The Pleasure Is Mine

Chapter 8

Jennie swears she's seeing things because this cannot be right! Her eyes have to be playing with her.

"Jennie?"

Soojoo.

Jennie stifles the sassy Ruby Jane inside of her and instead shows her best smile at the model who should not be here — at Jisoo's apartment complex. Behind the model Jennie quickly glances at a bouquet of flowers on the concierge desk and that starts a small fire within Jennie. Because why is Hong Soojoo here at Jisoo's complex dropping off flowers on Christmas Eve?

"Fancy seeing you here, Soojoo." Jennie greets the model with a soft tone and a rather fake smile but of course not fake enough to be noticed.

"My ex actually lives here."

Jennie can feel her eye twitching.

"How are you and your ex?" Jennie asks calmly.

"I never expected it to be an easy fight," Soojoo answers as she shrugs. "I'll have to keep on trying."

A part of Jennie hates how she now views the model as a threat. Just a week ago she was one of Soojoo's biggest supporters but here she was now.

"Maybe some things are better left in the past, Soojoo." Jennie opens her mouth in response. Her words elicit a small chuckle from the model.

"Where's my biggest supporter?" Soojoo asks. "Some things are better left in the past but not when you love someone, Jen."

Jen? Now when did Soojoo start calling her that?

"What brings you here, though, Jen?" Soojoo quickly steers the conversation. "On Christmas Eve, nonetheless! A lover, Jen?"

Jennie swears if Soojoo calls her Jen one more time!

"My girlfriend lives here."

Emphasis on girlfriend.

My girlfriend, Jisoo.

The sudden confession of a girlfriend seems to throw off Soojoo for a moment but the model pulls herself together and gleams a warm smile at Jennie.

"I hope you and your girlfriend have a wonderful Christmas Eve, Jennie."

And at least in that moment, Jennie responds with full genuineness.

"I hope you have a merry Christmas Eve as well, Soojoo."

Of course once Soojoo bids farewell and Jennie's eyes fall on the damn flowers sitting on the desk does the fire within Jennie start again. Jennie hates how she probably is giving off the jealous girlfriend aura but it's true. She's jealous. Actually, she's angry. And she did tell Jisoo that she, Jennie Ruby Jane Kim, will be dealing with all things related to Soojoo and her trying to ruin their now official relationship, so Jennie proceeds along with her duty.

Greeting the familiar faces at the desk with a gummy smile, Jennie kindly offers to deliver the flowers to its rightful owner — Jisoo. And as easy as that, Jennie's in the elevator with one hand gripped around the bouquet and another prying open the small card that came with it.

Seeing me at the fitting must have come off as a surprise. But it's like we dreamt of, remember? Working together and being in love. I can wait for you, Soo. I love you. Merry Christmas.

- Your SJ

And into the nearest trash can the card goes along with the flowers as soon as Jennie exits the elevator. She is most definitely going to be sitting down with the model after the holidays. BV Director to Model. Maybe even as Jisoo's GF to Jisoo's ex. No one brings drama to business. No one. Especially if that drama includes Jennie's love life too.