LISA
I still can't believe a lot of things are happening to Jennie right now.
Yesterday afternoon, I decided to distance myself from her so that I could think and possibly have a change of heart, but when we talked last night, everything changed. I can't just abandon her like that. She needed me right now, her best friend. But my conscience is now gnawing at me for lying to her again.
Flashback
"Thank you so much, Lili. I'm so grateful to be your best friend. I love you so much. Can you promise me one thing? Please, no more secrets to each other."
I was shaken by what Jennie said, but I gathered myself and turned around to face her.
"Of course, Nini... Of course... No more secrets between us...Go ahead and change your clothes, I'll get the ice cream," I told her.
"Last one Lili, what kind of girl do you like?"
"Why would you ask that out of the blue?" I joked. But her sudden question makes me nervous.
"You said you only like a certain type of girl. What type of girl is she, Lili?" she asked with furrowed brows. "Hey Lili, answer me."
"I-i'm just messing with you Nini. If you're going to ask again, I don't like anyone right now."
She gave me a serious look before rolling her eyes. "Are you telling me the truth?"
"Yes, Miss Jennie Ruby Jane Kim, as I previously stated, there will be no more secrets between us, so now proceed to my room and relax."
"Fine, Miss Lalisa Manoban, I believe you. But, if you're ready to date someone, just tell me and I'll help you to find one," Jennie said before kissing me on my cheek and walked into my room.
Present time.
"Good morning, Miss Manoban." I snapped out of my daydream when one of my employees cheerfully greeted me in our company's hallway as I made my way to my office on the top floor of our building. I simply nodded and entered the private elevator for the executives.
Confessing my feelings for Jennie is out of the question for the time being. I need to put my feelings aside and support her as her best friend. I don't want to be a burden and add to her problems. It's funny how, as Jennie told me last night, she keeps all her problems to herself because she doesn't want to bother me.
There are numerous consequences if I confess. I'm not asking her to return my feelings. What bothers me is how she will handle my confession. I lied to her, a white lie, telling her I'm not interested in anyone when in fact, I'm madly in love with her. How will she react to it? I've been keeping it from her for far too long. I'm not sure if she'll accept it or hate me for it. But I'll think about it later, the best thing to do is to be with her as her best friend, the one she can trust and rely on.
When I arrived at my office floor, my assistant greeted me as she always does.
"Good morning, Miss Manoban."
"Good morning, Miss Park. What is my schedule for today?"
"You don't have any important appointments today Miss Manoban. You just need to attend a meeting with the CMO and other Marketing executives for our new campaign this afternoon, and you need to sign some important documents later."
"All right." I said. "By the way, could you check my schedule for this weekend? Do I have any important things to do or a meeting to attend to?" I asked.
My assistant checked her tablet. "As of now none in particular, Miss Manoban." She said.
"Good. Don't make any appointments this weekend. I want you to book our pilot this Saturday. I'm going to use the private plane to Jeju. Also, call our attendant there to prepare the place, me and my friends are going to stay there for the weekend." I explained.
"Noted Miss Manoban," She said and smiled at me.
I nod, then walk into my office.
JENNIE
I was relieved after my conversation with Lisa last night. I should have done it sooner. I still felt sorry for her because it was my fault in the first place for forgetting our special day. I swear to myself that I will make it up to her.
Lisa dropped me off at my mother's house this morning. I invited her to stay for a while, but she insisted on leaving early to get to her office. She told me that she was almost late for a meeting yesterday and that she needs to be on time today to be a good influence on her employees. I am so proud of her, she is maturing.
"Mom, I'm home!" I immediately looked for my mother when I got home.
I went into the living room, but no one was there. "Mom, I'm home! Where are you?" I went to the kitchen and saw one of our maids washing the dishes. "Anna, have you seen my mother?" I ask abruptly.
She stiffened, probably surprised by my sudden appearance. She sets the dishes down and bows to me.
"Good morning, Miss Ruby Jane. Your mother is drinking her tea in the back garden," she said politely.
"Thank you," I said, then I went to our back garden.
Our garden is her favorite spot in our house. Our home is not as large as Lisa's family mansion, but it is evident that an affluent family lives here.
I noticed her back as she sat on our garden chair. I was about to call her, but I noticed she was on the phone with someone.
"....I promise I'll tell her soon, and I'm going to hang up now. See you later. Goodbye," my mother said.
Who is she speaking with?
"Good morning, Mom," I said suddenly. She looks surprised at my greeting, but I simply kiss her cheeks and sit in front of her.
"Jennie, my dear. Good morning. H-how long have you been here?" She inquired. Her hands are trembling as she takes the cup to drink her tea. Is she nervous?
"Not for long, Mom. Who are you speaking with?"
She stammers. "N-not so important, my dear," she explained.
"But it appears to be important," I say, looking at her intently, as if asking her to tell me more.
"Oh dear, don't worry about it. A friend of mine is just asking for help in scheduling an appointment with your Uncle Siwon for a business meeting, and I told them to wait because he's on a business trip right now," she said, then looked away
from me.
But I thought it was a she because she said "to tell her," or I misheard her.
"OK, Mom," was the only response I could say.
"By the way, where were you last night? I thought you went back to your apartment, but when I checked your room, all of your things were still there. Are you possibly with Mino? Did you spend the night together?" She asks while smiling mischievously. That look tells me she's teasing me.
"No, mom, I'm not with him. I'm with Lisa," I explained.
"Oh, you're with Lisa. Did she bring you home? Why didn't you invite her in and have breakfast with us? I haven't seen that girl in a long time."
"We already ate breakfast, mom. She dropped me off here. I invited her, but she needs to get to work early. She said she wants to be a good influence on her employees." I smile as I recall her words to me earlier.
"That girl is now being responsible. She's really a good girl. I knew she'd grow up so well. It's like only yesterday, I still remember how the two of you used to play here in the garden. Now the two of you are the heads of each company." I look at the garden and smile.
I was still reminiscing about my past with Lisa when my mother began to speak again.
"Is there something going on between you two, my dear?"
"What?" I was taken aback by her unexpected question.
"You and Lisa, is there something going on between the two of you?" she inquired once more. I can't believe her.
"Of course not, Mom! You know I'm dating Mino, and Lisa is my best friend. Have you forgotten that? What makes you think there's something going on between the two of us?" I scowl at her.
"My dear daughter, have you seen your face when you talk about her? Your face glows, your eyes glitter, and you always give your most precious gummy smile."
Is that how I really look when I talk about Lisa?
"It's the same with Lisa, the way she looks at you when you're together tells everything, and the two of you spend more time with each other. I knew Lisa liked girls, so I'm not surprised if the two of you show up to me one day and tell me you're dating. I was even more surprised when you told me that you're dating Mino. It's not that I don't like him for you. It's just that, there's something more between you and Lisa." After that, she sweetly smiles at me.
I'm at a loss for words after hearing what my mother said. Is it possible that Lisa likes me more than a friend?
"You're imagining things, Mom. It can't happen, me and Lisa ha-ha-ha, we're just best friends," I laugh ironically.
"I'm just saying, the way you look at each other, the eyes say everything," She smirks at me before returning to her tea. When did my mother decide to become a matchmaker?
"Mom, please stop. It will never happen." This kind of conversation about me and Lisa is uncomfortable for me.
"Don't say it won't happen Jennie. You never know what the future holds. Maybe you don't realize it right now, but I hope when the time comes that you do, it's not too late my dear," she said.
"What are you talking about, Mom?" I asked with furrowed brows.
"You'll realize it soon," she says as she smiles at me again.
"Whatever," I replied. I'm getting ready to leave when I remember our trip.
"By the way, mom," I said, "I'm going to Jeju this weekend."
"Are you going alone or with Mino?" She inquired.
"Mino is on a business trip for a month. I'm going with Lisa and OUR OTHER FRIENDS," I emphasize, hoping she won't tease me, but she still gave me her mischievous look.
"Oh, with LISA and the other friends. Of course, my dear, enjoy your weekend." She's teasing me again.
I left her after that, and I could hear her chuckles behind me.
I went straight to my room and slammed my body into my bed. What's wrong with my mother thinking about me and Lisa in that way? For Heaven's sake, she's my best friend.
I'm staring at my ceiling when I recall what happened to me and Lisa the night before. The way she gradually approaches me. I can still smell her vanilla scent, which always comforts me. Then I recall her beautiful doe brown eyes staring at me intently. Her adorable nose and plump lips. Oh, those lips, why are they so enticing. My heart is racing and I'm feeling something in my stomach. Is this what they call butterflies in the stomach? It's the first time I've felt like this, not even to Mino.
"Urgh! JENNIE RUBY JANE! What's going on with you?" I exclaimed to myself. It's all your fault, mom, for putting those thoughts in my head.
'Lisa and me together? Is it even possible? Nuh.'
I guess I could use a cold shower right now.
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