FCK BUDDIES

FUCK BUDDIES 4

"Love is just a process of your imagination," Jennie had once declared confidently, her voice ringing with unwavering conviction. "It's just something you want to have, but in reality, you already have it. Love doesn't mean you have to have a partner. Love can be anything."

That was Jennie’s philosophy, the mantra she had repeated to herself for as long as she could remember. She had been single since birth, perfectly content in her self-sufficient world. Love, as society defined it, seemed like a chaotic mess she was better off avoiding.

Then Lisa came, turning Jennie's carefully constructed world upside down.

Sometimes, when Jennie was in the middle of a crucial business meeting, Lisa would randomly pop into her mind. She'd find herself lost in thought, a soft, involuntary smile gracing her lips—a sight so unusual that her employees would exchange bewildered glances. They had never seen their stoic, unapproachable CEO smile before1. It was as if Lisa had unlocked a hidden part of Jennie that she never knew existed.

"Another date, Mom? Aren't you tired?" Jennie asked softly, her tone laced with a hint of exasperation as she sat across from her mother at the breakfast table.

"I won't stop until you find your own partner, Jennie," her mother replied, her voice firm. "We aren't getting any younger, you know. We want grandkids, too!"

Jennie secretly rolled her eyes. This was a familiar battle, one she had fought countless times before. "Mom, I told you—"

"That you are not interested, that you don't believe in love, that blah blah blah," her mother finished, mimicking Jennie's usual arguments.

Jennie clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Correct!"

Her mother sighed and shook her head in mock disbelief just as the front door swung open, and a familiar figure cheerfully skipped her way into the house.

"Hello, Aunt Jane!" Jisoo greeted warmly, her smile infectious as she approached Mrs. Kim.

"Oh, Jisoo! Did you already have your dinner?" Mrs. Kim asked, her face lighting up at the sight of her niece.

Jisoo nodded and grinned. "I did. I came to fetch Jennie. We're going out to meet with a few friends." Jisoo winked playfully, then turned her attention to Jennie, who was watching the exchange with a mixture of amusement and confusion.

"We’re going out?" Jennie asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh," Jisoo replied, clapping her hands together. "Now, you better get your ass ready in ten minutes. Go, go, go!"

Jennie didn’t protest. Escaping her mother’s relentless matchmaking attempts was always a welcome opportunity. She quickly retreated to her room to prepare for the unexpected outing.

True to form, Jennie’s attire was effortlessly chic: a simple Chanel white tee paired with a sleek leather jacket and black skinny jeans. The look was understated yet undeniably stylish, embodying Jennie’s signature blend of classic elegance and edgy confidence.

"Nayeon!" Jisoo called out as they arrived at the bar, spotting their friend near the entrance.

"You came!" Nayeon squealed, pulling Jisoo into a warm hug. She then turned to Jennie, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Hey, happy birthday, Nayeon," Jennie said with a chuckle, handing her a white shopping bag. "I’ll be honest with you; I kind of forgot it was your birthday. Thanks to Jisoo for reminding me."

Nayeon accepted the gift with a grin and then turned her attention to Jisoo. "Where's my gift?" she teased, feigning a pout.

"Isn’t my presence enough? A Kim Jisoo at your birthday party is already a gift, you know," Jisoo retorted playfully.