Kiss Me

Chapter 19: Stay, please

Jiyong jogged his way to the main entrance of Incheon International Airport with a wide grin plastered on his face. He immediately engulfed the waiting girl in a tight hug and her eyes disappeared into inverted crescents.

“Missed me?” Nayeon asked, still in the arms of her fiancé.

“Nope, not a bit.” Jiyong replied through his fiancée’s dark tresses.

“Yah! Jiyong!” Nayeon playfully smacked his shoulder, pulling away from his embrace.

Jiyong grinned before pulling Nayeon by the waist again. “I didn’t miss you because you are always here,” he pointed his index finger in his chest where his heart is. “Im Nayeon.”

Nayeon tried glaring at her boyfriend but failed miserably when her warm cheeks gave her away.

“Is my baby blushing?” Jiyong teased, brows wiggling.

“Come on, Jiyong-ah we still have so many things to do. We should meet up with Jennie and your mother,” Nayeon said, walking hastily past Jiyong as she hides the blush that seemed to be permanently residing on her cheeks everytime she’s with the guy.

“Aigoo, it’s so hot in here.” She said as she fanned herself. Jiyong chuckled before taking her hand in his, guiding her towards his car.

“Umma says she misses you.” Jiyong said, buckling Nayeon's seatbelt as she rides shotgun.

“I miss her too. How is she?” There was sadness in Nayeon's voice as the image of the weak woman appeared on her mind.

“She’s almost recovering. But she’s still on wheel chair.” Jiyong said, maneuvering the car out of the parking lot.

Nayeon nodded before asking, “Should we talk to Jennie first?”

Her expectant eyes met Jiyong's for a brief moment before the guy nodded.

***

Jennie found herself fidgeting as she looked at Nayeon, her bestfriend; and Jiyong, her ex-fiancée’s brother, who sat across her on the living room. Hands intertwined on Jiyong's lap. She had just finished cleaning their old house in Seoul, the house where she and Yeri grew up and spent their lives before flying to California, when a knock came on the door. She was hesitant to open since she was sure she didn’t order anything, but when her smiling bestfriend appeared on the other side of the door, her eyes lit up immediately but disappeared just as soon as her eyes caught the sight of the guy behind Nayeon.

“Erm, Jen?” Nayeon broke the uncomfortable silence that lingered around the living room, snapping Jennie out of her thoughts.

Jennie didn’t answer but looked at Nayeon with pensive eyes. She put on her cold façade again, like how Nayeon remembered it the first day they met. This made Nayeon frown. Jennie is putting her guards up again.

“Jennie, I know you have questions. I know that look.” She added when Jennie refused to talk.

“What is he doing here?” Jennie asked coldly, casting a glare at Jiyong. The guy stayed muted, allowing his girlfriend to talk first.

“Jendeuk.. Jiyong is my.. fiancé.” Nayeon noticed how Jennie's eyes wavered for a split of a second before putting her cold façade again.

Nayeon mentally rolled her eyes. She was used to Jennie's coldness, that’s why she always blush at the small warm things the girl does. Like hugs or pecks on the cheeks. Jennie was like the sibling that she had always wanted… well, except for the coldness.

“How.. how long.. have you known each.. other?” Jennie managed to ask as she tried processing what Nayeon had just said.

“Since college? I forgot when exactly, but yes we’ve known each other for a long time now. We were supposed to get married four years ago, but..” Nayeon trailed off as she moved to sit beside Jennie.