"That will be all. As the CEO of Park Corporation, I am confident that this international venture will bring in great results" Chaeyoung said authoritatively to the attendees, "thank you for joining this meeting"

Beside her, Lisa sighed in relief as the monitor with the virtual meeting shuts off. They have finally closed the global deal they've been planning for months

"Damn, Chae, that was crazy! And here I thought that working as the CEO and CFO means we just chill and order people around" Lisa joked, "maybe I should just quit and ask Jisoo to be my sugar mommy" 

Chaeyoung rolled her eyes affectionately at her friend's antics

"Just kidding, I know you won't survive without me" Lisa teased. "Hey, why don’t you join Jisoo and me for a celebratory dinner?"

"And be a third wheel to you two lovebirds? I'll pass" Chaeyoung laughed

"Hey!" Lisa pouted, "We won't make you feel left out"

"I know, I'm just joking" Chaeyoung grinned, "Plus I already said yes to a dinner with Jennie"

Chaeyoung's phone suddenly lit up with the said girl's message

Jennie: Rosie, I'm here! Where are you, I'm so hungryyy

Chaeyoung smiled at the older girl's message and typed

Chaeyoung: On my way! 🏃

Lisa looked at her with an amused expression, "you're really so whipped for her"

"No, I'm not" Chaeyoung said defensively

"Chae, you have been in love with Jennie ever since we're what? In college? It had been years!" Lisa exclaimed

'Well, that's true' Chaeyoung thought to herself.

But who can blame her though? Jennie is gorgeous, and Chaeyoung instantly had a crush the first time she laid her eyes on her. But it didn't stop at that. Growing closer made Chaeyoung witness first-hand how amazing Jennie is. The girl always chooses kindness every time, gives her all at everything she does, and cares fiercely for her loved ones

By the time Chaeyoung realized it, she was already a goner — falling head over heels in love with her best friend

"Earth to Chaeyoung?" Lisa waved in front of the blonde's face, interrupting her musings

"Y-yeah?"

"All I'm saying is, why don't you just tell Jennie how you feel?" Lisa asked

"No, I can't" Chaeyoung immediately replied, "plus she already has a boyfriend"

"You mean Kai?" Lisa rolled her eyes, "no one likes that pompous jerk"

"Hey, don’t say things like that!" Chaeyoung urged, "Jennie seems happy with him, and that should be enough"

"Chae, if there's one person who can make Jen the happiest — it's you." Lisa said earnestly. "Although whether or not she deserves it is debatable"

Chaeyoung stayed mum at Lisa's words.

"I see the way you love her from afar. You would have given her the world if she asks for it, and anyone is beyond lucky to be loved like that"

Sensing Lisa's seriousness, Chaeyoung weakly argued, "but..."

"Just think about being honest with Jennie, okay? It hurts me to see you like this, you deserve to be happy too"

Lisa gently added, "Give yourself a chance to be loved, please?"

"Fine...I'll think about it" Chaeyoung relented

-------------------------

Chaeyoung finally arrived at her destination — a homey Korean restaurant they frequent since college. Upon entering, she immediately spots Jennie at a table

The older girl's hair is tied in a messy bun and she's wearing a beige sweater, making her look all the more softer. Chaeyoung's heart swell at the sight, the girl still gives her butterflies even after all these years

She approached the table and Jennie's face lit up when she saw her

"Rosie! You're finally here. I already ordered our favorites, let's eat!"

Chaeyoung grinned at the table of Korean cuisines. They started to dig in, catching up while they eat.

When the food was almost finished, Chaeyoung asked, "So? Is there something you want to share?"

"What? How did you know?" Jennie asked in a perplexed tone

"Well, you ordered ramyeon." she pointed at the now empty bowl, "You only do that when you're either stressed or nervous"

And Chaeyoung added lightheartedly, "remember how we used to stuff our face with ramyeon every time you had a big exam back in college? I swear I gained 5 kilos because of you!"

Jennie's nose crinkled up while laughing, "You know me too well, Rosie. I can never hide anything from you"

Chaeyoung's heart skipped a beat at the girl's words

"So...?" Chaeyoung gently prompted

Jennie paused, looking suddenly nervous

Silence ensued and Chaeyoung noticed Jennie furrowing her brows. It seemed like the older girl needs more time, so Chaeyoung waited.

Taking this opportunity to gaze at Jennie's features, the blonde can't help but smile at how beautiful she is.

Lisa's words echoed in her mind, 'give yourself a chance, Chaeyoung' — bringing a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, Jennie can love her back

Taking a deep breathe, Chaeyoung opened to finally admit her feelings, when Jennie suddenly blurted out

"Kai proposed to me!"

Chaeyoung's whole world stopped at that exact moment. Her stomach turned, a wave of nausea hitting her all at once

She felt an intense sense of dread as she waited for the next few words

"...and I said yes."

Chaeyoung lost her chance.

She suddenly feels suffocated, her heart aching with an unbearable hurt

Her whole body turns numb, and everything shuts down

Lost for words, she glanced at Jennie's empty ring finger in confusion

Sensing her question, Jennie quickly explained, "The ring was the wrong size, so Kai is having it adjusted"

Jennie hesitated, "I didn't know how to break the news to you and our other friends…I know you guys don't really like him"

The older girl paused, and continued earnestly, "But Rosie, he makes me happy."

Holding back her tears, Chaeyoung stayed speechless

"Chaeyoung? Are you okay?" Jennie asked worriedly

"I — " Chaeyoung's words were abruptly cut off by Jennie's phone ringing. The older girl glanced at the blonde hesitantly

Chaeyoung nodded to encourage her to take the call

"Hello? Mom, what's wrong?"

Jennie's expression suddenly tensed, making Chaeyoung worry. She hung up and looked frantically at the younger girl.

"Is everything okay, Jen? What happened?"

"My dad...h-he's at the hospital"

-------------------------

The evening turned Jennie's day upside down. She was elated at Kai's proposal a few hours ago, but now, she's waiting anxiously in a cold hospital corridor instead.

"It was a car crash" her mom explained, "The impact from the incoming vehicle was severe"

Her dad's life is currently hanging by a thread, and they have been waiting outside the operating room for hours

She glanced at her phone — all her distraught messages to Kai not replied yet.

Jennie felt helpless

Suddenly, she felt Chaeyoung's warm hand over hers

The blonde gently squeezed Jennie's hand, "Uncle Kim will be okay" Chaeyoung reassured her

Jennie nodded mutely at the words. Thankful that her best friend never left her side in the whole ordeal

After a few minutes, Jisoo's and Lisa's voice echoed through the hallway

"Jen, are you okay?" Jisoo immediately went to hug the girl

"I'm okay" she weakly lied

Jisoo opened to say something but stopped

Sensing Jisoo's hesitation, she urged her to talk

"Jennie...I know this is not the best timing, but