Chapter 54

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"Look at Jisoo smirking at the camera," Jiyeon said with a chuckle and everyone giggled with her. Except for one person.

Jisoo Kim looked remarkably glowing amidst the cacophony surrounding her, as though she found it ridiculously amusing that she was caught in the circumstance and it gave the small audience inside the Orange a reason to cheer and smirk, for whatever valid reasons.

"And then there's Jennie," A-yeon commented, nodding on the screen where Jennie's face was shown.

The camera bulbs started flashing blinding lights rapidly on her face when Jennie walked in. She was clad in a crisp business suit and was followed by an entourage of equally smug-looking men, also in suits. Her hair was pulled in a tight ponytail. Her lips were glossy red but tightly sealed, easily making it obvious for everyone that she'd rather be anywhere than there, in that media-infested room, with the flashes blinding her.

Jennie was standing in the middle of the small podium, looking undoubtedly tiny and yet exudes such irrefutably strong character that made her look indomitable. Jennie took off the dark glasses she was wearing after a few seconds of assessing the situation in front of her, finally revealing those steely cat eyes that seemed to have mastered the art of evading and at some point, piercing through everyone's gaze and piercing through the TV screen, that the small audience inside the Orange had to hold their breath for a second. She looked irate and haughty. Annoyance was etched all over her exquisite face, probably from camera bulbs firing at her incessantly. It was evident with how she was obviously lacking the friendliness that her small audience from the Orange was lucky enough to have witnessed and enjoyed. Jennie handed her dark glasses to the tall man behind her before she bowed stiffly to the media inside one of the conference rooms of the Kim Group of Company's annex building, where her press conference was held. The room went still, except for the relentless sound of the camera shutters. It certainly was annoying.

"Alright, here we go," Jin-Ah said while turning the volume of the TV even louder so that it drowned every other sound inside the bar. Which was unnecessary, actually, considering that everyone fell silent voluntarily when they saw Jennie stepping forward closer to the microphone.

"Good day. My name is Jennie Kim, from the Kim Group of Companies. Recently, my name has been dragged carelessly in a malicious article that obviously was meant to demean my character and the company that I run and as well as the other person involved..."

"She looks scary," Ji-In commented and everyone hushed her. They wanted to hear every word that Jennie would say. But it was true, however, that Jennie looked more petrifying now with her daunting eyes and voice icy and heavy.

"Lisa and I met through a common friend--,"

The small audience inside the bar exchanged funny looks with each other. Few murmured in disagreement but were instantly drowned with hushes and hisses from the others. They wanted to catch Jennie's every word. They spotted a lie but they could discuss it later when Jennie was done talking, they decided.

"She's a professional photographer who is currently based in Europe and only visits South Korea from time to time. Whether or not she is exactly the person that the article says she is, I do not know nor would I disclose it if I am aware of it. Lisa had already fled the country and have not contacted me since then and therefore, I cannot speak for her.

"However, I'm taking this opportunity to address the main issue once and for all. My privacy was violated when those photos were taken and posted on the Internet without my consent. It disrupted my private life, as well as the people around me. Henceforth, we are taking legal actions ad shall bring this matter to the authority. My legal team, including the legal team of the Kim Security Company and the Kim Group of Companies are already preparing a lawsuit against the person and people behind this needless and pathetic attack to my name and as well as the integrity of the company. That is all. Thank you."

Jennie ended her speech with another stiff bow. The reporters immediately started asking her questions, one by one and then everyone all at once and it only added the irate expression on Jennie's face more obvious. Questions like, "How did you feel when you found out about her being a real-life princess, Miss Kim?" and "Miss Kim, what do you think the late Chairman would feel about you dating a woman? Does that affect your position in the company knowing that your father was known for being a traditionalist?" or "What do you think about Korea's stand about same-sex relationship, Miss Kim?" and "Have you always known you like women?" and "There was a rumor going around that your mother is searching for a possible groom for you? Is that true? Is that a cover-up for your being gay?" were thrown carelessly at Jennie.

Everyone wanted to get more from her. They wanted to know more than what she had offered them. But Jennie only ignored all of them and when Jin-Ah was about to turn the TV off, one reporter, a woman and a voracious one, asked loudly and aggressively:

"How will you describe your relationship with Lisa, Miss Kim?" when Jennie was about to turn her back from the chaos and the noise.

"It was nothing more than a fling," Jennie said with a cold voice that seemed to resonate inside and across the walls of the Orange, before she went to Jisoo who was waiting for her. The two of them then started for the exit and their entourage of men in dark suit cordoned them from the blinding flashes and the ever so pesky reporters who wanted to get closer to them, especially at Jennie, while firing questions after questions that were left unanswered.

"Fling? FLING? She called that a fling when she and Lisa were practically all over each other? She's...impossible!" A-yeon was fuming. Lisa was her friend. Chaeng was her friend. And the fact that Chaeng just basically gave way for Jennie and Lisa, only for Jennie to call that a fling definitely did not sit right with her and with the rest from the Orange, apparently, when Ji-In slammed her fist on the table.

"And what did she mean 'was'? They ended it already?" Jin-Ah asked, looking confused and aggrieved.

"I cannot believe it!" Jiyeon said while shaking her head in disbelief. "I just can't believe it," she repeated while everyone have gone quiet. They expected something else, like an exciting announcement, and clearly they were all disappointed.

"What do you think, Chaeng?" Chahee shifted on her seat and asked the only person in the room whose opinion should matter at the moment.

The women of the Orange gathered around a table inside the bar at four in the afternoon, as they all watched Jennie's press con, except Chaeng, and they all fell silent as they turned their heads towards her direction.

Chaeyoung Park had been incredibly quiet throughout the whole time while sitting on a solitary table away from everyone else. Her feet were raised on a chair, her arms were folded tightly on her chest. She had an serious look upon her face and although the rest couldn't tell exactly what's going on inside her head, they knew she was thinking what they were all thinking. And perhaps even more. Because if there was one person in thw room who had all the right reasons to be upset about what they had just heard, it should be her.

Chaeng pushed the chair in front of her after a lengthy amount of tensed silence, instead of responding to Chahee's question. The feet of her chair made an ear-splitting scraping noise against the floor which was both breaking and adding to the tensed air surrounding them. She stood up without a word and went straight to the tight hallway that would lead to her tiny office, leaving her friends exchanging nervous looks behind her. She returned after a short minute with her leather handbag and car key on her hands. She busied herself by fiddling on the buttons and zipper of her jacket, mainly to evade everyone's stare. Chaeng was like that when she was upset. She had that ominous look on her pretty face that her friends seldom see on her, which was an indication that a turmoil was happening inside her head. They were torn between asking her or letting her be, until Chahee took the liberty for them all.

"Are you leaving? I thought we're going to grab some barbecue before the opening?" Chahee said.

"What? Ah, yes. You, guys, should just go ahead without me," Chaeyoung Park replied, looking distracted as she started for the exit.

"Will you be back before our set, though?" Ji-In asked. They had been rehearsing for days for a set that they were supposed to perform later, before they took a consensus break to watch Jennie's press conference. Despite the fact that it wasn't weekend yet and despite the fact that Chaeng had been edgy and distracted these past few days.

"Or we can just cancel it if you want?" Jin-Ah suggested.

"No, no. There's no need to cancel anything," Chaeng said, now straightening the collar of her jacket. "I'll be back before the set."

"But where are you going?" Chahee insisted.

"I need to talk to her," Chaeyoung replied, pausing at the doorway.

"Her who? Lisa? Jennie?"

"Or Jisoo?"

Everyone knew that she and Jisoo had been spending a lot of time these past few days, when Chaeng was not in the Orange, discussing matters and interests that Chaeng was too reticent to share with them yet and which they respect, as long as the two of them aren't jumping on each other's throats all the time. Although she assured them it was nothing sort of romantic, some of her crew was still hopeful because the two of them looked good together and it was a better option that seeing Chaeng getting worked out over the circumstances that surround Lisa and Jennie.

"Lisa?" Chaeng rolled her eyes and snorted. "That idiot has been ignoring my calls ever since she returned to her kingdom. I cannot talk to her, obviously, unless I'll barge in to the golden gates of her kingdom or wherever she is right now," she said with a clipped voice.

"Jisoo then?" Jin-Ah sounded hopeful because Jisoo was the better choice for Chaeng to talk to right now, than Jennie.

Jin-Ah and the rest understood that Jennie and Chaeng had never been exactly friendly friendly towards each other. They were cordial but everyone knew that it was for Lisa's sake, owing to the fact that Chaeng had been forever in love with Lisa and Lisa was her bestfriend. It was an open secret between all of them. And when Lisa started going out with Jennie, they saw how hurt Chaeng was then and because she was that type of person -- sweet, thoughtful, gentle and selfless, unless crossed -- she gave way to the save her friendship with Lisa and for Lisa's happiness. In conclusion, it didn't take a genius to understand that Chaeng and Jennie aren't supposed to talk right now, especially after what Jennie had just said on national TV. It offended the rest of them. Of course it offended Chaeyoung Park as well, more than anyone.

"I'm going to see Jennie," Chaeng replied to everyone's horror.

"This is not good," Jiyeon whispered nervously under her breath.

"How?" A-yeon dared to raise the question. "Her security should be tight around her right now, unless you're someone worthy of her time or whatever." She was still clearly upset about the fling thing and she would support wholeheartedly Chaeng's intention to confront Jennie Kim.

"I don't know. I'll think of a way," Chaeyoung Park replied but didn't look sure.

"Chaeng, do you really think it has to be now?" Chahee asked carefully.

"Yes. I just..." Chaeng heaved a breath and continued "I need to know if I did the right thing," she said.

"About what?" almost all of the girls asked all at once.

"About whether or not I was right when I gave Lisa up just so Jennie can say that 'it was nothing more than a fling' what they have, with a smug face," Chaeng said before slamming the door shut behind her.

"Well... Can't say that she shouldn't," Ji-In shrugged. "She earned that right, I suppose. She loved Lisa first, after all."

"This is exactly the reason why I don't want to associate myself with the rich. They're mostly pain in the ass," A-yeon declared. "Damn rich people!"

"Chaeng is rich," Ji-In pointed out.

"Yeah, but she's different," A-yeon defensively.

"Lisa's rich," Jin-ah butted in.

"Very rich," added Ji-In.

"Which is exactly the reason why they're on a mess right now," A-yeon concluded knowingly.

Chaeyoung Park would definitely agree with A-yeon, although reluctantly, had she still been with the group. But here she was, cruising along the busy highway, speeding past cars after cars, stepping on the gas and on the verge of violating traffic rules and for what, she didn't know. She couldn't tell exactly why she was such in a rush. But she really wanted to get to Jennie, wherever she was right now, as soon as possible. There was that nagging itchy feeling inside her chest, like an animal craving to get out. She wasn't sure if she was mad, either. But she had to know, she had to understand. She had been trying to call Jisoo ever since she left the Orange to ask Jennie's whereabouts but Jisoo wasn't picking up. Which, of course, was understandable. Jisoo's loyalty should be on Jennie. And so Chaeng tried another way after a realization hit her so suddenly. A-yeon was right.

"Alice?" Chaeyoung said over the bluetooth. She was calling directly on her sister's private line. "Hey, I'm on my way to the firm. Are you in your office? Yeah. No. I need my keys. The keys I left you for safekeeping, Alice. Right now, yes," she said and nodded a few times and then bid goodbye to her sister before ending the call while speeding past another car.

She was greeted warmly by the Park's security when she arrived at the building. Her red hair stood out in the sea of sleek dark hairs and crisp dark tailored suits in the lobby. Everyone knew her as the other daughter of the Chairman and so they bowed to her as they parted to make way for her when she went for the elevator. She was greeted even more warmly by Alice's secretary when she reached her sister's floor. Mrs Nam instantly raised herself from her seat the moment she saw Chaeng stepped out from the elevator. Mrs Nam was already beaming. It was a privilege she reserved only for the Park sisters.

"Fourth time this week, Roseanne. I should say I'm honestly glad and I'm quite getting used to this. But where is Miss Kim?" Mrs Nam said cheerfully. She was, of course, asking for Jisoo whom Chaeng brought along with her, twice, when she visited Alice to discuss legal matters concerning Lisa's breached privacy and what they can do about it. Jisoo insisted to tag along the first time after she found out Chaeng's relationship with the PARK & PARK'S after they agreed that there would be no more secrets "because it only confuses the truth and I'm having a headache just by thinking how they're going to solve this mess they're in right now," Jisoo said, talking about Lisa and Jennie, and then revealed shamelessly that she had always been a fan of Alice Park. She had heard about the incredible Alice Park, Jisoo proclaimed and was shocked to know that Chaeng was Alice's younger sister. However, Jisoo was busy gushing over Alice more than she was shocked about Alice and Chaeng being sisters. Which delighted Chaeng, nonetheless. She didn't want it to become like a concern to anyone because it really wasn't. Alice was delighted too, when she met Jisoo. Not because Jisoo was a fan (Alice only laughed when she heard about it and immediately brushed it off, saying she was not a celebrity or whatever) and was incredibly polite when they first met, but because for the first after a very long time, Chaeng brought a friend other than Lisa and the girls from the Orange. It was refreshing to see a new face, a beautiful face at that in the form of Jisoo Kim, Alice thought.

"She's busy today, Mrs Nam. Is Alice inside?" Chaeng asked out of courtesy. She was never the type to just barge in whenever she visits.

"She's inside and waiting for you, dear," Mrs Nam replied with a warm smile. "In fact, she told me to hold off her appointments for you."

"Great! Thank you, Mrs Nam," Chaeng said and gave the woman a courteous bow before she walked past Mrs Nam's desk and towards the posh hallway that leads to Alice's door.

"I'm quite not sure anymore which part should I be surprised more. The fact that you've been a consistent visitor these past days or you asking your keys, despite the fact that I've been waiting for you to do so all these years," Alice said as soon as she saw her younger sister emerged from the doorway looking slightly harassed but otherwise still pleasant and incredulously pretty. Sometimes, it amazed her how beautiful Chaeng was without even trying.

"Desperate times call for desperate measures, Alice," Chaeng said as she marched in and collapsed herself on the couch. She felt so tried all of a sudden.

"Is this about Jennie's statement earlier?" Alice asked.

"So, you've seen it, too," Chaeng said, sounding unsurprised. "Anyway, not really. Her statement was okay. What she told that reporter after that was not okay. You've heard that too, of course?"

"I did, yes. And I can't say I'm surprised," Alice said and instantly raised her hands when she saw Chaeng shooting outraged looks at her. "I mean, look, Rosie. This is Korea and she's Jennie Kim. She had to dispel and she had grit her teeth and lie if she needs to, in order to protect herself from the harsh reality that Korea isn't as accepting and forgiving. You have to give her that," she said.

"Fine. Okay. Supposed that I get why she said what she said. But did she really still have to say that? I mean, she was doing fine before that until she told that reporter that it was a fling. Everyone who knew about them knew that it was more than that, Alice," Chaeng countered.

"Of course, it was. But can you blame her? She's the president of a top-grossing company, a head of a conglomerate that mostly consists of conservative men who probably hate how she was placed there because she was the daughter of the late Chairman Kim and she's the only offspring to one of Korea's oldest and most influential families. She had to that. I'd do exactly what she did if it was me," Alice explained.

"Why are you defending her?" Chaeng demanded. "And what about Lisa? I thought we agreed that we will protect her? That Lisa should be our top priority."

"Lisa is your top priority, Rosie. My priority is the truth. And I'm not defending Jennie Kim. I'm just trying to think objectively. Besides, you've seen them, her and Lisa. You would know this is probably also hard for her if you'd seen how she is when she's around Lisa. Give her a chance to explain, babe. And as for Lisa, of course we will protect her. But well, we haven't heard from her, have we? And she hasn't exactly ask help from us. But I hope she's fine and as impossible as this may sound, I hope she won't see it."

"You're right, that's impossible. Unless her father tucked her away in a far far away land where technology doesn't exist. I'm hoping they've talked it out before Jennie did what they did. Which is the reason why I need to get my keys, Alice. I need to talk to Jennie," Chaeng said.

"Do you really think now is the right time?" Alice asked

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