Lisa was really excited for today, Mr. James was waiting inside the set to see those girls dance, and look how the collection would match with the concept, Lisa and the team were ready, and the girls were beyond nervous, it was the first time they would do that kind of job.
Lisa introduced them to everyone, Mr. James and the crew, and when they all started to dance people were mesmerized.
Mr. James was out of words "Lis this is perfect, congratulations, the girls need to try on the clothes and get fitted, so make sure they arrive early tomorrow, if the set is ready we could start filming this on Wednesday, and probably by Friday that part would be done, congratulations Miss Manoban!" Mr. James hugged Lisa and she felt amazing.
It was a long day but she was already beyond tired, she talked to the dancers about arrive around 7am, they needed to be ready with the makeup and stylish department to try new looks, and hair styles and fitting the clothes.
They all agreed and Lisa walked them to the elevator, Keira was beyond excited and she promised to get there early tomorrow.
Lisa went back to her office, her lunch was already cold but she ate it anyway, it was now or never, Jisoo came to her office "Lis I'm aware you know Jennie and Rosé are already in Seoul, wait is that chicken?" She nodded to both things, and offered some chicken to Jisoo, "Chu get some, it's enough for both, but it's cold, I didn't have time to eat earlier" Lisa said and Jisoo immediately ate it, "Don't worry, chicken is good always", and Lisa ate happily as well, then she kept talking "Yeah Jennie texted me, she told me she was already here and she would stay home, and I don't blame her, it was a long flight, Rosé is dead by now too" Lisa said.
Jisoo smiled at her "Lis I came here just to chill, after our little lunch with Mrs. FBI I feel we got closer, and you are hilarious", "Omg hahaha you are the hilarious one, it's good to make new good friends I already think about you as one of my best friends, this chicken will seal our friendship pact" Jisoo laughed out loud, "Hilarious, seriously!" Both had a great time talking, indeed a good friendship was settled between them.
----
It was already 8pm, and Jennie woke up to take a shower in case Lisa would visit her "Listen Mini, this is our secret ok, I'm dying to see Lili, if you tell someone you'll be sent to Auckland, I swear", she kept getting ready, no make up, just a little bit of moisturizer, since it's suppose she is resting and it would look fake if she tried to use even just a little amount of make up.
She went to the kitchen "Uncle I just came to tell you that maybe Lisa will come to visit me, in case she shows up can you prepare some snacks? Mr. Jeong smiled, "I'll better start preparing them, she will come I'm sure" and Jennie blushed, she mouthed a thank you and went to the terrace, it was a little bit chilly but she loved the smell of fresh grass".
8:30pm Someone appeared on the main door. The gates got open and a bike parked outside, Jennie was listening some music so she didn't heard anything
8:35pm Lisa was already knocking on the door, and Mr. Jeong received her as she was her daughter, Lisa felt super happy, "Uncle Jeong, can you help me with something, can you hide this in the kitchen", he nodded and took Lisa to the terrace, and went back to the kitchen.
"Nini", oh, she is wearing headphones, she won't hear me, she thought for herself.
Lisa pinched Jennie's right cheek softly and stepped back, a furious little cat looked at her, scrunching her nose, Lisa laughed and stepped back even more, when Jennie realised who did that her features softened immediately and she ran towards Lisa to embrace her tightly.
"Lili!!! How are you????, Omg I was about to kill you, don't play like that Manoban" she let go the hug and Lisa was still laughing, " I'm sorry I tried to get your attention like 5 times, I didn't want to scare you, so pinch your cute cheek was the best I could do" she said.
Jennie just laughed "Silly monkey! Next time I'll kill you, I swear, so you better don't .... " But Lisa cut her off to hug her again, Jennie was lost in Lisa's chest, smelling her vanilla essence, "I missed you so much, sooo much, I'm sorry for pinch you, I won't do it again" Jennie couldn't find any words, she just held Lisa tightly.
"Sit down with me Manoban", she held Lisa's hand and sat by her side, "Do you want to eat something with me? I slept a lot and I didn't have a proper meal so uncle is gonna bring me something" Jennie said casually, "Yes, of course, how are you, tell me about your french days?" Lisa looked at her and Jennie just told her every single thing, she was so attentive to what she had to say that Jennie couldn't help but feel million butterflies trying to escape from her stomach, nobody listened to her like Lisa did, nobody smiled like Lisa.
She didn't want to ruin the mood but she had to tell her about the little incident in the cocktail reception, Lisa was relieved when the good Jerry saved her friends "I can't believe people are willing to force their way into someone it's just sick, I'm glad you weren't alone" she said, then a single tear rolled down her cheek, she tried to hide it, but Jennie brushed the tear off using her thumb, "Don't cry, at the end of the day nothing happened, I'm never alone you know, specially on this kind of trips and events, there's always someone taking care of me, but here in Seoul they just trail behind me, I never wanted bodyguards, but my mum and Jisoo sent a few, haven't you seen a weird black car parked outside? They probably think I don't notice it, but I do, they are in every single place, even when I was riding your bike, so you don't have to worry, I'll be fine, I promise" Jennie said and embraced Lisa.
The Thai girl sighed "I just want you always be safe, I can't stop feeling emotional about this, it's just that I don't want to lose you, I'm sorry for being too much" she moved a little bit, just enough to give some space.
She was still tearing up, "I'm sorry, I didn't want you to see me like this Nini, I'm actually embarrassed" Lisa took away her tears, and looked to the other side, Jennie never have seen anybody so concerned about her safety, not even Kai, or other guys, she was touched for this simple gesture.
"Lili, let's change the mood, I brought you something from France, it's a little gift, so if you wait here a little, I'll bring it ok?", Lisa nodded. Mr. Jeong arrived with some snacks and a jar full of pink lemonade, he was smiling, "Lisa do you want me to bring that box, we can hide it here, and you can surprise her, she will take time to go back, she didn't unpack anything", Lisa smiled and nodded "Please uncle, it would be great".
Mr. Jeong made it on time, he helped Lisa and they were talking when they saw Jennie, "Uncle I brought this for you, I hope you like it" Jennie said all smiles "Dear Jen, thank you so much, you shouldn't have", he opened the box and a beautiful watch was inside "It's perfect! Thank you", Jennie embraced him, "Jen you guys better eat something, I'll try to rest now, please eat, there's more in the kitchen if you want something sweet, or refreshing" he walked away and the girls said thank you.
"So Lili, I was walking around some stores and I saw something that you would love, so I said why not?, Please take this, I hope you like it" Jennie said looking expectantly to Lisa, "I love it Nini", Jennie rolled her eyes, "You haven't opened the bag silly, how do you know that"?
"Easy, because it's a gift from you, no matter what's inside" Lisa said all smiles, and Jennie punched Lisa's arm She is killing me with cuteness Jennie thought for herself.
Lisa opened the bag "Nooooo, you didn't!, You got me a yellow hoodie, or it's the one you stole from me?" Both laughed, "You are really something Manoban, I told you I would use it forever, so it's new, we can match hoodies, we can't be hoodie twins" she said with a big smile on her face, "Ok let me try it on, thank you so much Jen".
"It's perfect!!! Thank you so much, this is actually the best gift I have got in years, so you better wear yours tomorrow, let's pretend it's a coincidence" Lisa said mischievously, and Jennie couldn't stop laughing, "Ok I will, I promise, you are so cute" Jennie said.
They both were talking non stop, and before eat something Lisa took the hoodie off, "Why? You don't like it?" Jennie said, "This is the exact reason, I don't wanna ruin it tonite, how come I'm gonna wear it tomorrow if it gets dirty" Lisa said and Jennie nodded.
They ate some snacks, and Jennie didn't laugh like this since the last time she saw Lisa, she was excited, happy, and just having a beautiful night.
When they were done eating, Lisa cleaned a little bit and Jennie was still talking about Chanel, "Did you hear the last gossip? We are partnering with Chanel for the next year spring collection" Jennie said proudly, "What? Really? That's amazing!!! So it's true Kim is taking over the world of fashion, I'm proud to work for you and all the Kim family" Lisa said.
"Wait I think there's a great way to celebrate this, I brought something for you as well" Lisa said, she got up, went to the other side of the terrace and asked to Jennie to close her eyes, "Don't cheat or you are gonna ruin this", the blonde girl said, she walked towards Jennie and sat beside her "Listen, you are an amazing person, we start rough, but at the end here we are, good friends, with yellow hoodies, enjoying each others company, and just having a great time, so today I have something for you, in return for all the amazing things you do for me, even without notice it, like when you give me that gummy smile, or when you laugh even if my jokes are bad or dumb, so I'm gonna give you something that it's really important for me, I'm gonna place this in your lap, take it but don't open your eyes yet" Lisa said and put a big box on Jennie's lap.
Jennie could feel something kind of heavy, and got nervous why did she brought this for me, what it could be, "Lis can I open my eyes now?" she asked, "Yes, of course but be careful ok?" Lisa said.
Jennie opened her eyes and it was a big black box with a black ribbon, she pulled the ribbon and opened the box, inside there were two pink boxes, she placed both boxes on the sofa, and opened the biggest one "It's your camera? What? Are you giving it to me? Why???" Jennie said all confused.
Lisa took her hand "This is one of my first cameras, I worked so hard to get it, and I want you to have it because you took amazing shoots, and I want you keep doing it, as a hobby, and maybe something more serious later on, I changed the strap, cause the other one was kinda old", Jennie was speechless "Thank you, I love the strap, it has unicorns and it says Nini, why are you so cute? Thank you so much" Jennie was about to cry.
"Wait, there's another box, open it" Lisa said, and Jennie placed the camera carefully on the table in front of them, she took the other box, a letter was inside and it seemed like a big book, she took both things, she read the letter.
Nini 🖤
I'm not fond of writing emotional things, actually I have been avoiding those situations and tried to keep my feelings in a cage for a long time now, you already know my story, but this time I can't block them, it wouldn't be fair don't tell you all this, I want you to remember everything about this friendship, this camera will help you out and I can't wait to have our next adventures cause definitely I don't want a future if you aren't by my side, I know I'm complicated and annoying, but I do wanna be your best friend forever, you make me feel really really happy, this have been the best weeks of my life, and everything is thanks to you, I appreciate everything about you, your mood swings, your funny side, how smart you are, the cold glances you throw at me when I'm too much, they way your gummy smile makes my heart feel full of joy, and many other things you make me feel without even notice it.
You will have a brilliant future, actually you already are brilliant, so things just can get better and better for you and I wanna be by your side whenever you need me, for the best and for the worst, so let's cherish this with a special book, it's engraved, you can't notice it because there's a thin paper covering it. Let's create great memories together.
People use to say "A picture is worth a thousand words", I do believe that's true.
Your Best Friend forever and ever
Lili M.
Jennie was already crying, nobody did this for her before, she never got a love letter, not even a friendship letter before and this was kinda both, she was touched, she placed the letter by her side and she took the book, she unwrapped it carefully and the cover said "Les yeux de Nini" she touched the engraved words, they were rose gold colour. She looked at Lisa that mouthed "Open it", and she did it right away, there was full of the most beautiful pics she has ever seen, but it took her a moment to realise something "I took these pictures, the photoshoot day, all of them, you are so cute, so this represent how I see the world right? That's why the name is engraved in French" (you remember everything I have said) Lisa nodded, Jennie placed the book by her side and she hugged Lisa so tight, that she could feel Lisa's heart beating intensely.
She cupped Lisa's face on her hands, and she kissed her cheek, "Have I ever told you, how much you mean to me Lili?, you changed me, I'm a better version of myself, you let me be whatever I want to be, you encourage me to do new things, you are my strength, my friend, my lov... Lovely best friend" she said stuttering, "You are the best in my life right now, and I do want you in my future as well" Lisa was out of words, she just leaned to kiss Jennie's cheek, they were so close, their eyes met and they only could see fondess and love in each other eyes. Lisa got closer again and Jennie was nervous, and then Jennie's phone ringed out loud, both girls god startled and laughed.
"It's Jisoo, this damn chicken ruined my moment, I was gonna kiss Lisa for God sakes, she thought for herself.
"Hey Chu, what's going on?, Oh yes I got here this morning, I told you, yes I'm fine, and yes I was busy, no, don't come, I'll see you tomorrow, it's already late, no don't come, don't bring chicken, I won't eat it, Jisoo I just wanna rest ok, I'll see you tomorrow, bye". Lisa couldn't help but smile and chuckled.
"If you are tired I should leave, get some rest" Lisa said, Jennie's eyes got wide "No I'm not, I just didn't want her bringing chicken, she brings a lot and it's all greasy around and well she doesn't even talk to me when she eats that, please stay here, I really missed you" Jennie said and she blushed.
Lisa said "Let's look at the pictures ok?" Jennie nodded.
"I took this when we went for Ice cream, after you ruined your sweater" Jennie said smiling, she flipped all the pictures, there was Lisa, Jennie, Seoul's streets, models laughing, the crew around, a little cat, Rosie smiling, the crew celebrating, the blue sky, and some shoots from the campaign.
"I got you this, some stickers to put around, look" Lisa said and marked some pictures, please read what it says", Jennie got closer, unicorn stickers with the word "Published", "What? Published? Where? What's that?" Jennie said.
And Lisa told her, "Those photographs will be in the campaign, congratulations!" Jennie felt different, happier, with a rush of energy and she got up and jumped around "Are you telling me you guys are gonna use those pictures for real? Jennie asked, "Yes Miss Kim, congratulations".
"OMGGGGGG LISA!!!! OMG I LOVE...IT! Jennie Kim don't lose control, you almost tell her you love her twice, twiceeeee, and almost kiss her, you can't do it... but I do think she feels the same, I'm such a coward, she thought for herself and mentally face palmed herself.
Tonight was amazing both girls had so much fun, "Lili thank you, nobody did something like this for me before, are you sure you have to leave?, you could spend the night here you know, like a sleepover" Jennie said, "I would love to but tomorrow I need to be super early, just make sure to call me, I have to show you something, Mr. James already approved it, it's for our main commercial, but what about this weekend, we could have a sleepover with Rosé and Jisoo?" Jennie just nodded.
Jennie walked Lisa to her bike and hugged her one more time before say good bye, she got inside her home and she was melting, she was so sure now, she was in love with Lalisa Manoban, and she would need to talk to her about it as soon as possible.