Dylan x Ji-won.
These type of events were not Ji-won’s style. If this was a more frequent event, maybe she would’ve learned to adapt to it. God, this thought felt like Deja vu for Ji-won. A thought she had decades ago. It felt weird having it again, but it passed quickly. This was only a one time thing, so there was no point on her dwelling on it. This was an excuse for her to get out of the house ( and away from her children ) and her friend to use the tickets she had ( since her date bailed ).
This event, from what Ji-won gathered, is a charity/socialite type event. A more simplified way to put it is saying its a fancy event with upper class/powerful people. For what reason why her friend had tickets to this was beyond her, but apparently this would also be a good place to promote her new restaurant she’s opening in town. It’s not something she’d do, at best she would find it cringy. But, if anyone where to ask what she does then she’d explain what she does. Which, in other words, could be considered promoting - just in a more subtle way.
She had fun preparing at home for the event. There was something exciting about getting dressed up to go out, but feeling faded as they headed to the event. And once she arrived their, her anxiety was through the roof. She knew she had to be on her best behavior. If anyone knew her, they know this wouldn’t be easy. But she knew she’d be able to manage it. She has grown a lot since she was younger, which includes her having more self control and maturity during important situations. She’ll still have her moments ( how could she not ) but over all she should be good.
From the information she got on tv, and what she learned prior, she grabbed a champaign and walked around the room. Around others she was well kept. She mingled with those that interested, she kept her jokes and sarcasm appropriate. Only when she was around her friend did she act like herself. Well, in a more appropriate way - but, nonetheless, she didn’t draw attention to herself. She did good with that until this very moment. A joke was shared between them and Ji-won could not hold in her actual laugh. The one that was loud, almost everyone in the room could hear it.
Ji-won quickly covered her mouth and walked away, finding herself along side a group of people. She knew everyone would look to see who laughed, so it was safer for her to walk off and hide amongst these people. It would guarantee that everyone would drop figuring out who laughed since they can’t find out who was the one that did it. She was quick to adapt to the group, taking a sip of her champaign and starting small talk. One would think she was a natural at it. Only if they knew how fast her heart was beating in her chest.
She took a moment to glance around the room, to see if everything seem to back to normal. Or, for better words, if everyone continued what they were doing and did not care for the loud laugh that happened before. In her moment of glancing around she spotted someone that looked familiar. Doing a double look, she instantly knew who it was. It was two decades since she saw him, and he has aged ( no doubt about it - though any comments she had on that she was pushing aside ) but, not enough for her not to recognize him. She came to terms, decades ago, that she was okay never seeing him again. It took a long time for her to get to that point, but she accepted it. Now, well, she doesn’t know what to do. Sure, at one point she was ready for this moment. But she hadn’t thought about this moment for years.
It felt like a prayer was answered when she felt her phone vibrate. She looked at her phone and saw that her son was calling. She wondered if anyone had felt what she felt at this moment, joy and dread at the same time. Joy for the distraction but dread for whatever reason her son would be calling for. She knows her son, well all of her kids. They are more like her then she likes to admit. Something happened.
Ji-won took a swig of her campaign before setting it a side. With a sigh, she answered her phone while heading outside.
That laugh, it had him pausing his conversation abruptly along with everyone else. However, Dylan’s reasoning is quite different to that of the other guests. There’s an unmistakable quality to the sound that he’s able to discern. Memories come flushing through his mind, he sees both a younger version of himself and her, their friends, having the time of their lives. Things were so much simpler back then, yet ended with so much complications. Dylan’s gaze follows the rest of the crowd’s towards the sound. On one had he hopes that his gaze doesn’t land on a familiar face, while on the other he’s willing it into existence. The fates listened and his blue eyes spotted Ji-won instantly. Older, beautiful, and strikingly so. All train of thought he had was derailed, his mind filling with so many unanswered questions.
He felt someone nudging his shoulder, it turns out to be a waiter he’d been conversing with prior to the boisterous laughter interrupting the proceedings. “Sorry...excuse me.” Haphazardly he gave them the half empty glass of fruit punch, and walked off. As his gaze trailed Ji-won’s movements, his feet brought him closer to where she was. It’s as if he needed a closer look to verify that he’s not going insane. Though, it would be just his luck to be haunted by ghosts of his past like this.
Dylan hoped that she would linger at the event, but instead she went outside. Instead of remaining inside and playing the dutiful role of trophy husband he continued to follow Ji-won outside. Pretty much reminiscent of the love sick puppy he once was with her, he trailed. He’s a comfortable distance away at first, ensuring not to distract her as she took a phone call. Dylan didn’t mean to, but he’s close enough now to eavesdrop on the conversation.
