| 𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 [18+] | ②ⓨⓔⓞⓝ•••𝕋𝕎𝕀ℂ𝔼

|9|

Jeongyeon took a hearty gulp of water, her nerves and shyness amplified by Nayeon's presence beside her. They were all gathered for lunch, and Nayeon, equally bashful, maintained a continuous smile, unsure of how to act.

"Miss Jeongyeon, how's work treating you?" inquired Mr. Arthur, as they had both arrived that morning. Jeongyeon beamed and responded, "We've got a lot on our plates, Sir."Mr. Arthur nodded in understanding.

"Momo, could you pass me the salad, please?" Nayeon politely asked. Before Momo could react, Jeongyeon swiftly seized the salad bowl and eagerly handed it to Nayeon with a gleeful grin. Nayeon chuckled at the mix-up, took the bowl, lightly touching Jeongyeon's hand with her finger, and thanked her, "Much obliged, Miss Jeongyeon."

Internally, Jeongyeon was swooning, thinking, "Oh my stars! She's absolutely charming," and concealed her delight with a subtle smile. After a bite, Jeongyeon placed her right hand on her thigh, only to find it meeting the hand of the person beside her, Nayeon.

Nayeon held Jeongyeon's hand tightly, trying to act calm while they both felt super shy inside. Jeongyeon quietly said, "something's going on in my belly, can you let go of my hand?" Nayeon playfully grinned and released Jeongyeon's hand. They finished lunch quickly as others chatted around them.

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After lunch, Kyungso came over to the girls in the garden and asked Nayeon to come with him for a moment
Nayeon, feeling upset, ignored the request, but Jeongyeon insisted, "Come on, Nayeon!" Nayeon couldn't say no to Jeongyeon, so she got up and went to chat with Kyungso in a quiet spot.

Meanwhile, Sana noticed Tzuyu happily reading by the tree in the big garden. "I'm going to go bother Tzuyu over there!" Sana playfully said and ran to sit with Tzuyu, who gave her a side-eye.

"So, what's up with you two?" Jeongyeon turned to Momo and Dahyun, who were still around. Dahyun, looking confused, asked, "Did you tell her, unnie?", Momo, feeling a bit embarrassed. They both giggled at her blushing cheeks as Momo nodded, "Yep, we like each other," looking at Dahyun. Jeongyeon smiled at them.

"Jeongyeon unnie, can you help us hide by standing in front of us?" Dahyun asked, and she did. Dahyun leaned in slowly and gave Momo a quick kiss, both blushing. Jeongyeon felt a bit envious because she also wanted it but was too shy to ask Nayeon.

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Nayeon, with crossed arms, said, "What? Hurry up!" Kyungso politely apologized, "I'm sorry for my behavior."

"Okay," Nayeon replied simply, ready to leave, but he stopped her ,"Wait! I know I messed up, and I hurt you, but please, just give me a chance. I'm still your fiancé."

Annoyed, Nayeon responded, "Please, drop this fiancé talk; it's irritating."

"But it's the truth."

" You know well that here, a woman's choice doesn't matter, and you know I won't refuse this marriage."

Nayeon, filled with anger, turned away ,"I'd rather die than marry you, got it?"

Softly, Kyungso expressed, "Nayeon, please, I love you deeply. Try to love me back."

"What do you mean? I simply can't."

" Can't you understand? You were just my friend, nothing more."

Reminding her of her grandfather's last wish, Kyungso said, "But you have no other option now."

Nayeon affirmed, "I know, but I'll make my own choices, and you'll see." After this, Nayeon headed straight to her room, with Jeongyeon following behind after seeing her.

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Nayeon, after Jeongyeon called her, stopped at her room door and turned around. Upon seeing Jeongyeon, she smiled and welcomed her inside the room.

Jeongyeon, curious, asked, "Tell me, what did he say?" Nayeon sighed and shared everything with Jeongyeon as they sat on the bed together.

"Oh, so it was Mr. Arthur's last wish?" Nayeon nodded.

"But why were you avoiding me?"

"I'm sorry. I thought that by doing so, my feelings for you would fade, and then I could marry him, but I was completely wrong"

Looking into Jeongyeon's eyes lovingly, she confessed, "I fall more deeply in love with you every day," intertwining their hands.

Jeongyeon's heart raced at Nayeon's touch, and as Nayeon blushed, Jeongyeon leaned in and playfully kissed her cheek. Nayeon widened her eyes and jokingly pushed Jeongyeon, saying,

"Now, don't make me explode!"

Jeongyeon playfully wrapped her arm around Nayeon's waist, pulling her close. Nayeon, feeling shy, covered her face with her hands, unable to look at Jeongyeon.

"Wow, being so bold during lunch and shy being alone, Miss?"

Jeongyeon remarked, making Nayeon look at her by gently lifting her chin. Nayeon blushed and replied,

"Ohh is that so?" , Pressing her lips surpassing a grin.

"You should do it here too," Jeongyeon suggested, pointing to her cheeks for a kiss.

Nayeon teased, "Why should I?" raising an eyebrow.

"Because you're my... g-girlfriend now," Jeongyeon whispered softly, almost stumbling over her words. Despite the stutter, Nayeon understood and felt her cheeks flush.

"What, I couldn't hear that?" Nayeon teased, "Fine, forget it then," Jeongyeon said in annoyance. Nayeon pulled her close, planting a kiss on Jeongyeon's cheek, pressing her lips so hard, leaving a mark.

Blushing, Jeongyeon buried her face in Nayeon's lap. Nayeon chuckled and remarked, "Sweetie, there's a kiss mark on your cheek," cupping Jeongyeon's face.

Startled, Jeongyeon sat up pleading "Please, darling, remove it!" Nayeon chuckled at the endearment and gently wiped it away, whispering, "I love you," in Jeongyeon's ear.

"I love you too," Jeongyeon giggled.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted them. Momo's voice called out, "Nayeon, is Jeongyeon there?" "Yes," Nayeon answered. "Jeongyeon, come to the living room for work discussion," Momo instructed before leaving. Jeongyeon hugged Nayeon tightly before heading out.

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In the living room, Jeongyeon was lost in thought about Nayeon, smiling from ear to ear. Kai noticed her distracted behavior and asked,

"Why are you so happy today?"

Momo, catching on to Jeongyeon's thoughts about Nayeon, smiled as well. "Oh, stop it. Shouldn't we talk about our work?"Jeongyeon quickly changed her expression.

"Alright, so we need a completely different location now. Let's go for a dark theme," Sana suggested, receiving nods from everyone.

"Alright, cool. We can run these ideas by Mr. Kyungso; he should have some suggestions" Jake said. Jeongyeon was annoyed with kyungso but still nodded.

Kyungso was passing by the living room when Jake said, "Hey, can you suggest something?" He smiled and approached them,

"What's the theme?"

"Okay, it's a dark theme, and we should do it at night, so suggest a safe place," Kai said. "And a heavenly place too," Momo added.Jeongyeon was just listening to them.

"Okay, there's this castle called Neuschwanstein, a stunning 19th-century castle commissioned by King Ludwig II," Kyungso explained, with everyone listening attentively.

"Hyung, tell us more about it," Jake said excitedly. "The castle has a picturesque setting, perched on a hilltop overlooking the surrounding landscape," he said.

"Perfect, so we're going there in two days," Kai said. "Guys, prepare the clothes, it's all of your duty, and I'll be the model this time," Jeongyeon said, and they all agreed.

Thanks!