The Hardest Part

2: The Script Reading

If she has the courage to talk to her at all, that is.

•••••

The entire week Jisoo spent reading the parts of the script she possessed, over and over.

It was still just the first part and surprisingly it was from the female lead's point of view.

How would Jennie know what Jisoo did before they met? She must have remembered by the way Jisoo spoke to her about her life and the rest were imaginary events, up until the point they interacted a lot.

Jisoo shouldn't be affected by this anymore but why did she toss her feet around while reading the manuscript on her bed like a schoolgirl reading messages of their crush?

That thought made Jisoo upset so she put the stack of paper aside and rolled on her back.

Tomorrow she will talk to her for sure, and tomorrow she will show her that she is not affected by her anymore, frankly she just wants the money and exposure. She can do it.

•••••

"Jennie Kim! We need to talk!"

Of course Jisoo didn't say that. She said nothing.

She just attended the script reading where most of the cast and staff were gathered around a table.

The actors would read and act lines of the script out loud while not leaving their seats like in a conference. The whole process is filmed, along with individual interviews for it to be released later somewhere during the pre-airing time.

The male lead was missing, apparently he never attends most meetings and only shows up for the actual filming, where he acts smoothly and expertly.

"Hello everyone, thank you for attending." The sound of Jennie's voice alone tensed Jisoo up, she kept her head low in order not to meet her gaze.

"I'm director Jennie Kim, let's take good care of each other." She started the reading off. Everyone clapped while Jennie stood up and bowed.

"I'm Joohyun, the producer."

Another familiar face, it was getting more embarrassing.

Apparently she must have recognised Jisoo too because she is sure she was whispering to Jennie after she looked at her.

Next came their brother.

"I'm Daniel, the main editor."

It was pretty much like their first meeting except that Jisoo is alone now. Which reminded her, she hasn't told her friends about this yet, and she absolutely should.

Unlike Haein they would actually be able to understand how mortifying this experience is for her and how unreal it feels.

"Hello I'm Kim Jisoo, I'm playing the female lead." Jisoo spoke to the camera, then started reading some of her lines.

She was joined by other actors and then was asked questions by the camerawoman which she recalled was named Lisa. Good thing Jennie wasn't asking her any questions.

Is Jennie looking at her? Obviously. Everyone is looking at her, she is speaking.

Jisoo took just one glance to the side and when their eyes met Jennie was still grinning as her arms were folded. She even noticed that Jisoo was stealing a glance at her and responded with a wink.

Jennie just winked at her! Jisoo immediately whipped her head back to the camera, not being able to hide how much the action made her blush, as well as her heart thump loudly.

This confirmed it. Her ex was enjoying this a lot.

Jisoo bit her bottom lip and put on her actress face to focus on the questions.

She was asked to describe the character she was portraying and since it was a beta version of herself, she described herself the way other people would perceive her.

Bubbly, humorous, proactive.

But the drama wasn't all sunshine, the ending wasn't set in stone yet but Jisoo assumed it will have a bad ending since their relationship also ended on a bitter note.

"The Hardest Part will air on Channel WP, please give us lots of love." Jisoo spoke to the camera and winked, that was the last bit. Now they had enough content.

Everyone was shaking hands and bidding goodbyes. Jisoo was about to leave as well when she was stopped.

"Jisoo." Joohyun made her halt, already giving her goosebumps.

She wasn't prepared enough for this. Did Jennie make her speak to her?

"Yes...?" Jisoo cleared her throat.

"It's been a while." The older woman was as graceful as ever as she offered her a smile. "How have you been?"

That's a question she did not see coming. And there was no hostile or suspicious attitude. Doesn't she have some girl code with Jennie that forbids her to be civil with her exes?

"Um, good." Jisoo forced a smile. "You?"

"Great! But I'm sure you already know that from Seulgi. So back to you, I saw some of your commercials but I was still so surprised to see you here. It's a good surprise, you are the perfect fit for this role. Jennie is happy too!"

Jennie is happy too? Of course she is happy, she is sitting in the front row where she can boss Jisoo around as she pleases. She is already bracing herself for what she has planned with her.

"Is... She...?" For some reason it was a hard question to utter. Jennie already left the room first, not staying to chat.

"Did you not talk to her yet? She is delighted." Joohyun seemed a bit confused.

"Good to know...." Jisoo nodded her head.

Finally Haein saved her from the conversation by saying they still had somewhere to go (which they really had). So she said bye to Joohyun and left hurriedly.

"You look like you just ran a marathon." Haein noted while Jisoo kept wiping her sweat away.

Being under Joohyun's gaze really made her nervous, what more if she actually talks or even looks at Jennie for more than a second? She might just pass out.

"Haein, I need to call of all appointments for today. I need to meet up with my friends."

"That's no sufficient reason." He judged.

"Please?" She tried with a pleading look and explained him how mentally exhausted she was.

"If that's the choice you want to make." He sighed, making Jisoo beam.

Jisoo needed preparation, and her two friends might help her prepare good enough lines to finally be able to confront Jennie with.

If she doesn't Jennie will do so first and if that happens, Jisoo will just stand like a deer caught in headlights again. Unable to move, counter or speak. That way, Jennie will win

Jennie accepted her and at the same time challenged her, wordlessly. Therefore Jisoo has no choice but to take on the challenge.