PROMPTS

Of Mergers and Marriages - 5

"IS IT TRUE? ARE YOU ENGAGED TO KIM JOO WON?"

Yoon Se-Ri and Kim Joo Won turned to the accusatory voice that was grabbing the attention of the people in their  immediately surrounding area.

"Hello, Cousin," Yoon Se-Ri greeted Yoon Seul carefully, moving away from Kim Joo Won to sit properly in her chair.

"Is it true, Se-Ri? Have you taken away the love of my life?!" Yoon Seul spat out, now making it obvious that she was already drunk.

Kim Joo Won coughed, blushing at the outburst of this woman he had known for a few years. "Uh, Yoon Seul, isn't that a tad dramatic?"

"You know I love you! I've told you that for years! So, is it true?" Yoon Seul demanded. "She's not nice!"

Se-Ri watched the exchange. Her cousin's angry gaze shifted from her to Kim Joo Won and back to her, while Kim Joo Won stared at Yoon Seul alternating with pity and discomfort. "Would you be alright if I were engaged to Se-Ri?"

The concern Kim Joo Won showed to Yoon Seul surprised Se-Ri but before she could think of a comment to ease the tension, her father had spoken up in glee. "Of course, it's true! His father and I talked about it and they've agreed! We are very pleased. Will you be at the wedding, Seul?"

Yoon Seul pouted. "No, no. This wedding will never happen!"

Yoon Kyung-ho stood and led his niece away. "Come on. You're tipsy. Let's get you some coffee."

As the commotion settled, there was an awkward silence that passed between Kim Joo Won and Yoon Se-Ri. 

"Seul is right. I'm not nice," Se-Ri said quietly as she stared at the place settings. 

Kim Joo Won rolled his eyes. "Tell me something I don't know."

"You think we could come up with an arrangement where we won't kill each other while we stay married?" Yoon Se-Ri asked.

"Did I agree to anything?!" he returned.

Se-Ri glared at him. "You didn't refute what my father said! You even asked for champagne, you jerk!"

"I like sparkly things and that is a sparkly drink!" Kim Joo Won replied, satisfied as he crossed his arms. 

"Well, if you're not going to go through with it then you tell my father," Se-Ri said. Crossing her arms, she hissed, "And be prepared for me to make a scene."

Joo Won frowned. "What do you mean?!"

Se-Ri gave him a look, took out tissues from her bag and started sniffling. "I'll have pretty tears first, the initial reaction from her fiancé breaking up with her. Then, I'm going to wail. LOUD. Mascara ruined, making me look like a zombie as I beg, BEG YOU NOT TO LEAVE MEEEEEEEE!"

She leaned into Joo Won. "You saw Seul's outburst? That's nothing on me."

Kim Joo Won crossed his hands to cover his chest. "Don't make a scene! And don't look like a zombie! I hate zombies."

"Hmph," Se-Ri huffed then looked straight to the stage where the hosts were now preparing for the auction. "Decide soon. My father is coming back and my tears are ready to fall as soon as I say 'action'."

"Problem solved," Yoon Kyung-ho told them as he took his seat again. "Please forgive my niece, she's drank a little too much."

"Will she be okay?" Kim Joo Won asked. 

To Se-Ri, he seemed to be truly concerned about Yoon Seul. Did he love her?

"Their chauffeur took her home and her father will call me when she arrives. She should be fine," Yoon Kyung-ho said.