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[Please, Please, Please] - [Sabrina Carpenter]

Jake had always prided himself on his ability to navigate situations with calculated precision rather than relying on luck. As he scrubbed vigorously at the dishes in the bustling hotel kitchen, he hadn't expected Haein to confront him so directly, but here she was, standing just behind him.

A throat cleared behind him, drawing Jake's attention away from the dishes. Without turning, he quipped dryly, "Didn't think you'd miss me so soon."

Haein scoffed dismissively, her voice cutting through the ambient noise of the kitchen. "Huh? I'm just here to inform you I'm going to a party tonight."

Jake couldn't help but smirk at her directness. "Ah, you're asking for permission."

"In your dreams," Haein shot back sharply. "I'm just here to tell you, period."

She started to turn away, but Jake's voice stopped her in her tracks. "No, you're not going anywhere."

She froze, a mixture of irritation and defiance clouding her features. She turned back to face him, her eyes flashing with annoyance. 

"Why are you suddenly taking the husband role so seriously? Just act like a stand-up guy."

Jake paused, the soapy water dripping from his hands as he met her gaze. His mind raced with retorts, his eyes narrowing slightly as he chose his words carefully. "Then, let's go together."

 Haein's jaw tightened, her fists clenching momentarily at her sides. She held his gaze for a long, tense moment, the silence thick with unspoken words. 

"I'd rather die."

Then, with a frustrated exhale, she turned on her heel and strode away without another word, leaving Jake to ponder the implications of their clash as he returned to his task.

Haein returned to her friends, her steps slightly hurried as she approached their circle on the beach. The golden rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow over the sand, painting the scene in hues of amber and peach. A gentle breeze tousled her hair, carrying with it the faint scent of saltwater and seaweed.

"Why can't you come with us?"Taerae's voice carried a hint of concern, her gaze searching her friend's face for answers.

Haein hesitated for a moment, casting a quick glance over her shoulder as if expecting to find someone listening in. "I can't tonight," she finally replied, her tone clipped. "We have guests over."

"They can tag along!" Winter suggested enthusiastically, her blonde curls catching the last rays of sunlight.

Haein shook her head, strands of dark hair swaying gently. "No, they're... older," she explained, a note of finality in her voice.

"Older guests? Perfect. They'll probably be asleep by the time we're ready to hit the bar."

A small, frustrated sigh escaped Haein's lips as she glanced at her friends, feeling their scrutiny. "You always have a solution, don't you?" she remarked, a touch of exasperation lacing her words.

Jia, who had been quiet until now, couldn't resist adding a playful jab. "Come on, guys, leave her alone. She's probably off hunting down nugu fashion designers or something."

The group chuckled, lightening the mood momentarily with their banter. Despite their efforts, Haein couldn't shake the unresolved tension from her earlier confrontation with Jake.

 She glanced over her shoulder, half-expecting to see him watching her from across the room, his gaze still burning with unspoken words.

And indeed, herprediction proved accurate as Jake appeared once again, seamlessly inserting himself into their group . He passed by his wife with an air of nonchalance but couldn't resist a parting glance, his gaze locking with hers.

"I'm off, my shift's over," he announced, his voice carrying a hint of indifference. 

Taerae, always quick, chimed in, "Need a ride home?"

The group erupted in laughter at the jest, amused by his unabashed teasing. Haein, however, felt a pang of discomfort seeing Jake subjected to their ridicule. She frowned subtly, a silent protest against their easy judgment, though she knew she couldn't voice her objections without revealing more than she intended.

As Jake walked away, she sighed softly, watching him head towards the exit where he presumably waited for her. Winter, sensing the tension, attempted to diffuse it.

 "He's a good guy, guys. That was kind of cute, don't you think?" she offered with a hopeful smile.

Haein rolled her eyes in response, feeling conflicted yet again. She excused herself from the group, silently slipping away from their laughter and chatter. 

After her departure, Jia turned to Taerae with a mischievous glint in her eye. "Are we in this together?" she asked, her voice tinged with excitement and a hint of daring.

Taerae smirked, his confidence evident as he nodded in response. "My car or yours?" he countered, already prepared for whatever adventure lay ahead.

Unaware of what's about to happen Haein slipped into the confines of Jake's vintage truck, the creak of worn leather and the scent of engine oil enveloping her. Her nerves jangled like loose change as she glanced sideways at Jake, who greeted her with a wry smile.

 He shook his head fondly at her attempt to sneak away unnoticed, his chuckle a soft rumble in the close confines of the cabin.

"You better hand in your resignation tomorrow. I can't handle any more of this stress," Haein pleaded urgently, her fingers fidgeting with the seatbelt buckle.

"Just leave it to fate." 

"Fate, my ass. If anyone finds out we're married, my life is over."

Jake glanced at through the rearview mirror, his gaze meeting hers with a mix of amusement and anxiety. "Well, I think it's already over," he teased gently, the corner of his mouth lifting in a half-smile.

Haein's heart skipped a beat at his teasing, her breath catching as their eyes locked in the reflection. She could feel the intensity of their secret weighing heavily between them, the unspoken tension palpable in the confined space of the truck.

"What do you mean?" she asked quietly, her voice betraying the flicker of uncertainty beneath her facade.

"Your friends are following us in Taerae's car," Jake revealed softly, his tone now serious as he kept his eyes on the road ahead, stealing occasional glances at her in the mirror.

Haein's pulse quickened at the revelation, her thoughts racing with the implications. She bit her lower lip nervously, the metallic taste of blood mingling with the adrenaline coursing through her veins. 

Jake reached out instinctively, his thumb brushing gently over her lip to wipe away the smear of blood, his touch feather-light yet charged with unspoken emotion.

Their eyes met again, the air between them thick with a mixture of longing and apprehension. Haein felt a rush of warmth at his touch, her cheeks flushing with a blend of embarrassment and a growing awareness of their undeniable connection.

"Just drive fast," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the engine, a plea tinged with the unspoken desire to escape the impending confrontation and the stirring emotions between them.

Jake nodded silently, understanding the unspoken plea in her words. As the truck sped down the darkened road, the tension between them lingered like a veil, the weight of their shared secret and their undeniable attraction simmering beneath the surface, unspoken yet undeniable.

Once they managed to lose the car trailing behind them, relief washed over the newly weds as they arrived at their destination—a cozy home adorned with memories of a simpler time. 

They stepped inside, only to be greeted by an unexpected sight: Grandpa, donned in his finest suit despite the casual evening, beckoning them with a mischievous grin.

"The children are here! Let's go, I'm dying of hunger."

Jake intercepted him with a puzzled expression. "Going where, Grandpa?"

Grandpa chuckled, shaking his head as he patted Jake's shoulder. "You've outdone yourself this time, beating your aunt-in-law. We're off to apologize to her."

Haein's eyes widened in disbelief. Jake had met her aunt only once, and the thought of him allegedly causing any trouble was shocking enough. Before she could recover from the news, Jake's father intervened with a calming presence, addressing his daughter-in-law directly.

"Don't mind him, my daughter. Your aunt actually paid us a visit and invited us over for dinner," Seojun explained with a reassuring smile.

Haein couldn't decide which scenario was worse: Jake allegedly offending her aunt or her family meeting Jake's side . 

As they settled into the cozy living room, Grandma made her entrance, adorned in her best dress and sporting the scarf Haein had gifted her. Jake couldn't help but shower his grandpa with affectionate compliments, which elicited a shy smile from his grandmother. 

Meanwhile, Layla, their playful dog, bounded into the room, instantly drawing Jake and Haein into a game of fetch.

Their playful moment took an abrupt turn when Soomin, hands on hips, entered the room with an air of authority. "Ah, you've graced us with your presence, Sim Jaeyun," she remarked, using the government name in a way that hinted trouble. 

Jake's heart sank; he had no idea what he might have done, but he knew he was about to face a stern lecture from his sister.

"Where were you?"

Jake, trying to maintain his composure, replied somewhat defensively, "At work, of course. The garage..."

Soomin narrowed her eyes, her disbelief palpable. "What work? How's your boss, huh?"

Jake's smile faltered, and he shifted uncomfortably. "He's fine..."

Haein sensed the tension escalating between them and decided to quietly excuse herself, reaching for her bag to make her escape upstairs. However, Soomin swiftly intervened, her commanding presence making Haein pause and return to her seat, feeling trapped in the middle of a family confrontation that she caused.

Grandpa, with his usual mild manner, interjected, "I'm hungry, let's go please."

 Soomin, visibly agitated, retorted, "Grandpa, sit down. We'll leave soon." 

Their father, observing the tense scene, asked, "Why are you suddenly interrogating him? What did he do?"

The Sim sister unleashed a litany of accusations, her voice sharp and biting: "He did so many things, Dad. Beating up his boss, going to jail, getting fired." The room fell into a stunned silence, every pair of eyes wide with shock, except for Haein's, who sat calmly, her gaze fixed on Jake.

Soomin turned her sharp gaze to Jake, her tone accusing, "Enlighten me if I forgot something." 

Then, her eyes shifted to Haein, and her voice softened, almost accusingly, "You knew about this, right?"

Jake felt a cold sweat break out on his forehead. His heart pounded violently against his ribs, each beat echoing louder in his ears. His face, usually so composed, was now a canvas of  guilt, his eyes darting frantically between Soomin and Haein.

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