I've saved this chapter draft for a while, so here it is. Working on the next one, folks! My goal is to get this story featured. Give it an upvote if you like it! :))

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"Did my performance turn you on?" Jennie asked.

Yoona quickly refocused, not wanting to make any hasty decisions.

"Oh, I forgot something." Jennie's smile felt genuine, with no hidden motives.

"Hi, I'm Jennie Ruby Jane Kim, also known as the YG princess or secret weapon. No need for reasons, I just am! Feel free to tremble."

Yoona smiled, amused. "Did you borrow Mads' introduction?" she teased." 

Yoona patted her head, impressed. "You did great earlier, no sugarcoating. I saw your performance. It was amazing!" She gave Jennie a thumbs up.

Then, unexpectedly, Jennie looked at Yoona with love in her eyes and said, "I love you."

Caught off guard, Yoona felt a bit trapped. "Jen, I—"

Jennie silenced her with a finger to her lips. "It's okay. I mean it. I'm serious about loving you."

Staring at Jennie, Yoona tried to process what she heard. Love? How does one define it?

Jennie hugged her, seeking comfort. "Please don't leave me. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Just as Yoona was about to say something, her phone rang. It was Jessica calling. Jennie motioned toward Yoona's phone. "Who's that?"

"My boss. I better answer before she gets upset." Yoona excused herself and answered the call. "Ms. Jung."

Jennie scoffed quietly, slightly annoyed. She could have answered here in the room with me. She rolled her eyes.

"Can you come pick me up and keep me company at the store?"

"Sure, Ms. Jung. I'm heading there now."

"Great. See you later. Drive safely."

Yoona ended the call with a sigh. As she approached the room where she had left Jennie, someone grabbed her wrist and pulled her into another room.

Startled, Yoona pulled her hand away and looked at the unexpected intruder. The man smirked, sizing her up.

Yoona couldn't help but laugh, which confused the man. "What's so funny?" he asked.

Still recovering from her laughter, Yoona looked at him seriously. "You."

He pointed to himself. "And why am I funny?"

Playing with the car key in her pocket, Yoona stared at him. "Don't you dare step into my life."

He smirked, folding his arms. "Or?"

With a sly grin, Yoona approached him. "You never know what I'm capable of, mister." She continued, "And if your reason for dragging me here is about her, then it's a huge mistake. Want her back? Go and win her over. Stay out of my way."

Suppressing his anger, he clenched his teeth. Yoona was highly amused by the situation. Turning to leave, she paused at the door and faced him again. "Then again, your true motivation for wanting her back is probably just to get into her pants."

He scoffed sarcastically. "And what if it is? Any problem with that?"

Yoona squinted at him, shaking her head. "I actually agree with you. Who wouldn't want to be with someone as famous and attractive as her? Unfortunately for you, I think I'm currently the only one who has that privilege."

His expression darkened at her words. "I never lose in any game, Detective. I'm an ace."

Ignoring his bragging, Yoona shrugged. "I can see that. But in this current game between us, it's clear that I'm the winner. You lost when that news got out, boy." She emphasized her point with a pat on his back.

"You think I can't win her back? You'll wake up one morning and realize she's mine."

Yoona nodded in agreement. "Sure, boy. If that's your goal, go ahead and try. Just remember not to cross my path. Consider yourself warned." She gave him a stern glare, causing him to feel intimidated and lose his confidence.

Walking out of the room, Yoona sighed and massaged her temples. What a ing intruder! When did he get the audacity to talk to me like that? Don't let him stress you out, self. He's not even worth your time.

Opening her eyes, Yoona headed to the room where she had left Jennie. She found the short girl sleeping on the mini couch. She sighed and approached Jennie, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Taking a moment, she studied Jennie's peaceful expression, observing every feature of her face.

"You're sweet, Jen, but I doubt your feelings for me run that deep. You're too young for me," Yoona mumbled, lifting Jennie up in a bridal style.

---

After the award show, Red Velvet gathered at a seafood restaurant to enjoy a meal together. With a free schedule the next day, eating heartily at night was not a concern.

As usual, Seulgi sat beside Irene. It had become a habit, even though Seulgi sometimes hesitated to join them. But Irene's determined gaze could convince her to sit down, or so she thought. No way! Her eyes are lethal!

The seating arrangement was Yeri, Wendy, Irene, Seulgi, and Joy. They were all relishing their crab dishes, and Yeri couldn't help expressing her excitement. "Oh my god! I'm obsessed with these crabs right now!"

While indulging in their crab feast, Joy made a face at her stewed crab. "I don't like this one," she murmured, looking at Irene. "Irene Unnie, you should try it. It's delicious!" Joy maintained a deadpan expression, still dealing with the taste in .

Irene playfully scoffed at Joy's comment. "You said that with a straight face. Do you really expect me to believe you?" Her response sparked laughter from both Joy and a chuckling Seulgi by her side.

Scooping up a bite of rice mixed with stewed crab, Seulgi fed it to Irene. Blushing, Irene took the bite, only to grimace when she tasted the stew.

"Hey! This isn't even tasty," she exclaimed, prompting more laughter from Joy and Seulgi.

Another plate of stewed crab sat in front of Seulgi, and she used her spoon to scoop some out, feeding Irene once more. Irene hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to eat it or not. But since it came from Seulgi, she decided to give it a try.

"It's not bad. I promise," Seulgi assured her. Irene tasted the dish and eventually nodded in agreement, finding the stew quite delicious.

With a cheerful spirit, Irene scooped some of her food and offered it to each of her members. "Thanks, Unnie," they chorused. Irene continued to enjoy her meal, and Seulgi watched her with contentment, pleased to see Irene happy.

After Dinner~

Due to indulging in numerous crabs earlier, Irene was now feeling a bit sick. While her members gathered in the living room to watch movies, she rested alone in her room. Rolling around on her bed, she waited patiently for Seulgi who had promised to return quickly.

Why is Seulgi taking so long?!

She stared at her ceiling in anticipation. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the door opened. Irene sat up, only to find Joy standing there with a curious expression.

Irene let herself fall back onto the mattress, emitting a groan.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Joy questioned.

"I am," Irene responded nonchalantly.

"Then why were you so eager to sit up when the door opened? Is it because of Seulgi Unnie?" Joy guessed.

Irene rolled her eyes and shook her head. "I've been waiting here for almost 30 minutes, but she still hasn't come."

"Why are you here anyway?" Irene asked again.

She strolled over to Irene's bedside table. "This is why. I left my earphones here." She shook her earphones in her hand. "Goodnight." Joy turned to leave, but then she turned back around. "Unnie, please remember to take care of your health. The matters of the heart can wait, but your well-being is much more important." With that, she waved a goodbye and closed the door.

Irene stared at the closed door in disbelief, not expecting those words from Joy.

After a few more minutes of staring at the ceiling, the door opened once again. Peeking to see who it was, Irene's face lit up in a wide smile as she sat up, motioning for Seulgi to come to the bed. Seulgi was holding a mug.

"What's that?" Irene asked, curious about the contents of the mug.

Seulgi looked at the mug she was holding and then back at Irene. "It's chamomile tea. It'll help you feel better if you drink it all." She settled on the edge of the bed and handed the tea to Irene.

Irene gratefully accepted it, taking a sip. "I'm sorry," Seulgi suddenly said, leaving Irene puzzled.

"Why are you saying sorry?" Irene inquired, looking at Seulgi with curiosity.

Seulgi scratched the back of her neck, visibly uncomfortable. "I feel like if I had stopped you from eating those crabs earlier, you wouldn't be dealing with indigestion now," she confessed, genuine concern in her eyes. She truly felt sorry and wished she could alleviate Irene's pain in any way possible.

Irene shook her head gently. "No, Seulgi. Don't blame yourself. It was my choice to eat them in the first place. So don't carry that guilt. I'm alright now."

A soft smile appeared on Irene's face. "It actually makes me feel better, knowing you're here taking care of me," she admitted, her smile widening at Seulgi's own smile in response.

"I'm your bodyguard, after all. It's my duty to look after you," Seulgi said, but then added, "And not just your bodyguard. I genuinely care about you and would do anything for you."

Irene blushed, her heart racing in response to Seulgi's words.

---

At the park, Jessica and Yoona sat on a bench, enjoying their ice creams together.

Yoona couldn't help but reflect on how this park seemed to be their special place, where they could have undisturbed conversations and share their thoughts.

Yoona finished her ice cream and sipped her water, leaning back comfortably in her seat. She knew Jessica was about to share something important, as she had learned to recognize the signs.

Amidst the sounds of the park, she heard Jessica's quiet sobbing. She settled into her seat, crossing her legs, and waited patiently for Jessica to speak about the issue at hand.

She could hear Jessica sniffling, and then the sound of her clearing . "It... hurts," Jessica started, her voice trembling.

Yoona remained attentive, giving Jessica the space to express her feelings.

"I thought he would change, but he didn't. It hurts because I had such high hopes for him, considering he's still my boyfriend and I still love him."

Yoona listened carefully, absorbing Jessica's words. She couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy, even though she herself was still new to the concept of love.

"It has crossed my mind to break up with him, but I've always chosen not to because I picked him in the first place," Jessica continued, her voice reflecting the internal struggle she was facing.

"I remember what the Bible said, 1 CORINTHIANS 13:4-8." Yoona mentioned, catching Jessica's attention. "The matters of the heart are incredibly powerful," Yoona said, looking at Jessica. The sudden wisdom she shared seemed unexpected, making Jessica wonder if Yoona had said such things before.

Jessica's curiosity was piqued. "What do you mean?"

Yoona continued, "The Bible says that love is stronger than death. You need to guard your heart, Ms. Jung." Her gaze shifted away, and she added, "It's something so precious in life that you can't let someone trample all over it, even if it means taking drastic measures."

"Intrigue me, Detective Lim," Jessica prompted, seeking Yoona's insights, much like how Yoona often provided a listening ear for her.

"If you find yourself in an abusive relationship, you must get out of it swiftly," Yoona advised. Jessica looked away, feeling struck by how accurate Yoona's words were—she always seemed to hit the mark. "Often, people believe they don't deserve a healthy love. They convince themselves that they can't do any better or that they deserve the pain. But those are false narratives. The truth is…" Yoona paused, awaiting Jessica's gaze to return to her. "...you hold value. You deserve genuine love. And if someone isn't treating you the right way, then it's important to leave, and you'll be okay."

Jessica stared at Yoona in admiration, her hand instinctively reaching towards her chest, feeling her racing heartbeat. When had she heard such words directed at her before?

"Thank you," Jessica said genuinely, grateful for Yoona's comforting presence whenever she needed someone to listen to her worries.

"So, are you really considering ending things with him?" Yoona inquired, her brow furrowing slightly.

Jessica pondered the question, reluctant to make a decision that she might regret later. "Honestly, I don't know. We've been together for almost 4 to 5 years, so it's a difficult decision to make."

Yoona's frown deepened, her concern evident. "But the final choice is yours, Ms. Jung," Yoona reiterated, feeling a sense of intrusion and responsibility she wasn't entirely comfortable with. Why am I getting so involved? I have no right to interfere in her personal matters.

She heard a sigh from Jessica, who added, "I know…" Her voice trailed off, and she closed her eyes, seemingly deep in thought. "But if the relationship truly becomes toxic, as you suggested, I won't hesitate to end it."

A calm silence enveloped them, the tranquility of the night soothing their thoughts. However, the peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by the ringing of Yoona's phone. Glancing at the caller ID, she wondered, What does she want now?

"I'll just take this call," Yoona informed Jessica, who gave her a nod of approval. She stood up and moved a short distance away from Jessica, closer to the edge of the park bench.

Yoona answered the call with a slightly skeptical tone, "What?"

"Why didn't you tell me that he talked to you earlier?" The voice on the other end sounded somewhat frustrated.

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