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Welcome To My City

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"What even is the big deal?"

"We've met, okay?! And what on earth is he going to say when he finds out I asked you to tell Kai to reject him for me?!"

"Well, technically, he didn't ask you to be his date. It was just a set-up, so—"

"Lisa, please, just shut your mouth for one second."

"Rosie, he's with Kai and Jen. Eventually, we're gonna have to speak to him, too."

"Emphasis on the word eventually. Let me take my goddamn time!"

Lisa scoffed, still staring at the frustrated blonde in utter amusement. "Yeah, I'm gonna call them over." She chuckles teasingly before turning around to face the entrace where Jennie, Kai, and Chanyeol stood. "Hey Kai, Jen! Over here!" She waved her hand towards them.

"Shh— Lisa, oh my god!" Chaeyoung pulls the laughing Thai by the arm, gaze burning. You could tell she isn't pleased. "I am going to kill you."

Lisa just wiggled her eyebrows at her.

"Good thing our friends are right here next to us, then. Hey, man, Jen... Chanwoo, hello there! I'm Lalisa Manoban." The Thai reached over to shake the ash-haired boy's hand, while Chaeyoung, on the other hand, tried her best to avoid interactions with the boy by welcoming Jennie and Kai.

Meanwhile, Lisa's statement had Chanyeol chuckling lightly.

"From LM Studios. I've heard a lot about you here and there." He shook the Thai's hand, adding, "And It's Chanyeol, by the way. Not Chanwoo."

Lisa laughed.

"Right, right." Same difference. "So, you've known Kai for how long now?"

Chanyeol shrugged, still a smile on his face, "We met just a few years ago, actually. I'm still kind of new to business and everything, so..." He explains, nodding as a soft 'Ah,' in understanding escapes the Thai's mouth.

"Now, what do we have here? You two are getting acquainted pretty well, huh? Lis," Kai's voice suddenly interrupted them, catching both of their attention at the same time. He engulfed Lisa in a short hug before wrapping his arm around Chanyeol's shoulder. "Well, since you two already kind of know each other, why don't I just introduce to you right here, Miss Roseanne Park." Kai smiled the moment the mention of her name gained Chaeyoung's attention. "Rosie, this is Park Chanyeol, a business associate. Supposedly we were to set you two up as each other's date for tonight, but Rosie preferred going stag, so..."

Kai, please shut up. Chaeyoung chuckled awkwardly, glaring at Jennie who is currently sending her a teasing smile before meeting gazes with a grinning Chanyeol.

"Hey," She mumbled awkwardly, offering her hand to the boy.

Chanyeol shook his head in amusement.

"You again," He chuckles, reaching over to accept the blonde's hand. "I gotta admit, I didn't expect that the girl I bumped into outside the flower shop yesterday will also be the same girl who wouldn't want to have me as her date for tonight."

Chaeyoung's eyes widened at the statement. Oh my god, did I offend him? She tried to say something, opening her mouth in an attempt to defend herself when she felt Chanyeol's hand squeeze hers lightly.

She looked back up and saw the boy smiling at her reassuringly. "It's a pleasure to meet you, again."

A sigh of relief insantly left Chaeyoung's mouth, chuckling awkwardly, "Yeah. Same as you."

That was terrible. I should've just skipped this stupid gala! Chaeyoung silently screams at herself. She's a serious mess after that awful breakdown at Lisa's office, always has been until right now, (and the three earlier glasses of champagne weren't really much of any help, either.)

I should just go. Right. Because Chaeyoung just can't keep doing this.

Not with her mind, preoccupied with something (someone) else, and her focus, completely thrown out of the window even before she and Lisa arrived a few minutes ago.

(Imagine how painful it is for Chaeyoung to try and force a conversation with someone who is actually really nice and sweet without internally picturing a certain brunette's face on his, instead.)

Apparently, Chaeyoung is drunk already.

(Jisoo, get the fuck off my brain, you stupid... gorgeous... thing.)

"So," Lisa nudges Kai's shoulder, interrupting Chaeyoung's train of thoughts. "This place is awesome. You guys certainly know how to throw a party." She addresses the couple, eyes unintentionally lingering a bit towards Jennie's spot next to Kai and accidentally locking gazes with her.

Nonetheless, Lisa managed to break eye contact just in time when Kai's confused question emerges.

"What do you mean, Lis? We didn't throw this party."

Intrigued, Lisa raised an eyebrow. "Well, I thought Momo said this gala was to be sponsored by HM and the Kim's?"

"Dude, Jen and I aren't the only Kim's in New York, in case you forgot." Kai laughs, hitting the Thai's back lightly.

Furrowing her eyebrows, Lisa was just about to respond, when—

"As a matter of fact, I just spoke to Irene yesterday, and she said this party is actually hosted by Momo..." Jennie cuts in, arm staying linked with her husband's, gripping softly. "...and Jisoo's parents."

She made sure to glance at the way Chaeyoung froze instantly in her spot.

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The limo pulled up, and Jisoo was first to step out.

As expected, instead of a view, she was instantly met with big, blinding camera flashes and endless waves of reporters calling for her. She only ignored all of them, turning back around in order to help Nayeon step out of the sedan after her.

Their personal space was invaded by murmurs, the flashes intensifying. Jisoo wasn't sure whether the public was shocked or amused by the fact that Kim Jisoo is attending a big gala with fashion heiress Im Nayeon as her date. Either way, it's a good thing for both of their publicities, and a stepping stone to rebuilding the CEO's damaged reputation.

They walked straight towards the entrance, a host approaching them, "Ladies, may I take your coats?" He politely asked, in which Jisoo and Nayeon returned accordingly. "Party awaits you." He gestured with his hand, a big smile on his face.

Stepping inside, the flashes finally subsided, Jisoo blinking several times in order for her eyes to adjust.

She felt Nayeon's arm land on hers, linking them together.

"Are you okay?" The raven-haired asked. Jisoo only nodded in return. Nayeon smiled before leaning closer to the brunette in order to plant a soft kiss on her cheek. Jisoo was taken aback, immediately facing the raven-haired girl, but Nayeon only squeezed her arm lightly. "Two o'clock."

Still confused, Jisoo turned towards the said direction and saw Momo's gaze firm on them. Meeting the brunette's eyes, the Japanese immediately shook it off, raising her glass up in acknowledgement in which Jisoo only smiled politely in return.

"Are you two seriously exchanging smiles right now?" Nayeon's tone was in utter disbelief.

Jisoo chuckled, "It's proper."

"You and Momo share the same ex."

"Aren't you glad we're in good terms when you finally get back together with her?" Jisoo teased. Nayeon rolled her eyes.

"Begging to differ."

Jisoo shook her head, leaning in to kiss Nayeon's cheek as well, much to the latter's surprise.

"There," she says, chuckling lightly at the hint of red that was starting to spread Nayeon's cheeks, "Does Momo seem jealous now?"

(Momo wasn't the one jealous.)

"Rosie? Are you still there?" Chanyeol's voice pulled the blonde out of her trance, gaze unwillingly tearing away from the spot where Jisoo and Nayeon currently stood. The hell does this guy want?! "You're a little bit lost. Are you sure you're okay—"

"Get me a drink?" Chaeyoung unconsciously interrupts the ash-haired boy, who is now staring at her confusedly. When she didn't get a response, she stared at him back, smiling forcedly. "Please?"

Chanyeol furrowed his eyebrows, but only for a second, before nodding.

"Yeah, sure." He smiled at the blonde before attempting to step away, "I'll be right back."

Might as well not. Chaeyoung internally scolds herself for being internally rude.

"Oh my— Jisoo?" It was Jihyo's voice from a short distance that caught the blonde's attention all of a sudden. Chaeyoung watched as the doe-eyed girl meets the smiling brunette halfway for a hug, not too far away from their spot which gives her the advantage to eavesdrop. (Oh god, that was horrible.) "I didn't know you'd be here, too. I thought you were in Vegas?"

"Yeah, Nayeon and I took a last minute flight just two days ago." Jisoo smiled. Chaeyoung had to ignore the urge to roll her eyes. Nayeon. Nayeon. Nayeon. Now she just suddenly wants to shut Jisoo up with a ki—

"Ah, here she is, finally rising back from the grave." Lisa's voice echoed Chaeyoung's ears out of nowhere. She didn't even have enough time to register the fact that Jisoo was already approaching them, where the fuck is Jihyo?! Her eyes landed on the direction where the latter is now exchanging pleasantries with Nayeon, who's currently standing by Irene and Seulgi's table a little further away from them.

Of course.

Jisoo laughed, head shaking as she continued to take slow steps towards them, "I can't miss this for the world."

Lisa instantly met Jisoo with a long and tight embrace, smile so wide, mumbling, yet still audible for the rest of them to hear, "How are you, Chu?"

"That's a tough question. You answer it for me." The brunette retorts as she pulled away, turning to her side to give Jennie a hug as well.

"Chu, welcome back."

"Hey, Jendeuk." Jisoo returned, "How's the married life?"

Suddenly the air was awkward for both Jennie and Lisa, the cat-eyed girl finding herself lost for words. She couldn't understand why she was still so conscious whenever the idea of talking about her marriage is proposed in front of the Thai.

It's like she almost didn't want Lisa to hear anything about that as much as possible.

But Kai was the one to answer for her, this time. "Come on, Chu. Considering she's married to me, that question would've been nothing but complete absurdity." He joked as he approached his cousin as well, earning himself a few scattered laughter from the four.

When Kai and Jisoo finally pulled away, Chaeyoung knew now comes the time when it was her turn to get acknowledged by the brunette. Her heart was beating so fast, she just wanted to puke it out, especially when Jisoo's gaze finally landed on her direction.

Jisoo held it firm, as if she knew Chaeyoung wouldn't be able to do so, herself. Her smile wasn't as wide anymore, but it's there. And to Chaeyoung, that's all that matters.

The brunette opened her mouth to say something, and she would be able to, if it wasn't for Chanyeol's voice suddenly beating her to it.

"Hey, gorgeous. Here's your drink."

Jisoo's confused gaze followed the ash-haired boy's approching figure, watching closely the way he held Chaeyoung at the small of her back, while his other hand was holding out a glass of champagne for the blonde to take.

Now Chaeyoung wanted to be swallowed by the ground.

She instantly froze at the contact, almost flinching visibly, if it wasn't for the desire not to be rude to the boy as much as she can. She felt her throat going dry, and watching Jisoo watch Chanyeol touch her only made it even harder for her to speak.

Meanwhile, Jisoo turned to meet Chaeyoung's gaze once again. She smiled, this time wider, yet Chaeyoung just knew it's far from being a good thing. "Your date?"

She was torn between surprise and disappointment. Everyone else gets a hug, and I get this question. But Chaeyoung doesn't blame Jisoo for it. After all, it's foolish of her to actually think for a second that Jisoo will treat her just the same.

"I– uhm, no." She hurriedly stuttered out, hands held out in front of the brunette, not even caring anymore if her response (or quick denial) offended the boy. "He's just– This is Chanyeol. We met yesterday."

Jisoo's eyebrow raised in question. "Yesterday?" She asks, glancing at the boy, who's now offering his hand to her as well.

"Yeah, I bumped into her." Chanyeol laughs lightly, possibly expecting Jisoo to do the same. But the brunette just stares at him still, causing the boy to recoil. "I'm Park Chanyeol."

Eyebrow still perked, Jisoo's eyes darted towards Chaeyoung once again, holding their gazes even when she accepted Chanyeol's hand. "Right... Bumping, yesterday. That's interesting."

"I'm sorry?" Chanyeol blinks confusedly. Jisoo tore her gaze away from the frozen blonde, instead, facing the boy properly once again.

"I have to go greet my parents, if you all lovely people would excuse me." She smiled at him politely, "It's nice to meet you, Mr. Park. Welcome to my city."

Chaeyoung snaps out of her daze, taking a step forward in an attempt to speak up, but Jisoo was already walking away from their spot.

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