THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

56

NO ONE'S POV

"So, when are you going back to being the bitch CEO? You know, striking fear into everyone's souls?" Jeongyeon smirked, making the group burst into laughter.

"And sending the IMC employees into therapy after they pee their pants and skirts?" Jisoo added, dodging a grape that Nayeon immediately chucked at her.

"I'm not that bad, you drama queens!" Nayeon grumbled, trying to defend herself against her clearly unhinged friends.

Jeongyeon, Mina, Sana, Momo, and Jennie had barged into the Im mansion to visit her and her daughter, Haven, after a week of absence. Jihyo and Rosé were missing because, apparently, work is important.

"So, does Hans know?" Jennie asked casually, dropping the conversational bomb without warning.

All eyes zeroed in on Nayeon like vultures sensing fresh prey.

"She won't stop bothering me about Haven. She's convinced Haven's her daughter. So, i told her the truth." Nayeon answered, already regretting her life choices.

"And how did Hans react when you told her the truth?" Jeongyeon leaned in like she was hosting a reality TV reunion special.

"She cried." Nayeon answered flatly, looking like she wanted to disappear into the floor.

"No hugs? No dramatic forehead-to-forehead moment?" Sana teased, clutching her imaginary pearls.

"Absolutely not! We were just talking about Haven. Although, she did say she wouldn't stop until I forgave her." Nayeon huffed.

"And you said...?" Momo prompted, practically vibrating with curiosity.

"I told her I can't trust her again." Nayeon replied, her tone screaming shut up already. But her friends, naturally, ignored this.

"Wait, wait, wait. So, you only talked about Haven? No unresolved romantic tension talk? Nothing?" Mina interrupted, holding up a finger.

"Nope. And I was the one who called her because hiding Haven from her was eating me alive. I couldn't even sleep, thinking about what might happen if Haven grew up and found out the truth herself." Nayeon said, shrugging.

Her friends nodded, uncharacteristically serious for about two seconds before Jeongyeon chimed in.

"Wow. That's actually a good start."

"For what?" Nayeon shot back, eyes narrowing.

"For your romantic redemption arc, duh." Jisoo quipped.

"One step at a time. No rush." Sana said wisely, like a relationship guru with zero credentials.

"Are you all here to visit Haven, or did you come to gossip and ruin my life?" Nayeon asked and rolled her eyes.

"Both," they answered in unison, cackling like witches.

"Have you told Haven Hans is her other parent yet?" Jennie said.

"Not yet. I'm scared of how she might react," Nayeon admitted.

"You have to tell her eventually. She's a smart kid; she'll get it." Mina reassured.

"Maybe next time." Nayeon mumbled, already dreading the inevitable.

Before anyone could add more unsolicited advice, Haven's excited yell cut through the conversation.

"Hans! You're here!" Haven squealed, running toward Hans, who walked in like she owned the place, flanked by two bodyguards lugging way too many shopping bags.

"Not again." Nayeon muttered, rubbing her temples.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Sana asked, smirking like she already knew the answer.