Chaeyoung PoV

I sat down in the car, panting. Jungkook asked the driver to stay with his parents place and he'll drive me home.

Goodness, I was so scared with that dinner. His mother looks scarier than my aunt! Scarier than Jennie! My fingers were shaking, my heart was beating so fast and I can't get a grip of myself.

This is too much, oh my God. That was too much.

I thought that it's some kind of question and answer dinner and not a dramatic one! Did you think I anticipated Jungkook's father to come home and start yelling at the Jangs and his mother, and laughing so weirdly?!

What can I even say?! I'm at lost of words. A few weeks ago, I was just a normal mom with a daughter and 3 living girl friends and a great career as a surgeon! Not a 'can you be my pretend girlfriend?'.

Jungkook sat down in the driver's seat, next to me and he was laughing. He was laughing?! Excuse me, but why is he laughing?!

"That was so funny!" he laughed.

I looked at him, "So funny?! So funny? Really? Okay, when your mom and uncle were asking me questions about my personal life, how is that funny?! When a younger person tries to fire back at you, how the hell is that funny?!!!"

"Aigoo~" he pinched my cheek. "You did well, Ms. Science. Plus, you completely shut down Wonyoung and my father likes you!"

"How is that gonna help me calm down?! I'm totally un-calm! My life was perfectly normal when I didn't meet you. I don't need to be rich and all to just get what I want, and most of all, I do not take insults to the hardwork I spent in my career! And--"

He placed his pointer on my mouth, "I didn't say that you'll be my girlfriend nor did I say you need to be rich. Besides, you kicked my marriage off, I'm happy about that and I won't ask for more."

I sighed, "No! I cannot accept the fact that an immature woman has disrespected me for what I have achieved! She does not even have the right to say those words! God dammit, I'm so angry!"

"How angry? Like punch a wall angry, or knife angry?"

"Both!"

Then he pushes me in and hugs me from his seat, which is very uncomfortable for my hips. I'm angrier now.

Not at Jungkook, no. At my self. I'm angry at myself because I'm letting my feelings in after the time he comforted me for Jiyoon's accident. It's like running to the light but theres a person there who stops you from running and your heart starts pounding.

Like a romantic scene but in slow motion. In a real life scenery, and I always made sure I wouldn't make these scenes appear to me anymore after Junhoe. Why am I letting my guard down?

Why am I letting my guard down at someone who I barely know and just met? I've lived a life full of just one-night stands and suddenly stopped. I lived a life with no man by my side, so why do I feel like melting when I'm with him?

"Well you can't get your fingers hurt, can you?" he laughs while still hugging.

I started to cry because of the pain I remember from Junhoe. I knew it, I'm not fixed yet. After 5 years, I'm not fixed. Not fixed from the pain I spent for the first few months of break up.

"Y...Yeah..I..c-can't hurt them," I said, trying to hold my tears.

He broke the hug and looked at me, "Are you crying? Chaeyoung, are you fine?"

I shook my head, "I'm fine, I'm fine."

"No you're not, look me in the eye and tell me you're fine."

I looked him in the eye but gave up because I completely felt the gun shot of the past. It feels like the sword has stabbed again, and the devil showering me with regret.

"I'm not fine," I said and started to ball myself out.

Jungkook brushed my hair with his fingers and wiped my tears with his thumb. His hand was large as it cupped my face, it's warm and comfortable.

Just like...Junhoe's.

"Jiyoon told me you spend time trying to look pretty in the mirror and you wipe your make up off because you said you're ugly," he said.

"How is that comforting me?!"

"Chaeyoung, I want you to know that beauty is not measured with physical appearance. Most of all, it does not depend on me if you look good on make up or not, on dresses or pants, on heels or flats. What matters most is that you remain a beautiful woman inside," he smiles.

My fists start curling and I punch him in the chest, softly.

"Why the hell are you making me feel like this?!" I shouted.

Then I realize what I just said.

No, to hell, I'm not going to fall in love again. I'm never going to fall in love, no, no, and no. Never. I don't want to be sent home from work because I look depressed. I don't want to sit in the corner and wonder when the text messages will ring in my phone.

I hate the feeling, I hate love. I hate it all.

"That's crazy," he sighs. "Because why the hell are you shooting me daggers at my heart? You make me want to kiss you and hug you and make me wish that the play we did was real. I don't want to be just a person to you..I want to be more than that to you, to you Jiyoon. My God, Chaeyoung, every time I see you, you make my heart want to break because you're not ready to open up for new beginnings."

Was that..a confession?

Did he..just..?

"When you cry and feel happy, I feel sad and feel joy too. I can't let myself feel like this but you make me feel this way, and I'm so happy that you make me want to love you and care for you and always worry for you," he stops. "Chaeyoung, I hate that I love you."

Tears flew out of my eyes but in a calm matter. I breathed in slowly, hearing the sound of my heart pounding inside me. His words got me into a decision that it was a lie. It's a lie, it's not true.

Men want to play with women's feelings.

That's what it's always about. They play, they get it, they feel bored, they break you.

"Take me home," I stated firmly.

"Chae..." he breathes. "It's alright not to reply me with your feelings. Thanks for tonight."

He sounded colder and hurt. Did I just shut him like that?

Why can't I acknowledge his feelings? It's double the pain for him than me, why can't I just tell him that I'm really not into relationships for now.

Someday, will he still accept me if I say it to him? Question is, do I really want to risk everything like what I did to Junhoe?

He starts to drive in the direction of my house, and silence filled the air inside his car. I'd often take glances without him noticing me and he's looking blank.

I can't read him at all, is he fine? Can't he take a friend-zone?

Without me noticing, we were already in front of my house. The lights were still on, and I see the television in the family room in the second floor on and playing Frozen. Jiyoon waited me to get home and I bet, she's waiting for me to bring Jungkook too.

I didn't want to get off of the car without saying sorry, and forgetting about my clothes in his apartment. I'll look dressed up and suspicious if I go in like this.

"Rachel brought your clothes here," he said. "Jennie knows you came with me."

"Oh.." I said softly. "Thanks."

I opened the car and slowly stepped on the step-board. Once I was on the ground, I grabbed my purse that is still on the seat.

"Forget about it," he says and looked at me. "My emotions went ahead of me, forget what I said and let's start over."

We starred at each other in silence.

"I could say a million words to you, and I'd still get rejected. I'd rather fight it the hard way than the easier way," he says and breaks the silence.

I smiled at him, "Thanks for understanding, Jungkook. I'd love to play your fake girlfriend again."

"Sweet dreams, princess," he says.

"Good night, Jeon," and I shut the door.

The car didn't move when I turned around but I started to walk to the house, and still I didn't hear the car leave.

When I opened the door and got in, I shut the door with the glass first and Jungkook opened his window and signed a 'bye'. I got inside and that's when he started the engine and left the place.

As I entered, I was smiling because I met a man who understood how I felt. The coldness I fire at men, but he returns me with warmth and love.

I turned around, meeting 3 ladies, who looked at me sternly and happy at the same time. First of all, I did not get the note that Lisa would be going home from Thailand today and Jisoo was supposed to arrive next week.

Jisoo cleared her throat, "Care to explain, Impasta?"

"Aish, eonnie, stop being like that!" Lisa defends me and hugs me. "Welcome home, you blooming idiot!"

"You defend her because I'm mad at both of you!" Jisoo shouts.

Hold on, what's the tea?

"You come home from Thailand, completely un-exhausted and happy. Thanks to the tricks we played, we now know that you are dating Bambam. Who by the way, you've been stalking and made friends on purpose but coated it as 'accident'!" eonnie shouts.

"A little love is not bad, eonnie," Jennie says.

Jisoo looks at Jennie, "You're one to talk!"

"So you guys are fighting because we're falling in love?" I asked.

"It's petty, I know!" Lisa complained.

"First of all, I'm the oldest here! And, Lisa, you kept it a secret! Chaeng, really, you too? Ugh! Love is a lie! You're all blinded! Blinded, I say! Jennie, come here, let's hide," she acted.

I smiled, "Jennie-eonnie is no other, she likes Kim Taehyung! The fashion CEO guy!!!"

Jisoo released her hug from Jennie, "You're a fraud!"

"In my defence, he's more handsome than Kim Seok--" Jennie was cut off when Jisoo covered her mouth with her hand.

Lisa placed her hands on her waist, "Aha, so someone's also in love with the restaurant guy, Kim Seok Jin?"

"More than that, they're engaged!" Jennie manages to say.

"WHAT?! YOU'RE ENGAGED?!" Lisa and I yelled.

"Eonnie, you're the fraud here not us!!!" I shout.

"And you're engaged not secret dating!" Lisa followed.

Jisoo looked at Jennie, "Yah, Jennie Kim! I told you it's a secret! I was about to say it!!!"

"Okay, let's be fair, Jiyoon's sleeping in the couch upstairs, we'll talk about these guys," Lisa and I nodded at Jennie's suggested. "Jisoo-eonnie?"

Jisoo groaned and we all sat down at the table near the kitchen. It's the place where I usually work and study because Jiyoon uses my room's table for her toys and other things.

It was just a small 4-sided table for 4 people. Lisa sat to my right, while Jennie to my left and Jisoo in front of me and we brought out some of those ready-made popcorns in a bowl, coffee for the Jennie and Jisoo and chocolate milk for me and Lisa.

After setting out the table, the other 3 still searched through Lisa's bring home presents if there were some Thai food she brought. I scrolled through my phone and saw numerous texts from sunbae that there was a letter for me from John Hopkins in America.

It's a popular hospital with good ratings. He begged me to reply because it's urgent but I reply that I was out today and will see it tomorrow.

What could that letter be? And it's John Hopkins! I've always wanted to try working there! They say the facility is good and more advanced than ours here. Even so, I always wanted the recognition a American hospital, it's very rewarding.

Right, Wonyoung?

Just flexing a little bit.

I realized that I was still dressed up in the formal attire so I stood up from my seat and told the girls that I'll take off the make up and change into home clothes.

Besides, they were still fight over the Thai food.

I went up changed into home clothes and took the make up off. When I walked out of the bathroom, I see Jiyoon asleep in the long couch with the television still playing Frozen. I turned off the TV and lights and made her sleep there.

She's a light sleeper, I wouldn't want to bother her.

And I walked downstairs, and the 3 were already seated and ready to talk. I sat down on my seat and picked up a popcorn.

"Okay, oldest first, eonnie?" Lisa said.

Jisoo scoffs, "Alright, fine. Jin-oppa's brother went to be a priest and got off from their family registration, now his parents set us up because of..you know, company. He and I have this weird story, though. Jin-oppa liked me throughout school days and he didn't even know I like him. So now, we both are dating and accepted the marriage."

"Jinjja? Wah, dream come true for oppa then because he's marrying someone he likes," Lisa says.

"That man is gonna get a piece of me though, we're fighting for a while now and he's still not talking to me. Oh, well, and now, Jendeuk? Explanation?" she turned to Jennie.

"Remember Kim Jeongin? I used to call him Kai," she says and Jisoo nods. "My parents want me to marry him because I have to settle down already, Kim Taehyung is just the perfect person to end the marriage. I mean, who marries her ex? Like Taehyung would be more favorable to my parents because he has ethereal beauty and a cute attitude."

We laughed because Jennie was just using Taehyung for her to break her marriage. She's such a scammer, I hate it!

It's such a funny story but 100% bet she'll end up with him. They're types match and I guess it's going to be set by her parents. Plus, someone can bring out Jennie's cute side instead of her evil force side.

"Jendeuk, just marry Kai!" Jisoo laughs.

"NO WAY. TO HELL, I'M NOT GONNA HAVE KIDS WITH THAT UGLY MAN!" she shouts.

Lisa laughed, "Let's hear Chaengs!!"

"No, no, Chaeyoung has the juiciest story! Save the best for the last!" Jennie says.

"Okay! It's my turn then!" Lisa says.

"Yah, Lalisa. Since when did our maknae start having dates and boyfriends? I taught you wrong!" Jisoo tells her.

"I'm 27, eonnie, I'm an adult," Lisa fires.

I took another popcorn, "So who's this Bambam guy?"

"Bambam and I used to attend the same schools in Thailand and we were both dancers but since his father is a business man here in Korea, he moved up here and I followed for my career. And, we bumped into each other in Bangkok, got into dates and yeah," she storied.

"That's it?" I asked.

"Not quite, there may be a few touching," she said.

Jennie stood up and shouted, "WHAT?! WHERE DO I FIND THIS MAN? HE IS RECEIVING A SERMON!"

"We all know you ain't virgin but let me guess, you bumped to each other in the bar?" Jisoo asked.

Lisa nods, "Few tequila shots and I'm done."

"You're so weird, Pranpriya," Jisoo says. "And you Chaeng?"

"Yeah, Jennie-eonnie says yours is the juciest," Lisa turned to me. "Did you come from his house? Was that his car?!"

"First of all, just remember, I'm not ready for any of those yet and second, I have a child," I stated.

Jennie rolled her eyes, "Tell us the story is what we want."

"Okay, so uhm, his name is Jeon Jungkook, I operated his mother on Jiyoon's birthday and we kind of got closed, so we treated each other as friends. He helped me in the time Jennie-eonnie and Jiyoon had an accident, asked me to play fake girlfriend to escape a marriage and then he got emotional and said he loved me but I'm ice so I said to move on," I said but sounded like rapping.

"So, wait, wait, wait, a man confesses to you but because of Jun the Hoe thing is still healing, you reject him?" Jisoo says.

I didn't say anything about Junhoe, right? How the hell did she end up knowing it was because of that? That I'm scared that I'm not ready to commit to a relationship yet?

"He's actually gonna be a good papa to Jiyoon, I mean Sir Jeon is really good with kids," Jennie says. "He's my fashion line's funder, by the way, that's how we know each other."

"But..you guys are enough," I told them.

Jisoo ate one of the Thai food Lisa bought, "But, Chaeng. Remember, we're in the point of our lives that we might get married, start a family, or build a relationship. You know, we won't always be there for Baby J."

"Yeah, Chaeng, Jiyoon's gonna need a father too, and I guess this Jungkook guy wants to have you but you won't let him," Lisa followed Jisoo. "He sounds pretty nice, considering the fact that he's good with kids."

"Or, we find her father. Maybe you and her father can work things out too. Promise, Chaeng by the end of next year, almost all of us will be married," Jennie also says.

I stood up from the chair, "Good night, guys. I have work tomorrow."

"Really? It's a Sunday tomorrow," Lisa complains.

"I have work," I said.

When I arrived upstairs, I carried Jiyoon to my room. She sleeps with me when Lisa is here, and I turn on my laptop to see my letter from John Hopkins.

Then I searched in my bag for my phone and saw the envelope that was given to me earlier today.

The mission is next week, and I haven't told them about it yet. Oh, Chaeyoung, you're in a mess, right now, what's wrong?

Jungkook messed my feelings, that's what. I don't know where to start and how to start my job! This is the most annoying thing in my life.

My laptop then rings and I click the notification when the name 'John Hopkins' was shown.

I am requested to have a surgery case study, and invited to have a surgery-watch type operation or be the one to operate here in Korea. My very first time to experience a surgery-watch operation.

Technically, it's because of my license. I'm not licensed in America so I have to operate in Korea, emergencies are not counted. And watch operations are those operations where I take command but not operating, only observing.

This collided my schedule with the mission.

I sighed, what kind of mother am I?

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