"Hi." Jungkook's voice is warm with a trace of amusement. Relief floods through me.
"Hi," I respond, grinning from ear to ear. "How was your flight?"
"Long. What are you doing with Rose?"
Oh no. "We're just going out for a quiet drink."
Jungkook says nothing.
"Sawyer and the new woman - Prescott - are coming with, to watch over us," I offer, trying to placate him.
"I thought Rose was coming to the apartment."
"She is after a quick drink." Please let me go out!
Jungkook sighs heavily. "Why didn't you tell me?" he says quietly. Too quietly.
I mentally kick myself. "Jungkook, we'll be fine. I have Ryan, Sawyer, and Prescott here. It's only a quick drink."
Jungkook remains resolutely silent, and I know he's not happy. "I've only seen her a few times since you and I met. Please. She's my best friend."
"Lisa, I don't want to keep you from your friends. But I thought she was coming back to the apartment."
"Okay," I acquiesce. "We'll stay in."
"Only while this lunatic is out there. Please."
"I've said okay," I mutter in exasperation, rolling my eyes. Jungkook snorts softly down the phone.
"I always know when you're rolling your eyes at me."
I scowl at the receiver. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I'll tell Rose."
"Good," he breathes, his relief evident. I feel guilty for worrying him.
"Where are you?"
"On the tarmac at JFK."
"Oh, so you just landed."
"Yes. You asked me to call the moment I landed."
I smile. My subconscious glares at me. See? He does what he says he's going to do.
"Well, Mr. Jeon, I'm glad one of us is punctilious."
He laughs. "Mrs. Jeon, your gift for hyperbole knows no bounds. What am I going to do with you?"
"I am sure you'll think of something imaginative. You usually do."
"Are you flirting with me?"
"Yes."
I sense his grin. "I'd better go. Lisa, do as you're told, please. The security team knows what they're doing."
"Yes, Jungkook, I will." I sound exasperated again - but jeez, I get the message.
"I'll see you tomorrow evening. I'll call you later."
"To check up on me?"
"Yes."
"Oh, Jungkook!" I scold him.
"Au revoir, Mrs. Jeon."
"Au revoir, Jungkook. I love you."
He inhales sharply. "And I you, Lisa."
Neither of us hangs up.
"Hang up, Jungkook," I whisper.
"You're a bossy little thing, aren't you?"
"Your bossy little thing."
"Mine," he breathes. "Do as you're told. Hang up."
"Yes, Sir." I hang up and grin stupidly at the phone. A few moments later, an e-mail appears in my inbox.
From: Jeon Jungkook
Subject: Twitching Palms
Date: August 25, 2011 13:42 EDT
To: Jeon Lalisa
Mrs. Jeon
You are as entertaining as ever on the phone. I mean it. Do as you're told. I need to know you're safe.
I love you.
Jeon Jungkook
CEO, Jeon Enterprises Holdings Inc.
Honestly, he's the bossy one. But one phone call and all my anxiety has disappeared. He's arrived safely and he's fussing about me as usual. I hug myself momentarily. God, I love that man. Hannah knocks on my door, distracting me, and I land back with a thump in my office.
Rose looks gorgeous. In her tight white jeans and red camisole, she's ready to rock the town. She's chatting animatedly to Claire in reception when I make my entrance.
"Lisa!" she cries, scooping me up in a Rose hug. She holds me at arm's length.
"Don't you look the mogul's wife? Who would have thought, little Lisa Manobal? You look so . . . sophisticated!" She grins. I roll my eyes at her. I'm wearing a pale cream shift dress with a navy belt and navy pumps.
"It's good to see you, Rose." I hug her back.
"So, where are we going?"
"Jungkook wants us to go back to the apartment."
"Aw, really? Can't we sneak a quick cocktail at the Zig Zag Cafe? I've booked us a table."
I open my mouth to protest.
"Please?" she whines and pouts prettily. She must be picking this up from Somi. She never pouts normally. I'd really like a cocktail at the Zig Zag. We had such fun the last time we went there, and it's close to Rose's apartment.
I hold up my index finger. "One."
She grins. "One" She links her arm in mine, and we stroll out to the car, which is parked at the curb with Sawyer at the wheel. We're followed out by Miss Samantha Prescott who's new to the security team - - a tall African-American with a no-nonsense attitude. I've yet to warm to her, maybe because she's too cool and professional. The jury's definitely out, but like the rest of the team, she's been hand-picked by Taylor. She's dressed like Sawyer, in a dark somber pantsuit.
"Can you take us to the Zig Zag, please, Sawyer?"
Sawyer turns to look at me, and I know he wants to say something. He's obviously been given his orders. He hesitates.
"The Zig Zag Cafe. We'll only have one."
I give Rose a sideways glance and she's glaring at Sawyer. Poor man.
"Yes, ma'am."
"Mr. Jeon requested you go back to the apartment," Prescott pipes up.
"Mr. Jeon isn't here," I snap. "The Zig Zag, please."
"Ma'am," Sawyer replies with a sideways glance at Prescott, who wisely holds her tongue.
Rose gapes at me as if she can't believe her eyes and ears. I purse my lips and shrug. Okay, so I'm a little more assertive than I used to be. Rose nods as Sawyer pulls out into the early evening traffic.
"You know the additional security is driving Scarllet (JK's mom) and Somi crazy," Rose says casually.
What? I gawk at her, baffled.
"You didn't know?" She seems incredulous.
"Know what?"
"Security for all of the Jeons has been tripled. Gazillioned, even."
"Really?"
"He hasn't told you?"
I flush. "No." Damn it, Jungkook! "Do you know why?"
"Jack Hyde."
"What about Jack? I thought he was just after Jungkook," I gasp. Jeez. Why hasn't he told me?
"Since Monday," Rose says.
Last Monday? Hmm . . . we identified Jack on Sunday. But why all the Jeons? What's going on?
"How do you know all this?"
"Jimin."
Of course.
"Jungkook hasn't told you any of this, has he?"
I flush once more. "No."
"Oh, Lisa, how annoying."
I sigh. As ever, Rose has hit the nail squarely on the head in her usual sledgehammer style. "Do you know why?" If Jungkook's not going to tell me, then maybe Rose will.
"Jimin said it's something to do with information stored on Jack Hyde's computer when he was at SIP."
Holy crap. "You're kidding." A surge of anger pulses through me. How does Rose know about this when I don't?
I glance up to see Sawyer eyeing me from the rearview mirror. The red light turns to green and he surges forward, focusing on the road ahead. I hold my finger up to my lips and Rose nods. I bet Sawyer knows, too, and I don't.
"How's Jimin?" I ask to change the subject.
Rose grins stupidly, telling me all I need to know. Sawyer pulls up at the end of the passageway that leads down to the Zig Zag Cafe, and Prescott opens my door. I scoot out and Rose scrambles out after me. We link arms and meander down the passage, followed by Prescott, who's wearing a thunderous expression on her face. Oh, for heaven's sake, it's just a drink. Sawyer drives off to park the car.
"So how does Jimin know Gia?" I ask, taking a sip of my second strawberry mojito. The bar is intimate and cozy, and I don't want to leave. Rose and I have not stopped talking. I had forgotten how much I like hanging with her. It's liberating to be out, relaxing, enjoying Rose's company. I contemplate texting Jungkook then dismiss the idea. He'll just be mad and make me go home like an errant child.
"Don't talk to me about that bitch!" Rose splutters. Rose's reaction makes me laugh.
"What's so funny, Manobal?" she snaps, but not seriously.
"I feel the same way."
"You do?"
"Yes. She was all over Jungkook."
"She had a fling with Jimin." Rose pouts.
"No!"
***