⠀⠇6C

@park gyuri Cute, a word that had Jaehyun shuddering in his seat, even forgetting momentarily Gyuri’s rather momentous news. However, he remembered not too long after tonight’s important topic calling for his presence once she grabbed his hand. It had him raising a brow, nearly pulling it back as he wondered what would happen if her boyfriend was around. He glanced to the side, making sure that there was no surprise guest ready to fight him for this. Once he heard what she had to say, he crinkled his face in annoyance, despite her little pat that eased him just slightly. “Noona, I don’t know what’s worse. You calling me cute or this rather cruel prank of yours.”

Reaching over to steal one of Gyuri’s grapes and crackers for his own instead, he held his newly obtained stash close to himself before he continuing, “You’re right though, I do have a few questions. What is this guy like? What are things like between the two of you?” He stopped though, realizing how he was already in prosecutor mode, interrogating his subject. After a grape or two, he held his hand up, “Look. I got to make sure if you have some guy pretending to be your boyfriend, he can’t be some psycho you found from the internet.”

He continued with his rambling session, but it was obvious from his lips jutted out from time to time, he had too many questions popping up that he lost track of a few of them. “Does this mean that I should stop coming by?” For a moment he finally paused, unable to explain a certain pang of annoyance. Sure it appeared from time to time when they first met, whenever his classmates used to goad him about her, mentioning how they wanted to get her number from him or seeing his classmates try to talk her up. Eventually though, he learned to push those feeling aside. However, he shook his head at thought, “I don’t want to mess things up for you two, especially if you’re doing this for your family. I still don’t get that either. You’ve always been against relationships, why now? Even if it’s for show.”

@jung jaehyun She was no actress and it was admittedly getting difficult for her to keep a straight face. After all these years, Jaehyun still had hints of that shy and adorable university student she had mentored so long ago. It was cute. And whether anyone else knew it or not, he was a good young man. He could probably make a good boyfriend, if he ever decided to enter a relationship. Gyuri let out a soft chuckle with a gentle shake of her head.

"Oh my gosh... have I ever told you how cute you are?," she grinned and picked up her glass, taking another sip of her drink. Once she set it down, she took one of Jaehyun's hands in hers. "I'm only messing with you! Well- sort of. I do have a boyfriend, is what I'm officially telling my family, but we're not really dating." She raised her free hand to pat the young man on the cheek, still giggling a little bit from her joke. In that moment, she wished she had a video or something of his reaction.

Leaning back now on her end of the couch, she crossed her legs one over the other, and continued picking at the snacks that were brought over. Her new arrangement was surely going to complicate things, but hopefully not too much. "I'm sure you have questions, still, so go ahead and ask away. I'll try my best to answer them."

@park gyuri He cannot help in holding back a quiet chuckle at her playful scolding, stealing another sip more comfortably this time around. However, he did keep his gaze on her, awaiting for her approval. Old habits died hard. Even with the years that passed between them, there was a certain comfort brought upon a simple yes or compliment from her. Had any of his colleagues and seniors knew of this, they would chide him, especially with the cocky tough image he presented in court. As he swirled his glass around though, something seemed to bother him. This was not a simple evening of drinks.

Already there was a slight crinkle in between his brows from her first words, unable to hide his confusion. Aside from him, there was only one other person he knew would be single for life and that was her. How did he miss the signs? Sure he had his moments in the past, the constant checking on his phone and those silly grins just from a simple message. The Park Gyuri herself? Setting his glass off to the side, Jaehyun cleared his throat a couple of times, “Congrats?” Realizing the questionable tone of his was probably not the most desired reaction, he waved his hand, “Sorry… it’s just that really congrats on the boyfriend. I guess this is surprising for me too. I didn’t know you were seeing someone these days.”

Turning his body so he can rest his back against the couch, he started to create a bit more distance between them. Now with his hands clasped together, he rested them on his stomach as he twiddled with his thumbs. Now came in the wave of questions. This man in particular had to be incredible in some way, after all why would the proudest commitment phobe be in a relationship? A quick glance to her direction, Jaehyun crooked his head before he started to ramble away with his curiosity, “Wait should is it alright for me to be here? He wouldn’t get upset? I mean what kind of man is he? What does he do?”

@jung jaehyun Now that it was evening, the apartment became a tad more lively. Two large candles were lit on either side of the tv riser in the living room, filling the space with the warm and spicy aroma of apple and cinnamon. Her binder that was filled with various papers laid on the kitchen table, something she’d put away later. For the time being, her attention was on her guest who made himself comfortable on her couch.

“Hey! Don’t get carried away without me, mister!,” Gyuri playfully scolded him. She was standing in the doorway to her bathroom, hands in her hair to undo her bun. Combing her fingers through her bangs, she peeks over into the living room, already planning on digging into the contents of the charcuterie board. She opened up her black blazer, revealing a black crop top underneath and stepped out from her modest black heels to set them next to the front door.

Finally, she plopped down on the couch next to Jaehyun and helped herself to a piece of cheese. To wash it down, she took the glass in her hand and gently swirled its contents around to bring out the flavors. She brought the glass to her lips and took a brief sip, leaving behind a faint print of her terracotta colored lipstick. It was smooth and it was sweet - her favorite qualities in a drink. She grinned her approval before setting the glass down on a ceramic coaster. Before she could get too comfortable, she had to tell Jaehyun why she called him over. Truthfully, it was nothing serious, but she wanted to play a little joke on him.

“Jaehyun…well, I wanted you to know this because it caught me by surprise. It happened so fast,” she started off. Reaching across, she set her hand on his shoulder with a worried expression along her face. “I have a boyfriend.”

@park gyuri on the dining table laid jaehyun’s black prada backpack, it was on the heavier end that tested the bag’s limits and his shoulders, but it was an old and pesky habit of his that he had not changed from since his school days. his suit jacket and tie were thrown to the couch while his shoes were in their usual corner close to the front door. a couple of shirt buttons were undone and sleeves were rolled. in the kitchen was an empty luxury department store’s food hall bag that he had not tossed yet, but would probably forget about. instead, he was in the living room, opening up the containers of the prepared fruits and charcuterie sets from the store. however, the true star of the evening was the lagavulin single malt scotch that he picked up.

sitting on the couch, he turned his head, “i don’t know if you’ll like this one, but think of it as my way of paying you back for the last bottle i finished. it’s supposed to have a good blend of smokey and fruitiness to it.” jaehyun poured heavier glasses for the both of them, grabbing his neat drink and swirling it around not too long after that had him let out a long sigh, “doc, it’s a little scary. i mean it in a good way. you have a good sixth sense. funny enough, i wanted to call you to meet up, but you beat me to it. what’s on your mind tonight?” the saleswoman was right. there was a rich peaty scent to the drink that he was tempted to sip on, but then again today’s events could make anyone want to finish the bottle in a sitting or two.

glancing to make sure that she would not notice him, he had to sneak in a tiny sip. it had a hint of sweetness, smooth that did not leave a distinct burn. rather, he sighed once more, relaxed this time around. a small smile appeared from, almost somewhat proud of himself in his choice, there was no way she would not like it.