Chapter 12 - The Group Chats, and Permission

Group Chat: Actors Gonna Act

[Minseok]Yo Jinwoo 😂The rumors about you lately… wild, bro.

[Kihyun]FR tho. Heard you got a girlfriend??Crew says you're totally whipped 😂

[Jinwoo]Whaaat;;Who's spreading that nonsense…

[Taejun]Don't dodge the question, bro 😂When do we get to meet her?

[Minseok]Right?!You met all of our girlfriends—Now that you're in love, you just ghost us??

[Kihyun]Hurt, bro. Real hurt.What are we, chopped liver?

[Jinwoo]😂😂😂C'mon, seriously.We're just… keeping things low-key.It hasn't been that long.

[Taejun]Ohhh, so you're admitting it now!You sly dog.Didn't even invite us to your new place.Look at Mr. Superstar now~

[Minseok]He's been in that new place for like half a year, right??Bro's living like a secret agent.

[Jinwoo]Haha… yeah. I know.My bad, bros.

[Kihyun]So? When's the invite?Give us a date, man.

[Jinwoo]Uh… I've got a packed schedule right now, so—

[Taejun]Ohhh look at this guy, pulling the "busy" card 😂You think we're not busy too??Pick. A. Day.

[Minseok]Say it, Jinwoo. Now.

[Jinwoo]…Sigh.Okay. Let me talk to her and I'll get back to you guys.

[Kihyun]Awww our Jinwoo's already whipped 💘Proud of you, man.

Later That Day — After His Commercial Shoot

Jinwoo dropped onto the couch, completely drained.He stared at his phone for a while, reading the chat thread over and over.

Then—with a breath like he was hyping himself up—he stood and pressed the elevator button inside the penthouse.

Ding—20th floor.

The penthouse was quiet.From the study, he could hear Celeste and Daniel talking softly.

Knock knock—

Jinwoo peeked his head into the room.Celeste was seated at her desk.Daniel, as usual, was half-lounging on the edge of it.

They both paused their conversation to look at him.

"Uh… am I interrupting something?"

Daniel rolled his eyes, exasperated.

"Look who's self-aware for once."

Celeste gave Daniel a playful nudge in the ribs.

Jinwoo cleared his throat.

"Babe… I have something to ask."

Daniel straightened up with a disgusted look.

"'Babe'?! Oh hell no. I'm out.We'll finish this convo when Romeo's done being cute."

He slammed the door behind him as he left.

Celeste raised an eyebrow.

"What's with the sudden honorifics? Did you screw something up?"

"Screw up? Please." Jinwoo placed a hand to his chest."I don't even know the meaning of the word 'Screw up'."

"Uh-huh. Then why didn't you just call or text?"

"I wanted to show you something…"

He walked over and turned his phone screen toward her—the group chat still buzzing with notifications.

Celeste read the entire thread, then let out a soft laugh.

"So… just have them over. What's with all the hesitation?"

"I mean… this isn't just my place anymore.And let's be real—this isn't about a housewarming.They want to meet you. Officially."

Celeste smiled, clearly amused by how nervous he looked.

"Let's see… You've got interviews tomorrow,a fan signing the day after…but Saturday evening looks free. How about then?"

"Wait… really? You're okay with it?"

"I've got a schedule Saturday morning,but the afternoon and Sunday are clear."

"No, I mean—Are you really okay introducing you to them?"

Celeste walked over and wrapped her arms around him.

"They're your closest bros, right?Of course we should meet. It's just once."

She stepped back slightly and added with a wink,"I'll tell Steve to pick them up after your morning shoot.Just get their address and pass it along, yeah?"

"Celeste…"

"What? Why're you looking at me like that again…"

He held her tight, resting his chin on her shoulder for a moment,breathing her in—like he needed to make sure this was real.

Then he gently leaned back, looked into her eyes—and kissed her.Soft, slow, sincere.His heart was in it. Every bit of it.

When their lips parted, he stayed close, his voice quiet.

"Thank you...For all of it.I love you."