"Thank you for agreeing to give this special lecture despite being really busy these days, Jungeun." 

Jungeun smiles at her former professor. 

"It's quite alright, Professor Han. I'm never too busy to help you out. Especially because you personally asked so I couldn't really turn you down."  

Professor Han Somin chuckles at her former student. "I'm honoured you think so highly of me, Jungeun. The students were especially attentive today so I owe you one." 

Jungeun laughs as she says, "You can't blame them, professor! As much as I liked your teaching, this subject makes me want to cough out blood." 

Professor Han couldn't help but laugh along, agreeing with her former student. Their laughs gradually reduces to comfortable smiles. 

"So, you and Hana, huh? I kind of expected it but I didn't think it would take so long," Professor Han comments. 

Jungeun's cheeks flushes pink from her professor's words. She still couldn't believe it either – Hana and her. Though there was no spoken confession, Jungeun and her were closer than ever. Jungeun didn't think that she could fall harder than she already did but each time Hana treated her like a Queen, she couldn't help herself from swooning and she loved every moment of it. Jungeun feels her pocket vibrate as she excuses herself, turning to the side as she pulls out her phone. She unlocks it and sees that an unknown number has appeared in her message list. 

She scrutinizes it before opening the text sent from the unknown messenger. There was nothing but a link inside the chat. She opens the link that brings her to an article. Her face hardening at the title of the article as she scrolls down to see pictures of Heejin with Hana in the company's lobby. She reads the article and with each line read, her grip on the phone tightens. 

"Jungeun? Are you alright?" 

Her professor's questions wakes Jungeun from her trance as her grip around her phone loosens. She locks her phone, faking a quick smile. 

"Yeah, just spam messages! I'm sorry to go so fast, professor but something has come up and I need to deal with it," Jungeun says as her professor nods understandingly. 

"Of course! Yes, I understand. Go ahead then! Thank you for coming once again, Jungeun! I hope this won't be the last time we see each other." 

"It certainly won't. I'll be sure to come visit you from time to time, professor Han!" 

Jungeun waves, bidding the older woman goodbye before walking away, turning to right as she hides behind a massive tree trunk. She drops her smile, trying to cool herself down as she shakily dials Hana's number. The call goes through after the third ring. 

"Hello." 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hana fidgets uncomfortably inside the car as she nervously bites her nails, tapping her feet against the carpeted floor – a habit that Hana picked up whenever she was anxious. She couldn't help but let her mind wonder over to Jungeun. The last thing she wants is for Jungeun to get the wrong idea about Heejin and her. There was absolutely nothing between her and Heejin anymore and she hopes Jungeun's trust in her is enough to keep her from thinking differently but she couldn’t predict the other girl sometimes and that scares her.

She grits her teeth, growling in anger as she slams her clenched fists against the leather seat. The more she thought about the situation, the more confusing and frustrating it got. It wouldn’t be possible to have anyone catch them unless…

Jeon Heejin!!

This incident was no coincidence and the truth was clearer than ever. She grabs her phone, unlocking it and clicks on Heejin's number. Hana wasn't planning on letting this incident go by. The call is successful as her ex's frantic voice comes through the other end. 

Heejin: Hana!! I swear I didn’t know! You have to believe me!”

Hana scoffs into the call. 

Hana: “Believe you? A mistake I have made one too many times!

Hana: I swear if I find out you had even an ounce of share in this bull, I’ll destroy you!

Hana: Mark my works, Jeon Heejin!”

Heejin: H–

Before Heejin could say another word, Hana ends the call with a click of a button. She takes heavy breaths, trying to reel in her anger. She feels her phone vibrating in her hand and checks it, gaping when she sees that it’s Jungeun. Hana slides right, answering the call after taking a deep breath. 

Hana: Hello.

Jungeun: Hey.

Hana: I’m guessing you’ve seen the news. Don’t believe a thing they write! It’s all fake! 

Hana: I’m on my way to the university right now to pick you up. I’ll explain everything.

Jungeun's line goes mute for a while, worrying Hana as she starts to have weird thoughts but Jungeun's reply saves her from the torment. 

Jungeun: Okay, I’ll wait by the arts department.

Hana: I’ll be there soon, Jungie. 

The call ends with Hana feeling even more pressed than she was before. She opens her web and sees the articles were still up and trending.

 “Why is it still not gone? When I said an hour, I meant impress me! What is the media and legal department doing? Do we hire them for show? If you need to destroy the whole media industry to get the articles down, DESTROY IT!!” Hana growls with pure anger. 

Joohyuk was quick to make calls and rushes all the departments to have the articles taken down. Hana leans back against the leather seat, silently racking her brain as she finally comes up with an idea that she hopes will work.

“Joohyuk, have the media department ready to release a statement.”

Joohyuk readies his ipad as Hana tells him what to write. He nods and types out an email and sends it over to the media department’s head, telling them to release it. Luckily, the media department was swift and now articles on her statement replaces the old ones. She taps onto the brand new article and reads. 

*Hours after pictures of Park Group's heiress, Park Hana and Jeon Heiress, Jeon Heejin meeting was released, Park Group has released a statement in regards to the scandal that exploded between Jeon Industries heiress, Jeon Heejin and Park Group’s heiress, Park Hana. Park Group representative explains that Miss Jeon is an old friend of Chief Director Park and they used to attend the same university. Today, Miss Jeon visited Park Group’s headquarters at the request of Chief Director Park as she wanted to catch up with her old friend. Park Group dismisses the scandal and the falsely spread information entirely. All news outlets are to delete any articles written based on this false rumour and if they do not comply, Park Group’s legal department will begin legal defences to protect the name and image of Park Group and Chief Director Park. Thank you.*

Hana exits the page and shuts off her phone, dropping it onto the leather seat beside her. 

“How are the people reacting to the statement?” Hana asks.  

“The reaction is going according to your plan, Jeonmunim. News outlets are retracting their articles and issuing apology statements and public sentiments are berating the media for improper spread of information” Joohyuk answers, tracking everything on his Ipad. 

Hana nods her head, satisfied by the outcome of the statement. It served its purpose well. 

“That’s good to hear. How far are we from the university?”

“We are two blocks away.”

“Floor it. Jungeun has been waiting long enough” Hana comments.

The driver does as Hana requests as they arrive at the university in no time. Hana spots her fiancée standing in front of the arts department’s building. As the car comes to a smooth stop, Hana pushes open the door and takes long strides towards Jungeun. The girl looks up from her phone and spots Hana walking towards her as curves up into a small smile. She gasps when Hana pulls her into a tight hug.

“Sorry, I’m late,” Hana whispers, her breath hot against Jungeun’s ear. 

Jungeun sinks into the hug, snaking her arms around Hana’s waist and burying her face into the crook of Hana’s neck.

“Don’t be. I didn’t wait long at all” Jungeun drawls but her words come out muffled.

Hana’s arms tightens around Jungeun as they ignore the attention they were getting from those walking by – some having the guts to take pictures and short videos of them. Hana finally releases Jungeun, smiling softly as she holds out her hand for Jungeun to take. Jungeun takes it as the two walk towards the car. Joohyuk already standing by as he holds the door open for Jungeun and Hana. He greets Jungeun with a bow as Jungeun mutters a small thanks before sliding in – Hana follows after her.

Joohyuk closes the door once Hana is settled, circling the car as he jumps into the front seat. Hana tells the driver to take them to a restaurant to get some food. Hana's hand gravitates toward Jungeun's as she intertwines their hands, holding it tightly. They arrive at the restaurant as Hana and Jungeun make their way into the restaurant, not once letting go of each other's hand. The waiter ushers them to a private room as Hana has the server leave them for the time being. 

Hana sighs as she is hesitant, unsure of how to begin.

"I promised I would never lie to you so trust me when I tell you that I didn't expect to see her today."

She begins telling Jungeun about everything that happened with Heejin from when Heejin stops her in the lobby till Hana stomps out leaving Heejin in her office – Jungeun merely listens without interrupting. Once she was done, Hana looks up to gouge Jungeun’s reaction but Jungeun’s face was blank. Hana gulps in fear. Whenever Jungeun showed a blank face, she goes mad because she could never read what the girl was thinking about.

“Jungie, are you mad?” Hana is quick to ask – she was willing to do whatever it takes to soothe Lip as long as she was happy.

Jungeun’s blank face fades as she smiles softly, shaking her head in response to Hana’s question.

Hana sighs in relief as she reaches her hand out and takes Jungeun’s smaller hands into her own.

“Don’t scare me. You have no idea how afraid I was” Hana whines as Jungeun giggles in response. 

"I'm sorry but your face was just too cute. Plus, I like it when you get all nervous and stuff. Shows you care about me," Jungeun quips. 

Hana couldn't help but chuckle. 

"That I do. I care soooo much about you, Kim Jungeun~" 

 Jungeun releases a pterodactyl laugh as she shakes Hana's hand off hers. "Stop. Don't use that tone on me! It's so cringy!" 

Hana laughs along, stopping when she sees Jungeun close to toppling over. She reacts fast, reaching over the table, grabbing both Jungeun's wrist to stop her from falling backwards. Hana scoffs playfully. 

"That's what you get for laughing at me, Jungie." 

She receives a small shy thank you in exchange. They gaze into each other's eyes – Jungeun's breaths hot against Hana's mouth as Hana's eyes slowly trails down Jungeun's nose down to her perfectly pink lips. Hana's breath hitches in when she realizes just how close their faces were. Saved by the waiter's knock as she quickly releases Jungeun's wrists, sitting back down and clearing . The waiter enters, ready to take their orders as Hana and Jungeun mentions their orders to the waiter, already memorizing the menu. The waiter nods, retreating as he informs them that he'll return soon. 

Hana doesn't know what to say after what happened earlier. She unknowingly pouts, unaware of Jungeun's intense stare. Jungeun couldn't hold herself as she stands up from her chair, leaning across the table to peck Hana's cheek. She then sits back down, pretending like she didn't a thing. Hana on the other hand freezes as traces of the peck lingers on her face. She looks at Jungeun who immediately averts her eyes, looking everywhere but Hana. Hana's lips curve into a full smile with her dimple on full display, her eyes forming crescents. 

"Are you not going to tell me what that was for, Miss Kim?" Hana asks with her best attempt at a sultry tone. 

"Just because," Jungeun replies shortly. 

"Is that so?"

Hana then slides out of her chair, walking around the table as she makes her way towards Jungeun who stares at her like a deer caught in headlights. Hana leans down, her voice dropping a few octaves. 

"Then, you won't mind if I did this?" Hana challenges, landing a kiss on Jungeun's forehead before pulling away. 

Jungeun's jaw drops while Hana returns to her seat with a content smile on her face. Jungeun blushes a deep red as she cups her face with both hands. She glares at Hana who fakes an innocent look but Jungeun knew the girl in front of her was the farthest thing from an angel. 

"You sly fox!" Jungeun manages to say as Hana guffaws. 

Jungeun pouts before joining in as her lips stretches widely, laughing alongside Hana – what more could she say? Hana's laugh was contagious. Hana gradually stops laughing as she tunes out all noise and focuses upon Jungeun's laugh. Realisation hits her like a truck – to hear this laughter, to see Jungeun’s face every day and to be able to hold Jungeun for the remainder of her life – that was the future that Hana envisions when she closes her eyes and what she dreams of when she sleeps. 

Hana knows she's ed.

 She was in love with her best friend. 

But the smile that blooms on Jungeun’s face made it all worth it – all of a sudden, her heart beats a whole lot faster and the butterflies fill her stomach. One look at Jungeun's happy smile and suddenly, the idea of falling in love with her best friend wasn’t such a bad idea after all.