The flowerbed - Aespa's Giselle x M!Reader

The gardenia flower

I sat in the dimly lit living room, my mind racing. The events of the past few days played on repeat - Giselle's return, the disastrous dinner, our confrontation in the kitchen. Her words, her pain, cut deeper than any physical wound.

I couldn't let it end like this. Not after everything we'd been through. I had to make it right, for the girls, for Giselle, for the family we'd built together.

My eyes drifted to Winter's room, remembering the evidence folder she'd shown me. The key to bringing Choi to justice, to finally putting an end to the nightmare he'd caused.

Taking a deep breath, I stood and quietly made my way to Winter's door. The dorm was silent, everyone long since retired for the night. I paused, listening for any signs of movement, before gently turning the handle.

Winter's room was neat as always, her camera equipment meticulously organized on her desk. I scanned the shelves, my heart pounding, until I spotted it - the plain black binder, unassuming but holding the power to change everything.

I slipped it from its place, holding my breath as I eased the door shut behind me. Back in the living room, I settled on the couch and began to flip through the pages.

Each photo, each document, hit like a punch to the gut. Giselle's bruised wrist, Ningning's tearful face, Karina's exhausted eyes. Detailed accounts of Choi's verbal abuse, records of unsafe practices, evidence of the company's willful blindness.

My hands shook as I sorted through it all, the full extent of what the girls had endured while I was gone crashing over me in waves. How could I have left them to face this alone? How could I have been so blind?

I worked through the night, organizing the evidence into a coherent case. As dawn light began to filter through the windows, I slipped the folder back into Winter's room and headed for my own, my mind buzzing with newfound determination.

I needed help, someone who understood both sides of the industry, someone I could trust. I scrolled through my contacts, my thumb hovering over Chaewon's name. She'd been there through everything - helped me in the countryside, supported my return to Seoul, fought against Jung. If anyone would understand what I needed to do, it would be her.

I hit the call button, my heart in my throat as it rang. Once, twice...

"Y/n?" Chaewon's voice, sleepy but alert. "Everything okay?"

"Sorry for calling so late," I said quietly. "I... I need your help. Can we meet?"

A pause, then rustling sounds. "Sure, is this about the girls?"

"Sort of. It's kinda about everything."

"The bar near HYBE," she said after a moment. "Give me an hour. And y/n?"

"Yeah?"

"Whatever you're planning... just be careful, okay?"

The line went dead, leaving me with the weight of what I was about to do. Chaewon had always been perceptive, always able to read between the lines. I just hoped she'd understand why I had to do this.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

An hour later, I found myself driving through Seoul's busy streets, the evidence safely tucked in my passenger seat. I pulled into the parking lot of a nondescript office building, double-checking the address Chaewon had given me. We'd agreed to meet at a neutral location, away from prying eyes.

Chaewon was already waiting when I entered the small bar. She looked up as I approached, her usual playful demeanor replaced with concern.

"Y/n," she greeted, gesturing to the seat across from her. "Your call surprised me. What's this about?"