(a/n: I apologize for the delay in updating. Dealing with writer's block can indeed be frustrating, but I'm excited to share the new chapter with you. Remember, the most important thing is that we're back on track.

Please take care of yourselves, and let's continue enjoying the journey together! 📚💙)

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(Treachery - betrayal of trust; deceptive action or nature. )

"The last time we convened like this, Ms. Jung, the face of our company, cast her vote in favor of Yoona Lim and eloquently articulated the reasons Ms. Lim should continue as President," Chairman Jung addressed the attentive audience, his smile hinting at the knowledge that his favored president would remain unswayed. He locked eyes with Yoona, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them.

"Now, let's lend our ears to whatever she has to convey," he continued, prompting nods of agreement from the gathered individuals. With a gesture, he indicated for Yoona to take his place at the forefront. As he resumed his seat, he couldn't ignore the resentful glares from the two men seated nearby.

Yoona stood without hesitation, occupying the space Chairman Jung had vacated. She surveyed the room solemnly, deliberately avoiding the gaze of her longing lover. Her fingers played with the ring on her hand, secretly slipping it off to avert suspicion—she couldn't risk her lover discovering the unfamiliar band.

"The occurrence of that meeting was, in my opinion, fated," she began, her hands clasped behind her back, the ring concealed within her grip. "It acted as a catalyst for me to discern those who genuinely harbor concerns for the company's welfare. Please," she chuckled, noting their uneasy shuffling, before continuing, "don't feel the need to mask your discomfort. We've all, in some capacity, collaborated in this environment."

Suppressing a victorious smirk, she continued, relishing the moment. Those who had been eager to oust her had almost succeeded, yet she had ultimately emerged triumphant. A surge of invigorating energy coursed through her veins—she was acutely aware of her own prowess and prowess.

"No need to draw out this meeting any longer," she declared, her lips curling into a knowing smile as she addressed the uneasy crowd. "I'll succinctly make two points. First, I appreciate your collective endeavor to remove me; I commend your dedication." She smirked as they averted their eyes, guilt creeping into their expressions. "Lastly, best of luck. We're now in a survival mode—anyone failing to meet my expectations will face severe consequences. That concludes the meeting."

With a graceful bow, Yoona acknowledged the assembly, her gaze meeting Chairman Jung's approving eyes. Amid the departing figures, she caught her lover's attention, a question flickering within her. As the room emptied, she found herself alone with her partner, the weight of their shared journey settling between them.

"Yoong." 

Yoona sensed the hurt resonating in her lover's voice, a deep ache that mirrored the emptiness they had experienced during the past few days. Her gaze flickered over Jessica's shoulder, catching a subtle nod from her assistant that went unnoticed by her partner. As she redirected her attention to Jessica, the woman leapt into her arms, wrapping her tightly in an embrace.

"I missed you," Jessica confessed, her voice carrying a mix of longing and vulnerability. Yoona responded by pressing a gentle kiss to the crown of her head, planning to pull away, but Jessica's grip tightened, holding her close. "Three days, Yoong. I missed you so damn much."

The sincerity in her lover's voice warmed Yoona's heart. "I missed you too, Jessica."

As they separated slightly, Jessica maintained her hold on Yoona, her arms enfolding her. It was clear she was determined not to let Yoona slip away again, her touch almost possessive, a shield against the fear of separation.

"I'm sorry for keeping you waiting for three days," Yoona offered, her voice soft and apologetic. She gently cupped Jessica's cheeks, a gesture that spoke volumes in place of the words she often struggled with. "I'm here now."

Jessica's smile reflected the affection in her gaze. Yoona's tendency to express herself physically, like cupping her cheeks, was something she cherished. It was a tangible reminder that even when words escaped Yoona, her actions conveyed her feelings.

"Let's grab lunch nearby. I'm starving," Jessica suggested, finally releasing her hold on Yoona.

Exiting the room, they maintained a bit of distance between them, mindful of potential rumors or scandals that could disrupt the company's stability. However, even with the space, the connection between them remained strong.

"Yuri, aren't you joining us?" Yoona asked, puzzled by her assistant's decline to join them for lunch. She noticed the subtle exchange of glances between Jessica and Yuri, prompting her curiosity. "Why not?"

Yuri's response was measured. "I have some of the business tasks you assigned me to complete. I believe my absence from the lunch will allow me to finish them promptly, Ms. Lim."

A realization dawned on Yoona, recalling the discussion they had about dealing with certain members of the board efficiently. "I understand. Carry on then. We'll head out now."

With a nod, Yuri excused herself, leaving Yoona and Jessica to step into the elevator. Silence settled between them as the elevator descended, the unspoken bond that connected them was enough to fill the space with warmth and reassurance.

"Yoong," Jessica's voice pulled Yoona's attention, and she listened as her partner continued. "Unnie left me a gift for you, it's a watch."

Yoona's surprise was evident in her expression. Internally, she couldn't help but chuckle at the turn of events. "Really? That's quite a surprise. What made her decide to give me a watch?"

Jessica's laughter rang out, her shrug casual. "I don't know, maybe she finally realized that holding onto resentment towards you was futile and petty. I'm just glad she came to her senses. Hating you wouldn't do anyone any good." Her words also hinted at her younger sister Krystal's change of heart.

Upon hearing the news, Tiffany, Jessica's best friend, immediately called her own sisters, vowing not to make them her delicious pancakes anymore. The two siblings whined and apologized profusely, hoping to regain their pancake privileges.

The lunch exceeded their expectations as they caught up on the three days they had spent apart. Jessica's radiant smile lit up the conversation as she shared her experiences from those days. Yoona couldn't help but mirror that smile, seeing how genuinely happy Jessica was in her company. And there was Yoona, ever the crafty strategist, concocting various lies about her busy schedule for the company's sake.

However, their post-lunch bliss took an unexpected turn. "What?! Why aren't you staying over at our house?" Jessica's distress was palpable, her assumption that they would return home together leading to her outburst. Yoona parked the car outside the Jung residence, explaining that she wouldn't be staying at their house for the time being. Jessica's question hung in the air, prompting Yoona to reveal that she still needed time to recover from recent arguments.

"I just explained it, Jessica. Please understand," Yoona implored.

"But we always resolve our fights by talking calmly and peacefully, not by avoiding each other," Jessica's dismay was unmistakable. Yoona could sense the pain radiating from her, her trembling hands and quivering voice bearing testament to her hurt.

Yoona sighed, her own emotions mixing with her frustration. Clicking her tongue, she mustered her response. "I know. It's just that with the overwhelming workload and the constant arguments, I feel like I need some space to breathe."

"Okay," Jessica's response surprised Yoona, who had expected more resistance. "As long as you promise to come over when I call you, okay?" She leaned in, cupping Yoona's cheeks, and rather than pulling away, Yoona allowed the touch to linger.

"I promise, Jessica. I will," Yoona reassured, a mixture of relief and tenderness washing over her as she met Jessica's eyes.

Jessica's smile widened, and she captured Yoona's lips in a kiss. The innocent gesture deepened as Jessica pressed further, making Yoona's attempt to pull away futile. As the kiss intensified, Yoona winced, tasting the hint of blood from her lower lip.

"Jessica!" Yoona protested, glancing at her playfully giggling partner. She shook her head, examining her lip in the mirror to confirm the bloodstain.

"You bit it pretty hard," she complained, eyeing Jessica incredulously, who couldn't seem to stifle her amusement. "Stop giggling, it's not funny!"

"R-right... I'm sorry, but not really," Jessica admitted with a mischievous grin. Yoona playfully rolled her eyes at the contradictory apology.

"You're unbelievable." Yoona unfastened her seatbelt and got out of the car, motioning for Jessica to do the same. "I have to go now. I need to review the current sales data for the company."

Jessica bit her lip, blinking back tears, not wanting to show her vulnerability. Three days without Yoona had been unbearable, but she had tried to act composed. She didn't want to appear too needy. She realized she had no idea how long Yoona would be away, and the prospect shattered her heart.

"Yoong..."

"What?"

Before she knew it, Yoona was pushed back into the passenger seat, with Jessica straddling her, fingers expertly tickling her sides. Giggles filled the car as the playful chaos ensued.

"Jessica, stop... it!" Yoona managed to gasp between laughter.

"Get in."

"I have class to attend, Jessica, and you also – where are you heading this early morning? Are you skipping class?"

Yoona could hardly refuse Jessica's puppy-eyed plea. She was a complete er for those eyes.

"You've got to be kidding me," Yoona groaned when they arrived at the VIP mall. Jessica was fully aware of Yoona's aversion to malls. The shopping spree was a waste of time and money in Yoona's opinion, but not in Jessica's, given her affluence. "You know I hate malls."

Yoona leaned against the seat, closing her eyes and attempting to ignore Jessica's pleading. Her serenity was short-lived as she felt a weight on her lap and Jessica's fingers began their tickling assault.

"Stop! Yah, Jessica!"

When Jessica stared at her with that affectionate smile, Yoona tilted her head in confusion. "Is there something on my face?"

Jessica shook her head, her grin unrelenting. "I'm just admiring you, as I always do." Her gaze lingered on Yoona's doe eyes, her words filled with sincerity.

Yoona chuckled, playfully rolling her eyes. "Take care, Jessica." She couldn't resist a smile as Jessica enveloped her in a hug.

"I love you, Yoong."

Yoona made sure that Jessica was safely inside the house before she drove to the Kim residence. She had a plan to spend some time there, as Jennie wanted to host a barbecue gathering with her parents and friends before moving into the penthouse she shared with Yoona.

Stopping at a red light, Yoona glanced at the paper bag on the passenger seat. It was a gift from Minyoung, a luxurious Cartier watch – quite expensive. Yoona nodded at the gift, knowing she had a penchant for collecting watches.

When she arrived at the Kim residence and parked in the driveway, she noticed some familiar cars outside. She recognized them as belonging to Jennie's friends, each hailing from wealthy families. Yoona slipped the ring back into her pocket, ensuring that Jennie wouldn't become suspicious again.

Entering the house, Yoona headed to the backyard, where the aroma of barbecue smoke filled the air. Her attention was immediately drawn to Jennie, who was laughing merrily with her friends around a table. Jennie was dressed in a black basic crop top, a white mini skirt with a short slit, and a pair of white shoes.

I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't entered Jennie's life.

As Yoona was lost in thought while watching Jennie, a deep voice broke her reverie. She turned around to see Jennie's father approaching.

"Busy admiring my daughter, eh? I never thought you'd become such a lovesick puppy, Yoona," he playfully remarked, teasing the blushing Yoona.

Yoona responded with a shy smile and a respectful bow of her head. "I got caught in traffic on the way here," she explained.

"Traffic, huh? I understand," he said, taking a sip of his red wine.

Yoona had smoothly lied about the traffic, conveniently forgetting that she had found a shortcut to the Kim residence. She had spent longer than planned with Jessica earlier, and the time had slipped away.

"Well, I'm sure you're up for a glass of wine. It's fortunate you're here now. I don't have anyone else to drink and chat with, clearly," he added with a chuckle.

He laughed genuinely and invited Yoona to follow him. They walked over to where Jennie and her friends were sitting, as the food area and wine were located just behind them.

"Mandu, Ms. Im is here,"  Joyexclaimed upon spotting Yoona. Jennie turned around immediately, her face lighting up with a gummy smile when she saw her wife. Yoona waved, and the cheerful atmosphere only heightened as Joy playfully remarked about being envious of their love.

Greeting Yoona with bows, Jennie's friends seemed to humorously acknowledge the former teacher-student dynamic, which Yoona promptly dismissed, reminding them that they didn't have to maintain formalities.

"Babe," Jennie cooed, pulling Yoona in for a kiss, which was met with cheers from their friends. Jennie's boldness was always a source of amazement for their friends, but Yoona felt a bit uncomfortable with the attention.

"Jennie, not here," Yoona whispered, coughing awkwardly, not wanting to draw more attention. "I'm sitting with your father to have some wine since he's alone." Yoona explained, looking over at Jennie's father, who