***

“JEJU-DAAAAA!!!” Yerim's exuberant cry echoed through the air, drawing laughter from the group.

“Calm down, Squirt. We're still at the airport,” Irene playfully chided her sister, her laughter mingling with the group's.

However, Yerim being Yerim, her energy knew no bounds as she darted around the parking lot, b with excitement.

But Irene completely understood the source of Yerim's enthusiasm. Her little sister had not only met her favorite writer but was also about to embark on a vacation alongside her sister and that very author. Their last vacation had been over a year ago when Irene had her summer break in England after completing her Master's program.

Breaking from her twirling, Joy positioned herself at the forefront of the group. “So... what's next?” she asked.

Seulgi's chuckled, “Well, we head to the villa of course.”

Joy's eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Do we hail a cab or something?” she asked, seeking clarification.

The young manager shook her head, “Of course not. I've arranged for car rentals—three of them, to be precise. We're just waiting for the cars to be delivered here.”

“Three?” Seungwan was shocked, “I think two should suffice, don't you?” the young novelist told her best friend.

“Well of course two cars Is enough Wan-ah,” Seulgi said to her best friend

“But I want Irene unnie and her team to have a bit more freedom. That way, they don't have to wait for the group or ask for permission to use the car whenever they want to explore. They can simply go wherever they please,” Seulgi continued.

“Sseul, I know you’re rich, but I don’t know that you’re this rich. Mind your spending bear, you might need it someday” Seungwan advised her best friend in a soft tone.

Observing the interaction, Irene couldn't help but smile.

Well, Seungwan-ah, if only you knew just how rich your bear actually is, Then you wouldn't fret about such things. In fact, I know for sure that these car is actually her cars and not rentals - Irene thought to herself, amused by the situation.

After a short 5-minute wait, finally, the cars that Seulgi arranged arrived at the airport. Seulgi told the group to wait for a few minutes before the young manager walked over to the location where the four cars were parked.

Irene observed as each driver stepped out of their respective car and bowed respectfully to Seulgi, handing over the car keys to the young manager. After that, all the drivers then boarded the fourth car and swiftly departed from the parking lot, leaving behind Seulgi with the three cars.

Seulgi then signaled the rest of the group to gather around her.

“Anything wrong bear?” Seungwan asked her best friend after the group had assembled near Seulgi.

“No, I just completed the payment for the car rent,” Seulgi said before she showed the key. “We’re going to use these three cars, so what will be the arrangement?”

“Well, Seungwan will ride with me, which leaves us with two cars,” Seulgi said.

“Sana, would you like to ride with me?” Eunbi offered to her junior.

Sana nodded enthusiastically, “Of course, unnie.”

“Perfect! Then you’ll ride with me. And how about you, sunbae?” Eunbi turned to Joy.

“I’ll ride with Irene unnie and Yerim,” the young resident replied.

Suddenly, Yerim shook her head, “No! I’ll ride with Seungwan and Seulgi unnie.”

Irene glanced at her sister, “Yerim, let them have their privacy, will you? Just ride with unnie and Soo Young,” Irene advised her.

But Seungwan tapped the young professor's shoulder and smiled, “It’s okay, unnie. Yerimie can ride with us. We’re heading to the villa first anyway. After that, you can go with Yerim wherever you want.”

Seungwan then turned to her best friend, “Sseul, it’s okay right if Yerim wants to ride with us?”

Seulgi beamed, “Of Course not!! Cute Yerimie can ride with us all day!”

“See, unnie? they told me it’s fine, let me ride with Seungwan and Seulgi Unnie” Yerim whined cutely.

Irene finally relented, “Fine, you can ride with them, just behave yourself okay?”

Yerim nodded and hugged her sister tightly, “Thank you, unnie! You’re the best!” Yerim exclaimed.

“Alright, so it’s settled. I’ll ride with Seungwan and Yerim, Joy with Irene unnie, and Eunbi with Sana. We’ll head to the villa first, and you guys can follow my car. Is that okay?” Seulgi confirmed with the group.

“Sounds good, Seulgi,” Irene replied.

“Awesome! Let’s get going then!” Seulgi said excitedly.

*

Irene and Joy sat in the car, leisurely driving along the scenic coastal road of Jeju, following Seulgi's car closely. With their windows rolled down, they could hear the rhythmic crash of waves against the cliffs and feel the refreshing sea breeze on their faces.

The weather in Jeju is truly beautiful today, she mused to herself.

As they enjoyed the beautiful weather, Joy suddenly turned to Irene with a curious expression. "So, unnie," she began.

“Hmm?”

“What's with the staring?” Joy asked curiously.

Irene looked puzzled. "What staring, Sooyoung-ah? I'm driving," she replied, focusing on the road ahead.

Her best friend chuckled, “No, not right now, unnie. I meant earlier. You have been staring at Wendy unnie a lot since we met her at the airport this morning”.

“I have? I don't think so, Sooyoung-ah," Irene responded, slightly flustered.

“You don’t notice it yourself?”

Irene shook her head, her cheeks slightly flushed. “No, I believe I've been acting normally, just like any other day.”

Joy squints her eyes, “Unnie, don’t you call me to whine about how frustrated you are because of her these couple of days?”

“Umm, yeah”

“But you don’t seem frustrated around her at all. Actually, it's even weirder – you seem happy around her.”

Joy's words began to resonate within Irene's mind. She couldn't deny that she had been on the phone with her best friend quite often, expressing her confusion and frustration over her feelings towards the young novelist.

“Unnie, you like her don’t you?” Joy finally asked directly.

“Of course, I like her, but only as a friend,” Irene answered. She then glanced at her best friend briefly before continuing.

“Why do I feel like both Yerim and you are asking me the same question? Yerim also mentioned that she likes her. And even though she didn't ask me outright, her eyes seemed to be silently asking the same question you are asking me.” Irene said to her best friend.

“Unnie…”

Irene sighed, her gaze fixed on the road ahead. "Look, Sooyoung-ah, I think I know what you’re thinking, but It’s not it. I don’t trust love, you know it. I care for Wendy, she’s my patient and my friend"

Well, at least that is what I want to believe, I cannot fall in love, love is painful and will hurt me and Yerim once again - Irene speaks to herself silently

“Are you sure? Asks yourself the question unnie, do you really just see Wendy as a friend? Or is that just what you want yourself to believe?” Joy said to the young professor.

“I get it if you are scared because I’ve been there with you, but try to ask yourself again. Is love still as terrifying as you think? Because frankly unnie, you deserve to love someone too.” Joy continues

“And don’t you think it’s time for you to try? Isn’t it worth it to give yourself a chance?”  Joy asked softly.

"I... I don’t know Sooyoung-ah, can we not talk about this right now?" Irene asked, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and vulnerability.

Joy nodded and give Irene a tender smile, “Okay unnie, but think about what I said okay? Don’t make a decision that you’ll regret”

“Okay.. I’ll try”

***

3 pm.

Irene, Seungwan, and the group finally arrived at the villa. Nestled on a private beach near Hyeopjae Beach, the villa comprised two separate structures built on a wooden platform above the sea. One villa is bigger with 3 bedrooms and the other one is smaller with only 2 bedrooms.

Despite the slight size difference, Eac