Blame it on the champagne

C H A P T E R 1

Jennie

I was blasting with happiness when I heard that my older sister was finally coming home from college. She's been away for almost four years now the only time we got to see each other was when she came home for spring break. 

I've missed her so much I remember the day when we were loading the car with her few belongings then driving her to the airport.  

Before I knew it, I was standing next to my mom who held me close as tears slipped down her cheeks. I waved goodbye to my sister who only smiled and mouthed I love you as she disappeared through the boarding way. 

"Jennie!". I suddenly snapped out of my thoughts as I heard my name being called. 

Crap I'd forgotten that mom had called my downstairs like five minutes ago. "Sorry mom I'll be down in a sec!" I shouted back. "That's what you said the first time I called for you and it's been five minutes since then so get down here now!!". 

My mom yelled she was already having a bad day and I didn't want to upset her even more. So, I powered off my phone and climbed out of bed hurrying downstairs into the living room where my mom stood with her hands crossed.

She had that nasty look on her face that she always gave Mrs. Chang our next-door neighbor whenever her dog poops on our lawn and doesn't clean it up. "Sorry I was busy and must have lost track of time". She rolled her eyes knowing that was a lie. 

"You were on that phone again, weren't you?" she asked. I could only look down at my feet feeling guilty. "How many times do I have to tell you too much screen time will damage your eyes and most importantly your brain". 

"Anyways, your father is waiting for you in his office". I looked up at her surprised my father has never called for me in his office before but whatever it is it's got to be something bad. "Yu-ri will take you there". "O-okay". I followed the maid out of the kitchen as we walked down the dark corridor leading to my father's office. "You may enter" the maid said as we approached the door. 

I nodded as I watched her turn around and leave. I hesitated as I placed my hand on the doorknob to open the door. "You called for me". I said approaching his desk as I closed the door behind me. "Yes, I did anyways take a seat this won't last long anyways".

 I sat down in one of the brown leathered chairs in front of his desk as I waited patiently for him to speak. "I've hired a new CFO for Kim Financing". I tried to hold myself together the seemingly random announcement had alarms whispering in the back of my head.

But my father new I wanted that spot so why would he give it away to someone else plus he rarely even speaks business, so I grasped on, absorbing every word. "Already? but we haven't had an CFO since Joon-woo retired. What about the board?". "The board has approved". He turned around in his chair now facing me. 

His eyes narrowed for a moment before lowering the wine he swirled in his glass. "He will be a good fit for you". My eyebrows raised. "Me?". "Yes, we went golfing last month and discussed everything". "Everything being...". "Your marriage together" he said as if it was nothing to him. 

"My what?".

"You know you'd marry whoever suited this family ever since you were little. That is the job you have. What did you think that going off to college was going to change that?". I knew that. I just thought I had more time. More life to experience before it was given away to someone i didn't want to have it. 

"Dad...". "It's done!". His hand pounded on the wooden desk, and I jerked back. My father has always been a quiet man he's never once yelled at me or high enough to scare me. When he watched me swallow and pull back, he softened regret pulling his shoulders down.

He looked away, the lines around his mouth hinting of more frowns than smiles. "We're done now you may leave". "But h-". He lifted his head up shooting me glare that clearly read don't cross me. Instead of pushing him any further I stood up from the chair and turned around to walk out. 

"If your mother asks for me tell her I'm busy". Busy? what does that mean they've been arguing a lot more than they have when I was little somethings wrong but I'm not sure what it is yet. "Okay" I replied closing the door behind me. 

I slammed the door to my room as I flopped onto my queen-sized bed resting my head on one of the pillows that scattered across the bed. I searched around looking for my phone once I found it I turned it on to message my friends. 

Me: Arrange marriage is on kill me now (sad face emoji) 

Lisa: ha-ha... wait are you serious I thought you were joking.

Me: Nope. Hurray for me (eyeroll)

Jisoo: Aww I'm sorry JenJen but why don't you talk to your dad maybe he'll change his mind?

Me: I already did but he won't listen to me. It's the first time he's ever yelled so loud to have me all scared. 

Rose:  How about a girls' night out? it sounds like you need it.

Lisa: I agree I could actually use a night of freedom.

Jisoo: Alright clubbing it is.

Rose: At a strip club?

Jisoo: Ew.

Me: Hard pass on the strip club.

Lisa: Oh, come on guys. Live a little.

Rose: No. Dinner it is. 

Lisa: ugh fine.

Lisa: Party poopers. 

I smiled at the messages I loved my friends we all met freshman year of college sadly I didn't go abroad like Irene instead I went to a university about 5 hours away from our house. Luckily, I still had the opportunity to live on campus and not come home every day.

I was ready to laugh and have a little too much wine and pretend duty didn't pull me down with every step. 

A/N
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