Kiss & Make Up | Lee Jeno

20.

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

Areum was rested under her cozy blanket, enjoying the perfect mix of warmth around her as the morning air cooled the room. The soft sunlight began to slip through her curtains, casting a gentle glow over everything, and the birds outside chirped peacefully. She remained deep in sleep, completely oblivious to the world outside.

But then, her phone buzzed with an incoming call on the nightstand. She remained still, unmoved by the sound as it stopped ringing. Moments later, it started again, but Areum slept on, unfazed.

When the ringing finally stopped, a new sound emerged: the constant vibration of incoming messages. Her phone buzzed non-stop, enough to make Areum stir. She let out a groan, reaching blindly for her phone and finally grasping it. Squinting against the blinding screen, she fumbled to lower the brightness, her vision adjusting as she scanned her notifications.

3 missed calls from Harin... 5 messages.

2 messages from Jaemin.

5 missed calls from Jeno... and 10 messages.

Areum furrowed her brow, blinking in confusion as her sleep fogged mind tried to make sense of the urgent notifications. But just as she started to process it, her phone screen lit up again, Jeno's name popping up with yet another incoming call.

She swiped to answer, lifting the phone to her ear. "Hello?" she mumbled, her voice groggy.

"Finally, you answer," Jeno's voice sounded through the phone.

"I was sleeping," she replied, still trying to wake up. "Why do I have so many missed calls and messages from you?"

"Because I have to talk to you."

Areum groaned, rolling over in bed. "Can it wait? It's literally seven in the morning, and I don't wake up until ten."

"Oh, I guess you don't want to hear about the important news, then," he teased, a smirk evident in his voice.

Areum's eyes popped open a bit more, curiosity piqued. "Important news? What is it?"

"Nah, never mind. Go back to sleep," he said, pretending to brush it off. "I'll tell you later."

She huffed, sitting up slightly. "You can't just say that after telling me you have important news, jerk."

Jeno laughed, clearly amused. "But you're sleepy."

"Just tell me already so I can go back to bed," she mumbled, though she was now wide awake.

"Alright, alright," he said, a grin audible in his tone. "We'll be seeing each other more often."

"Okay?" Areum furrowed her brows, still processing his words. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, since you work for the company now, we'll be seeing each other more."

Areum's confusion deepened. "Since I...what?" She asked, half laughing. "Jeno, are you okay? You were literally at my work yesterday—I work at a salon."

"Not anymore," he replied calmly. "The company decided to hire you."

She gasped, suddenly sitting up in bed. "What?! Like, SM?!"

Jeno laughed at her reaction. "Yes, SM."

"When did they say that? And why do they want me?" she asked, her voice a mix of disbelief and excitement. "All of a sudden? This is so random?"

"My manager told me and the guys this morning. The company's hiring new styling staff from different salons—hair and makeup. Your name came up, and they decided to bring you on."

Areum blinked in disbelief. "And my salon's just... okay with this?"

Jeno paused, then shrugged over the line. "I mean... I think so? You could probably say no if you wanted to, but why would you? Working at the company means we'd see each other more. It'll be way more fun."

She let out a nervous laugh, biting her lip. "Maybe, but... there's a lot I'd be leaving behind. I mean, I still have—"

A loud honking interrupted her thoughts, followed by the sound of tires crunching into her driveway.

"Areum!!" Harin's voice came through the open window as she kept honking with no mercy.

"Uh, Jeno?" Areum glanced toward the window, sighing. "I'll call you back later. This is... a lot to process."

Jeno sounded a bit disappointed but curious. "What's there to think about?"

More honking.

Areum winced, already picturing Harin standing there, hand glued to the horn. "Harin just pulled up."

"Harin?" he asked. "Who's that?"

"My best friend," Areum explained with a small laugh. "She'll break my door down if I don't get outside. But I'll call you back, okay?"

"Fine, but don't keep me waiting," he teased.

"I won't. Bye, Jeno." She hung up with a small smile, bracing herself for whatever chaos Harin was about to bring.

Areum rushed to the open window, yanking back the curtain to find Harin standing in her driveway, practically bouncing with excitement.

"What are you doing here?!" Areum called out, half laughing.

"You didn't answer your phone, you loser!" Harin yelled back, waving her hands in the air. "Did you check your email?!"

"What email?!"

"SM is hiring us!" Harin squealed, bouncing up and down with excitement. "They want us both on their permanent team!"

Areum's eyes widened as she leaned out the window, taking in her best friend's thrilled expression. "They're hiring you too?!"

"Yes!" Harin clapped her hands, grinning ear to ear. "No more salon shifts, Areum! We'd be working with idols every day!"

A wave of relief washed over Areum, and the hesitation she'd felt when Jeno mentioned SM faded away.

The only reason she had been uncertain was because leaving the salon meant potentially leaving Harin behind. They had been inseparable. They've been through cosmetic school, every job, every high and low, and each dream shared. The thought of going somewhere without her by her side had held her back.

But now, knowing they'd still be together, her excitement overflowed.

"We're going to work at SM!" Areum cheered, practically vibrating with energy as she jumped up and down.

Harin matched her enthusiasm, squealing and spinning in circles in the driveway. Their laughter filled the morning air as they celebrated the next big step together, their excitement spilling over as they imagined the new adventures ahead.

"I have to call Jeno!" Areum blurted out, grabbing her phone.

"Wait—who?" Harin raised an eyebrow, a smirk spreading across her face.

"Jeno!" Areum repeated, trying to hide the blush creeping up her cheeks.

"Ohhh, go call your man, girl!" Harin teased with a laugh.

Areum rolled her eyes, trying to play it off. "He's not my man!"

Harin shouted, "Not yet at least!"

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
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Kind of a filler chapter but this marks a new path in Areum's journey 😊

Is there anything you guys want to see now that they're going to be in the same building most of the time?

AND GUYS I WENT TO SEE SEVENTEEN LAST NIGHT AND OH MY GOSH. My bias is Scoups but Vernon bias wrecked me so hard omgg.