FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT| JJENINII

6.

"Okay game plan."

Taehyung walked to the kitchen island where Jennie was already seated atop a barstool and working on an iPad, hair half-heartedly tied in a messy bun while sporting an oversized crewneck and Adidas athletic shorts. 

In contrast, Taehyung had just returned from a meeting with investors, and hence worse a half un-bottoned dress shirt and black slacks, contrasted considerably with his house slippers in place of loafer shoes. 

He placed a few papers on the island, taking a stand beside Jennie who leant forward to casually brush through them. 

"These are all the invites. Or at least according to my assistant the only important ones." He explained, eyes trained on her focused gaze.

Jennie turned to him, her expression a mix of focus and fatigue. "Are we attending them all?"

"Only the most important ones. Mainly the ones my family will be expected at instead of me alone." Taehyung pulled up a stool beside her, nodding.

"Speaking of families..." Jennie hesitated, biting her lip slightly. "We have to consider my mom, too. I haven't told her about this... arrangement. She thinks I'm really engaged."

"I mean...I can't say I'm surprised but...why didn't you tell her?" Taehyung questioned, taking one of the grapes from her fruit bowl. 

"I'm her only child. How would it sound for me to say, 'hey mom, so I'm faking an engagement for money! There's a contract and everything!' Plus if she thinks this is somewhat real it'll get me out of her incessant bickering on finding a husband." She sighed, head leaning against the palm of her hand. 

"Well, if that's what you want. Will we need to attend events on your side of the family as well?" He questioned as she shrugged.

"Just family dinners. The main one is the annual meeting of the relatives, which unfortunately is around next month. You'll have to attend to make it somewhat believable and to avoid their gossip about a failing engagement or whatever." She explained as he nodded.

"Just let me know when it is so we can block it off. I'd have to really study your family before we go to make it somewhat believable." He commented.

Jennie sighed, toying with a spoon on the counter. "Yeah, I just hate lying to her. But I know it's necessary. For now, at least. She'll be at the company gala next month, so she'll see us together before the family dinner at least."

"We'll make sure we're the picture of a happy couple," Taehyung assured her, reaching out to give her hand a brief, comforting squeeze.

"The marketing team is preparing a statement for next week. It'll announce our engagement and hint at future plans without giving away too much," He explained, showing her a sheet of paper with the information. "This will set the tone for how the public perceives us."

Jennie nodded, her mind racing through potential scenarios. "We need to be careful with the wording. Nothing too vague but nothing specific enough to ensue legal trouble."

"Exactly," Taehyung agreed. "We'll review the drafts tomorrow. I want to make sure it's perfect."

Jennie looked up, her expression shifting to one of focused curiosity. "Right, the announcement goes out next week. We have to be on our game, especially with the business trip right after."

"Yeah, about that," Taehyung started, arms crossing on the counter. "I was thinking we should fly out of the public airport instead of using a private one. With the announcement fresh, paparazzi might be onto us. It could play to our advantage, reinforcing the story.