Love To Hate Me

.....

After saying that, the designer called over his assistant who noted down all the details pertaining the dress on his tablet.

Both of their parents quickly strode towards Soo Min, before Mother Song enveloped Soo Min's hand in between hers and asked, "Dear, are you alright?"

When Soo Min saw Mother Song's eyes filled with worry and concern, a soft smile formed on her lips before she overlapped Mother Song's hand with hers and said, "Don't worry, Mrs. Song. I'm fine."

"Are you sure, Soo Min?" Father Park asked with the same concerning look on his face.

Soo Min turned to her dad and simply nodded with an assuring smile.

"Designer Choi, I would like this dress for my daughter-in-law. Here charge it my card and please get it done as soon as possible!" Mother Song requested before she handed a black card to one of the fashion consultants.

Surprised by her sudden statement, Soo Min turned took look at Mother Song and asked, "Wait but then..."

Mother Song looked at Soo Min with a soft gaze and gave her hand a light squeeze, before she said, "Dear, I hope you can forgive us. We got so lost in trying to find the perfect dress, that we completely forgot about what you wanted. But trust me when I say this, when we saw you in that dress, we were completely in awe. Your selection is indeed the best! Isn't that right, Jason?"

"Well... what can I say, she is my daughter after all." Father Park nodded and pridefully boasted, making everyone in the room laugh.

"Perfect. I'll just need Soo Min's measurements and then she's all set!" Designer Choi happily exclaimed before he turned to Ryan and asked "Well then Young Master Song, let's move on to your outfit shall we?"

Ryan slightly nodded his head before he followed one of the male fashion consultants into the trial room.

.....

A few minutes later.

After giving her measurements to Designer Choi's assistant, Soo Min changed back into her normal clothes and went to sit with Father Park and Mother Song, who were busy waiting for Ryan.

Soo Min took a look at the refreshments on the mini table in front of her, and leaned down to grab the cup of coffee, but was interrupted by a notification alert on her phone.

PING!

She then reached down inside her coat pocket and took out her phone, before tapping on the text that she had received from her friend.

[Olivia: So how's it going with Mr. Handsome?]

[Soo Min: Boring! And who are you calling handsome?]

[Olivia: Not you of course!]

Scoffing at her friend's message, Soo Min sent an annoyed bunny sticker in response.

[Olivia: So did you find a dress?]

[Soo Min: Yeah well it was a crazy experience, but I was eventually able to find one. Did you get back home?]

[Olivia: Nope! I'm at starlight mall.]

[Soo Min: Wait? Really? I'm here at the mall too!Which store are you at? I'll come meet you!]

[Olivia: No! No! No! No! No! I'm picking out an engagement gift for you and brother-in-law. So don't come here and spoil the surprise!]

Soo Min sighed and pouted at her friend's response before she began typing.

[Soo Min: One 'NO' would be enough ya know! Oh well... but make sure you buy me lots of gifts, Miss Cho.]

[Olivia: Ahaha. Someone's getting greedy!]

Olivia jested and sent a funny looking GIF along with her text.

"Oh look! Ryan's here." Mother Song announced and Soo Min paused on texting her friend and almost instantly raised her head to look up at the man who had just stepped out of the fitting room.

Her eyes slightly widened as she saw him in the vibrant navy blue suit along with the gold buttons that enhanced the whole outfit.

Ryan casually walked towards them while trying to button up the opening at the cuff of the suit coat.

"This just came in this morning, and we haven't even done any magazine photo shoots with this piece, but what can I say, Jane, your son is so much better than any model we have had!" Designer Choi happily exclaimed.

"Hmm... it's quite nice and the color works well with the theme and he'll match with Soo Min!" Mother Song commented.

"Yes I agree. This suit is quite classy and elegant." Father Park added.

Turning her head towards Soo Min, Mother Song asked, "Well dear? What do you think about this outfit?"

But Mother Song's words didn't register in Soo Min's mind, because the latter was busy gazing at the man in front of her.

When there was a long period of silence, Ryan raised his head and glanced at the absent minded Soo Min, only to end up locking eyes with hers.

Not receiving any response from Soo Min, Mother Song called out, "Soo Min? Soo Min?"

With still no response from her (Soo Min) end, Mother Song called out to her again but this time gently tapping Soo Min's shoulders.

"Soo Min? Soo Min?"

"Huh?" Soo Min was the first to break away eye contact and turned to look at Mother Song, before she asked, "I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"Oh no you're fine! I was just asking what do you think about Ryan's outfit? Do you like it?" Mother Song asked.

"Oh uh..." Soo Min paused before her eyes trailed back to the man, who's head was slightly tilted sideways and looking at her with a raised eyebrow.

For some reason her face was abnormally warm. She quickly averted her eyes from him and cleared her throat, before saying, "Yes, it's fine."