Angel Smile 102 Scene 102
"'Friend', huh...?"
A peculiar expression crossed Ha Jun's face, but it disappeared in the next instance.
He clapped his hands twice, catching the attention of the other three.
"Okay! Now that everyone is in attendance, it's time to start the birthday party!"
Gun c.o.c.ked an eyebrow, "It's just us? I thought you'd invite more people." Through observation, he knew that both Ha Jun and Da Na had many other friends aside from him. He wondered why they were not invited.
"Ah..." Ha Jun and Da Na exchanged glances. Truthfully, the only reason they made a party in the first place was for spending time with Gun. They simply thought that unless it was a special occasion, it would be hard to get Gun to hang out with them. Ha Jun himself had invited Gun out to play multiple times before, but he was shot down every time. Thus, the two came up with this plan.
"Well, they're busy... with their own things, I suppose," Da Na mustered up an excuse. She gave him a cramped smile, "It's winter break, after all."
"Oh," Gun nodded. He didn't see a reason not to believe the excuse so he simply accepted it. Whoever they decided to invite to their party was none of his concern, after all.
"Here comes the cake~"
A female voice announced.
Everyone's eyes snapped towards the archway that led to the kitchen, watching as an older man and woman came out, one carrying a cake with eighteen lit candles and the other carrying a cake knife tied with a pink ribbon. Both had antic.i.p.ating eyes and large smiles, obviously excited.
"Mom, dad!" Choi Da Na called out with a bright smile.
She had been banned from entering the kitchen for the duration of the whole morning, but it turns out that it was actually because the two were hiding a cake? She smiled from the bottom of her heart, feeling touched.
Da Na's father placed down the cake on the living room table.
"Happy birthday, my daughter," the man says. "Happy birthday, Ha Junnie," he added. He fished out his phone and motioned for the kids to gather around the cake so he could take a picture.
"Come, honey, you get in too," he ushered the woman behind him.
His wife smiled at him helplessly. "Why would I get in there? My old-ness will ruin the youthful energy in the photo," she says teasingly.
"What are you talking about? You're still young. Come on, if you stand next to them, you'd look like an older sister rather than an old woman," he sweetly replied, flattering her. His face was serious, clearly meaning every word he had said.
"Oh, you," Da Na's mother blushed, then laughed gleefully.
The older man snapped a few pictures, then finally told the birthday boy and girl to cut the cake.
After the cake-cutting ceremony was finished, the cake was divided among the six people in attendance.
Yeo Ri and Gun exchanged glances. They were such a happy family, the two thought in sync.
Gun gave her a sad smile. Although he was long past the period of feeling jealous, it could not be said to be the same for Yeo Ri. He squeezed her hand comfortingly. He felt bad for her, having to live with such an incomplete family.
Yeo Ri seemed to understand his thoughts. She returned his smile. "I'm fine, Oppa," she whispered.
Seeing her forcing herself to cheer up, Gun ruffled her hair, "Mm."
"You two are quite close, huh?" Mama Choi asked with bright eyes. Seeing the siblings' interactions, she couldn't help but wish she had given Da Na another sibling.
"Yes," Gun replied with a polite smile.
Offhandedly, she asked Da Na, "Da Nya, do you want a younger sibling?"
"Mom!" Da Na blushed. Why is she talking about this in front of the guests?
"What? I'm just asking," The older woman pouted grumblingly.
Da Na glowered in response.
"That's right, you two are quite good-looking. Have you ever thought about pursuing a career in the entertainment industry?" Da Na's mother, Park Soo Yeon, asked. Although good looks can only take you so far in the industry, it was always a bonus. Besides, skills like acting or singing can be taught. In any ways, she would not lose out if she managed to rope the two into her company.
Gun and Yeo Ri looked at the older woman uncomprehendingly. What agency? Who was this woman?
"Oh, where are my manners?" The woman smiled, pulling out a business card that she had just happen to have under the table. "I am Park Soo Yeon, the CEO of Hope Entertainment Agency. If you two want to become celebrities, come to me, and I'll make you shine!"
"Mom, don't try to con my friends into joining your agency," Da Na rolled her eyes. After establishing her own company, her mother had turned into a total businesswoman. Every time she invited her friends over, she would say the same thing: "Join my company!"
"What can I do about it? My own daughter doesn't want to follow my footsteps, so I can only look elsewhere," she sighed dramatically. She was once an actress, and she had hoped that Da Na would also become an actress. However, her hopes were dashed when the girl had suddenly told her that she was going to pursue a career in law! She lamented her fate. Other people would not be so supportive if their child wanted to become an actor, but she was the opposite. But unfortunately, her daughter wanted to become a lawyer.
She could only sigh. 'Whatever,' she thought. If that was what her daughter wanted, then she will support her no matter what.
While Park Soo Yeon was wrapped up in her thought, Yeo Ri was staring at her with confused eyes. 'Park Soo Yeon, Park Soo Yeon...' she muttered. Where had she heard that name?
"Ah!" Her eyes opened wide in realisation. "Park Soo Yeon?! That Park Soo Yeon?!" She exclaimed. Yeo Ri blushed with a fervent gaze. "It's an honour to meet you, Park Soo Yeon-ssi!"
Park Soo Yeon raised an eyebrow in surprise. She had not expected for the young girl to recognise her. It had been more than eighteen years since she left the entertainment scene, which was probably way before the girl was even born. "Oh? You know me?"
"Yes. I'm a fan," she excitedly says. "I've seen your movie, 'Dancing in the Rain'. We had a copy of it at home so I have rewatched it many times."
"Wow! I didn't expect you to know that movie. How nostalgic," Park Soo Yeon chuckled. 'Dancing in the Rain' was the t.i.tle of her debut film, and it was also a film that was directed by her husband, Choi Hyungsik. That film had launched her straight into stardom, and was still considered one of the best romance film of all time even to this day. "It's nice to meet you too," she says. She was happy that someone still recognised her.
She pa.s.sed the younger girl her business card, "Meeting like this can be considered as fate. If you ever want to become an actress, do contact me."
Yeo Ri accepted the card with starstruck eyes. She nodded absentmindedly, "Yes!"
"That's enough business talk," Choi Hyungsik laughed. It seemed like his wife also felt some potential in the girl. As her husband, of course, he also hoped that the girl would end up in his wife's agency. "But really though. If you ever want to become an actress, contact us. I'd be happy to save a role for you," he genuinely smiled. As a director, he could tell that the girl had potential. She was akin to a diamond in the rough. What's more, her looks were as good as, if not better than, many of the artists that he had met. With a little bit of polishing, she would surely rise to fame in no time.
Yeo Ri was speechless at the turn of events, so she could only nod and say, "Thank you!" She bowed at the two elders, adrenaline still pumping in her veins after meeting the famous couple.
After they had finished with their attempt to solicit Da Na's new friends, the Choi husband and wife left, allowing the teenagers to relax and have fun.