Addicted to you-Chapter 42: Debut (1)

Back in her hotel room, Yeri sat calmly in front of the vanity while the makeup artist worked with great care. Every brushstroke was precise—soft pinks on her cheeks, a subtle shimmer on her eyelids, and a glossy finish on her lips. The hairstylist stood behind her, skillfully tying her long hair into a neat bun, wrapping a braid around it like a crown.

Everything was going smoothly until a sudden gasp came from the designer.

"Oh no..."

Yeri turned to see what happened—and there it was. A red stain, right across the side of her dress.

"It wasn't there earlier!" the designer said in a panic, her face pale. "I swear, Miss Yeri. I checked everything—twice!"

Yeri didn't even need to think. The timing was too perfect. Aunt Linda and Venice had barged into her room just this afternoon, acting innocent. She never let them near her things the whole time they stayed at the Zhi mansion. Today must've been their only chance.

She chuckled quietly.

"Where did they learn their schemes? From a TV drama?" she muttered to herself, amused.

What they didn't know was that Madam Zhi had always been cautious—and Yeri took after her. The stained dress was only a backup. The real dress had been kept in a separate box, locked and untouched.

Yeri stood up and said calmly, "Where's the other dress? I'll wear that one instead."

The designer looked surprised but quickly nodded, rushing to fetch it. Yeri didn't blame her—she knew this wasn't her fault.

Just then, a soft bark echoed in the room.

Carpet, her fluffy little dog, trotted in with a blue bowtie around his neck, looking proud and incredibly adorable.

"My little baby, so cute!" Yeri beamed and crouched down to hug him. Carpet wagged his tail excitedly, as if he understood every word. His fluffy body wiggled with joy as he licked her cheek.

"Alright, there's not much time. I have to get dressed," she said, giving him a kiss on the head. Carpet barked once, happily, and ran around the room like he was celebrating too.

An hour later, there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," Yeri called.

The door opened, and Father Zhi stepped in, still in his work suit. He looked tired—his tie was slightly loosened and his eyes had faint dark circles—but when he saw her, he froze.

"Yeri, are you ready? There's not much—"

He couldn't finish his sentence. His eyes widened.

"Dad, you're here!" Yeri smiled brightly and did a twirl like a child showing off a new dress. "What do you think?"

For a moment, Father Zhi didn't speak. Then a soft smile broke across his usually serious face.

"You look... amazing," he said, his voice a little rough. His eyes glistened, and it was clear—this wasn't just a party. His little girl had grown up.

Yeri laughed and gently hugged his arm. "Let's go?"

He nodded and patted her head.

As they walked out of the room together, side by side, Carpet followed behind, tail wagging, looking like the proud escort of a princess.

---

The music shifted to a gentle, elegant waltz as the grand double doors opened.

All eyes turned.

At the top of the majestic staircase stood Yeri.

She was breathtaking in a strapless pink mermaid gown that hugged her figure with quiet confidence. The bodice shimmered subtly under the golden chandelier light, while the lower half flowed in layers of soft, ruffled tulle that moved like petals with each step. Her hair, swept up in a graceful bun, was adorned with a crystal flower clip that trailed like a vine around the side of her head. Atop it all sat a delicate tiara, glinting like stars.

And just behind her, like a loyal little knight, was Carpet—his blue bowtie perfectly in place, tiny paws padding carefully as he followed his mistress down the steps.

Gasps filled the ballroom.

"She's stunning!"

"I knew Klaus's daughter was pretty—but this? She looks like a goddess!"

"Didn't they say she was a weak, sickly girl? Lies! She looks radiant and completely healthy!"

Below the stairs, Madam Zhi and Father Zhi stood waiting. Their eyes never left Yeri. Madam Zhi was clapping, her proud smile trembling slightly. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears. Father Zhi, still serious as always, couldn't hide the warmth in his expression.

Even among the glittering guests, Yeri stood out like she was meant to be the center of the world tonight. The young bachelors near the front couldn't help themselves—they blushed, fidgeted, and stared like they were trying to remember how to breathe.

Yeri reached the last step and stood before the guests. A staff member handed her a slim microphone.

She looked around with poise and a soft smile, then began.

"Good evening, everyone."

Her voice rang clear across the hall.

"Thank you all so much for coming to my debut. It truly means a lot to me and my family."

She paused, eyes gently sweeping over the crowd before landing on her parents.

"First of all, I'd like to thank my mother—for everything. For planning this beautiful event, for staying up countless nights to make sure everything was perfect, and for always being by my side."

Madam Zhi's hand flew to her mouth, and a few guests let out soft, touched sighs.

Yeri turned to her father next, "And thank you, Dad, for always working hard for us, even if you don't say much—I always know you care."

There was a quiet chuckle among the crowd at that.

"Lastly, thank you to everyone who came tonight to celebrate with me. I hope you enjoy the evening—and please, don't forget to dance."

She bowed slightly, still smiling. A round of applause erupted across the hall.

Carpet barked once, perfectly on cue, like he was cheering too earning the crowds laughter.

As the applause slowly faded, the orchestra shifted to a romantic tune.

A staff member gently guided Yeri to the center of the grand dance floor. The pink lighting from above bathed her like she belonged to a fairy tale.

It was time for the first dance.

A hush fell over the crowd as she stood alone under the chandeliers. Then, from the side, a tall figure stepped forward—one of her distant cousins, a polished young man chosen for formalities' sake. The traditional first dance passed gracefully, though her expression remained polite rather than thrilled.

As the music flowed into the next song, the floor slowly opened up, and guests began to take partners.

Yeri's eyes wandered for a moment—and then she spotted them.

From one of the corners of the ballroom, two familiar figures stood out from the sea of unfamiliar socialites: Levi Ando and Nina Geun. Her closest friends.

They hadn't pushed forward or tried to crowd around her. Instead, they simply raised their wine glasses in her direction—grinning from a comfortable distance, like silent cheerleaders who knew she'd find them eventually.

Yeri's smile deepened.

Levi stepped forward just as the current song ended and a new melody began, more playful yet still graceful. He extended a hand.

"May I have this dance, Lady Zhi?"

Yeri chuckled and accepted it. "So formal."

Levi looked the part tonight—his neatly styled hair and the sleek black tuxedo gave him a scholarly, gentlemanly look. The usual game-addicted, sarcastic Levi was nowhere in sight.

"Happy birthday," he greeted sincerely as they began to move in sync.

Yeri smiled, teasing, "Did your dad force you to come? If I remember right, Saturday nights are sacred Tartarus battle nights."

Levi's mouth curved in that rare, quiet way of his. "It's your debut. Don't talk nonsense. Of course I'd be here."

She looked at him, touched. "Thanks."

They swayed together easily, familiar in their rhythm. It wasn't grand or romantic—but it was warm, comfortable, and real.

From a distance, a few guests whispered. Some were curious about the boy in glasses. Others simply admired the contrast: the radiant debutante and her calm, intellectual dance partner.

Levi leaned in slightly. "By the way... Nina wants to steal you after this. She's pretending she wants to congratulate you, but I think she just wants your dessert plate."

Yeri laughed softly. "Fair enough. I'll allow it."

After her dance with Levi, Yeri barely had time to catch her breath before another young bachelor approached. And then another. And another.

With each new partner, she felt her smile stiffen just a little more. Her cheeks were beginning to ache. Her heels—once a symbol of grace—now felt like medieval torture devices. But she kept her poise, offering polite nods, soft laughter, and elegant spins, even as her feet silently begged for mercy.

The orchestra played on.

Still, she endured. It was her debut, after all.

At last, only two names remained on her list: her brother Jj and her father.

She glanced around the ballroom, expecting to spot her brother easily. He was never the type to blend in. But strangely, she hadn't seen him all evening.

Just as she considered asking someone or slipping away for a brief break, the crowd at the grand entrance shifted.

Whispers stirred.

Her eyes flicked to the doorway—and there he was.

Jj Zhi.

Tall, effortlessly stylish in his custom navy suit, his presence alone made a few heads turn. He was flashing his signature grin—relaxed, confident. But as he approached, something felt... off.

Yeri narrowed her eyes.

He wasn't walking the way he normally did. Jj was unusually stiff, as though resisting the urge to sprint or... flee?

She wasn't the only one who noticed.

A hush fell over the nearest crowd. Slowly, like a ripple on water, the silence spread outward, consuming conversation after conversation until only the music remained—a distant, graceful hum beneath the tension.

And then she saw why.

Behind Jj, emerging from the entrance like a shadow cast by moonlight, was someone who made the air shift with his presence alone.