Reaching My Star | A Chaennie AU

Chapter 41: Grand Opening Part 1 (Jennie 29; Rosé 32)

The grand opening was a scene Jennie had envisioned for months, if not longer. The decorations were perfect—the balloon arches and colorful banners outside the ice cream parlor, the vibrant displays of newly crafted flavors in elegant tubs, the sleek counters, and the buzzing energy of people waiting for her ribbon-cutting ceremony. Celebrities, influencers, and press filled the space, making the shop look like a high-profile event.

Hayoon, while still sick, had insisted on coming. "I wanna see the ice cream, Mommy," she had pleaded in her tiny raspy voice. Jennie, though frazzled, couldn't resist. Her parents, fortunately, were there to watch over her daughter, making sure Hayoon rested while the event unfolded. But Jennie's heart was heavy, weighed down by more than just the responsibility of the day.

It was two hours before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, and the event was going smoothly—almost too smoothly. Guests mingled, taking photos of the gorgeous displays, but Jennie felt like she was only half-present. Everyone was here except for the one person who mattered most to her: Rosé.

She had checked her phone more times than she could count, expecting a call, a text—something. Rosé should have landed by now. Shouldn't she?

She should've called. Where is she? Jennie's mind spiraled. Yet, she smiled through her interactions with the others, greeting them with warmth, but it felt like she was on autopilot. This was supposed to be her special day—a day she had been waiting a whole year for—and yet the person she most wanted to share it with was nowhere to be found.

Desperately, Jennie checked Rosé's location on her phone. Her breath caught in her throat when the map showed that Rosé was still in Japan.

In Japan?!

Jennie's heart raced with fury. How could she forget? How could she do this to me?

Two hours before the ribbon-cutting, Jennie could no longer wait in silence and unable to suppress her frustration any longer, so she excused herself and rushed to the backroom pantry of the shop. Her hands were shaking as she dialed Mrs. Choi's number, giving up on contacting Rosé directly.

Mrs. Choi answered almost immediately. "Hi, Jennie! Need anything?"

"Yeah," Jennie said, her voice strained as she tried to hold back her anger. "Can I talk to Rosie, please?"

"Sure, hold on," Mrs. Choi replied.

A few moments later, Rosé's voice came through the line. "Hey, Love. What's up?"

Jennie's frustration boiled over. "What do you mean "What's up"? What are you still doing in Tokyo? You do know the opening is today, right? You didn't even bother to text or call these last two days! What the hell?"

There was a beat of stunned silence before Rosé responded, her voice tight with tension. "What? I'm already on my way, Jen. I'm ten minutes away. I took an earlier flight for you, why—why are you mad?"

Jennie was seething, tears welling up in her eyes. "Your phone location says you're still in Japan!"

"Love, calm down," Rosé said, her voice gentle but strained. "I broke my phone yesterday on stage. It fell hard, and I can't use it for anything. I didn't think the location would still show that. I'm so sorry. But I really am on my way."

Jennie's hand trembled as she wiped away her tears, but they wouldn't stop. "You could've at least borrowed Mrs. Choi's phone to text or call. Something. Anything! It's like you forgot I existed. You have no idea how much I've been struggling here."

Rosé was quiet for a moment. Jennie could hear Mrs. Choi in the background, urging Rosé to hurry up because people were starting to notice the car parked outside. "I didn't forget about you. How could I? I've been rushing to get here." Rosé finally said. "Jen, I'm so sorry, I really am. I couldn't call or text because I was with Lisa all day. I didn't want to risk her seeing or hearing something... personal."

Jennie scoffed, the bitterness rising in her chest. "Yeah, You were too busy with your new girlfriend to even care about me." She let out a shaky breath. "Do you know how hard these last two days have been for me? Hayoon had a fever, the grand opening was a lot to handle, and something went wrong with the apartment—God, I don't even remember because you added to my stress!"

Rosé's breath caught, and Jennie heard Mrs. Choi's voice in the background. "Chaeng, you have to go inside. Everyone's looking at you." Jennie heard the commotion in the background and, without another word, hung up.

A few minutes later, Rosé walked into the shop, greeted by flashing cameras and curious glances. She put on her best smile, the kind she had perfected over the years, but inside, she felt like her heart was being crushed. She didn't know how it had gone so wrong so quickly.

Rosé slipped inside the shop, excusing herself to use the restroom as she discreetly dashed toward the backroom. She didn't care if people saw her running—they could gossip all they wanted. All that mattered right now was Jennie.

Her heart sank when she pushed open the door to the backroom pantry and found Jennie sitting in the corner, her face buried in her hands, crying silently.

Without hesitation, Rosé rushed over and wrapped her arms around her. "Love," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm sorry. I couldn't call or text you because Lisa was with me the whole day. I didn't want to risk it... and then I broke my phone on stage... I'm really, really sorry. I should've contacted you sooner."

Jennie tensed in her arms, but Rosé didn't let go. "I moved my flight early for you, Jen. I really didn't have any time with all the packing and last-minute problems. Please, don't cry. I'm here now."

Jennie looked up, her face streaked with tears. "You could've at least tried harder, Rosie. A text, anything. You know how much I rely on hearing from you. Especially with everything going on."

"I know," Rosé whispered, her heart aching. "I'm so sorry. I thought maybe you'd be too busy with the opening to notice... I didn't want to be a distraction."

Jennie finally lifted her head, her eyes red and swollen. "Distract me? Rosie, even a simple 'How are you?' would have meant the world. Instead, I get nothing. And Lisa—why were you so touchy with her? I know you're friends, but it was too much. I saw the pictures."

Rosé sighed, hugging Jennie tighter. "It's not like I could tell her I have a girlfriend, and if I acted weird, she'd have noticed. It was all innocent, Jen. You're the one I love, not her."

Jennie's sobs quieted, but the frustration was still there. She checked the time and notifications from her employees—people were looking for her. She wiped her tears and stood up, brushing off her dress. Without a word, she walked past Rosé, not even looking back as she headed to the restroom to fix her makeup.

Rosé followed her with her eyes, her heart breaking. She felt the weight of their first real fight crash down on her, and she hated that it had to happen today—of all days.