It had been a week...
A full seven days since Kanya had stormed out of Aran's office, heart pounding, mind spiraling, and emotions all over the damn place.
And for seven days straight, Aran had acted like nothing had happened.
Like he hadn't cornered her.
Like he hadn't admitted he was jealous.
Like she had imagined the whole damn thing.
She had expected… well, she wasn't sure what she had expected, but it wasn't this.
Not Aran avoiding her like she had some kind of contagious disease. Not the cold, professional mask that had returned, making it seem like their heated argument—and his confession—had never even taken place.
And Kanya?
She was frustrated as hell.
"Fucking coward" she muttered under her breath, aggressively typing an email.
If Aran thought he could just pretend it didn't happen, then fine. Screw him.
It wasn't like she was thinking about it either.
(It was a lie, and she hated that she was lying to herself.)
Aran wasn't the only headache she had to deal with.
Jack had gotten better, but his occasional teary-eyed moments were a dead giveaway that he was still struggling. It made her heart ache for him.
Then there was June.
He was still polite, professional—but there was distance now.
Like he knew something.
Like he was watching her, like he suspected she knew more than she was letting on.
And Kanya had a hunch why.
It was only a matter of time before this whole thing exploded.
She just hadn't expected Jack to be the one to light the damn match.
Because as if her day couldn't get any worse, Jack had walked into her office with a bright grin and announced the worst idea in history.
"I figured it out!" Jack declared, plopping onto her couch.
Kanya, still rubbing her temples from an earlier headache, barely looked up. "If it's something dumb, I'm kicking you out."
"It's genius" Jack corrected.
Kanya finally looked at him and immediately felt suspicious. "You look too excited. This isn't going to end well."
Jack grinned. "I know how to figure out if June likes me."
Kanya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And how's that?"
Jack leaned forward, eyes twinkling with mischief.
"You and I are going to fake date."
Kanya choked.
"What?!"
Jack nodded enthusiastically, as if he hadn't just said something insane. "It's perfect!"
Kanya stared at him.
Then she laughed.
Loud.
Hysterical.
Possibly borderline psychotic.
"Jack" she wheezed, clutching her stomach, "there is no way in hell that I am fake dating you."
"Why not?" Jack pouted. "It's a solid plan."
"No, it's not."
Jack crossed his arms. "It is. If June really has feelings for me, he won't be able to handle seeing me with someone else. He'll get jealous, and boom—we'll know."
Kanya groaned, rubbing her face. "And if he doesn't get jealous?"
Jack hesitated.
For the first time, she saw uncertainty flicker in his eyes.
Kanya sighed.
"This is dangerous, Jack" she said, voice softer this time.
"I know" he admitted. "But… I just need to know."
And that—that was what made her pause.
Because she understood.
She understood the feeling of loving someone who didn't love you back.
She understood the desperate need for an answer, even if it hurt.
And damn it—she couldn't say no to Jack when he looked at her like that.
"…Fine" she muttered. "I'll do it."
Jack's face lit up. "Seriously?"
"Seriously" she said, regretting it already.
Jack cheered, throwing his arms around her in a bone-crushing hug.
"You are the best, Kanya!"
"Yeah, yeah" she grumbled, shoving him off. "Just don't blame me when this blows up in your face."
Jack just grinned.
And somewhere in the back of her mind, Kanya knew—
This was a terrible idea.
And Aran was going to lose his mind.
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Kanya had called it.
She had known from the start that this was a terrible idea.
But, God, it was also the most entertaining thing she had ever witnessed.
For the past two weeks, she had been playing the role of Jack's fake girlfriend, and in that short span of time, she had come to several conclusions:
Jack was not made for deception.
June was not as unaffected as he pretended to be.
Aran was going to fucking explode.
And honestly?
She was having the time of her life.
Especially with Aran.
Watching him try to stay composed every time Jack got too close, too flirty, too touchy with her was the highlight of her day.
The first time Jack had draped his arm around her shoulders in front of Aran, she had seen the CEO's jaw clench so hard she thought his teeth might crack.
By the time Jack had offered to feed her a piece of cake, Aran had been gripping his coffee cup like he was about to throw it at someone's head.
And then, yesterday, Jack had casually mentioned in front of Aran that he and Kanya were planning to go on a "romantic getaway."
Kanya had seen murder in Aran's eyes.
She was pretty sure he was seconds away from committing a crime.
It was glorious.
Jack, of course, remained blissfully oblivious to all of this.
June, on the other hand, was not handling it well.
At first, he had ignored it. Acted like it didn't matter.
Then came the subtle tension.
The occasional long stares. The way he'd clench his jaw whenever Jack laughed a little too much at something Kanya said.
Then the irritation.
The passive-aggressive comments. The cold shoulder whenever Jack got too affectionate in public.
And now?
Now, June was losing his mind.
He wasn't even hiding it anymore.
And Kanya?
She was counting down the days until he finally snapped.
She didn't have to wait long.
Because today, it finally happened.
The day had started normally enough—or as normal as it could be when you were fake dating your best friend just to make your other best friend jealous.
They had finished a shoot, and Jack was practically glued to Kanya's side as they exited the set.
"So," Jack began, flashing her a grin, "dinner tonight?"
Kanya, playing along, tilted her head. "Like… a date?"
Jack smirked. "Obviously."
June, walking behind them, visibly stiffened.
Jack noticed.
And pushed further.
He leaned in, lowering his voice dramatically. "I'll even let you pick the restaurant, babe."
Kanya bit her lip, hiding a smirk.
June snapped.
"Jack."
Jack blinked, turning to face June, too innocent. "Yeah?"
June's expression was dark, his usual composure nowhere in sight.
"You need to stop this."
Jack feigned confusion. "Stop what?"
June exhaled sharply, his hands balling into fists. "This game. This stupid, childish—" He stopped, running a frustrated hand through his hair. "You don't even like her."
Jack frowned. "Excuse me?"
"You're not in love with her" June ground out, his voice tight with emotion.
Kanya's breath hitched.
Jack stared at June, something flickering in his eyes.
"What if I was?" he asked quietly.
June froze.
Something in his expression cracked.
Jack's voice was softer this time. "Would that bother you?"
June looked away.
Silence.
Then, barely above a whisper—
"…Yes."
Kanya inhaled sharply.
Jack's expression changed.
Gone was the teasing, the pretending, the playing around.
He took a step closer. "Why?"
June didn't answer.
Jack took another step. "Why would it bother you, June?"
June's throat worked, but no words came out.
Jack waited.
Waited for something, anything—
And then, finally—
"I—" June swallowed, his voice shaking. "Because I don't want to watch you love someone else."
Jack stilled.
June lifted his gaze, his eyes burning with emotions he had kept buried for too long.
"I don't want to just be your best friend."
Silence.
And then—
Jack laughed.
A disbelieving, breathless laugh.
"God, you idiot." Jack grabbed June's face, tilting it up to look at him properly.
June's breath caught.
Jack grinned.
"I've been in love with you for years."
June's lips parted, stunned. "What?"
Jack just rolled his eyes. "Took you long enough to figure it out."
June still looked shocked. "You— you—"
Jack cut him off by kissing him.
Hard.
June let out a shaky breath, then melted.
The kiss was soft, desperate, raw—years of hidden emotions and bottled-up feelings spilling over.
When they finally pulled away, June's face was red, his eyes still dazed.
Jack just smirked.
"I win."
June scowled. "You are the worst."
Jack grinned. "Yeah, but now I'm your worst."
Kanya, standing off to the side, finally broke into a grin.
"About fucking time."
Jack turned to her with a sheepish smile. "Uh… sorry for dragging you into this?"
Kanya waved him off. "Honestly? Worth it."
Jack laughed.
June, still flustered, just groaned.
And Kanya?
She felt… happy.
Genuinely happy.
Because for once, a love story had a happy ending.
Even if it wasn't her own.
Yet.
Because something told her her own story was far from over.
Especially with a certain CEO on the verge of losing it.
And she was very much looking forward to it.
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The day had started off surprisingly calm. Too calm, if Kanya had to be honest.
After yesterday's emotionally loaded confessions and kisses and her rather Oscar-worthy performance as Jack's fake girlfriend, she expected things to be a little awkward. Maybe some blushing, some stammering. But instead, all three of them were holed up in her office, buried in paperwork, acting like they hadn't just flipped the emotional table 24 hours ago.
Jack was unusually quiet, which was saying something. June sat across the desk, typing up notes for their upcoming shoot, his eyes only occasionally flicking up to steal glances at Jack. Kanya smirked every time she caught him.
"You know" she finally said, breaking the silence, "for two people who just confessed their undying love for each other, you both look like you're in the middle of a tax audit."
Jack gave her a withering look. "Excuse us for being professional."
"Please" she snorted. "You've sent more heart-eyes today than an entire fanclub."
June flushed. Jack grinned.
Just then, Jack stood up with a sly smile. "Speaking of fans..." He reached into his bag and pulled out a wrapped item. "Ta-da!"
Kanya blinked. "What's that?"
"Open it."
Curious, she tore off the paper and let out a loud gasp. "NO WAY! This is—! Jack!"
She held up the limited edition vinyl album of her favorite band—a k-pop group she'd been obsessed with for years.
"How did you even find this? It's out of print!" she asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
Jack winked. "I have my ways."
With a squeal of excitement, Kanya launched herself across the room and hugged Jack tightly. "You're the BEST!"
Caught off guard, Jack laughed, hugging her back.
"Hey" June muttered, pretending to pout, "I helped him look for it."
With a grin, Kanya turned and grabbed June too, pulling him into the hug.
"Group hug!"
And it was at that exact moment that Aran opened the door.
Silence.
Aran stared.
To him, it looked like Jack was holding Kanya in a tight embrace, her face buried in his shoulder. What he couldn't see from the angle was June's arm also wrapped around her, his head tilted into the group hug. All he saw was Kanya clutching Jack like he'd just rescued her from a fire.
His eyes darkened.
The door shut behind him with a heavy, final click.
"Everyone out" he said, voice cold. "Except you, Jack."
Kanya turned, eyebrows lifting. "Wait, Aran—"
His glare cut her off.
June opened his mouth to speak, but one look from Aran had him grabbing Kanya's arm and pulling her gently but urgently from the office.
Once they were outside, the staff around them scattered like frightened birds. The door hadn't even closed fully before they could hear Aran's voice inside.
"WHAT the hell do you think you're doing?!"
Korn, who had been walking past with a folder, nearly tripped over himself trying to disappear.
Kanya sighed.
"Well" she muttered, "I think it's time we ended this game."
Back in her own office, she stared at the now-nervous duo sitting in front of her.
"Alright, lovebirds" she said, her tone turning more serious. "I let this fake dating nonsense go on because, frankly, it was effective. But now that the truth's out..."
Jack scratched his head. "You think we should tell him?"
Kanya folded her arms. "Yes. If you two are serious about this—and I'm assuming you are?"
June nodded."Very."
"Then the CEO deserves to know. Not just because he's your boss, but because if anyone tries to stir shit—which, let's face it, they will—he'll protect you."
Jack hesitated. "Even if we just started this?"
Kanya smirked. "Trust me. You've been in love with each other for years. The only thing new is the kissing part."
June chuckled, cheeks coloring. Jack looked like he wanted to object but couldn't.
An hour later, Kanya stood outside Aran's office, watching nervously as the boys went in.
Aran sat behind his desk, shoulders tense, jaw locked. He glanced up when they entered.
"Make it quick."
Jack stepped forward, suddenly serious. "Sir. We have something to tell you."
Aran raised an eyebrow.
June continued, voice even but careful. "Jack and I... are together. Officially."
The words hung in the air.
Aran blinked.
Once. Twice.
Then... his entire body relaxed.
Visibly.
Like a weight had just fallen off his shoulders.
He leaned back slowly in his chair, almost dumbfounded.
"You're... together."
Jack nodded. "Yes, sir."
More blinking.
Then something even stranger happened.
Aran smiled. Just a little. And for half a second.
"Good."
Jack and June looked at each other.
"Good?" June asked.
Aran cleared his throat, straightening. "I mean. You're both... stable. It won't affect work. I expect discretion in the public eye, but internally... it's fine."
But something about his face... the relief was too obvious.
Like he had been preparing himself for a completely different kind of heartbreak.
Jack tilted his head. "Are you okay, sir?"
Aran coughed. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?"
June, always perceptive, narrowed his eyes. "You look... relieved."
Aran said nothing.
Because he was. He was relieved. Painfully relieved.
And that confused the hell out of him.
Because for days, he'd been wound tight with rage at the idea of Kanya being with someone. Anyone. And now, knowing she wasn't...
His chest felt lighter.
But that begged the question...
Why the hell do I care so much?
Outside, Kanya leaned against the wall, arms folded and lips tugging up in a small, smug smile.
Because deep down, she knew the answer.
And one day, Aran would have to say it out loud.
But until then?
She could wait..... To reject the hell out of him.