"Jennie, meet Ms. ChaHee Park. She's the kindhearted donator I told you about. She has agreed to give us some, and when I said some, I mean a lot of money for our event."
Jennie smiled and offered the taller woman a handshake "Jennie Kim. Thank you for helping us."
"ChaHee Park. It's pleasure to be a part of this human rights movement. Especially from young people."
"You speak like you're an old lady or something." Jennie chuckled politely.
"I'm older than you, that's for sure."
"Uhh, Jen, can you accompany Ms. Park? I have to take care of something really quick."
The president of student council bowed to ChaHee then left in hurry.
"He's really busy. I hope it's okay with you. Accompanied only by me, I mean."
"I don't mind at all."
---
"It's too much." Jennie shifted uncomfortably on her seat. She had never eaten in a luxurious restaurant before. Their stiff and professional service was awkward. She was a fresh graduate. Being far from her family made her really strict on spending money.
"What is? You don't like the wine?"
Before she could answer, ChaHee had raised her hand and mentioned the waiter to come to their table.
"No. It's not that –"
"May I help you, ma'am?"
"I wish to have the best wine from this restaurant. Is this really the best you have?"
"No, Cha, nothing's wrong with the wine." Jennie turned to the waiter. "We're good here. Thank you."
Jennie watched the man went to this previous spot. As she was sure they were alone, Jennie heaved a sigh.
"This place is too much. The price of the food is ridiculous."
"You don't have to worry, Jennie. I'm paying."
"No, you can't do that. I can pay for my own food-"
"You never let me pay. It's our forth date. What's wrong with spending money for my girlfriend?"
"It's not that..."
"Okay... then what is it?"
"I just graduate from college and I... I can't do the same, at least now. I can't take you to a nice restaurant-"
"I never ask you to return the same thing. I'm glad that you give me a shot to get to know you better. You don't owe me anything."
Jennie bit her lower lip. "I honestly prefer eating junk food."
"We'll get pizza and that classic burger you love so much next time. You pay."
That got Jennie smile. "Deal."
---
Jennie broke the kiss when she felt ChaHee's hand slipped under her shirt and gently caressed her stomach. She rested her forehead onto ChaHee's then squeezed the older woman's shoulder, silently apologized that she couldn't go further.
"I'm sorry. I – I'm not ready. Not yet."
ChaHee eyes were warm and understanding. She softly brushed her lips against Jennie's cheek. "it's okay. I'm sorry I get carried away."
The two stayed in comfortable silence.
Not long after, ChaHee stood up from the couch. "I'm get some champagne. You want?"
"Cha, I'm sorry. I –"
"No need, Jen. I told I'm here to wait. The fact that you accept my wish to move in together is more than enough. You need time, I'll give you time."
"How long?"
"As long as you need. No pressure."
"Why are you doing this?"
"People do stupid, crazy stuff when they're in love. And I am crazily, blindly, madly in love with you."
---
ChaHee didn't immediately say something when Jennie voiced her opinion regarding their relationship. It was not working – most likely, it never did. She didn't know what to feel. Whatever feeling was raging inside her, it was not anger. Confusion – yeah, she was confused. It could be probably because of the stress at work, her attention was not only for Jennie anymore.
Her life was a mess and she barely want to give it a damn.
"I can't make you stay when you don't want to. I'm not exactly around that much anyway." ChaHee buried her face in her hands. She took a deep breath and exhaled. "I will always wish for the best for you. We can be friends. Call me sometimes, alright? We can meet up or something in the future."
"You okay?"
"I shouldn't have forced you." She grabbed her blazer then got off of the chair. "Take your time. You don't have to rush packing your things. You can stay here before you find a place."
"I've found it."
"Oh? Oh. Okay, good. I -uh. . . I have to go. Got papers to sign."
"In the middle of the night?"
"Yeah, in the middle of the night."
---
She thought she was over her. Sadly, spending years far apart from Jennie didn't exactly do the trick. Occasionally, the lawyer would show up in her dreams. She always shrugged it off, reasoning that Jennie was probably no longer available so she should give her heart a break from pain.
Her business partner pushed a card towards her. "She's a lawyer, a really good one. She knows what she's doing. You can trust your company with her."
Her eyes glistening at the name on the card. So Jennie was still working at the same firm.
"She won't disappoint you."
She chuckled bitterly inside. "I'm not really sure about that."
---
It was a mistake. She shouldn't let her curiosity get the best of her. She shouldn't have to come to Jennie's office. She should've spared herself from misery. She had had enough of it for a lifetime.
There were two rings on Jennie's ring finger. One was an engagement ring and one was her wedding band. She bought a diamond ring for this woman before her long ago. She couldn't be wrong.
Her heart scattered in pieces.
Jennie made her crazy. The yearning to be close to her had become stronger than ever. It was wrong. She couldn't feel this way anymore. She was someone else's. She didn't want to be a home wrecker.
"She's not mine."
"She's not mine."
"She couldn't be mine-"
But maybe, just maybe, she can have a taste. Even if it was for the last time, she needed to taste her lips against her. Just one more time...
---
Lisa was about to enter the room when the loud sound of a slap startled her. She quickly opened the door and got the shock of her life.
Jennie was breathing heavily. Lisa had never seen her so furious like this before. The fire in her eyes was terrifying. Not far from where she stood, a familiar tall figure was holding her incredibly red cheek.
"Jen-"
"Get out." Jennie hissed in anger.
"Listen-"
"Get the hell out!"
"You heard her, scum. Get out." Lisa approached them slowly. "Don't make me hurt you."
ChaHee clenched her jaw. Without looking at Lisa she walked out and slammed the door harshly.
"Lisa. . . "
She was speechless. She didn't know what exactly happen, she was not sure she wanted to know. However, it didn't need a genius to acknowledge that ChaHee was trying to do something unforgivable.
"Lis-"
"Give me a minute."
The desire to run was extremely hard to resist. Her first instinct was of course, hide and dumb the pain. The more she knew, the greater the ache. An unseen figure kept whispering in ear to run, to yell at her wife, to blame her for not listening.
"Hold me." Lisa spoke lowly.
As Jennie's arms enveloped her body, Lisa took a deep breath and breathed Jennie's comforting scent.
"I'm angry. I really am." She tightened her hold around Jennie's neck. "But I'm not going to run. I'll stay and listen."
"It's my fault. I'm so sorry."
"What do you mean?" Her voice grew alert.
"I misjudged her. I thought when she said she knew her limit she would not try something funny."
"What did she try to do to you?"
Jennie clenched her jaw. "She tried to kiss me." She held Lisa firmly when she felt the latter's hold was loosened. "It didn't happen. I won't let her that near to me. Believe me, Lisa. I will never let it happen."
"..."
"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you earlier. I'm sorry."
"..."
"I will terminate the contract with her company. I don't care how much I have to pay. It-"
"Thank you." Lisa cut and snuggled closer. "That's all I ask. No more her."
"Okay. I'm sorry. It will never happen again. I will talk to you about everything if it has any kind of relation with our family."
"You're forgiven. I'm glad you said that first. I'm not sure how to ask you to stop working with her without having to beat your speech about being professional. By the way, can I punch her or something?"
"I need you around. You won't survive in jail."
"Can't you defend me?"
"Violence is never the answer, Baby."
"Said the one who just slap that bitch so hard that your hand made a print on her cheek." Lisa chuckled a little.
"She deserves that and I doubt she'll report me to the police.
"Why?"
"I have CCTV in this room. I can charge with misdemeanor."
"It's more like a felony to me."
"She's learnt her lesson. You don't want to deal with law, Baby. It's exhausting and complicated."
"You're right. I hate law, and I used to hate lawyer."
"Funny that you married one, hm?"
"Mhm." Lisa led Jennie to the couch. "You don't have meeting anymore?"
"No. Lunch is exclusively for you today."
"You know, since I married a lawyer and I watched some law TV series, I think lawyers are hot and sexy."
"Lawyers?"
"One certain lawyer only, actually. Now I only hate one situation with you."
"What is?"
"I can never win an argument from you. I know that long ago but it still sucks. Sometimes I feel like I'm completely right and ready to debate you, you just. . . easily beat me with your words. I thought I'm the most logical person in the world but when I talk to you, you can make me feel like my argument is silly and ridiculous."
"I just want you to see from different perspective."
"See? You're doing it again. Smooth, Baby, real smooth."
Jennie laughed as she brought Lisa's face next to her and kissed her. "You're not mad anymore?"
"I was mad at you, before you explain. Now, I'm only mad at her. As long as she doesn't show her face in front of me, I'll be fine. You've realized your slip, you've done what you have to do. It's enough for me. I don't want to fight over something insignificant. I'm getting old and my blood pressure is not anger friendly anymore."
Jennie's respond was a soft, unrushed kissed on Lisa's lips. She had no words how to express her gratitude. Lisa understood her speechlessness.
The latter fixed her hair then smiled. "I love you."
"I love you, Baby."
---
One baby wailed loudly. Jennie quickly turned off the stove to see what the fuss was about.
"Venous!"
She quickly separated the youngest and the oldest. Aorta bawled his eyes out due to the pain on his forehead. Venous hit him repeatedly because Aorta took the book she was reading.
"Why did Venous hit Aorta?"
"Aorta takes Venous' book, Mommy! Venous was reading that!"
"Is it okay to hit your brother?"
"But he-"
"Is it okay?" Jennie spoke sternly as she held Aorta in her arm.
"No, Mommy." She answered dejectedly.
"Mommy, please blow Aorta's forehead. It hurts." He said between the sob.
"Come here, Ve." She instructed Venous to get closer. "Blow Aorta's forehead. Say sorry."
"Sorry, Aorta." She blew his head. As she was about to caress the reddish part, the boy moved away and hugged his Mommy instead. He was mad at his sister.
"Aorta, forgive Venous. Don't fight."
"It hurts, Mommy."
"Then let Venous take care of it, okay?"
He shook his head. "Aorta wants Mommy."
"Venous can kiss it better, Baby. Let her take care of it. Come on." Jennie turned the boy towards his guilty sister. "Hug."
Aorta was still reluctant.
"Venous is sorry, Aorta." The girl apologized again and took step forward then hugged her brother.
"Aorta, hug Venous."
He finally wrapped his short arms around his sister back.
"Kiss."
Aorta's lips barely touched Venous's cheek then he pulled away.
"Aorta, kiss properly." Jennie said firmly and dragged him back, "Venous, kiss." The two then shared a peck on the lips. "Don't fight again, okay?"
"Okay, Mommy."
"Don't cry, sweetheart." Jennie lifted Aorta and wiped his tears. "Don't take Venous's book when she reads it, okay? Wait till she's done."
He nodded as he nestled at the crook of Jennie's neck comfortably.
"Good morning." Another baby had woken up from his peaceful dream. He kissed his sister then clutched to his Mommy's leg, yawning his sleepiness away.
"Good morning, Baby." Jennie crouched down, giving Artery his daily morning kiss. The oldest also gave his little brother a peck. "Aorta, play with Venous and Artery, okay? Mommy has to make breakfast."
"Where's Dada, Mommy?"
"Hospital, Baby. She'll be back-" The door closed faintly. "Dada's home. Go welcome her."
The kids rushed to the front door. Cheerfully, they greeted the exhausted woman. Venous quickly claimed her favorite place – Lisa's back. She clung on her Dada while Lisa exchanged kisses to the boys.
Lisa piggyback Venous as they made their way to the living room.
"I smell something good." Lisa rested her head on Jennie's shoulder.
"Tired?"
"Very. Can I nap first? I barely can keep my eyes open."
"Go on."
Lisa lay on the couch with Venous on top of her. "Venous wants to nap with Dada?"
"Yes."
"Okay, let's nap."
Being the thoughtful boys they were, Aorta and Artery played with their blocks quietly.
Jennie smiled at the sight before her. It was a common scene in a normal Sunday morning inside their household. However, she would never, ever wish to trade this ordinary life for anything in this world.
They were the piece of heaven for her, now and forever.
—————