The lavish alumni reunion of Yelsulin University had come alive again after that heated clash earlier. Or rather, thanks to Kai and Valko, who brought in bikini models and strip dancers to smooth things over, the penthouse now looked more like a tacky, oversexed nightclub than a classy reunion. Still, nobody seemed to care anymore—cocktails were back in hand, appetizers on the tables, laughter and chatter filling the air as if nothing had happened.
Dao leaned on her hand, scanning the scene. She sighed in disgust, clicking her tongue when her eyes landed on the rich boys sitting smugly at the far end.
Next year we're canceling this crap. Every time it gets more grotesque. I can't stand it.
She grabbed a cocktail from a tray carried by a model wearing nothing but panties. Dao shot the girl a quick glance and muttered:
"Don't take gigs like this again. Whoever asks you—run. Got it?"
The model, pale-skinned and likely Eastern European, didn't seem to understand English, yet something in Dao's tone clicked. Dao wasn't just anyone—she was a well-known model in the region, a rising actress, and someone who had seen enough of the industry's dark corners. Her words carried weight.
The girl nodded quickly and slipped away. Dao knew for sure: this would be the first and last time she ever did something like this.
Dao let out another sigh and returned to her table, where Mina and Duyen sat looking just as out of place. The awkward tension in their posture said it all—they hated this bizarre atmosphere as much as she did. Especially Duyen. The tomboy was blushing furiously, clinging to her glass of milk as if it were a lifeline, eyes glued to the table. With half-naked bodies weaving in and out of the crowd, she didn't dare look around. Not when Mina was sitting right beside her.
Mina, of course, chatted with Dao's friends elegantly, laughing softly while talking about work. But Duyen could feel it—the subtle glances, Mina's eyes flicking to her every few minutes. What was she trying to say? Whatever it was, Duyen's instincts screamed: looking at other girls tonight would be a very, very bad idea. She didn't understand why she felt that way.
Mina hadn't let go of her all evening. Holding her hand, clinging to her arm, pressed close enough that their thighs still touched beneath the table.
Mina, the ice queen, acting clingy? Dao almost choked on her drink when she noticed. Mina's hand kept twitching, brushing along Duyen's leg.
Oh my god...
Dao bit back laughter. Is this what love does to people? Turns them ridiculous?
Dao cleared her throat, forcing the moment to shift.
"So, ladies, what do you think? Next year—why don't we host our own reunion? Girls only."
Mina laughed at that, sipping her cocktail, her rogue hand still resting boldly on Duyen's thigh, making the tomboy squirm.
One curious girl asked, "And who's gonna run that party? You?"
"Of course!" Dao puffed her chest and tapped it with her fist. "We'll keep it simple—hot pot, snacks, karaoke, and singing till dawn!"
The wealthy girls at the table exchanged uncertain glances. Their upbringing had been all luxury balls and champagne, not rowdy hotpot nights with loud karaoke like old uncles in alleyway pubs. How Dao, of all people—the one with the most high-profile background at the table—embraced such down-to-earth culture was anyone's guess.
Their eyes drifted to Duyen. The beautiful tomboy from a poor background, who had come to this year's reunion despite everything. Her presence, and the recent truth revealed about her, had only made her shine brighter in their eyes.
"If Duyen's in..."
"We're in too."
"Then it's settled!" Dao grinned, turning to Mina. "What about you?"
Mina stayed her usual self—poised, cold, unreadable. She sipped her drink with quiet grace.
"Doesn't matter to me. But I'm not singing."
Dao smirked. "I didn't ask you to sing. And while you're at it, move that naughty hand."
Mina chuckled, feigning innocence with that flawless face. "I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, you know," Dao teased back.
Duyen's blush deepened as the women burst into laughter. For once, she felt... included. All this time she thought she'd never belong in their world. But right now? They treated her kindly, warmly. Had the rumors from Valko been what kept me distant all along? she wondered. Because these women don't seem bad at all.
Scary, isn't it—how much gossip can destroy, how much it can twist the way we see others?
Her thoughts drifted. If Nayeon saw this... what would she say? She always told me to be careful, not to trust too easily. I wish she were here. Maybe she'd change her mind if she saw this...
Duyen smiled faintly, almost hearing Nayeon's nagging voice in her head. The smile dimmed into sadness.
Nayeon... where are you now?
Tell me you're okay...
For all the slander thrown at her, Nayeon had always been there, defending her. Always.
Her gaze shifted unconsciously to the bar, where Naomi and Linh sat. Naomi caught her eyes and waved warmly.
Who would've thought they'd be the ones to speak up for her? Duyen smiled and mouthed silently:
Thank-you-for-standing-up-for-me.
Naomi's eyes welled with red at that. Linh nudged her.
"Naomi? You okay?"
"Huh?" Naomi blinked, realizing her cheeks were flushed. She turned quickly back to the bar, flustered.
God, what's wrong with me? She squeezed her eyes shut, whispering under her breath:
"Duyen's not my type... Duyen's not my type... Not my type..." like a mantra.
Nearby, Cai Ying had witnessed the whole thing. She smirked and muttered under her breath.
"Fake."
Then suddenly, Jinsung approached their table.
Dao's smile vanished the moment she saw him. Her face twisted with disdain, as if she'd just spotted trash on the sidewalk. Jinsung couldn't even meet her eyes. He hated that Kai had forced him to come here on Valko's behalf. He looked pathetic—a lapdog for powerful men. How different life had been when he was still with Dao...
He avoided her gaze and lightly tapped Mina's shoulder. The moment he did, it felt like he'd touched a live wire. Mina turned, her cold eyes narrowing further, looking at him as though he'd committed a grave sin.
"Uh—Miss Mina...!" he stammered.
Her brow furrowed. Her voice was icy.
"What is it?"
"I mean—Miss Kamakiri! Valko's calling for you."
Mina let out a sharp breath. She lifted her eyes toward the second floor of the penthouse, where Valko stood behind glass walls, staring down at her. Watching her every move.
Dao followed her gaze and cursed under her breath. Mina despised seeing Valko, but she couldn't refuse. She was still his legal wife, after all, and everyone here knew it. Bringing Duyen tonight had already been a slap in his face—rumors would explode after this.
Mina looked at Duyen, her gaze softening. There was so much she wanted to tell her, but how could this tomboy ever handle even a fraction of the dark truths she carried?
Mina squeezed Duyen's hand gently, lifting it with delicate care. Her voice dropped to a whisper only they could hear.
"Duyen... you once asked me why I kissed you that day, didn't you?"
Duyen's face went scarlet. She hadn't expected Mina to bring that up. She nodded shyly.
Mina traced her fingers along Duyen's, caressing them like something precious.
"This is my answer."
She raised Duyen's hand and pressed a kiss onto the back of it. Her lips lingered there longer than anyone expected. Gasps rippled around the table. Even Dao froze in shock.
Mina had just kissed Duyen's hand—in front of everyone. In front of Valko.
From above, Valko's face contorted with rage. He grabbed a bottle of fine wine and smashed it against the wall, glass shattering, the model inside screaming as she bolted out of the room.
Duyen was trembling, her hand frozen in Mina's grasp. Her mind blanked completely.
Dao was stunned too.
Mina, are you insane!?
But Mina ignored it all. She lowered Duyen's hand gently back to the table, stood with elegance, threw on her black fur coat, and followed Jinsung like a queen heading into battle.
"Let's go."
"Y-Yes, ma'am..." Jinsung stuttered, hurrying after her like a frightened mutt. He glanced back at Dao, who flipped him off without hesitation.
When they were gone, Dao finally exhaled and scooted closer to Duyen, resting a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"Relax. Mina will be fine."
"H-huh?" Duyen was still dazed from that kiss. She nodded quickly, trying to ground herself.
Duyen couldn't help but worry and think. Valko wanted to talk to Mina privately? Duyen was sure he was very angry, what if he took it out and hurt Mina?
Dao lit a cigarette, smirking.
"Don't worry. Valko can be selfish, narcissistic, jealous—but he'll never hurt Mina. Not ever."
Except for that one time, she thought, recalling a dark secret she'd witnessed, one too heavy to ever speak aloud.
Before Duyen could ask, another voice chimed in—a soft, girlish one.
"So you're Duyen, huh?"
Dao and Duyen looked up.
Dao's eyes lit up. "Cai Ying! Where have you been? I kept calling you over!"
The petite girl, dressed in a black lace dress, with dimples and a beauty mark below her lip, looked no older than a middle schooler. She sighed.
"It got too noisy earlier, so I went to have a drink."
Dao laughed into her hand. "Drinking? You sure you're old enough?"
Cai Ying's eyes widened in outrage.
"Hey! I'm twenty-four!"
The whole table burst into laughter. Dao introduced her to Duyen.
"This is Cai Ying, our junior at Yelsulin. She started two years after us. Now she's a hotshot interior designer in France—with her own showroom, even!"
Duyen's eyes widened in admiration. "Wow... Nice to meet you. I'm Duyen."
"I already knew your name," Cai Ying said softly, eyes locked on her.
Dao laughed and playfully smacked Cai Ying's butt.
"Her only weakness? She hasn't grown a centimeter in ten years!"
"Ah!" Cai Ying squeaked, face bright red as she covered her rear. "Don't smack me like a kid!"
The women roared with laughter.
"But you are a kid!"
"I am not! I'm twenty-four!"
Nobody listened, laughing harder. Even Duyen chuckled, though she stopped when Cai Ying shot her a sulky glare. The petite girl sat down next to her—then scooted away slightly, as if conflicted.
Duyen tilted her head, confused.
Then Cai Ying turned, her voice suddenly soft.
"So, Duyen... tell me more about yourself."