THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

59

NO ONE'S POV

Meanwhile, Nayeon had finally come outside at the, reluctantly joining the gathering at the dining table after hearing Haven insist.

As she settled into her seat, she quickly realized that Hans had also been dragged to the table by Jennie and Jeongyeon, who were now whispering to each other like mischievous schoolchildren.

Hans sat directly settled across from Nayeon, looking composed but visibly uneasy as Jennie and Jeongyeon kept shooting her not-so-subtle glances.

The food on the table was a chaotic mix of snacks, hastily grilled barbecue, and random takeout bags. Dahyun was busy opening a massive jar of kimchi, while Lisa arranged packets of instant ramen like they were fine dining appetizers.

Nayeon tried to focus on her plate, but every so often, her eyes flickered toward Hans, only to find her already looking at her. She quickly averted her gaze, her cheeks warming.

"They're doing it again." Jennie whispered loudly, nudging Jeongyeon, who nearly choked on her drink.

"What are we doing?" Nayeon asked, her tone exasperated as she glared at her friends.

"You two are eye-flirting," Jisoo announced bluntly, earning a round of laughter from the table.

"I wasn't." Hans inteerjected.

"You SO were. You've been staring at Nayeon like she's the last dessert on the buffet table." Jeongyeon interrupted, smirking.

"Unnie, you're blushing!" Sana exclaimed, pointing dramatically at Nayeon.

"I am NOT!" Nayeon protested, though the redness creeping up her neck said otherwise.

"Why don't you just admit it? Hans unnie, you've got that whole brooding, mysterious vibe going on. Just say, 'Nayeon, I can't stop thinking about you,' and let's move on." Momo teased.

The table erupted in laughter again, and even Hans couldn't hold back a small, awkward smile.

"Or better yet, you sing Nayeon unnie. Nothing says romance like an emotional love ballad!" Rosé called out from the tent, her voice distorted through the karaoke mic.

"I'm not doing that." Nayeon snapped, her voice sharp enough to cut through the laughter.

"Oh, you're absolutely doing that. We're all dying to see you singing again." Jennie countered, smirking.

As if the situation couldn't get worse, Haven suddenly appeared at the table, tugging on Nayeon's arm.

"Mommy! Aunt Mina said you have to sing!" Haven exclaimed.

"I don't have to do anything, sweetie," Nayeon replied, trying to stay calm.

"But Aunt Jennie said if you don't, you're not fun." Haven added innocently, causing the entire table to burst into loud guffaws.

"You did NOT just weaponize my daughter," Nayeon muttered, glaring at Jennie, who was practically crying with laughter.

"Don't blame me; blame her genes." Jennie said, wiping her tears.

By the time Nayeon was inevitably dragged under the tent, the atmosphere had reached peak chaos.

Dahyun and Lisa were leading a conga line around the lawn, while Chaeyoung and Tzuyu were somehow arm-wrestling over the unicorn stuffed toy.

"Time to shine, unnie." Mina handed Nayeon a microphone with a devilish grin.

"You're all terrible," Nayeon mumbled, shooting daggers at her friends.