You all can call me the shittiest author you've ever encountered, I deserve it. TWO MONTHS?!! TWO FREAKING MONTHS!!!?! When I started writing on Wattpad, I vowed to myself that I wouldn't be the authors who left their books incomplete or updated months later,

Seriously fuck everything!! I'm swamped with work and my folks aren't exactly the mot supportive people! Still, that's no excuse my loves, I'm so sorry! I hope this extra-long update makes up for it! I sincerely apologize *bows 90 degree*

"What on Earth are you all on about?" Yun Hyeok squinted her eyes, very confused. "You think no one heard you snapping when Chae Eunnie and Chan got in?" Wave asked and before Yun Hyeok could cook up an explanation, Wonhan raised her palm stopping her. "Don't even bother, everyone heard you and knew that you were green with jealousy," 

Yun Hyeok's cheeks flamed at the thought of Chan hearing the jealousy in her voice. She couldn't help it. Her cheeks and neck felt hot when she saw Chan and Chae together, as though a hot green liquid washed all over her and the only way to soothe the burn was by ripping Chae away from Chan. As shitty as she sounds, she'd prefer Chae to ignore Chan like he doesn't exist. 

Now he didn't leave her damn side and Yun Hyeok wanted to rip the both of them away from each other. She did not know what she was doing and why she was doing it. "Do you like Chan?" Wonhan asked, barely holding back a grin as she glanced at Chan briefly.

Yun Hyeok's cheeks blazed whilst she avoided eye contact and opened and closed her mouth as though she was contemplating which excuse she would use to get the girls off her.  "Don't bother lying," Yuriko informed, leaning against the table and her fingers clasping around a thin wine glass, twirling its crimson contents. "You're only gonna prove yourself to be a liar," 

"Oh Lord, yes! Yes, I do!" Yun Hyeok groaned, hiding her face away from the knowing-teasing gazes of the girls around. "Awww, it's alright Eunnie," Wave wrapped an arm around the older woman, squeezing gently. "Just keep your jealousy in check cause that's two best friends reuniting after years of distance. You meeting any resistance will make you the villain of the story," Wonhan tilted her at where Chan, Chae, Han and Sana were engrossed in conversation.

"But I can't just-" "You wanna become the antagonist of your own romance?" Jina raised an eyebrow. "No right! Then hush!" Yun Hyeok's mouth fell open at her bossiness. Yun Hyeok was the oldest among all of the girls and Jina was the youngest but the roles seemed to have reversed when came to matters of the heart. 

"But what if Chae also likes him?" "See that's what they mean when they say you're dense," This voice did not belong to either of them. They looked back at the girl, her calm demenour rather unfamiliar. "Don't look at me like that, I won't go all crazy on you," She leaned against the table beside Yuriko. 

"Really? I can't tell," Yuriko mocked. "Shut up kid!" Haeun rolled her eyes, sipping on her champagne. Then she set her eyes on Yun Hyeok, who seemed to have shied away. "I'm honestly not surprised that you like him but being jealous of his best friend? Man, I thought you were better than that," 

"Hey now Haeun, you can't say that to her." Wave interjected, feeling protective over the older woman. "I wouldn't say that if she wasn't glaring daggers at Chae," "Well can you blame me?" Yun Hyeok fired back, squinting. "Like how blind can you be?" Haeun clicked her tongue, gasping. "Do you not see how Seonghwa Oppa looks at her?" 

Now that silenced Yun Hyeok. She was soo engrossed in her own affairs that she never took a second to look around her surroundings. If she did, she wouldn't have to go through the exhaustion of jealousy, anger and depressing thoughts. 

"And honestly lady, how blind can you be to not notice how flustered Chan Oppa gets when you're around?" Haeun rolled her eyes, taking a sip. "Now how do you know that? Cause the last time I checked, you hated his shadow until 2 hours ago," "Oh Han told me," 

That simple sentence was all Haeun needed to let slip for all the attention to move from Yun Hyeok to her. "Oh, Han huh?" Wave teasingly wiggled her eyebrows. "You're on the first name basis with Prince Han?"

Now, it was time for Haeun's cheeks to go red. She avoided everyone's teasing, curious gaze, her hand automatically raised to palm the back of her neck. "He's my childhood friend, of course, I'm on a first-name basis!" She said, her tone defensive.

"Oh yeah?" Wonhan teasingly shoved the younger girl. "Do you blush as furiously as you are blushing now, at the mention of all of your childhood friends?" Yun Hyeok, enjoying the younger girl's flustered state,

"Yeah yeah you can act all nosy about my love life later but seriously, Eunnie. Quit acting soo jealous! Cause I can assure you, Chae's not a competition for you," "She's right you know," An arm slung around Yun Hyeok's shoulders before she could fully register the voice. 

"I come in peace, I swear," Chae smiled, rubbing Yun Hyeok's stiffened shoulders. She then looked up to make eye contact with Wonhan and Haeun. "Okay come on! Let's give the ladies some space. Let's go!" Wonhan suddenly got busy ushering the others away from the two oldest. 

"Can't I stay?" Jina pouted, resisting Haeun's hand on her shoulder. "I promise I'll be good," "No can do kid, come on!" Wonhan tugged at her hand. "They need to clear the between themselves now come on!" 

Before either of them could stop themselves, amused chuckles left the two girls as they watched Jina cling onto Wonhan whilst Yuriko was being dragged away by Haeun and Wave. "They're such kids!" Yun Hyeok giggled softly before turning to face Chae, who nodded in agreement. Anyone with brains could feel the protective instinct radiating off of them, 

Once the air had settled, she could feel the atmosphere thickening. Yun Hyeok sucked in a harsh breath before turning to Chae, who was already looking at her. She looked at her with an unreadable expression in her face. 

Instead of mirroring her expression, Yun Hyeok could feel herself getting more nervous. But she's never run from challenges and she wasn't going to start now.

"Come on," Chae turned on her heel, "Let's take a walk," "Yeah let's go," Yun Hyeok had a certain amount of admiration for Chae, way before they'd met face-to-face. They were different but Chae was someone who had always been respected and much talked about. And while Yun Hyeok was very much satisfied with how she'd turned out, she couldn't help but stop and admire the younger woman on the rare occasions they crossed paths. How strong, unbothered and graceful she was. How she walked with her head held high, how her shoulders were soo stable yet so delicate. How every step of her radiated power and elegance.

Chae on the other head glanced at the older woman. The grace and poise she possessed, the way each of her steps felt like a feather bumping into the floor. Even now, as she walked, her hair let down and framing her face, she couldn't help but want to be as feminine and beautiful as her.

 And truth be told, Chae was rather jealous of this woman. There wasn't much girly stuff in her life. She'd spent the days drenched to the bone with sweat and lapped with dust and mud, and by the time she got home, she was too tired to do anything but stuff her face and fall asleep. It wasn't until she met Haeun that she realized how unlike a girl she was.

For the first time since she was born, she looked down at her rough hands and chipped nails. She finally acknowledged how rigid she looked with her pulled-back hair and plain clothing. Shopping, gossiping, painting her nails, doing her hair, dressing up, being pampered; she had no experience in that. Her father, while did love her, was very strict and did not know what to do with the first daughter after two sons and the result of that. Han Chaewon might as well have called herself a boy if it wasn't for the very obvious female anatomic features she had. So it was easier to say that Kwon Yun Hyeok was someone Han Chaewon wanted to be like and vice versa.

I guess that's the pain and pleasure of blissful ignorance. Whilst the two women were very engrossed in their conversation at one secluded corner of the open balcony, a small group of girls were busy talking about whatever seemed interesting to them. 

"Prince Seungmin got back just now," Jieun noticed the puppy-like Prince walking through the double doors with Prince Felix and Jeongin on his either side. 

"Prince Jeongin looks soo good," Chaewon blushed softly at the sight of the youngest Prince in a plain white button-down and beige pants. "He always does," Yuriko sighed, her eyes emitting hearts. Jeeseun and Jina meanwhile stared at the two girls completely mesmerized! "Wow, you guys are whipped!" Jeeseun teased, elbowing Chaewon on the side. "Would you look at that, Chaewon's matching with Prince Jeongin!" Jieun excitedly pointed out, grinning.

Indeed Chaewon was dressed in a ruched puff sleeve blouse and cream skirt and it was quite matching to Jeongin's outfit. And whilst everyone else was busy gushing over how cute Chaewon and Jeongin would look together, Yuriko was doing what everyone would expect her to do. She seeth with jealousy because she hated how obvious Chaewon and Jeongin's connection was. Looking down at her own white top with black ribbons laced all over the full sleeves, Yuriko felt the horrible feeling sink down on her. 

Defeat, she hated that feeling. She was trying everything she could do to grab his attention but the smile he cast in Park Chaewon's direction, mid-conversation, made one thing very clear. Yang Jeongin wasn't thinking about her and Kim Yuriko hated it. What she would do to have him smile at her like that!?

She glanced in the Prince's direction with intense longing and her eyes caught onto someone else. Wooyoung was dressed in a crisp white button-down, faded blue jeans and a thin black tie which made him look casual and dressed for the occasion at the same time. And funnily enough, Yuriko didn't even realize Jeongin had faded in the background as she focused on the man she claimed to have detested,

He was undeniably handsome and Yuriko didn't exactly have a reason to dislike him. But she didn't ponder on it for long. Ironic as it seems, Wooyoung's forward and honest approach was the type Yuriko preferred. She liked being chased and being the one with the final say. So why exactly did Wooyoung piss her off soo much?! Isn't that something she wanted? 

She had been staring way too intense and she didn't realize so until the man himself turned to look her straight in the eye. And Yuriko finally got her answer when the corners of his plump lips tugged up in a genuine smile at the mere sight of her. The realization finally dawned upon her as she felt the heat slam against her cheeks and neck; she didn't hate Wooyoung himself. She hated how nervous he made her, she hated how much of an effect he had on her by simply looking at her. 

As she hastily downed her mimosa in one gulp, Yuriko realized that if anyone was going to succeed in shoving Yang Jeongin out of her mind, it would be Jung Wooyoung and as much as she hated to admit, he was doing a darn good job at it so far!

"Brownie, Haeunie?" The girl's face lit up at the mention of the dessert and she excitedly nodded. "You made them?" Felix smiled, nodding.

"Who else would? You think anyone else would be good enough to make them soo good?" Jeongin answered, his mouth full of two brownies he'd just chowed. "Obviously not!" Haeun bit into the sweet treat, her taste buds relishing the taste. "Damn Felix these are gold!!" She gasped, swallowing.

"Your hands are magic, really!" Before she could take another bite, a hand barged in and snatched the snack out of her fingers and before she could blink, Han Jisung had swallowed the remaining brownie. 

"Why the fuck would you do that!" Haeun barked, glaring daggers at the boy, whose cheeks were now puffed. "To remind you to not talk with your mouth full," He shrugged, "Han Jisung you suck!" Haeun jibed back, still glaring before Felix passed her one more.

"Calm down Eun, I made loads," "Thanks Lix!" She pressed a soft kiss to his cheek before accepting the snack and Han Jisung saw red!

Kisses on the cheek...

Kisses on the cheek!

KISSES ON THE CHEEK!?! 

They'd been friends for soo long and she hadn't much held his hand and now she was kissing Felix on the cheek! Where are his cheek kisses? And why does Felix get cheek kisses and he doesn't?!

'Because Felix makes awesome brownies and you don't, you dumb quokka!' A voice yelled back in his mind.

'And you're supposed to be my conscience,' Han grumbled back, feeling rather silly that he was technically arguing with himself.

But he couldn't help it! Haeun was the only thing in his mind for as long as he can remember. Anyone who was watching could see just how much this girl meant to her. 

But when the person you like gets close to someone else but you, you rarely even think rationally. This is why Han reached forward to snatch the brownie out of Haeun's hand and his hand accidentally knocked the brownie container off Felix's hands. 

A strangled gasp of horror and desperate screams from the brownie chef himself and everyone was suddenly looking at them. They saw Felix looking down, his eyes widened twice to their size. They saw Haeun looking down, eyes wide and Han looking down with an insanely relieved expression. And then beneath them, they saw Yukiyo, on her knees while gripping the box of brownies for dear life, her breathing laboured. 

How in the world did a single brownie not bounce off the box, no one knows and no one cares! 

"What did you all do?" Lee Know asked, him being the first one to recover the abruptness.  "Nothing, just my hands slipped!" Felix reassured, before casting a look at Han.

"Yukiyo, are you okay?" He crouched down to help the shocked girl up. "Haeun can you hold this?" He tugged the container out of her hands and passed it to Haeun, who placed it on the table nearby. 

"You okay?" He asked her, gently grabbing her hand. "Yeah I'm fine, are you?" Yukio finally had found the words to speak. "Yeah, thanks though! If you weren't fast enough, 2 hours of my hard work would've gone down the drain!"

Yukiyo exhaled shortly before smiling at him. "It was my pleasure to have saved them. And besides, I didn't get to try a piece so you could say I had some selfish motives myself," 

Felix broke down in giggles before standing up and helping the girl up. "Then I can only say help yourself before something else happens," 

"Here," Now when did Kim Seungmin join them and when did he stand so close to Yukio, they had no idea. But her eyes went as wide saucers when she saw him holding the dessert to her lips. "Go ahead, love!" She looked at Seungmin with wide eyes, utterly bewildered at his expression. Felix, Han, Jeongin and Haeun held the same expression as Jeongin opened his mouth to speak. 

"Did you just call her love?" Yeseul and Sora gasped from beside them as Seungmin explained, a smile plastered on his face. "What's wrong with calling my girlfriend what she is?" Seungmin's statement triggered insane reactions as many of them choked on their drinks whilst Chan, Lee Know and Sana exchanged utterly surprised looks.

"I'M SORRY WHAT-!!!"Sana and Momo yelled out and Yukio secretly gulped, bracing herself for being bombarded with questions! She had agreed to pretend to be Kim Seungmin's girlfriend alright but a reminder would be appreciated! His smile was soo bright and innocent that for a few seconds, she forgot that this was all fake. 

She kept on staring at him and all he did was cheekily smile at her and Yukio knew she was fucked! What in the world did she agree to?! As everyone else bombarded them with various questions, She turned to look at where Jina, Yeseul and Sora stood. And she knew she was in deeper shit when she saw Jina glaring daggers at her.

Oh great! Double the trouble, why not?!

Good enough? Not good enough! I hope you guys like this update! I have nothing but this and apologies to offer and while I'm gonna sit for more exams soon enough, I will not stop updating, I have slacked off enough! 

Anyway, dear dear Seungmin, you're going on a turbo speed! And let's be real here, Chae and Yun Hyeok can be real bestie goals!! Also, is that maturity we see in our dearest Yuriko👀

There's more to come, and it'll come soon. That's it for today, I'll be back soon. 

bye bye

love,

Fay

18.11.2022