THE BITCH CEO (Im Nayeon)

72

NO ONE'S POV

The next day, Nayeon sat in her office, her computer opened on her sleek glass desk. Across from her, her daughter, Haven, played quietly with a set of colorful building blocks.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a warm glow over the room, but the peaceful atmosphere was short-lived.

Her phone, resting on the desk, buzzed for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. Notifications had been pouring in nonstop since she and Hans had been photographed together the day before.

At first, Nayeon had ignored the messages, figuring they were mostly gossip and speculation. But when her group chat with her group of friends started blowing up, she realized she couldn't avoid it forever.

She picked up her phone and scrolled through the flurry of texts.

Jennie: OMG, Nayeon, is it true?! You and Hans in public??
Jisoo: Girl, you've been holding out on us. Spill everything NOW.
Mina: I'm screaming! You two looked so good together in the photos!
Sana: Why didn't you tell us?! I'm offended. We need an emergency meeting.

Nayeon sighed, a mix of amusement and exasperation washing over her. She had known her friends would react this way, but she hadn't expected them to descend into chaos so quickly.

Before she could type a reply, Haven's small voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Mommy, why is your phone making so much noise?" She asked, frowning.

Nayeon smiled and set the phone aside.

"Because Aunt Jennie and the others are being dramatic, as usual. What are you building there, sweetheart?" She said, leaning down to kiss Haven's forehead

"A castle." Haven replied proudly, holding up her half-finished structure.

"It looks beautiful," Nayeon said, her heart melting at her daughter's enthusiasm.

Just as she was about to focus back on her work, the sound of heels clicking against the marble floors outside her office made her look up.

The door burst opened and Jennie entered first, her sunglasses perched dramatically on her nose. Behind her were Jisoo, Mina, and Sana, each carrying an air of urgency as if they'd just come from solving a national crisis.

"Babe! What is this news we're seeing? Why didn't you tell us anything?" Jennie exclaimed, throwing her arms in the air.

Nayeon blinked, startled but unsurprised by their entrance.

"What are you all doing here?" She asked, her mouth slightly opened.

"We came to interrogate you. Don't think you can hide anything from us anymore." Jisoo said with a grin, plopping down on the couch across from Nayeon's desk.

"Interrogate is a strong word. We just want details. Lots of them." Mina chimed in, though her sly smile suggested she was just as curious.

"Hey, munchkin. Are you helping Mommy with work today?" Sana knelt down next to Haven, ruffling the little girl's hair.

"I'm building a castle! Aunt Sana, look!" Haven answered and giggled.

"It's gorgeous! Now, back to you, missy. Start talking." Sana said, playing along before turning her attention back to Nayeon.

"There's nothing to say. Hans and I had lunch yesterday. That's it." Nayeon rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile.

"That's it?! Do you know how huge this is? You two practically broke the internet!" Jennie exclaimed, pulling off her sunglasses dramatically.