The Clandestine Us

Thirty-nine

───── ❝ Jennie's POV ❞ ─────

A few days had passed since Jungkook's birthday, and things had quickly gone back to being busy. We barely saw each other in person, though we made sure to keep in touch through messages and short calls.

For me, it was a mix of packed schedules and random rest days—nothing new.

Today, Calvin Klein finally released my new campaign. I posted about it too, and not long after, my phone lit up with messages—especially from my girls who had been waiting for it to drop.

"That was fire," Rosé said during our video call.

"The villain is out!" Lisa teased dramatically.

"Show them!" Jisoo added with her usual flair.

We stayed on the call for a while, talking about the campaign, then the conversation naturally shifted to Lisa, who's been nonstop promoting her music. She looked tired, but I could tell she was happy. She was glowing in her own way—fulfilled.

And then my phone buzzed again, this time, it's Jungkook.

"Baby, I'm outside your house. Let's eat out," he said the moment I answered.

"Okay," I replied simply, unable to hide the smile that spread on my lips.

I didn't even bother changing. I was already wearing an oversized white shirt with safety shorts underneath—comfortable, casual. My housekeeper opened the gate for me, and there he was: Jungkook, in a white hoodie and navy blue baggy pants, holding a single blue rose bouquet.

He handed it to me without a word, and I leaned in to hug him, planting a quick kiss on his cheek. He smiled before opening the car door for me, putting his hand on top of my head before getting in on the driver's side.

"Aren't you busy?" I asked as I fastened my seatbelt.

"I am," he admitted, side-eyeing me with a pout. "But I couldn't just ignore the chaos you caused online when your Calvin Klein photos dropped. Even my friends who know about us were congratulating me."

I laughed, already imagining how he must've looked.

"We shot that last month. Did you like it?" I asked, curious about his real-time reaction.

"I made one of them my home screen," he said, soft and sweet now. "Of course, I loved it. You looked beautiful... and hot. I wish I could gatekeep that side of you."

"You can't gatekeep the confident me, love," I said teasingly. "Lemme see."

Without hesitation, he handed over his phone. I smiled the second I saw it—it was the shot of me in the beige CK hoodie, sitting on the kitchen counter, staring straight into the camera.

"I love your happy face in that one," he said, eyes still on the road.

I couldn't help but laugh again.

"You watched our movie, huh? Are you a Blink now?"

"I did," he admitted. "And I am... even before we became friends."

He pulled up at a quiet little place for dinner—somewhere he clearly frequented, as the owner greeted him like an old friend. He ordered for both of us, and we spent the meal catching up on everything we'd missed during our packed days.

He talked about rehearsals for their upcoming UN appearance, how nervous he felt, how pressured. I told him he'd do great—he always does—and reminded him to just focus on giving his best. I also shared about another campaign I'm working on, and how I've been bouncing between shoots lately.