Jennie: Best of Me

Chapter 17

Elijah

Elijah is making a presentation in front of the President and CEO Yang Hyun-suk, Vice President and COO Park Sung-jin, the other board members, together with the marketing and finance department heads, and his team. 

"Blackpink TV will be known as Blackpink House. The concept my team prepared is simple. It is a 100-day vacation in a Pink Princess House. We plan to reach the fans through some meetings like a guerilla concert and a live housewarming party. Blackpink will travel to Jeju Island and Thailand, and for the final episode, the fans will have a sneak-peak on Blackpink's preparation for the next comeback." I stopped when the VP raises his concern.

"I believe you're aware that Blackpink is not the only artist handled by our company. This concept will cost a lot of money." Park Sung-jin said, the VP and the Chief Operation Officer of YG Entertainment. I'm used to his antics. He always disagrees with the ideas I present to the boards.

"I humbly ask all of you to listen to my presentation until the end before raising your concerns. Can I continue, Sir?" I asked the VP, who is a bit flustered.

I gave him a look before I continue with my presentation. 

"Samsung reached out to my team in a possible collaboration with Blackpink. After thorough deliberation and brainstorming, my team came up with the idea of a Blackpink house. Samsung, as we all know, is affiliated with the electronics industry, so they will provide appliances and digital media devices for this concept. Lastly, Blackpink house will become a comeback pop-up house to promote the next release. It will showcase a hands-on experience related to the next album, especially the music video of the title track. Blackpink house will be an investment for the company as it will become one of the spots, local and international K-Pop fans will go to when in Seoul."

The presentation for Blackpink House ended in a positive note from the boards. I presented the concept of the next album, and it was decided to release the album around June, as Blackpink House needs to end first. The meeting is over, and the CEO asked for Blackpink to come to his office to relay the news. This is the first time I'll see Jennie since we broke up two weeks ago. I was standing right across the window that overlooks a great view when the four girls arrived. They all bowed, and I avoided Jennie's eyes, and so was she. The CEO explained the Blackpink House and the plans for the next music release. 

I was about to leave to attend another meeting when the CEO dropped a bomb. "Scott Wertheimer of Chanel visited me last night straight from the airport. He asked me if Jennie is interested in representing Chanel Beauty. If we say yes, Jennie will shoot a pictorial for them."

"Burberry wants Jisoo and Jennie. It's going to be a conflict of interest as Burberry has a cosmetics line as well." I looked for my phone. I'm furious with how Scott blindsided me. I have no idea he offered Jennie an endorsement deal considering Natalie handles Channel Beauty.

The CEO raised his voice at me. "Then, go and make a deal with Burberry! Are you a businessman?" He glared at me before continuing. "Scott is your friend, right? Do you think we will have a problem with him? I don't want to hear any dating rumors with the girls."

"It's her sister who handles Channel Beauty. You have nothing to worry about Scott," I answered him while still trying to call Scott.

"Since we are talking about endorsements, any endorsements with the rest of the girls? Do you have any brand you like? I'll try to make a call if you have in mind." The CEO smiled at them. The CEO is hated by fans as they feel like he is mistreating the girls, but the CEO adores the four girls so much. The girls only smiled at him, refusing to answer his question.

I saved the girls by providing him updates with the endorsement deals each of the girls received. "Several fashion magazines want Jisoo to cover for them, same with the other three. Moonshot is asking for Lisa, while Kiss Me asks for Chaeng and Jisoo. Adidas and Puma are trying to get the four, but my team is still negotiating the best deal we can get." 

The assistant of the CEO came to remind him of his next meeting. "Elijah, coordinate with Chanel about their proposal. Jennie, talk to Elijah and decide if you want to go to Chanel or Burberry. For the three of you, a lot of brands want you. Choose the brand you think will suit you best." He advised before dismissing us.

Jennie

Elijah calls my attention. "Let's talk before I see Teddy Hyung." 

My heart beats fast after Elijah sets his eyes at me. I tried to pull the three girls with me, but the three were summoned by the vocal trainer. He led me to his office, and I nervously followed him. I can't trust myself to be with him alone, but I can't avoid him forever. I sat when he gestured the chair in front of me. I looked at him when he opened his laptop, studying his face. His eyes seem tired, swollen because of a lack of sleep that is evident with the dark circles under his eyes. The thing is, he looks perfectly handsome with his black tie and suit, even with a tired-looking eye, pale complexion, and an evident weight loss.

"Do you want to accept Chanel's offer?" Elijah looks at me seriously.

"You will be featured in the February issue of Harper's Bazaar if you decided to take the offer. The one who handles the cosmetic line of Chanel is..."

I cut him off. "I heard, so let me ask you. Do you think it's a good idea to work with the one you cheated me with?" I laughed dryly as he was caught off-guard with my question. "Let me rephrase it and be professional. Which brand is better for me?"

Elijah taps the table with his fingers, one of his mannerisms when he is seriously thinking about something. "Burberry offered you and Jisoo to cover to a couple of magazines for them and attend multiple events in Korea and New York. Chanel, on the other hand, offered you to cover a magazine and an ad. In terms of the number of public appearances, Burberry is the best choice for you, but when it comes to a solo endorsement, Chanel has an edge. Decide which one you want, and I'll negotiate the terms you want, and I see fit."

I put my trust in everything to Elijah when it comes to my career. He is not like other businessmen who think nothing but money. He is the smartest person she knows, and I know he will do what is best with their careers. "What do you think?"

Elijah removes his tie before answering me. "If you choose Chanel, are you ready to have a solo endorsement with a brand as big as Chanel? Are you strong enough to face criticisms and favoritism claims? It has nothing to do with our issues, but with everything that is happening right now, I don't think you are ready for this. Let's take things slow, make a comeback with the girls first, then let's talk about solo endorsements with brands as huge as Chanel." 

I've been tagged as YG's favorite ever since I was a trainee. I used to cry a lot when I read malicious comments against me. The criticisms against me grew when we debuted. I am aware of all the things people tell about me. There are claims I receive special treatment, get the prettiest outfits, have the most exposure in our music videos, and the most absurd one is that I had a say who will debut with me as a Blackpink member. I tried to laugh it off, but when I'm alone, I can't help but cry until I fell asleep. "I'll go with Burberry."

Elijah asked me multiple times if I'm sure with my decision to go with Burberry, and even told me to think about it first. I told him to relay my decision to Chanel right away as I know Scott needs to find another one right away to represent their brand in Korea. "I'll call Scott, but stay for a moment and wait for me. Teddy Hyung canceled the meeting, so let's have an early dinner with the girls."

I watch Elijah speak with Scott. I miss him, and I'm trying hard not to embrace him in a hug. I was staring at his face when I realized that he is staring back at me. I look away in embarrassment. "Scott is asking for a meeting with you tonight."

The doorbell rang at exactly 7:30 pm. Chaeng and Lisa open the door for Elijah, while Jisoo is with me on the couch. We have a meeting with Scott at 8 pm.

Lisa smiled at me widely. "Unnie, I picked up your date from the door." 

I was surprised by how Lisa can tease us, considering that she knows we broke up. "Joon-ho Oppa is outside waiting for us. We need to go. I'll see you later."

"Enjoy your date! I deserve a 10-dollar tip from you." Lisa said excitedly, while we walk towards the door.

"You deserve a big slap on the face if you don't stop talking, Lisa." Jisoo tried to pull Lisa on the couch and calm the hyper maknae.

"What? They will be back together after this night. Want to make a bet?" I heard the maknae said.

I nervously go inside the car, and my heart beats faster when Elijah sits beside me. I watch him in the rearview mirror, massaging his temples with his long, slender fingers. "Are you okay?"

Elijah was surprised Jennie started a conversation with him, but he answered her anyway. "I'm fine. I'll just sleep it off later."

"I'm sorry. Instead of sleeping and taking a rest after a long day in the office, you need to come with me to another business meeting." He has been juggling his duties with Kia Motors and YG Entertainment for the past month.

"Anything for you." I heard him say.

We arrived at the hotel after 20 minutes. I saw Scott, who I met last year when he visited Elijah. He smiled at me and greeted me enthusiastically. Scott is Lisa's version of Elijah's best friends in Europe. He is energetic, loves to joke around, and a smile is always plastered on his handsome French face. He greeted Elijah with a light punch in the shoulder before leading us inside the VIP room of the restaurant. I saw someone sitting inside. She stands in her feet to greet us. She's the kind of a woman every man will look at because of her gorgeous face and sexy figure. She kisses Elijah in the cheek, and I saw her hesitates if she will greet me by giving a peck on the cheek.

Scott tries to save the atmosphere. "You haven't met my sister, right? This is Natalie, the one who handles Chanel Beauty."

The two of us settled in, shaking our hands before sitting. Elijah silently sits beside me while Scott tries to avoid the awkward silence by talking about random things. Scott started to talk about business when they finished the last course of the meal. "The first time I laid my eyes on you, I know you are perfect with our brand. You have a long way to go with your career in the entertainment industry, but let us join your journey in the fashion world. I pulled some strings, and I found out what Burberry offered you. I can match it, even offer you more. I'll be honest with you. Some people will raise their eyebrows on us by getting someone as young as you to represent our brand in Korea, but I know Elijah. I know how amazing he is when it comes to business. Besides, since we met, all I can hear from him is how he will do everything to make all of you global superstars. I'm a businessman, Jennie, and I'm a good one. I can't pass someone like you."

I look at Elijah, and he nods at me, urging me to speak up my mind. "I don't think I'm fit with a brand as huge as Chanel." I gave Natalie a quick look before I continue. "I don't think I'm ready to work with Chanel Beauty."

Natalie, who has been silent throughout the meeting, broke her silence. "I would love to have you represent Chanel Beauty. I love your face and everything about you. I don't know you personally, but I know how amazing a person you are by just listening to Elijah's stories about you. I want Chanel Beauty to achieve great things in Korea with you on our side, I honestly do. Give me a chance to work with you, Jennie."

I looked at Elijah again, who is silent since the beginning. I unconsciously bite my lip while looking at him, asking for help. 

"You know that Jennie is not a solo artist. She belongs to a four-member girl group. If we are going to sail the boat and make the first step in solo endorsement, we need a good deal, Nat. I can't throw her in the pond without a perfect deal. We will take a lot of risk in terms of public opinions if we accept this deal. I'm a businessman, Scott, and I'm a very good one." Elijah said.

Scott smiles playfully after hearing Elijah emphasized how good a businessman he is by using Scott's words. Nathalie, laying the last card, answered Elijah. "We will launch Chanel's new fragrance in France, and I hope to see Jennie in Deauville as Channel Korea's Ambassador."

I watch Elijah taps the table with his fingers. "We both know you can't pass on that, El. She deserves nothing but the best, and that's what we are offering right now." Scott added.

Elijah looks at me, asking for approval, and I nod at him. "Then, say hello to Jennie Kim, the Ambassadress of Chanel Korea."

Scott yells in joy, the man who talks seriously awhile ago looks like a child with a new toy right now. We ended the meeting, and Scott invites us over for a drink. Elijah declines, as it is late, and Jennie is not allowed to drink. Natalie kisses me goodbye in the cheek, and I heard her whispered something and gave me a sincere smile afterward. "I can't wait to get to know you more, Jennie."

"You were amazing, El. I thought I'm in an American TV series while watching you negotiate and talk business." I told him.

I watched him smiled genuinely, the thing I missed the most about him. "YG princess, who? Say hello to Chanel's Korea Ambassador, Haters."