Part Two (1/1)

SooRi stood outside her apartment door waiting for her rideshare to pick her up. The cool autumn breeze had picked up some and it made her shiver slightly in her nude bodycon dress. Finally, her ride came, the car’s lights cutting the dark sky. Collecting herself in the car, she gave the address, then sat back to observe the scenes outside the window. Everything she passed by looked so foreign and so familiar at the same time. Each place holding a different memory, giving her both nostalgia and nausea. After a slow cruise, she reached her destination. It was her favorite restaurant. Ugh. She missed this place. She turned her eyes up at the bright place, took a breath, and slapped a few crumpled bills in her driver’s hand. SooRi couldn’t believe it’d only been six months since she was last home. It felt good to be back. Of course, there was no place like home. The fine dining establishment was set for dinner. Its floor-to-ceiling windows giving a beautiful view of the harbor. The decor was set in warm lighting. Cream carpet, cream chairs, off-white tablecloths, and various shades of gardenias were just a few aesthetic notes she observed.  This place was fancy. Too fancy. But, since she wasn’t buying, she had no issue eating there. -- SooRi stood at the front of the restaurant, only waiting for a brief second before a hostess in a cute cocktail dress appeared before her. They exchanged brief smiles, as the hostess asked for a name. The restaurant was so exclusive that you could only eat there by reservation only. Apparently, according to her friend, you had to book at least six weeks in advance. SooRi appreciated the gesture. She was never one to want a big fuss to be made over her, but she had to admit it felt pretty great to be in the middle of the fanfare.  She stood for a second as the hostess scanned the seating chart, then guided her to a semi-private table set for six. Menus and neatly folded napkins were sitting on white plates that covered gold chargers. The hostess pulled out her chair and wished her a pleasant dining experience. She was the first one to arrive to her own welcome back dinner. Typical--considering her immediate friend group. Jessi and Junmyeon were either doting on each other or having car sex in the parking lot. SooRi was convinced that Jongin and Chanyeol didn’t even know how to tell time. And Baekhyun… well he didn’t give a shit about anyone’s time except his own. SooRi pulled out her phone, shooting a text to Jessi and noting the time. She was a little early, so she wasn't too irked. A response returned within two minutes. Her friend was on her way there--delayed traffic. SooRi told her it was no problem. She had the aching suspicion she and Junmyeon were definitely fucking in the car. However, SooRi knew her friend would never intentionally keep her waiting. After about ten minutes, she saw Jessi and Junmyeon in lockstep carrying balloons and what looked like a neatly wrapped gift. Jessi passed her things to her boyfriend and enveloped SooRi in a tight hug. "I missed you so much! I'm so glad you're back!" The pair teetered side to side as the hug continued. SooRi had to chuckle, they talked every single day of her absence. There was a good chance Jessi knew more about her day than she did, but nonetheless it felt great to see familiar faces again. "I'm glad to be back! It's good to be back with friends again." Just as the words left her lips, Jongin walked up with Chanyeol in tow.  "There are my boys," SooRi pulled them in one after the other. She noticed them dropping off little gift bags where Junmyeon had been previously. "Have a seat guys! I guess we can get started," SooRi urged them to get comfortable. She looked around the table with a smile, until her eyes rested on the empty seat. SooRi knew she shouldn't have expected much from him, but she still wanted to see him. "Where's Baek?" "He just messaged me. He's on his way. He wanted us to start without him." Junmyeon reassured her. He was probably still upset with her. She knew he had every right to be, but being on the receiving end of a cold shoulder was never pleasant. -- The group eventually ordered their beverages and a palate cleanser. Meanwhile, Baekhyun sat in his car, deliberating whether or not he was ready to see her. His thumbs twisted around the key fob as he was deep in thought.  She left him. She left him without a word. He didn't owe her anything, and she didn't owe him anything, but he'd be lying if he said he didn't miss her. "Fuck it. I'm here now." Baekhyun slammed his car door on the way out, pissed he missed her as much as he did. He spent no time waiting for the hostess to lead him to the table. He walked through with a confident stride. Dressed in fitted black jeans and a navy button down. The shirt, top two buttons open, gave a sinful hint of the body underneath. In true Baekhyun fashion, he greeted the table with an off-handed comment before plopping down in the only empty seat.  Of course, it was the seat in front of her. SooRi's mouth nearly went dry when she saw him. She hadn't seen him in six full months. Sure, she'd been stalking his Instagram, but nothing compared to the real thing.  Involuntarily, she clutched her dainty, gold necklace, rubbing it--most likely praying for the strength to make it through this dinner without crawling across the table to get on top of him. He gave a smirk and reached across to her wine glass, taking a sip from it, daring her to react to him. He was truly a piece of work. ‘Lord, give me strength,' she mused as a strong breath filtered through her nose. -- Drinks were scattered around the table and appetizers were spread and half-eaten. “So, did you meet any cute guys during your internship?” Jessi snickered. “Yeah, SooRi. Did you fuck them until they wanted to stick around, then hop on the next flight out of there?” Baekhyun grit his teeth under an annoyed stare in her direction. “Baek, chill out!” Jongin rested a hand on his shoulder, while Baekhyun took a sip of his alcoholic beverage. He was going to need to get drunk to make it through this damn thing. “No, I didn’t have to do that. It turns out that most men are mature. They are upfront about what they want and don’t play games, then pout when they don’t get their way.” “Now that I think about it, having you stay with a man is punishment enough. Perhaps, you’re doing us all a favor when you run away.” Baekhyun slammed his glass down to punctuate his malcontent. “I think this is a good time for dessert.” Chanyeol piped up. “God Chanyeol. We haven’t even had our entrees.” Junmyeon murmured under his breath. “Well, it’s a better suggestion than watching a fucking cage match at our table!” No one could argue with that. “Let’s all cut Baekhyun a break. It’s difficult for us to see things from his perspective, because none of us can get our heads that far up our own asses.” SooRi winked at him and Baekhyun rolled his eyes damn near out of his skull. “You just don’t know how much I’ve missed you, SooRi, “Jessi smirked at her boyfriend before the rest of the group had a hearty laugh at poor Baekhyun’s expense. -- Before long, the main meals had come and gone. Now, the group sat around trading stories to catch each other up on the happenings of their life over dessert. "I'm so glad to be back. I just want to settle into my old routine again." Baekhyun scoffed, partly in disbelief. "Which part of your routine? The part where you beg me to fuck you in every position known to man? Or the part where you act like you aren't interested in us being 'us'?" Eyebrows shot up around the table. This was news. SooRi cast her head down. This was one of the few times in her life she wasn't feeling too combative. Normally, she would've ripped Baekhyun a new asshole, or exsanguinated him with words sharper than knives, but not tonight. "What's the matter, SooRi? You still haven't told them about us keeping up fuck buddy-status since Jongin's party?"  That cheeky bastard beamed at the chance to put her in her place in front of everyone. "You know, just because your parents never gave you hugs as a kid, doesn't excuse you from being a complete ass." SooRi didn't want him to think she cared about anything he had to say, but enough was enough. She took a deep breath, then sighed. "I'm sorry guys. I don't think I can stay here any longer." SooRi stood, reaching for her purse and phone. "Don't leave your welcome back party! We'll kick Baekhyun's sorry ass out of here," Chanyeol snickered and stuck his tongue out. "You're the best, Yeol. It's gett