Chaeyoung fixed her baby blue sundress that falls right above her knees, looked at the mirror in front of her and checked her make up one last time. She's meeting her ex-wife, she needs to at least look presentable, right? Her phone lit up showing a facetime call from Lisa. She swiped the answer button and saw her daughter smiling.
"Goodmorning mummy!"
"Goodmorning, bub! Are you ready for your flight?"
"Yes mum! I'm so excited! Aunt Lisa too! She woke me up way too early"
"That's because we need to head to the airport early, missy" Lisa appeared on the screen behind Jamie "and speaking of, our uber is here and we need to go now" as Lisa heard a honking outside their place
"Oh my God! I can't wait to see you mum! I love you!" Jamie kissed the screen and handed Lisa her phone before running to get her backpack
"We need to go now, Chaeng. We'll see you in 14 hours!" Lisa waved through the screen
"Take care Lis, I'll see you!" Chaeyoung replied as she ended the phone call
Well, that made her nerves ease for a moment. She put on her YSL sling bag over her shoulders and picked up the envelope that was sitting in front of her vanity mirror where Jamie's files were stored. She got all that she needs for Jennie to sign later on pertaining to the legal registration of Jamie in South Korea. She just hope that the CEO will believe her or else...She'll proceed to plan B that includes legal action and she doesn't want that.
Alice was already waiting inside her car when Chaeyoung went it. Both of them can't deny that there's nervousness playing across Chaeyoung's face.
"You sure you want to go there alone? I can come with you" Her older sister offered
"No, I'm okay and It's my duty being Jamie's mother, unnie. I also needed to talk to her about something. Thank you for offering though"
"Well, I'm proud of you being brave for my niece, chaeng. Just tell me if something happens, okay? We'll take legal actions if ever"
"Of course. I'll just do a selection on who's who gonna represent between you, mum, and dad" Chaeyoung quipped
"Sure you do" As Alice drived through laughing
Chaeyoung cursed on her thoughts when she remembered that she haven't even made an appointment with the CEO. Pabo. She's now on the frontdesk of the massive building that Jennie owns trying to think of an excuse for her to get through Jennie or else she'll just set an appointment and go home right after. But that'll break her plan on talking to Jennie before Jamie arrives in South Korea.
"Hi, I'm here to see the CEO. This is an important matter" Chaeyoung announced to the lady at the frontdesk
"Do you have an appointment ms?" The lady asked
"Uhmm..That's the problem. I just came here and I happen to forgot to book an appointment"
"I'm sorry ms but I can't....."
"What's the problem here?" a voice behind the tall blonde spoke. Chaeyoung turned around and good lord, this lady is hella pretty,she thought
"Oh..." the lady muttered, obviously shocked as well
"I...Hi! I'm Roseann Park, or Park Chaeyoung or call me whatever you like" Chaeyoung flashed a smile offering her hands
"It's a pleasure to meet you. Finally." the woman shook her hand
"I'm sorry but you are?" Chaeyoung asked a little shy
"Oh, I'm Kim Jisoo, COO of this company" Jisoo motioned to the lady in the frontdesk obviously watching "She's with me" the COO looked at the blonde once again "Let's go. I'll bring you to her office though I'm pretty sure she's not there yet" as they both entered the private elevator
Chaeyoung, shocked at what's happening, Just nods and followed the COO but not before thanking the lady first. Silence took over them when they were both inside the lift. Jisoo was smiling all throughout her phone where she's obviously texting somebody. Chaeyoung coughed a little to catch her attention
"I...I'm sorry to ask you this but, why do you seem to know me?" Chaeyoung asked
"I've been told stories, drunk or sober as you may know, about you for the past four years. I even know you hate avocado over anything" Jisoo answered
"I..how?"
"From your wife of course, Mrs.Kim" Jisoo smirked as they took off the elevator "Morning Maya, She's the boss' wife and she'll be waiting inside" Jisoo announced as she passed by Jennie's secretary while Chaeyoung briefly bowed at the woman
They entered Jennie's office and Jisoo motioned Chaeyoung to sit in one of the couch set
"Jennie won't be here until 830 so it's better to wait for her for awhile"
"I..Uhm. Thank you"
"I'll head to my office now. I have an important meeting this morning, I'm sorry if I can't accompany you" Jisoo apologised
"No, No, It's okay. Thank you again for helping"
"No problem. Goodluck on whatever brought you here" Jisoo replied before leaving
She's cool too. Chaeyoung thought. She placed her bag and envelop on the coffee table in front of the couch before standing up. She glanced around the office and thought that Jennie never did change. She still likes to have neutral color around, her favorite biscuits is still placed in her table, her mum and dad's photo framed behind her file organizer and the infamous "emergency lip balm" zone. Only the thing that she did noticed is, she doesn't have a photo in there anymore. Jennie used to stack polaroid photos of her in her table where she can always see it. I mean, Who is she kidding right? They're no longer together and hell,see doesn't even know the updates on her, does she have a new girlfriend? wife? and that made her think if she's even allowed to be in there. Well, this is for her daughter so she needs to suck it up whatever happens. Her daughter comes first and whatever feelings she may have is whole different story.
She made her way on the glass window that's over looking the skyline of Seoul. She and Jennie used to enjoy these kinds of view. They used to tell each other that no matter how the world gets messy, as long as they're together, it'll be fine and won't ever feel alone. That made her think, what Jennie felt when she left?
Chaeyoung was drowned in memories looking over the window when she noticed the door opening. She turned her back and saw the woman who she said she would be over with. The first woman she ever loved for a long time. The woman she married and planned her life with. The woman that looks at her with adoration all the time before. She could say that time really passed by, because this woman in front of her now, doesn't look like that before. She used to have gummy cheeks, warm smile, welcoming aura and an expressive eyes. But now, sure, she's still the prettiest woman she'd ever met, but it all turned into edgy jawline, cold frown, untouchable aura, blank eyes and most especially, Jennie doesn't look at her like before. Who am I kidding,right? I'm the one who left. Chaeyoung thought
As for Jennie, She never thought this day would come, well,maybe she did but not like this. Not this early in the morning without a kickstart or something. She hadn't plan anything yet. Or is this really real? Is she real? or am I just hallucinating? She still look the same,gorgeous as ever though she dyed her hair blonde, which suits her perfectly. Fuck, What am I thinking?! Many thoughts were running in Jennie's mind like a marathon that she doesn't know where to focus first. In fact that her ex-wife was in front of her? on why is she back? why is she in her office? does she need anything? is she dying? Oh fuck,No. Does she need to speak? The CEO was obviously overwhelmed on what's happening and all that came out from her mouth that's barely audible was
"Rosie... you're back"
Both of them stared at each other not knowing on who's gonna engage in a conversation first. Their eye contact was disturbed by the door opening again revealing Maya.
"Sorry to interrupt boss, but the investors are all ready in the board room" Maya explained
"Reschedule them" Jennie replied
"No, It's okay. I can wait. It sounds important" Chaeyoung butted in looking at Jennie and Maya back and forth
"No, I ain't leaving this room right now" especially now that you're here she said pertaining to Chaeyoung and faced her secretary "Do as I say"
"Yes, boss" Maya replied
"and please bring us something to drink" Jennie requested
"what would you like to have, boss?" She looked at Jennie "Mrs. Kim?" and next to Chaeyoung
Jennie was flustered by her secretary calling Chaeyoung Mrs.Kim that she almost choked on her own saliva by hearing it. Kim Jisoo will be having 20 meetings in a week from now on.
"Black coffee" Jennie answered
"A tea would be nice" Chaeyoung also answered not really knowing what to feel about being called Mrs.Kim
Both of them are sitting facing each other being the coffee table in front of them making distance. Jennie sipped at her coffee, still not knowing how to break this awkward tension going on between them while Chaeyoung is mustering up her courage to speak since she came here for a reason.
"I apologise for my secretary on calling you that" Jennie started when she brought down her cup of tea. Chaeyoung nods
"First of all, I am sorry for showing up unannounced and also... for what I did in the past" Chaeyoung started while looking through Jennie who's busy fidgeting her fingers "I guess this talk was already long overdue and I think that we both need this"
"Closure?" Jennie asked lifting her head and looking at chaeyoung
"If that's what you call it, sure" Chaeyoung nodded "I know that we didn't end in a good way but I'm trying my best now to cope up especially for myself and maybe you too"
"Took you long enough though" Jennie replied
"I...I got busy with -" Chaeyoung started to explain
"No, It's okay. I sincerely apologise for my wrong doings too. You don't need to explain. It's all in the past" Jennie said sincerely. You're back now. That's what's important
"I - right. past"
"I guess we just didn't work...That's it" Jennie ending the subject to avoid the both of them running down the memory lane
"Yeah" Chaeyoung just nods looking down
"Well, I could use a friend"
"Right. Sure. We can be friends" Chaeyoung agreed, still thinking on how she would insert the topic on Jennie about them having a daughter "We've been together for so long before. It's a shame to just throw it away. We may not work as a couple but at least we can still be friends" Nope.I think ex lovers can't never be friends.
Jennie felt a relief. Like a big thorn plucked out from her heart after having this conversation.Though she was kinda sad that about the fact that they're no longer together. This friendship could work.Right? "So where did you wander for the past years?" Jennie tried to ask
"I stayed in Melbourne ever since then. I became an Art Teacher for kids there" Chaeyoung answered smiling "How about you? I'm sorry I don't engage in business world these past few years"
"I'm doing just fine. Mum and Dad are enjoying their retirement now. They used to find you anyway, but I handled it so, everything's fine" Chaeyoung nodded listening to the CEO
"and speaking of, maybe we could grab a lunch or dinner? I would also like to meet your family. I wanted to apologize for what I did, I just had no courage to face them and I guess this is a little push for me" Jennie offered, smiling.
"Yeah. We can do that" Chaeyoung agreed "But first, I want to tell you something" the blonde looked down for the nth time, obviously nervous
Jennie got alarmed and thought of worst. Is she dying? Cancer? Is there a cancer facility here? Oh My God, Lord, Please No. I just got her again. I don't care if we're just friends...just.... Jennie stood up and went beside chaeyoung as she patted her shoulder
"What is it? Are you dying?"
"I - what?! Jen! No! geez, you need to stop overthinking all the time and I pretty much want to live a longer life" Chaeyoung was shocked in Jennie's assumption and faced her.
They've never been this close for so long and Jennie's hands on her shoulder gives her the nostalgic feeling of being under the CEO's care. They looked at each other briefly before breaking the contact between them
"Well, You got me worried there" Jennie slumped her back at the couch and looked at Chaeyoung once again "You showing up out of nowhere and telling me these things! You also need to stop acting like that. I feel like your world was ending or something" she laughed
"I'm nervous! What else can I do?" chaeyoung tried to defend herself
"Don't be. There's nothing to be nervous for. It's just me...and as long as you're not dying, nothing worse can happen. Y--"
"We have a daughter" Chaeyoung slipped out
"I-- what?! We?" Jennie sat up straight looking at the blonde wide eyed. She heard it clear. She just wanted to confirm it.
"We have a daughter. A beautiful daughter" Chaeyoung looked at her adorely remembering how Jamie and Jennie's expressions are exactly the same
"I..How? Yes, we did have lots of sex before but I don't have the thing either but -- wait, the IVF worked?" Jennie tried to recall the happenings before they separated and realising it just now "but how? we only did it once...and" as she placed her hands in her forehead and leaned over
"Yeah, they pretty much worked and I didn't know I was pregnant not until I reached Melbourne,hence the hormones raging causing my emotional stability went sideways that time"
Jennie looked at Chaeyoung teary eyed thinking how chaeyoung got through those thing without having someone by her side. All those pregnancy month, who bought her cravings? Who was there when she gave birth, all those worries was running through Jennie's mind as chaeyoung explained everything. A tear fell from her eye, not knowing where did it all came from, Joy? Regrets? Sadness? Anger? Disappointment? Excitement?
"So that...that means...I'm a mom? We have a baby?" Jennie asked,still dumbfounded, Tears falling nonstop
"Yeah, a mom to a six-year-old smartass kid and not exactly a baby anymore though, obviously. She's like a little woman already " Chaeyoung answered wiping Jennie's face with her hands. Smiling, She's grateful that even though how jennie is an overthinker, she never thought of the blonde lying to her and chaeyoung is genuinely happy with that "I am sorry for just telling you this. I swear, I tried to muster up every courage that I have to tell you about this but I have no idea how and time just passed by and here we are"
"That's completely okay. I understand where you are coming from. Though I'm kinda sad and disappointed with myself, Not being there with you when she was still a baby and watching her grow up but It's still not too late, right?" Jennie glanced up to Chaeyoung,smiling. Her heart is so full right now and she didn't expected this
"What's her name? Can I have a photo of her? Does she know me?" Jennie asked excitedly patting Rosie's knees
"Her name's Jamie. You remembered when we talked about baby names and we thought of a gender neutral name? and that name was the first thing that came into my mind"
"Sounds like Jennie, too"
"Yeah, That too. I wanted to instill something about you in her though I kinda regret a little when she turned out to look exactly like you. I should've name her after me" Chaeyoung laughed a little. "Here!" She got her phone out from her bag and unlocked it to let Jennie see "I got a whole album just for her. She's a stunner"
"Can I?" Jennie asked permission from Rosie to let her borrow her phone and Chaeyoung allowed her. Jennie also noticed that Chaeyoung's wedding band was still in her ring finger and that made her stomach do summersaults
Chaeyoung noticed Jennie's eyes on her hands and cursed in her thoughts. I should've removed it. "Oh, I'm sorry about this" as she motioned in her ring "I didn't remove it since there were a people trying to hit on me so...." What a lame excuse,Chaeyoung "I never mentioned your name as my wife though, don't worry"
Well, that hurts. "Oh,no, it's okay" Jennie went back on swiping to see more photos of her daughter. She smiles everytime she can see Jamie enjoying. She stopped at the photo where Jamie and Lisa were walking together holding each other's hand. Well, that hurt too. Jennie felt a pang of jealousy from that woman who had an opportunity on spending with her own daughter rather than her. She hated to admit it but after knowing this, She wants her family on for herself only, and no one else's. Maybe It's chaeyoung's current beau and Jamie got already accustomed to the woman and ....
"That's Lisa, by the way" Chaeyoung commented as she watched Jennie stopped in that specific photo "She's my roomate/ best friend all throughout since day 1 in Melbourne. Jamie calls her Aunt Lisa, she's a photographer and Jamie loves to be her muse all the time"
"Oh...They seem to get along well" Jennie commented while she continue to scan photos
"Yeah. Lisa's a big help to me. She takes care of Jamie whenever I need to do something on my own" Chaeyoung replied
Only if I were there.Jennie thought "Can I meet her? Does she know about me?"
"Of course. I talk to her about you all the time. It's just that I reasoned out that you were busy with your company that's why you weren't able to be there. I know It's a big mistake"
"Shh, stop beating yourself about that. It's fine. Atleast I got to know her now"
"Yeah, she asked me if I can have you attend her birthday this year. Hence the sole reason that I am here" Chaeyoung said "oh and this also..."
Jennie placed chaeyoung's phone down in the table when Rosie handed her the envelope. Is this the divorce follow-up papers?. She opened it and saw various files that were stacked up with a formal photo of Jamie clipped in the upper left area
"Jamie isn't registered here yet because I birthed her in Melbourne and that makes her an Aussie citizen. I needed few of your signs for it since"
"You registered us as her parents..."
"Well, of course because we are her parents...so..."
"Jamie Park-Kim" Jennie practiced saying it loud in her mouth "I still can't believe it" She looked at Chaeyoung
"Yeah, me too, She grew up too fast" as they both looked at their daughter's photo
"Wait, let me get my pen and I'll come with you filing this" Jennie stood up and went to her table to get her things
Well, chaeyoung must've not been the only one hoarding their old couple things as she used the pen with her name on it that Chaeyoung gave her for her birthday. Chaeoyoung just brushed it off and motioned Jennie where she should sign
"Where is she right now? In Melbourne? I'll let my secretary prepare the plane" Jennie asked pertaining to her daughter
"She's actually in a flight already with Lisa heading here. I just went here ahead to settle things" Chaeyoung answered
"Oh...That's nice.Where are you staying here?"
"With mum and dad"
"Okay...Mum and Dad.......Oh fuck, I need to tell my parents!" Jennie stood up to search for her phone "Maybe we can meet them for lunch after we file this. Is this okay with you?"
"Sure. I'm kinda scared though.."
"Oh, don't be. They would be ecstatic!" Jennie beamed as she placed her phone on her ear
Chaeyoung watched how Jennie looked so excited with all these things happening to her. She can't believe how Jennie's world turned upside down in a span of minutes just after they made up. That cold aura around her earlier was replaced with bright and welcoming vibe. It felt like the old Jennie was back. Her Jennie is back.