Make It With You

12

Monique**

"Ok, ok, sa-eob-eul sijaghabsida," I said, adopting my most serious tone and poker face, as I stood in front of them. "Let's go down to business, shall we?" The room went silent, and they all stared at me, clearly surprised. I wanted to burst out laughing at their reactions, but I managed to control myself, keeping my poker face and ramping up the professional vibe.

"Useon jeoleul manna jusyeoseo gamsahabnida. Asidasipi jeoneun yeogiseo ilhaneun modeun salamdeul-ege il-eul haessseubnida. Modu ye-oeneun anibnida. Atiseuteu, baeu, yeobaeu, seutaepeu mich gita. Jean, uigyeon mich poglyeogjeog-in ban-eung-i iss-eumyeon allyeojusibsio. yaedeul a?" (First of all, thank you all for meeting me. Just so you know, I did this with everyone working here. No one was spared. Artists, actors, actresses, staff, and everyone. If you have any suggestions, comments, or violent reactions, please let me know. Ok guys?) I said, staring at them with mock intensity.

"Yes, ok," Jennie said, nodding as the others just followed suit, looking at me with a mix of curiosity and slight confusion.

"Meonjeo 1 wol iljeong-eul hwag-inhaseyo," I continued, changing the topic. "Byeongyeong-i pil-yohan gyeong-u allyeo jusimyeon modeun salam-ui pyeonungeleul wihae jojeonghal su issseubnida. Jebal boyeojuseyo, Ryujin." (First, let's review the schedule for January. If you need any adjustments, let me know so we can accommodate everyone's convenience. Show us, please, Ryujin.)

As the projector flickered on and the first slide appeared, I noticed Jisoo staring at it, puzzled.

"Can I ask you something?" Jisoo said, her voice cutting through the silence. I raised an eyebrow and nodded, signaling her to continue.

"Nae saeng-il-e hateu moyang-i issneun iyuneun mueos-ibnikka?" (Why is there a heart shape on my birthday?) she asked, looking at me with a mischievous smile.

I glanced at the screen, my face turning red. "What?" I stammered. "Ryujin, naze kanojo no tanjōbi ni hāto ga aru nodesu ka?" (Hey Ryujin, why is there a heart on her birthday?)

Ryujin, still looking at the screen, shrugged. "Shirimasen. Kono sukejūru to purezentēshon o okonatta no wa watashide wa arimasen." (I don't know. I didn't create this schedule or presentation.)

"Wait, are you telling me that I put my heart on her birthday?" I thought, mortified, but I kept a straight face.

"Wakaranai to itte imasu. Tabun, Jisu no tanjōbinanode, sono kokorowokomeru kanōsei ga takaidesu." (I'm just saying, maybe you put that heart because it's Jisoo's birthday.) Ryujin remarked, and everyone burst into laughter.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "Hey, it's not funny," I said, trying to wave off the embarrassment. "Sorry about that, Jisoo. Don't mind the heart. Ok, let's continue." I took a deep breath, desperately trying to regain my composure.

"January 3rd, Jisoo's birthday," I said, glancing at her. "Obviously, it's a free day for all of you, unless something urgent comes up that you need to do. Then it's up to you. On the 4th, 5th, and 6th, we've got the magazine photoshoots for Harper's Bazaar, Vogue Korea, and Dazed. This is a group activity, guys. On the 10th-11th, we've got YSL photoshoot for Rosé for their campaign. 12th-13th, Celine photoshoot for Lisa. 14th-15th, Dior photoshoot for Jisoo. Then, on the 16th, it's Jennie's birthday. Again, same applies, free day unless something comes up. 17th-18th, Chanel photoshoot for Jennie. Before I continue, any violent reactions from you guys?" I looked at them all, fully expecting them to start interrupting.

"So far, everything is good, Unnie," Lisa said, but then hesitated. "Wait, should I call you Unnie? Ms? Boss?" she trailed off, making everyone chuckle.

"Ok, moving on," I said, ignoring her ramblings. "Do you guys want to attend and perform at the Music Awards?" I asked, diving straight into the next topic.

"It's boring, but it's fine by me," Rosé stated casually.

"Will you be there too?" Lisa asked, looking up at me.

"Nope," I replied quickly. "Why?" Jisoo questioned, a bit confused.

"Like Rosé said, it's boring," I replied, shrugging. "So, do we want to attend or not?"

"Fine," they all answered in unison, looking a bit resigned but agreeing.

"Ok, that will be on the 23rd, 27th, and 30th of January. Ryujin, please send the confirmation that we will attend. Thanks," I continued, moving quickly.

"On the 19th-22nd, we'll be shooting your new music video for Kill This Love," I said. "For the rest of the empty dates, you guys can do group or individual vLives. It's really up to you. No restrictions at all. Just make sure to keep a balance and maybe do vLives at least once or twice a week."

"Any questions before we move to February?" I looked around the room.

"Unnie, I like all these changes. Thank you," Rosé said, smiling brightly.

"Right, before I forget, I need to tell you guys something," I added, clearing my throat. "I revoked the dating rules of the company. Everyone is free to date whoever they want. You can go public or keep it private. It's up to you."

"Woah!! Unnie, I love you for that," Lisa exclaimed, looking way too excited. "Can we take a break? I'm hungry," she complained dramatically.

"Ok, moving on," I said, shaking my head at her. But just as I was about to continue, Ryujin interrupted me.

"Monique, you have an email from Irene. Can you read it for me?" she asked, passing me her phone.

"Are you sure about that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. She nodded, so I read the message aloud.

"Nae salanghaneun Monikeu, nae mesiji musi hajima naeil delileo jeonyeog-eul meog-eul ge," (My dear Monique, stop ignoring my messages. I'll pick you up tomorrow for dinner.) I froze mid-sentence, eyes widening.

"Ok, ok, let's have a break," I said quickly, cutting Ryujin off before she could read more. "Ryujin, please order food for everyone and make sure there's chicken. Make sure there's chicken!" I glanced at Jisoo, who was now giving me a deadly stare. The others were quietly signaling that I was in big trouble.

I turned around, and Jisoo was walking straight toward me. "You have a dinner date tomorrow?" she asked, fury clear on her face.

"I don't have a date tomorrow! She scheduled it, I swear!" I quickly explained, my heart racing.

"Kill her already, Jisoo unnie!" Lisa commented, enjoying the situation way too much.

"Are you planning to go on that date?" Jisoo asked, still glaring at me.

"Of course not," I said, shaking my head, trying to sound convincing. "The food's here, can we just eat so we can finish this meeting?" I asked, trying to defuse the situation.

"Your sister is scary," I whispered to Jennie, who nodded in agreement.

"Yes, she is. Did you ask her out already?" Jennie asked with a teasing smile.

"Nope," I replied quickly.

"Why not?" Rosé whispered back, intrigued.

"Because I don't know how to," I whispered, looking down at my plate.

"Hey, what are you whispering about?" Lisa shouted across the table, narrowing her eyes.

Jisoo looked at us, raising an eyebrow curiously. "Nothing," we all answered in unison, trying to act casual, but the tension was thick. We continued eating, all of us secretly hoping to survive the next round of this chaotic meeting.