"Lia, listen." Yeji's sigh of exasperation filled the crisp evening air, and it was music to Ryujin's ears.
Well, perhaps not the self-deprecating tone of the conversation, but Yeji's low, even voice was just...something else.
Shin Ryujin was not an eavesdropper.
Okay, so maybe she liked to listen in on the drama her friends would dish every now and then, but a fully-fledged eavesdropper? Certainly not.
Ryujin just happened to be airing and drying out some paintings on her balcony.
At the same time Yeji was out on hers, bothering Jisu on the phone.
It was all just a coincidence.
It especially wasn't because Ryujin had gotten frustrated after knocking on Yeji's door several billion times without a response. That definitely wasn't it.
"Lia, I'm not giving up." Yeji sighed. Ryujin quietly took in her beautiful figure, leaned over the railing, phone in hand as she gazed off into the distant horizon. "It's just...It's going to become difficult to make ends meet. I mean, pretty soon...I think I'll have to move."
Ryujin felt her heart drop. Move?
Okay, now she was eavesdropping.
"No, Jisu...I don't need your handouts. You've invested enough in this company." Yeji sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.
Ryujin bit her lip when one of her paintings began sliding over.
Her cover was blown.
She caught it, but not before it hit the balcony railing with a loud ding, causing Yeji to whip around in surprise.
Ryujin's cheeks burned as Yeji's brown gaze found her own in surprise.
"Lia? Can I call you back?" Yeji asked gently, an amused smile on her full lips. She hung up after that, coming over to the far end of her balcony, so that she was right beside Ryujin's.
"I have never found 'dork' to be a more fitting title for you." Yeji mused, folding her arms over the railing as she watched Ryujin salvage the painting sheepishly.
"Sorry for uh...ruining your call." Ryujin mumbled, glancing at the now very ruined rose she'd painted out of sheer boredom while Yeji hadn't answered her door.
"Sorry for ruining your painting." Yeji responded wryly. She knew she had a little hand in that.
Ryujin rolled her eyes. "We both know it was my amazing hand eye coordination. Well great, guess I have to make a trip to the dumpster."
Yeji smirked. "Couldn't you just...stack it, like you do with all the other trash in your apartment?"
Ryujin stuck out her tongue childishly. "I'll have you know, I cleaned it out this morning."
"And you haven't invited me over?" Yeji teased in a faux hurt manner. "I'd love to see your...new place."
Ryujin bit her lip. "Well...actually...I've been trying to get a hold of you like...All day."
Yeji glanced up in surprise, her lips forming a gentle frown. "Really?"
Ryujin nodded awkwardly. "Yeah...I uh...called, but I think you're busy with work stuff."
"Did you knock?" Yeji asked in surprise. Ryujin usually just walked in with leftover pizza whenever she wanted to hang out.
Ryujin watched the way the breeze gently tossed strands of Yeji's brunette hair behind her. She was glorious in the early evening glow. She wanted nothing more than to freeze that moment in time and capture her essence with the paints she had.
She could never truly capture Yeji's essence, but she always wanted to try.
"I did. But..." Ryujin shrugged, feeling suddenly very lame. "It's no big deal. I just wanted to chat, but I know you have work and stuff..."
Yeji shook her head. "I must have been on the phone with a few investors."
Ryujin raised a brow, voice gently chiming in "You...going through a hard time with work?"
Yeji looked mildly disappointed.
"Not that I'm a stranger to that...starving artist and all." Ryujin added with an amused smile.
Yeji sighed, offering Ryujin a melancholy smile. "Yes. I...lost my major investors, and they were really keeping things going. I think...something about a family accident and having to withdraw funds..."
Ryujin nodded, eyes meeting Yeji's in a comforting gaze. "Well...from what I know, you're a hell of a business woman. You'll turn it around."
Yeji nodded slowly. "I. Thank you. It's just...tough, sometimes. I'd hate to move again after just settling in. I need...I need to think of a solution. Soon."
Ryujin nodded, leaning against the railing dejectedly at the thought of Yeji leaving.
The two remained like that for a while, only a gap between their respective balconies separating them.
The silence was comfortable. The plants on either balcony danced a little with the same warm breeze that carried the scent of Yeji's perfume to Ryujin's attention.
Ryujin watched the way the sun began to set over the horizon, pulling with it all the light it bestowed during the day, leaving behind an orange glow.
She watched the way the wispy clouds, coming from different sides of the horizon met perfectly, like pieces of a puzzle that were lost and reunited once more.
Ryujin's head shot to Yeji with an idea. Her features brightened, her grin was full and bright. Her eyes twinkled.
Yeji seemed to realize they'd done nothing in the last few minutes. She spoke up apologetically. "I'm so sorry Ryujin. I'll go around and unlock the door now."
Ryujin took a long stride to the edge of the railing, pushing against it, nodding with satisfaction as it failed to waver under her considerable strength.
She plucked a flower from her vase of roses she'd so (desperately) put out to make it look like she had order and cleanliness in her mess of an apartment. She bit down onto the stem, and carefully lifted her leg over the edge of the railing.
Yeji's eyes widened. "Ryujin!" She snapped to attention, body stilling. "What the hell are you doing?"
Ryujin grumbled something unintelligible as she eyed the short distance between the balconies.
"No." Yeji shook her head. "Ryujin...." She warned, fear penetrating her tone. Ryujin grinned, rose still in her mouth.
"No. Ryujin." Yeji's pleas were for naught. She readied her arms as if to catch Ryujin.
Honestly, it was only a few feet.
But in midair, it seemed like a few yards.
Ryujin took the leap of faith, landing somewhat gracefully on Yeji's side, in a squatting position.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Yeji demanded, eyeing the drop below. That would've resulted in at least a few broken bones.
Or brain damage. But maybe Ryujin already had that.
Ryujin smirked, rising, taking the rose out of her mouth. "I wanted to visit." She said simply.
"Are you drunk?" Yeji asked wearily, heart hammering in her chest. "You could've used...I don't know...the door."
"Ah, but I couldn't." Ryujin grinned. "Not for such a dramatic, romantic gesture such as this." She spoke in a faux pompous tone, kneeling on one knee.
Yeji froze, eyes widening. "Ro...romantic?"
What the hell was going on? Sure she'd thought about Ryujin at night, maybe once or twice, but... this...
Her heart was frantic now, her hands curling into fists at her side. Ryujin looked golden in the orange glow, her grin telling a tale Yeji was just dying to hear.
"Hwang Yeji..." Ryujin puffed out her chest as she announced it loudly, with a great sigh of drama and theatrics. "Will you be my fake girlfriend?"
Yeji let out a breath she didn't know she was holding in, and suddenly felt chills. When had it gotten so cold?
"I...uh..." Yeji felt what Ryujin called her "inner nerd" coming back to haunt her. "...What?"
"Just take the rose." Ryujin rolled her eyes and Yeji obliged, careful to avoid the thorns.
"Care to...explain?" Yeji asked, feeling her heart return to its normal rate slowly, but surely.
"You're gonna love this." Ryujin smirked, leaning against the railing.
"Does it involve more acrobatics?" Yeji raised a sculpted brow, curiosity piqued.
"No, it's much much worse." Ryujin sighed, shaking her head. "I have a family reunion to attend."
Yeji cocked her head curiously. "And this is a bad thing?"
"That's right." Ryujin nodded, turning to Yeji dramatically. "Oh, Ryujin!" She clasped her hands together, overly acting the part of one of her relatives, no doubt. "Are you married yet? How's that Felix boy, hmm? I want grandchildren, Ryujin!"
Yeji allowed her lips to curl into an amused grin, watching Ryujin's antics.
She certainly knew how to put on a show.
"It's disgusting." Ryujin continued. "Which is where you come in."
"I come in at the disgusting part? Ryujin, you sure know how to woo a woman." Yeji's response was teasing.
Ryujin loved seeing this side of her. After a year of getting her walls down, Yeji had finally let her in as a friend.
God, friendship with Yeji was beautiful.
God, Yeji was beautiful.
Ryujin glanced at her lips, licking her own. "That's uh...that's not what I meant. You know that."
"Oh." Yeji nodded, deciding to bite. "So, let me guess from context, here. You want me to...lie. To your entire family. About being your...girlfriend." The words gave Yeji an odd, fluttering feeling in her stomach. "So you can shut your family up about questions that everyone else normally just...suffers through?"
Ryujin nodded. "I knew you were a nerd. You're quick."
Yeji rolled her eyes. "Ryujin. No way."
Ryujin's smile turned into a pout, and Yeji felt her heart sting. Her big doe eyes were pleading.
But this was insanity, wasn't it?
"Yeddeong." Ryujin's use of that nickname was rare. It gave Yeji that same fluttery feeling.
"Ryujin." Yeji responded evenly.
"Come on. You've never met my family and friends. It'll be good for you." Ryujin encouraged desperately.
"No." Yeji sighed. "Ryujin...you know I'd love to help you out..." her mind flew to Ryujin's silent humming when Minju left her. The way she stayed up all night on the other side of the wall, keeping Yeji's company without invading her space.
Ryujin was, besides Jisu, her only friend. That also happen to give her fluttery feelings. This seemed like an ill-conceived plan. It couldn't end well.
"-The company is falling apart." That part was true.
Ryujin nodded slowly. "Which is why I have this...fantastic idea."
Yeji turned around, eyeing Ryujin with shameful curiosity. "...Oh boy."
"Yeji, you've never met my mom and dad, but...I'll let you in on a little family secret..." She motioned Yeji closer.
Yeji took an apprehensive step forward.
"They're loaded!" Ryujin announced loudly, causing Yeji to roll her eyes. "They are the perfect candidates to support you. And they will, once they meet you! They'll love you!"
Yeji's response was sharp, her brain processing everything at a mile a minute. "Ryujin, they'll just withdraw if they find out we broke up. Or worse, find out we've been lying to them this entire time!"
Ryujin shook her head. "I know them, Yeddeong. They'll never find out. We'll just say we...amicably parted ways."
Yeji looked unsure. "Ryujin..." she began.
Ryujin was adamant. "Hell, I'll even say I cheated on you if it comes to that. They'll support you, Yeji, I promise."
Yeji's eyes went wide. "You...You'd cheat on me?"
Ryujin let out an amused chuckle. "Whoa there Yeji, we haven't even started yet. But for the record, never." She winked, and Yeji felt a blush rising up her cheeks.
"I...I don't know." Yeji admitted shyly. "This is all so...crazy."
"Yeji, I don't...I don't want you to move away." Ryujin admitted gently. "The last year or so...we've gotten close. I don't want to lose that."
Yeji felt a warmth spread through her. She nodded, swallowing the tiny lump in her throat. She didn't want to uproot all she'd built here. The good memories, the bad. It was home.
Shin Ryujin was part of her home.
"When...when is it?" Yeji sighed.
Ryujin nearly jumped in the air. "Is that a yes?"
Yeji held up a hand regally. "It's a maybe. Answer my questions first, and...I'll think about it."
"You got it, Yeddeong." Ryujin teased excitedly.
"Why does everyone calling me that?" Yeji muttered as she turned towards the door to go inside.
"Chaeryeong." Ryujin replied, shaking her head in amusement. "It kind of fits, though."
"You coming?" Yeji motioned to the door.
Ryujin glanced back at her balcony. "I should go get the invitation..." she murmured to herself.
Yeji's eyes widened as she tugged Ryujin inside, by the arm. "Please, for the love of god, Ryujin...use the damn door."
Ryujin laughed deeply as Yeji guided her out of the evening air and into the warmth of her apartment.
----------------------------------------------------------------
"You're kidding me right?" Jisu was relentless in her pursuit of Yeji's reasoning for not wanting to follow Ryujin's plan.
"I don't know, Lia." Yeji sighed, rubbing her temples as she leaned forward at her kitchen table, refusing to make eye contact with her friend on the other side.
"Yeji, Yeji, Yeji..." Jisu sighed, shaking her head. "Do this. Don't ask too many questions...just shut up, sleep with the pretty girl, lie and get yourself a big, fat check."
Yeji bristled at Jisu's words. "Don't...talk about her like that. It's not about the check."
Jisu smirked.
Yeji mentally slapped herself. Jisu wasn't like that. She'd been playing Yeji to see where her affections for Ryujin were. And she'd just gotten a damn good idea.
Not that Yeji knew it herself, of course. "Yej." Jisu mirrored her sigh with one of exasperation. "You know I love you, right?"
Yeji glanced up in confusion. "I'm...hoping so?"
"So, then you'll know what I mean when I'm saying you're a complete idiot." Jisu replied with a smirk, leaning back in her chair.
Yeji threw her a glare. "That's not necessary, Jisu."
"It is. What you need is a good hard slap, Yeji." Jisu pressed on relentlessly.
"Oh, please..." Yeji mocked. "Enlighten me."
"Mockery is not the product of a strong mind, Yeji." Jisu reminded gently, putting on the 'older sister' figure even though she's the younger one.
Yeji sighed, leaning back. "It has been a while since I've heard that."
"Look." Jisu glanced around the table, frustrated only to find a salt and pepper shaker. "Ugh. Fine. Take these."
"They're supposed to represent Ryujin and me, aren't they?" Yeji sighed.
"Yes. Now, shut up." Jisu snapped. She pushed the salt towards Yeji "This is you."
"Why not the pepper?" Yeji asked wryly, deciding to buy into Jisu's little act.
"Because you're salty." Jisu replied matter-of-factly.
"Salty?" Yeji questioned with a grimace.
"Yes. Yej, it means you're...bitter, upset...kind of abrasive.... salty." Jisu wore a shit eating grin.
"Have you been hanging out with Lee Chaeryeong again?" Yeji rolled her eyes. "She's happily dating, you know."
Jisu blushed a little and pressed on. "Ryujin is the pepper."
"Because she's spicy?" Yeji blurted out, covering her mouth when Jisu's grin widened.
"Now you're getting it." She offered Yeji a wink.
"What is the purpose to this...delusion you're experiencing?" Yeji demanded, lips pressed in a thin line. That was embarrassing.
Jisu shrugged, pushing both the shakers away. "I'm just saying, your life is boring as hell. Why not try...spicing it up a little?"
"Honestly, you're such a loser." Yeji flipped her hair indignantly. "I can't believe you would condone this. I'd be lying. To her family."
Jisu shrugged once more. "So...?"
Yeji's frown deepened. "I...that's not right."
"Yej, I know you're morally sound...but this is for the business." Jisu pointed out mildly. "I mean, look at it this way: A couple of months cozying up to this...not-so-shabby brunette...."
Yeji rolled her eyes. Jisu was such an awful influence.
"And one week of showtime..." Jisu was referring to the actual reunion. "In a nice resort. And then...do what you do best. Be a callous heartbreaker."
Yeji took a swing at Jisu's arm, missing as she moved to the left effortlessly. "You're mad because I'm right."
"I'm mad because this is never going to work."
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"Hell yeah, Ryu!" Chaeryeong grinned as she tossed Ryujin a beer. "This is so going to work."
The marble counter reflected bright lights and Chaeryeong's cheeky smile right into Ryujin's view.
"You think?" Ryujin asked, muttering her thanks as she pried the can open.
"I wouldn't lie." Chaeryeong nodded. "You just need to get...Sexy Yeji to be a little...loose."
Ryujin cringed at the old name. "I called her that one time! I was drunk!"
Chaeryeong wore a telltale smirk. "Drunk people don't lie."
Ryujin shuffled in her seat uncomfortably, grateful she was at Chaeryeong's and not her apartment, where the walls were so thin Yeji would surely hear. "Where's Seokjin?" Ryujin piped up after a moment of silence.
Chaeryeong glanced away. "Jin's out of town."
Ryujin's brow furrowed. "Hey, Ryeong...everything good?"
Chaeryeong put on her best fake smile, nodding. "You know it. Just...getting pumped for our trip to L.A."
"So you've invited yourself?" It wasn't really a question. Ryujin knew there was no way in hell Chaeryeong wouldn't come.
Lana and Keith adored Chaeryeong like she was their own. It was as much her family as it was Ryujin's.
"Obviously." Chaeryeong's cheeky tone was back, and Ryujin forgot all about her melancholy tone from before.
"Hey...is...Jisu coming?" Chaeryeong asked curiously, quite obviously prehending to glance at her phone, eyeing Ryujin from the corner of her eye.
"Hah! Chaeryeong, she hates me." Ryujin replied, thinking of all the embarrassing times she'd had with Jisu.
"It might make Yeji more comfortable." Chaeryeong suggested.
"Since when do you care about other people's comfort?" Ryujin asked teasingly.
"Since...Hell, I don't know." Chaeryeong set her phone down with a sigh.
"I can...ask, I guess." Ryujin shrugged. "She was at Yeji's when I left."
Chaeryeong's eyes lit up. "Yes. Do that. I'll come with you."
Ryujin raised a brow but said nothing. "Alright..." she drawled, standing to grab her coat. "Heard anything from Karina lately?"
Chaeryeong shrugged. "Uh...she's with that damn fine guy...what's his name again? The one with the good ass?"
Ryujin's eyes widened. "Uh...I don't know...How do you know what his ass looks like?"
Chaeryeong's eyes lit up. "You should check out his Facebook. Or insta. Or something. He's like a model."
"I don't stalk people, Chaeryeong." Ryujin's clever retort was there in seconds.
"Yeah, just your neighbors." Chaeryeong rolled her eyes, dodging a slap on the arm from Ryujin.
"I wasn't stalking her." Ryujin sighed. "I just...jumped onto her balcony for a few seconds."
Chaeryeong spat out her drink. "You what?" Her voice was quite literally dripping with surprise.
"Yeah, I wanted to make a grand gesture..." Ryujin shrugged amusedly.
"Killing yourself is the fucking grandest gesture, Ryujin!" Chaeryeong couldn't shake what she'd just been told. "I thought you stopped doing stupid shit in high school."
"No, apparently I still do 'stupid shit', Chaeryeong." Ryujin rolled her eyes. "I made the jump too." She added the last part with a grin.
"Well damn, Shin." Chaeryeong smirked. "You sure you're not in love with her?"
It was Ryujin's turn to spit out her drink in surprise.
"Nice." Chaeryeong sighed, turning to grab some towels. "We've both watered my floor."
"Sorry..." Ryujin winced, voice husky and scratchy from the little choking episode she'd just experienced. "You caught me off guard."
"Because it's true." Chaeryeong shrugged absently.
"Because that's.... that's.... ludicrous!" Ryujin immediately regretted that.
"Ludicrous, huh? Jeez, you even sound like her." Chaeryeong's smirk was back as she wiped the floor.
"I don't like her...like that." Ryujin clarified. "Besides...She kind of still seems...I don't know...hurt. From Minju."
"Minju...Minju...Minju..." Chaeryeong murmured, prehending to seem forgetful. "Ahh is she the one you wouldn't shut the hell up about every day for like three months?"
"Hey!" Ryujin reddened. "I didn't do that!"
Chaeryeong grinned, taking the opportunity to mock her. " "'Oh, Chaeryeong it's terrible! Yeji's happy, Yeji's laughing! Yeji has sex too much next door! It's so loud! Oh, Chaeryeong. She's so blonde and fit! Chaeryeong, I exercise too! I'm so single. Oh blah blah blah.'" Chaeryeong's voice was at least two octaves higher than normal.
Ryujin stiffened, trying not to sound as hopelessly compromised as she felt. "I never said half of that."
"Yeah?" Chaeryeong smirked. "Want me to pull some receipts?"
"Receipts?" Ryujin echoed unsurely.
"Screenshots." Chaeryeong grinned, brandishing her phone.
"No!" Ryujin replied a little too quickly. "Ha! Look at the time, Ryeong! We should go before Jisu leaves!"
Ryujin nearly shoved her out the door.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Just as Ryujin and Chaeryeong had reached the top of the stairs leading to Ryujin's apartment, all rosy cheeked and out of breath, they bumped into Jisu and Yeji outside Yeji's apartment door.
"Hey." Ryujin smiled politely at Yeji.
"Oh, hello Ryujin." Yeji turned, mirroring her smile.
Feline eyes met doe eyes, and for that moment, everything else was forgotten.
"Uh...." Chaeryeong coughed after a minute of silence. "Earth to Ryujin! We have some questions."
"Huh? Oh! Sorry!" Ryujin's cheeks burned red as she shrugged off the strange haze she felt when her gaze connected with Yeji's.
"Questions?" Jisu smirked, folding her arms. "This ought to be good."
"Uh...can you come inside, for a minute?" Ryujin offered, opening her door.
Yeji looked unsure, opening her mouth to say something. Jisu cut her off. "We'd love to, Shin." She tugged Yeji inside, giving Chaeryeong a hungry once-over.
Chaeryeong gulped audibly and she and Ryujin stepped inside, shutting the door behind them.
"You weren't kidding; Ryujin's place isn't a pig sty anymore." Jisu grinned, earning an actual hit from Yeji.
Ryujin rolled her eyes. "Good to have you back Jisu."
Yeji nudged Ryujin's shoulder gently. "That's not what I said." She assured quietly, smiling a little.
Ryujin felt her insides melt. That smile. Wait. They spoke about her?
"I'm assuming this is about Shin's proposition." Jisu declared as she sat at Ryujin's table with a huff, Chaeryeong joining her on the side.
Ryujin whipped around at Yeji, who blinked in surprise.
"You told her?" She cried out in disbelief.
"You told Chaeryeong!" Yeji accused defensively.
"Yeah but that's...that's...different." Ryujin tried, and failed, to make her case.
"Hmm...She's got you there." Chaeryeong commented aloud while she took a piece of popcorn from the bowl on Ryujin's table.
She and Jisu gently brushed hands as they both went in for more popcorn, both recoiling immediately, blushing at the contact.
"What are we, three?" Jisu muttered, blushing harder under Yeji and Ryujin's gazes.
"That's not what you said when I-" Chaeryeong's retort was cut off by a handful of popcorn thrown into her face. "What the fuck?"
Jisu smirked. "I told you to shut up about that."
Yeji sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose like she always did in exasperation. She turned to Ryujin, who shared an amused grin. "Do we need to give them time-outs?"
Ryujin shrugged. "Kids will be kids." She teased, going to grab a few drinks from the fridge.
"So, what's the big news?" Jisu asked. "You getting cold feet on my girl here, Shin?"
"Okay." Ryujin sighed, setting down the drinks. "First of all, it's not a wedding. We're supposed to be fake girlfriends. Second of all...No, I'm not getting cold feet on 'your girl'."
Yeji watched her with a hint of amusement, but mostly anxiety.
"That's just what Ryujin and I were talking about." Chaeryeong smirked. "Easing your...anxiety."
Yeji looked defensive. "I'm not...anxious." She snapped.
"Right, Yeddeong. Easy." Chaeryeong put her hands up.
Jisu snickered at the nickname.
"Would it help if...Jisu came too?" Ryujin sighed.
Jisu smirked. "Oh, now this? I didn't see it coming."
Yeji looked horrified.
"Her face says no." Chaeryeong muttered.
"Oh, what's the matter, Yej?" Jisu smirked. "Afraid I'll embarrass you in front of Ryujin's family and friends?"
"Yes, but that is....so far beside the point." Yeji shot back. "You can't...Jisu, it's on Ryujin's parent's dime. You can't come."
Ryujin shook her head. "It's not a problem."
Jisu grinned. "Wow, this keeps getting better and better."
"Lia..." Yeji growled gently.
"Too late!" Chaeryeong grinned, standing up. "It's settled. We're going to L.A!"
"I cannot believe this." Yeji rolled her eyes.
A chance with Ryujin, however slim it might have been, was gone. Jisu would surely try to push them together with her delusional ideas about love and romance, and Ryujin would be offended, and...oh god, this was going to be a disaster.
"Okay..." Ryujin breathed, leaning back against the counter. "So it's settled? This is going to be...one hell of a trip."
"Buckle up, Yeji." Chaeryeong smirked.
"You two have a lot to learn about each other...in..." she glanced at Ryujin's hanging calendar. "...very little time."
Yeji looked perplexed. "I thought we had months?"
Chaeryeong's smirk was unsullied. "Yeah, but for the interrogation you're going to get? You'd probably need years of practice. Get kissing, ladies."