EPISODE 4: The Girl Who Already Knows Her Place
1682 Words
“The Girl Who Already Knows Her Place”
AIRPORT ARRIVAL AREA – DAY
The airport is alive.
Crowds move in waves, like a tide that never stops. Suitcases roll across polished floors. Voices overlap—different languages, different stories, all blending into one constant noise.
A child laughs somewhere.
A woman rushes past, dragging her luggage.
An announcement echoes overhead.
And in the middle of it all—
CAROL PARK stands still.
Hands inside her jacket pockets.
Calm.
Composed.
Unmoved by the chaos around her.
She stands near the arrival exit, eyes focused but relaxed. She doesn’t check the arrival board like everyone else. She doesn’t pace.
She just waits.
Like she always does.
Quietly.
Confidently.
She pulls out her phone and checks the time.
Then a message.
Nothing important.
She slips it back into her pocket.
Right on cue—
A loud, confident voice cuts through the noise.
CHANEL
Park Carol!
Carol looks up.
And there she is.
CHANEL walks toward her like she owns the entire airport.
Every step deliberate. Controlled. Confident.
She’s stunning.
Sharp eyes. Perfect posture. The kind of beauty that doesn’t ask for attention—
it demands it.
Her outfit is bold but effortless. Expensive, without trying too hard.
Behind her—
Two men struggle slightly with luggage.
MINHO and JISU.
Stylish. Dramatic. Clearly exhausted.
MINHO
(to Jisu, whispering)
If she walks any faster, I’m leaving her.
JISU
You said that an hour ago.
Chanel drops her bag without care.
And without hesitation—
She pulls Carol into a tight hug.
CHANEL
I missed you.
Carol pauses for half a second.
Then hugs her back.
Warm.
But casual.
Not lingering.
CAROL
You’re dramatic.
A beat.
CAROL (CONT’D)
It’s only been two years.
Chanel pulls away and immediately scans Carol from head to toe.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Like she’s confirming something.
Her lips curve into a satisfied smile.
CHANEL
You got hotter.
Carol rolls her eyes slightly.
But there’s a faint smirk at the corner of her lips.
CAROL
You didn’t come here just to flirt, did you?
MINHO
(interrupting)
She did.
JISU
She talked about you the entire flight.
Chanel turns sharply.
CHANEL
Do you both want to go back?
Minho raises his hands.
MINHO
We’re quiet.
Jisu nods dramatically.
Carol lets out a soft breath that almost sounds like a laugh.
Then—
She looks at Chanel again.
And for a brief moment—
There’s something there.
Something old.
Something familiar.
CAROL
Welcome back, Chanel.
Simple words.
But they carry history.
Unspoken things.
Moments left unfinished.
AIRPORT PARKING – DAY
The sun is bright but soft.
Carol leads the way toward her car.
Minho and Jisu follow, still complaining under their breath.
Chanel walks beside Carol, glancing at her occasionally.
Not saying anything.
Just… looking.
CHANEL
You didn’t change.
Carol unlocks the car.
CAROL
I did.
She opens the trunk.
CAROL (CONT’D)
You just don’t notice small things.
Chanel smiles faintly.
Because she does.
She just doesn’t say it.
CAR – DAY
Minho and Jisu sit at the back, immediately arguing about music.
Chanel sits in the passenger seat.
Carol drives.
Silence for a moment.
Comfortable.
Then—
CHANEL
So, how’s CEO life treating you?
CHANEL (CONT’D)
Still doing everything yourself?
Carol shrugs.
CAROL
Yeah.
I like it that way.
Chanel turns her head slightly, watching her.
CHANEL
You always did.
A pause.
Then softly—
CHANEL (CONT’D)
You never liked depending on anyone.
Carol doesn’t respond.
But her grip on the steering wheel tightens just a little.
SMALL BAR – NIGHT
The bar is alive again.
Warm lights fill the space.
Soft jazz plays in the background.
The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming.
Comfortable.
Carol’s place.
Behind the counter, Carol moves smoothly.
Effortlessly.
Preparing drinks.
Talking to customers.
Smiling when needed.
Not too much.
Just enough.
The door opens.
Heads turn.
Chanel enters.
And the room shifts.
She’s wearing a fitted crop top, revealing her toned waist.
High-waisted pants. Confident heels.
She doesn’t try to stand out.
She just does.
Minho and Jisu follow behind her.
Customers glance.
Some whisper.
But Chanel doesn’t care.
Her eyes are already locked on someone else.
Carol.
She walks straight to the counter.
Stops right in front of her.
CHANEL
Miss me already?
Carol doesn’t look up immediately.
She finishes wiping a glass first.
Then—
CAROL
You were gone for eight hours.
Chanel leans closer.
Resting her elbow on the counter.
Closing the distance.
CHANEL
Long eight hours.
Carol finally looks at her.
Her eyes briefly scan Chanel’s outfit.
Then meet hers again.
Unimpressed.
Not cold.
Just unaffected.
CAROL
You’ll freeze wearing that.
Chanel blinks.
That’s it?
That’s all?
CHANEL (Low voice)
That’s all you have to say?
JISU
Do you want a drink or attention?
Minho chokes trying not to laugh.
Chanel sighs dramatically.
CHANEL
You’re impossible.
Carol doesn’t argue.
She simply pours a drink.
Slides it toward Chanel.
CAROL
You came all this way.
A small pause.
CAROL (CONT’D)
Drink first. Complain later.
Chanel looks at the glass.
Then at Carol.
A small smile forms.
Because despite everything—
Carol still takes care of her.
In her own way.
LATER THAT NIGHT
The bar becomes more relaxed as the night deepens.
The crowd thins.
Music softens.
Carol finally sits with them.
Minho is already halfway through a ridiculous story.
MINHO
—and then he said, “That’s not part of the syllabus!”
Jisu bursts into laughter.
JISU
You’re lying!
MINHO
I swear!
Chanel laughs softly.
But her attention—
Is on Carol.
Carol laughs too.
A real laugh.
Not forced.
Not polite.
And for a moment—
It feels like before.
Like college.
Like late nights and shared secrets.
Chanel watches her.
Her eyes soften.
Then quietly—
CHANEL
(low voice)
I never stopped liking you.
The words are almost lost in the noise.
But they’re there.
Honest.
Bare.
Carol hears it.
But she doesn’t respond immediately.
Instead—
She stands.
CAROL
Excuse me.
And walks away to help a customer.
Professional.
Calm.
Unchanged.
NEAR THE COUNTER
A simple girl stands there.
Nervous.
Quiet.
GIRL
Uhm… thank you.
Carol hands her a drink.
And smiles.
Softly.
Gently.
Not flirtatious.
Just kind.
Real.
The girl smiles back, a little shy.
Chanel watches this from her seat.
Her expression changes.
Subtly.
She leans back.
Crosses her arms.
Thinking.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS)
You never liked loud girls like me.
Her eyes follow Carol.
Every movement.
Every smile.
Every small gesture.
She notices things others wouldn’t.
How Carol listens more than she speaks.
How she notices when someone is uncomfortable.
How her kindness is quiet.
Not loud.
Not showy.
Chanel exhales slowly.
CHANEL (THOUGHTS CONT’D)
Your type was always… like that.
Simple.
Humble.
Soft.
Strong in a quiet way.
Chanel looks down at her drink.
Twirls the glass slightly.
Her reflection distorts in the liquid.
For the first time that night—
She doesn’t look as confident.
Just for a second.
Then—
She drinks.
Hiding it.
Carol returns to the table.
Sits casually.
CAROL
You’re quiet.
Chanel looks at her.
Then smiles again.
Confident.
Composed.
Like nothing happened.
CHANEL
Jet lag. (◡ω◡)
Carol nods.
Accepts it.
But her eyes linger for just a second.
Like she knows—
That’s not the real reason.
Outside, the city lights glow.
Inside the bar—
Everything feels normal.
But underneath it—
Something has shifted.
Not loud.
Not obvious.
But real.
And Chanel knows it.
She’s not the kind of person who loses—
especially not when it comes to someone she wants.
- Writer
