Narrator
Once Chris and Jihyun were left alone, she didn’t waste time and slapped his hands away from her. Chris didn’t have it in him to feel offended as he knows, he was at fault. Glaring at the male in silent rage, “WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?” gone was the calm and collected woman, as Chris looked at her apologetically.
“Whoa, calm down!” Chris placed his hands on her shoulder and massaged them softly. He was hoping to reduce her anger but she looks nowhere near calm. “Maybe I should have thought this through? But the deed’s already done… what am I going to do?”
This was the first time he’s seeing Jihyun like this, so, the surprise would be an understatement for Chris. Jihyun had always been a woman who was good at keeping her feelings hidden from him, she was always so professional. So, to see her being this expressive because of his small decision, made him feel bad.
“Don’t touch me! What the hell was that?! What the hell did you do?!” nose flared and breathing heavy, her eyes were throwing daggers at him, she was very unsatisfied and outraged. “Why on earth do I have to be your girlfriend!?”
Recalling the small whisper, he said when the two guests were present, she could not help but want to choke him for holding her captive. He didn’t give her any time to react or decide as he made her comply and introduced her to the two people in his life.
And it made her feel stupid for not being able to do anything at that point because of the two pairs of eyes. They made her freeze over but the small grip Chris had on her arms told her everything that she needed to know. She had to play along if she knows what was best for her.
“It’s like he’s having a blast making me do this, do that!” she thought angrily as what occurred flashed back in her mind like a broken record.
***
“Jihyun, come here. I want you to meet my cousin and her fiancée. Guys, this is my one and only secretary, temporary hotel manager, and my girlfriend,” Chris was suddenly beside her and wrapped his hand around her shoulder. He pulled her closer as he squeezed himself into her smaller frame.
“What... How did he get here? Wasn’t he there just now? What’s he doing?“ She couldn’t fully register what he just said but the confused looks of his two guests gave her the impression they too, were confused like her.
“What? You are dating your secretary? Since when?” the female said and had her eyes up and down Jihyun’s figure as if she was in disbelief. Staring back at her, Jihyun’s ear caught the scandalous words, feeling the color drain from her face as her brain registered the words.
“What?! Who’s dating who?!” Jihyun had her eyes wide at the statement and glared at the male for saying such things suddenly. ”Is this some sick joke? What is he doing?”
“Wow, I know I said I was worried about you Chris… but dating your secretary? I didn’t see this one coming,” the male chuckled and Jihyun tried hard to breathe normally and think rationally. Even the male guest, her boss's best friend, looked at her in question, yet Jihyun could not feel any sort of hostility from him, just pure curiosity. While the female guest, Chris's cousin was staring at her without blinking. Jihyun could not for her life, make out what the stare stands for.
“Was this some bad joke? A nightmare perhaps? Maybe I fell asleep at my desk and maybe this will all be over once I wake up… yeah… that’s it…” she tried to make herself feel better but knows it was futile when Chris kept giving her a soft yet firm squeeze on the shoulder. "Yep, this sh*t's real and he is so dead!"
“I’ve never said anything because…” Chris looked down at her and she caught the slight glint in his eyes as if he was secretly enjoying this. “Well, Jihyun doesn’t want anyone to know about our relationship. She’s a bit shy for public display of affections. Plus, I don’t want people saying she got this job to seduce me. It’s the other way around if I’m being honest… and you two know my reputation with women…”
Chris’s sudden explanation and the pinch on her lower back hurt, making Jihyun blink. Looking up at him again, he was already staring down at her with a raised brow. “Right baby?” He was gripping her shoulder so hard at the time, so Jihyun had to pinch his arm a bit for him to lessen his hold on her.
“What?” her confusion must have done something because he grinned at the two people before leaning down and husked by her ear.
“Go along with it if you want to keep your job,” he whispered and she held back a curse, eyes wide. He pulled back a bit to give her the coldest look he could muster before looking at his guest with warm eyes.
Aliaa all the while was silent as her eyes had been observing the sudden couple in front of her. Blinking and head tilted back, she made eye contact with her fiancée who only shrugged the matter away.
“So… you guys have been hiding because you were worried about people’s judgment?” Chris nodded at his cousin's confirmation and almost yelped when Jihyun pinched his back shoulder in revenge, now slowly loosening the grip he had on her.
“Man! This woman can pinch…”
“I mean, it’s understandable… you are the hot bachelor in the business world, the chaebol of everyone’s dream after all…” Luke joked while wiggling his brows, making Chris roll his eyes. “I don’t give a damn about that… that's all bullsh*t anyway...”
Looking between the two, Aliaa took a step toward them as if she was making a decision. “Oh, I guess people would think that,” suddenly the woman jumps towards Jihyun with a huge grin, making Jihyun puzzled at her sudden 180. ”Didn’t she just look at me like I wasn’t supposed to be here? What is wrong with her?”
“Unnie… since you’re here and dating oppa, come to my wedding, ok? I’m sure once we are there, oppa can introduce you to everyone officially,” she nods with enthusiasm, and Jihyun wasn’t sure what to reply. ”What wedding? What is she talking about? Officially? We are not even together!”
“Aliaa, she’s going to have to book the resort for you. Of course, she’s coming, right baby?” Chris beamed and tightly smiled at Jihyun, sending her the secret message. Agree right now or you will face my wrath.
“Eh? Oh… sure...” not sure what else to say, she just smiled. Although she was sure it looked forced.
Luckily for her, the conversations they shared didn’t last long as the couple had a few more errands to run, leaving them to the present.
***
“You only have to be my girlfriend for ten days, give or take... it’s not that hard honestly…” Chris blankly stated, taking Jihyun out of her thoughts and she could not help but want to strangle him for this sudden and unnecessary task. ”How could he act so nonchalantly? Does he think this is a game?!”
“How can you act like this is nothing? How am I supposed to be your girlfriend if I’m not even yours to start with?! I barely know you personally out of this goddamn office!!”
She angrily inquired, Chris could tell she was royally pissed by staring at her face. The plainly beautiful face was red with anger from her whole face down to her neck and up to her ears. As much as it was his first time seeing Jihyun this red and angry, he couldn’t take back his words. He had unknowingly created a small situation where the both of them would be needed at the wedding.
“It didn’t have to be a mess if I just told Aliaa I’m fine with seeing Cameron again… it’ll just be ten days anyways... but Jihyun is just for reassurances, yeah… that’s right reassurance.” He kept telling himself that and continues to stare at a fuming Jihyun who is glaring at him with many deadly ideas in her head.
“It is nothing. Just act like your mine, I’m sure it’s not that hard. Oh, don’t forget to book the resort in Okinawa for ten days. I’ll email you the details that I had discussed with them earlier,”
He brushed it off and tore his attention away from her to his laptop. Completely ignoring Jihyun who looks like she could murder him right there and then. The female huffed and exited his office and purposely slammed his door loudly. To show how upset and enraged she was with the sudden task.
“A task I never and would never imagine myself signing! Ugh! The nerve of this giant! Fluff you!!!!” she badly wanted to curse out at the proud male but alas, the only thing she could manage was to say it in her head.
Chris just shook his head as he too, contemplated whether or not he made the right decision. “It’s too late to tell them otherwise… Aliaa and Luke looked like they have a lot on their plate already for their wedding…” he sighed and went back to his pending work. But a tiny bit of guilt was slowly eating him up for the small antic he pulled on Jihyun.
***
A little later after office hours ended, Chris got out of the chair for a little stretch and sighed. Most of the files he worked on are now on the side for Jihyun to pick up and he’s just waiting for her to come. But she hasn’t yet, so he figured he could call and ask her to pick it up.
But the moment he opened the door to his office slightly and sees her stressed-out face, the guilt he felt earlier came back. And when he heard Jihyun fluently talking in Japanese, knowing fully well where she was connected to right now made him feel worst.
Not wanting to dwell on it for long, he closes the door and kept to himself. Taking out his phone, Chris was ready to tell Luke and Aliaa that Jihyun couldn’t make it. But Philip’s caller id flashed suddenly as he talked about Luke and what he heard. Thus, the lie Chris told earlier, expanded out of control.
Sighing for the nth time that day, Chris cursed at his idiotic brain for doing this to himself. “Not only am I a liar, but I just potentially ruined the life of my secretary,” he pinched the bridge of his nose as he decided to prepare himself to see his friends tonight.
Unnie – older sister / the way younger girls or sisters refer to older women or their blood sister and family
Chaebol – usually refers to men who are successful, single, and come from wealthy families
NarratorAfter the long and horrible day for Jihyun, the only thing she wants is her bed and to sleep it all away. The events of the day were something she doesn’t want to think about. Or at least until she’s freshened up. The least would be, to leave her alone to her thoughts and let her reboot her mind till she’s ready.Letting her body sink into her soft queen size bed, Jihyun moaned at the softness and bounciness of it. Sleeping seemed like the best option after everything, but she knows, if she doesn’t shower now, she won’t till the next day. She internally wished her parents, specifically her mother, won’t come and bother her for not showing up at dinner earlier.Her tired ears picked up the sound of the door opening, “Hyun baby, you are home early,” instead of her mother, it was her sister who greeted her sarcastically. The older woman stood by her bedroom door, hands on her hips. “Very funny unnie,” of course she knew why her sister said that. Her mother had been blasting her
NarratorComing out of the shower fully clothed, Jihyun was surprised to see another figure on her bed. “Jiso unnie, what are you doing here and not at home?” she paused as the cogwheels in her mind worked. “Now that I think about it… Jiyu unnie shouldn't be here as well, why are you guys here? Wait, are the kids here as well?”The thoughts of the earlier dinner that she did not attend went out the window as she talks. But her sister said nothing and gestured her over, so Jihyun did as told. As she sat down next to her middle sister, despite her tired body, some level of excitement bubbled inside.Thinking about her little angels, the tiring and confusing day didn’t seem so bad. Even though she cannot fulfill the promises she made, to be able to see them tomorrow would still be satisfying for Jihyun’s packed schedule.“Let’s see, Brianoppahas to attend to a few family matters toda
Narrator“So, these are your friends… What are their names again?” Jihyun asked as she munched on the doughnuts her boss requested her to buy. Chris had a sudden craving to eat the dessert, so she ran to the same café as yesterday to buy it. Not that she was complaining, she liked their sweets too.“Oh, right!” he sat next to her after biting the custard-filled doughnut, putting it aside, and taking the picture from her hands. Instead of talking, Chris stared at her intently and Jihyun looks at him weirdly. She was not expecting him to look so, hyped up and act so strange. ”Weirdo,” she inwardly rolled her eyes at him and gestured for him to go on.“This is Philip and Xiuming, these two are the same age as me and Luke. Then there’s Luke, you met him yesterday. He and I met them when we got into high school, during freshmen days,” The guys he pointed out were in between him as h
Narrator “You are home!!! Finally!” Jiyu attacks the younger with a crushing bone hug and it didn’t help when Jiso joined. “Unn-nie, I ca-can’t-” Jiso pulled away then pulled Jiyu away from Jihyun. “Sorry,” the two sisters smiled sheepishly. “It’s ok. Just, never do that again, ever,” she sneered and hugged each of her sisters’ arms and dragged them to the living room, making all of them fall on the large couch with a thud. “Where are the kids?” Jihyun asked as the house was quiet, too quiet for a house that has 3 kids in it. “They are out with mom and dad to the toy shop, fun-land, and ice cream parlor,” “Oh... I see…” Jihyun looked around the space as silence welcomed them. It wasn’t awkward in any way and Jihyun was looking forward to resting her body before she packs for her trip tomorrow. “Hey, let’s go shopping! We’ve never had the time for each other anymore,” Jiso suggested suddenly after the sudden paus
Narrator“So… how’s life going? Is it hard working for him and dating him? Aren't you bored seeing Chris so much? Does he take advantage of the fact you two work in the same building?” Xiuming asked those questions to Jihyun like some bullet train, making the female overwhelmed.Before she could retort, someone exhaled beside her. Chris had a pissed-off face next to her as he glared at his friends. “Stop asking her questions already!” he did not hide his irritation, yet it only made his friends smirk at his reaction.Because… it’s not every day they can see him this riled up, especially if the source is a woman.“No! She hasn’t answered yet,” Philip added, quiet childishly, making Chris groan and cupped his face in annoyance. “One of these days, I am going to kill you guys for doing this,” but they merely laughed it off and contin
Narrator“Chris hyung, we’re here,” Hunter shook Chris lightly as the older slowly woke up. “What?” Chris’s voice was a bit hoarse from sleeping and he was having a hard time moving for an odd reason.“I said we’re here. We’ve arrived in Japan, hyung. Wake Jihyun up,” Hunter chimed and left with Soojung, who was smiling at the position Jihyun and Chris were in. She found them very cute and admirable.“Jihyun?”Chris tried to remember why Hunter had said her name and seconds later he remembered that Jihyun was hisgirl. He turned his head to wake her up but was shocked to find he was already hugging her. She had her face buried in his chest and her hands were around his waist.Instead of waking her up, he just stared at her sleeping position. Since he badly wanted to look at her sleeping face, he tried to move a bit, but only ende
The car ride was super awkward, and Chris was killing himself on the inside for being so reckless. As much as it sounds absurd, he wanted to talk to Jihyun comfortably even after what he did. He was slightly regretting the kiss but then again, he felt good that he did. The kiss felt that good.”She won’t ask me anyway, since I told her not to…” He smirks a bit at the thought, feeling relieved instead.As for Jihyun, the awkwardness was an advantage on her end. Why? Because she doesn’t have to listen to him or get teased by him. Especially after the kiss, Chris initiated a while ago.“Why did he kiss me anyway? None of his friends or acquaintance was there… well… they got there and… oh god…! Stop thinking about it Jihyun…!” she hoped Chris didn’t see her blush as she recalled the way his lips assaulted her and made her breathless.The moment t
Chris yawned as he felt the stress building up as he wanted to make sure his cousin and best friend’s wedding goes well. The meeting with the wedding planner and organizer, and resort manager went well. It was basically about informing him of the schedule that the couple arranged and agreed on.The first two days are all about welcoming the guest and family members that would be residing at the resort, this includes a barbecuenight and dinner on both days. On the third and fourth days, family and friends gather for a little bonding time. Doing activities together, it could be done in big groups or smaller ones.The main event for the ladies would be at the spa and massage as the bride wanted herself to be pampered, so she had requested for their guest to have the same treatment. Meanwhile, the guys could have a blast on the beach as Luke wanted to play in a place full of water sports. The main thing about those days was for the family to bond, for the two b