonders if she was part of the orchestra for the charity event downstairs. But then again, those musicians weren't supposed to roam around because they still had that gala to play for over the course of tonight's dinner.

It was a rare occasion for Sooyoung to be out and about with her family and when it does happen, it was so grand that it may end up on the news. Another charity event for her to be adorned with jewels to show that she was the daughter and a potential heiress of one of the high business tycoons in the market– meaning she was an important figure. 

Despite the lavish lifestyle, however, she didn’t favor being around the same class she’s suppose to be in to. Typical cliche that there’s a rebellious one in the family but Sooyoung hated the idea of pretending to be kind just for the sake of business. But she needed to put up an image so her parents didn’t put her aside. 

Momentarily excusing herself from the crowds of false smiles and talks of business deals, she roams in the halls of the host’s mansion and settles in a music room. Much to her dismay, there were no orchestral instruments so she picks up a guitar and sits on a stool by the window, strumming a tune softly as she mindlessly watched a flock of suits and gowns below. Her staring was only broken once she heard footsteps coming, thinking it might be a guard that would be announcing she shouldn’t be there. She puts the guitar back where it was and heads her way back, only to stop her tracks once she almost collided with someone by the door. 

“Oh- forgive me, I wasn’t looking-” it was true, she wasnt, she was more distracted by the way her gown sparkled against the marble floor. Her voice was tired, but gentle enough for a sincere concern. “Are you alright?” 

That was what they dubbed him as, automatically hearing the sounds of music blaring off and glasses or bottles clinking in addition to the euphoric bliss of being the center of attention—five years ago. But he grew tired of it after a time, finding it less and less interesting as time had passed with a routine that wasn’t exactly so healthy. Waking up at noon, working until whatever time the job gets done or he, himself, feels done with it all before hitting up the best bar or the next popular club around Gangnam to drink his stress away, sleep with a few casuals within a week, then finally, some sleep. And then he repeats. It had already become a vicious cycle that consumed his very being, but his job was still his job and he was still loving it. He shed off some vices in the past and it helped, but at times, he would find himself crawling back to that lifestyle. Tonight though.

Tonight was an exception.

This was a different type of party, completely foreign in his palate though he’s been exposed to such here and there. Donghae tried to test out the waters if this environment was good for him; to be surrounded with business tycoons and fashions moguls that seemed to give a damn with just about an ounce of a rise in the stock market’s latest update.

‘I need some fucking air’, he thought as he slowly slipped away and vanished from the small circle he was trying to keep a conversation with. They wouldn’t notice him, no not at all. It was his friend in the industry that held the spotlight in there, since he was the one who acquired an envied stock in one of Samsung’s investments. He was just a shadow, a friend who was equally accomplished, but in a field that wasn’t as interesting in the eyes of the rich.

He found himself scrambling amongst the rooms, in search of a terrace, an empty smoking area or even just a spacious bathroom where he could give his face a good wash because he was bored as heck. But just as he was about to reach a fire exit, his ears had caught a warm acoustic rhythm that was worthy enough to make his head turn. Being a record producer, his ears had been gifted with that sensitive sense of hearing. Now, he wasn’t imagining things. He was sure it came from one of the doors around him, his instincts pointing out to the nearest one on his left. 'Fuck me if this place is haunted’, he thought as he opened the door. His chest had met the shoulder of a slender woman’s, a collision that left him stepping back, wide-eyed and wondering. “I—yeah. I’m good.” Wide eyes met his and he had to scratch his head to seem less intrusive and awkward. “Did you… did you happen to hear someone playing awhile ago? I could’ve sworn I heard something. It seemed good.”