Chilly

10. Tangled Bodies To Reset My Heart

Jennie's P.O.V.

The four of us sit quietly, the sound of Jisoo's ballpen tapping on the glass table the only sound in the room. CEO-nim has called us for a meeting. We're all silent and disciplined whenever he's around. Chaeyoung is looking around the conference room, humming softly. Lisa, who's beside me, is completely quiet, her fingers tapping on her thigh.

Ever since Lisa confessed that she still loved me last week, things have turned muddy. No, we aren't fighting, but we aren't good, either. She's thinks I don't notice the way she's acting, but if there's someone in here who knows Lisa the best, it's me. She's beating herself up for it. I want to tell her it's not her fault for having feelings, but I never have the time. Each day that passes, our schedule gets more and more filled up with meetings and events.

"Where is he?" Jisoo groans, and stretches her hands out. "I'm so tired, I was up all night finishing a K-drama." She then resumes tapping her pen on the table. Chaeyoung reprimands her, saying that we should all be on our best behaviour when we see CEO Yang.

A few minutes later, the said man enters, a woman behind him following. CEO Yang looks like he's in a hurry, and he immediately sits down on one seat. "Good morning girls," he greets swiftly, as the woman behind him sits across me. "Sorry for having the meeting so early, but I'm very busy this week and I wanted to see you as soon as possible."

The woman, in a business outfit, speaks up. She looks stern, with a no-nonsense attitude. A few strands of her hair is graying, but I think it's best if I never bring it up. The thin glasses perched on her nose complete the look she's going for, a scary ahjumma. "I am Cha Eunae, and I'll be responsible for your publicity." We all greet her politely. "Meaning, I will oversee what will be released to the media about you." Although I know she's saying it to all of us, she's looking directly at me. I gulp.

"As you all may or may not know, today's news is all about Ms. Kim Jennie's date with Mr. Kim Jongin," she says nonchalantly, showing all of us an article from Koreaboo. Jisoo and Chaeyoung look at me with shock, their mouths agape. Oh, right. I forgot to tell them I was with Jongin. "Dispatch says they caught the couple last week. Of course, I have nothing against that. But, rules are rules."

Shit, here we go. CEO-nim did cancel my meeting with him last time, but I didn't expect him to reschedule it again without me knowing, and with all my members? What the hell is this?

Eunae turns her phone off, and looks at the four of us. "I'm very sure you're all aware of the CEO's rule regarding dating." The CEO is sitting quietly, observing the conversation. "If you don't mind, Jennie-ssi, I'd like to speak about your dating scandal with your members, at least they'll know how to act." She gives off a cold smile. What a bitch. She's going to humiliate me in front of my members.

"I don't mind," I reply, clenching my jaw hard. Lisa looks at me with concern, but I brush it off. No, it's okay. I trust them.

"Lucky for you, the CEO has decided to turn a blind eye with your foolishness." My eye nearly pops out. Foolishness? Who does she think she is? "You should thank him, Jennie. If he didn't, you would've said goodbye to your career." Is she allowed to talk to me like this? This is fucking unprofessional. I turn to CEO Yang, but he's not showing any emotion.

I'm surprised Jisoo speaks up. "Jennie can't be kicked out of the group," she says. "Without her, the group would fail. So even if you should, you can't kick her out."

"Yes, yes," she replies, her cold smile never leaving her lips. I want to slap it out of her. She thinks she's all high and mighty. "But, since she dated, she disobeyed a major part of the contract. That would mean bad news for Jennie. She's also been told multiple times to end their relationship, but she did not listen."