‣ the ball

Finally her eyes moved to look at him again, she studied his face carefully, trying to read for any signs behind them of how he was feeling or if his words were true. After a few moments she released the breath she'd been holding and nodded her head a single time, holding her injured hands close to her chest, "I... understand. Yes. I understand. I.. How are you.. Are you okay?" She quietly thanked the worker who had finally come to clean up, gently tugging Minghao to the side so their conversation was a little more private.

the piercing sound of glass shattering garnered the attention of a few attendants. taemin followed the noise, watching as yuqi mindlessly grabbed the broken shards and disregarded the cuts these pieces bore into her skin. there was just the faintest of a frown, looking around the ballroom for any servers or workers. he eventually walked up to one and caught their attention, motioning to minghao and yuqi. the worker immediately left to grab a broom and dustpan, then approached the student and professor. taemin watched from the side for just a bit longer, before leaving to grab himself another drink.

minghao's chest tightened at yuqi's remarks. the way she avoided meeting his gaze even as she wrapped the bloodied handkerchief around her hand. he let out a soft sigh. "yuqi." he stood as she did, his hand hovering near her arm as if afraid she'd pull away completely. "that's not — " he cut himself off as his breath catching as her words sank in.

' like u said i am just your student '

he felt a pang of pain and regret mixed into one. he struggled to find the right words. "i didn't mean it like that. you're not — just a student to me." he hold her shoulders. "i've made a grave mistakes. definitely ed me up." he admitted. "but don't think for a second that you don't matter to me." he hesitated as the weight what's happening pressing down on him. "i know I've let you down and there's nothing i can do to turn back the time now. but please don't think i don't care about you because i do. more than i can put into words. but yu — as a man who made this grave mistakes, i will have to take responsibility."

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ "I do appreciate receiving compliments, but I'm just not very comfortable with them." Soohyuk confessed, acknowledging his discomfort while admitting he had no trouble giving them out himself. "However, I am honored to have witnessed your beautiful smile and the appearance of your dimple." he added with a playful tone, mirroring her bow with one of his own.

"I'm glad they suit me." he continued. "I don't usually wear blush, but I suppose it's a special occasion, isn't it?" His playful words lingered in the air as he shook his head at her offer to drive him back. "Oh, there's no need. I've already troubled you enough with the scissors, but thank you, Professor." He then flashed a warm smile as she took his hand, his eyes softening. "Well, I could use a short break. I've been busting moves since earlier." he admitted with a grin. "Let me serve you another drink, and perhaps we can dance again in a bit?" He linked his arm with hers, gesturing them back toward the table as he led the way.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ “Oh, you haven’t? You do not like receiving them? Do they make you uncomfortable?” she questioned the beta. “Oh, well I am glad that it is enjoyable. Thank you! I do not always show it, but it seems like it is appreciated and rare, yes.” she replied with a nod and bow of her head.

“Mm, well I am sure that the colours red and pink do suit you quite well. Do you frequently wear them for your clothes?” she asked and brushed a hand through her long jet black hair. “I can always drive you back if you wish, but it is good that you are sobering up and feeling better mm~” the short woman said and she peeked at his hand as she heard him offering another dance. “If you wish. Whatever it is that you desire~”

Her hands were shaking as she tried to pick up the glass, and she only stopped trying when her hand was grabbed onto by the male - her gaze staring hard down at his hands while she tried to just breathe. She mumbled a soft thank you to the handkerchief before slowly lifting her eyes to look at him, "it's fine... I suppose I should of been able to see it earlier.. you two. Ah, I feel so stupid," her fingers swiftly wrapped the now bloodstained handkerchief around her injured hand before rising back up, eyes scanning to see if she could find a cleaner of some sort to help, "I'm fine. It's fine. It's whatever. You know it's.. it doesn't effect me, after all like you said I'm just your student, right?"

minghao's head snapped towards rhe sounds of shattering glasses, his heart sank when he saw yuqi frozen, her hands trembling as she knelt to clean up the mess. the sight of her rushed actions got her hand bleeding. "yuqi." he took a hesitant step towards her, glance briefly at jia who was already retreating. her words still lingered kn his mind, but he couldn't let himself be pulled in two directions. not now.

his focus returned to yuqi as he crouched down beside her. he stopped her from cleaning the mess by holding her hand. "you're bleeding, stop." he sighed. the guilt he had felt moments ago now multiplied tenfold, clawing his chest like a blade. he grabbed his handkerchief out of his pocket and pressed it gently against her hand. "you didn't have to hear all of that. I'm sorry you did."

Before Jia could respond, the sound of glass shattering interrupted her thoughts. Her head snapped toward the source, her brows furrowing as she took in the sight of Yuqi scrambling to clean up the mess. Jia didn't move to help, her gaze cold and detached as she studied the scene for a moment.

She turned back to Minghao, her voice laced with a sharp edge. "Seems like you've got more on your plate now," she said, her words heavy with implication. She gave him one last, pointed look. "What you decide to do with that mess — that's for you to figure out." With a final glance at the broken glass and the tension thickening in the air, Jia her heel, leaving Minghao to confront the consequences of his actions alone.

She hadn't even realised her eyes were filling with tears until she felt the wetness slipping down her cheeks. The room was closing in around her and she needed to get out of there, it was suffocating. Before she could make a move to get out though the glass she'd been nursing in her hands slip free of her grasp, shattering onto the floor at her feet and she froze. Her breathing stopped again and she didn't dare turn her head toward where the other two were standing. Her cover was blown, she knew that much for sure. Surely they'd know she had heard the situation. Hurriedly she knelt down to try and clean up the pieces of broken glass, slicing her hand open in the process but she barely noticed it.

minghao's breath caught in his chest as jia's words hit him. he felt rooted in place, his mind spinning as guilt gnawed at him. how had it come to this? how had he let it get this far? "you think im not — " he knows excused wouldn't undo the damage. his hands clenched on his sides. "jia, i never wanted to hurt you." he said as his voice barely a whisper. "i just didn't t-think.." he stopped himself realising how pathetic that sounded. of course he hadn't thought and that was a problem.

he heaves softly as he stepped closer towards the omega. ⟨ 'damn minghao — you screwed her up and you didn't want to take responsibility? what kind of alpha are you?' ⟩ ash's voice rang through their telepathic links. ⟨ that's our child, you should be responsible! ⟩ he sighs again. "what do you want me to do? tell me what am i supposed to do."

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ "I'm not sure. I’ve just never been great with compliments." Soohyuk admitted, his gaze briefly catching her radiant smile and the charming dimple that accompanied it. "And you, Professor, have a lovely smile too, plus that adorable dimple. It's a rare combination, you know?" He nodded solemnly, as though he’d just shared a profound scientific fact.

When she mentioned his flushed cheeks, he chuckled and shook his head lightly. "Now, now, I do like to dab on my favorite blush from time to time." he quipped playfully, acknowledging her caution with a nod. "Don’t worry. If things get hazy, I’ll just crash in the guidance office until I find my designated driver," he reassured her with a soft smile. And as they continued to dance, he added with a grin, "Guess I made the right call offering you a drink and a dance." As the song drew to a close, Soohyuk stepped back, clapping his hands to acknowledge the other dancers on the floor. Turning his attention back to her, he smiled warmly. "I think I’ve sobered up a bit now. Thank you for indulging me, Professor." Extending his hand again, he asked, "Shall we go for another dance, or would you prefer to take a break?"

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ “Of course you do. I’m sure other people have told you that before though, haven’t they? And it does help. Makes people more approachable.” she commented, smiling back in return. Wheein chuckled at Soohyuk’s reaction when she guessed that he had drank quite a bit. “Well, you are quite playful and your cheeks are flushed... or are they always this red?” she asked. “Ah, please be safe though then. Do not drive tonight and go home safely after this.” As she was spun around, Wheein twirled, playing with her dress a bit as it moved along with her. “Mm, this is nice. It is going better now. I felt a bit awkward and lonely earlier. Wasn’t sure if I should stay. What about you?”

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ "Do I?" Soohyuk arched a brow in response to the compliment. "Thank you. A good smile does help, doesn’t it? Makes people feel at ease or at least, that’s the hope." He chuckled lightly, shrugging as if to downplay the charm. When the professor playfully booped his nose, he blinked in mild surprise before laughing softly. "Is it that obvious?" he asked, his cheeks already showing a faint flush. "Honestly, I can't even remember." he admitted with a grin. Spinning the professor once more, he guided her closer into the dance, swaying gently with her to the rhythm of the music. "How's your night going by the way, Professor?" He asked, tilting his head slightly to look at the other.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ “You have a pretty smile, Mr. Wen.” she complimented and swayed her hips a bit to the beat of the song, eyes closing for a moment as she relaxed and let herself enjoy this one dance and evening - something that she rarely would do. As she reopened her eyes, she leaned over to lightly boop Soohyuk’s nose. “How many drinks have you had?” she questioned with a playful tone, Wheein’s hand bow into his as she didn’t mind it and let him lead the way as she danced with him.

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ "Will do, Professor." Soohyuk replied with a soft smile. Though not much of a dancer himself, his brazen nature, which was now amplified by one too many drinks made him unstoppable. Unfortunately for the female professor, she was now caught up in his playful antics. "She certainly is, so we can’t let this song go to waste." he chuckled, taking her hand with ease. Leading them into a simple sway to the tune, he eventually added a playful spin, matching the rhythm of the music.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ “There’s no rush. Just let me know whenever you need it.” she commented and let out a soft laugh as she also placed her glass on the table beside, joining him to the dance floor. Wheein was a bit shy about dancing in front of others, but maybe the alcohol in her system would help her to loosen up a bit and think about fun for once - something other than work. The petite professor let Soohyuk take her hand and lead her as she heard the song and began moving her body as well and singing. “Sia is quite a good singer mm?”

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ "I’ll make sure to ask you about it tomorrow.. unless I’m forced to settle for my not so aesthetic drop box." Soohyuk joked, finishing his drink and setting the glass aside. "Splendid answer, Professor." he added with a grin, gently taking her hand and guiding them to the dance floor. "It might not be a dancey song, but I’m feeling it." he quipped as Sia’s Candy Cane Lane began to play. Moving his shoulders to the rhythm, he started mouthing the lyrics and acting out playful gestures, encouraging her to join in with a mischievous smile.

Jia's lips curled into a bitter smile, her eyes flashing with anger and hurt as she watched the usually composed Minghao crumble. She stepped forward, her presence commanding as she forced him to meet her gaze. "Oh trust me, Minghao," she said, her voice cold and steady, though it trembled slightly with the weight of her emotions. "The last thing I would ever joke about is this. Do you think I wanted this? Do you think I planned to stand here, telling you something that would shatter whatever perfect little world you've built for yourself?"

Jia's hand dropped from her abdomen, clenching into a fist at her side as she continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "I didn't ask for this either, but here we are. And while you're over there worrying about how this will ruin things for you, I'm the one who has to live with it. I'm the one carrying the consequences of that night while you're busy knotting your way into another mess."

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ Wheein rose her arms again to take another sip of the tasty champagne, a small hum of delight leaving her lips. She didn’t usually drink a lot as she got tipsy quite fast being this short. “It is no problem~” the petite woman reassure the other staff member as a smile graced her features. “Well, whenever you’d like to have them, just knock on my door of we can just go and get them together later.” she suggested.

As she watched his expression change, she wondered what was on the other’s mind. His offer surprised her a bit, but the omega leaned over to offer him her hand to take. “I’d happily join you over for a dance.”

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ "That I am." Soohyuk replied with a playful flourish, bowing slightly as she accepted the glass. Her teasing about his appearance drew a soft chuckle from him, and he instinctively ducked to her level when she reached up to fix a stray strand of his hair. "Thank you." he murmured, a genuine smile on his lips as he straightened up again, taking a sip of his drink. At the mention of the crafting scissors, he hummed softly. "Ah, right. I got a little... distracted with the ball." he admitted. "I’ll swing by your office whenever you’re free. I wouldn’t want to interrupt anything important."

A glimmer of mischief sparked in his eyes as he gestured toward a nearby table, tilting his head slightly. "Would you like to have a seat?" he started, before letting a playful smile curl his lips. "Or... would you prefer to grace the dance floor with me instead?" he added suddenly.

@☼┊wen soohyuk ᵇ As she heard a familiar voice, the professor looked up to notice Soohyuk there. “Mr. Wen~” he let out and flashed him a smile, bowing her head politely at the taller male. “Oh, how kind of you! What a gentleman~” she added as she noticed the glass that he had offered her and leaned forward to accept it, taking it to hold and sip from. “How’s your evening going? It seems like it is going... well?” she teased, lightly as she giggled and referred to his hair. “Let me just...” she began and reached up to fix a strand for him. “There! Better mm.” The woman tilted her head and blinked as she realized something. “Oh, you didn’t get your crafting scissors yet now, did you?”

minghao froze. her words crashing over him like a large wave, leaving him breathless. for a moment he could do nothing but stare at the female in front of him. his normally composed expression changed in the blink of eyes.

"you're.." his voice barely audible. his gaze dropped to her hand on her abdomen and the sight hit him like a punch to his gut. he stumbled back a step as if the the weight of revelation physically pushed him. "no. y you c-can't be joking about this jia." he trailed off. his voice rising slightly, fueled by his own fear. "jia this can't be happening." oh my — how he supposed to face yuqi over this matters ? "." he pushed his hair back and sighs heavily.

@❀┊jiang wheein ᵒ Spotting a fellow professor arriving at the ball, Soohyuk wasted no time in greeting her with a charming smile. "Good evening, Professor. Care for a drink?" he offered, holding out a glass of champagne. His slightly disheveled appearance, his tie loosened and hair tousled, hinted at the fun he’d already been having, no doubt from sneaking in a few moves on the dance floor earlier. "It looks like you could use the drink." He added, not failing to notice her small yawn few moments ago.

The room went silent. The air left her lungs. Surely she had heard that wrong. There was no way she had heard what she thought she heard. She dared to glance over to the professors and from Jia's stance alone she could tell she'd heard it right. She felt sick to her stomach. It was like she couldn't breathe and the room was closing in on her. What the hell was going on?

wheein had gone away for a bit and decided to return to the ballroom as she pondered on whether there would still be some people there. the professor rested her hands against her sides as she stepped into the room, lifting the bottom of her dress a bit so that she didn’t trip and fall as she was a bit short. the woman scanned the room with her brown eyes, a small yawn leaving her red tinted lips.

Jia froze for a moment, his words slicing through the charged air between them. Her hands balled into fists at her sides, and for a second, the sharp edge of her defiance faltered, replaced by something raw— something she could no longer keep hidden. She took a shaky breath, her voice quieter now but laced with unrelenting steel. "You think this is just about pride or guilt or who's to blame?" Her gaze locked onto his, unwavering, her emotions simmering just beneath the surface. "Fine, Minghao. You want to deny that it meant anything? You want to act like it was nothing more than a mistake we both regret? Then explain this." Her hand dropped to her abdomen, a gesture so subtle yet loaded with meaning that it seemed to echo in the charged silence of the room.

"I'm pregnant."

"what does that even meant? what do you mean i walked away like it's nothing?" minghao held her gaze with unspoken ache that he refused to name. "accountability?do you think I'm proud of what happened? that I don't feel the weight of it every damn second? you want to pin this all on me, don't you? fine. I'll take it, but don't act like you didn't have a choice, jia. you already knew exactly what you were walking into once you stepped into my office that time. and listen, i am not denying it happened. I'm denying that it /meant/ anything. "

Yuqi had followed close by the two professors, just enough that she was within earshot without it being obvious that she was trying to listen in. What she was hearing though. She had started to wish she never followed. It made her heart clench and felt tight. And even still she couldn't move away, needing to listen to more.

"A mistake?" she repeated, her voice deceptively soft but dripping with venom. "You can call it whatever helps you sleep at night, Mister Nie. But let me be clear— you don't get to decide what it meant for me." Her gaze bore into his, daring him to look away. Jia stepped even closer, her voice lowering but no less fierce. "You think I'm using this as a threat? Oh no, Sir." Her lips curled into a cold smile. "This isn't about threats— it's about accountability. You don't get to make the mess and then walk away like it's nothing."

"is that what this is all about? my type, my choices — none of that concerns you, does it?" he heaves a soft inaudible sighs. minghao's jaw tightened, and for a fleeting moment, the guilt flickered through his eyes but he quickly masked it with a sharp edge to his tone.

"whatever happened between us — you know it was a mistake. one i don't intend to repeat." his words hung heavy in the air — though his fists clenched at his sides betraying the storm brewing within him. "we both are — not in our usual state of minds. stop using that as your threat."