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A Ticket To Glory

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"What about the company?"

Jisoo's gaze darted back and forth from her mother, to her father, then to Nayeon's parents right across from where she and the raven-haired girl sat.

Nayeon sighed. She'd never let go of the brunette's hand since they pulled away from the hug, afraid that the news might come off too overwhelming for Jisoo to take and cause her to storm off again. She can't have that. She'd feel responsible for it again, like she's been feeling responsible for everything that's been happening to Jisoo since they broke up three years ago.

(Or since she left Jisoo that day, without a say, and with nothing but a broken heart.)

Nayeon had been worried for Jisoo since, until now, she still is. She knew how badly she messed up when she got too scared of telling Jisoo that she doesn't make her happy anymore and decided to call it off. She got too scared of telling her that things could never work out between them in any way. After all, there's only so much similarities Nayeon and Jisoo could share no matter how long they even tried keeping and fighting for what they've built together within 6 long years.

She realized that one night, when she was laying restless and awake next to the sleeping brunette, weary, tear-filled eyes shut tightly as pained sobs secretly escaped her lips.

Nayeon couldn't forget the way Jisoo's expression fell when the brunette came home the next day, only to be met by the sight of the raven-haired girl all dressed up, suitcase and passport in hand.

The rest was history.

She owed Jisoo everything, half of the world maybe. And she thought the least she could do to make up was to keep the brunette from getting herself hurt again— this time by a certain blonde, whom Nayeon had always doubted the moment she ever laid eyes on her.

She was right about everything, wasn't she?

Jisoo belongs to where Roseanne doesn't. Maybe not to Nayeon, but that doesn't change the fact that Roseanne was just collateral damage, and nothing can ever convince Nayeon otherwise.

When Nayeon went after Jisoo and Taehyung in Orlando unannouced, the brunette didn't want to do anything with her. But she didn't leave, not anymore, no matter what Jisoo even said.

She owed her that much.

She was there when she saw the brunette slowly fall apart, losing herself in the excruciating pain she had to endure all by herself. She hated that even in that state, Jisoo still did everything just to make sure the press don't go after Roseanne, taking advantage of all the power and money in her name. There even came an instance where Jisoo was so close to losing it all, because of the scandals she'd caused due to her careless mistakes, the parties and drunken brawls in local nightclubs.

(Nayeon even had to use her own power and influence just to make sure tabloids and news reports about the brunette doesn't come out to the public, and Jisoo's reputation doesn't get completely ruined.)

It only took a matter of time before the brunette chooses to lean on her again, to trust her, literally, with her life, even.

"Well, as you've heard from my speech back at the gala—"

"What, that one where you publicly announced that the Hirai's were to buy my company out from underneath me?" Jisoo scoffed angrily, abruptly standing up from her seat as she faced her father dauntingly. "Oh, or was it you, who offered me straight up on a fucking platter to Nayeon's ex-girlfriend—"

"Jisoo!" Mrs. Kim cuts her off, tone warning.

Nayeon tried her best not to flinch, hand reaching over towads Jisoo's arm to try and calm her down, instead.

"It's okay, Chu." She mumbled softly as she stood next to the raging brunette. "Hear them out. Please."

Jisoo didn't respond. Her breathing was heavy, eyes still throwing sharp daggers at her father, who's only staring at her the same way.

Mr. Kim shook his head.

"Maybe I did offer you up on a platter to someone better; a more competent leader, more responsible; someone more mature." His lip twitched slightly upward, fascinated at the sight of Jisoo turning even more wrathful because of his words. "Someone who's capable of making sage decisions that wouldn't ruin her own name, or her family's name, for that matter."

"Unbelievable," Jisoo mutters softly, tone dripping with uncontrollable rage. "You'd really rather trust Momo with your business?! Your grandfather's hard earned work; your own legacy?!"

"And who's responsible for that in the first place?!" Mr. Kim's thunderous voice echoed the entire room, forcing the brunette to recoil. Nayeon shuts her eyes, her hand that was holding Jisoo's gripped tighter onto the brunette's trembling ones. "You cost my business, my company, my legacy— all for what?! For the madness that suddenly overtook you for whatever insensible reason you have!"

Jisoo clenched her jaw, head shaking as she swallowed a lump in her throat. "You wouldn't understand."

"Of course, I wouldn't. It's because I'm not a fool like you are!"

Tears attempted to fall from Jisoo's weary eyes, but she forced to hold it back, not wanting to appear weak and utterly affected by the furious man. Meanwhile, Mr. Kim sighed, shutting his eyes for a short second. When he opened them again, he stared straight into her daughter's tear-filled ones, voice finally lowering as he spoke once again.

"I apologize for losing my temper," Jisoo didn't entirely know if that was directed to her or to the Im's, although, she doubted it was the former. "Let's just cut to the chase."

He turned his back from the rest of them, a cue for Mrs. Kim to speak in his behalf. "Jisoo, sweetie, please sit down."

Jisoo visibly gulped as she let Nayeon pull her back down next to her on the leather couch. On the other hand, Nayeon's father cleared his throat in order to gain everyone's attention.

"We've heard about this offer long ago even before we flew to Vegas for a trip. Child, rumors about your alleged misbehavior after just being promoted CEO reached the market in no time. None of your partners were happy about it."

"Stocks had dropped a ridiculously high amount, investors and sponsors are pulling out at once. The board had to make a choice of their own." Mr. Kim adds the second he turns around to face a trembling Jisoo once again.

His gaze lingered on his daughter's for a short second before Nayeon's mother, fortunately, interrupts.

"The Hirai's, apparently, were the ones with the highest offer, but as we looked into it, we figured the numbers they're throwing around aren't exactly as hard to outbid." Mrs. Im smiled when Jisoo turned to face her as she spoke, "Jisoo, dear, we can still help you out."

"But, we are hoping you could return us the favor." Mr. Im follows after, causing Jisoo to face him this time. "Kim Corp. is the biggest company in Manhattan, known and valued most for its name. The Kim's have the greatest influence in business all over New York. When our names officially merge as one, it's a ticket to glory."

Jisoo's eyebrows perked up and confusion instantly took over her expression. "Due respect, sir. What is that supposed to mean?"

She turned to her parents, who were only looking back at her intently, and then to Nayeon next to her, who only sent her a soft, reassuring smile.

But it didn't reach her lips, at all, somewhat coming off rather forced or sad.

And it's because, Jisoo figured not long after, of what was just about to roll off her father's tongue next.

"The Im's are willing to buy the company if you get married to their heir." Mr. Kim's eyes darted towards the raven-haired girl, and then back to a now frozen Jisoo next to her, who's only staring at him wide eyed. "To Nayeon."

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