project: l.o.v.e | yoonghyo

𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚎𝚎𝚗

park jihyo is a total idiot...

or that's what she thinks she is.

she has assumed that everything is going well, the puzzle pieces slowly going back to where it's supposed to be.

keyword: assumed.

because at this very moment, infront of her was someone she didn't expect to see, she didn't expect to hear from again, and absolutely didn't expect her to step in that building.

but here she was, standing infront of jihyo's desk. "hey." she greeted with a smile, a smile capable of charming others.

jihyo could not believe what she's seeing right now. "jennie?" she breathed out, confusion written all over her face.

"yeah," jennie's laugh was still the same as back then. "long time no see, jisoo." she held her hand out, which jihyo took with much hesitation.

"it's actually jihyo now... w-why are you here?" she asked. it was a pretty good question, though. why on earth would korea's it girl kim jennie, dressed in luxurious brands (that jihyo assumes that it would cost her a year of her paycheck for one item), be inside the min building, knowing well that the two families weren't in good terms back in the days.

"well..." jennie started, and jihyo could sense a hint of hesitation in the girl. jennie cleared her throat and smiled again, "i came here to see my fiancée."

"your what?!" jihyo freaked out, the last word coming out louder than expected. jennie has a fiancée? in this building? jihyo's getting more confused.

"my fiancée. your boss. min yoongi's your boss, right?" jennie clarifies, and it was at this moment that jihyo lost her focus.

jihyo stood like an unresponsive robot, as if her energy got drained immediately. there was also a throbbing pain in her chest, like it was hit by an arrow.

"are you alright?" the girl waved at jihyo who looked so out of it. "i'm alright, you can go inside." she responded without looking at jennie.

with that, jennie went off. jihyo just stood still, stuck in the position she was in earlier.

mina who was at her desk noticed jihyo who was spacing out. and if her eyes didn't deceive her, it seemed like jihyo's about to cry.

she hurriedly looked to her left, spotting someone familiar. "kim jennie?" she muttered. it's their ceo's supposed fiancé. judging by jihyo's reaction, there must be something between them. mina thought, attempting to connect the dots.

mina stood up from her seat to approach jihyo, but jihyo had already made her way outside in a fast speed.

unsure of where jihyo could've head off, mina contemplated on whether to go after her. i think she'll do better with company, she thinks. and so she goes the opposite way, having an idea.

—

jihyo thinks she needs a breather. something's holding her back from breathing properly.

holding on to her chest, she pushes the door to a familiar area, her haven, the rooftop.

jihyo finds her way to her favorite spot, one she frequently goes to. it's area was quite hidden, more like a secret hangout spot for her and a few of her friends.

she leans on the railing, trying her best to ignore the growing pain in her chest. "god, this hurts so much." jihyo felt like crying.

the girl just stood there, staring at a distance, her eyes brimming with tears. jihyo felt like she was broken for the second time, and for the same reason as well— all because of him.

"what's wrong?" the presence of another voice alarmed jihyo, who rushed in wiping her tears. "h-huh?" she turned around, surprised at his sudden appearance.

"jaebum," jihyo sniffed before continuing, "how did you know i'd be here?" she asked as she slumped on a nearby chair.

"a little bird told me." he hummed.

—

jaebum was just walking along the office's hallway when he saw mina walking the opposite way. he's known mina as jihyo had introduced him to her friends one time she saw him passing by during lunch.

"jaebum-ssi!" mina called as she walked faster to him. oh, she was actually looking for me, he thought.

"what's the matter?" he asked, walking forward to meet mina. "i just... jihyo acted weird earlier. kim jennie just visited the office and jihyo just looked like she was out of it..." mina told him, her eyes full of worry.

"kim jennie?" the name sounded familiar. "what's the reason for her visit?" he asked yet again. "didn't you know? she's our ceo's fiancée." mina answered.

so that's why... jaebum figured it out. "jisoo..." he mumbled, "where is jihyo right now?"

"i'm not sure, but she could be at the secret spot." mina answered. jaebum clicked his tongue, "alright, i'll go find her." with that, he took off.

"did he just say jisoo?" mina caught what he said even with the low volume. "then jihyo must really be-"

"mina!" the said girl turned around, seeing momo and sana behind her. "why are you talking to yourself in the middle of the hallway?" sana asked as the two approached mina, who quickly waved it off.

"it's nothing, just needed to make a mental note of something." she reasoned out, before going back to her office.

—

"mina told me you were out of it earlier, so i came to check the places i figured you'd be at." jaebum explained, taking the seat next to hers.

"figured you'd also like some company." he added. "i'm right here." jaebum smiled at jihyo, and that was all it took before jihyo broke down, charging forward to him. she wrapped her arms around him, and he just let her, occasionally patting her back.

jihyo sobbed in his arms while he just held her. "t-this hurts so much." she struggles in talking in between her sobs. jaebum couldn't find the right words at the moment, so he hoped his comfort was enough for now.

"it's alright, i'll always be by your side."

—

the crying had tired jihyo, whose tears had subsided, only a few sniffing could be heard from her, who is still in jaebum's arms.

what could she do without him, really. jihyo is thankful someone like jaebum is in her life.

"sorry, i ruined your shirt... also took your precious time." jihyo had finally detached herself from jaebum, her puffy eyes looking at him apologetically.

jaebum just laughed, "it's no problem, that's what friends do." he cringed at the word 'friend', jihyo noticed, but did not pry.

jihyo stared at the view infront of them.

"jennie's actually a love rival, even back then. it's because of me that she hates the mins back then, i don't know what happened now, though." she said.

"you must be surprised on why they're suddenly engaged, huh?" he asked her, who just nodded. "but at the end of the day, i'm way out of their league." she sighs, before standing up and dusting off her uniform.

"i'll be going now. thank you for the company." jihyo smiled at jb, who looked like he was contemplating on something.

jihyo started to walk away, but was pulled back. "wait." jaebum gripped on her wrist, and jihyo just stared at him.

"i know it's a bad timing, and i'm not supposed to say this for like... forever, but..." he started, jihyo's starting to get confused."but?" she repeated his last word.

jaebum let go of her wrist before clearing his throat.

"i like you."

—

please bear with jennie's character for a bit, she has a reason for this!!!