No Strings Attached

Chapter Seventeen

Nine months later

People poured out of the meeting room on the 30th floor of an office building in downtown Los Angeles. It was already 10pm when the project’s wrap-up meeting concluded. Some of the team members were planning to go for drinks at a nearby pub to unwind.

“Hey Jen, wanna join us for drinks tonight?” Josh, the team leader of the project, asked.

Jennie flashed a smile at him and politely declined. “Thanks for the invite, Josh. I’m maxed out for today. See you guys at the wrap up party tomorrow night. Have fun!”

All Jennie wanted was to return to her service apartment and enjoy a glass of red wine while lounging in front of the television. She was glad that her US project had ended and she couldn’t wait to get home soon. Her decision was made and she hoped she would be given an opportunity to explain herself when facing the person she loved.

~ Flashback ~

There was a one week break during the course of her project and Jennie took the opportunity to go back to Seoul. During her stay in Los Angeles, she thought long and hard about her relationship with Lisa and decided that it wasn’t worth to lose Lisa. She was prepared to give the relationship a try.

Drumming up her courage, Jennie went to the café to look for Lisa.

“Jennie unnie, you’re back!” Yeri greeted merrily when she saw Jennie entering the store.

Jennie smiled and they hugged.

“Some chocolates for all of you to share.” She handed Yeri a bag of chocolates.

“Thank you!” Yeri beamed.

Jennie was about to ask Yeri about Lisa’s whereabouts when she saw Jisoo coming out of the kitchen. There was a bitter smile on Jisoo’s face as she came over to greet Jennie.

Suddenly the mood in the café seemed heavy as Jisoo stood in front of Jennie. The look in her eyes hardened as she spoke.

“Hello Jennie, it has been a long time since we met,” Jisoo said cordially.

“Yes, I’ve been away for a few months for my US project,” Jennie paused for a little while. “How’s business?”

The conversation between Jisoo and Jennie was awkward and unnatural. Yeri was caught between the both of them and didn’t know what to say to alleviate the increasingly tensed atmosphere.

“Business has been brisk. Thank you for asking. Has your project ended?”

“My project hasn’t ended. Have a couple more months to go. I’m currently on one week’s leave.” Jennie looked around anxiously, hoping to see the person she missed.

“Lisa is not around,” Jisoo said bluntly, as if she could read Jennie’s mind. She was still a little mad at Jennie for causing so much pain to Lisa. It was clear to Jisoo that Lisa and Jennie had mutual feelings for each other but she couldn’t understand why Jennie couldn’t commit.

A look of disappointment flashed across Jennie’s face.

Is this my karma for rejecting her earlier on?

“Lisa unnie is in Tokyo now. She’s there for…”

“Jennie.” Jisoo interrupted Yeri’s explanation. “Could you spare me some time? I would like to have a word with you privately.”