Chapter Text
Minjeong and Jimin had been friends since early childhood due to being neighbors in a wealthy neighborhood with only a few other kids around. They grew up together playing competitive games that became more of a real competition as they got older. By middle school they had their first argument after Jimin beat Minjeong for class president by 10 measly votes, but that was only foreshadowing of what was to come.
"Why would you do that? You knew I was saving up all summer!" Minjeong shouted in the driveway of Jimin’s house where the brand new black corvette was parked.
Jimin only grinned, swinging the keys to the car Minjeong wanted so badly around her finger.
"Better luck next time." Jimin said as a smirk formed on her lips, that same condescending look and tone she always used in moments like this.
That was it for Minjeong, she was tired of everything big and small being turned into a competition. She looked back at Jimin one last time with neither a look of hurt or anger.
"Bye Jimin."
From that day moving forward they avoided each other with only Jimin attempting to reach out and when that didn’t work she started appearing in places she never had before. Minjeong ignored it and later that year Jimin and her family ended up moving out of the city, leaving Minjeong to only wonder about the girl she formerly called her best triend.
The rest of high school went well for Minjeong. She got into an Ivy league school easily without the competition of Jimin and once she got into college she worked on her business degree that allowed her to open up her now very successful business, Kim Tech.
It wasn’t until a business conference between a few of her rival companies did she see Jimin for the first time in years.
“It can’t be..” Minjeong whispered to herself.
But once their eyes locked she knew without a doubt it was.
“Long time no see.” Jimin said, walking up to Minjeong with that same grin Minjeong spent years trying to forget.
Her expression was the same but she changed, a lot. Her hair was darker now and her once skinny frame was more filled out with muscle that still peaked through her blazer.
“Long time indeed.” Minjeong replied, expression cold.
“I’m impressed to see you at such an important meeting. Finally may have won something.” Jimin quipped but before Minjeong even had time to reply she had disappeared back into the crowd of business men and women.
Minjeong was hopelessly searching the crowd to have the last word with Jimin when one of the older members cleared his throat, signaling all attention on him.
The room fell silent as he began to talk.
“I know this meeting was last minute but I wasn’t aware such an impactful business woman such as Yu Jimin had moved from out of city to here. I hope we can all give her a warm welcome over dinner, my treat.” He spoke just barely loud enough to be heard in the far corners of the room. The wrinkles on his face settling to show the years of hard earned wealth.
Everyone nodded or muttered a “yes sir” before making their way out the crowded room and into separate escorts already waiting just outside the buildings entrance.
By the time they made it through the crowded streets of the city it was already sunset, the sounds of people happily drinking at the bar within the restaurant echoing down the street.
Everyone piled in as they got led to a long table at the back of the restaurant with a separate bar nearby.
“Order whatever, it’s on me.” The same man from earlier announced once more, forcing a tired smile as he began to check over the menu himself.
Minjeong and Jimin sat opposite of each other, either intentional or pure accident neither of them knew.
Minjeong scoffed quietly, before scanning over the menu, feeling the eyes of Jimin watching over here.
She looked up and Jimin looked down, “pathetic”Minjeong thought.
The noise of the restaurant turned into a gentle hum as Minjeong zoned out, more focused on how she’d protect herself than what was currently happening.
“Hello? Miss?”
She shook her head and looked up.
“Yeah, sorry, I’ll have steak, medium well.” She replied, looking at Jimin who only grinned.
“I’ll do steak as well, rare.” She said as the waiter asked for her order, eyes never leaving Minjeong’s.
It was silent but it was clear what she was already trying to start on only the first day back in Minjeong’s life.
The rest of the dinner was no less tense, remarks and one upping each other that only made everyone else uncomfortable. Some people even pulled Minjeong aside to ask what’s up with her to only have their concern be brushed it off.
Casual conversation continued as people tried to neutralize the situation.
“So why did you move here?” One of the fellow CEO’s asked Jimin.
“I grew up here and let’s just say I missed a few things.” She replied, tone collected and calm as she took a sip of wine, looking over the rim of the glass at Minjeong.
Minjeong scowled, taking her glass of champagne to her lips and downing the whole thing.
“Who knew you were such a champ? Much different than high school.” Jimin commented, earning a glare.
“High school?” Someone down the table asked.
“Yeah me and Minjeong here used to be close, always neck and neck as our parents said.” She replied, leaning back in her chair like the memories brought her comfort.
“We were until-“ But before she could finish her sentence she was cut off.
“Who wants refills? On me.” Jimin said, earning cheers from everyone at the table beside Minjeong, she wouldn’t owe Jimin anything even as simple as a drink.
She sat there with anger she hadn’t felt since childhood as she watched the people she had networked her way into knowing for years fawn over Jimin like she had been here for just as long, and maybe in a way she had been.
A billboard here or an ad there. It wasn’t like Minjeong was unaware of her success she just never thought she’d come back to where she left things unfinished after gaining wealth and status.
It was known Minjeong lived and worked here so why? It was all so confusing, and they both know money never fixed anything. Not then and especially not now.
Minjeong stood up, clutching her purse as she phoned her escort home.
“Thank you for the meal and drinks but I have some business matters to get sorted.” She said with a forced smile, pushing in her chair as she made a quick leave to the back exit.
Jimin followed her out without notice, making some obviously fake excuse to quickly leave before she lost her.
Minjeong stood at the corner of the sidewalk, leaning against the restaurants cold brick wall as she hummed the tune to whatever song was playing at the bar inside.
Jimin approached quietly, sliding into position next to her.
“With the way you’ve been looking at me all night it seems like you don’t want our past behind us.” She said, eyes looking out into the street ahead.
Minjeong looked at her and scoffed.
“Don’t be a child Jimin.”
Jimin tensed.
“You started this Minjeong. Let the competition begin, I’ve been missing it anyway.” She replied, her name sounding heavy on her tongue.
Minjeong simply just stared at her before pushing herself off the wall as her drive home arrived. It was a similar black corvette to the one Jimin had taken from her years ago.
Jimin watched as the car pulled off and only then did she let her facade fade away with a sigh.
She ran a hand through her hair and cursed under her breath, the reflection of herself in an almost dried up puddle reminding her of who she was, who she had to be.
As if one cue her ride pulled up to the curb with a driver already rushing out the car to open the door for her.
She slipped into the back of the car, settling into the seats made out of the most expensive leather on the market that were custom made for her.
The city was now dark as the car started to drive away. Lights from buildings still open flashing past her as she looked out the window, mind lost on who she had to be not who she wanted to be.
By the time she arrived home she was more exhausted than she had been when she got in the car.
She kicked off her shoes as soon as she made it into what was now her home, not that it felt like it yet or that it ever would.
She looked around, her eyes landing on the hoodie Minjeong had bought her years ago as a birthday present suddenly sticking out in the pile of other clothes she had forgot to put away before she left.
“What have I done.” She said to the empty home that only echoed her words back to her as if to finalize the decision she made without thinking about the impact it would have.