Romeo + Juliette

Foreword;

Note: the following story do not represent nor the re-creation of the Shakespearean love story. It is to emphasized the unrealistic, undying love between two character, but most importantly is the fairy tale of the very story.

“Yah,” a rather soft honey like voice, had been calling, yelling and annoyed by me for the past half hour. It was now threatening to burn my bed, “wake up YooIn noona!” Should I or not? He does not usually talk to me this much, or even have the time to notice me. Even with his constant bitter words trying to provoke me, I was in bliss. You may say I am weird but it was the truth. I groaned, a sign I'm awake, he sighed in relief. It was too light, too pure in my room, or should I say my world, right here, it does not matter class or power, right here in my world, everyone's equal. “YooIn,” he whined again, “I'm hungry! Niel said the car is ready and school starts in half an hour!” he complained on and on. I sighed quietly, showing I do not care but he managed to pull me out of bed carried me, bridal style. Somehow, I managed not to blush. And splashed my face with freezing cold water from my bathroom sink.

“Yah!” I shouted, as soon as the he laughed.

“Good, you're awake,” he wiped his wet hands with my towel and threw it at me, “make me breakfast.” With that, he walked out confidently as his mother trained him to be, he even used the superiority tone. I groaned again before getting ready for school. As soon as I walk out, I smelled eggs and toasts, puzzled, I ran up to the vast marble kitchen. He was in his uniform with an apron on. He was humming to himself again, I stood and listen, actually closing my eyes. I love his humming, that's cause I never heard him sing. People said he has a wonderful soft voice. I never had a chance to listen. His witch of a mother kept me busy.

“Hey YooIn,” I shot open my eyes and saw him sulking. “I wanna eat,” he handed me the spatula and sat down, still in my pink flower print apron. Niel walked in, all set in his uniform and sat down as well. Niel has always been a quiet; he's mysterious one. He was just employed weeks ago and I never manage to hold a conversation with him. And he's always disappearing. “YooIn, come on eat, we're late.” He informed me, I blushed and ate quickly so I could clean the mess he made. I made a mental note not to let him use the kitchen ever again, “Niel, you could start the car now,” they were talking right near the door now as I wipe the dishes clean, their stable load voices turned into whispers and hushes as I drain the soapy water away. I could hear footsteps fading away. I turned to find him, glancing at his watch. I quickly reach out for his school bag but he stopped me. “How many times do I have to tell you?” His tone was annoyed but I still took his bag away and walked to the car. It is my job after all.

“Let us go, master,” he is Lee JinKi, preferably Onew, the prince of SM Enterprise and I am his personal maid.

Oh, by the way. My name is Park YooIn and I'm twenty third years old. I lost my parents when I was a baby, or so what that witch told me. I would rather believe that she bought me. The witch that I have been talking about is no other the 'young' - thanks to several plastic surgeries - 'fifty' - she won't tell me her real age - year old lady, Onew's mom, or like I have to call her: mistress. I know, I know I should be grateful to her, as she took me in when I was helpless and blah blah blah, I heard it all before. Trust me, she is not the real woman she let people believe, Deep inside, she's a devil that only cares for money. Not that I told master about this but some things are best kept secret.

Well this is my life and I'm gonna say I'm proud of it.

Chapter One;

Most fairy tales has a Prince Charming. Every Prince Charming notice his princess. Every princess chosen by the Prince Charming was able to live happily ever after. So who exactly is my Prince? Please come quickly; I'm tired of living like this.

“Onew oppa~” HyunA whined once again; along with her other 'people' talking among themselves in our homeroom classroom. There was still another fifteen minutes before the teacher com and took our registration. People said it's lucky that we have Mr Lee as our homeroom teacher because he's always late. But I think it's pitiful and he should be told to retire from this college. Mr Lee is like in his early 90s, he even forget he has kids; let alone a class with students waiting around for him. I just wish he would retire and the head principle could assign a new teacher who's never late because I can't take anymore of HyunA's attempt to seduce Master. Kim HyunA is the heiress, or as she prefer it: princess of Cube Entertainment. Apparently her dad is the most highly music producer. Onew's mom never did approve of her because her image and Onew's really contrast. Master Onew's company, SM Enterprise is one of the successful company around the world. I'm not sure what they do since I was not allow to serve teas and coffees during meetings at the house. I sighed as I watched what is being unfold in front of me. Apparently, as a personal maid of the prince, I have to be with him 24/7; not that he needed to be taken care of that bad. His mother is just over worried.

She even hired Niel as a bodyguard! Am I not enough? Well Niel does speak Korean, Mandarin, Japanese, Spanish, English, Cantonese, German, Italian and French. Not to mention he is a black belt in Karate, mastered all different types of Kung Fu, champion of boxing in Spain and other unknown methods of fighting. So he could basically beat you up without breaking a sweat and curse in nine different languages you wish you don't understand.

Sure he could protect Onew more than I could. But ever since I met him, I never see him struggling. Not once having trouble in handling things, not carrying an enormous weight heavier than himself. Well, anything is heavier than him since he 's so skinny, literally a stick. But I do notice his pale muscular well define abdomen.

Okay, I'm not a pervert! I just happened to notice him practicing his sword skills without a shirt on. I was innocently doing the laundry! Beside, he's my dongsaeng for goodness' sake. I saw his resume on Onew's desk one morning. I was not peeping, it was. . . just there on his desk, so. . . tempting. Anyway he just turned seventeen this year, far too young to work. Well I don't actually have the right to criticized since I was forced to work since I was ten. And the only thing that caught my eyes was the fact he's an orphan just like me.

I sighed and peep at what Niel was doing and saw yesterday's calculus homework. The white paper was no longer clean; various pencil has tainted it. He sighed and ran his fingers through his black, bushy yet perfectly soft curled hair. He looked so stress. . . I decided helping him will be much useful than watching HyunA trying to get Onew once again. I personally think Niel should be put in the first year rather in this third year. He's so struggling with the subjects. The only teacher he could impress was Mr Jason McCartney, our English teacher. And Mr Albert Polita, our music teacher. I pull my chair out from the table and sat near Niel. He looked up because my chair was making a lot of ruckus and he stared blankly at me. I took a look at the homework and steal his pencil. Gosh, I could no longer see the question, he has circle, underline, highlighted and every other ways of marking the question. I took out my book to refer. Thank goodness Calculus is my favorite subject, I could help him and he could help me with my English homework. I was getting stress out that I might flunked it.

“You're suppose to put this one here, so you could the value of x and move it back like so,” I demonstrate it to him, hoping to God he understand. Occasionally I glanced at him, he looks so young, so innocent. And his skin, it was as smooth and as pure as a baby's, not to mention pale, and this is the boy who always train under the sun. It's really impossible to think someone like him have master various martial arts. No wonder Onew's mom hired him. No one would expect someone like Niel is protecting Onew. Niel nodded at the right times when I finished explaining. I wonder if he really does understand. I looked up for a while because my neck was hurting and saw Onew staring at me. The way his eyes just looked straight at me was. . . breathe-taking. I know that sounded so much like a hyperbole but it's true. That gaze made my heart skipped. HyunA was desperately trying to gain back his attention. Now that I think about it, Onew doesn't really have a problem in anything. Not his academic or sports or even performing. He always does it perfectly. Maybe it was because of his mother.

I would be lying if Onew is obedience towards his mom now. But when I was a kid, I remember he was this skinny stick kid, dressed too well like an adult, who always tail behind his mother, too shy, too polite to do anything but only I knew that he was actually afraid of doing anything without that witch's consent. Even my childish mind hated her back then. Because it was me who had to comfort a crying Onew every night before he goes to sleep. But when he hit early teens, his mom started to gain offers from overseas. She had no choice but to go and save whatever was left of the company.

I remember those times, which both Onew and his mother always avoid to talk about. I know little, since my position is basically worthless. And worst of all, she left Onew. True, his mom worked hard at those hard times and she still took me in. I always believe, trying to convince myself that she used to be kind. Now she's a power greed. Onew learned to be independent without her help and right now, he has the rebellious air whenever he face his mother. He has turned into a leader. A 'suitable' one to inherit the family business, as his trainers would always say. And that has always been the only future of this heir of SM Enterprise. He is the only son she had.

Oh by performing I mean singing or dancing, on stage. Master Onew really loves singing. You should really hear him sing. It's hard to describe it actually. And I'm not really the one who should talk because I never actually hear it. Just a word or two or a humming. Even that was just amazing. Onew never really sing in front of his mother freely; he only sings if she asked him to. It's really a shame that way. It's when he really feels like singing is the best. And when he played the piano, just amazing! He taught me how to play sometimes but my fingers were too rough to touch something so delicate and wonderful. Master Onew even made a group with the other classes. Now that I think about it. They should be here right now.

“Hyung~!” Yup, there they were. Everyone know that happy little whine. TaeMin Lee, the youngest one in the group burst in, literally. I'm pretty sure it's not ONLY my hormones or something because whenever I see him, it's just a ray of bright happy sunlight always glow around him. I know for a fact everybody felt the same – at least the girls does -. He's really adorable and even though he's in the first year, he could really beat everyone in the dance floor. He spotted me and smiled, “noona! Good morning!” God, he's really cute. It's not fair that this boy is already engaged to one of the most successful heiress in Japan. I think her name is Shin. Shin Kinomoto.

I met her once during some CEO party last year (Yes, yes I forced to attend since the mistress does not want Onew to go alone, you should have seen it, all the available heiress kept harassing Onew to marry them). I think they make a good couple since both of them are so shy and cute. I was a bit startle to see TaeMin dyed his hair yet again. He used to have this light brown hair and he usually styled it curl, but now it's straight and. . . blonde. He still has that innocent look he tried to get off.

“Yah, how come you didn't hear me calling you??” KiBum, known as Key, also apparently the 'mom' in the group. But believe me, he is as charismatic as any celebrity when he's on stage and still be able to act cute off it. I was glad to see he covered his... one side bald scalp. I have no idea why he ever shaved his hair like that in the first place. Maybe because he's tired to being called adorable. He's one of the best dancer I've ever seen as well. Even though he's in the second year with a guy name MinHo. Both of them are so talented in rapping and singing.

Ah, there's MinHo now. As tall as ever, or has he grown taller again? I'm really scared of this boy because he keeps growing all the time! He changed his hairstyle too, but thank goodness it still has the same colour as the last time, just shorter. Even with MinHo charismatic and quiet image, you could never guess his love for drama. Like drama for acting, not drama for television. Both of their dads are actually working for Onew's mom.

One of the reason they could afford going to this school. This school, is only design for people like them. Rich, powerful, some are dumb though because all they could think about is party or shoes. Which is why the college is trying very hard to accept students with stable and high results, because most of the students are. . . I'm sorry to say but they are just dumb blondes. Occasionally, I feel sorry for the college, they are trying very hard to maintain the school's high academic percentage. But hey, their parents could afford it. The students could do anything they want basically, because their parents were paying the fees and tuition and even the school's fund. Therefore rules do not apply to them. They could dye their hair in different colours; use spare rooms for clubs; and as for the girls, they could shorten their skirts, wear make-up, loosen the first button on their white blouse, you know stuffs that would attract the guys.

But I'm sorry but that's just disgusting, why would you want to show your bra colour through your plain school blouse, or not wearing a bra at all? But they are good people here, like the seniors I know. They also formed a group called Girls' Generation. It's a shame that they're being called plastic. But trust me, they competing with each other for the top students. And this other group of girl, they called themselves Lucifer. I think. They were very close with me until their dads and moms had to work overseas. Yes, all four of them left me here in this academy. But they were good friends.

Then they are people like Niel and I. The ones who studied hard to gain scholarship here or just being sent to protect or serve. You may find it odd that Neil who is seventeen is accepted to a college. Trust me, he is every bit stress with the subjects, which is why he let out all of his negative energy in his training. Worst of all, we were forced to take subjects that Onew took. I seriously do not know what to do with these guys, TaeMin, Key and MinHo I mean. Don't they know that dyeing could cause serious damage to their hair? Gosh, it's like I'm their babysitter or something and I have to keep track of them in case they go into the 'dark' side and have this crazy idea of not inheriting the business; which is the parents' worst nightmare in this world. Well, at least they pay me.

Together they form SHINee. Not that their parents now about it. But hey, they could still afford it.

Then something, or rather someone made me gasped.

He walked in swiftly, sliding smoothly towards us. I swear, every girls' gasp could be heard in the now silence room. He could make the entire female student body quiet just by stepping in. Sorry to say, but I too fell into his spell. I mean, how could you not? His perfectly smooth tan skin was like marble, sculptured by Michelangelo himself. And the soft black hair that keep falling to his deep sweet chocolate eyes. But most importantly, was the smile. The sweet childish crooked smile could make girls faint, literally. Kim JongHyun, the heir of SM Entertainment. My master's trial company.

You do notice the same company name right? Well, I, myself do not like to discuss it. They are the biggest rival in this academy. But even with JongHyun's reputation, Onew still asked him to join his group. Kim JongHyun has the most amazing voice – we were walking passed one of the music room when we heard him singing Nothing Better – but he refused. JongHyun also has always been the player, not wanting to mix easily but still willing to ask every girl out. Today I noticed his black eyes were darker, menacing. Like they always do when he and master are in the same room. Only, there was this red mark on his right cheek, almost like a hand print. Unbelievable, Kim JongHyun had been slapped. I wonder by who.
...

“Master, I get the car ready,” Niel's stone hard voice stated, I had always hated that tone. As if there is no happiness left in this world for Niel to be grateful for. School just finished, we were walking (well with Niel and I walking behind Onew, side by side) right out of English Class. Onew nodded and began walking to the music room. I sighed, I really just want to go home right now but since I'm the personal maid, I have to follow his everywhere; except bathrooms, that would be Niel's turn. Onew has this habit of checking 'his' personal music room.

You know, making sure the instruments were in their places - TaeMin like to take things random instruments from it's place and never bother to put it back -; To see if anyone take the CD out of the shelves - MinHo has a passion for music and he had the same habit as TaeMin-; And see if anyone throw away Key's collection of hand-made mics - he even asked the janitor not to touch them - but everyone especially hate the hand-made mic with the torn poking out, you stuffs like that. I swear they act more like a children in kindergarten than the actually kids. But even before Onew unlock the door, someone caught our attention.

“Well, well, what do we have here?” The two of us turned to face the voice. Only to see the school's most popular playboy – before JongHyun cause he is not as active – ; HyunSeung, heir of Cube's Entertainment. HyunA's step brother.

Chapter Two;

Rapunzel was noticed by her Prince Charming in the woods. He heard her voice, he found her and he fell in love. Yet the Witch stopped Rapunzel from marrying the Prince. She stole her beauty and nearly kill him. I wonder by she did that.

I noticed HyunSeung is supporting yet another new hair style. Seriously, what is wrong with rich people and their hairs? He had dyed it; typically it's dark blonde. And longer, making him have that girlish pretty look but he still has this muscular air around him; which most girls would fall for including me. He had this air around him, making it impossible not to fall. It feels so odd though, that this. . . creature used to be this cute innocent boy who always played with anyone; because he was afraid no one fits in. Now to think of it, HyunSeung has changed ever since he came back from visiting in Japan. I never see him around for the last couple of months – again. Because he always make trips to travel. Like I said, these kids just don't bother with their studies. Their parents don't care if they got pregnant, got somebody else pregnant, do drugs, steal – not that they need to steal -; just as long as they take over the company. What a splendid future, NOT!

“Well Onew, what do we have here?” He grinned at me, I could feel chills running down my back, only it slithers back up and down. That's how much he could control girls just with his words and eyes. No wonder Master Onew always made me stayed away from him. As if HyunSeung was the bad evil vampire. He does have a reputation. And his dad's reputation. This school does just only accept wealthy CEO or successful business owner's kids but also gangsters' trouble maker kids. The school did not want to fight back, but since they do pay the fees and tuition; the school had nothing against them. HyunSeung's real father is a successful full mob boss in Japan.

His mom remarried HyunA's dad a few years back. He was this naive kid before he learned the real adult world. I stared at his eyes; they seems sly at first glance but then I could detect a soft hurt shade. But his masculine voice interrupted me before I could analyze them.“My name is HyunSeung. Heir of Cube's Entertainment,” he declare smoothly. How odd he has claim the title of 'heir' of Cube's Entertainment. He would usually introduced himself as only HyunSeung. I could see the fight between him and HyunA already. HyunSeung crept closer to me, almost trapping me between the wall and him. I noticed the first three buttons of his shirt was untie, exposing the soft skin of his. Why do these kind of people has to be perfect?

“She knows you,” I could hear Onew's poisonous voice said, almost growling, “and your sister,” his hand broke HyunSeung's arms free from me. As if on instinct, I hid behind my master; tightly holding his blazer. “What do you want HyunSeung?” Even though I could not see his face but I knew my master was glaring. HyunSeung scoff, still staring at me with intense eyes. Eventually he stood back, pulling out a soft creamy envelope from his trouser's pocket. Explaining he was going to invite Onew to Cube's Annual Party tonight.

“But since you don't seem too interested,” HyunSeung stared hard at Onew, sending poison through his voice and glare. Yet his eyes changed as soon as he looked at me. The crooked grin of his started to appear again, it always does every time he face a girl. HyunSeung held out the invitation card at me. It looked so soft and tempting. “I'm inviting her,” his smirked emerged, maybe at my stunned expression. His next words were barely above whisper but Onew and I could hear it as loud and clear. “I'll wait for you tonight, princess.” And he just walked away. My brain told me how cool it was but my heart kept reminding me that I'm Onew's maid. I have to ask him first. And if I could faint, I would but I have to set a good example for Onew. Minutes later, Niel came searching for us with a worried expression, saying we were gone for far too long.

The car ride was silence. Niel was driving – he got his license early because of his occupation – Onew and I were at the back with him in front of me. He still had not said a word about the party. I was afraid to move as he casually read today's newspaper. I noticed Niel kept looking back. Even he knew after only a month of working for Onew, that the two of us never shut up whenever we're alone. I was getting anxious, I think Onew noticed because I kept shifting one leg and the other then casually slide to the car's window and slide back again. He sighed, it was too light. I looked up. He had his hand on his forehead, as if annoyed. “Fine, you can go,” I noticed his tone was reluctant. But the thought vanished as he looked up and stared at me, his eyes were smiling again. I noted how smooth his lips were while he talked, “but you have to ask my mother too.” I was so excited! My first party! I finally took out the invitation and opened it.

“HyunSeung of Cube's Entertainment is inviting Lee JinKi of SM Enterprise to Cube's Annual Party on June 19th at Cube's Ball Room. The Party start at 8 PM.” I was not surprise that HyunSeung forgot to change the name. Beside, I always tag along with Onew in these kinds of parties. And I was so amazed by the perfectly, swirly writing against the creamy colour that I could barely think. And there was this sweet scent coming from the card. Chocolate. I heard a faint voice calling me, I reluctantly stopped gazing at the card and grumpily looked up to see Onew sipping a cup of hot steam coffee. He asked;

“What is the theme this time?”
“What theme?”
“Isn't it there right at the end of the invitation?”
“Oh...” I trailed off, scanning the invitation again. And it was, right at the bottom right hand corner. The card proudly stated, Fairy Tale.
“Good luck in finding a dress,” Onew laughed.

A dress! I completely forgot! During parties with Onew, mistress usually prepared a team to make me look nice. You know, like a hairdresser, manicurist, pedicurist, tailor, professional makeup group. Apparently I am not suited to wear yellow, as the French tailor kept saying, 'yell, yell, not your col,' he does not speak English so he could only say one syllabus of a word. What am I going to do? I do not even have the money. I sighed involuntary. I guessed Onew noticed my expression that he asked if he could help. I was debating in my head if I should. I could faintly saw Niel kept looking back at us. I immediately refused Master Onew's help. I don't need his money. I'm pretty sure I could find something at the costume shop. Fairy Tale, easy. A huge puffy floor length skirt with tight corset embroidered lace bodice and a tiara. How hard can it be to find those items?
...

Oh God. Did you know that the most unflattering clothing on me is a huge puffy floor length skirt with tight corset embroidered lace bodice. I feel like a circus tent when I looked myself with the skirt. The tight embroidered lace bodice was choking me. Apparently because my upper body is longer than the dresses were design. And the only available princess dresses are the ones with huge puff sleeves. No wonder the French tailor said yellow is not my colour; my skin looked like puke against yellow. And the very reason the dresses he made for me are all silk and sleeveless. I threw away the thoughts of the tiara, I am not a big fan of jewelry anyway. Onew came shopping with me; which mean Niel had to come too.

We gave up looking for dresses in the costume shops, so Onew went straight to boutiques. Only, he went to expensive kind of boutiques. You know, the ones with the minimum thousand for a pair of shoes. I couldn't bare to see the dresses. I glanced around 'Juliette's boutique' with it's champagne coloured carpet, light brown wood walls, I spotted Niel right at the entrance; Onew ordered him to give bad looks at everyone entering and exiting the place so we could be the only customers. I sighed and sweep the shop for Onew; he was right between the accessories and evening dresses section. I sighed once again as he pulled out a dark brown silk dress and frowned at it, I glared at him but he gave me a blank look, as if he was so innocent. I slowly hissed to him, making sure he understand each letter; “Onew, I can't afford any of these dress!”

He sighed, “We can't find anything good at the costume shops. I figure we might have better luck in these kind of shops,” he explained as he look around again. His eyes brighten as soon as he saw something right in front. I followed his gaze and gasped.

It was the most beautiful creation I ever laid eyes on. It was snowy white, as if snow was still falling, covered with whiter translucent fabric covering the snow, hiding it's beauty. There were tiny pearls shining with the lights on the slightly puff shirt, not too puffy like the ones in the costume shop, but just perfect. The texture was so surreal as if it was a soft stream during winter. It was sleeveless, typical but the bodice resembled a corset covered with white lace and the tiny white ribbons trail down to the skirt. It was the most beautiful dress I seen. The mannequin displaying the dress was complete with the shoes. Oh the shoes were the strap kind, it resembled a ballerina's only the flats were transform into glistening heels. It even has a huge ribbon with a baby blue diamond in the middle. And wait for it, a small cute tiara. This was it. I found my dress.

Before I could even walk towards the doll, Onew was already circling the mannequin approvingly. “YooIn, I think I have found your dress,” he smiled, calling me over. I slowly walk, trying to confirm the reality. It might be a mirage, after seeing endless dresses. But it's there, it's really there. It took me a minute to realized that it was a wedding dress. I did not noticed the long frozen lake train. “I think we might have to cut off the train. . . and maybe make more layers of the skirt,” Onew said, not bothering the odd looks from the shop assistant. I ignored him and tried to look for the prized tag. I almost fainted when I saw the fourth zero. I didn't see the exact amount though, too scared to. I cannot afford this dress. This beautiful, princess dress. I reached from the fabric, it's so soft.. . But I can even afford it. Well, I guess I can just wear my black dress, the one I bought myself to Lucifer's party. It's simple but maybe it's enough to show up at a ball. Maybe I could steal some of those black curtains in the library and make a full skirt, no one bothers to come there anyway.

I told Onew I had enough and we went home in disappointment. At least I was. But we were greeted by a monster as soon as we stepped into the mansion. In the form of blue black dress, which really compliment her perfect figure. “Where have you been, Onew? You know you have your extra lessons after school, Mr Polita is waiting for you in the kitchen.”
“Sorry mother,” Onew bowed. Niel and I followed. “I was helping YooIn to find a dress,” I bit her lip, I should have told Onew not to mention that. She glared at me.
“A dress? For what?”
“For the Cube's Annual Ball, of course,” Onew casually explain as he loosen his school's tie. Oh my gosh, just shut up Onew! I yelled in my mind. “HyunSeung personally invited her today,” Now the monster soften. That was. . . weird. . . Her eyes brighten up and she walked excitingly towards me and started to lift up my hands. . . patting them. . .

“Oh, YooIn's first ball!” Her excited tone sounded so fake. . . What is this women up to? “Did HyunSeung really personally invite her? Oh he must have like you very much! Very well, I'll let you go for one night. Alone, as Onew didn't receive an invitation. It'll be rude to show up. Did you find a suitable dress?” She was still in her fake excited self. I glance at Onew, who was walking towards the kitchen. Niel had a slight shock expression but he hid it very well. I caught my face in the mirror down the hall and saw my eyes were almost out of their sockets. My cheeks were so flush that I look like a tomato. But I could only nodded at her, smiling to match her excited atmosphere. But I won't fall into her traps. She most definitely planning something. “Well then,” she gently patted my cheeks, smiling warmly, “I hope you have a great time,” and walked away to her study.

Niel and I were in silence. Neither of us muttered a word. Finally, I broke it, after my mind made numerous conclusion to why the mistress's behavior. “Check on her, Neil. Then report back to me. I'll make your favorite snack before dinner.” And I left to fix my dress.

. . .

After hours of working in my small room, I stood tall in front of the floor length mirror, in my new handmade dress. The original dress was simple, sleeveless, without patterns, it made it so easy to be turn into a dress. The library's black curtains were light and soft. It could be easily mistaken as fabric; I just needed to sew the waistline of the dress and the curtain together. I must say, it look perfect. Well, perfect enough for the theme. A knock came. I turned around quickly, the dress followed, like a wave, I wanted to make it a floor length dress with a slight poof with the multiple layers of the curtain underneath. The door open to reveal Niel. He still had that grave look on his miserable face. Still, I smiled at him. Showing him the dress. He nodded approvingly and proceed to took out a recorder.

“I placed this in the mistress's study room and I overheard this conversation with her and Mr Cho,” Mr Cho. . . he was the company's treasurer. I took the cold silver box from him and pressed play. It crackled at first, but the witch's voice was clear.

“Come on, Cho. This is the perfect opportunity to expand! YooIn has been personally invited to Cube's Annual Ball, it means he's interested in her, right? When that kitchen helper marries him, the company can be benefit! Then we could expand so that. . . bastard regret what he has done to me,” her voice became so poisonous, I immediately stopped it. Even I couldn't bear to hear what happened next. Yes, I knew very well who the 'bastard' was. Even though I was not suppose to. I sighed as I handed the recorder back to Niel. “Your favorite snacks are in the fridge. Thank you, Neil,” I leaned towards him to give him a kiss on his right cheek. I was that thankful to him. I was so worried of what the mistress could plan for him. But now I felt so relief. Too bad for her that no way on earth I was going to marry HyunSeung.

“YooIn,” a new voice spoke in my room. I quickly pull myself away from Niel and saw an amused Onew leaning on the frame of my door. “Nice dress,” his eyes scanned every inch of my body. It made me blush, in a good way. . . somehow. “YooIn, I'm hungry~” he whined. He just ruin his masculine image. Well, that's Onew for you. I pushed Neil and him away from my room so I can change. Onew was still in front of my door when I about to go to the kitchen. I don't mind though. Onew spend most his time trying to avoid his mother. And the only place the mistress doesn't visit was my room. Niel was gulping a glass of milk when I entered the kitchen. I noticed some milk escaped from his delicate mouth, to his jaw. . . to his masculine neck. . . WHAT THE HELL PARK YOOIN?? I quickly wash my face with the cold tap water. Oh my gosh, I did not just think of that. Niel is a minor for God's sake. I focused on cooking to distract myself.

. . .

Onew hasn't come back to the kitchen. I already told him not to eat in my room because it can attract insects. I sighed as I went down to fetch him. It's no use to let him eat cold food. But to my horror, he was cutting up my black dress! “ONEW!” I yelled but he continued to cut in into pieces! I was so angry that I just slapped him. The room turn silent, the only noise was my heavy breathings. I never touch let alone slap Master Onew, so. . . I panicked. I grabbed the ripped dress from him and told him to get out. Onew rubbed his swollen cheek where I just slapped him. Oh God, what have I done? He stood up and walked towards me. Towering me. I flinched when he touch my arm. Then he dragged me up. I was too scare to even struggled. I was prepared to accept my punishment. But we stopped in the living room. There stood the wedding dress. The exact wedding dress from Juliette's boutique. Only, the train was cut off, making it look like an ordinary dress.

Onew turn to me, he held up his hand. A soft delicate mask covered with small glittering feathers was in his pale hands. “I hope you have a good time at the ball,” he lean towards me and kissed my forehead. Even though I was only a year older, Onew was taller than me. I was about to say sorry but he left, walking away to his room. I muttered; 'Thank you. . .” not quite sure if he heard me. I'll speak to him in the morning. I turn to the dress and smiled. I won't feel left out.