Chapter 28
The blinding flash of media cameras and the heavy scent of expensive jasmine perfume dominated the exclusive venue. It was Sunday night, and the International Fashion Gala was indisputably the epicenter of the entertainment world's attention.Everywhere was filled to maximum capacity with large amounts of people watching the event unfold, and reporters were frantically taking pictures and recording every single detail. On the red carpet, each model cat-walked with hypnotic grace, showcasing avant-garde designer dresses that flowed behind them like rivers of silk.At a private VIP table, Paige was seen seated, wearing a very expensive, custom-tailored red glowing dining gown with her makeup and hair done beautifully.
Beside her was her assistant, Miss Choi Yoon Seo, dressed in a pink dinner gown stoned with silver butterflies. She is looking beautiful, the intricate details catching the flashing lights.Many people who recognized Paige as a famous actress who is engaged to one of the famous K-pop stars, Lee Dae, started screaming on top of their voices for Paige to notice them. Paige smiled at them and waved at them, making them scream louder.
Soon, Mrs. Park, Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Kim, and Mrs. Seo all cat-walked towards the red carpet, and the crowd uproared into a louder scream. The four most richest and famous mothers of the K-pop stars and the actress were on the same carpet, looking fabulously gorgeous in the same dressing style in different colors. Their designer dresses were the latest, yet-unreleased collection, and today was the show day. Rich women who were watching the event fell in love with the designer dresses and started contacting the designer company that is owned by the three mothers of the K-pop stars. Mrs. Park was recently added after the engagement of Paige and Lee Dae.
They are so beautiful!""How can God create such wonderful and beautiful women?"
Far away from the glamorous venue, inside her own home, Lucy was completely detached from the high-society madness. Lucy was also watching the fashion show on a large, flat-screen television while gradually getting ready for bed when her phone started ringing. She picked it up, knowing exactly who was calling.Lucy giggled softly into the receiver.
"I'm coping well. How is Dad?"
"He is fine, just preparing for today's work with our Boss.
"How are your studies, Lucy? Hope they aren't stressful."
Lucy sighed dramatically, and Mrs. Hanuel laughed at her daughter's antics.
"Okay... I understand already."
"Just make sure you study well and pass your exam and graduate with good grades. Okay?"
"Okay, Mom. Good night."
"Good night, sweetheart. Sweet dreams and take care of yourself."
The call ended. Lucy continued with her TV watching, staring at the screen before she muttered, "They are so beautiful...
"The neon lights of the city bled into the falling snow, turning the alleyway into a blur of crimson and cold gray. Kim Jo who was with the boys left the room after receiving a phone call from and unknown, walked out of the house and walked into the street far from Lucy's home stood under the flickering bulb of a convenience store awning.
A low, slow crunch of boots on fresh powder made him stiffen.Out of the flurry stepped Cha-Woo, his hands buried deep inside the pockets of a tailored wool overcoat. He didn't look like someone surviving on the streets; he looked like a wolf inspecting a trapped deer. His sharp gaze flicked from Kim Jo's worn jacket to the cheap umbrella Lucy had left leaning against the wall.
"A fairy tale love story,"
Cha-Woo said, smirking as he stepped into the light, his breath pluming in the freezing air. "That's what you think this is, isn't it, Jo?"
Kim Jo closed his fist, his jaw tightening. "You shouldn't be here, Cha-Woo and how did you get my phone line?."
"I can be anywhere the BVS Kings try to hide," Cha-Woo countered, taking another step forward, his eyes glinting with a dangerous amusement. "But what kills me is the girl. Lucy actually believes you're just some tragic, broken street outcast. She has no idea she's harboring the biggest pop idol in the country."
"Leave her out of this," Kim Jo warned, his voice dropping into a lethal, low register.
Cha-Woo tilted his head, his smirk widening into something distinctly malicious. "Or what? You'll call your security? Look at you. You're playing a game, but the longer you stay in this disguise, the easier it is for someone to make you disappear. If Lucy finds out who you really are, she won't look at you with pity anymore. She'll look at you like a liar and a betrayer. What would happen when I tell her you are just looking for a prey to escape your father Cage of marriage so that you can go back to your fans?."
Cha-Woo said brushing a stray flake of snow off his shoulder, leaning in close enough for Kim Jo to see the cold calculation in his eyes.
"Enjoy your little masquerade while it lasts, Ice King," Cha-Woo whispered. "Because the moment she steps out of line, I'm the one who wakes her up."
Turning on his heel, Cha-Woo vanished back into the swirling white storm, leaving Kim Jo alone in the freezing dark, his heart pounding behind his fragile mask.
Kim Jo slowly walked back to the house looking tensed. His eyes were distant when he unconsciously went back to the room. Lee Dae was fast to notice his distress.
"Hey, what's the problem? You look lost"
Kim Jo raise his head and gave him a helpless look which attracted Seo Joon attention.
"Jo,what happened? You look... freighted. What happened? Who were you with on the phone before you left the room?"
" Cha Woo is targeting us. He knows who we are and why we are here. He said he will expose our secret to Lucy sooner or later" Kim Jo said slowly his heart pounding against his chest " if Lucy finds out we lied to her and I betrayed her trust,do you think..... He stared at Lee Dae hoping to get an answer from him " do you think Lucy would still love me? Will she leave? Will she abandon me ? Dae..you said you know how True love works "
Lee Dae smiles and pat his head.
" Are you stupid or your are acting like one? Did you actually fall for that? I thought you were the one who vow to protect Lucy from cha Woo how come you are the one seeking for refuge?"
Kim Jo hearing that straighten up and calmed.
" You should be thinking of a way to protect your girl if not Cha Woo will snatch her from you and you will loose Lucy forever. And Lucy doesn't look like someone who will abandon you just like that. She loves you and trust you. You said you two talked about trusting and believing and waiting to hear from each other before conclusion so why shaken by Cha Woo empty threat?"
Kim Jo sighed loudly and smiled
" Thank you Lee Dae. Ever since Lucy has broken the ice in my heart,it has become fragile "
" Don't worry,we are here for you and as for Cha Woo, let's think about how to deal with him for trying to break Lucy again "
Seo Joon added trying to calm Kim Jo down. For the first time since he arrived with them,his words were of seriousness.
But in the mist of coaxing Kim Jo,he was still terrified of loosing Lucy to Cha Woo.