Chapter 56: Meeting the Friends

Ji-Ah should have known Evelyn wouldn't let things slide so easily.

They had only just settled into this whole "taking it slow" thing when Evelyn started pushing for something else.

"Introduce me to your friends properly," Evelyn said one evening, lounging on Ji-Ah's couch like she had all the time in the world.

Ji-Ah barely glanced at her. "You already know them."

"Not as your girlfriend," Evelyn countered smoothly.

Ji-Ah sighed. "They already know about the engagement, remember?"

Evelyn smirked. "Yes, but they think it's just because of my evil parents forcing us together. Now they need to see that you actually like me."

Ji-Ah turned her head and gave Evelyn a flat stare. "Do I?"

Evelyn clutched her chest dramatically. "You wound me, Ji-Ah." Then, as if she hadn't just been fake-offended, she added, "Let's go tomorrow."

Ji-Ah exhaled through her nose. "You're not going to drop this, are you?"

"Nope." Evelyn grinned.

And just like that, Ji-Ah had no choice.

The next afternoon, Ji-Ah found herself at a café, seated across from Min Hye-Jin and Kang Seo-Jun, with Evelyn sitting way too smugly beside her.

Hye-Jin leaned forward, stirring her iced coffee with a knowing smirk. "So, officially dating now?"

Seo-Jun snorted. "Took you two long enough."

Ji-Ah groaned. "Not you guys too."

Hye-Jin ignored her, turning to Evelyn. "So, how did you manage to get Ji-Ah to admit it?"

Evelyn's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Oh, it was easy. I just kept asking until she caved."

Seo-Jun whistled. "Persistent, huh?"

"You have no idea," Ji-Ah muttered.

Evelyn patted Ji-Ah's thigh. "That's why we're perfect together."

Ji-Ah side-eyed her. "Are we?"

Evelyn simply smiled.

Seo-Jun leaned back, watching the two with clear amusement. "So, Ji-Ah, when are you telling your parents?"

Ji-Ah almost choked on her drink. "Excuse me?"

Hye-Jin arched a brow. "Evelyn's parents already see this as a done deal. Your parents are the only ones left in the dark."

Ji-Ah scowled. "They don't need to know anything yet."

Evelyn let out a dramatic sigh, shaking her head. "Ji-Ah, don't you think your parents would be so happy to know we're really dating? My parents are practically waiting for the wedding at this point. Let's make them happy, hmm?"

Hye-Jin and Seo-Jun exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter.

Seo-Jun grinned. "Oh, this is going to be fun to watch."

Ji-Ah groaned, rubbing her temples as Evelyn patted her back in mock sympathy. "There, there. We'll tell them together."

Ji-Ah sighed, knowing there was no way out of this. And somehow, she had the feeling Evelyn had planned it that way all along.