𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑀𝑒 𝐴𝑔𝑎𝑖𝑛 : Lookism

Chapter 15: The Revelation

I'm not really that late, right? When the guests are already kind'a leaving already..

I stood off to the side, watching the entrance from a distance. People were still streaming in and out of the venue. More were entering than leaving, so maybe the event wasn't over yet? Maybe there's still a chance to make it.

Whatever.

Whether it's over or not, I'm still late. Maybe I should just go in and get it over with... right?

You're going to run away again, Jay?

Yes. I mean, no, but maybe... God, I don't even know anymore. I want to just disappear. I'm on the verge of a mental breakdown, but of course, the little devil and angel on my shoulders had to chime in.

[Non-verbatim conversations between me, my little angel and little devil]

Little Angel: Go, my dear. It's for the best. Little Devil: Nah, bro. Just go home. Do you really want to see Daniel kiss Crystal instead of you? Jay: No? Little Devil: Then listen to me, man. Little Angel: Shut up, you punk. Jay, sweetheart, don't listen to him. Little Devil: You shut the fuck up. Don't try to brainwash Jay. Little Angel: No, YOU shut the fuck up.

And so it went on, back and forth. I rolled my eyes, trying to block out the chaos inside my head.

"Whatever, both of you... just shut up. I'm going." I muttered to myself, walking toward the entrance.

There was a long line for inspection. I was getting closer to the front, but my unease kept growing. It was like that feeling when you know you've forgotten something, but you just can't figure out what it is.

"Sir, next," the bouncer said. I stepped up, trying to steady myself, but then he suddenly frisked me.

I thought I was in the clear when he didn't say anything at first. But then, of course...

"Sir, where's your invitation?" he asked, his voice flat. I froze, a wave of panic sweeping over me. I turned around, scanning the area as if it would help me remember. "I—I left it at home? No, I mean... didn't I already turn it in? I remember doing that... heh, heh..."

My voice trailed off, and I couldn't help but feel embarrassed as I fumbled through my words.

"No invitation, no entry," the bouncer said firmly, pointing to the door. "Get him out."

Before I could react, two bouncers grabbed my arms, and I instantly started struggling. "No! I have to get in! Someone's waiting for me! God damn it, let me go!" I fought to break free, but the harder I pulled, the tighter their grip became.

"We are just following protocol," one of the bouncers said, his voice cold. "Now, get out."

"What do you think you're doing?" A familiar voice cut through the tension.

The bouncers froze, and I seized the moment to push them off. I gritted my teeth as they nearly tore my cloak. "Sir, he came in without an invitation," one of them explained.

"Don't worry, I know him. He probably forgot it. Let him through," came the reply. The bouncers hesitated for a second before nodding and bowing before walking away.

I took a breath, trying to steady my pulse. "What were you doing, coming here without the invitation, Jay?" Eli chuckled, ruffling my hair like nothing was wrong.

"Eli..." I whispered, a mix of relief and confusion bubbling inside me.

He shrugged, a playful grin on his face. "Glad I came out for a breather, or else you wouldn't be seeing me. And you just made it in time, too—it's just getting started. Come on, let's go in."

He grabbed my wrist, pulling me with him. As I stumbled forward, my mind raced. Did he know I liked Daniel? Why was he acting like he had no idea that I came here to see Daniel, to be there despite the gut-wrenching reality of him getting married to someone else?

It felt like everything was getting more complicated than I ever imagined. The heavy weight of my emotions felt unbearable in that moment. I was here for Daniel's engagement party, but somehow, it felt like Eli was the one pulling me forward, guiding me into a world I didn't quite understand.

I sighed inwardly. A soft facepalm would've sufficed, but I had no idea how to navigate this mess anymore.

"I think we don't belong to the same table, so I'll leave you here. See you around!" Eli released my hand, and only then did I realize we had finally entered the main venue. The cold air wrapped around me, the room bathed in soft pale yellow light. The atmosphere was elegant, the kind of fancy I wasn't used to. As soon as my foot touched the red carpet that stretched toward the center, the lights went out, and a single spotlight illuminated the stage.

"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! Tonight, we gather to witness the most special day—two hearts coming together. A round of applause for the soon-to-be bride, Crystal Choi-Park!"

The crowd clapped and cheered as she stepped out from the right side of the stage. She was stunning, her hourglass figure encased in a glittering black-and-silver gown. The slit on the side of the dress revealed her legs, and she waved to the audience, basking in the attention.

Bitch, that should've been me.

"And now, let's welcome our soon-to-be groom... Daniel Park!"

My heart jolted. Badum. Badum.

I watched as he stepped onto the stage from the left side, but... something was wrong. Badum. Ba—beeep. My heart stopped, a cold rush of shock hitting me all at once.

What the fuck?

I blinked, trying to make sense of it. It wasn't him. It was Little Daniel.

My mind scrambled to catch up, but I was frozen in place. I couldn't move, couldn't breathe.

"And now, to welcome our guest speaker for the evening... give a round of applause for Daniel Park! Only bigger," the host continued. The spotlight swung toward me, and my heart dropped. The light was blinding, making it hard to focus.

I could hear whispers, feel eyes on me. I saw Zack and the rest of the group at their table, surprised expressions on their faces. Their eyes widened, and I could hear them mutter, "That's Jay and... oh, shit."

I suddenly felt nauseous, the urge to run flooding through me. Without thinking, I spun on my heel and tried to escape, but before I could even take a step, I slammed into a hard chest.

The familiar scent of his cologne hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart twisted, and everything inside me screamed to disappear, to sink into the floor and vanish. Slowly, I looked up at him. He stood there, wearing a maroon suit, his eyes locked on mine. His surprised expression slowly shifted into a smirk.

""Excuse me, you're blocking the way," he said, his voice smooth as he touched my arm and gently moved me to the side.

Without another word, he stepped past me, the spotlight following his every move as he walked toward the center stage. My gaze locked onto him, unable to tear away. He glanced over his shoulder, catching my eye for just a moment, before taking the mic.

"I guess we won't be celebrating for only one pair of lovers reuniting tonight."