Ivy stood dumbfounded in front of a boutique that was painted to look similar to the train station next to it. "Why are you standing here? Quickly enter now…" Ray urged as Ivy hold on to him to stop him from entering.
"Are you sure this is a boutique?" Ivy questioned skeptically as all the brothers couldn't help but chuckle.
"Yes… She is only designing clothes for selected customers only and you should see for yourself her designs…" Jin explained as he walked up the stairs at the entrance before Ivy mischievously hooked her arm onto Jin's while they entered the store as an idea to tease Cassandra came up in her mind.
"Welcome to the subway boutique…" Cassandra greeted as Ivy tried to ignore her and meddled with Jin's face. "Honey, your pores are expanding on your face. You need to apply some moisturiser to keep them flawless, honey…" Ivy put on an act on purpose as Jin’s girlfriend to tease Cassandra. However, little did she know, Cassandra was informed in advance of their arrival and Jin had spoken a lot about his expectations and updated Cassandra about Ivy often whenever he had time.
Ryu and Ray who were shocked at first and couldn't help but chuckle when they exchange glances with Cassandra who smiled indicating she had already known Ivy’s true identity.
"Stop your craziness, my dear sister…" Jin who was annoyed walked up to Cassandra instead and gave her a kiss on her forehead as Ivy watched in disbelief that her trick failed with a jaw drop.
Ivy began to feel the chilly airconditioned was overwhelming for her recovering self that she accidentally bellow a loud sneeze. Cassandra quickly handed her some tissues as Ray took off his jacket to cover it over Ivy who was blowing her nose. “Sorry… Thank you…” Ivy was mumbling while blowing her nose. “She isn’t well yet?” Cassandra asked as she returned with a cup of warm water.
“Nope… Dad had to kidnap her from Landsfield this morning…” Jin said while crossing his arms and standing on one leg leaning to a side table watching Ivy drink up the glass of water as Ray and Ryu fidgetted over her.
“Hmm.. you sure know a lot about me…” Ivy couldn’t help but say it out loud as she sniffed. Cassandra held out her hand to Ivy moments later for a handshake. “Nice to meet you, Elder Sister…”
“Oh, busted… What a waste…” Ivy mumbled to herself when she realised Cassandra could see through her act as Ryu and Ray chuckled when they heard her.
However, Ivy could tell there were a lot of emotions running through Cassandra’s face as she kept her eyes on Cassandra before standing up. One thing Ivy was sure of was that Cassandra knew a lot about the family. Ivy shifted her stare to Cassandra’s hand as she smiled before shaking it.
“Ivy… Call me Ivy will do. Nice to meet you, Ms… Future Sister In Law…” Ivy teased as Jin smacked lightly on Ivy’s right arm. “Stop teasing!” Jin hissed as Cassandra giggled while Ivy stuck her tongue out at Jin after she let go of Cassandra’s hand.
“Cassandra… Call me Cassie will do…” Cassandra smiled as she quickly get her assistant to lead them the way to the clothing they had prepared.
Along the way, Ivy couldn't help but think to herself just how close Cassandra was to the whole family. Just based on her touched yet delighted facial reaction earlier, she must have been with Jin long enough to know about her history and how the family had longed for her return. If Ivy wasn’t mistaken, she might have seen Cassandra’s eyes were slightly teary. That made her own eyes teary a little wondering about the depth of endurance the family had been put through all these years.
“Here are the sets of tuxedos I have prepared for all of you and for Ivy, yours would be at the end of the hallway… Let me help the guys out first, alright?” Cassandra explained as Ivy nodded while looking around and saw Cassandra indeed was a professional as her designs were very well suited for everyone.
“Wow, charming!” Ivy teased Ryu as Ryu took a look at his ocean blue blazer with silver lining at the collars. Ivy realised all the brothers had different designs despite the same color radiant. Ray’s one had silver linings by the end of each sleeve and at both sides of the lower helms which looked elegant while Jin’s one has more pockets and the silver linings were by the left side chest pocket opening and also at the lower end of the blazer’s pockets opening.
“We will try them on first…” Ryu nodded in satisfaction as he announced and walked into the fitting room while Cassandra and her assistant were also done helping Ray and Jin who had gone to the fitting rooms. She led Ivy down the hallway as they revealed three sets of evening gowns. As Ivy stood in front of the gowns and observed the colors of maroon, silvery-white and white black swirly, she began to admire Cassandra more. “The exact colors I had in mind…Just how much had they told you about me?” Ivy praised as Cassandra walked to the side and added another two pieces.
Cassandra chuckled a little. “Not much honestly but your picture was a good guide in creating all these… Here… Choose one as they all were specially designed for you and from now on we will start to build your collection as well.” Cassandra explained as Ivy raised an eyebrow.
“Collection?” Ivy asked skeptically. “Yes, all of the tuxedos earlier you saw were each of their own collection. Your dad’s one is right next to you on your right…” Cassandra pointed over as Ivy twirled around and saw a navy blue suit looking very sharp staring back at her with many other dark ranges of colors.
“The theme is blue tonight?” Ivy asked as she reached out to touch the suit.
“Yes…For the men only…”Ray answered as he stepped out of the fitting room and mesmerised Ivy with his charming look. “Oh, wow…” Ivy watched in awe.
One by one Ryu and Jin stepped out as well as Cassandra and her assistant went around to ensure their fittings were alright. Ivy found herself standing admiring their heart-throbbing looks.
“Gorgeous, we are running out of time… Could you make up your mind on which dress is it?” Ryu teased as Ivy suddenly snapped out of her admiration and turned around to look at her dresses. She noticed the additions earlier were dusty rose pink and bluish silver which looked metallic.
She removed the dusty rose pink as Cassandra’s assistant helped her. She knew it would make her look very childish to a family which already had a so call conflict. She had to figure out which dress could make her look not too intimidating but again not too down to earth as she didn’t want to give an impression that she was weak. She didn’t quite like the metallic as the boys and her dad would be in very sharp blue and that dress would only be drowned in their colors.
As she removed the metallic dress away, Cassandra smiled as though Ivy was reading her mind. “Indeed, the Ophal’s has good taste…” She complimented as Ivy raised an eyebrow in surprise thinking Cassandra must have been offended.
“Oh, don’t be mistaken. I absolutely love your designs but they aren’t suitable for tonight’s occasion as it’s my first time. I don't want to be seen as weak but again I don’t want to be too down to earth or too outstanding too…” As Ivy was talking, she removed the maroon dress.
“Precisely what I had in mind…” Cassandra said as she took the red dress from Ivy who smiled when she knew Cassandra was on the same page as she continued thinking to herself of her options.
Ivy stood observing the silvery-white and white-black swirly dress. She noticed the white-black swirly piece was a white jumpsuit with its back helm made to look like a dress with black swirlies while the silvery-white dress had a long back helm and it would a little too difficult to waltz on even with very high heels although it would be the most ideal in this situation to choose a softer color as she turned around to face her brothers.
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“How bad is the situation with the relatives?” She asked facing every one of them with her arms crossed which caught them off guard as Ray walked up to her and held on to her shoulders. Ivy looked up at him as he spoke. “It’s not something you should be worried about… Just pick one which you would be comfortable in to waltz beautifully with dad…”
“That’s right… It doesn’t matter what they think of you… After all, we are the host…” Jin said which made Ivy a little weary as she took one last look at the dress and saw the white element was also rather dominant on the jumpsuit that she decided to pick that and try it on. “I will try on this…” Ivy said as she walked into the fitting room.
“Are we really not going to tell her anything?” Ryu asked softly as Jin shook his head while Ray could only look at the ground and hold back his thoughts. They were all forced to keep their lips sealed as their dad instructed earlier in the day and they could only wait for the day their dad tell Ivy about all of the stories.
Moments later, Ivy stepped out looking very different after she dressed up. The cotton helm material made her look elegant as she twirled in front of the mirror in four-inch striped heels. She knew she couldn’t handle anything taller, especially when she was going to waltz and the stripes were ideal to ensure she didn’t hurt her back heels with painful sores.
“Perfect…” Cassandra couldn’t help but be praised as Ivy smiled while Peter arrived right on time into the boutique as he watched his daughter being all dressed up. He was overwhelmed by her beauty as all he remembered was how little she was back then when she constantly twirled in her dresses. Now, his little girl was all grown up.
“Thanks to you…” Ivy winked at Cassandra, not knowing Peter had arrived.
“Uncle…” Cassandra instantly greeted Peter respectfully when she noticed him.
“Daddy!” Ivy jogged over to give him a hug.
“Dad…” The boys greeted as he nodded.
“You look very pretty tonight, my dear…” Peter praised as Ivy beamed delightfully like how she always do when she was young.
“You still have the same look as when you were younger…” Peter caressed her face. “I can’t wait to see you put on that…” Ivy pointed at his suit.
“Alright, alright… I will go change now…” Peter walked over as Cassandra’s assistant help him.
“Let’s do your hair and makeup now…” Cassandra chased Ivy into another room while the brothers who were still a little surprised at the outcome were also chased to do their hair and make-up by Cassandra’s assistant.
“Let’s go with a loose bun at the end to keep the elegant look with pearls?” Ivy suggested as Cassandra nodded and started to work on her. “Cassie, how long have you been with my family and Jin?” Ivy asked as Cassandra was caught off guard by her question for a moment. She halted from combing Ivy’s hair for a while.
“Sorry, I was just asking out of curiosity as I could feel you must have been there during their ups and downs…” Ivy explained herself as Cassandra smiled and continued with her work on Ivy.
“It’s been three years with Jin if that’s what you want to ask… But it’s longer with the family as it was where I started out to find a living…” Cassandra explained as Ivy nodded with lots of other questions in mind. “We are running out of time today… You could come by anytime other days to have tea and we could have a good chat, Ivy…” Cassandra offered as Ivy smiled with glee feeling satisfied.
“Cassie, you have good taste and you’re really professional… Would you be able to also design for my best friends? I would pay you, don't worry…” Ivy requested while she turned around to look at Cassandra who was chuckling. Cassandra instantly knew the boys must have teased her as well.
“Did the boys tell you that joke that I don’t design for just anybody?” Cassandra laughed as Ivy raised an eyebrow and smiled.
“Oh… Was it a joke?” Ivy blinked in embarrassment as she turned around to face the mirror.
“Anytime, Ivy… Bring them when they are available… Money’s not an issue… I only design for those who know how to appreciate them... In a way, the joke was also half true.” Cassandra chuckled as Ivy couldn't help but chuckle along.
Peter had arranged earlier for Mr. Jin to let the children leave first instead of waiting for him due to the peak hour jam which would delay them even more. Despite arriving at the hotel early, none of the brothers wanted to step inside the hall before their dad arrived as they didn’t want to be the ones to answer their relatives’ curious questions about Ivy. Ivy on the other hand was excited as she kept asking each one of them like their younger sister the same question for the past half hour only to get the same answer.
“Why are we not entering yet?” Ivy questioned Ray again who was holding onto her hand loosely.
“We should enter with Dad…” Ray repeated himself countless times as he chuckled at Ivy’s nuisance. At that point in time, Ivy got bored of waiting and her heels were tiring her legs so she had to pace around between her three brothers and stop at each one of them to ask the same question just to keep herself entertained and to forget the tiredness of her legs.
Jin could tell Ivy must be tired as Cassandra who loves high heels would always complain of the excruciating pain and sores thereafter especially after standing for too long.
“Are your heels tiring you? That’s why you’re pacing and repeating your question huh Ms. Annoying?” Jin teased Ivy when she got over to him and stood in front of him with her arms crossed. Ivy was caught off guard for a while as she glared at him playfully.
Ryu who was busy scrolling over his phone quickly scooped Ivy into his arms after hearing Jin’s questions being unanswered as the brothers walked behind them to the couch. Ivy blushed in embarrassment. “Ryu, couldn’t you give me some heads-up next time... Put me down quickly. I can still walk…” Ivy mumbled as she covered her face when she noticed passers-by were looking.
“Why are you so shy now?” Ryu teased as he sat her on the couch. “You don’t have to be you know that, especially with your brothers…” Ryu teased as Ivy smiled and blushed even more before massaging both her calves.
“If you do that more, how are you going to find me a sister-in-law?” Ivy teased in return as Ryu chuckled before helping her to massage her left calf.
“I don’t intend to yet…” Ryu retaliated. “I know, I know… my sister-in-law for now is basketball… But I don’t want to have her forever, Ryu… Should I recommend my friends to you?” Ivy teased further before Ryu pretended to clear his throat and pressed harder on her calf that she yelped in pain and smacked Ryu’s arm. Ryu was chuckling to himself as he continued to help her massage her calf.
“Are you this playful always, twinnie?” Jin couldn't help but ask as he chuckled with Ray at Ryu trying to tease her.
At the sound of twinnie, Ivy beamed. “Only with people I am closed with… I didn’t know I was this playful either… With Andrew and Sandra, I am always the happiest but now that they are dating, I am just glad to find all of you…” Ivy explained as she stared at the vase of flowers in front of the table while gently massaging her right calf.
“With Jason?” Ray couldn’t help but ask as Ivy’s eyes twinkled reminiscing all the memories.
“Hmm… The best of myself definitely…” She thought to herself before raising an eyebrow and shrugging.
“Nothing much…” Ivy tried to avoid the question.
“What do you mean nothing much? There’s a lot I could tell from what I saw during the college event when he carry you away from your bullies… And he has been your boss, tutor... Oh and at Ray’s birthday party, you were his helper. Did you stay in the same hotel room?” Ryu teased as Ivy couldn't help but bite her lips controlling her blushing self before she smacked Ryu’s hand.
“Why? Can’t we know anything? Have you both kissed? How far gone are you? Have you also…” At this point, Ivy couldn’t help but cover Ryu’s mouth and tickled him.
“Stop asking so many questions! There isn't anything going on!” Ivy scolded as she giggled when Ryu caught her hands and she tried to let loose.
“Why aren’t all of you inside yet?” Peter who had spotted his children chatting playfully on the couch in the lobby asked as he reached behind Ryu and Ivy who were fighting playfully. Jin and Ray immediately stood up and straightened their clothes. “Dad…” The three brothers greeted in unison. Ryu let go of Ivy as Ivy stood and smiled at Peter whose frown turned into a huge smile when he saw how elegant Ivy was dressed.
“We were waiting for you… What’s taking you so long?” Ivy quickly ease up the tense mood and walked over to Peter as she hooked her arm around his arm and walked towards the ballroom.
“The jam was bad…” Peter stopped for a moment to take a good look at his daughter.
“When did my little one grow up so good-looking?” Peter questioned as he admired her beauty.
“All thanks to your future daughter in law…” Ivy winked and giggled as Peter laughed and led her to the entrance of the ballroom.
“She is a very caliber woman, Ivy…” Peter couldn't help but sing praises of her.
“I know… I can tell…Your son has good eyes..” Ivy answered before the entrance door was opened and Peter chuckled even more.
The brothers trailing behind were very glad to have their sister back home else they would have been nagged and lectured again about courtesy and respect in the family as they stepped into a hall full of their pretentious relatives who only wanted to take advantage of their dad’s wealth. As they dreaded the night, Ivy on the other hand was nonchalantly charming each of their relatives.
“This is going to be a hell of a night…” Ryu told Ray and Jin as they stood watching Ivy with their dad entertaining their second uncle who was one of the members of the underground thugs before this and was very influential. The three of them nodded in agreement.