Fried Chicken Frustrations

The cosy atmosphere of the bustling fried chicken restaurant enveloped A-ri and Na-yeon as they settled into their seats. The tantalizing aroma of sizzling chicken filled the air, making their mouths water in anticipation. Plates of crispy chimaek, the perfect pairing of fried chicken and ice-cold beer, adorned their table, ready to provide a satisfying culinary escape.

As they perused the menu, A-ri's frustration was palpable. She couldn't contain her exasperation as she recounted the events that had unfolded at the "Eternal Bond" office. Her expressive gestures and animated storytelling attracted more than a few curious glances from neighbouring tables.

"Na-yeon, you won't believe what happened," A-ri began, her voice tinged with disbelief and annoyance. "I mean, seriously, who knew I'd end up in a contract marriage agency? This is beyond ridiculous!"

"Okay, A-ri, spill it. What did they do to you?" Na-yeon raised an eyebrow, trying to keep a straight face as A-ri's dramatic flair took centre stage.

"So, I walked into that office, thinking I was just going to get some information, you know? And before I knew it, they had me practically signing up to find a husband!" A-ri let out an exasperated sigh.

"Wait, what? You signed up for what?" Na-yeon's eyes widened in surprise.

"A contract marriage, Na-yeon! A contract marriage!" A-ri's voice rose with each word, causing a few heads to turn in their direction. She waved her hands dramatically as if that would help convey her incredulity. "I can't believe I fell for their sales pitch. I'm not some desperate person who needs to find a husband through a contract!"

"A-ri, you're making a scene!" Na-yeon tried to stifle a laugh, but it escaped as a snort.

"Ah, what do I do? Sorry," A-ri's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she realised that her emotional outburst had attracted more attention than intended. She let out an awkward chuckle, sinking back into her seat.

"You know how to make an entrance," Na-yeon shook her head, amusement dancing in her eyes.

"But seriously, Na-yeon," A-ri continued a frustrated edge to her tone. "I can't believe I let myself get tricked like that. And now they're going to matchmake me with some random guy, all because I was too naive to see through their scheme."

"A-ri, calm down. I get that you're upset, but you need to take a breath and think rationally. Maybe there's a way out of this," Na-yeon leaned forward, her tone more serious now.

"I know, I know," A-ri replied, her shoulders slumping as she deflated a bit. "It's just... I feel so dumb. I should've seen through their smooth talk."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up over this. We all make mistakes. The important thing now is to figure out what you're going to do next," Na-yeon reached across the table, giving A-ri's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"I guess you're right. I just wish I could turn back time and avoid that whole mess," A-ri sighed, her frustration giving way to a sense of resignation.

"That's not an option, unfortunately," Na-yeon said with a sympathetic smile. "But maybe this contract marriage thing isn't as bad as it seems. You never know, it might turn out to be an interesting experience."

"Oh please, I don't need a husband for artistic inspiration. I'll find my muse elsewhere," A-ri rolled her eyes, her mood lifting a little.

Their laughter mingled with the bustling sounds of the restaurant, creating a lighthearted atmosphere that eased A-ri's tension. As they shared their thoughts and dug into their plate of crispy chimaek, A-ri's initial frustration began to dissipate. The warmth of the restaurant and Na-yeon's reassuring presence reminded her that she wasn't alone on this journey.

"Alright, let's make a pact," Na-yeon declared, raising her glass of soda. "No more dramatic outbursts in public places, deal?"

"Deal. But I make no promises about not complaining," A-ri clinked her glass against Na-yeon's, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Fair enough. Just try not to cause a scene, alright?" Na-yeon chuckled.

As they toasted to their pact, A-ri felt a renewed sense of determination. She might have been tricked into a situation she didn't expect, but with Na-yeon by her side and a plate of delicious chimaek in front of her, she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Their laughter lingered in the air as A-ri and Na-yeon enjoyed their meal, the taste of crispy chimaek temporarily distracting them from the weight of A-ri's predicament. As the last piece of chicken disappeared from their plate, A-ri's expression turned contemplative.

"You know, Na-yeon," A-ri began, her voice thoughtful, "I was thinking... maybe we could use your journalist skills to our advantage."

"Oh? And how would we do that?" Na-yeon raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"What if you wrote a bad review about 'Eternal Bond'? I mean, think about it – if word gets out that they're tricking people into contract marriages, they might think twice before matching me with someone," A-ri's lips curled into a mischievous smile.

"Wait, you want me to write a bad review as a threat?" Na-yeon's amusement turned into mild shock.

"Exactly! You're a journalist, Na-yeon. You can make it sound serious and damaging. It's like a warning shot. If they don't back off, you publish the article," A-ri nodded eagerly.

"A-ri, I appreciate your creative thinking, but that's not how journalism works. We can't just make baseless accusations or use speculation as a threat. It's unethical, and it could seriously damage my credibility as a journalist," Na-yeon's expression turned serious as she considered A-ri's suggestion.

"But, Na-yeon, they tricked me into this! It's not fair!" A-ri's excitement deflated as Na-yeon's words sank in.

"I know, A-ri. And I'm just as frustrated about it as you are," Na-yeon replied, her tone empathetic. "But we can't fight them with rumours and threats. If we want to take action, we need concrete evidence. We need to approach this smartly and ethically."

"I guess you're right. I was just hoping for a quick solution to this mess," A-ri let out a sigh, realizing that Na-yeon was right.

"Again, I know it's frustrating, but we'll find a way to navigate through this. We'll figure out the best approach together. I'll make sure of it," Na-yeon reached across the table and gave A-ri's hand a reassuring squeeze.

"Thanks, Na-yeon. I'm lucky to have you in my corner," A-ri managed a weak smile.

"That's what best friends are for," Na-yeon replied with a grin. "And hey, who knows? Maybe this whole contract marriage thing will turn out to be an interesting experience. You might find yourself in a unique situation that leads to unexpected opportunities."

"You're starting to sound like you're on their side," A-ri raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not saying I support their tactics, but I'm just reminding you to keep an open mind. Life has a way of surprising us, even in the most unexpected situations," Na-yeon laughed.

As the two friends shared a lighthearted moment, A-ri felt a renewed sense of determination. Maybe the path ahead was uncertain, and maybe she had been tricked into this contract marriage agency, but with Na-yeon's unwavering support, she was ready to face whatever challenges came her way.

Leaving the lively ambience of the fried chicken restaurant, A-ri and Na-yeon stepped out into the cool evening air, their spirits somewhat lifted by the delicious meal and shared laughter. As they approached the cashier to settle the bill, A-ri piped up.

"I got this one, Na-yeon."

"Oh really? You're treating us today?" Na-yeon arched an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

"Yes, I am. Watch and learn, Na-yeon," A-ri nodded confidently, her determination evident.

"Are you sure you even have money in there?" As A-ri fumbled through her purse to find her wallet, Na-yeon leaned closer, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Of-Of course I do. I'm not completely broke," A-ri's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she met Na-yeon's challenging gaze.

"Alright then, prove it," Na-yeon raised an eyebrow.

"Well, maybe not enough to cover this entire bill..." With a sigh, A-ri reluctantly pulled out her wallet and peeked inside, only to be met with a disappointingly small stack of bills. She scowled and muttered under her breath.

"A-ri, you know you don't have to do this, right? We're in this together, and I don't mind treating you to dinner," Na-yeon couldn't help but chuckle.

"I know, Na-yeon. But I'm just so tired of relying on others. I need to start taking care of myself," A-ri's shoulders slumped in defeat.

"I get it, A-ri. But remember, it's okay to accept help when you need it. That's what friends are for, right?" Na-yeon's expression softened as she reached out to squeeze A-ri's hand.

"You're right, Na-yeon. Thanks," A-ri managed a small smile.

With the bill settled and their stomachs satisfied, Na-yeon drove A-ri back to her apartment. As they navigated the bustling streets of Seoul, A-ri's phone suddenly chimed with a new email notification. She furrowed her brows and picked up her phone, only to see the sender's name, Park Jin-ho.

"What's that?" Na-yeon asked, glancing over at A-ri.

"It's an email from Eternal Bond," A-ri replied with a hint of annoyance. "And look at this, he even signed it with his name."

"What does it say?" Curiosity piqued, Na-yeon asked,

"Dear Miss Han A-ri, I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to inform you that you are required to visit our office again this Sunday. And this time, I hope you'll put a bit more effort into your appearance. I look forward to our meeting as we'll meet your future husband as well. Sincerely, Park Jin-ho."

A-ri's face turned from annoyance to pure rage as she read the email aloud, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"AH! Park Jin-ho you ****ing **ck! Who does he think he is!? Making demands like this!?" A-ri's face turned a deep shade of red as she clenched her fists.

"Well, it looks like he's getting under your skin," Na-yeon bit her lip to suppress a laugh.

"So ****ing infuriating! How the **** he dare to talk to me like that?" A-ri fumed, her voice rising.

"A-ri, calm down! You're going to make me lose control of the car!" As A-ri continued to curse and vent her frustration, Na-yeon struggled to maintain her composure while driving.

"Aaah, sorry, Na-yeon. He just... So... Nevermind," Realizing the danger of her outburst, A-ri forced herself to take a deep breath and lean back in her seat.

"I-I'll understand, A-ri," Na-yeon chuckled.

"Trust me, Na-yeon. You definitely find him as infuriating as I do," A-ri rolled her eyes, still seething.

As they finally arrived at A-ri's apartment, A-ri's frustration subsided slightly, replaced by a sense of determination. She knew she had to face Jin-ho and the situation head-on, no matter how infuriating he was.