FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT| JJENINII

3.

Jennie found herself in a place she never imagined visiting under such bizarre circumstances—a private viewing room in an upscale boutique jewelry store in Beverly Hills, meticulously selecting a fake engagement ring with Taehyung.

The room was tastefully decorated, the plush chairs inviting, yet she felt anything but comfortable. She perched on the edge of her seat, a velvet-lined tray of glittering rings before her.

"Pick carefully, this is important." He told her as they waited for the store employee to begin presenting and explaining the rings' elements to them.

Jennie's eyes narrowed slightly at Taehyung's last remark, as if gauging whether he was serious or not

After a moment of silence, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and pinching the bridge of her nose.

"Right, the ring," she muttered, more to herself than to him. "Because every fake engagement needs a shiny piece of deception."

"I won't burden you too much. Remember, we're aiming for believable, not ostentatious," He added her, picking up a solitaire that caught the light with every subtle movement.

"It's beautiful, but it's too much. We're supposed to be a young couple, not a monarchy." She eyed the ring warily.

He chuckled, placing the ring back on the tray.

"Okay, fair point. How about this one?" He held up a more modest band, encrusted with a series of smaller diamonds.

"That's more like it," Jennie agreed, her fingers hesitating before she took the ring from him.

"It's believable." Slipping it onto her finger, she held her hand out, studying the effect.

Taehyung nodded, watching her with an intensity that made her slightly uncomfortable.

"Beautiful choice, Mr. and soon to be Mrs. Kim." A voice called out as the pair turned their eyes onto the approaching middle aged man.

"Subtle yet timeless. The value never decreases, yet the class of the bearer only increases." He smiled, eyes lingering on Jennie, and then her hand.

"I was expecting an employee, not the man himself." Taehyung smiled as he stood up, reaching out to shake the man's hand as Jennie followed suit, masking her confused expression.

"How could I miss the engagement ring selection of the son of my treasured supporters? Speaking of which, it's a pleasure to meet the future lady of the house." He smiled, eyes back on Jennie as he reached out to shake her hand as well.

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well. Thank you for having us." She smiled.

"This is Bruno. He was one of the first American businesses my parents invested in." Taehyung explained.

Jennie nodded along, her eyes widening ever so slightly when Taehyung's hand wound itself around her waist and pulled her closer.

"Well, I'd hate to waste any more time. Onto the ring." Bruno effectively directed as they sat back down, all eyes on Jennie's left hand.

"It looks perfect on you," Taehyung said, his voice softer than intended.

One thought passed through Jennie's mind first as she began slipping the ring off.

"Is this a business expense? Because I wouldn't know how to explain it to the finance section's lawyer team.." She questioned softly when Bruno addressed another employee as she remembered her job.

"Don't be silly. I can't charge my engagement on my company. It's on me." Taehyung winked as she rolled her eyes.

"Who else would it be on? It's your proposal after all." She muttered, placing the ring back on the tray.