Promotion To Your Heart

Part 3

Jisoo and Chaeyoung are now in a rush to return to the conference hall. It just so happens, they enjoyed their conversation too much that they didn't notice that it is already half an hour past after they are supposed to be back.

"I'm sorry I didn't notice the time," Jisoo said as they were pacing in the hallway.

"No worries. I didn't notice the time too." Chaeyoung responded with a smile. Part of her is thinking she does not want to go back to the event yet and would prefer to continue the conversation with Jisoo.

Jisoo is also feeling the same. She wanted to ditch the conference in the first place and spending time with Chaeyoung is a dozen times better than a boring afternoon listening to the things she is not interested in.

Thus, as they walked, Jisoo and Chaeyoung were then immersed in their thoughts on how to strike up the question. Right before they get into the conference hall, the two have finally gathered their courage.

"Hey..Do you-" they paused. They were surprised they uttered in unison.

"You go first." Jisoo said.

"No. You go first. I think you said it first.." Chaeyoung said back.

"Okay then.." Jisoo took a quick breath then continued, "I'm wondering if you have plans later after the conference? I uhm- wanting to ask if uhm.." she couldn't find the right way to ask. She wanted to be straightforward in asking Chaeyoung out for dinner. Yet, she felt she was stepping over too much. She thought maybe she was not reading the signs right.

"I actually wanted to ask you the same thing," Chaeyoung uttered while shyly looking away.

For Jisoo, it was fortunate that the former was not looking. Else, Chaeyoung might have seen her smiling from ear to ear due to what she had heard. She quickly tried to suppress her smile by pursing her lips. Then, she dropped the question, "Do you want to go have dinner with me later?"

Chaeyoung's eyes lit up. She looked at Jisoo with a hopeful smile, "Sure. I am okay with it."

The former chuckled, "Great. Do you have any preferred cuisine? Place?"

"Not really. My initial plan for tonight is just to avail in-room dining service."

"Oh, really? I actually planned the same thing too," Jisoo then suddenly realized that it is more of she is insisting in-room dining for them tonight. Well. In her mind, that is actually what she prefers. But then, she thought she might be stepping over too much again.

They both shared an awkward stare in silence. Chaeyoung was trying to process what Jisoo meant. Well. In her mind, that is also what she wanted. A place for both of them to talk freely and without other people around.

"So..." Chaeyoung uttered softly, "Are we going for in-room dining?"

Jisoo couldn't respond right away. She is still trying to read through the other woman's eyes if she wanted the same thing. Yet, now, the awkwardness of the moment seemed to have blurred her vision out.

"What do you think?" And that was all she could utter.

Chaeyoung tucked her hair behind her left ear as she shied away again, "I'm okay with it. I don't mind."

That made Jisoo sighed in relief, "Alright. I am so okay with that. Totally. Really.." she chuckled awkwardly, " So... Your place or mine?"

"I wouldn't suggest my room. It's a bit of a mess. I checked in two days in advance preparing for this event. My documents are all over the place."

"I see.. Okay..My room then. Is it alright if I can have your digits?" Then, she quickly added, "It's okay if you don't want to."

"No.. It's okay.. I think it's best to exchange numbers anyway." They handed their phones to one another. And afterward, they continued to walk back to the conference hall while wearing triumphant smiles on their faces.