The official outing that turned into a vacation became the best week for the twelve workaholic friends. They visited many places, ate many delicious, and enjoyed many moments together, whether in pairs or as a whole group.

Sakura thought of this as a redemption for her emotional being. Instead of being the uptight boss that she usually was, she became more open, more understanding, and more careful with her words and actions. Eunbi was a proud friend, her EA workers were happy to be a witness to their boss’ other side, and the HR quad were giddy of her approaches, especially when Sakura shared that she planned to ask Chaeyeon to be her girlfriend. For her times with Chaeyeon, they got closer little by little again. She uses their last day in Jeju as the time to confess properly to Chaeyeon.

Tonight, the twelve were in their attires for a five-star dinner. They were waiting at the lobby since Chaeyeon was still preparing.

“What if she says no, Kkura?” Eunbi asked the universal question.

“I’ll wait.” Sakura answered, making the rest react cutely. “Like you said to me, I will try at the right timing and withdraw when she feels uncomfortable.”

“Very good.” Eunbi applauded with the rest before pushing her off. “Now go and make your move. We’ll wait for the both of you.”

The younger line cheered while the older line made silent gestures to go and do her thing. Sakura nodded and went. Every step became nerve-wrecking that she had to the first two buttons of her white polo to calm her sweat. She got to the door and knocked lightly. “Jj-Jjaeyeon?”

The door opened swiftly and Sakura managed to back away in time. She saw Chaeyeon and she couldn’t help but look at her from head to toe.

Chaeyeon’s hair was in a bun. She wore silver accessories, a nice red cocktail dress and black sandals. Sakura was still in her trance and she had no restriction of getting out of it.

“Boss Kkura?”

Sakura had to get out. She couldn’t let her date wait.

“Hi.” Chaeyeon waved lightly.

“H-Hello, Jjaeyeon.” Sakura greeted. “You look so beautiful.”

Chaeyeon’s conscience was becoming its usual self. It manifested through her blush but nonetheless, she thanked Sakura. “Y-You’re pretty hot yourself.”

How could Sakura not be hot, Chaeyeon thought. She wore a black collared shirt, pants, and boots. She also wore a maroon cardigan. The two buttons were ed plus her red tie was loose.

Her conscience was cheering with a bleeding nose. Chaeyeon had to calm herself down.

“Thank you.” Sakura lent a hand. “Shall we?”

Chaeyeon slowly grabbed Sakura’s hand, only to pull herself closer and hold her arm. Sakura felt her heart beating fast but she remained composed and they walked together to the lobby…

…only to be greeted by their ten supportive friends.

“Looking good, you two~” Yena cooed as Yuri cheered with her.

“All of us got to take a picture as pairs and you guys are saved for last.” Hyewon prepared her camera. “Come on. Closer.”

Eunbi gestured towards Sakura and the boss scoots closer like an elementary kid. Chaeyeon sighed and puller her closer with a draped arm and smiled for the camera. Sakura tried to smile but she did it so awkwardly that Chaewon and Nako had to turn around while laughing silently, all the while Minju and Hitomi slapped their backs. 

“This will go down in the books.” Hyewon saved the picture. “Let’s go~”

The twelve went with their pairs and got in the vans. Sakura and Hyewon did the honors in driving, with Sakura’s van leading them to their destination.

+++

The twelve arrived at the restaurant and it wasn’t packed. Sakura made negotiations with the manager to reserve the whole place for them so each pair will have their own time together. Chaeyeon and Sakura picked a table with the sea’s view as they wait for their orders.

“This place is wonderful, Jjaeyeon.” Sakura commented. “I couldn’t afford this for the twelve of us.”

“It’s okay. I wanted all of us to have a wonderful time so I pitched in with the expenses.” Chaeyeon answered. “We deserve this time from all the work we do.”

Sakura nodded. She felt silent as Chaeyeon looked at the view and that her gaze glued to her. Chaeyeon noticed it and blushed. “Boss Kkura…”

“Can’t I have a better view?” Sakura asked, reaching for her hand. “And you’re not facing the boss, Jjaeyeon. Just call me Kkura.”

“O-Okay…Kkura.”

Sakura eased Chaeyeon’s hand, being careful not to cause any discomfort. Chaeyeon slowly calmed down and held back with much love and passion.

“Jjaeyeon.” Sakura called again. “Is it true that you own Lee Accounting Firm?”

Chaeyeon was reminded about that game that led them to this. She still had bitter feelings – especially when Sakura forced herself on her – but she realized to slowly let them go. Sakura was trying to apologize and make up for everything. She should at least have an open mind and empathize with her actions.

“In a way. My parents are the CEO and COO themselves. Of their three children known in articles in all those years back, I’m the said eldest child, thus making me the heir.” Chaeyeon spoke, shocking Sakura. “If you’re wondering why I didn’t tell the EA firm about this, it’s because I want to keep a low profile and get away from the responsibility. I get nagged by my mother a lot for not taking it but I just wanted to be independent from it all.”

Sakura nodded. She never thought that the idiotic ball of sunshine went through the darkest of moments to become what she is now. She found it admirable.

“Is it also why you worked in the Philippines for five years?”

“Yes. My mom came to my apartment and almost pulled me out just to get me to change my mind. Dad and my sister Chaeryeong tried to stop her and it almost got out of control. So, I decided to go away for a while and Philippines was the first place that came to mind so I went there. I applied for a job at BPI and worked there for five years…until you called me for the major project.”

“Was I wrong to call you, Jjaeyeon?” Sakura asked. “I...it’s my fault, isn’t it? If I had just decided a virtual meeting, you wouldn’t have to let go everything you worked for.”

“I don’t mind about that, Kkura. It’s all in the past.” 

“But you wanted a free life. Thanks to me, you…” Sakura wanted to rant but she sighed. “You could’ve persuaded me to have a virtual meeting.”

Upon knowing the truth, Sakura blamed herself for being a hurdle in Chaeyeon’s life because of that call. Chaeyeon ended up cupping Sakura’s face to calm her. Chaeyeon never thought she could do it but she felt that she needed to.

“It’s not your fault, Kkura. It was my decision.” Chaeyeon even added a pinch on her cheeks. “I wanted to return to the firm. I want to see my friends… and I wanted to see you because I missed you.”

Sakura felt soft. Chaeyeon realized her confession and would’ve let go when Sakura held those hands on her face, feeling Chaeyeon’s touch thaw her cold heart altogether.

“I missed you too.” Sakura spoke, still holding Chaeyeon’s hands on her face. “I didn’t admit those feelings at first but when you first came into our firm, I was attracted to you directly. I loved your dedication, your jolliness, and your sophistication. When you had to leave for the Philippines, I felt a bit empty. And when I called you for the major project, I…” Sakura held Chaeyeon’s hands and placed them on the table. “…I truly missed you at that time.”

Chaeyeon couldn’t believe was witnessing. She always dwelt in her head that Sakura was cold and that all her feelings were only a fragment of her imagination. Hearing Sakura confess to her was just too unbelievable.

Chaeyeon was still a bit bitter about the night activity but her inner self wanted it for so long.

It had to settle for later as their food was served. The two decided to enjoy this dinner and save the rest of the serious talk for later. For Sakura, she was eager to be patient with her plan and hopefully, Chaeyeon will say yes.

The two bosses of their allegiant firms resumed the dinner like playful friends. They describe how the food was good, they checked their friends sitting by separate tables, and continued their talks towards deep conversations until they’ve emptied the food and champagne.

Just then, a slow music was played. Yena did the honors of taking Yuri for a little dance. The other pairs followed suit and all of them were in the large space, almost like a summer dance. It was then that Sakura got up and lent a hand. 

“Jjaeyeon…would you do me the honor of a dance?”

Chaeyeon nodded slowly and held Sakura’s hand. They got to the open floor and Sakura pulled Chaeyeon closer. Chaeyeon gulped and followed Sakura’s movements like how swans glided through the water. Their friends adored them while dancing, even Hyewon stole a picture while Eunbi guided her while dancing. What made them totally react was when Chaeyeon slowly hugged Sakura back like she was the most precious thing in the world.

“Jjaeyeon…” Sakura held Chaeyeon’s face so they’d look at each other. “There something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I’m sorry for everything, especially for that night.” Sakura whispered as they danced again. “I never meant to force you. I was a jerk for being cold and for noticing your feelings too late. I was hoping if…”

“If?” Chaeyeon moved a bit to look at her.

Sakura took some time to talk. She was even sparing glances at Eunbi and Hyewon and she saw them encouraging her to confess.

“Look at me.” Chaeyeon held Sakura’s face and focused her gaze on her own. “It’s okay. You can tell me.”

Sakura shuts her eyes slowly and lets Chaeyeon’s touch calm her down. She wasn’t going to keep her emotions any longer.

“Jjaeyeon…I was wondering if you’ll want to be my girlfriend.”

Yuri yelped but the rest joined in cheering. Chaeyeon had the stale yet shocked look on her face. Sakura was also looked stale but she was fidgety and patient.

“No.”

The friends froze and got silent, feeling pitiful and worried about Sakura’s reaction. Sakura felt her pride being crushed down yet she became strong.

“Then I’ll wait. I’ll wait until you say yes.” Sakura answered. “So will it be okay if I continue to court you?”

Everyone adored them, even the EA firm and Eunbi applauded for Sakura’s answer. Chaeyeon didn’t say yes because of what that night and because she was worried that Sakura might become forceful. But upon hearing her reaction, Chaeyeon couldn’t hold a squeal and a tight hug. “Yes.”

The ten members cheered like party animals. Sakura was shocked until Eunbi gave a thumbs-up. Sakura hugged Chaeyeon back and for the first time, everyone gets to see the cold boss smile widely.

“Cheese~” Hyewon took a picture of it.

Chaeyeon and Sakura broke from their hug and their friends gathered around them for a group hug. Hyewon requested one of the restaurant staff to take their group photo. 

A flash greeted their eyes as the staff finished taking the photo. Hyewon got her camera back with everyone gathering. The picture made them wow.
It was almost the same picture when they were at Mokpo. The difference was their attires, the setting…

…and Sakura’s genuine smile.

+++

FIVE YEARS LATER

“Sajangnim.” A secretary spoke as she had the whole telephone was in hand. “It’s a call from Miyawaki Enterprise. She says it’s important.”

The CEO watched as her secretary placed the landline on her desk. She chuckled, saying. “Thanks, Eunbi.”

“Please answer it this time, Chaeyeon-nim. She had gotten impatient again.”

Chaeyeon laughed before Eunbi returned to her desk and entertained a wonderful call herself. Nonetheless, she started to answer the call…

…only to be greeted by an angry scream.

“Is something wrong, CEO Miyawaki?”

The scream died into a little ‘eep’. Chaeyeon had to bear her laughter and spoke. “Love…what’s wrong?”

Stupid employee. He didn’t do his job right and I got enraged.

“Breathe, my love. Calm down.” Chaeyeon spoke. “What made you call?”

I miss you.

Chaeyeon became soft and whipped herself. She could only look at the same old photograph of the same CEO that had the little hearts and next to it was their wedding picture.

“I was only in a meeting yesterday and this morning...” Chaeyeon chuckled. “I miss you too, love.”

I’ll come there for lunch.

“And let Kwangbae deal with your egotistical contractors?” Chaeyeon asked. “Give her a break by staying there. She and Eunbi are still calling each other, just like us.”

I’m still coming there for lunch. The rest of our chief officers will come.

“Fine. But return to work once done.” 

Yes, CEO Lee. I love you.

“I love you too.”

Chaeyeon hung up and slumped on her desk to relax, watching at her own lineup of trusted employees at Lee Accounting Firm.

It took almost a decade for Chaeyeon to accept her fate as the company’s heir. However, she granted specific conditions before accepting her responsibility: that the twelve friends become chief officers, that the EA firm will grow huge in being their sister company for engineering and architecture, and that Sakura takes over as CEO and will bear the sister company’s name.

MS Engineering and Architecture and LC Accounting and Law Firm; two establishments filled with dedicated members who grew up working in small confidential firms to big exclusive companies. The firms’ bosses grew together with their friends in creating a strong bond in the workplace and grew together as a couple; a married couple.

Chaeyeon couldn’t be happier and in the othet side of their business, Sakura would be smiling. Who knew it only had to do with their workaholic confessions?