Faking It

3. Fake obviously

"So you're telling me we'd be engaged, but it's fake?" Chaeyoung asked as she closed up the shop for the night. Her blonde hair shone under the street lamp above, casting a soft glow on her serious expression.

Jisoo stood beside her, watching as Chaeyoung locked the doors. "Pretty much."

Chaeyoung looked up at her, curiosity in her eyes. "What do I get out of this?"

"Well, I could help you pay off any loans or such for the shop," Jisoo offered. "If you help me."

"And if I reject?" Chaeyoung challenged.

"Then I'll get down on my knees and beg." Jisoo glanced at the ground. "Actually, maybe not..."

"Fine."

"What?"

"I'll help you." Chaeyoung crossed her arms. "But we'll need some ground rules."

"You will?!" Jisoo looked at her in shock. "Really?"

"I have no choice," Chaeyoung said. "But it seems this will help both of us."

"Oh wow, I have a fake fiancée now!" Jisoo said happily. "And she's beautiful!"

Chaeyoung's eyes widened slightly before a blush spread across her cheeks. She coughed awkwardly before walking away, causing Jisoo to follow.

"So where are we going?" Jisoo asked.

"I'm going home," Chaeyoung replied. "Don't you have a home?"

"I do, but I'd rather be with you than my family."

"You seriously want to follow me?" Chaeyoung asked, a bit annoyed.

"Well, I wouldn't be a good fiancée, would I?"

"I'll seriously leave you here on the streets." Chaeyoung rolled her eyes and walked towards her bike.

"Oh no, is that yours?"

"Yeah, hop on," Chaeyoung said, sitting on her motorcycle.

"I'm not going on that."

"What, you're scared?"

"I-I..." Jisoo looked at her uncertainly.

"Fine, have it your way," Chaeyoung said before taking off, leaving Jisoo alone on the street.

Jisoo stood there, watching as Chaeyoung sped away. She sighed and began to walk back when Chaeyoung suddenly returned.

"Get on."

Jisoo hesitated for a moment before finally climbing onto the back of the motorcycle, wrapping her arms around Chaeyoung's waist.

"Hold on tight," Chaeyoung said before speeding off again.

They arrived at a modest apartment building, and Jisoo couldn't help but notice how different it was from her own luxurious home. Chaeyoung parked the bike and led Jisoo inside, up a narrow staircase to a small apartment on the third floor.

"This is it," Chaeyoung said, opening the door and stepping inside.

Jisoo followed her in, looking around the tiny living space. "Where's the rest?"

"The rest?" Chaeyoung questioned,

"This is it?"

"Yeah," Chaeyoung said, a touch of defensiveness in her voice. "It's small, but it's mine."

"I'm sorry," Jisoo said softly. "I didn't mean to sound judgmental."

"It's fine," Chaeyoung replied. "I don't have a luxury life like you."

Before Jisoo could respond, a friendly bark caught her attention. A small dog bounded over, wagging its tail furiously.

"This is Hank," Chaeyoung said, smiling as the dog licked Jisoo's hand.

"Hi, Hank," Jisoo said, crouching down to pet him. "He's adorable."

Hank seemed to take an immediate liking to Jisoo, nuzzling against her affectionately.

"Looks like he approves of you," Chaeyoung said with a small smile.

Jisoo laughed. "I guess that's a good sign. I love dogs after all."

"You own any?" Chaeyoung asked putting her coat up on the hanger.

"Well we have mansion dogs, they get cared by the butlers and maids. I just go out and play with them."

They settled onto the worn-out brown couch, Hank curling up at Jisoo's feet.

"So," Chaeyoung began, "let's talk about this plan of yours."

"Right," Jisoo said, taking a deep breath. "We need to convince my family that we're genuinely in love and engaged. That means we'll have to spend a lot of time together, get to know each other, and be convincing in public."

Chaeyoung nodded. "What about your family? Are they going to be a problem?"

Jisoo hesitated. "They might be. My siblings are skeptical, especially my older sister. But if we play our cards right, we can make this work."

"And how long do we have to keep this up?" Chaeyoung asked.

"Until my father changes his will," Jisoo said. "It could be a few months, maybe longer."

"Alright," Chaeyoung said. "We'll need to set some ground rules."

"Of course," Jisoo agreed. "What do you have in mind?"

"No kissing," Chaeyoung began. "We have to be honest with each other, show affection only in public, and no being an ass or spoiled. That goes for both of us."

Jisoo nodded, absorbing the rules. "Agreed. And we need to support each other, no matter what."

"Deal," Chaeyoung said, extending her hand.

Jisoo shook it, feeling a strange sense of relief. Despite the uncertainty and the risks, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this crazy plan could actually work.