Andrea wandered through the bustling party hall, her eyes scanning the array of traditional Chinese food tables and drink stations with both fascination and mild confusion. The tables were laden with delicacies—steamed buns, dumplings, and exotic fruits—and an assortment of drinks in ornate porcelain cups. Although she wasn't opposed to drinking, she preferred to keep her composure, especially since tonight she needed to look both professional and poised. Her mind raced with indecision: which drink would best suit her appearance and help her blend in with the sophisticated crowd?
Lost in her thoughts, Andrea drifted toward the drinks section. Just then, a friendly voice cut through her reverie. "Are you confused too?" the voice asked softly in accented English. Andrea looked up and recognized the face immediately—it was the same gentle-faced woman she'd seen earlier in the elevator. The woman, clearly in her mid-twenties, had an air of familiarity and warmth.
"Oh, you're here! Sorry, I didn't expect to see you again," Andrea replied, a slight smile tugging at her lips as she spoke.
The woman returned the smile and said, "I'm Tan Sha-Sha. I'm 26, by the way. Let me offer you a light taste of our traditional five-year-old Chinese wine." Her tone was both playful and sincere as she gestured toward the elegant counter where a row of beautifully arranged glassware sparkled under soft lighting.
"Would you like to try one?" Sha-Sha asked, holding out a delicate glass filled with a pale, amber liquid that caught the light as if it were liquid gold.
Andrea accepted the glass, studying its contents with cautious interest before saying, "Thank you." Her voice was warm but carried a trace of uncertainty as she took her first sip.
Sha-Sha stepped closer, her eyes alight with friendly curiosity. "I'm sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier," she said, extending her hand gracefully. "Hello, I'm Tan Sha-Sha."
Andrea shook her hand, her own smile growing. "Hi, I'm Andrea Yeldiz."
At the sound of Andrea's clear, confident English, Sha-Sha's eyes widened with admiration. "Your English is so good!" she exclaimed, placing a hand lightly on her own cheek as if in disbelief.
Andrea shrugged modestly, a playful glint in her eyes. "Yeah, I suppose it comes with the territory," she replied lightly.
Sha-Sha's gaze then shifted between Andrea and a distant figure near the other end of the hall—Eunwoo, who was engaged in quiet conversation with a group of clients. "So, did you come with your partner?" she asked, her tone teasing as she glanced at Andrea.
Andrea's eyes flickered briefly toward Eunwoo. "Yes, with my fiancé," she said, the words slipping out almost automatically as she maintained her professional façade.
A murmur rippled among the nearby guests as they exchanged knowing looks, while Andrea's heart pounded in her ears. She couldn't help but wonder—had Eunwoo really begun to warm to their charade? Or was this just another well-rehearsed act?
Sha-Sha smiled warmly. "That's wonderful. You two make quite the couple."
Andrea's mind raced as she sipped her wine. The taste was smooth and light, exactly as promised. Yet, despite the pleasant flavor and the gentle encouragement of her new acquaintance, she couldn't shake the confusion stirring inside her. She was here, in a world so different from her own, playing a role that felt as fragile as glass. Every whispered comment, every sideways glance made her feel both admired and scrutinized.
Her gaze returned to Sha-Sha, and then to the distant figure of Eunwoo. Even though he was busy conversing with his clients, Andrea could sense his eyes on her. A part of her longed to catch his gaze, to see a flicker of something genuine in his otherwise guarded expression. But she knew better than to expect too much from him tonight.
Sha-Sha, noticing Andrea's introspection, leaned closer and said in a gentle tone, "Don't worry too much. Tonight, you're not alone. We're all here, playing our parts. Just enjoy it."
Andrea managed a small, appreciative smile. "Thank you, Sha-Sha. I guess I just feel a bit… out of place."
"Not at all," Sha-Sha replied. "Sometimes being different is exactly what makes you memorable."
Andrea's eyes softened with gratitude before she glanced at her watch. "I need to head over to the elevator. My partner is waiting," she said, her tone steadying as she realized that she had to maintain her composure.
At that moment, Eunwoo's clients parted, and he turned toward the elevator. As he approached, Eunwoo extended his hand. In a gesture that was both commanding and oddly tender, he took Andrea's hand in his. The contrast between their heights was stark—Eunwoo's 6-foot frame and Andrea's 5'4" stature seemed to emphasize their differences, yet in that brief contact, something unspoken passed between them.
Inside the elevator, as the polished doors closed with a soft chime, Andrea could feel her heartbeat quicken. The confined space, the low murmur of the elevator's mechanism, and Eunwoo's presence all mingled to create a charged atmosphere. Her eyes wandered to his, searching for any hint of warmth or amusement. For a moment, the world outside—the party, the elegant décor, the curious stares—faded into the background.
Then, the elevator doors slid open, and they stepped out into a corridor that led to the grand ballroom. As they walked, Andrea spoke quietly, "I don't know how I'm supposed to act like your fiancée, Eunwoo. I'm not even sure what that means for me."
Eunwoo's gaze was steady as he responded in a low, measured tone, "Just follow my lead, Andrea. Tonight, we're a couple, and you act accordingly." His words were curt, almost mechanical, yet something in his tone made her feel both chastised and inexplicably safe.
As they neared the ballroom entrance, a cluster of elegantly dressed couples gathered near the doors, exchanging polite greetings. Andrea's eyes met those of one guest, a woman in a sparkling gown who offered a gentle smile in apparent acknowledgment of the couple's presence. The air around them vibrated with subdued excitement and cautious scrutiny.
Andrea tried to focus on the task at hand. "I can do this," she whispered to herself, more as a promise than a question. But as they stepped through the grand doors, she couldn't help but feel the weight of expectation pressing down on her.
Eunwoo's hand, still holding hers, squeezed gently. "We're almost there." His voice, though soft, carried a weight that made her pulse quicken anew.
Inside the ballroom, the scene was mesmerizing—a swirl of light, sound, and refined opulence. But in that moment, as Andrea's gaze drifted over the gathered couples and then back to Eunwoo's impassive face, she knew that this elaborate masquerade was more than just a mission. It was a game of appearances and secrets, of hidden truths waiting to be uncovered.
And as she took a deep breath, ready to play her part, Andrea silently vowed that whatever came of tonight, she would not let herself be defined by the role forced upon her. In the delicate dance of duty and desire, she would find her own truth—one that might just shatter the carefully constructed façade between her and Eunwoo King.
With that, the grand doors of the ballroom swung open, and they stepped forward together—partners in the truest sense, caught between pretense and something far more real.
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Shasha let out a small chuckle at Andrea's words, her fingers gently swirling the liquid in her glass. "Men are indeed like this," she repeated, shaking her head with an amused sigh. "They think if they provide, they have done their part, but they forget that time is just as valuable."
Andrea hummed in agreement, stealing a glance at Eunwoo, who was now deep in conversation with a group of men dressed in sharp suits. His posture was confident, his expression unreadable—just like always. It was almost strange how easily he blended into this environment, while she felt like an outsider trying to play a role she wasn't sure she fit into.
"You don't seem too used to these gatherings," Shasha observed, tilting her head slightly as she studied Andrea's face.
Andrea let out a small laugh, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Is it that obvious?"
"A little." Shasha smirked, finishing the rest of her drink. "But you're handling it well. Not many people can step into a world like this and hold their ground."
Andrea thought about that for a moment, her grip tightening slightly around the stem of her glass. "I guess I just follow his lead," she admitted, glancing once more at Eunwoo, who seemed completely in his element. "He's the one who belongs here. I'm just... adapting."
Shasha gave her a knowing look, as if she understood something Andrea hadn't fully grasped herself. "You may think that," she said, placing her empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter, "but from what I see, you're not just adapting. You're finding your own place in it."
Andrea blinked at her words, unsure how to respond. Before she could say anything, Shasha straightened up, her expression shifting into something more serious. "By the way," she lowered her voice slightly, leaning in, "this isn't just any gathering, is it?"
Andrea tensed slightly. Shasha was observant—perhaps too much.
"What do you mean?" Andrea asked, keeping her voice as neutral as possible.
Shasha chuckled, but there was a sharpness in her gaze. "I mean," she said, "not just anyone gets invited to this party. Everyone here is either someone powerful or someone who holds secrets. And from what I see, you and your fiancé are a bit of both."
Andrea forced a small smile, trying to appear unfazed. "You're reading too much into it."
Shasha merely shrugged, her smirk widening. "Maybe," she said, "or maybe I'm just good at spotting things that others don't."
Before Andrea could respond, Eunwoo's voice interrupted their conversation.
"Andrea," he called, his tone smooth yet firm. When she turned to him, she noticed how his gaze flickered between her and Shasha, his expression unreadable.
"Time to meet some people," he said, extending his hand toward her.
Andrea hesitated for a split second before placing her hand in his. His grip was warm, firm—reassuring, in a way. As she stood beside him, she could feel the weight of Shasha's gaze on her.
Shasha smiled knowingly, raising her glass in a mock toast. "Enjoy your evening, Andrea," she said, her voice carrying a hint of amusement.
Andrea only nodded before allowing Eunwoo to lead her away. But even as they walked toward the next part of the night, Shasha's words lingered in her mind.
Not just anyone gets invited to this party.
Was it possible that Shasha knew more than she let on?
_______+______+______+______+_______+_______
As Eunwoo led Andrea away from Shasha, she could feel the warmth of his hand enveloping hers—firm, steady, and reassuring. It wasn't just a simple touch; it was a reminder. A silent message that they were in this together.
"Who was that?" Eunwoo asked casually, though Andrea knew him well enough to catch the underlying sharpness in his tone.
"Tan Shasha," Andrea replied, keeping her voice light. "She's the woman I met in the elevator earlier. The one with the husband who works too much."
Eunwoo hummed, his eyes briefly flickering back toward Shasha, who was now engaged in another conversation. "She seems observant."
Andrea let out a small chuckle. "You have no idea. She practically figured out that we weren't here just as a couple. I had to lie and say we're engaged."
Eunwoo's grip on her hand tightened ever so slightly before he loosened it. "Good. It's better they believe that."
Andrea glanced up at him, slightly raising an eyebrow. "You don't seem surprised."
"I expected something like this," Eunwoo admitted, his voice calm and composed. "This party is filled with influential people—business moguls, government officials, underground players. They're all good at reading people. Some, like Shasha, are just better at it than others."
Andrea exhaled, letting his words settle in her mind. "So we just keep playing along?"
Eunwoo turned his head slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. "Yes. And don't let your guard down. Not even for a second."
Andrea nodded, schooling her expression into one of ease and confidence, even as her pulse quickened. She had trained for this—prepared herself for this mission—but being here, surrounded by people who could see through facades, made her realize how much more careful she needed to be.
As they approached a small gathering of businessmen, Eunwoo's demeanor shifted seamlessly. His expression turned businesslike, his usual intensity replaced with a cool charm. Andrea followed his lead, standing slightly behind him, her presence quiet but observant.
One of the men, a middle-aged businessman with silver-streaked hair, turned toward Eunwoo with a smile. "Ah, Mr. Cha! I've been looking forward to meeting you. Your reputation precedes you."
Eunwoo extended his hand, shaking the man's firmly. "I hope it's a good reputation, Mr. Li."
The man chuckled. "Mostly. Though, I must admit, I was surprised to see you bring company this time." His gaze flickered toward Andrea, his interest evident.
Andrea, sensing the attention on her, offered a polite smile. "Andrea Yeldiz," she introduced herself smoothly.
"A beautiful name," Mr. Li mused, studying her with the curiosity of someone trying to place a puzzle piece that didn't quite fit. "And what do you do, Miss Yeldiz?"
Andrea tilted her head slightly, her mind working fast. "I assist Cha Eunwoo in his business affairs," she replied, her tone professional yet vague.
Mr. Li smirked knowingly, as if he didn't fully believe her but decided to play along. "A very fortunate man, indeed."
Eunwoo didn't react to the statement, only giving a polite nod. "Shall we discuss business, Mr. Li?"
The older man chuckled. "Of course, of course. But first, let's enjoy the party, shall we? There will be plenty of time for serious matters later."
Andrea watched as Eunwoo exchanged a few more pleasantries before Mr. Li excused himself to speak with another guest. As soon as he walked away, Andrea exhaled quietly.
"These people are sharp," she murmured under her breath.
Eunwoo smirked, barely glancing at her. "And you handled it well."
Andrea resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "I just dodged half the questions."
"Exactly."
She sighed, glancing around at the luxurious hall, the glittering chandeliers reflecting off the expensive crystal glasses, the air thick with power and secrets.
"How long do we have to keep this up?" she asked in a low voice.
Eunwoo's expression turned unreadable. "Until we find what we came for."
Andrea nodded, steeling herself. This wasn't just about playing pretend. This was about survival. About uncovering secrets hidden beneath the polished smiles and expensive suits.
And if she wasn't careful, she might end up being the one exposed.