FRESSIA

South Korea September 1st, 2022 “Does this suit look good?” Kevin asked, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Adam, his friend, looked at him with mild irritation. “Are you seriously asking that with just five hours left until your wedding, Kevin?” Kevin sighed and sat on the bed, picking up the novel he’d been reading for days. Adam glanced at him. “What are you reading?” He held up the book. “It’s Freesia’s novel. She released it three days ago. It’s her second one.” “Oh right, you’ve never met her… She’s Lily’s best friend. You could say their bond is similar to ours” Adam said, furrowing his brows as he sat next to his friend, his eyes on the novel. He wasn’t into books, but something about the cover caught his attention. “Ah, I remember now! I’ve heard Lily mention her a lot before” he added as realization dawned. “Read it. You’ll like it” Kevin said, handing him the book. “Pure Love?” “Yeah, it’s a great story. I couldn’t stop reading it since Lily gave it to me.” Adam took the book and started skimming through it. He didn’t even notice when Kevin got up and went to the bathroom—until a knock at the door broke his concentration. Still holding the novel, Adam got up and opened the door. Standing there was a woman with bronze-toned skin. Her hair was tied up in a bun, with a few strands falling along the sides of her face. She wore a white wool sweater, a long black skirt, and glasses. She was just a little shorter than him, about shoulder height. Adam’s eyes carefully took in every detail of her. He smirked and murmured to himself, “Finally, something interesting.” “Excuse me, is this Kevin Makfail’s room?” the woman asked, clearly trying to ignore his bold gaze. “Yes, it is” he answered with a smile. She looked up and met his eyes—his gaze pierced through her—but she quickly diverted her attention to the book in his hands. “You finally showed up, Freesia!” Kevin called out from the back of the room. Adam turned to see Kevin calling the woman by name. His eyes widened in surprise. “Come in” Kevin gestured. Adam stepped aside, giving her room to enter. Kevin burst out laughing as Freesia stood in front of him. “What’s so funny, Kevin?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “Your look… were you writing again?” he asked, still laughing. “Yeah… anyway, why did you ask me to come here? I was in the middle of work. You and your bride always love interrupting me” she replied in annoyance. The man behind her smiled at her complaint. “See? Even Adam’s laughing at your grumbling” Kevin said. Freesia turned toward Adam and looked at him directly. “Oh! I forgot to introduce you. This is my friend Adam, and this is Freesia.” “Nice to meet you” Adam said. “Nice to meet you too” she replied before turning to Kevin. “Here, this is the necklace Lily was supposed to wear at the wedding. Your friend broke it yesterday, but luckily, I managed to fix it” he said, handing it over. “She really can’t keep anything intact... Alright, I’ll head out now” Freesia said, briefly glancing at Adam. “I hope you enjoy the novel” she smiled before leaving the room. Adam watched her as she walked away. Kevin noticed his gaze and stepped in front of him, arms crossed. “Forget it, Adam… She’s not like the other girls you know” Kevin said firmly, eyes locked on his friend. “I didn’t say anything” Adam replied with a faint smile, knowing exactly what Kevin meant. “Your eyes are saying plenty, my friend… Freesia is important to Lily and to me too. Be careful.” Adam tilted his head back and laughed softly. “Don’t you trust your best friend?” “I’m saying this because I know you too well… that spark in your eyes when you looked at her—it didn’t go unnoticed.” 🌺 “Wasn’t that Adam? I didn’t expect him to be the founder of Bora!” Freesia said, sitting on the bed. “Yes, that’s him” Lily replied confidently. Freesia smiled. “He’s even more handsome than I imagined… and he was reading my book!” “I’ve never seen him read a novel before” Lily said thoughtfully. Freesia sat beside her, lost in thought. Lily noticed. “Don’t overthink it, my dear. I know you're thinking about that handsome guy, but you need to stop. He’s not like other men, and you know that. He only seeks pleasure.” Freesia’s expression shifted slightly before she gave Lily a soft smile. “I wasn’t thinking about anything, I just…” “Just what?” Lily asked curiously. “I got a new idea for a novel!” Freesia said, laughing. Lily laughed too. “You’re always like this. Every time you see something or someone new, you get inspired.” “Of course! Inspiration is everywhere” Freesia giggled. “So, are you going to leave your best friend on her wedding day to write now?” Freesia smiled. “Definitely not. Come on, the hair stylists are here.” 🌺 Adam adjusted his suit in the mirror—a sleek black tuxedo over a crisp white shirt, his raven-black hair adding allure to his look. With his mixed Asian-European features, Adam had wide dark eyes from his British mother, Maggie, and bronze skin from his Korean father, Elvin. His frame was broad and muscular. He looked like a runway model—stunningly handsome. Kevin raised a brow at him. “You’re going to attract many girls today.” “Good. Maybe I’ll make up for the two days you locked me in here with you” Adam teased. “Are you seriously planning to flirt at my wedding?” Kevin asked in disbelief. “I’m not doing anything—they’ll come to me. I won’t say no” he grinned. Kevin sighed. “Edward should’ve been here to keep an eye on you.” Adam laughed. “Like Edward is any different from me… I still can’t believe you’re giving up all the fun out there and going to get married.” Kevin adjusted his tie. “I love Lily, Adam. And she’s enough for me.” “Oh, sure, sure” Adam mocked playfully. He sat down and picked up the book. “Do you know what Freesia’s name means, Kevin?” he asked, eyes fixed on the cover. “I only know it’s a flower.” “Yes, a type of flower that symbolizes innocence and affection. I saw both in her eyes” he said with a smile, recalling her face. Kevin shook his head helplessly. He knew his friend too well—and he also knew Lily would scold him later for letting Adam meet Freesia. She always insisted on keeping them apart during group outings. She knew Adam behavior. 🌺 Freesia stood, smiling as she watched her friend and her husband dance to soft romantic music. Across the room, Adam stood surrounded by girls, laughing, flirting, whispering—until his gaze landed on her. She was smiling as she watched her friend, wearing an off-shoulder, dark burgundy dress that hugged her figure perfectly. Her hair was styled in an elegant bun, enhancing her natural beauty. She wore little makeup—barely any difference from how she looked that morning. “She’s beautiful” his inner voice whispered. Excusing himself from the group, he walked over to her. “Hi.” She looked at him. “Hello.” “Your novel… I really liked it” Adam said. “Really? I’m happy to hear that” she replied with a big smile. Freesia was always thrilled when people enjoyed her writing—it made her feel like she was doing something meaningful. “When’s the second part coming out?” he asked. She pressed her lips together as she thought—something she always did when she needed to focus. “Maybe in six months.” “So I’ll have to wait a while to read it” Adam smiled. She smiled and turned her gaze back to the dance floor. Adam wasn’t going to stop—he wanted to talk more. “What’s your major?” he asked. “I study journalism.” “That’s really—” “Exhausting” she finished the sentence with a small smile. “Yeah…” “But I really enjoy it—just like you enjoy fashion design.” “How did you know?” “What do you mean? Who doesn’t know the founder of Bora, Mr. Adam?” she said with a chuckle. He nodded, laughing softly. A silence settled between them, filled only by the music. “Would you like to dance?” “What?” She was taken aback—she hadn’t expected that. “You’ve been watching everyone on the dance floor. I get the feeling you want to dance.” She smiled at the thought. She had never danced with a man before, though she and Lily often danced together at weddings. They ignored the strange looks and just had fun. There’s no harm in trying. She nodded. His smile widened. He held out his hand. She placed hers in his, and he led her to the dance floor—under the watchful eyes of Lily and Kevin. “I’m going to kill your friend if he does anything to Freesia” Lily muttered to her husband. Kevin smiled. “Don’t worry. I already warned him. Besides, you know Adam wouldn’t dare ruin your friendship.” Standing on the dance floor, Adam asked, “May I?” He waited for her permission to place his hand on her waist, and when she agreed, he gently pulled her close. “You can rest your hand on my shoulder” he whispered. She nodded. She never thought she’d let a man touch her like this—he was the first. She placed her hand on his shoulder, and they began swaying to the music. “Are you enjoying this?” he asked. “Yes” she replied immediately. “This is your first time dancing with someone, isn’t it?” he asked. Her expressions made it obvious—she was glowing with happiness from a simple dance. She nodded silently. She couldn’t even look at him—they were so close. “Why are you avoiding my gaze?” he whispered gently. She instinctively looked up into his eyes. “I just…” He smiled, “You’re shy.” “What?” she said, denying it with a shake of her head. He chuckled. “You’re adorable, Freesia.” “Thank you” she murmured, unsure of what else to say. A few minutes later, the music ended, and they stepped apart. She returned to Lily’s side, and he silently wished the music had lasted a little longer.