#ujb

today was going to be perfect.

jihyo swore up and down, the moment she woke up. it was roughly six am, and the sun was already rising, such was natural in the spring. she pushed herself up with a yawn, glancing over to find her girlfriend asleep, curled closely with one of her pillows. her heart warmed, and she bent, placing a small kiss on the older’s shoulder.

then she slipped out of bed, and padded to the bathroom. for a day like this? jihyo had to prepare. we’re talking the whole nine yards : scorching hot water, double shampooing her hair, triple washing her body, shaving anything that needed shaved. partly through she heard jeongyeon’s alarm blare, and smiled to herself - shutting off the shower once she was done and patting dry her body. her towel stayed perched halfway when jeongyeon entered sleeping, grunting a small good morning.

“morning baby.” jihyo mirrored, passing the older her toothbrush while jihyo got her own ready, spurting toothpaste softly. jeongyeon sighed, wrapping one arm around her toweled waist and lazily scrubbing her teeth.

“when did you wake up?” murmured the girl.

“about an hour and a half ago,” jihyo reached as she brushed, using her free hand to fix jeongyeon’s messy hair. “did you sleep okay? you were a bit restless.”

jeongyeon had a look on her face - a faint smile, really. she shook it off and nodded. “slept fine. you? why’d you get up so early?”

“shower, and yes.” she turned away to spit out her toothpaste, running the water over her brush before kissing jeongyeon’s cheek. “i’ll go make breakfast.”

before she could go, jeongyeon caught her waist. she spit out her toothpaste and washed her brush, turning to the tanner woman who placed her hands on her hips. “not so fast. I can make it.”

jihyo frowns. no, definitely not. she had to make it. she had it all planned out - she’d slip downstairs and begin making jeongyeon’s favorite (from materials she had snuck into the house last night) and then she’d finally do it. finally..propose.

“no way, you might burn down the kitchen.”

jeongyeon raised a brow. “right.” she pat jihyo on the way out the bathroom. “go get dressed.”

jihyo scowled, watching the woman go. she resisted the urge to stomp a foot, sighing aloud and rubbing her temples. okay, if she couldn’t do it that way - then she’d just change her plan.

—

downstairs, jeongyeon grinned triumphantly.

it was her plan all along. keep the younger upstairs while she made her favorite breakfast and proposed. fool proof, and definitely nothing anyone else had thought of. her hands rifled through the cabinets however, a small groan falling. when did all this new stuff get here?

and why was it all ingredients for jeongyeon’s favorite dish?

nevermind that, jeongyeon had a breakfast to cook. she listened to the sounds of shuffling upstairs and panicked, quickly grabbing the stuff to make a traditional korean breakfast and speedrunning it. she brewed a fresh pot of coffee, pouring a mug just as jihyo entered looking nicer than usual.

odd…

“plans?” jeongyeon offered, sliding the mug over. k

jihyo hummed noncomittally. “something like that.” her eyes flit to the stove, at the fast cooking food, and she shook her head. “what on earth are you rushing for? hey, this shouldn’t be in the same pan.”

being who she was, jeongyeon stepped aside and watched the younger fuss as she fixed up the cooking breakfast, alternating pans and making use of their microwave - claiming half the meal was ice cold. and to be fair, it probably was. jeongyeon allowed this, afterall, she could still propose and it would still be cute and she knew for a fact jihyo would say yes.

…probably.

“there,” jihyo plated the food, handing one to jeongyeon with a chuckle. “better?”

“better.” the older shrugged, leaning in and pecking her lips. “let’s go sit.”

the two walked to the small set of table and chairs, taking their respective seats. breakfast was filled with quit chatting, and jeongyeon occasionally slipping bits of food to Yuki, while Nanan and Bbosongie chowed down on their respective dishes. her heart hammered. now or never.

“hey um-”

“hey I-”

she paused, sharing a small sigh with jihyo as they both spoke over eachother. “can I go first?” jihyo chuckled. “its kind of important.”

jeongyeon toyed with her hand. “definitely not as important as mine.”

“oh no, it’s definitely more.”

“uh no—”

“uh, yeah?”

jihyo opened her mouth to protest, but suddenly her phone rang, and she sighed - grabbing it and raising it to her ear - shooting a look to jeongyeon who shrugged. the youngers face fell slightly, and jeongyeon frowned, reaching and taking the hand that would soon, hopefully, have a pretty ring on it. jihyo sighed, and after a few moments, ended the call.

“surprise rehearsal.”

“you’re kidding, right?”

“no,” jihyo stood, taking their plates and walking to the kitchette. “apparently one of the backup dancers got sick and now we need to reblock. they want us all there in the hour.”

jeongyeon sighed. damnit. okay, minor set back, she could still recover.

right?

—

“byeee! have a good night, girls!”

hours. hours had passed and they were just now getting out of the studio. the sun was setting. jihyo sighed, taking jeongyeon’s hand as they walked. the weight of the box rested in her back pocket, and she mulled over her options. propose a different day, just give it to her now - or give up. well she certainly didn’t want to do the last one, nor the first.

“…we should head to the park.” jeongyeon suddenly spoke.

jihyo perked. the park? that was perfect! she nodded quickly, tugging her along. “yes, that’s a great idea!” she said quickly - maybe too quickly. a flush took her cheeks. “..’cuz, you know, the trees are beautiful this time of year.”

jeongyeon nodded softly, following as she was tugged along. jihyo had a point, the trees were gorgeous. and with the sun setting, it was the perfect time. god, she’d look so gorgeous with the sun in the background.

as they entered said area, jihyo wrapped an arm around jeongyeon, who held the younger across her shoulders. “it’s beautiful out,” murmured jihyo. “like, the perfect day.”

jeongyeon chuckled. “it is. a pretty day like this shouldn’t go to waste, don’t you think?”

jihyo nodded softly, her heart pounding, this was nuts. insane — even. jeongyeon had been her best friend for years. when they started started dating shortly after jeongyeon’s hiatus - she remained her best friend. her love for the older had blossomed over the years, and now, jihyo sucked in a breath. she knew it was time.

“im so lucky to have you,” jihyo whispered into the air, stopping them by a pretty river bank - spring flowers blooming all around. “…you know?”

“I know.” jeongyeon wasn’t the type to say I love you - but… “it’s been perfect, these past few years. don’t you think..?”

jihyo’s heart swelled. she looked down at their conjoined hands. “..yeah. absolutely perfect. I-” she looked back up, sighing at jeongyeon’s pretty features. she’d only grown more beautiful. “…could you do something for me?”

“anything. but only if you do something for me.”

the older winked, and jihyo chuckle, hesitating. “I..can you close your eyes?”

jeongyeon hummed. “I was gonna ask you the same thing, actually.”

jihyo tilted her head. “really?”

she definitely wasn’t going to ask her the same thing though. they both chuckled at the thought. jeongyeon gave a small nod.

“then I guess we both have to.”

“suppose so.”

and the cooler air wafted by as both girls closed their eyes. jihyo’s hands moved to her back pocket — jeongyeon’s into her right jacket pocket. they sighed in unison both chuckling. jihyo wobbled as she slipped onto her knee, whereas jeongyeon moved more calmly (she’d rehearsed for hours.)

“open in three?”

“..yeah.”

“three.”

“two…”

“one.”

their eyes opened in unison and - jihyo’s heart sputtered, and jeongyeon sucked in a breath as the both of them kneeled - each presented a ring.

“I-” “um-”

a small shocked laugh. jihyo started. “you’re kidding, right?”

“definitely not.” jeongyeon whispered. “you?”

“no way.”

she helped the younger up, the both of them staring in disbelief. after a moment - jeongyeon spoke again. “so this morning..?” a small nod from jihyo. “and all my favorite foods magically being in the cabinets?”

a sheepish smile. jihyo reaches and rubs her face, tears building in her eyes as she chuckles. “damnit, it all makes sense now.” she pulls away, and-

stomps her foot. jeongyeon’s heart swells. adorable.

“I really thought I was beating you for once.” sighed the younger. “you’re too good. park jeongyeon.”

“hey, but at least you tried and-” jeongyeon paused. “um, hold on, yoo jihyo. you’re taking my name, baby.”

jihyo sighs, offering her hand. “argue later, propose now.”

the older rolls her eyes, grinning as she slips the ring on jihyo’s finger, and offers her own. jihyo slides the ring on and sighs, leaving and kissing her fiancé. her tears from earlier finally fall, and jeongyeon bends, clutching her waist and tugging her in closer. she breaks the kiss, murmuring. “…I love you.”

jihyo’s heart hammers. “I love you too.”

she squeezes jeongyeon a bit closer. “…the girls are gonna lose their minds.”

—

momo sits quietly in her room, petting the head of dobby - when all of a sudden she hears a shriek and a thud.

“what?!”

momo jumps up, frowning as she opens her door - only to find nayeon whining and approaching from her room as she rubs her head and holds her phone. “momooooo!!!!!! not fair! jihyo and jeongyeon are engaged! when are you gonna propose, huh? you’re so unfair! ow, and my head really hurts now…”

momo sighs.

She doesn’t say a word before Jeingyeon speaks again. 

"This better be important, Mina-ssi, no one should see you enter this building" she insists, warning the young woman.

She just nods as she looks for the right words thinking about the dialogue she has been practicing in her head since she decided to address this issue face to face without intermediaries. At first she hesitates, but decides to be clear instead of beating around the bush.

"Excuse me Jeongyeon-nim, but I think this will interest you" she finally dares to speak. 

The other woman just waves her hand inviting her to sit across the table of her huge office, making her take a seat immediately before she can continue. 

"ZoneTech is starting to work on video games."

As soon as those words leave her mouth, the Signal Systems CEO's face changes. Her body takes on a different posture, her jaw tightens and her fists clench tightly. 

On the other side of the big desk Mina, analyzing every one of her moves, notices her obvious frustration. For a few seconds, she remains silent, waiting for any question or comment from the other woman, but this one, who is somewhere between surprise and anger, does not utter a single sound beyond a breath that deepens and accelerates as the rage invades her. 

This is a personal attack. It’s not the first time something like this has happened; after all, this whole war has been going on for more than half a century.

In 1942, friends and partners in business, Yoo Byungho and Park Youngho, opened a home furnishings store. At that time, the country was going through difficult times with the Japanese occupation and the subsequent Korean War that led to a prolonged period of political instability. But thanks to Yoo's creativity and Park's selling skills, the business not only survived but grew from a humble store to a small and promising company. 

In the early 1960s, a new era of prosperity would come for the country and for these entrepreneurs as well, they expanded the business, importing and selling  household appliances, founding Zone Systems. Unfortunately, due to constant disagreements between Yoo Byungho and Park Youngho, this pioneering company would not reach its fifth anniversary, as the partners broke their alliance and created Signal Systems and ZoneTech, respectively. Against all odds, taking different paths was the key to success for both.

Today, Signal Systems and ZoneTech have established themselves as the most important companies in the country, having a great influence on economic, political and cultural development. 

Despite the impressive achievements of each of them individually, it’s impossible to talk about one without mentioning the other. The reason for this is not the shared origins, but the numbers, data and rankings always place one behind the other with a slim margin. If one year the market has been dominated by ZoneTech, it’s most likely that the following year those numbers will be surpassed by Signal Systems. 

If you ask any technology expert, economic expert, or ordinary consumer which brand is better, the answer will never be unanimous.

And it’s a really complex answer, since both cover the same businesses such as consumer electronics, technology, finance and, in recent years, have incorporated entertainment. The only thing that makes them different is that SignalSystems is known for creating and using the most advanced technology always wrapped in the most sophisticated designs, while ZoneTech stands out for making that technology accessible to the general public with more affordable prices and more practical designs.

This is how a disagreement between partners has now become a war between the largest South Korean business groups, a battle that has been going on for six decades and in which four generations of the Yoo and Park families have already participated. A dispute that is now at its peak since the great-granddaughters of the two businessmen, Yoo Jeongyeon and Park Jihyo, took over as CEO, and, like their ancestors, they were friends before they were rivals.

"How do you know?" is the first thing she asks.

"Well, as you know I am a programmer. This last month they have been doing individual interviews to workers from each of the departments, telling us that they are looking for new ways to organize the work teams according to our interests, aptitudes and skills, since they want to release different products next year and they need the highest efficiency" she begins to explain confusing Jeongyeon, who doesn't quite understand what Mina is trying to say with all of this. Still, she listens to her carefully trying, to get answers.

"At first, they were normal questions about our work interests and whether we had hobbies related to our work, but when I mentioned my liking for video games they seemed interested. The questions started out generic... what kind of video games I play and so on, but then they asked me if I think the company would have the capacity to create their own games and if I would be interested in working on that hypothetical project" she seems to conclude.

The CEO, with an increasing anger, gets up from the desk without knowing what to do with her hands and tries to calm down her nerves before speaking.

"I want information. I want data. And I want documents that prove what you tell me, That's what I pay you for, not for you to come to me with assumptions.'' 

At no time does she raise her voice, but her tone is stern and threatening, although not enough for the programmer to lose her signature serene demeanor.

"I know. That's why I didn’t come until now" she replies. "I was handed this morning" she says as she takes a folder out of her briefcase and puts it on the table.

Seeing that it’s a folder with the orange logo of the rival company neatly printed and partially covered by a red and black stamp warning that it is confidential information, she returns to her chair and takes the papers in her hands. 

A quick read is all it takes for Jeongyeon to come to the same conclusion as her informant.

"ZoneTech is going to create a video game" she mutters to herself. 

As she reads, her jaw tightens again and her fists clench the pages until she stands up and begins to scan each page. When she has a copy of the thirty pages that make up the document, she places them back in the folder and returns it to its owner.

"You may leave, Mina-ssi" is the last thing her boss says. 

She does what she is told, taking the folder and her briefcase and bowing before walking through the door.

Once she is alone in her office, she goes through the papers again, this time more carefully and without losing detail. Unlike Park Jihyo, she does get involved in the development process of many products, as both her hobbies and her studies have always leaned towards engineering and programming and not towards business and economics like her rival. 

In fact, the ten video games that have been released in the last three years under the Signal Games brand were Yoo Jeongyeon's own idea and creation. She was the one who saw an opportunity in this market that the company had never ventured into before, and she dared to do so. It was not only an adventure for the company but also for herself. 

Perhaps that's why, for the first time, she lets it get the best of her and grabs the phone.

"Dahyun-ssi, I need the usual apology basket for Miss Im, but this time write ‘thank you’ on the card" she asks her secretary.

Just a few meters away from the door of her office, Kim Dahyun tries to hide her surprise and takes note of the instructions given by her boss.

"Okay, you will have the basket ready in an hour. Should I also add the usual bouquet with flowers that symbolize friendship, or would you rather ones that express gratitude?"

"Mhm… good point, Dahyun-ssi, I hadn't thought of that. Use both of them and add some blue if possible. I trust you. When everything is ready, send it to her home and also free up my schedule for the rest of the day. Thank you very much."

Of course, the favor she asks to her longtime best friend, Nayeon, costs her more than a basket of her favorite foreign snacks, three packages of the best meat on the continent, and, of course the latest model of the Signal System cell phone. 

₩ 10 billion for her next movie is exactly what it costs her. That is the price of Jihyo's personal phone number. For anyone else, it would be crazy, but for the CEO, who was putting her friend in such a compromising situation. The latter has stayed out of the fights between them for years,  so the price seems more than reasonable.

The negotiation wasn’t easy, but as soon as Nayeon had the basket on her doors and the first payment for the financing for her next film project, Jeongyeon received a message with the phone number. 

Minutes later, at the other end of the Central Business District, Park Jihyo smiles with satisfaction when her phone lights up with the name: Yoo Jeongyeon.

"I was waiting for your call, Jeongyeon-ssi" is what Jeongyeon hears after a single tone.

"Then I'll save the explanations. I have an offer. It will have to be face to face and just the two of us. As soon as possible. I want neither intermediaries nor interveners."

"Where will we meet? You know that if we’re seen in the same building the effect on the stock market would be immediate. But if we do it in secret and the press catches us it will be all over the news making all kinds of assumptions and spreading all kinds of rumors. And I don't think your father would like that, would he?" she says with a sarcastic and mocking tone.

"Jihyo-sunbaenim, I'm not for your stupid games right now" she says with a tone that denotes that her patience is running out. "I'll take care of the place, it will be neutral, casual and public enough so as not to raise more suspicion than is necessary. Try to keep it discreet,  and of course don't wear or bring anything that would imply that this is a business-related meeting" she makes clear with a serious tone that only provokes Jihyo more to keep pushing Jeongyeon's buttons.

"And why would you and I be in one place if not for work?" she says with obvious sarcasm in her tone that doesn't go unnoticed by the other one. 

"We can just be some old friends getting together to catch up." 

As soon as she says that, a loud and snarky laugh is heard, but no words precede it, so she keeps talking. 

"I'll send you the address, see you there" she declares.

"Wait!" she says before she can cut the call. "Did you have my contact saved or did your spy give it to you?" she adds, but before she gets an answer, she hears a few beeps indicating that the call has ended.

That’s how the first private conversation the two have had in four years ends, a conversation that leaves both of them with such a strange feeling. It's not as if they haven't spoken during all this time; they have actually crossed some words on more than one occasion during all kinds of events, acting as complete strangers with empty words, without any purpose beyond showing a cordial and polite relationship in front of colleagues, business partners, politicians and the press. 

Now, although the conversation was brief and straight to the point, it felt personal somehow. The warnings, the sarcasm and the challenging undertones of the exchange are never present – or at least not so obvious– in the formal and aseptic talks they usually have in front of others.

It was almost like going back to that usual bickering between the two that used to annoy Nayeon during their high school years, when the three of them were inseparable friends. However, the difference was that this time it did not come from playfulness but from the current hostility that exists between the two businesswomen.

There was a time when things were different. 

It had always been Jeongyeon and Nayeon until the first week of their last high school year. Everything changed when they were approached by a short girl with big bright eyes who introduced herself to Jeongyeon, even though they already knew who the other was. She still remembers the determination in her eyes when that shorter and younger student told her she would be as good or better than her.

From that day, their friendship, but also a friendly competition between the three of them, began. By the middle of the school year, Jihyo had already surpassed the highest grades and top scores in all the clubs and sports that, up to then, belonged to his unnies, Nayeon and Jeongyeon.

This situation, far from distancing or confronting them, brought them closer and turned them into great friends. Despite the rivalry that had marked the relationship between their families, Jeongyeon did not mind because she expected the new students to beat records and records at some point, just as she had done since she arrived. 

On the other hand, Nayeon enjoyed having someone as competitive as her, while Jihyo didn’t really care much about her. She considered Jeongyeon her greatest competition and an example to follow. Like her, she would inherit a big company and had to be just as good. This wasn’t the case with Nayeon, who, although she had an impressive academic record like the other two, was the daughter of an actor and a writer. So outside of school their competition was a simple game with no major meaning for both of them.

Needless to say, many things have changed over the years, and nothing is the same now. 

Nayeon has been there for both of them as a friend, confidant partner in crime and sometimes even as a wingwoman. But they are no longer '3mix',  as they used to call their small squad. Now they are just Nayeon and Jeongyeon on one side, and Nayeon and Jihyo on the other.

Two days after the call, the two find themselves staring defiantly at each other in one of the best restaurants in the city. The older one arrived early and was already seated in a more distant and private corner of the establishment when Jihyo arrived, led by some waiter. As soon as he left, they exchanged a cordial greeting and the first words.

"So, a restaurant" is the first thing Jihyo says with a provocative smile as she takes a seat.

"Can you think of anything better? I thought you usually like my ideas quite a bit" she replies immediately, without thinking much. 

As soon as those words leave her mouth she regrets it. She has come here to look for solutions not to make the whole situation worse.

"It's not a complaint, but don't think that by inviting me to dinner I'll take you up on your offer" she replies in the same defensive tone.

Jeongyeon rolls her eyes at Jihyo's unassertive attitude, although she understands that she herself has not been very welcoming so far. 

They haven't even ordered yet, so there's still time to change the course of the conversation and the dinner. She intends to do her best to leave this restaurant with a closed deal and not a fight that will make the problem grow even bigger. And she knows for a fact that falling for Jihyo's games will only make things worse.

As if the waiter had heard her thoughts, he appears with the menu giving them a chance to make a fresh start and forget the little run-in they had seconds before. They both take it, thanking the waiter and start going through the expensive and exclusive dishes, looking up from time to time to stare at each other, as if making sure that they are really at the same table about to share a dinner. Just the two of them with no one else around. 

The last time they did something like this was so long ago that it seems like a dream, as if those memories aren’t theirs. Jeongyeon looks at her trying to read her. Long ago a single grin, frown or sneer was enough to guess her mood or if something was on her mind, but now it almost feels like the person in front of her is a complete stranger.

Jihyo is no longer the enthusiastic, competitive, playful but insecure and innocent teenager who used to call her unnie with those big bright eyes, those cheeks that made you want to pinch them and her characteristic long brown hair. Now she has an ambitious and confident woman in front of her, still with reminiscences of her playful personality. It’s obvious that she still likes to play games, but they are not innocent anymore.

She knows what she wants and does whatever it takes to get it. That is something she has made clear to Jeongyeon these past years with her mind games, strategies and foul play. The sparkle in her eyes has disappeared and they are no longer so expressive. The gaze is cold and she feels like she is analyzing each and every one of her moves. Her appearance seems to have changed according to her personality. She looks much more mature now that she’s a 26 year old woman, but it’s not just about the passing of time; her look is also a statement.

Her hair is shoulder-length, a little longer than hers, and dyed black. Her features are more defined and her jaw is sharp. Her round cheeks might have disappeared with age, but her distinctive mole is still right on the tip of her nose. Her whole body is noticeably more defined, and even though the black blazer-style dress she wears covers her arms, Jeongyeon caught a glimpse of her toned, tanned legs before she sat down.

"You look great, Jihyo-sunbaenim" she compliments her to break the ice and tries to show that she didn’t come here looking for a challenge or a fight.

This catches the younger one off guard, surprising her. None of the thousand scenarios of the encounter she has been creating in her head these days had prepared her to receive kind words from Jeongyeon that seemed sincere. She has always been a person with a cold and distant attitude, saying compliments so openly, giving or receiving displays of affection isn’t her thing, or at least it wasn't. Maybe she has changed too, Jihyo thinks to herself.

"You too, you look good, Jeongyeon-ssi" she replies with a small smile without showing her teeth and takes the liberty to tease. "I see your style has been refined. I hope your dad didn't have to burn your sweatshirts like she used to promise."

The comment makes them both relax and the tension dissipates slightly with their soft laughter. For a moment they seem to know each other and it’s like nothing has happened between them. Just for a few seconds.

When they were teenagers and were forced to attend all types of social and business-related events, it was common to see Jeongyeon wearing a sweatshirt among the elegant women's dresses and the boring men's suits. That always annoyed her father, but also a younger Jihyo, who would always lecture her about the importance of etiquette and reminded her that in the future she would be the heiress of an important company so she should dress like one.

Now Jeongyeon is in front of her and still keeps a somewhat more casual style than expected from the CEO of one of the biggest South Korean companies with blonde highlights in some parts of her hair and her more masculine style, now much more sophisticated. Black pants, a beige shirt with a brown turtleneck sweater underneath. Comfortable and discreet, but it really suits her.

Jihyo shakes those thoughts out of her head when the taller one asks if she would like to have the same wine as her. Usually, Jihyo would order a beer, but in a restaurant like this it's more suitable if she orders wine, especially when Jeongyeon points out the wine she chose would go very well with her meat. It kind of hurts her pride but she knows she is right.

After the waiter takes their order they continue a conversation so superficial that they will surely forget it before dessert, however they do not take their eyes off each other analyzing and memorizing every movement, no matter how subtle it may be. It is not until they drink their second glass of wine that Jihyo dares to talk about the reason that has brought them here, or rather to ask what it is.

"I’m guessing you didn't invite me to dinner to talk about wine" Jihyo says with a slightly sarcastic tone. "What's that offer you mentioned? It must be very interesting for you to have dared to call me and even put Nayeon-unnie in the middle of it."

At this, Jeongyeon nods "Always straight to the point, some things never change" she says, receiving a shrug in response. "Well let's get down to business then...". 

She takes a long sip, creating anticipation before speaking again.

"Forget about video games, and in return, Signal Entertainment will disappear from the industry with the only condition that the group becomes part of your company, with no cost. Those girls have worked hard and are succeeding, it wouldn't be fair to them" she states in the shortest and most concise way possible.

For the first time since they sat down, Jeongyeon can read Jihyo's expression. The surprise on her face is more than obvious, but it soon changes to one of satisfaction. Her strategy was working like a charm, even better than she expected.

"I knew the video game thing would get you to react right away, but I have to admit I'm getting more than I intended" she says amused. "Some things never change after all, you're still the same nerd you were in high school" she laughs.

"Do we have a deal then?" she asks, ignoring her remark.

"Not so fast. If I remember correctly your Itzy girls debuted a year after ZoneMusic debuted StrayKids...if we brought our own video games to market, wouldn't we simply be giving consumers more options?" she says, unable to help grinning. "Why would I turn down the chance to beat you on your own ground?" she adds, defiantly.

"I didn't want to get to this part of the deal, but if you don't accept it I will file a lawsuit against ZoneTech for plagiarizing our technology and using it in your products on more than one occasion."

"I didn't know you were capable of taking risks, it seems that there are also things that change" she says completely carefree and even amused, for her this is a game, but not for Jeongyeon. 

"I promise you I don't want to do it, but if necessary I will go all the way, because it's a won case."

"You seem very confident, you know the best law firms would fight over the case and it wouldn't stay in court. It would be all over the media and it would end up becoming a public trial."

"I know, and that's why I want to avoid it. The evidence is more than obvious. Without getting too technical, your products have always come out later and I have proof that you have spies in my company."

At this last statement, Jihyo lets out a wry laugh.

"You say that as if you don't have your own spies lurking around my company. In fact we are here because of one of them, aren't we?"

"I don't know, can you prove it?" challenges Jeongyeon. "Because I have recordings and audios that prove that discarded programs, software and designs have been stolen from me and then used by your company" as she says this, the CEO can see her rival's face change, even though she tries to hide it as best she can. "I have more than enough information. I don't need my... informants to steal and if they did I would like to think they would do it better than this girl. I don't know if you are familiar with the name Son Chaeyoung, short, dyed black hair and plenty of tattoos."

Of course she knows who the girl she is talking about is, the same way she knows that Myoui Mina is the one who gave her the video game information. But there is no way to prove it since that information was shared with fifty other workers. 

Fortunately for Chaeyoung, Jeongyeon has better plans for her if Jihyo accepts her offer. Her work as a designer is so good that she intends to come to an agreement with her before she ends up working for ZoneTech. But unfortunately for Park Jihyo, the tattooed girl is not so good when it comes to computer science, espionage and keeping secrets. Chaeyoung was recently caught on the servers floor trying – unsuccessfully – to steal a software program, and who caught her was none other than Minatozaki Sana, ZoneTech's receptionist, but a computer scientist and shadow informant for Signal Systems.

According to the Japanese woman, despite her boss Yoo's request not to go into details, she only needed to unbutton a couple of buttons on her shirt and a couple of innuendos for the short girl to end up on her bed showing her all her tattoos and confessing to her what a designer was doing with a laptop and a bunch of cables on the server floor in an attempt to impress her.

This same story, although omitting quite a few details, is what Jeongyeon tells Jihyo to show her that she isn’t playing games and that she is totally being serious. But Park is stubborn and the conversation continues until dessert arrives. 

The older one assures her that any judge would eventually be on her side. She even invites her to check with her own lawyers before giving her an answer. She also assures her that she wouldn't like to have to solve it in court because it would be a long and tedious process for both of them regardless of who wins. She reminds her of the fuss it would cause,  and that the legal process itself would be nothing compared to having the media on their backs for months digging up dirt of the company, their family and even personal issues that may or may not be a lie would come into play. And in this sense, they both know that it would only only take exposing their personal interests for their public image and status to suffer serious damage.

Jihyo is confident that she could get some good lawyers, and the possibility of a billion won lawsuit does not worry her. However, the damage it could cause to the company's image and her family's legacy and especially the work her father did, does worry her and is what makes her consider Jeongyeon's words. 

If any of this, from the theft of information to the espionage were to become public knowledge, she’d have to prepare herself for the worst.

"Think about it, Jihyo-ah" Jeongyeon says, dropping the formalities. Once again leaving the other speechless, she just takes a sip of her wine instead. "I know I have no right to ask you to trust me, but we were once friends and I wouldn't want this senseless family war to continue for another sixty years."

"And your way of ending it is to sue me?" she asks in disbelief.

"It's not like that. I've offered you a deal that you know would benefit both of us. You've always loved music as much as I love video games. We both win".

All of this is not enough to convince her, because she doesn’t trust the person in front of her. There’s something that makes her wary. It seems all too simple to end four years of hatred between them. Why now? Why all of a sudden? Is this all about stupid video games or are they just a way to build bridges between companies? Is this all a strategy? Is this all a strategy? are some of the questions that go through her mind.

"How do I know I can trust you?"

"First of all, Nayeon-unnie would finish me off if I tried to hurt you, so carrying out the lawsuit would mean ending a friendship of over 20 years. But if that's not enough to convince you, I can show you all the evidence I could present against you, that way you can see how serious I am about this. Obviously, it would be stupid to give them to you since I would be helping you prepare a good defense, but if you come to my place I will show everything to you, even the security videos and recordings of Son Chaeyoung. You just have to set a day for me."

"I want to see them now" she replies with no hesitation.

This time, it’s Jeongyeon who is caught by surprise, she didn’t expect to receive such an immediate response. It’s rushed, but true to her word, Jeongyeon pays for the luxurious dinner and they both leave the restaurant, catching some curious glances and hearing some murmurs in the background.

"I guess you didn't come driving in those heels" says Jeongyeon as she looks up and down her perfectly sculpted legs. "I can give you a ride and then I'll have someone drive you back to your house." 

She takes some time to actually give her an answer. Under normal circumstances, Jihyo wouldn't accept the favor, as she prefers to do things her own way. But under normal circumstances she wouldn't be going to her former friend's house on a Friday night either, so she agrees, and they both leave in the same car after Jihyo gives her driver and bodyguard the night off.

The drive to Jeongyeon's house is longer than expected, but they barely exchange a few words and just stare at the road while listening to music. The music is soft, perfect for driving at night. The volume is loud enough so that they don't have to engage in conversation, but neither of them is able to pay attention to it when all they are able to hear are their own thoughts. 

They have met again, they have talked after a long time, the deal, the lawsuit… but also the compliments, the teasing and the bickering. There are so many things to think about and so many feelings to process, they don't even know how they feel about what's going on. 

Eventually, they arrive. Jeongyeon's house, unlike hers, is on the outskirts of the city, in one of the most expensive districts of the capital, although her own luxurious duplex apartment in the city center probably cost the same as this huge, modern house. It really suits her, Jihyo thinks as she gets inside, led by the taller one.

She's never been much of a sociable person, but she doesn't like to be isolated either, and though she may boast a simple lifestyle, she wouldn’t give up the comforts that her family's money and status have brought her. After all, that’s how they both grew up and it’s all they know. It’s in an area away from the hustle and bustle of the city but not far away you can see luxurious homes and the occasional mansion. The interior, as well as the exterior, has a modern and contemporary design with the newest and most advanced technology in every corner from the living room to the kitchen where they are now.

"Beer, right?" she asks, earning a confused look from Jihyo. When they were friends she wasn't old enough to drink and lately they hadn't shared any context casual enough for her to know about her fondness for beer. Jeongyeon seems to read her mind and while opening the fridge she simply says "The cans that Nayeon-unnie keeps in her fridge" she clarifies.

Of course that was it. Even if the two pretend the other doesn't exist on a daily basis, when they’re spending time with their friend, sometimes it’s inevitable that she briefly mentions the other or remembers her existence, especially when there’s a space in Nayeon's fridge reserved exclusively for the beers and soju she usually drinks with Jihyo.

Despite cutting off any personal relationship between them, they have never stopped being present in each other's lives either for work or for their best friend. A fact that makes Jeongyeon's decision decisive. This situation must end no matter what, we can't go on fighting all our lives.

Jeongyeon offers her the beer and leads her to her office. Once there, she asks her to turn around to open the strongbox where she has all the evidence she’ld use in case the lawsuit goes through. 

When she’s able to look again, she finds before her a series of folders stacked one on top of the other rising about 20 centimeters above the table, several hard drives and also CDs. Jihyo assumes that they likely contain the same contents in different formats, knowing the cautious nature of the woman next to her, it is an assumption but also a hope. In front of her is what could bring her career, her company, her family and her legacy to an end. 

It’s at this exact moment and without yet diving into the documents, that she becomes fully aware of the gravity of the situation.

She could try to defend herself against every attack,  and will do so if necessary, but she’s not so arrogant as to think she would come out unscathed. She knows full well that the damage it could cause would be fatal, even if she managed to strike back with every blow, and that would mean the end for ZoneTech and for Signal Systems as well.

"Go ahead, take a seat" Jeongyeon invites her, knowing that she’s in full control of the situation right now.

"Can I see everything?" she asks, looking directly at Jeongyeon. From the expression on her face, Jeongyeon can’t tell if she is genuinely asking her permission or if she is testing her, trying to see if this is all trick.

"If you're going to go through all the documents, I guess we'd better get comfortable. Let's go to the living room."

So that is what they do. 

After reaching an agreement for Jihyo to leave their cell phones in another room, they both get comfortable in the living room, each with a beer in one hand and several folders in the other. Although the tension is not the same as it was at the beginning of the evening, neither one of them trusts the other, the tension is in the air. Jeongyeon, in addition to making Jihyo leave her cell phones away, doesn't take her eyes off her and the latter can't help but look over the documents to see what the other is doing.

From time to time, Jihyo – not being well versed in the subject – asks Jeongyeon some questions and she has no problem in resolving her doubts. Soon, they open the second beer. Between the questions and the occasional accusation of plagiarizing each other's products and marketing strategies on both sides, they also begin to share some anecdotes from the past. On occasion, they briefly mention things about their current life without going into much detail.

It's getting later and later, but the activity, conversation and beers keep them going for the time being. 

Jeongyeon is genuinely taken by surprise by Jihyo's determination, she is really willing to read every single document, she is already on the fourth folder and still has three more to go plus videos, recordings and images. The older woman could leave her to it and go do something else, something other than watching her read documents with that same deep frown she makes when tasting food she likes, the same one she made during dinner or when she took that first sip of beer hours ago.

She could give her space, but at the end of the day, it's not as awkward as she’s assumed it would be. Still, she knows she has to be cautious because any misstep could ruin everything. And, although she'd never admit it, she'd rather be talking and catching up,  pretending for a moment that their friendship never ended, than explaining software details on a Friday night after two glasses of wine and a few cans of beer.

"Are you really planning to read the whole thing? Aren't you tired?" she asks, with honest concern.

"If you want me to leave, just say so" she says, finishing the can of beer in one gulp. "But I need to know what I'd have to deal with. I don't think you'd be thinking about sleeping either if you were in my situation."

"That's not what I mean. I mean if you aren’t tired of all this? Aren't you tired of trying to outdo me at everything?"

At this unexpected question Jihyo just bursts out laughing. 

"Oh my god, I didn't take you for someone this self-centered. Do you really think this whole situation is about me trying to prove I'm better than you?"

"Well, I think it's pretty obvious, in fact, if memory serves me correctly, the first thing you told us after introducing yourself to us was that you’d be as good as us in everything. Soon after that, I remember you had the highest grades in high school and broke all our records in soccer, archery and athletics" as Jeongyeon recalls, on the other side of the couch, Jihyo looks at her in disbelief frowning and holding the bridge of her nose while listening to her. "I know that was like a game, it was our thing and you outdid me in everything, but we’re adults now, we can't be playing games or fooling around. I think it's time to accept that this isn't getting anywhere. No one is winning here."

"Are you drunk already or are you still just as dense?" the words leave Jihyo’s mouth before she can stop them, and she immediately regrets it. She takes a breath and softens her tone. "Sorry, that came out harsher than I intended. What I’m trying to say is that you haven't really changed, have you? You've always been brilliant at understanding numbers, computers, video games and all that like no one else. But when it comes to people..."

"What do you mean?"

"This has never been about me trying to be better than you or beating you. Not anymore, at least, it's not about you. It's about doing my job and keeping my company at the top" she states and adds with a playful smirk “and certainly the fact that it’s you I’m going up against does make it more fun."

Jeongyeon just rolls her eyes at that last remark.

"You should know better after everything that happened" she says without going any deeper into the subject because it's not necessary for the other to understand what she's referring to. "It's really frustrating. You don't see the things you have right in front of your eyes, I’ve never been able to tell if you’re truly oblivious... or just pretending not to notice." Jihyo sighs. 

She takes a few seconds to compose herself and tries to grab another beer, but Jeongyeon stops her gently. Jihyo just nods and continues, avoiding direct eye contact. 

"Of course I wanted to be better than you back then. Knowing that I’d be in the same high school as the heiress of my family’s biggest rival, needless to say I wanted to be better than you, of course I did. But you didn't treat me as such nor a rival or an enemy, so before I even realized it we became friends. There was also Nayeon and we got closer every day. I stopped seeing you as a rival those first weeks, it didn't take you long to become my role model."

She looks up at Jeongyeon, eyes clear but there’s a flicker of something else. Doubt, perhaps.

"Role model?" Jeongyeon echoes, surprised. She leans in slightly, feeling curious to know the younger girl's side of the story. Eager to know what she means when she says she’s never seen what was right in front of her.

"Think about it, your future and mine were going to be quite similar. Heiress to one of the biggest companies in the country… the first woman to be in charge, and you were older than me. You had the best grades, broke records in almost every sport, captain of the soccer team and were part of dozens of clubs. I looked up to you.  I wanted to follow in your footsteps because I knew they were the right ones. I didn't want to beat you, I aspired to be as good as you".

Jihyo’s heart is racing as her story unfolds, because even though nothing new will come to light, there are still unresolved matters, conversations they never had and wounds that remain unhealed that she doesn't want to think about. Her heartbeat is only slightly faster than Jeongyeon’s, who knows just as well as she does what’s about to be said.

"But we both know it was more than just admiration. I loved you and just wanted to be good enough for you. I-"

Right when Jihyo is in the middle of her confession, a wave of feelings hits Jeongyeon throwing her toward the lips of the woman in front of her, who is looking at her with those big and expressive brown eyes. 

It takes a few seconds for Jihyo to realize what is happening but when she does she doesn't move away. Instead, she lets herself go and closes her eyes ignoring all the alarms going off in her mind. 

It's a timid kiss; their lips don't even move until Jeongyeon takes the lead. At first her kisses, like her movements, are delicate and tentative, giving Jihyo room to stop her at any moment, but this doesn't happen.  

They both know that the sensible thing to do would be to stop, but they don't know how to do it. They can't do it. It seems that tonight the two of them are letting each other break through all the walls, and for a moment they forget about the world and their problems. It feels too right to be a mistake.

Their lips feel so familiar that it makes their hearts ache. Their mouths taste like beer, memories and regrets. The taste of the past on their lips is so strong that it makes them pause.  For a few seconds they exchange glances, catch their breaths, and look for a sign to stop or a gesture that invites them to continue. 

Jihyo is the first to speak after coming to her senses.

"What the fuck, Jeongyeon?" she wonders out loud.

All that confidence she had when she threw herself at the younger one's lips vanishes right after hearing her words. 

"I'm sorry!" she exclaims with hesitant and nervous gestures. "I thought... I shouldn't have-"

This time, it’s Jihyo who interrupts her, not with a kiss but with a statement that surprises her even more. 

"I thought you hated me" she admits. 

"What? I’ve never hated you, Jihyo" she replies, somewhat more relaxed and looking into her eyes with honesty. 

"I have...sometimes I still do" she confesses, leaving Jeongyeon stunned. 

"In that case, it's better to stop here and forget about what happened. I'll take you home" she says, trying to brush it off and getting up from the couch, obviously trying to show indifference to Jihyo's words but she can see a slight pain in her eyes.

When she’s about to get her car keys she feels a hand around her wrist. She turns around and sees Jihyo looking up at her with an amused smile.

"You didn't let me finish, I know we shouldn't do this, the last time we kissed things didn't end well" she says, more as a reminder to herself than to Jeongyeon. "That's what makes me want to hate you. No matter what you do you're always going to drive me crazy. I hate that you still have this effect on me." 

Hearing her words Jeongyeon's whole body heats up and she can feel her cheeks burning at the low tone of Jihyo's voice. She doesn't know what to reply and the other one isn't sure if she wants to hear what she has to say. Before she can give her an answer, she pulls her arm, pushing her towards the couch right next to her. 

Are you sure?" asks Jeonyeon. "We can stop if you want, at any time and we can forget about everything that has happened since you walked in the door."

"Unnie..." she replies lowering her tone and leaving Jeongyeon speechless, she no longer remembered how the word sounded coming from Jihyo's mouth. "Let's forget everything that happened before we walked through that door, just don't hurt me this time" she pleads with a sigh, letting herself look vulnerable like she never did before. 

In front of her is no longer the successful and intimidating CEO who occasionally makes her job impossible. Gone is her cold, distant and inaccessible image. It’s simply Jihyo, asking who asks her to guard her heart, to tear down her walls to let her pass and remind her that she is the woman who never fails to make her heart race, who takes her breath away, who makes her head spin and gives her butterflies in her stomach.  

She knows perfectly well why all she’s asking her not to hurt her, she doesn't need to explain it for Jeongyeon to understand what she means. But before she can give her an answer as reassurance, other than nodding her head, it’s Jihyo who makes the first move.

This time it is not so sudden. The movements are smoother; they take their time to place themselves in a more comfortable position, still keeping a safe distance between them. She doesn't know what time it is or how far she is willing to go, but she doesn't want this to come to an end. She wants to savor every moment without rushing. 

She touches Jeongyeon as if she wants to check that she’s really there, that she isn’t a memory and that she isn’t going to vanish from one moment to the next as she has done so many times before. She doesn't know what time it is or how far she is willing to go, but she doesn't want it to end. She touches Jeongyeon slowly as if she is memorizing every fold of her clothes with her hands, as if she is afraid that it is really a dream that could vanish at any moment. 

The taller one lets herself be touched without putting up any resistance, she lets Jihyo take the lead, she knows she needs control right now and is willing to give it to her – for now.

The younger one gently caresses her cheek, tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and moves her hand down to her collarbones. Her fingers slowly snake around her neck and when she squeezes lightly, at last Jeongyeon reacts by letting out a soft whimper. As she maintains her grip, her eyes travel from her own hand to the lips of the woman whose neck she grips as delicately as she does precisely, and then to her eyes, where she sees something she hadn't seen before. Immediately the grip on her neck tightens a little more and Jihyo moves until she ends 

up on top of her thighs, straddling her. 

"If you hurt me it's over" this time it doesn't sound like a plea at all but more like a threat and Jeongyeon has a feeling it won't be the first one she'll hear tonight. 

"Yes, ma'am" Jeongyeon whispers, unable to help but smile, far from being uncomfortable in the position she is in.

As soon as these words leave her mouth, Jihyo releases her neck to grab the collar of her shirt and crush their lips together in a hungry kiss. This time it's deeper and more passionate, but full of emotions like the first one of the night. Their lips explore each other again with kisses that are increasingly impatient, heated and wet, creating sounds that fill the silent room.

Shortly their tongues start to get involved, exploring every inch of their mouths moving in perfect synchrony. As they devour each other, it’s not their tongues fighting for dominance, but them fighting for control until Jihyo caresses the roof of her mouth with the tip of her tongue, leaving Jeongyeon at her mercy making her forget all about her little power game as the first moan escapes from her lips. Hearing the sound echoing against her mouth, Jihyo's hands clinging to her shirt, pulling her closer, and she feels the heat coming off her skin as she wraps her arms around her neck. 

They kiss for what feels like hours, pausing only to catch their breath or let out soft moans against each other's mouths. But their hands have barely explored each other's skin and not a single button or zipper has been undone yet. When eager kisses aren't enough Jeongyeon's lips drift from her mouth to her jaw and down to Jihyo's neck, as she caresses the caramel skin of her exposed thighs.

When Jeongyeon starts tracing kisses all over her neck, Jihyo can no longer ignore the growing wetness between her legs especially when the kisses are followed by soft bites and licks that go all the way down to her chest, driving her crazy. 

"Take off my dress" she commands with a whisper against her ear before nibbling it, sending a shiver down Jeongyeon's spine. 

Without breaking away from her neck, Jeongyeon starts undoing the buttons of Jihyo’s black blazer-style dress, thankful there are only two holding it closed. She helps Jihyo out of the dress and tosses it to the other side of the couch.

This time, they lock their eyes instead of their mouths. As they do so, they can't help but smile seeing each other's red and swollen lips. For Jeongyeon, the image of Jihyo straddling her makes her mouth dry. Her gaze traces from those hungry eyes and is followed by her glossy, wet lips, her neck painted with red marks that will soon begin to darken to purple and finally her body, covered only by lacy black that leaves her breathless. It’s the first time they’ve seen each other like this, and Jeongyeon needs a few seconds to to take it in.

She has Jihyo sitting on her thighs dressed only in her underwear, which, despite being black, doesn't quite hide the wet spot between Jihyo's legs. Knowing that she’s the reason for that wet spot makes Jeongyeon feel her own and squeeze her thighs, seeking some relief. This action doesn't go unnoticed by the woman on top of her who doesn't take long to tease her about it. 

"Do you like what you see? Tell me what you want" .

Jeongyeon just nods, staring without missing a single detail of her defined muscles, how her chest rises in sync with her breathing and how her abs tighten as she continues stroking her thighs. It's impossible to have Jihyo in front of you like this and not want everything with her. 

"I-I want you" she stutters against her mouth.

It's not the response Jihyo expected to receive, but it satisfies her enough to kiss Jeongyeon impatiently. Her kisses are accompanied by the subtle grind of her hips against her thighs. Her hands run through her hair, gripping it to guide her mouth lower, but before working on her chest she’s quick to unclasp her bra, finally freeing her mouth-watering breasts and capturing them eagerly with her mouth. The moan that escapes Jihyo’s lips as she feels the warmth of her tongue brushing against her hardened nipple, stiffened by both the cold and the growing pleasure, invites Jeongyeon to continue her ministrations. She gives attention to the other breast with her hands brushing her finger softly over the nub before trapping it between two fingers and pinching it with light pressure.

Her other hand, which just seconds ago was caressing her thighs, moves to her lower back holding Jihyo in place. Testing new limits,she ventures further, slipping her hand inside her underwear. A touch that makes goosebumps rise all over Jihyo’s skin in anticipation of what’s to come. 

Bodies exploring each other, blood rushing through their veins and breaths racing. The sound of wet kisses, labored breaths and muffled moans from each other's mouths is all they hear, but all their senses are alive, urging them to push further into each other.

Jeongyeon keeps her mouth busy teasing, licking, sucking and nibbling on Jihyo's breasts, while her hands roam, sinking fingers into bare skin. Most of the time her eyes are closed, unable to keep them open as the sounds coming from her mouth cause her mind to cloud and her core throb in need. 

The sensation is overwhelming. Jihyo moves her hips, seeking more pleasure as she rubs her center against Jeongyeon's body, bringing herself to the brink. She notices the beads of sweat running down her chest, caught by Jeongyeon's tongue, taking her to new places and making her feel things she's never felt before. She's doing wonders with her mouth, but right now she needs her somewhere else as the building sensation in her stomach is too much. She doesn't want it to end like this. She needs more, she needs her.

Using the grip she has on the older woman's hair, Jihyo pulls her away delighted by the image of Jeongyeon's wet mouth attached by a string of saliva to her nipple.

"Fuck..." she murmurs as she shifts her posture, sliding off her lap. 

At the loss of contact Jeongyeon whines and looks at her with pleading eyes making Jihyo grin. 

"I would never have guessed you were this needy" she says as she moves her hand to Jeongyeon's face and grabs her by the jaw to devour her mouth before whispering, "Get on your knees''. 

The words come out halfway between a command and a plea as she sits back down on the couch, leaving a space between her slightly spread legs for Jeongyeon to position herself.

She doesn't need to repeat herself. Iit barely takes Jeongyeon time to kneel on the floor between her legs. Due to the difference in height, their faces are almost at the same level, but it doesn't matter when it’s more than evident Jihyo is in charge. Even though she’s the one in a more vulnerable position – nearly naked, legs spread wide, exposing herself completely – the control is all hers. 

Jeongyeon looks at her, wanting to learn by heart every detail of her body, but behind her gaze there is more than just lust. There is admiration and adoration. She just looks up at her silently, waiting for Jihyo's next command as she feels her whole body burning and a tingling sensation in her stomach as a result of the urge to please Jihyo in this way.

Not once does her hand loosen its hold on his jaw, only loosening it as Jeongyeon positions herself. Once she’s on her knees under her attentive and hungry gaze, she uses her thumb to ghost over her lips, a motion that Jeongyeon immediately responds to by trapping the finger between her lips, sucking it and stroking it with her tongue, giving her a taste of what is to come. The warm, wet sensation of her mouth trapping her finger catches her breath and the ache between her thighs grows at the image and the contact of her fingers with the walls of her mouth. 

"I need you" she breathes as she slides her finger out of her mouth to place it into her own, tasting Jeongyeon's mouth.

In her eyes, as in her words, what she senses is desire, hunger and lust. She wants this as much as she does and is willing to give it to her. Without looking away, she caresses her legs from her ankles to the edge of her lacy panties, taking her time and switching between soft kisses and the occasional playful nibble. When she brings her mouth to her inner thigh to deposit a kiss, she inhales Jihyo's scent, which makes her light-headed and sends a shiver down to her own throbbing center.

She's dying to taste it, but she isn’t done with the teasing until she slides a finger along her clothed core, drawing a louder moan from her throat than before. It's embarrassing how sensitive and pent up she is, letting out sounds like that from a single touch. From that moment on, she knows it won't last long, as her whole body jerks from the light touch that has allowed her to feel her wetness despite the piece of cloth that still separates her from her target. 

That's when she finally decides to completely undress Jihyo, and she, feeling the cold air against her growing dampness, lets out a breathy whimper. Jeongyeon shoves a hand between her legs to spread them more in order to gain better access and to take a few seconds to revel in the image in front of her. Just inches from her eyes, nose and mouth is Jihyo's glistening sex that leaves her stunned. Intoxicated by what she sees, the smell of Jihyo's pleasure and the sensation of her own arousal, she finally reacts and looks back up into Jihyo's eyes.  

"Can I?" she says, asking for permission.

"Please" she tries to say in a neutral tone that fails to hide the desperation to receive the attention she so strongly craves.

That's all it takes for Jeongyeon to bury her head between Jihyo's tanned legs.

She starts where she left off, with kisses and nibbles on her inner thighs slowly, until her whimpers sound too needy to continue ignoring them and prolonging her torture. They seem to have come to an agreement because, at that very moment, she notices Jihyo’s hands grabbing her hair again to guide her to where she needs her the most. 

The first contact is a tentative lick with her flat tongue from bottom to top that stops before reaching her clit. That's enough for a moan to escape from her half-opened mouth. She repeats the action a couple more times at a slow pace, sliding her tongue between her folds and her slit and even teasing her hole but never reaching her bundle of nerves, testing her limits once again, enjoying her every reaction and tasting her wetness. Her hands do the same, sliding up and down caressing and grabbing her thighs, her hips, her torso, her chest and her ass without stopping anywhere, leaving caresses with his fingertips and sometimes gentle scratches.

Despite the pleasurable but torturous ministrations, Jihyo is loving every second, every lick and every rub. Her moans get louder and louder as the pleasure washes over her and the embarrassment of sounding desperate fades away. The sounds coming out of Jihyo and the wet sounds of which she herself is to blame motivate her to go one step further, sucking on her clit. As she does so she looks up so as not to miss a single detail of Jihyo's reaction. Her act catches her by surprise, but her body is quicker to react, and it takes seconds for Jeongyeon to notice how the grip on her hair is tighter and how Jihyo's thighs now press the sides of her head, covering her ear. Even then she doesn't stop hearing Jihyo's moans. 

"Oh fuck, right there, stop teasing" she sighs between moans, guiding Jeongyeon's head between her legs. 

She continues licking, sucking and nibbling gently making her juices drip down mixed with her spit onto the couch and onto Jeonyeon's chin. She notices how her own arousal becomes uncomfortable every time she moves, however small, and feels the seams of her pants rubbing against her hardening clit, making her moan against Jihyo’s center.

For a first time together, there’s no awkwardness and Jeongyeon manages to hit all the right places, swirling her tongue around her clit, lapping on her juices and dipping her tongue inside her only to remove it seconds later, making her pussy clench around nothing. When she doesn't like something, Jihyo lets her know right away and guides her with words or by pulling her hair. She is also not shy when letting her know she is doing the right move in the perfect place, being much more vocal and also doesn't hesitate to praise her when she deserves it.

"Yes baby! just like that!" she moans loudly as Jeongyeon draws shapes onto her clit while she easily slides two fingers inside her. 

Jihyo feels herself getting closer and closer to her high and grinds her hips against her mouth as she pulls her as close as physically possible. Jeongyeon's fingers move faster and deeper, reaching new places as she curls her fingers. This has Jihyo squirming under her touch making her feel light-headed and too close to the edge even if she is still fully dressed and untouched.

Making Jihyo feel so good – hearing her praises in between her loud moans as she begs for more, feeling her warm and wet insides, seeing how she’s unable to maintain eye contact because she can't help but close her eyes and arch her body – has Jeongyeon dizzy and overwhelmed with her own sensations. When she hears her call her “baby” she can't help but slide her free hand between her legs and apply a little pressure teasing herself and focusing on her own heat instead of her aching knees. 

The mere hint of her fingers stroking over the fabric makes her jerk and gasp, sending vibrations to Jihyo's throbbing cunt. Totally intoxicated by her choking breaths and the scent of the woman trapping her between her legs, she doesn't even realize how her eyes are piercing her until she hears, "Don't you dare." That makes her gulp pull her hand away immediately, but at no point do her fingers stop darting in and out of Jihyo, who looks at her with a mischievous smile. 

"Sorry" she apologizes before going down on her again.

"Now be good and make me cum, please" she says a little breathless and bites her lip when she feels her tongue again. "I will make you feel so good and you will cum when I give you permission, baby." 

She swears that every time she hears that pet name come out of Jihyo's mouth, she’s  about to cum, just like she is about to do thanks to her good work. Since Jeongyeon is back to fingering while running her tongue all over her thighs, folds and clit, Jihyo is soon back to being close to her release. 

"B-baby I'm so... close. Don't stop!" she cries out what is meant to be a warning, but she can't help it when she shatters as she reaches her orgasm.

All it takes for Jeongyeon to bring her to climax is sucking on her swollen nub at the same time she curves her fingers deep inside her, hitting her sweet spot. Her whole body arches completely tense just before she starts to jerk. She tugs Jeongyeon's hair with one hand and puts her other hand to her mouth in a futile attempt to silence the obscene scream she just let out. She doesn't say the name of the woman responsible for her screams but, instead, "baby". 

That doesn't stop Jeongyeon, who continues her movements, slowing down when she notices her legs squeezing her head. That's when she moves her mouth away just a few centimeters, she can still feel her breath against her center as she allows her some time to come down from her high. It doesn't take long to fill her thighs with kisses as she cleans her up, a gesture that melts Jihyo's heart, who sees for the first time this loving and sweet side of her unnie. 

At that moment, she realizes where her hand is and finally lets go of Jeongyeon's hair, who starts to feel a slight discomfort from all the tugging.

"I'm sorry" she whispers before pulling the collar of her shirt to kiss her again, tasting herself first in her mouth and then on her cum covered fingers, looking at Jeongyeon with hungry and lustful eyes that make her press her thighs together. 

"Stop" Jihyo reminds her. "You’ve been very good to me, let me make you feel good now. Where’s your room, unnie?" she asks her in a way that makes Jeongyeon feel some embarrassment for being treated this way by someone younger than her, making her blush because she’s enjoying it more than she deems appropriate.

The second round is on the bed and barely lasts a few minutes. After Jihyo practically rips off Jeongyeon's clothes and gets on top of her, making herself comfortable between her legs, Jihyo takes control and starts rubbing their slick centers while their mouths devour each other in an animalistic way. She’s still sensitive from her first orgasm and Jeongyeon is already on the verge of cumming after eating her out, so they cum in no time. In any other situation or with someone else, it would have been almost embarrassing, but between them the situation, far from feeling awkward, feels right, safe and they even joke about it, but not for long.

They go fast and they go slow, sometimes gentle and sometimes rougher, trying different things, exploring each other's bodies, learning what the other likes as if they were trying to make up for all that lost time and those first times they didn't have together in one night. It doesn't take them long to recover from the earth-shattering orgasm they've shared either, so the second round turns into a third and a fourth until they lose count of the kisses, caresses and orgasms they've given each other. 

As the night progresses, they become more vocal and when they go for the last round they whisper sweet nothings to each other between kisses that are no longer about pleasure but about feeling each other. When their bodies are exhausted and their eyelids begin to close involuntarily, the first rays of sun are rising through the trees and mountains. 

"Don't go" she blurts out without thinking, and in an attempt to regain her composure adds "Get some sleep, you're too tired to go home, it's dangerous, you could cause an accident". 

"You say that like I'm going to drive" she giggles. "Just say you want me to stay" she pushes. 

"Why would I want that?" she says, trying to sound annoyed by the accusation, but she's too tired for it.

Jihyo shakes her head and smiles, getting too close to her and her lips, causing Jeongyeon to close her eyes in anticipation, but instead of noticing a kiss she notices Jihyo's breath against her lips saying, "You're such a tsundere... it's very charming, honey."

Jeongyeon almost chokes when she hears the pet name, it's not the first one of the night, but it's the first one she doesn't say between moans. Maybe because she knows there’s some truth in her words she doesn't talk back.

"Just stay, we'll talk about this tomorrow" she says in a soothing voice as her eyes struggle to stay open, at least until she hears Jihyo's answer. But she lies on her side, turning her back to her, as she doesn't feel ready to look her in the eyes in case she rejects her offer. 

"I'm staying, I missed you" she whispers as she hugs her from behind, spooning her.  

Once again, it’s Jihyo who proves that she is the brave one between the two by daring to name what she feels and say it out loud, exposing herself once again and being vulnerable in front of Jeongyeon. Even though she has promised herself a thousand times during this time that she would never do like this again, that she would protect her heart like she hadn't done in the past.

When she wakes up, she notices a warm body on her body and she doesn't need to open her eyes to know who it is. Jihyo is still there and this time she’s the one in his arms. Nor does she need to remember what has happened, as the mixture of smells from the room and the sheets hits her invading her nostrils. She would swear she can feel Jihyo's taste on her tongue, her fingers ghosting over the skin of her back and even her fingers running through her hair sending a shiver up her spine as she recreates moments from the night before in her head. The memories cut her breath away, but her mind soon travels elsewhere and the memories of the night are replaced by a compelling need to shower and change the sheets. Some habits never die, not even when Jihyo is naked in her bed. 

On any other occasion, Jeongyeon would already be throwing the sheets in the washing machine, preparing breakfast and cleaning up the mess in the living room where the paperwork is piled up among some beer cans. However, the uncertainty and the thought that this was a slip-up or an unforgettable accident that would never happen again keeps her pinned to the bed more firmly than the grip of Jihyo's arms or the leg that is currently wrapped around her waist.

The warmth of Jihyo’s body against hers keeps all of Jeongyeon’s senses on edge. She doesn’t wake much later than her, but those few minutes are enough for Jeongyeon to spiral into overthinking every possible scenario and outcome that might happen after this. The comfort she felt just moments ago, when she buried her face in Jihyo’s hair, turns into a tight, unpleasant pressure in her chest, caused by the growing anxiety she tries to manage as best as she can.

"Morning, Jeong" she hears Jihyo say in a husky voice.

Looking at her, she can't help but smile at the sight of the traces of makeup. This is another thing she wouldn't have allowed under normal circumstances, but the truth is that she usually didn't end up collapsing on her bed as the first rays of sunshine came out. Seeing Jihyo with her eyes slightly closed, makeup messed up, lips still swollen and some marks spread across her neck and chest makes her light-headed. 

"Good morning, Ji."

That way of calling her draws an immediate smile on Jihyo's face. She's used to being called that, Nayeon calls her that often, but on Jeongyeon's lips it just sounds different. She can’t remember the last time Jeongyeon called her that way. To think that just a few hours ago she was referring to her as Jihyo-sunbaenim makes her head spin.

Jihyo dares once again to try her luck and gives her a peck on the lips, getting an unexpected response. 

"We should take a shower."

The two have different plans, but the two have their way. Before getting into the shower they share a heated make out session that ends with Jeongyeon panting against her mouth as she reaches orgasm riding Jihyo's thigh.  

After sharing a shower in which they exchange kisses again and which becomes the perfect opportunity for Jeongyeon to return the favor, they both end up wrapped in the comfortable clothes of the owner of the house. Jeongyeon prepares coffee and a delicious and abundant breakfast for both of them, while Jihyo watches her, feeling her heart pounding in her chest.

Their relationship had never gone this far, not even when they were secretly in love with each other nor after Jihyo's first confession years ago. The furthest they had gotten beyond friendship was that confession itself, a bouquet of flowers that ended in a kiss.

This is all new to both of them, yet it feels dangerously familiar, as if they have done it all their whole lives, something that frightens both of them. Neither can rationally explain that something that shouldn't have happened in the first place feels so natural, as if the years, the distance and the enmity that has lasted almost five years never existed. And this time, not even Jihyo dares to say out loud how normal this situation feels. She fears that it's all in her head, that if she pushes too far, she could ruin it all in one reckless moment, just as she had the first time.

They talk, the conversation isn’t as deep as it should be given the circumstances, but it doesn't stay superficial either and they touch almost all the important points. They talk about Jeongyeon's offer or threat – depending on who you ask – and come to the conclusion that they shouldn't be mixing personal matters with work, so it still stands and Jihyo will have some time to think about it and consult with her own legal team if she considers so. 

On what happened last night they both agree that they got carried away without giving much thought to the possible consequences. Jihyo described it as a "moment of weakness" while Jeongyeon called it an "impulsive and irresponsible act," but neither dared to pretend it was a mistake. 

After a heated conversation that was interrupted several times by some insults, cursing, accusations and kisses they came to the conclusion that it had been a good time that both had enjoyed, but if repeated they should have a conversation beforehand that they don't know if they are ready for. And of course, Nayeon can't know anything about this, at least while they figure out what will happen between them from now on. 

They talk about everything and nothing, their friendship, their estrangement and the open war between them, which seems to have finally reached a point of truce. But always leaving out the taboo subject that always comes up but they don't dare to talk about, they just tiptoe around it. 

Before the situation becomes too domestic, Jihyo decides she should leave. "Can your driver take me or should I call mine to come?" she asks.

"I don't plan to go out and he lives nearby, if you want to go now it's better if he takes you home" she offers ignoring the slight but obvious awkwardness that has settled between them.

Jihyo nods and in a few minutes she’s ready to go, Jeongyeon is even kind enough to give her something more comfortable than her clothes from last night and offers her a pair of sneakers that are too small for her, so she doesn't have to wear her heels.

"Thank you."

"They're just sneakers, I don't even wear them" she shrugs without noticing Jihyo's sudden and unusual shyness.

"It’s not about the sneakers…” she stutters. “Just- thank you for everything."

"Don't thank me at all, I-I really enjoyed it Jihyo-ah" smiles Jeongyeon with a slight blush painting her cheeks and the tips of her ears.

"Me too unnie" she says, staying awfully close as her gaze drifts down to her lips, but she does nothing.

They both giggle nervously, not really knowing how to act around each other after everything that has happened in the last few hours. Now it's awkward. They have no regrets, but that's not how things were supposed to have ended, they had arranged to meet to talk business. And they had done that but they also got drunk on each other's lips, sank between each other's legs, spent the night with their limbs tangled and now they’re struggling to quiet the butterflies in their stomachs. 

It doesn't take Jihyo much longer to get into the car to leave, Jeongyeon opens her door for her and before closing it she speaks. 

"Think about what I showed you last night. Take as much time as you need." 

She then closes her door. Last night she showed her many things and she knows exactly what she means. But her mind can't help but go to other places, feeling her skin bristle and her stomach tighten as she remembers the image of Jeongyeon emerging from between her legs and looking at her with those puppy eyes and swollen red lips, covered in a layer of both saliva and her own juices. The memory is so vivid it's as if she's standing in front of her right now. She bites down on her finger to make sure she doesn't let out a moan right then and there, as her thighs rub together involuntarily, seeking to feel something.

When she gets home she doesn't receive any message or call. The next day neither, and when the weekend is coming to an end, still nothing. She knows that Jeongyeon sometimes needs to take some distance and be left alone with her thoughts to process things. If she herself was anxious and a bit scared about what would happen from now on, it’s natural to think that the other would be the same, maybe a bit more so, given her reserved personality. 

Days go by and she still receives nothing, which makes her anxiety increase. 

Of course, she could write or call her at any time. At this point, it’s more than obvious that Jihyo isn’t afraid to take the lead and make the first move. But this time is different. She needs Jeongyeon to take the initiative for the first time, for more than just preparing a lawsuit that threatens the future of her company, her life as she knows it and her family's legacy. 

It's a matter of pride, she knows it. She refuses to pursue someone who wouldn't do the same for her, but also out of fear of being rejected once again and getting her heart broken. She thought that after all she’s been through, and at her age, she’s more than ready to face rejection, but the truth is that if Jeongyeon rejects her again, when there aren’t more external reasons to do so, it’s likely that this time the pain will be much worse. 

By the time a week has passed, Jihyo's uncertainty has turned into disappointment. She even comes to think that being directly rejected after receiving her first kiss was less cruel than whatever Jeongyeon is doing now. But in fact, it could be much worse.

After spending the weekend turning down invitations to meet friends, because lying in bed staring at her phone with the screen off while listening to the most heartbreaking ballads is what she needs right now, Jihyo gets the news on Monday morning.

"Jihyo-nim, Hirai Momo is coming. It seems to be some kind of emergency"  her secretary Lily announces over the phone. 

When this happens, nothing good follows. From problems with products that are about to be released, system failures that were not foreseen to hundreds of other problems that Jihyo doesn't understand but which she knows means that something is not working as it should. 

Hirai Momo, one of the software developers at the head of the department, enters nervously and hurriedly with her fringe hairs sticking to her forehead from sweat, her shirt sleeves rolled up and her tie unbuttoned. She’s out of breath and her glasses are covered in a layer of mist indicating the urgency of the situation as Momo seems to have come running into the office. 

All the signs alert Jihyo and prepare her for the worst, she’s ready to hear that their new line of cell phones that are about to be shipped to every store in the country will have to be recalled due to some glitch, like that time they discovered that their new long lasting batteries exploded. She was prepared to listen to anything, except for what Momo says as soon as she catches her breath without even bowing. 

"We've been hacked." 

The initial shock leaves Jihyo frozen in place within moments, but it doesn't take her long to react as she puts the pieces together. Of course it's Horai Momo who's breaking the news to her that they've suffered a cyber attack. It only takes her a few seconds to get up with fire in her eyes and stand in front of Momo making the employee swallow hard. 

"It’s been stopped, but we don't know yet who has done it or what information they have stolen or altered" she says before Jihyo unleashes her anger at her, but this isn’t enough. 

"You better fix this as soon as possible, or I will fire you and make sure you have to go back to Japan. You are not going to be hired anywhere in this country, not even to clean toilets" Jihyo threatens, pointing her finger and staring straight into the face of the woman in front of her. 

Momo can’t even look her back in the eyes. If she does she knows she will end up crying.

"Yes, Jihyo-nim. I'll fix it" she says bowing a bunch of times while stuttering a few apologies before walking away. 

She should have figured it out. Now she feels completely stupid for falling for it. It's kind of evil and sick, even for their messed up relationship, Jihyo thinks. 

Without thinking twice, she grabs her bag and leaves the office, asking Lily to cancel all meetings until further notice. Seeing the obvious anger of her boss, Lily doesn't even dare to open her mouth and just nods vigorously. She has seen Jihyo angry a million times, but never like this, so she imagines that the news Hirai gave her must be very serious. 

As she is about to leave the building, she catches a glimpse of Minatozaki Sana at her reception desk. Unable to control her anger, she heads to her desk. Sana's usual smiling expression disappears as soon as she sees her boss's gaze, and she freezes in place.From the look on her face, only one thing can have happened. She knows it. 

"I'll tell you the same thing I told your friend Hirai. If I find out that you are involved in this, you can start packing your bags to go back to Japan, because I will personally make your life a living hell" she threatens her with a stern tone, but low enough to only reach the receptionist's ears. 

As quickly as she arrived, she disappears from her side and exits the building where a car is already waiting for her.

From the very first minute Sana got into all this, she knew it was risky, and she isn’t worried about the consequences because she knows that, just as Jeongyeon promised them, she has nothing to worry about. Still, there is something bothering Sana because she doesn't really know what the CEO is referring to. So she decides to immediately look for Mina and Momo to get answers. 

Meanwhile, Jihyo, who feels that she has more than enough information, gives her driver the address of Signal Systems' main building at the other end of the Central Business District. There, she is greeted by a wide-eyed receptionist, Chou Tzuyu, who can't hide her puzzled face when the CEO of the rival company she works for as an informant is in front of her. 

However, her job at Signal Systems is to receive those who have an appointment with Yoo Jeongyeon and let her or her secretary know that they have arrived. Obviously, the name Park Jihyo isn’t among today's meeting list and has never been before, so the astonishment among the workers and visitors who recognize her is widespread.

In this situation, Tzuyu can only fear the worst and her suspicions aren’t misguided when she leans on the counter, asking for Jeongyeon's floor number, the way to the elevators and orders her not to warn that she’s here. The receptionist, who is smart enough and values her life, does as she’s told and also gives her a guest access card without asking any questions. 

That's how Park Jihyo gets to the top floor of the Signal Systems building, where the office of its CEO, Yoo Jeongyeon, is located. But for Jihyo, right now she’s nothing more than her rival, one who uses disgusting tactics, even for her usual game which includes espionage among other things of questionable ethics. 

Between the elevator and their destination is the desk of Dahyun, Joengyeon's trusted secretary and Jihyo's informant. 

"Good morning, Dahyun" she greets her with a smile that sends a shiver through Dahyun's body. Seeing the fire in Jihyo's eyes, she doesn't know if she should fear for her job or her life. "I come to see your dear boss. I guess she's in her office."

The secretary nods and when she opens her mouth to continue, Jihyo makes a gesture with her hand telling her to shut up. Then she walks with firm steps towards the office. She storms in, but what she sees leaves her as shocked as those in the room. 

"Jihyo?!" Jeongyeon's voice sounds surprised and confused. 

"JIHYO?!"  the woman with her back facing the door exclaims, even more surprised and confused. 

"Nayeon?" Jihyo is so astonished that for a moment she forgets why she has come here. 

They look at each other, shocked by the situation they are in.  They stare at each other without saying anything for a few seconds, until Jeongyeon decides to take control of the situation as she feels her heart hammering in her chest. It's been a week since she saw Jihyo, and since then she hadn't contacted her, so the last thing she expected was for her to suddenly walk into her office, just on the same day and at the same time that Nayeon does. 

"What are you doing here?" she asks, trying to control the trembling in her voice. 

"Stop pretending, I'm not falling for your games. You know what I'm doing here" Jihyo says harshly, very different from the last time she talked to her.

"Well... I guess" she says, looking at Nayeon with concern. The older woman looks at one and then the other like she's watching a tennis match. "But I mean, you could have texted or called me," she adds, turning her gaze to Nyeon again to see if Jihyo gets the message. 

"Yeah right. With you, the only way things can be done is face to face or did you want to have more proof to add to your fucking folders?" Jihyo says, starting to lose her composure as she feels like she’s being treated like a complete idiot once again. 

"I think this is a conversation you should have between the two of you" Nayeon says, stepping in for the first time. "And I know maybe this is my fault,  because I was the one who asked not to know about your stupid corporate war. But I think I deserve an explanation. I thought you two didn't talk, and all of a sudden you show up unannounced talking about proofs and folders."

"You're right, unnie" she says, directing her gaze towards Nayeon and then Jeongyeon, looking at the latter in a way so cold and full of rage that it makes her stomach turn. "Why don't you explain it to her? Tell her. Tell her how you invited me to dinner to make me a deal and how it was actually a threat. I give in to what you ask or you ruin my life, my family and the work we've done for decades." 

Her gestures are exaggerated and she doesn't take her eyes off Jeongyeon, who looks at her dumbfounded, not knowing what Jihyo is getting at. At first, she thought she was being theatrical, she can be very passionate sometimes. It's not until she sees her eyes that she realizes she's totally serious. There's no sparkle in those big beautiful eyes anymore. 

Then she sees it. 

She has the same look as that one time, but this time she doesn't understand why.

Neither of the older women knows quite what to answer, but they don't need to because Jihyo continues.

"Come on! tell her what happened later" she insists. She sounds really hurt, almost desperate, worrying both of them. They’ve never seen Jihyo this distraught.  

"Jihyo, calm down" Jeongyeon says in a soft tone as she approaches her. "I don't know what happened, but I do know that you don't want to tell Nayeon like this. Calm down and we'll talk."

"Don't even fucking think about telling me to calm down Jeongyeon. In fact, I would really like my friend to know the kind of person she has next to her. Someone capable of doing what you have done to me" Jihyo shouts, her voice now raised.

"I'm going to need one of you to explain what's going on, but I understand this is something you two need to work out by yourselves" Nayeon says, still in her seat as she gestures for Jihyo to come closer and when she does she grabs her hand and caresses it trying to calm her down. 

"Breath" she whispers to the younger one. Then looks at Jeongyeon threateningly and says, "If you did something to her, this time I'm going to pick a side, Yoo Jeongyeon" Nayeon warns Jeongyeon pointing her finger at her. "Now, I'm going to leave. Please don't do anything stupid, I'm serious."

Over the years, Nayeon has learned to stay out of her friends' fight because, after trying to intervene numerous times over the years, she knows that all they need is to have a conversation that they have never been willing to have. 

She has heard both sides of the story and knows the motives that have driven each to do what they have done. And while she has not always agreed, she understands why each acted the way they did and would be unable to judge them for it. She also knows about spies, informants, infiltrators... or whatever they call it. She’s the first to know that they don’t always act according to the image of impeccable businesswomen they portray to the world. At the end of the day, they’re her friends despite the feud that exists – or existed – but if Jeongyeon has harmed Jihyo in some way that has gone beyond their professional rivalry, she wants to know about it, even if she has to wait for them to sort things out on their own first.

They both watch Nayeon leave the office and look at each other. Jihyo has her clenched fists and jaw tight, she’s still breathing heavily, the veins bulging in her neck and arms make the tension in her body obvious. She is holding back, trying not to lose control. Jeongyeon, standing at a safe distance, does her best to try to maintain eye contact and to keep her trembling hands busy and out of Jihyo's sight, adjusting her clothes and hiding them from time to time in the sleeves of her blazer. It’s a nervous habit she had managed to shed, but one that inevitably returns at times like this.  

Her calmness had left with Nayeon. She still doesn't know what's going on and is afraid of making a mistake with Jihyo, one that will take her back to square one, or much worse. She's willing to do everything in her power to avoid it, but it's definitely a possibility considering she's never seen Jihyo like this. 

"Ji I swear- ".

"Don't even think of calling me that" Jihyo interrupts, raising her tone. "Stop lying, cut the act, Nayeon is not here."

"Why don't you tell me what happened?" she tries again. "I know you're completely confident that I know, but maybe it's good to talk things out for once."

"Oh, this will be a good conversation, because I would really like to know why you are a backstabbing bitch who is capable of betraying me again."

Maybe it's not in the best of circumstances, but Jihyo finally says it. The time has finally come to talk about the subject that both of them have been purposely ignoring. They never talked about it when it happened, nor did they talk about it at the restaurant, in Jeongyeon's living room, in her bed or the next day while having breakfast. They talked about many other things and talked about the past, but this was a badly healed wound no one dared to touch. 

"Finally you say it. I knew you haven't let it go, are you still angry about it?"

"I'm not, but even if I were, you would have no right to judge me. Tell me. What kind of friend would take advantage of the moment I was going through for her own benefit."

"That's not what happened. There's a reason."

"Jeongyeon..." she spits out her name, getting as close as the table between them allows. "This isn't about having different opinions, it's about facts, and the facts speak for themselves. My father died, you stood by me through the entire funeral, you hugged me and promised to be there for whatever I needed" she says as angry tears build up in her eyes. "Overnight you cut off all contact with me and a month later ZoneTech released an announcement informing that Yoo Jeongyeon was taking over as CEO of the company." 

Our brains have a tendency to forget the bad times so that we can move on, but for Jihyo it was impossible to forget everything that happened during one of the darkest chapters of her life. She was only 22 years old, studying abroad about to graduate from a prestigious foreign university. One day, while studying in the library for the first exams of the semester, she got a call from her mother, crying inconsolably, telling her that her father had suffered a heart attack. She still remembers the cry of pain her mother let out when she asked if he was okay, if he was in the hospital. Her father had died on the spot and there was nothing they could do. She left everything immediately, and thanks to a family friend she was able to go on a private flight back to Korea a few hours after the call. 

During those days she did not shed a tear, but she knew that if at any time tears came to her eyes Nayeon and even Jeongyeon would be there to offer her a shoulder to cry on. It had been a while since the relationship between her and Jeongyeon had changed and they were becoming more and more distant, but she was the first to let her know that she was there for whatever she needed, and she proved it by not leaving her side during the funeral and even during the opening of the will, in which only the closest family members were allowed to be present.

No one expects to have to read the will of someone as young as Jihyo's father, not even Jihyo herself. When he named Jihyo as the sole heir and owner of the company and the family estate, he believed that when the time came for them to open his will, she would already have a successful career within the company and maybe even a family to take care of. However, that was not the case, so his daughter was forced to leave her new life as a student abroad – with all her new friends and aspirations – to return home and take control of a technology empire and one of the largest fortunes in the country. All while maintaining her excellent academic record as a model student in a new university.

Needless to say, it was difficult and she even paid for it with her health at times as she didn’t eat properly, was overworked and was under-rested. Despite having people who could do a lot of things for her, she needed to keep her mind busy, because on top of her father's death, there was the uproar with the press and media when some of the details of the will came to light. 

And just a few days later, her friend and unconditional support during this hard process, Jeongyeon, started to avoid her and Nayeon from one day to the next without giving any explanation.

The reason was discovered soon after, through Signal Systems' statement. After that, it was Jihyo who decided not to talk to Jeongyeon ever again unless there were cameras, potential partners or important clients in front of them. 

Jeongyeon sighs, because despite having good reasons that backed up her decisions, she didn't act wisely and now she knows it, but that still doesn't explain why Jihyo has suddenly stormed into her office accusing her of betraying her. Before sharing her side of the story and asking for explanations, she steps out from behind her desk to continue the conversation on the couch she has for more informal meetings. When she places her hand on Jihyo's arm, inviting her to make herself comfortable, she moves her arm away.

"Don't touch me" she mumbles. She is hurt, maybe even more hurt than angry. 

Being aware of the younger’s hostility, Jeongyeon believes it’s  a must to calm the situation down if she wants Jihyo to listen to her instead of looking for the perfect opportunity to elevate the conflict to another level, fearing that everything will end up exploding and hurting the two of them and, by extension, Nayeon.

She takes the first step by offering her a tissue with her still shaking hands to wipe away her tears and offers her a smile. Jihyo immediately notices the shaking hands and all the alarms go off in her head. She had forgotten that, sometimes in stressful situations Jeongyeon suffers anxiety attacks. if she wasn't starting to have one already. Even if she feels absolute disgust towards her right now, she would hate herself if she triggered an anxiety or panic attack.

"I'm fine," Jeongyeon assures her, noticing the panic in her eyes. "But we both need to calm down, and since it's too early for a beer, I'll ask my secretary to make us some tea," she concludes.

Reluctantly Jihyo agrees and in a few minutes they are seated drinking tea in silence, thinking about how they got to this point. They have always had problems with communication, and although it has been between yelling, this is the first time they have been so honest with each other. Not keeping up appearances, not ignoring each other's problems, and not bottling up their feelings. They haven't done it in the most healthy or civilized way, but it's a start.

After several sips, Jeongyeon's hands stop shaking, but Jihyo shifts on her seat impatiently. 

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you what I did to make you like this" the older one breaks the ice. "As you pointed out, I can be quite dense" she says shyly. "If this is all about the deal I offered and the lawsuit, I-"

"Stop! Do you really think I'm worried about a lawsuit right now when you just fucking hacked me?" she asks, losing her temper again. But she doesn't care, it hurts so much that she couldn't care less if Jeongyeon sees her like this, or if everyone in this building hears her. 

"You sleep with me, and once again you suddenly disappear. Today when I got to work they hacked ZoneTech, and when I got here there's Nayeon. You had it all planned" she accuses her directly as tears start to fall from her eyes. "I just asked you not to hurt me,and you ruined me" she says trying to hold back the tears. 

It takes Jeongyeon a moment to process and react to all the information Jihyo has thrown at her between screams and sobs. She doesn't understand anything that has happened, but it breaks her heart to see Jihyo. Not even during her father's funeral did she cry, nor when she first broke her heart, and now she has her in front of her telling her that she has ruined her life. 

It hurts her that Jihyo might actually think she would do something like that, but seeing her sobbing with her mascara smeared and her eyes bloodshot from anger and crying makes her chest hurt.

Despite her fear of how she might react, she wraps her arms around her and finally speaks.

“Ji, trust me one more time and believe me when I tell you that I had nothing to do with this. And I know deep down you know that I wouldn't be able to do something like this. I would never hurt you" she whispers softly in her ear, trying to soothe her, but Jihyo's crying only increases soaking her shirt on the part of her chest where her head is resting. 

The sobs get louder. She hears Jihyo cursing at her and telling her that she hates her, but she can't blame her. It's been a series of unfortunate coincidences, and it’s no wonder Jihyo has thought the worst. 

"Stop treating me like an idiot. You already did it once" she manages to say between sobs. 

Jeongyeon sighs as she continues to hug her and caress her back. 

"I think it's time to explain everything that happened" she says as she pulls away from Jihyo.

She looks at her face, grabbing her hands so as not to lose contact with her skin. Jihyo looks away, unable to look at her because of the pain, anger and embarrassment she feels.

"I told you the other day and I will tell you as many times as necessary until you believe it. I don't hate you and I have never hated you, nor have I ever wanted to hurt you in any way. I love you. I always have. And I'm so afraid of what you make me feel that all this time I thought that by pushing you away I was protecting both myself and you as well" she sighs.

"Our lives are so complicated and I thought that someday these feelings would go away." She looks at her anxiously, looking for a reaction in Jihyo, who still won't look at her, but at least the crying is more controlled. 

"Back then I thought what I felt for you was a high school crush that could ruin everything for me, but it's not like that. And running away from you and everything you make me feel almost ruined my happiness." 

Until now, Jeongyeon had never been clear with her feelings, but that's not all.

"I thought that by keeping you away from me I was doing you a favor and that if you hated me everything would be easier. That's why I never gave you the reasons or explanations you deserved, and now I know it was a huge mistake. But after everything that has happened, I wouldn't forgive myself for pushing you away again, because I know that this time it would be the final one. If you are willing to listen to me, I will tell you everything, but I promise you that I have nothing to do with this hacker attack you have suffered."

Jihyo isn’t sure. Experience – all the times she ended up calling Nayeon crying, all the times she ended up in bed with strangers and the times she got drunk looking for some relief – tell her to be smarter, that this time she should be the one to end it all instead of staying, waiting for the next disappointment. However, the more irrational part of her, the part that still thinks there is a possibility of a future together, begs her to stay and listen to her.

She looks down at her hands between Jeongyeon’s, and when she manages to calm her breathing, she looks up at her, not quite sure of what to do or what to say even though she has already made up her mind. 

"You look awful" Jeongyeon tells her in a pointless attempt to tease that almost bring Jihyo to tears again. 

"Fuck- sorry I was trying to joke, Ji" she says nervously, repeating the affectionate nickname once more. With one hand, she tries to fix the mess of her makeup and with all the gentleness in the world, she leans over and kisses the tears still left on her cheeks. 

"There's a restroom over there, take your time".

Jihyo just nods, too defeated to refuse.

Just as she told her, she takes her time and manages her best to clean her face, fix her hair and clothes, trying to pull herself together. After Jeongyeon has seen her like this, she feels pathetic. She doesn’t step out of the restroom until her breathing returns to normal, though her red and puffy eyes still give her away.

"About the hacking… let me take care of it. We'll find the culprits, and I'll do my best to fix it and prove to you that it wasn't me."

"I believe you" Jihyo finally speaks and the relief is so great that Jeongyeon can't help but let out the breath she has been holding. "This morning when Hirai Momo came to my office, I assumed it was your doing. The attack was stopped, but when I left they didn't know what its origin was or what exactly they did."

"I will talk to Momo, it will be solved today" she assures her while holding her hand. 

Before continuing with their unfinished conversation, Jeongyeon calls Hirai Momo and makes her look for Myoui Mina and also Minatozaki Sana who, to Jihyo's surprise, is also some computer expert. After listening to too many technical words, Jihyo was finally able to participate in the conversation. They ended up making a deal: if they managed to find out who was responsible in 24 hours, they can keep working in the company and they won’tt have to go back to Japan as she had warned Momo and Sana hours before. 

In her effort to show Jihyo that things would be different if she trusted her, Jeongyeon even encourages them with the promise of inviting them to dinner at the best restaurant in the country.

Once she hangs up the phone, she directs her gaze back toward Jihyo.

"What do you say? Let's get out of here, grab some food and I'll take you wherever you tell me so I can explain everything to you. I'll even burn paper by paper all the evidence of the lawsuit if I have to, because I don't plan to lose you. And I’m not taking the risk of Nayeon killing me."

This time Jihyo smiles and nods, taking her hand. 

"Come on, but if you give me reason to be suspicious, I'm telling Nayeon" she jokingly warns her.

So that's what they did. Jeongyeon told Dahyun to cancel everything on her schedule for the rest of the day and hoping to get lucky, she also told her to let her know if they have to cancel their meetings the next day. Of course, Kim Dahyun did that and rearranged her schedule but not before opening the group chat with Chayeoung and Tzuyu to tell them everything she had overheard, especially the mention of Minatozaki Sana, Chaeyoung's situationship.

They end up at Jeongyeon's house as well, although the purpose is quite different this time.

Jeongyeon explains to her the reason behind each time she broke her heart. She explains how her father did everything he could to keep her away from Jihyo, even forcing her to study abroad. She tells that kiss she gave her after receiving her bouquet of flowers and her confession on her graduation day had been sincere, but knowing that she would be away for so many years at a university thousands of miles away, she didn't want to take away her opportunity to have a first high school love and maybe to find someone who was really good for her. someone who wasn't afraid to love her. 

She reveals each of the events that led her to accept the CEO position after finding out that her father would do everything in his power to destroy TechZone by taking advantage of the instability he thought Mr. Park’s death would bring. She had taken the position in an attempt to protect her, but it didn't last long since she was forced to respond to the constant attacks that Jihyo initiated once she settled into the role. 

And of course, she makes it clear to her that this last week of silence had been an attempt to give her space, when the truth is that she was dying to talk to her, to listen to her, to see her and to feel her in her arms again.

When the conversation ends, it is already dark and Jihyo goes back to sleep in Jeongyeon's bed. Tonight they only exchange some kisses, share secrets, apologize to each other, and promise a future together. Before sleep overcomes them, Jeongyeon whispers in her ear "Tomorrow, don't go to work, let me take you on a date to make up for my mistakes and to start making up for the time we wasted".