Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 28: Hotel Dinner (Jennie 28; Rosé 31)

Friday came much sooner than either of them had expected. Since Rosé's initial text, the two hadn't exchanged messages, except for Rosé sending over the restaurant details—an upscale dining spot inside the luxurious Conrad Seoul Hotel.

Jennie and Hayoon stood in front of the mirror, both dressed up for the occasion. Hayoon, in a little pastel dress, twirled around in delight, her chubby cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Where we going, Mommy?" Hayoon asked, giggling as her dress swirled with her.

Jennie smiled, smoothing out her own simple yet elegant outfit. "We're going to meet one of Mommy's friends," she replied, leaning down to adjust Hayoon's hair bow.

Jennie glanced at the clock and realized the time.

"Oh no, we're gonna be late!" she gasped, grabbing her bag and hurriedly ushering Hayoon out the door.

Meanwhile, Rosé sat in a quiet corner of the restaurant, hands folded neatly on her lap, glancing around the dimly lit space. She had arrived far too early, too eager to meet up. Now, she was anxiously waiting, pretending to browse the menu. She had already gone over it a million times.

Her mind wandered. What will Hayoon look like? Rosé had imagined her a dozen different ways—maybe she had Jennie's smile, her sparkling eyes, her soft, warm presence. Rosé was hoping that Hayoon would be the perfect combination of her mother's best traits.

Her heart leapt suddenly when she saw a toddler run in, but it wasn't Hayoon. Just another child darting across the restaurant to a different table. Rosé let out a soft sigh, feeling the anticipation tighten her chest again.

Finally, Jennie entered, holding Hayoon's tiny hand as the little girl trotted along on her chubby legs, wide-eyed at the grandness of the restaurant. Jennie looked radiant, but Rosé could see the hint of awkwardness in the way she walked, like she wasn't quite sure how to approach.

Rosé stood up as Jennie neared the table, her own nerves bubbling to the surface. They exchanged quick, polite hugs and kisses on the cheek.

"This is my daughter, Hayoon!" Jennie said with a soft giggle, "Hayoon-ah, go say Hi!"

Rosé smiled, kneeling down to meet Hayoon's eye level. "Hi, Hayoon! You're so cute!" she said warmly.

But Hayoon, shy and overwhelmed by the new environment, buried her face into Jennie's leg, peeking out only slightly before hiding again.

Jennie laughed lightly, brushing her daughter's hair back. "She's just a little shy at first."

"That's okay," Rosé said, standing back up with a smile. "She's adorable, and looks exactly like you oh my gosh."

They took their seats, and for a brief moment, there was an awkward silence. Jennie fidgeted slightly, unsure of how to act in the situation she was in. She wasn't new to fine dining, having grown up in a comfortable family, but sitting across from Rosé made her feel small, almost as if she had reverted to her younger self—the fan, not the woman she had become.

Rosé, sensing Jennie's discomfort, quickly gestured to the menu. "Please, order anything you like"

Jennie smiled shyly, her hands tightening around the menu. Despite her background, despite how many fancy dinners she had attended in her life, this felt different. Embarrassing, even. Rosé was no longer just an idol she admired from afar. They had met several times years ago, short and casual conversations here and there, but now... now they were sitting together like old friends reconnecting.

After placing their orders, Rosé broke the silence by turning to Jennie. "So... tell me about Hayoon." Her eyes softened as she glanced at the toddler, who was now preoccupied with a spoon, still too shy to speak.

Jennie's face lit up, the tension in her shoulders easing. "She's amazing. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for a more wonderful daughter. She loves drawing... and she's obsessed with ice cream." Jennie laughed, casting a fond look at Hayoon.

Rosé smiled, leaning in as Jennie continued to talk about motherhood, each sentence filled with a love that made Rosé's chest ache. It was the kind of affection that only a mother could express—pure, unwavering.

But as the conversation naturally flowed, Jennie felt the weight of a question she had been holding back since they sat down. She hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up. "I've been meaning to ask... how did you know about my wedding?"

Rosé's expression shifted slightly, her brows knitting together in mild embarrassment. "Oh, that..." She cleared her throat. "I wasn't stalking you, I swear."

Jennie laughed softly, but her curiosity remained.

"Mrs. Choi... my manager... She remembered you, and saw you at the boutique when you were fitting wedding dresses. It was a total coincidence," Rosé explained, her voice sincere.

Jennie nodded, though she still felt a strange sensation bubbling up inside her. She couldn't quite place it—was it disbelief? Confusion? Or maybe a sense of wonder that Rosé, her once-idol, had taken the time to do something so thoughtful. The necklace, the unexpected meet up, even this dinner now—it all felt too generous.

"I still don't really get it," Jennie said quietly, her eyes falling to her hands. "Why me? Why did you take the time to do all of this?"

Rosé's gaze softened, and she leaned forward, her voice gentle. "Because you were important to me. You might not realize it, Jennie, but you always stood out... even back then, when we'd only exchange a few words. You were always there, always supportive, and that mattered."

Jennie looked up, meeting Rosé's gaze, her heart racing. The words struck her deeply, and for a moment, she didn't know how to respond.

Rosé gave a small smile. "I didn't want you to think I'd forgotten you."

Jennie blinked, feeling the weight of Rosé's sincerity. The moment hung in the air, heavy with the unspoken understanding that they had always been more than just idol and fan.