ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗪𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗬
─◌✰್ 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗉 𝗆𝗈𝖼𝗄𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗆𝖾

huats.up aww, my handsome little pig prince 🥰
> cheesecakehannie does that make you the pig princess?
    > robin_is_a_penguin @cheesecakehannie i don't think you can just ask someone if they're a pig, dear.
        > matchatess @cheesecakehannie look at her recent post, she's a swan u dingus.
            > minniemouse- @matchatess hey, only i can be mean to him. and ig @robin_is_a_penguin . 🙄

sunshine.lix can i get a piggyback ride too? 🥹
> dingdonghong aren't you taller than him, felix?
    > minniemouse- @dingdonghong everyone is taller than @bin.there.done.that , ren.
        > ramenoodlaska @dingdonghong plus, @huats.up is taller than both of them and u don't see either of them complaining 😋
            > catdad_lee @dingdonghong i bet u could give @minniemouse- a piggyback ride, huh?

mymymy okay but why didn't u tag @huats.up ?? 🤨
> ramenoodlaska yuh, you better not be tryna hide our girl from the public @bin.there.done.that

> sunshine.lix @ramenoodlaska i don't think he would do that, love, don't attack him 😅
> ryerye @sunshine.lix how do u know tho, hm?
> the.official.hwang @ryerye we see how scary you girls are if we wrong one of you. even bin isn't dumb enough to get caught in that trap.
> sk8terjj @the.official.hwang oh, so we're scary, are we?

catdad_lee are you really making the lady carry her own shoes?
> matchatess are you saying you'd actually be a gentleman on a date??
    > changaroo97 @matchatess would that be a gentlemanly thing to do...? asking for a friend.
        > dingdonghong @changaroo97 @ryerye says yes.
            > changaroo97 @dingdonghong why doesn't she say it herself???
                > dingdonghong @changaroo97 she's sitting right next to me and didn't wanna get on insta. 🤷‍♀️
                    > changaroo97 @ryerye @ryerye get on here and explain yourself! i see u replying to @mymymy and @ramenoodlaska !

You couldn't have asked to have a better time than you were right now.

The table before you was set with sterling silver silverware from Artemest, one of the fanciest cutlery brands you knew. This set here was probably around 3,000,000 won or more per person, and came directly from Italy. The napkins were a beige linen that went for approximately 1,200,000 won per set, and the tablecloth came from the same brand. The glasses were made of premium silver, and filled halfway with a red wine that cost an average down payment on a house. Everyone around you was dressed in casual clothes that cost tens to even hundred of thousands of dollars. From what Nana had told you, celebrities, heiresses, and government officials dined there weekly. If you were anybody in this area of Seoul, you went to Divino.

But out of all these multi-millionaires and powerful people, you were hands-down the luckiest one there, no questions asked.

Because you were here with Seo Changbin. And it would be a gross understatement to say that he looked good. Because he looked incredible. Mouthwateringly so, in your completely biased opinion.

You didn't give half a shit that all the men in that restaurant - single and otherwise - were staring at you. Truth be told, you were more than used to it.

You weren't entirely sure why they were staring at you, and not at the complete meal on your arm. Actually, you were pretty certain that he was drawing a few eyes as well, but you tried to ignore them. It was a bit of a power trip, having this buff, gorgeous specimen to call yours, and you were going to ride it out for as long as possible.

What was even more baffling - and borderline concerning - was that this gorgeous man had no idea just how hot he was. Judging by the way he was fiddling with the buttons on his shirt, and tapping his feet much faster than the slow jazz beat that acted as ambience for the room, he was more than a little nervous to be here.

You had been the one to choose this place. And while you would be able to afford it, both because your job paid incredibly well and you made a surprising amount off your Instagram and brand deals, you had mostly picked it because you had a direct connection to the management there. This place was extravagant, almost excessively so. And you wanted to be sensitive to that fact, and the high possibility that Changbin had rarely, if ever, been to a place like this.

"Have you looked at the menu yet?" You asked as gently as you could, pointing to the small one-page selection. "Nana told me that the Strangozzi with black truffle is her favorite. We could also share a pizza if you want. There's one with caviar and smoked salmon which sounds... interesting."

He chuckled quietly, eyes darting across the page, already overwhelmed. "They all sound like a foreign language to me, honestly. You pick."

You smiled, reaching out and grabbing his hand. It was sweaty and a little cold, but you didn't mind. He gripped you with a vehemence that you'd never experienced from him before. Maybe he was more uncomfortable than you thought.

"Why don't we share their pizza?" you suggested. "And I'll order another bottle of wine. Did you like the one Nana picked for us?"

He shrugged, his foot tapping faster. "Ah, I don't know much about fine wine. It tasted like... well, it tasted like wine."

You giggled, squeezing his hand in what you hoped was an encouraging gesture. "I don't either. I know I was blabbing about it earlier, but really, I just know I don't like white wine, and I love rosé. JJ's cocktails beat all of this fancy shit."

He smiled, and for the first time that night, it was the makings of a real one. "She does make a bomb-ass margarita."

"Right??" You nodded furiously. "Sometimes she even lets me cut up the fruit to add on the side! Here, they'd probably run me out of the building if I added strawberries to my wine."

He chuckled at that. "I dare you to try," he smirked.

"What?" you protested. "Are you saying you want me to get thrown out? Just because my friend owns it doesn't mean they won't!"

He shrugged those huge shoulders of his. "It's okay if you're too scared. Can't relate, but I get it."

"Okay, I see what you're trying to do, you absolute child," you glowered. "Fine, I'll ask for a stupid strawberry, if it'll make you happy."

"Makes no difference to me, if you have something to prove," he giggled behind his hand, and you almost strained a muscle at how hard you rolled your eyes.

When the waitress came in to take your order, you smoothly asked for their signature pizza, along with a bottle of their nicest rose.

"Perfect, is there anything else I can get you?" The young woman smiled pleasantly at the two of you.

Changbin shook his head politely, before turning to stare smugly at you.

Oh, you were going to get him back. This wasn't even a big deal, but seeing him look at you like that, like he knew you would chicken out, made you want to simultaneously slap him and kiss him.

"Actually, there is one more thing!" you said hurriedly.

"Yes?" The waitress eyed you, trying and failing to hide her judgy stare.

"Can I get a couple of strawberries?" you asked, smiling as sweetly as possible.

The waitress's brow crinkled just the tiniest bit, but you didn't miss it. "Okay... how many strawberries would you like?" she asked.

"Just a couple. How about six or so?" you responded, your cheeks warming. Why was she making this so difficult? You weren't trying to be a bitch, but for such a fancy place, the wait staff was certainly sub-par.

She finally nodded. "I'll just bring you a small bowl, how about that?" She scribbled something on her notepad, before walking away.

"It is just me, or was she rude?" You frowned, looking at Changbin for confirmation. You didn't want to overreact, but what the hell?

Changbin shrugged, sitting back in his seat. "I bet all the staff at a place like this are rude. They know you rich people will tip well, or tip nothing. So why try too hard?"

You sighed, crossing your arms over your chest. "I hate when people are rude. I'm paying so much to be here, why can't you be nice?"

He chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Gorgeous. We're here to have a good time, right?"

"Yes, I know." You nodded in agreement. He was right, as always. Typical Hua, getting upset over the stupidest shit.

"You did make it a bit awkward though, didn't you?" Changbin laughed, breaking you out of your thoughts.

"Hey, I did not!" you protested. "How did I make it awkward?"

"Can I get a couple of strawberries?" he mocked you, a broad grin spread across his face as he did so. "How about six or so?"

"Bin, stop it!" you complained, slapping his hand repeatedly. But you were unable to hide your laugh, as you felt your earlier irritation dissolve. How was he able to make you feel better so effortlessly, so fast? That was something very few people had been able to do in the past.

"You were the one being a weirdo." His smile didn't fade as he slid his hand back onto the table, capturing your hand. "I didn't think you were going to do it at all, though."

Your smile crept back onto your face. "Yeah, I could tell. I guess I proved you wrong. Are you sooo proud of me?"

"Yes, I'm very proud of you for asking for some strawberries," he chuckled, his thumb stroking the back of your hand.

"Maybe it'll make the wine better?" you suggested hopefully.

"Surprised you want to ruin the expensive aftertastes of the drink," he teased.

"I guess I can still surprise you, huh Mr. Seo?" It was your turn to smirk.

"You're always surprising me, Hua," he said seriously, and you blushed at the deep tone of his voice.

Just then, Nana approached your table, accompanied by another young woman, around your age.

"Lanhua, hi!" Nana positively beamed at you as stepped in front of you.

"Hey girl, what's up?" You glanced furtively at the other girl, who was shifting from one foot to the other.

"My friend Yeeun just stopped in on her way to the airport, and when she heard that you were here, she had to meet you!" Nana exclaimed, stepping out of the way so you could properly see her. "She's heard all about the work you've done at Park and Paws, and she's, what was the phrase, 'absolutely obsessed' with your fitness insta!"

You laughed, feeling your face warm at the unexpected compliments. "That's so kind, thank you! But I haven't been active on that account since I've been out here. I've been so busy!"

"Well, I'm in love with it!" The girl, Yeeun, placed her hands on your table, a fervent smile on her face. With dyed magenta hair and perfect winged eyeliner, she looked like she was straight out of a tabloid magazine. "The protein smoothies you make have been a lifesaver, I would be dead without them! And making them pet-friendly? Absolutely genius."

Changbin was glancing back and forth between you and Yeeun, utter confusion painting his face. You hadn't really told Changbin, let alone any of your other Seoul friends, about your pet-friendly fitness instagram. It wasn't even something you really thought about, either. It wasn't a huge passion of yours, but it did make a fair chunk of change. And while it was incredibly flattering that someone would care enough to want to meet you because of it, it was also a bit embarrassing.

"Well, I'm so glad you love them," you replied simply, not quite sure what else to say. "I hope I'll have more time to post soon! Since I'm in Seoul for the next three weeks, I'm sure I'll be super inspired."

"Can we get a pic?" Yeeun gushed. "I'm heading back to LA tonight, and I'm not sure when I'll be back in Seoul!"

"Yes, of course!" You hurried to straighten your hair, and Yeeun handed Nana her phone. Yeeun came over to stand next to you, and you placed an arm around her waist, smiling.

"One... two... three!" Nana snapped a couple of shots, before handing the phone back to Yeeun. "Thank you so much Hua, I'm sorry for bothering you and your man!"

You shook your head. "No, it's totally okay! Thank you again for coming by, have a great trip!"

"Thank you Lanhua!" Yeeun sighed with a smile. "I can't believe I actually met you, all my friends in Cali are gonna die!"

After the two girls walked away from your table, you turned back to Changbin, cheeks warm.

"I'm so sorry about that, Bin," you groaned. "I didn't know people still did that, come up to peoples tables just to take pictures."

He shrugged, smiling awkwardly. "It's not a problem, Hua. This place is probably full of famous people."

"You have no idea," you agreed, shoulders loosening in relief.

"Soo, fitness instagram?" He raised an inquisitive brow. "That's news to me."

You laughed, nodding. "Yeah, honestly it's not a big deal. I barely post on there, outside of the occasional recipe. I just wanted to make some healthy recipes that would be okay for Junjie and Jiao to eat, and I guess other people liked them. I haven't really told many in my real life about it, and I haven't posted on there for weeks. I don't think about it a lot, because social media isn't really something I enjoy, you know?"

He nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, it definitely makes sense. I'm kind of surprised that you don't like it though."

You frowned. "Why's that?"

He smiled at you. "I dunno, it just seems like something you people like to do."

"You people?" you echoed.

"Yeah, I guess like... erm, rich people." He glanced down at the tablecloth uncomfortably. "Not that I think you're like that, but-"

"No, I get it!" you interrupted, shaking your head. "I understand why you'd think that. I do kind of look like all those other hoity toity rich people, don't I?"

"I mean, well, yeah," he admitted. "I thought you were, at least. When I met you, you were just this gorgeous specimen, who I couldn't believe was actually interested in someone like me."

You paused, brows still pulled into a tight line on your forehead. You knew Changbin had felt that way, he had told you more than once how lucky he was to be with you. No matter how often you tried to convince him otherwise, he didn't think he was worthy of you.

And maybe tonight was the time to change his mind, for good.

You stood up, not caring that your chair scraped noisily against the immaculate floor. You shoved it back so hard, it fell skittering across the marble.

Changbin, along with the rest of the restaurant, stared at you, mouth slightly agape.

"What are you doing, Hua?" he asked nervously, looking around to check if anyone was going to come and arrest you, or something. "You just threw a chair!"

You ignored him, grabbing your bag, a mischievous grin on your face. "C'mon Bin, let's get the fuck out of here."

laska's note —
eek! look at these two mature bbs out here communicating with one another! and now hua is making a big gesture for her man! i think bin did a great job getting out of his comfort zone and trying to go with the flow. and now lanhua is getting out of her comfort zone by not caring what all these rich people think of her, so slay! just as a warning, the next two chapters will include some mature content! there will be content warnings on each one, but i think there's important plot points that go along with it, so i wouldn't recommend skipping the WHOLE chapter! but i will make it accessible so you can skip the actual graphic scenes if desired without missing stuff. get excited though, there's still so much fun ahead! 🥰

𝖭𝖤𝖷𝖳 𝖴𝖯：
𝟮𝟭 - 𝗹𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲
┊ ⇄ ◁◁ II ▷▷ ↻ ┊