"Where is she?"
"I told you already, I don't know," she spoke with annoyance lacing her words.
"Bullshit,"
"I don't have time for this," I heard her attempting to close the door, but a loud bang caused by what I assumed to be his fist stopped it from shutting.
"You're not going anywhere until you tell me where she is," he roared.
"And how am I supposed to know, huh? Just fuck off you've been here two times already, don't you have better things to do,"
"Listen here, you little shit. I know you're hiding her in here, so you're either going to give her up willingly or I'm coming to get her,"
"She. Is. Not. Here." she spoke through gritted teeth, probably trying to keep her composure, "Why does your monkey brain have such a hard time grasping the subject. Ease up on the steroids big guy cause it seems to be killing your brain cells. I mean, one would think you'd understand after the first time I told you, but it really does seem you're getting dumber with every visit,"
I heard her gasp suddenly, making me jump back up to my feet, ready to run out of the bathroom and pounce on the man outside the door. And then I heard a slam, followed by a groan, and my hand trembled against the barn door. I knew I agreed I wouldn't engage, that I wouldn't give out my whereabouts, but what was the point when he clearly knew I was here and terrorized Lisa because of it. Still, I stayed put as I remembered Lisa's pleading, despite wanting to run out and pummel the man's face for touching her.
"Are we about to kiss right now?" I heard her choke out and could clearly make out the smirk she probably wore. Under different circumstances, I might have smiled at the jab, but now, not so much, "Sorry love, guys aren't my type,"
"Fucking dyke. I fucking hate your kind. What a disgrace," he spat.
"Hey, hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
"Out of my way, bitch," my breath hitched.
"Fuck you!" I heard stumbling and almost flew out the door as I heard her next words, "Don't fucking touch me!"
"Or what?"
"Or I'll stop holding myself back and you won't fucking like it,"
"Bet," he taunted and before either of them could get another word out, I heard grunts, stumbling, followed by a slam, and I held my breath, wishing I could see what was going on.
It was quiet for a while and I was ready to disobey Lisa's wishes and run out of the cover I've taken in the bathroom, but then I heard his voice again, "You've just made a big mistake,"
"Oh yeah? You're a stranger barging into my home uninvited. If anyone made a mistake, it's you. So go back to whatever hole you crawled out from before I call the cops,"
"You have no idea what you're up against,"
"I'll take my chances,"
"You'll pay for this," I heard him spit as the footsteps started fading out.
"And don't come back!" Lisa called after him, "If I ever see you again I'm calling the police, asshole!"
As soon as the door shut close, I ran out of the bathroom, tackling Lisa in a bone-crushing hug as soon as she spun around. Despite her shock, and almost sending both of us down at the impact that my body collided with hers created, her arm wrapped around my waist, bringing me closer, while the other tangled itself in my hair. Her fingers ran through my locks soothingly as I clung to her for dear life, trying to calm myself down. I hated this. Hated that she was going through all this because of me.
"Are you okay?" I questioned hastily as I pulled back to look at her, my palms cupping her cheeks, "Did he hurt you? What did he do to you? I swear to God I will-"
"Rosie,"
"What?"
"I'm fine," she assured, her thumb caressing my cheeks as her own hand made its way to my face, her gentle eyes boring into mine as she smiled softly.
My eyes fell to her neck that was a little red in color at the sides and looked back up into her eyes, one of my hands moving down to trace the forming bruise, "This doesn't look fine, Lisa,"
She chuckled, "You should've seen the other guy,"
I shook my head, "This isn't funny,"
"It's nothing, really,"
"It's not, nothing," I reprimanded, tears forming in my eyes as I looked at her. Unlike me, she seemed completely unphased by the whole incident, like this whole thing was nothing but a minor inconvenience to her. Like there wasn't a red mark on her neck because that fucker touched her and I didn't do anything.
But even if she put up a tough exterior, I could see the slight flinch and the way she would tense as I gently ran my fingertips across the side of her neck. The pad of her thumb moved quickly, and as soon as my tear fell, she wiped it away with one stroke, her concerned eyes burning holes into my head because I refused to look up from the bruise.
"He can't be doing this to you," I muttered quietly, and Lisa placed an index finger under my chin, making me face her. But just as she opened her mouth, intending to speak, I shook my head vigorously from side to side, "No, I can't just... no. I'm done. He's not touching you again. This is about me. About what I've done. You have nothing to do with this and I refuse to stand here doing nothing while you take the beating,"
"It's not just about you," she disagreed quickly, "It's about the both of us. We're in this together, remember? Besides, I'm fine. I promise,"
"Stop saying you're fine, you're not fine," more tears spilled from my eyes, "He already came twice this week and harassed you because of me. I can't continue doing nothing,"
"He won't come here again,"
"You don't know that," I argued weakly.
"Yes I do," she lifted my head so I would look up at her again, her hands cupping my cheeks as she wiped at my tears, "He knows I'll call the cops if he shows up again, they won't risk it. He might be a lawyer, but this shit is still messed up. Peter noticed the camera I set up before he left. He knows I have proof. Trust me, okay? They won't risk it. So don't cry, okay? Not because of this,"
"How can I not?" I questioned, "You're hurt all because of me. All this is my fault. I never should have come to you. I never should have dragged you into this. I—"
"Shh," Lisa pulled me into her chest, "It's okay, it's all going to be okay. Once this is over, they won't be able to hurt us anymore. And I promise that this is nothing, okay? I'm not hurt. But even if I was, it's worth it if I know you're safe from that monster,"
"Don't say that," I mumbled against her chest and sniffled.
"Why not? It's the truth. He can't do a fraction of what he's done to you, to me. This is just a minor bruise, it will go away in no time."
"Maybe, but he still had no right to do that,"
"You're right," she agreed, "but he won't do it again,"
"Maybe I should just go back, I—"
"Absolutely not," she cut me off and held me tighter, "You're not going anywhere,"
"Lisa—"
"No! We had this conversation what, like three times already? I'm not letting you go back there,"
"I can't stay here hiding away while we do nothing. We don't have a plan, nothing,"
"Yes, we do," she disagreed.
"Like what?"
"I'll go see BamBam,"
"What?" I pulled back.
"You're right. We can just be sitting here waiting for salvation or we can do something. BamBam is the only lead we got, so I'll go back to Thailand to visit him, to see if I can get any information out of him. Don't even try to argue, I've made up my mind a few days ago and you can't change it,"
I sighed, knowing there was no point in arguing if she's already decided. Lisa was beyond stubborn and if she set her mind on something, there was no way anyone could steer her away from the path she's chosen. Not even me. Especially if it concerned the ones she cared about.
"Okay... "
"Yeah?" she asked, surprised, probably expecting I'd try to talk her out of it and coax her into staying to find another way. Truthfully, even I was a little surprised I didn't put up a fight, but in the back of my mind, I knew she was right. He was our only lead, and it was either this or sneaking inside the penthouse somehow and rummaging through his things, hoping to find any incriminating evidence.
"Yeah, but I'll come with you,"
"What? No way," she shook her head and let me go, turning her back to me as she walked to the kitchen with me in tow.
"Why not?" Leo, who was completely undisturbed by our little argument, rubbed against my leg and I jumped in surprise, causing Lisa to look back at me alarmed, only to smile teasingly when she noticed the cause of my scare.
"Because I don't think it's the best idea," she told me simply as she opened one of the overhead cupboards.
"And why's that?"
"What would you even do there? It's not like I'm going on a vacation. I'd only stay for one night and then come back home,"
"I don't care. At least you'll have someone to keep you company,"
"I'm not leaving you alone in Thailand,"
"Why would you leave me alone?"
"Do you seriously think I'd let you come to prison with me?" she opened the fridge, pulling out a soda can.
"Yes?"
"No way, Rosie,"
"Why the hell not?" I asked, aggravated.
"You know why," she spoke calmly, this time turning around to look at me with a compassionate look in her big doe eyes.
"Okay yeah you might be right, that might not be the best idea," I agreed after a little while of thinking the whole thing over, "When do you want to leave?"
"I don't know yet. I'll check the tickets and get on the earliest flight so we know what our next move should be as soon as possible,"
"For how long?" I asked, unsure.
"Three days," she sighed and walked towards me, her hands resting on my hips, "But I'll be back before you know it,"
"Okay," I exhaled slowly, "I'll keep an eye on the apartment while you're gone. Feed Leo, water your plants and all that,"
But Lisa shook her head at the proposition, causing my brows to furrow in confusion, "You can't stay here alone,"
"Why not? You said he won't be coming back,"
"Not as long as I'm here, but he might if they found out I've left the country. You'll stay with Jennie and Jisoo, just to be sure. I already asked them whether it'd be okay. As you can probably guess, they didn't waste a second agreeing. If anything, they threatened me that if I end up not going and ruining your impromptu sleepover I'll be, and I quote, a dead woman," she grinned, nudging my nose with hers as she came closer, pushing me against the kitchen island and stepping between my legs, "Is that okay?"
"What about Leo and your plants?" I questioned.
"Jisoo or Jennie will come water them while I'm gone, they'll be fine. And though cats are supposed to hate traveling this little rascal," she motioned to the cat now climbing onto the countertop despite being told countless times he wasn't allowed to, "loves going someplace new. And the last time he went to their place, I seriously doubted I'd get him to come back home. Not to mention he is like besties with the dogs. So you can just take him with you. You know, have our baby while I'm gone so you don't miss me too much," she teased, but it backfired quickly as I quirked an eyebrow at the raven.
"Our?"
"Well yeah," she looked down to the ground sheepishly, "I might have got him alone, but he's still ours. You're the one who named him after all so..." and I found it absolutely adorable how her cheeks kept heating up in embarrassment.
"You're cute," I chuckled and leaned forward, kissing the tip of her nose, causing her to scrunch it up.
"I'll miss you," she confessed, her grip on my hips tightening.
"I'll miss you too," I slung my arms over her shoulders, tangling my hands in her short hair as I pulled her face closer and smiled as she closed her eyes reflexively.
She only cracked one eye open when she hasn't felt my lips on her for a little while, eying me accusingly when she realized I was playing with her, "Don't I get a farewell kiss?"
"For all we know, there might not be any flights available for another week or so," I taunted with a playful smirk on my face.
Lisa only shook her head though, "From what I've seen they fly out every Friday so if I get a ticket, I'll be leaving in two days,"
"You might not though,"
"Who in their right mind would travel when it's not even the holidays. Come on Rosie, aren't you supposed to be the miss smartypants out of the two of us?"
"Are you sure you want to argue with me right now?" I cocked a brow as I leaned closer, my lips hovering over hers, causing her tongue to flick out, wetting her lips in anticipation as her eyes fell down to my mouth.
"Good," I smiled as she shook her head in submission and pressed my body fully into hers, "Let me give you something to miss then,"
With that, I dove forward, capturing her lips between mine, feeling her smile into the kiss, making me follow the action. And though the kiss started out sweetly, soon I was lifted off the ground on top of the island as Lisa kissed me hungrily, making sure I had something to miss as well.
...
"I don't want you to go," I admitted softly as I gripped Lisa's hand, the two of us accompanied by the married couple, all four of us standing at the terminal.
"I know you don't, and I don't either, but I have to do this," she cupped my cheek, stroking the flesh with the pad of her thumb gently. I swore to myself I wouldn't cry once I'd see her depart. It was not like I was giving her up for good. It was just three days and she would be back in no time, yet I hated it. I hated saying goodbye to her like this.
"I'll miss you," my voice trembled, and I cursed myself, repeating the same word from this morning don't cry, don't cry over in my head.
"Hey," she freed her other hand, letting go of her luggage, to cup my face in both her hands and looked into my eyes deeply, "I'll be back so soon you won't even notice I was gone. Meanwhile, Jennie and Jisoo will take care of you and, I'm going to call you whenever I can, okay? So don't cry,"
"I'm not crying," I argued with a shook of my head but looked down to the ground, feeling my eyes starting to well up with tears despite my pleas and prayers that they wouldn't make themselves known.
"Okay," she smiled knowingly and pulled me into her, my body melding into hers as she held me close. The second I got a closer whiff of her scent, however, I couldn't keep my tears at bay anymore. Even if it was just for a short while, I hated the fact that I would have to be without her again. Especially after I've just got her back. I couldn't stand the idea of us being separated again.
It was only when my knuckles started to hurt that I realized I had a death grip on the back of Lisa's shirt, unwilling to let her go. My face was buried in the crook of her neck as she held me, and I was sure she could feel the small drops of tears against her skin. But if she did, she chose not to mention it.
Instead, she tightened her arms around me, bringing me impossibly closer as she rocked us back and forth, her hands rubbing my back soothingly and the side of her face resting against my head. We both knew she had to go to catch her flight, but neither of us made a move to break off the connection. If anything, with every passing second we only held on tighter, Lisa placing kisses and murmuring words of reassurance against my hair.
"I'll miss you too," she whispered, her own voice wavering.
When we finally did pull away, her hands immediately resumed their previous position, cupping both my cheeks, and I avoided eye contact once again in fear she'd catch me crying, "Baby," she called and my heart doubled in size at the pet name, "Look at me, please,"
Hesitantly, I lifted my eyes to meet hers, shimmering under the blaring light, "I love you," she spoke earnestly, her lips trembling slightly.
"I love you too," reciprocating, I leaned in, closing the distance between us with a kiss that made everything else disappear. Not even our shared tears coalescing into streams against heated skin, making their way between our joined lips.
It was when we parted and her eyes fluttered open did I notice she was fully crying now, "Don't cry,"
"Hypocrite," she chuckled, echoing the same words she spoke to me once already. Back when we were both too broken to listen to one another, too afraid to open up, and too cowardly to move forward.
"We'll see each other soon," I parroted her words from earlier, earning a nod from the raven.
"Yeah," she smiled through her tears, "We will,"
Reaching forward, I wiped some of her tears away, Lisa mirroring the action on my face, which ended up in us laughing dumbly at nothing in particular. I guess it was the fact that despite having to say goodbye, she still made me so incredibly happy. Despite the feeling of my heart dropping in my chest, I still felt butterflies flap their wings around in my stomach and the same nervous excitement present whenever she was around.
"I have to go," she breathed and looked past her shoulder at the big screen above our head a few feet in the distance.
"Okay,"
"Take care of her for me while I'm gone, yeah?" she called out to the two Korean women standing a few feet behind us to give us some privacy.
"Don't worry, we don't have a death wish," Jennie snarled, but gave me a lopsided smile and a wink to let me know she was only joking around; not that I had to be reminded.
"They're far too scared of my wrath so they'll make sure you're happy," she let me know as her hands dropped from my face so she could take her luggage again with one, the other finding my hand, "I'll see you on Sunday?"
"You better," I grinned and placed a quick peck on her lips, "Now go before I change my mind,"
With a sad smile and a nod, she turned around and began walking away. However, I watched her stop abruptly when I held her hand tighter, just before it had a chance to slip from my own. Her eyes were questioning as she looked for an explanation, but I had none, so instead, I walked up to her and crashed our lips together one last time before being denied the privilege.
Lisa's arms wrapped around my waist as she leaned into me, causing me to lean back and rely on the support of her strong arms around me. And though, just like every time we kissed, everything else became insignificant, I couldn't help but wonder whether we looked like one of those couples in cheesy romance movies. However, I chose not to care as her lips moved against mine skillfully, conveying all the emotions we didn't know how to voice.
"See you in three days," she nudged her nose against mine as she released me from her hold.
"Yeah," I agreed, "See you," and this time I let her go when she walked away, without one look back. I didn't blame her, instead, I was grateful she didn't. Because I knew the second our eyes would meet, I would break out in tears. And this time around, she wouldn't be there to wipe them away anymore.
So, alternatively, I smiled gently as I took in her retreating form until she disappeared from my view, getting lost in the sea of people. And I could only hope three days would pass quickly so I could see that beaming smile again and call her mine.
...
"So... " Jisoo ventured as she entered the guest room, which ultimately became my room for the next few days, and sat down at the foot of the bed, "You and Lisa, huh?"
"Yeah," I admitted, not being able to suppress the smile making its presence known at the mention of the Thai.
"What's going on between you two? I thought you were happily married or whatever,"
"You've been dying to get me alone so you could ask, didn't you?" I asked knowingly, with a smirk gracing my lips as I looked the Korean dead in the eye.
"I might have," she shrugged nonchalantly, "Can you blame me though? You guys have the most tragic slash complicated slash heartbreaking story ever. Like you come back three years after breaking her heart--"
"Thanks for the reminder," I chided sarcastically, rolling my eyes.
"You have a husband and you're expecting and..." she went silent as she realized what she had just said and looked at me worriedly, her features morphing into the ones of sadness, "Sorry,"
My heart dropped at the reminder of Annabeth. I've never forgotten her. She would always be a part of me, my child, even if she was gone. But with Lisa, it was easier not to focus so much on it. It couldn't be helped, even in her presence I would grow distant and depressed whenever I'd realize that my stomach was flat after I reached for it instinctively.
Whenever I would hear a name similar to hers, whenever I'd see a little girl waddle around either in a movie or in the park. Whenever I'd walk past a store selling baby products. Really, it didn't matter what I'd hear or see; everything reminded me of the daughter that I no longer had. I was beyond devastated still, even if I tried so hard not to let it show.
Lisa was good at seeing through me, so whenever I'd try to hide the sadness, she would notice. I lost count of how many nights I spent crying in her arms. I feared she would tire of it, that it would be too much, especially if I moped around the entire day, barely even talking to her. During our week together, it only happened once, but I knew it would continue happening as time went on. And I feared she wouldn't want me anymore. That it would be too hard to be with me because of all the luggage I was carrying with me.
A husband, losing a child, trauma, and just about everything. But every time the thought crossed my mind, as if she could sense it, Lisa would pull me into the warmest hug, telling me the exact things I needed to hear. But now she wasn't here. She wasn't here to make it better as the realization seeped in, just like she wasn't here to hold me until my cries died down.
I tried to suppress my tears, but I couldn't. And though I knew Jisoo didn't mean to remind me, it was still so incredibly painful. I wasn't angry with her, not at all. None of this was her fault, but I just couldn't help it as I gripped at the bedsheets in a mix of anger, sadness, despair, and frustration. I hated feeling like this. She would hate to see me like this.
And though it wasn't Lisa's arm that I soon felt wrap itself around my shoulders, it felt better like this; having someone who cared close. Tears kept spilling out of my eyes as if they were an overflowing well, sobs wracked through my body with each new tear, and I found it hard to breathe.
I heard Jisoo's hushed apologies, but I couldn't focus on her words, nor answer them. I was far too gone in my own despair to care about the world around me. It might have been a little selfish of me just how much I disregarded everything and everyone at moments like these, but I couldn't help it. Just like I couldn't stop my tears from falling in steady streams down my cheeks, water escaping through the cracks in the dam, drizzling down my neck and soaking my shirt. Some tears dripped down the tip of my nose and I was surprised when I didn't feel it against my hands. I failed to realize that Jisoo wasn't the only one trying to provide comfort as my eyes fell on the gray cat, making me choke on a sob. Leo, our baby...
Nothing could ever make this better. Easier. I lost her and I would never get her back.
Thankfully, this didn't seem to be one of my spiraling episodes and after about an hour later I calmed down and wiped my cheeks of any remnants of the salty droplets that no longer felt warm against my skin, instead, cooling it and making me shiver. Jisoo noticed and grabbed the neatly folded blanket, draping it over my shoulders before pulling me into a side hug once more.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It's okay, it's not your fault,"
We sat in complete silence after that, an uncomfortable tension filling the air. I hated crying in front of other people. I never knew how to break the spell that ensued. The palpable tension and pitying looks. I hated all of it. Especially when all I wanted was to forget. The silence bothered me, and I wished for nothing more than to break it and go back to a simple conversation.
So after a while, I sniffled and managed a smile, "So what did you want to say?"
Jisoo just shook her head, "Never mind, it doesn't matter,"
"No," I protested, "Please, tell me,"
"Are you sure?" she asked worriedly, her eyes skimming over our joined hands.
"Positive,"
She didn't seem thrilled at the prospect but sighed, respecting my wishes as she resumed the earlier topic of conversation, not knowing how helpful it was because it would take my mind off of things. Especially if we were talking about Lisa, who could always light up my world, even in its darkest moments. She really was my little ray of light shining through the thick dark forest of my mind, showing me the way to an opening among the trees. My little beacon of hope and the only thing that could make me smile without an effort. My silver lining.
God, I loved her. And right now, I couldn't grasp how I managed to live this long without her. How I managed to live in a world where she wasn't mine and I wasn't hers; where our paths weren't crossed. But I guess the answer was hidden in the question; because I wasn't living, I was merely surviving, and even that, with great difficulty.
"I guess I'm just wondering, all things considered, how you ended up here. Honestly, I shipped you guys together since I've seen you at the house party the boys hosted. What did they call themselves back then? Bung... Bing..."
"I think it was Bangtan," I chuckled at the reminiscence, "God, that was an awful party,"
"You only say that because you hated socializing," she nudged my side playfully, and I was glad the tension seemed to dissipate slowly.
"No, I say that because it was awful. You only enjoyed it because you finally got to grope Jen,"
"I did not!" she exclaimed, face filled with embarrassment as she pulled away with wide eyes to look at me.
"You did not enjoy the party solely for that reason or you did not grope Jen? Come on, both of those are lies and you know it,"
"Oh shut up," Jisoo groaned.
"What a romantic way to start things with your wife, huh? How'd you two meet?" I put on a different accent, pretending to be someone else, "Oh you know I saw her at a party and practically fucked her on the dance floor," I imitated Jisoo's voice, purposefully giving it a higher pitch, earning another shove in the ribs.
"I do not sound like that," she complained.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night," I grinned, causing the raven to glare at me, but the smile on her lips betrayed she wasn't actually angry, "Are you still in contact with the guys?"
Jisoo shook her head, "No, not anymore. I mean, we were never close, not even in college, so we kind of went our separate ways after graduating. Aside from Jennie's brother, of course. But since he lives across the country we usually only see him through face time. He rarely visits. But I think Jennie worked with one of them though when she was starting out her music career,"
"I see. I don't think Lisa is in contact with any of them, either. I mean, she never mentioned anything,"
"I don't think she is," Jisoo agreed, "I told you she distanced herself after what happened and didn't really do friends anymore. It's honestly surprising she still kept us close. Well, depends on what you consider close, but, you know,"
"Anyway, back to my original question. What is going on between you? I mean, and I don't mean to be rude, but it was kind of obvious from the start that you weren't exactly happy. Are you two like back together now? What about your marriage?"
"I don't know," I replied honestly, "We obviously can't be officially together since I'm still married but we've been on and off basically since I came back, playing this stupid game of push and pull. But it seems like now we finally worked our shit out. I was staying at hers this past week and things were kind of perfect," I smiled adoringly at the memory as I stroked the cat lying in my lap, "Well, as perfect as they could be, considering everything,"
"Can I ask you something?"
"What's with the sudden need for consent?" I chuckled, "As far as I'm concerned, you were always very blunt with your questions. I don't think I've ever heard you ask someone if you could ask something,"
"It's about your husband," she informed carefully, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable. I mean, I have no right to snoop around your private life and—"
"Jisoo," I stopped her before she could continue, "You are my best friend, you deserve to know about my life. Friends share things, so ask away. I promise I'll tell you if it gets too much,"
"Okay," she agreed hesitantly, "What's going on with him? I mean, the whole staying with Lisa thing, him sending his bodyguard over constantly, and whatnot,"
"I only married him because my parents wished so and you know how our relationship was. After they died before I could talk to them, hear their side of things, I felt so incredibly guilty that I distanced myself from them. When I read their letter I realized they lost both their daughters and that they ended up all alone, thinking they were unloved by their own child,"
"No," Jisoo disagreed instantaneously, "That was all them. There is no excuse for abandoning you just because things got hard. I get they were hurting, but so were you. You tried to end your life, for fuck's sake! Who knows what would have happened if I hadn't found you that day,"
"I know that now, but they reached out to me so many times, tried to talk to me, and make us a family again. You're right, what they did was inexcusable, but Lisa helped me realize that at least they were trying. Unlike her family, they were making an effort, and I didn't have to be all alone anymore like she was,"
"Yeah," Jisoo scoffed, "Fuck Lisa's parents. Fucking asshole dickheads,"
"Whoa," I chuckled, "You really seem to dislike them,"
"And you don't?"
"Of course I do. Thanks to them, Lisa has all her issues and traumas and basically grew up without knowing what love was. They are awful parents,"
"I know, right? And fucking disowning her was the last straw. If they weren't so heavily guarded I think I'd just waltz over there and give them a piece of my mind,"
"Excuse me, disowning her?" I gasped in shock at Jisoo's words who, as if realizing some sort of mistake, closed her eyes and clenched her jaw, refusing to look at me, "Jisoo," I addressed the raven but to no avail, "They disowned her?"
"I thought Lisa would have told you by now,"
"She didn't. Jisoo what do you mean they disowned her?"
"Did you never find it strange, after you found out the truth, that Lisa wasn't the heiress? That she wasn't the CEO of her mother's business?"
"I never really thought about it," I admitted, feeling a little guilty that the not so minor detail slipped my mind.
"Lisa doesn't give a shit about them so I might as well tell you, I guess," she sighed after debating with herself whether she should tell me herself or let Lisa do it once she came back, "Basically after they found out she was gay, they were livid. They cast her out, disowned her, made sure she would get no inheritance, no longer supported her, and just completely cut her out of their lives,"
"That's horrible!" I gasped, "God, poor Lisa. When did this happen? Fuck, they're such fucking assholes. I can't believe they did this to her. What kind of parents do that to their own child?!"
"It was about a two ago. Since she was supposed to inherit the company, they had her followed just to see if she wasn't doing something she shouldn't have, which in itself is fucked up, if you ask me. I mean, who has their child literally followed. And since Lisa kind of slept around, it was inevitable they'd find out,"
"How did she take it?" my heart was breaking for the Thai as I listened attentively to Jisoo's words, feeling for the girl who was so kind she only deserved the best in life, but only ever seemed to receive the worst.
"Honestly, I cared more than she did. Lisa was pretty much unphased, didn't really take it hard. But then again, by that time she'd already cut us out of her life, so she didn't really talk to me or Jen about it. From what we've seen, though, she betrayed no negative emotion about it. I really think she just didn't really care all that much"
"Seriously?" I asked, surprised.
"Yeah, I mean, I guess it was to be expected. They were basically strangers to her. She wanted none of their riches, never was interested in the business. She was trying to escape her life anyway, so if anything, she was kind of glad when it happened. They were never her family, so I guess, to her, it didn't feel like she was losing anything. I think she finally felt free,"
"That's so messed up,"
"Yeah, it is. I hope those bastards burn in hell,"
"So now she's just living for herself? No more fancy lifestyle?"
"Prety much," Jisoo affirmed, "You and I both know she hated it anyway, most of the time, at least," that she did. I remembered all the times she would complain or send them their money and gifts back. I remember every time she would refuse their financial help, and only ever really kept her bike since she had wanted one for so long and it was, as she would say, "so gorgeous" she had a hard time parting with it. And then the car that was a gift for her eighteenth birthday that she kept so she could move around L. A. more comfortably. But from what I've known, that was it.
"In that case, I'm happy for her. I mean, I very much despise her parents for what they've done, but I know exactly what it feels like to be trapped and held to a certain standard that just isn't you. It's very freeing, even if it may seem sad to some when you finally break out of those chains,"
"You'd know, right?" Jisoo asked knowingly, circling back to our previous conversation.
"Not entirely, I'm not completely free yet. He still has too much power over me,"
"So you married him out of guilt?"
"I guess so. A part of me felt like I owed it to them"
"And now you're stuck in a loveless marriage,"
"Pretty much," I confirmed, not mentioning the abuse, fully knowing Jisoo would find a way to kill the Korean man, and I didn't want my best friend going to prison for murder. Though Jisoo and Jennie would make a cute recreation of Piper and Alex.
"So, what's your next move? I imagine it's going to be hard divorcing someone like him," that, but also I was absolutely terrified of what he would do to me if I as much as proposed the idea. But once again, I couldn't tell Jisoo that. At least not now.
"Yeah, it's bound to get complicated. That's why Lisa went to Thailand. We think her brother might know something,"
"What do you mean? What does he have to do with this?"
"I sneaked into Chanyeol's office before I left for Lisas," I admitted, "I found a phone," I didn't mention the gun, figuring it was better for everyone's sake if no one knew, "and I asked Lisa whether she knew anyone who could get into it. Funnily enough, when I came to her loft where I was supposed to meet this person. It turned out to be Sooyoung,"
"Wait, what?"
"Yeah," I confirmed.
"Sooyoung as in that Sooyoung? As in Joy Sooyoung?"
"Yup, that one. Didn't you know they know each other?"
"I know they hooked up, but I did not know they still kept in contact, or that she had computer skills for that matter,"
"Yeah, well, you can imagine my shock when I saw her. Not to mention she was all over Lisa. I was this close," I made a gesture with my thumb and index finger, leaving a small gap between, and giving Leo a chance to escape as I stopped petting his fur for a moment too long, "from strangling her,"
"I can imagine. Whoever thinks you're this nice, innocent, sweet person has another thing coming," Jisoo laughed.
"Hey! I totally am nice and sweet. As long as that someone doesn't mess with what's mine,"
"Yours, huh?" she smirked "Also don't think I haven't noticed you not denying the innocent part. Are you a freak Chaeyoung?" Jisoo wiggled her eyebrows, and I felt my face heating up, most likely going beat red as I couldn't suppress the memories of Lisa's and I's first time in her hall.
"Shut up,"
"You know what they say; a lady in the streets, freak in the sheets,"
Ignoring her last remark, not missing how the teasing smirk on her face widened, I resumed where I left off, "Anyway, so after she got into the phone we saw some calls made to the prison in Thailand where BamBam is being kept," his name sounded bitter on my tongue, almost like poison.
"So you just assumed it's him? He could've called anyone,"
"No," I argued, "he couldn't have. Because it wasn't an official number but a private one, meaning he must've given one of the prisoners a phone. Sooyoung had to trace it to the prison hence we couldn't match it to the one they display on their webpage,"
"Okay, but that still doesn't prove anything,"
"Exactly, that's why Lisa is going there to find out more information. I mean, come on. Before everything went down, he worked for Chanyeol, was absolutely miserable with his job, practically hated Chanyeol's, and ultimately mine, guts. It seems like too big of a coincidence that he would call someone else. But even if he did call someone else, maybe Bam knows something that could help us get some dirt on him,"
"This is crazy, Chae,"
"I know," I agreed, "but there's not much more we can do at this stage. We'll be smarter once Lisa comes back and we'll go from there,"
"She really loves you, you know. Going through all this just so you could be together again,"
"I know," I smiled sheepishly, looking down into my lap and avoiding Jisoo's eyes.
"I never lost hope. I always knew you guys would find your way back to each other,"
"Oh, did you now? I wasn't aware you were such a romantic," I teased.
"Yeah, well, as silly as it might sound, you guys are soulmates. You are pretty much destined to be together. It was just never a question of if, rather when the time when you'd cross paths again would come. You need one another, only together are you truly complete. I mean, you're whole without each other as well, but it was so clear that both of you were missing huge chunks of your life that only the other could fill. I don't know, I just knew you would be together again,"
"We're not together," I corrected.
"Maybe not officially, but you're acting more like a married couple than Jen and I do. And we're actually married. That says something,"
"No, we don't," I disagreed.
"She was leaving for three days, and both of you looked like you were losing each other forever. You basically live together and whenever I see you together, you're basically joined at the hip, always touching and whatnot. It's like you don't even know what personal space is. Not to mention you—"
"Okay, okay, I get it. No need to rub it in," I rolled my eyes in good nature, "I just... I can't imagine my life without her. She's my everything Jisoo. I can't bear the thought of losing her. I love her too much to be apart from her,"
"And you call me a romantic,"
"Oh shut it, like you don't say the same about Jennie,"
"What about me?" Jennie suddenly peeked her head through the door, making Jisoo scramble for words.
"Nothing," she threw me a glare that spoke volumes, letting me know I'd be a dead woman if I ever dared to speak about all the things Jisoo had said about her wife throughout the time we've spent together since my return to New York.
"Okay," Jennie drew the word out and looked us over suspiciously, "You guys were in here for a while, so I just came to check if everything was okay,"
"Yeah everything is fine," Jisoo smiled at her wife cheekily, "Just talking about how Lisa and Chaeng are totally meant for each other and how sappy Chae is about it,"
"Oh yeah, totally," Jennie nodded her head vigorously, "You guys are totally soulmates. But if you think Chae is sappy, you should've heard Lisa the other day. It was so sweet I think I got at least three cavities,"
"True. She talks about her like she puts the stars in the sky," Jisoo agreed.
"Looks at her like that too,"
"Oh, come on," I groaned, "What did she say?" I asked eagerly, my heart fluttering in my chest already.
Jennie, however, just laughed, "I'm not telling you. Lisa would kill me if she ever found out. But if you think the whole "I can't be without her" thing is cheesy, try multiplying it by a hundred,"
"Okay, now I want to hear what she said," Jisoo voiced her curiosity.
"I'll tell you later, babe," Jennie winked.
"That's not fair," I complained, "It's about me, I should know,"
"No way, Rosé. Now come on down, both of you, dinner is ready," she smiled, and I begrudgingly made my way downstairs, following behind the brunette with a smile on my face.
Because despite not knowing what she had said, I knew Lisa was just as deep in it as I was, and that was enough to put a beaming smile on my face.