Things Change

“So, this gala—” Dahyun tried to start without feeling too many chills down her spine as the woman was taking measurements of her torso and Nayeon was staring at her like a hawk. “Is this an annual thing?”

Nayeon stared at them, not uttering a word for a few seconds and Dahyun wished this woman was using her fingertips over her waist instead of her entire palm.

“Yeah, it’s an annual thing. It’s a fundraiser event actually. But it’s not as fancy as the Met Gala or whatever. Just the people working for the big fashion brands in Korea,” Nayeon said, surprisingly calmer than what Dahyun expected. “I skipped the gala for three years already.”

The moment the woman was done measuring her arms, she left the room and Dahyun felt like she could breathe again. “Why did you skip?”

She shrugged. “Too busy. I was in charge of three magazines that time and even after skipping for the first time, they never bothered inviting me again.”

“Are you excited to go to this year's gala?”

It took a while for Nayeon to respond, pushing her finger on her lip again which Dahyun thought was the most adorable thing she had ever seen.

Nayeon finally looked at her and she smiled, even her eyes were smiling with her. “I am now because you’re going with me.”

That gently reminded Dahyun that Nayeon was a busy woman and that she wasn’t able to enjoy this event for a while. Now she was given a chance to attend again, and Dahyun was graced with the invitation to go to a grand event like this.

So maybe she should probably stop internally complaining about it and indulge Nayeon. She only wanted Nayeon to be happy.

Dahyun walked up to her, knelt down and then placed her hand gently on top of her long and slender ones. “I’m happy I get to go with you then. I know we’ll have a great time.”

Nayeon’s smile got even bigger, she quickly cupped Dahyun’s face and gave her a long kiss on the lips. Dahyun couldn’t help but smile back and kiss her with the same amount that the older woman was giving. Sadly, that intimate moment had to end when the woman came back and brought out the outfit for Dahyun. Nayeon was pleased with how it looked, and they went to the counter to pay for it.

As much as Dahyun wished she would pay for her own stuff, Nayeon insisted since it was the least she could do since Dahyun didn’t want to say no to the invitation and it was something she wasn’t used to.

But then again, if Nayeon invited her to these kinds of events, she would never say no. She couldn’t say no to Nayeon. Because deep down inside, she loved her and there was nothing that could stop her from resisting this woman.

Dahyun was madly in love with Nayeon.

Chaeyoung, Jeongyeon and Tzuyu made sure to visit Dahyun and help dress her up for this event. They loved the suit Nayeon got for her and made sure she looked as good as her outfit.

Of course, they didn’t let her go without relentlessly teasing her about being a nerdy virgin who liked staying at home or drowning herself with work, to being the nerdy, loser girlfriend of the editor-in-chief of one of the popular magazines in South Korea.

Not that she wanted to sell herself short, nor did she want to believe that she was a loser. But after stepping into the venue and seeing so many celebrities, models, important people from the media and then looking back at how ordinary she was, she definitely felt like she wasn’t part of this world.

Didn’t help that there was a plethora of attractive people at this event. Women in dresses that should be considered a sin with how much skin they were showing, or how the others looked so dashing in their designer suits and pants.

Dahyun wasn’t checking anyone out, she just couldn’t stop and stare at everyone. Nayeon mentioned that she wasn’t the only outsider in that event, there were guests that were pretty much like her, ordinary and weren't part of the media. But if that was the case, why did all of them look so beautiful?

But she shouldn't really let her inner demons get the most out of her tonight. She was there for one reason and that reason was holding onto her arm and hand so tight and giving her a look that made Dahyun felt like she was the only person in the room. Dahyun made sure Nayeon felt the same.

“Okay, there will be a moment where they will take my picture, and I want you to be with me in those photos. Just smile and don’t freak out. I’ll be holding your hand the entire time, okay babe?”

Dahyun blushed furiously at this. Nervous at how she was going to be exposed to the media like this for the first time and the fact that Nayeon wanted to be seen with her.

The flashing lights, the reporters, the ubiquitous amount of questions thrown at Nayeon, made Dahyun believe that she was glad she wasn't anywhere close to a celebrity.

Dahyun noticed how Nayeon held her hand a little tighter than usual when these people would ask her questions. Nayeon mentioned how she hoped the reporters or anyone who would come up to her would ask about the magazine instead of anything personal.

Yet all the questions they asked were personal.

“Is that your girlfriend?”

“How long have you guys been seeing each other?”

“Is she a celebrity too? I’ve never seen her before.”

“Finally tired of living the single life, Nayeon?”

All of which Nayeon managed to dodge except for the first question. She was confident in telling everyone that yes, this was Dahyun, she was the girlfriend. And as much as it made Dahyun elated to be given the title of that and being shown off like this, there was something that felt off with Nayeon.

Once dinner was served, a few speeches done here and there, and even more mingling, Dahyun found herself in the corner of the room, waiting for Nayeon to finish talking to some people while nursing a flute of the most expensive champagne she had ever tasted, it tasted different, and it was accompanied with an unsettling feeling bubbling inside her stomach.

“So—” a voice came right next to her and leaned on the wall. Jennie smirked at her. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

Dahyun wasn’t prepared for small talk with anyone, but she remembered this person from the time she visited Nayeon at her office the first time. So maybe she could try. She already had a girlfriend, and that was the greatest internal battle she ever had with herself. Speaking to other women should be something she could overcome as well.

Dahyun nodded slowly. “Yes, it’s my first time here so I don’t really know how to act accordingly.”

“You feel out of place, you mean?” Jennie asked, it sounded blunt, but it wasn’t to insult Dahyun.

She ended up awkwardly laughing to herself, scratching the side of her neck. “You can say that. I’m just an ordinary person who owns a coworking space. I’ve never been exposed to big names that are featured in magazines and such.”

Jennie shook her head to agree, taking a sip from her hard drink and Dahyun felt compelled to ask something back.

“Are… are you here alone? Or do you also have a date with you?” Dahyun internally cursed herself for how the question came out, hoping it sounded more nonchalant than she hoped.

But Jennie didn’t mind, she smiled at her and shrugged. “I decided to be the lone wolf this time. Nayeon used to be the third wheel whenever I brought a date to the gala.” Then her smile softened, Dahyun could tell there was a hint of something else in it. “I stopped though, people talk too much, and they say whatever they want to say.” She scoffed playfully. “I got tired of it. So this year, I decided to come alone, and it’s been great.”

Dahyun finally understood, so she nodded at her. She appreciated how honest Jennie decided to be with her simple question. “I think that’s fine. Sometimes being alone and enjoying your own company does wonders to how you look at yourself and the world.” Then she awkwardly took a sip from her champagne, a way to control the words that would probably slip out of her mouth. “But you really shouldn't care about what other people think. Just do what you like. It’s none of their business.”

Jennie stopped midway of her drink; she removed the glass from her mouth then turned to face Dahyun properly. “Tell me, Kim Dahyun—” she started, keeping a smile on her face. “How’s Nayeon treating you so far? I mean, based on the public display of affection you guys have shown since you got here, I’m assuming you’re guys madly in love with each other.”

Dahyun was almost speechless. Not sure how to handle everything Jennie has spat out in a matter of seconds or the fact that she changed the topic. But the first thing she thought of was the last thing this woman said. “I don’t know if Nayeon is in love with me.”

That made Jennie stiffen, eyes growing wider with a confused look on your face. “Really? I thought the fact she’s been calling you her girlfriend to basically everyone here is enough to show you that she is.” Then she softened her look and tilted her head. “It’s cause she hasn’t said it, huh?”

“Well, no. She hasn’t.”

“And have you said it?”

Dahyun gulped. “No, I haven’t yet.”

Jennie raised her brow. “But you’re in love with her?”

“Yes,” she answered that question so quickly that she couldn’t explain how it came out so easily. But then again, she knew deep down, it was true. “I really am.”

“Then tell her,” Jennie responded, saying it as if it was the only solution to the problem. Though, it wasn’t a problem. It was just… something she needed to say before it was too late.