Absinthe novel Chapter 66

"If he doesn't marry you after seeing this party, I will!" Minsu-hyung said jokingly, chugging down his 3rd or 4th cocktail that evening.

"Me, too." Gunho-hyung added. "Let's make it a three-some wedding."

I smirked and smacked them both in the arms. "Don't get too drunk before Jiwoo comes."

"Hear, hear!" They said in unison.

Minsu and Gunho went all out with their clothing today – nothing but the best and the priciest. It might look plain to the rest of the world, but to us with more discerning eyes, it's a different story.

Minsu-hyung's watch, for example, wasn't not your standard Rolex. It's actually so much more because it's worth more than what millions of people in this country can make in their lifetimes. Half the guests in this party weren't even familiar with the brand. And I have about two pieces from the same maker – both of which were gifts from the ultra-rich.

Gunho-hyung's part-time banker and part-time Rockstar outfit is equally as expensive as Minsu-hyung's. He's spotting these custom-made accessories from Chrome Hearts which, I think, is as expensive as my mother's car. I guess... us humans can't really help but brag every time we flock together.

The gang's here, except for Cass and Robert. There were also people I'm not familiar with – probably guests that Faye, Derrick, Nico, and Vivi invited. I was pretty sure some of them were celebrities but I'm too busy trying to find out if Jiwoo's already in.

"Do I look okay?" I asked Faye.

Faye gave me her infamous judgmental stare. "Hairstyle: check! Skin: bigger check!"

She stopped for a bit to study me more, before she frowned and said, "Struggling Hoe Outfit: Hmmm... Not Check!"

I laughed and gave Faye a fake eye roll. "You know why I'm dressed like this."

"For your boyfriend's ego," Faye answered back. "I know you too well."

It took another thirty minutes of Faye and I greeting the other guests, with Faye unnecessarily apologizing to everyone why I was dressed the way I was. It wasn't like there was something wrong with what I had on. I was wearing something from Bean Pole – a Korean brand that's really more for the typical masses than for the rich. It looked plain but I'm pretty sure I looked hip, nonetheless. It was an oversized blue tank top over another tank top which was shaped rather unconventionally. I had black sleeves hanging out which actually kind of looked like bra straps.

It did look weird, I admit, but because I'm BJ and my skin is awesome, I could totally pull it off. The black bra-strap thingies actually pull everyone's attention to my bare arms, and let's face it – my bare arms are out of this world! And it's not just me being arrogant and full of myself, because the moment Jiwoo came, he startled the hell out of me by hugging me from behind and tracing his fingers against my arms!

On cue, the host announced Jiwoo's arrival and everyone started singing happy birthday. Or at least I could hear them singing. Jiwoo, on the other hand, paid them no mind. He continued caressing my arms, and this time, he lowered his lips to kiss my exposed shoulders.

"You didn't have to do this, you know." Jiwoo said in between kisses. "I'd rather do you in your room. Or in mine. Or here."

"Fucking pervert," I answered half-jokingly. I say half-jokingly because his scent is unbelievably intoxicating. Like raw skin. Barely a hint of mint. Loaded with pheromones.

"You look good," I managed to say. "Let me guess, Hermes?"

Jiwoo pushed me at arm's length and looked at me suspiciously. "How did you know?"

I laughed. "I browsed at their Spring collection last March. Just when I got fired and had nothing to do at home. This thing you're wearing was on the front cover. Worn by my all time crush, supermodel Simon Nessman!"

"I have no idea what you're taking about," Jiwoo grinned.

Jiwoo was wearing this black cardigan-shirt hybrid that revealed much of his chest to the general public. It's a v-cut shirt that closed just below his sternum. Two flaps that make up the cardigan part were connected to the shoulders. His sleeves were pulled to just beneath his elbows and he was wearing a couple of those $4,000 bracelets from Hermes on his left arm as well.

"From Cassie?" I asked.

Jiwoo nodded as the happy birthday song was just about to be finished. "She said she'd like to meet you next Saturday."

I could not process what Jiwoo said because the guests suddenly burst into applause. The host was beckoning Jiwoo to come over and I pushed Jiwoo to that general direction. And with that, the party officially began.

We were having the time of our lives. The food was extraordinarily good, which was awesome for Nico and Vivi. This kind of feedback was invaluable for chefs like us. Especially now that we're vying for that 3 Michelin stars.

The wine pairings were also phenomenal. Janus is, by no means, a sommelier but his pairings were just great! I didn't know he'd spent a lot of time with Nico and Vivi to curate the perfect selection. And the best thing about this whole situation was Jiwoo.

He was natural. I've been nervous for nothing! I thought he'd act all awkward and snappy at all these entitled people, but he was really on top of his game. Heck, he didn't even flinch a little when I finally introduced him to my hyungs.

"I never thought he was," Minsu-hyung said. "He acted straight. Not even the slightest whiff of gayness!"

All of us laughed.

"Are you familiar with norebangs in Korea?" Minsu hyung added, this time speaking in Korean.

"Yeah," Jiwoo answered rather quickly. "We have a couple of them here in the metro."

"I'm not talking about your typical norebangs," Minsu-hyung continued. "I'm talking about the norebangs where wonders happen."