9. Attention

As Zen stepped into the waiting area at the airport, she spotted her Mother who was waiting with her assistant.she ran into her Mother's arms and her Mother reciprocated with a warm embrace. Now she felt like she was really home,this was home, very warm home.

"Oh my baby, how are you "Madam Park asked her daughter without releasing her from her hug.

"I was better, but I think I'm going to actually die from your hug, you're choking me " Zen said laughing.

Immediately Madam Park released her from the embrace. "There is somewhere we must be today" She suddenly started pulling Zen out of the Airport.

"Why so serious, I'm suddenly getting a bad feeling " Zen said as she watched her Mother's expression. Her Mother was about to do something and from the look on her face, it was nothing nice.

"I'll explain on the way" Madam Park said as she practically pulled Zen out of the airport and into their car.

"Here, that's where we're going to " Madam Park handed over a gold envelope to Zen who opened it and smiled at the content

"It's today" Zen read the invitation card .

"You don't have to do this if you don't want to."Madam Park expressed her worry. Madam Yoon had flexed the housewarming party invitation at their Yatch club and had gone on and on about how her daughter's mother in law had bought an estate for them. Truly she had felt bad and immediately called Zen who surprised her by telling her that she wanted to attend it, she didn't know if her daughter was ready to face the same emotional pressure she had faced before,but she trusted her daughter and wanted the best for her.

"No. I already made up my mind, I'm not going to let myself suffer and I'm not going to let you watch me suffer again. I'll take back everything I deserve" Zen said as she took another look at Yeong and Jade's housewarming party invitation card.

Madam Park's phone suddenly rang "If we're going to be late then why don't we be fashionably late " Madam Park said as she showed Zen the caller ID which was saved as Zoey.

Zen laughed. "That's my designer"

"Well I can't think of anyone who makes better dresses than my daughter " Madam Park said and answered the call.

"Sure, have them ready we'll be on our way" Madam Park said over the phone.

******

Zen took a final look at herself in the mirror and smiled. The short dusty pink dress she was wearing was something she had designed and made single handedly. from the beading halter neck to the ruffles, she had also prepared silver heels to match.

"You look breathtaking " Madam Park said as she walked into the room.

"You too mom, you're looking very beautiful " Zen smiled as her Mother twirled showing off the length of her silk Black dress.

"There's someone here for you " Madam Park said as a young man walked into the room fully dressed in tuxedo and expensive shoes. his hair was dyed gray but the undercut was left black, his diamond stud glowed under the light and so did his sharp features.

"Jisoo" Zen laughed at the pleasant surprise.

The man walked up to her and gave her a soft kiss on her cheek. "it's been long" he held her gaze as he spoke.

"Yeah, you didn't tell me you were coming back " Zen said.

"I could say the same for you. Anyway you look lovely in this dress " Jisoo said trying to avoid the topic.

"Does she know You're back, I mean Ruby, does she know? "

"She doesn't care, that's for sure and we'll have a lot of time to meet as I'm investing in OP." Jisoo said which gained him a nod from Zen. Ruby was his first love but he wasn't sure if he was hers,love was never a priority to her and she made it clear with her actions that she wasn't going to commit to him.but one thing he was sure of was that they had shared some kind of feelings and it lasted while it could. only that his feelings for her were not something he could erase till today.

"Guys it's time to leave" Madam Park said from the door and they both left hand in hand.

Driving into the large estate Zen knew right away that Jade had personally chosen the style, elegant and warm. Tiny lamps hanging in the trees lighted their way to the main house.

"Madam Yoon really outdid herself,I must say" Jisoo stared at the reporters waiting for prominent figures.

"She's making a statement but I'm going to make a louder statement " Zen smirked.

As they got down from the car, Zen instinctively put her arm around Jisoo's in time before they were swamped by reporters who were as surprised as the other arriving guests to see Zen and Jisoo.

"Zen did you specifically come back for this event", " Is Mr lee aware of your attendance " "were you invited " "You've been away from public gatherings for two years,is there a reason for your sudden disappearance and appearance ". the reporters all questioned , thankfully Jisoo held her behind him until security safely led them inside.

"You should probably hold a press conference " Jisoo joked.

"I'd rather kept them guessing "

Walking into the grand hall hand in hand, the duo attracted even more attention than they had outside. The noise grew as they walked down,Zen was sure that she could hear what they said but wasn't this expected.

"I have somewhere else to be but you make me want to stay " Suho approached them and gave Zen a quick greeting kiss.

" I love what you do with being fashionably late,that dress you have on right now is to kill for,I mean look at you, You look like you walked right out of a red carpet and that's the only thing we're missing here, and oh that tuxedo, I just want to eat you up" Suho made a low growl at Jisoo who smiled.

"I didn't think you were gonna make it " Madam Ahn walked to Zen and gave her a hug.

"I didn't want to disappoint you, I'm big on promises you know" Zen gave Madam Ahn a warm smile. Madam Ahn was the only person who wasn't surprised to see her, three years ago Madam Ahn had saved her life and from then on had been one of her biggest supporters.

" I have a business to finish, can I get back to you " Madam Ahn excused herself and left

"I should've saved a country in my past life then maybe she'd talk to me " Suho gestured to Madam Ahn who had not made as much as an eye contact with him .

"I'll leave now" Suho bid his goodbye and left.

"A pleasant surprise Park Zen" a cold voice said .

Zen knew very well whose hatred resonated in her voice and she was prepared for every bit of it.