Cupid in Chains
Chapter V
JENNIE
"Jennie Kim is my girlfriend" Lisa stated as she gave a statement to the press. She's in the lobby of her company doing a press conference and I'm in her office room watching her on screen, mouth gaping at what she's saying. "We've been together for almost 2 years now, but we know each other for a long time, she's a pediatrician who is based in Boston. We keep things private since Jennie was far away and we were still growing our relationship" She started to say looking all tall and confident as she tells our made-out story to the world.
"Rose's Family had been a close friend of ours since I was little. They are like a second parents to me. As you all know, the Park's are on the verge of bankruptcy and Uncle came to my office to ask for my help. I did help them, invest some on them but I don't think that my help could had save their Business from falling apart and the only way for it is to merge our company. That would only be possible if one of us would marry her only daughter. But my brother already has a family and I already have Jennie." She continues.
"My girlfriend didn't come from money, she had to strive hard to get her degree. She would work 3 jobs just to continue her studies and even how much I would offer to pay her tuition she would decline and tell me she feel more comfortable working to sustain her education than have me paying for it. It's her dream to become a doctor and help kids who are struggling in life, that's why she chooses that area of expertise. She's a simple woman who I meet when I went on vacation in Boston, she easily captivates me of how kindhearted she is and her mindset on things. We easily hit it off, she doesn't know me as what you all have know me, a woman who hold great power in Business, to her I'm just a simple woman she meets in a café who ask for her name."
I was in awe with her acting. She sounded so convincing, like she knows the story in the back of her head like it really happens. The press was listening intently in her every word.
"She eventually finds out, for me to continue our relationship I had to be honest with her and explain my work and background. And it became one of the issue in our relationship, she's always doubting herself, saying we are not compatible since I came from money, and she has nothing to offer. But she didn't know that her personality and her determination in life made me fall in love with her" She gave a small smile at everyone who is silent by her confession.
Everyone seems tongue tied by what she's been spilling. "She's a great woman, with a big heart, though she doesn't come from a prestigious family she's everything that I would have chosen to be a wife"
"Then Miss Manoban why did you decided to marry Roseanne Park?" One of the press questions and all the attention went back to Lisa as they were waiting for her response eagerly.
She sighs before speaking. "Me and Jennie fight over time about my closeness to Rosé, I would always go to their office to help them and guide them of their decisions about the company's future. This would always sparks fight that eventually lead to Jennie asking for a breakup, she didn't talk to me for months. I was devasted at the same time I couldn't turn my back on the Park's and felt the need to help them since I know how much their business meant to them. I was loss and heartbroken thinking the only person, I loved didn't love me enough to trust me and stay by my side so I opted to marry Rosé thinking what else could go wrong since the arrangement is all business and I'm good in business, I didn't know Jennie's pregnant that's why I'm so surprise knowing about it in the wedding " she finally connect the whole situation leading to the marriage and I was amaze how she delivered it, almost making me believe her if I'm not one of the character playing on that story.
"But Miss Manoban why does Miss Jennie Kim just look like a month pregnant? Is the child really yours?" another press asks.
Damn, they are good. They really wanted to squeeze out more information.
But Lisa just scratched her head and gave out her cheeky grin. "Well, you see, two months ago I went to see Jennie and told her about my wedding, I told her I'm setting her free if she doesn't really trust me and doesn't find any reason to stay by my side. You know how ex sometimes do closure right?"
The crowd goes 'Oohh' as they understand what Lisa meant. I felt heat burnt my cheeks at what she's trying to imply. Though it didn't happen, it's going to be the new truth everyone will believe.
"Did you already talk with the Park's? How will be your relationship with them after what happened? Will you now continue your relationship with Ms. Kim?" Another question raised.
"I would still help the Park if they would ask to. And I apologize for the mess. I will personally ask for their forgiveness once all calm down. I know Rosé was also forced into marriage for the sake of their company and I'm happy knowing that she and her girlfriend get back with each other now. I think this incident just gave us lesson to not easily gave up on things, I gave up on the person I love thinking I had loss, but the truth is I really didn't push harder to earn her back, I let her slip away but I will do my very best now to make her feel she's enough and not make any move that would make her insecure or feel irreplaceable, ill try to make her feel all my love for her and our child" Lisa charmingly smile at everyone.
She looks soft and sincere. Almost caught me off guard, damn how can a person lie so gracefully?
"Thank you so much for coming here and hearing my side of the story, I may not erase everyone's doubt but all I want is put an end to all these issue for the sake of my child" She ended her speech with a slight bow before stepping down the podium. Some media still have question, but she didn't answer it. Her intention was already done and now we wait for the result.
Her PR team was behind her as they take over the mic. Calming the press.
I slouched back to the sofa as I stare mindlessly at the ceiling.
God what the hell did I involve myself into?
We arrived afternoon here in South Korea and a press conference was waiting for Lisa. She let Bambam, her assistant take me to her office discretely and prompt me to wait while Lisa handle the situation about the scandal involving me and her.
One of the PR team of Lisa came to me a while ago and briefed me about everything. She gave me a sympathetic smile as she ushered me to sit on the sofa in Lisa's office. It was so spacious with minimalistic design. My clinic could even fit inside her room, that's how huge it is.
"Media here in South Korea loves drama, a scandal like what the Chairman and you involve is a big issue here. And Issues about chairman cheating on her fiancé, can be subject to intense scrutiny and public opinion. There are certain aspects of the industry and societal expectations here that people abroad sometimes hard to understand, I know you're born here in Korea Miss Kim but you were raised abroad so you might have confusion why the issue is being followed by the media. Ms. Manoban has always been a darling of the press, she's young, good looking and successful, her image has been established in the business industry as one of the powerful young businessman in the country, she's been link to different famous actresses and issue like this will pretty much benefit them that's why they are feasting on it right now." Lisa's head of PR team explained to me before the conference started.
I nodded my head in understanding. I have some few ideas about the societal expectation and culture here in South Korea. They followed such strict standard, Its one thing to be called a player but its another thing to be called a cheater and a jerk who impregnant a woman and left her. That's not really a good start of a introduction to tell to a client. And Lisa surely was not happy being branded like that.
Few minutes after the press conference the office door swung open revealing Lisa in her formal office attire, I can't help but gaze at her. She looks tired and exhausted but I can't help but admire how she still look hot and attractingly gorgeous staring back at me and don't get me started how this woman in suit just hits different.
I immediately torn my gaze away from her. It was awkward staring at each other and not saying anything.
Why does she have to look at me that way? The atmosphere is so awkward. What now?
I heard her sigh as I saw in my peripheral vision that she's walking near me. She slump back on the sofa in front of me and continue to gaze at me. I feel the need to say something since its just so uncomfortable being under her gaze.
"You think the press bought our fake story?" The pitch of my voice increases as I tried to scrabble a question.
"They will. This country loves drama and what we gave is a good script. We just need to earn the public sympathy by of course making them see the two of us being true to our words"
Her PR team told us that we need to earn the public sympathy and that make up story was meant to get the sympathy of the people. A person being obligated to marry someone for the sake of helping a family friend, painting her as person who selfishly abandon herself for the sake of helping the Park's business. They craft our supposed love story making it relatable to people now a day who always fight because of jealousy and insecurity about their partner. It was really a good cover up story for what happened. It make sense and tied up everything.
"Lisa, about the marriage.... I can't marry you" I suddenly blurted out. It was the thought in the back of my mind all day since we landed here in South Korea. What she said still torment me, about marriage and giving her a child. I just wanted to clear things up. "I will try my best to help you but marriage is out the line"
Lisa coldly gaze at me and smirk. "You don't really have a say on that may I remind you Miss Kim"
"Why choose me? As what I read about you, women are lining up to date you. Why don't you just choose any from them to replace Rosé?"
"I don't recall you having amnesia Miss Kim, don't forget that this is your mess, so don't expect anyone to fix this for you and..." She straighten herself on the sofa before continuing. "Women who wants me have certain expectation, they expected me to be all over them and offer them love. Rosé and I both understand and know that we will never be in that level. She understand her role in our marriage and that's set her apart with everyone else"
My brow furrow hearing her explanation. What does she think of marriage? a contract? A status to just flaunt to people just to make her looks mature?
"But I don't wanna marry you, I believe marriage should happen only to two people who love each other" I tried to reason.
"Miss Kim I wont force you, its not my style to force a woman but then again you know how I will even things right? I don't think anyone would let their child get near a pediatrician who have jail record. That's if you still have your license with you" She smirk again looking devilishly fine. I had to shake my head to get my bearings back.
Goddamit she's threatening me and my brain just malfunction how she look extra hot smirking.
"I don't even know much about you, its awkward marrying someone I don't even know"
"And now its awkward for you? It was not awkward for you shouting I got you pregnant to hundreds of people in my wedding day? You basically were shouting we fvck and had a baby"
I felt my cheeks blush at what she said. Well it was a different case!
"Marriage is not a game! its sacred and needed to be respected. Its a serious thing! When you get married you have to spend your whole life together, are you really for real want to spend the rest of your life with someone you just meet?"
"We have a lifetime to know each other then. Maybe then when were 50 my anger for you will be lessen" She sarcastically retorted smirking.
I massage the bridge of my nose as I tried to keep myself from yelling at her. "I don't even know how old are you"
"I'm 27" She answered quickly.
"What?! you're younger than me? I'm 28" I can't believe this. I didn't really read her biography, just articles about her, I never expected her to be younger than me. I never thought I would associate myself with someone's younger. I always see myself with someone older who would lead our relationship maturely.
"What's the problem with that. I maybe young but I already accomplished a lot. You don't even have to worry about your future, nor even work. You'll just have to be my obedient wife who will cater to my needs and gave me a heir"
I imagine my nose produce smoke as my face heat up in anger. Is she surely treating this as if were in the 60's where women only obligation is to dote on their husband and be a trophy wife? The feminist in me feel offended.
"No thanks ill rather work my ass off than rely everything on you"
"Nope you don't have to work. It will be bad for my image for my wife to work. People will say that I'm not taking care of you"
"God I'm so tired with you and your image!" I said exasperated. This image thing is getting irritating.
"Honey you're the one who barge into my life so you don't have anyone to blame"
I mentally facepalm myself. Right I have nothing to blame than myself. Literally I barge into her life on her wedding.
I just wanted to lay on my bed and crawl up. I wanted to treat this whole thing as a nightmare and wake up and just do my normal chores and go to my clinic. I never knew I would wish to just do my normal routine than being here in front of Lisa.
I watch as she fetch her phone in her pocket when it rang. I didn't mind her after she stand up to take the call as I continue to close my eyes and lay back on my seat.
"Send him up Bam, I want to finish everything up. Its been a hell of a day" I heard Lisa voice.
I continue to ignore her as I'm being comfy in my seat. I felt her nudge my shoulder, I stare at her irritated. "What now? What else do you want from me? What else do you want me to do?!" I snap.
I felt brave since I'm so tired, hungry and sleepy. I haven't eaten since she pull me from my hotel room other than the coffee from her private jet. I'm doing everything she's been telling me, can I just have a rest??
She looks taken aback from my attitude, but I'm so annoyed to even care. I heard her take a deep breathe.
"I need you to sign our marriage contract Ms. Kim"
Oh hell no!