Kisses in the Dark

5

Jennie is busy shouldering the responsibilities at their company, grappling with the absence of her best friend and business partner, Chahee. She informs their team about her unexpected family matter and rallies their support for their upcoming events. The camaraderie among her staff provides her peace of mind. She breathes a sigh of relief as they give her the assurance that she needs. She is nervous because this is the first time that Chahee is not by her side on a very important occasion, but she also knows that she can do this, and her team is reliable. From time to time, Jennie feels anxious, but she's trying her best to hide it.

Due to this, she schedules more meetings to discuss all the changes in their plans since Chahee cannot handle her responsibilities. She works double time to update everything and keep up with all the work. Thankfully, her staff also doubles their effort to help her accomplish everything in time. "Guys, thank you very much! I truly appreciate all of you for making extra efforts to help me with everything. I promise after the event, we're going to celebrate and I will give you rewards that you deserve!" Jennie announces, and they all clap cheerfully.

On the other hand, Chahee calls her every day. Aside from catching up, she keeps reminding Jennie about her meeting with L. She tells Jennie that she has already informed L that she'll be her substitute next week. Jennie almost forgets about their meeting due to being busy. Seeing L last time made her nervous, but she couldn't complain anymore since she already agreed to this. She doesn't want to get involved in the situation, but she can't let her friend down, especially at this moment in her life.

"Correction! I'm not going to replace you, remember? I just have another condition for her. Anyway, for sure, she was disappointed when you told her that I would meet her instead of you, right?" Jennie asks Chahee. "She's not disappointed but rather surprised. L didn't expect you to agree with me because she knows you don't like her," Chahee laughs while Jennie suddenly stops with what she's doing. "She knows? You told her?!" she asks Chahee in a threatening tone. "No, I didn't! She said that she felt it the night when we met!" Chahee answers defensively. "At first, she tried to cancel everything, but I sensed the disappointment in her voice and convinced her to meet you. I think she is really in need. And as a kind human being, I assured her that she should not worry," Chahee continues while Jennie listens carefully to her on the other line.

"Hmm... So, she agreed to cancel the deal, right? But you still insisted on going on with it even though you knew that I would just pay her? Oh my God! You're doing this to impress her! And you're using me because I get it, you don't want to disappoint her, right?" Jennie asks her friend in awe, but Chahee just remains silent. "Babe, I'm sorry, but I have to go! My secretary is calling me already, and thank you again for considering my favor. You're the best! I love you!" Chahee says to her and quickly ends their call. Jennie is losing her patience. She can't do anything but just roll her eyes and takes a deep breath.

Days have passed, and it is already Friday. Jennie will meet L after her work. She will still meet her despite her last conversation with Chahee. There's a part of her that wanted to give L an earful and ask her to break her connection with her best friend. She won't let her deceive her. She goes home early from the office and takes a shower before going out again. Jennie is nervous and anxious that someone who knows her and L might see them together and think the unthinkable. But her crazy best friend already taught her the excuses she could make if ever that happened.

"Of course, she's an expert in making excuses when it comes to things like this," she thinks. "If you're not just my best friend, I won't be doing this, I swear!" she says while sliding a black satin dress onto her body. She wears her heels and checks herself in the mirror for the last time before leaving her house.

Jennie drives on her way to the bar. She and L will meet at the same place where they first met her. It takes her hours to arrive because it is traffic due to heavy rain. "She must be a regular here," she thinks while looking at the name of the bar in neon lights -- BLINK. She gets out of the car and hands her keys to the valet. When she enters, she is welcomed by Ross, who is smiling at her. "Hey! You're here again! Come, let me bring you to your table," he tells her. "Hello, I'm here to meet someone. We booked the same table that I and my friend occupied last time," she says to him, smiling. "Oh, I see! Let me assist you on your way!" he says, and they go to the table. While on their way, Jennie sees L already sitting and drinking; her heart starts to beat fast. "She's already here," she tells herself. She is beginning to get anxious. She is alone, and she is worried that somebody who knows her might see her. But she tries her best to calm herself.