"Je ne veux pas tomber amoureuse de quelque chose qui n'est que temporaire."
—
"Oh? You're coming in already?"
That's what Lisa received as soon as she entered the office. Jisoo was sitting on her leather seat, currently reviewing some papers. Jisoo watched her cousin sit down on the visitor seat, eyes scanning her look. However, Jisoo's gaze lingered on her face.
"I was absent yesterday. Shouldn't I come today already?" Lisa answered, picking up some of the files and looking through them, wasting no time. Working will help keep her mind off of things for now.
"Well, I thought... uhm, are you okay?" Jisoo asked, worried at how stoic Lisa looked. Usually, the girl would be all smiling and would be greeting her with bright eyes. But this Lisa... looks blank. Not even a hint of emotion was there. "Why do you look so...?"
Lisa averted her attention from the files and back at her Jisoo Eonnie, who couldn't seem to finish her sentence. "I'm fine. What are you talking about Eonnie?"
"You visited your brother," Jisoo sighed. She stood up from her seat, going around the desk and sat on the seat opposite to Lisa. She didn't want Lisa to go there alone. Jungkook might be there but he's not someone Lisa could lean on. It's not like they have something to make an emotional connection. She knows Lisa won't let that happen. She should've been there for the younger for support. "It must have been hard. I should've accompanied you. But—"
"It's alright. I managed," Lisa tried to smile.
"Were you alone? I mean, Jungkook. Was he there with you?" Jisoo asked her, raising an eyebrow in question. Still, Jungkook was with Lisa in Busan.
"I didn't let him come in with me," Lisa answered.
"Hey," Jungkook said as soon as she exits the gates and was now walking towards the van. Jungkook got out of his seat to meet her halfway, stopping her in her tracks. "Are you okay?"
She nodded. She couldn't meet his eyes. She didn't dare to. Not after what she promised to herself. She has to set a wall between them.
However, what he did next totally caught her off guard.
Touching her cheek softly, Lisa's gaze went to meet his quickly, startled by the action.
"You cried," he said. Lisa stepped back in a second, not wanting to be touched. She avoided his gaze again. Jungkook didn't expect that action from her, shocked by it. His hand remained in the air for a few seconds, before he slowly brought his hand down.
Thinking that she might be upset and feeling melancholic from her visit, he let it go and tried to understand. He nodded his head. "You must be tired. Let's go home?"
"Please,"
That was the first step that Lisa did. Reject his approach. She doesn't like rejection, being rejected and being the one to reject, but it has to be done. He's someone she can't freely touch anymore nor be touched by.
"I'm alright, Eonnie. Please stop worrying. It was hard, especially since it's my first time to see where his resting place is, but I'll get through it. I'll be back to myself in no time." Lisa explained, touching her Eonnie's hand in assurance. Jisoo seemed to buy it, letting it go and nodding her head in acceptance.
"Alright," Jisoo muttered. Lisa smiled.
Minutes of silence enveloped them after.
That didn't last though when Jisoo suddenly remembered something. "Oh. By the way, CGV Studios called the other day."
CGV Studios?
"What?" Lisa asked.
"He said you know him. Kim Taehyung. The owner of CGV Studios." Jisoo informed her. The confusion immediately left Lisa.
"Oh, he did? Yes, I know him. What did he say?"
"About the Jeon Empire Photoshoot for you and Jungkook. He said he wanted to personally talk to the both of you as soon as you can this week. Also to call him as soon as I told you about it." Jisoo narrated to her.
Lisa had to close her eyes for a moment, rubbing her temples. She almost forgot about it. The photoshoot. Opening her eyes, she sighed before she nodded to Jisoo. "I'll call him right now."
Jisoo left the office in a few, holding a couple of documents to be given to Hoseok's department. Now alone in her office, she willed herself to call Kim Taehyung. And at just the third ring, he answered.
"Hey, Mara!" His deep voice greeted her trough the phone.
"Oppa, hi. I was told to call you. About the photoshoot you say?" Lisa began, now leaning her back against the leather seat.
"Right. Do you think we can meet up today? Like for Lunch? There's a little bit change of plans and I want to tell both of you directly instead of JEG's nagging executives," Taehyung told her. Apparently, those people were trying to control his art and he was not having it. This is his forte and he's not gonna let anyone's opinion ruin what he has in mind. Well, maybe except for the two Jeons that he's gonna work with.
"Well, I guess?" She replied. "Have you talked to him though?"
"Yeah, I did. He agreed to. He said he's gonna pick you up later." Taehyung said. She then heard him chuckle a little. "Did something happened?"
"What do you mean?" She asked.
"He's being so nice. No offense Mara, but he was never kind with your name in the same sentence before. Now, he volunteered to pick you up and all," Taehyung giggled, amused by how his dongsaeng was acting earlier. Unlike with her, he video-called Jungkook earlier, annoying the younger while he does his work. "When I asked him, he just smiled. Tell me, what I missed?"
"Nothing, Oppa," was Lisa's answer.
"Oh, come on!" Taehyung whined from the other line. "Damn it, I should've attended the camp too!"
"Hmm," Lisa just hummed. "Maybe next time."
"Tsk. You're lucky I support Marakook." Taehyung said. That made Lisa paused, almost stopping her breathing. Marakook. She swallowed the lump that was forming in her throat.
"Okay, uhm... I have to go Oppa. I'll see you later," Lisa quickly ended the call. Pressing the end button before the older could speak. She put the phone down on the table weakly.
Marakook.
Of course.
She couldn't help but smile bitterly.
It seems that the world is telling her something. Pushing her to go through her plan. And that is to avoid Jungkook as much as possible.
It's like reality was trying to slap her repeatedly.
~*~
Jungkook entered the LSA building. Employees stopped on their tracks upon seeing the powerful man. They couldn't help but gawk at his features as he strides towards the elevator. The employees who just entered the elevator quickly got out upon seeing the man walking towards them, intimidated.
It was rare to see Jeon Jungkook in LSA. His visits can only be counted with one hand. And seeing him now, the employees were shaken. They were mesmerized even.
Jeon Jungkook paid no mind to them. He entered the elevator. He was about to press the button when the receptionist quickly called his attention.
"Uhh, Sir! You can use the private elevator that Madam Manoban, Ma'am Mara, and Ma'am Jisoo use," the receptionist told him nervously.
"No need, I'm already in here," Jungkook replied in a formal tone. He then looked at the employees who got out earlier and were now staring at him with wide eyes. "You can join me if you want."
They gasped at what he said.
"Uhm, no need Sir. We're not much in a hurry. You can go first," one of the employees said nervously. They don't want to anger their lady boss by riding on the same elevator as their lady boss's husband. They already heard how much their Ma'am Mara can be possessive over Jeon Jungkook. Though she's been oddly nice the past few months, they still don't want to risk it, fearing they might lose their jobs.
Jungkook didn't question it further, pressing the top floor button. Seconds later, he was there.
Stepping out, it was quiet.
Secretary Ahn saw him through the glass wall and she quickly steps out to greet him.
"Mr. Jeon," Secretary Ahn called.
"Secretary Ahn," Jungkook said, remembering the older woman as Olivia Manoban's secretary. "May I know where Mara is? I'm here to pick her up."
"Oh," Secretary Ahn muttered, she then smiled apologetically at the young man. "I'm sorry Mr. Jeon but you can't find Ma'am Mara here."
Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Did she already leave then? He was sure he sent her a text that he will pick her up at lunchtime.
Seeing the confused state of the man, Secretary Ahn continued, "Her office is below this floor, Mr. Jeon. You can't find her here."
At that moment, Jungkook wanted to facepalm at his mistake. He looked over at the double doors, the writing "CEO's Office" was embedded against it. Mara's current position is COO.
He scratched his neck in embarrassment. But to his defense, he rarely comes here at LSA. So he tried to play it cool.
"Right. I'm ju—"
"Jungkook?" Jungkook looked over and saw Olivia, his mother-in-law, coming out of her office. She walked over to him. "What are you doing here, son?"
Jungkook's face became neutral, void of any emotion. He bowed at the woman. "I was just here to pick up Mara, eommoni."
"Mara?" Olivia said, the questioning tone present in her voice. Jungkook came all the way here to pick up Mara and for what? He doesn't usually do that. He only does it when it's his parents' request. With that in mind, she decided to speak again. "Are you both gonna have lunch with your parents?"
"No," Jungkook answered briefly. He then bowed again. "If you'll excuse me eommoni. I'll go to her office now."
With that, he turned around and began to stride towards the elevator once more. In all honesty, he never really liked the woman from the start. And now, with him recently finding out about what she's trying to do, he dislikes her even more.
But he can't show that just yet nor execute any legal actions against his mother-in-law. The evidence was there in his hands, but something inside him told him to wait.
He knows why. But he didn't tell Namjoon when the older asked. He didn't want to. He felt like Namjoon did know why but the older still asked him. This was his chance for freedom. But he didn't fully grab it yet. And Namjoon didn't question it. For now.
He wouldn't do anything about it, for now.
Why?
It's because of her.
"Noona," he said upon seeing Jisoo exiting the elevator next to the one he just exited. Jisoo turned to him, eyes blinking upon seeing him.
"Jungkook? What are you doing here?" Jisoo asked. She's not that close to him. But her husband, Seokjin, has close ties with him. They're somewhat good friends, despite the age difference.
"I'm here to pick up Mara. We're going out for lunch," Jungkook told her. "Is she here?"
That somehow made Jisoo raise a questioning eyebrow at him. They're going out to lunch? Together? Alone? What?
"Uhm, I think she's still in her office," Jisoo answered, despite the questions that appeared in her head. "Follow me."
Lisa was organizing the papers in her table when a couple of knocks were heard followed by the door opening. She lifted her head, pausing her movements when she saw the person that was trailing behind her Eonnie.
"Let me do those, it seems that you two have somewhere to go?" Jisoo offered, but not before she gave Lisa a questioning gaze.
"Right. A lunch meeting with Taehyung Oppa," Lisa clarified, getting what Jisoo was trying to ask. And so she added, "He said he wanted to talk about the photo shoot, right?" This time, the question was directed to Jungkook. But she made it loud enough for Jisoo to hear.
She doesn't want any questions to rise.
"Yeah. He's already at the restaurant," Jungkook answered. Deep breaths were taken by her.
Thankfully, Jisoo let it go after Jungkook's reply and excused herself after taking the documents that Lisa was organizing.
"You ready to go?" Jungkook asked when it's just the two of them. Lisa nodded.
~*~
"We're having the photoshoot a month from now then?" Jungkook said, looking through their schedules. Turns out they have to move the shoot again because of their clashing schedules. The shoot was supposed to be next week but then Taehyung had some personal matters to attend to in Australia. He just wanted it moved for a few days but Jungkook's schedule is already packed in the following three weeks.
"If it's the only choice we have," Taehyung nodded.
"Okay. That's fine with me. The pictures will only be published next year anyway. There's no need to rush," The younger said.
Taehyung sighed in relief just as Lisa sat down on the seat beside Jungkook. She went to the bathroom in the middle of their talk. Lisa spoke, "So, what's the final decision?"
"Four weeks from now. It's final," Taehyung told her.
"That's fine with me, I guess," She smiled.
"Well, let's order now. Cause I'm starving," Taehyung announced as Jungkook put the folder aside. It was only a fifteen-minute talk about the change of schedule for the shoot. Lisa tried to pry some information about the theme but the oldest among them won't tell anything. Taehyung called for a waiter and they were handed the menus.
Once they're done with their orders, Taehyung proceeded to pester the two.
"So, how's my favorite couple?" The eldest of the three teased. Jungkook gave him a sarcastic smile, already knowing what his hyung was up to. Lisa, on the other hand, looked down at her hands that were placed on her lap. Seeing the action from the two, Taehyung could only giggle. "Aww, how cute. Is it safe to say that Marakook is sailing?"
"Shut up, hyung." Jungkook shook his head, seeing the girl beside him not moving.
"What?" The man with a rectangular smile asked innocently. Jungkook only gave him a glare in return. Tae rolled his eyes playfully. "Tsk. Fine. You two are too shy to admit. I'll stop. Anyway, Mara?"
That was the only time Lisa raised her head. Seeing the happy smile on Tae's face, she thought he was gonna tease her again. But he didn't. Instead, he handed her a black round box with pink ribbons.
"What is this, Oppa?" She asked, confused. Jungkook shared her confusion, staring at the box that was now on the girl's lap.
"Open it," was what she got in reply.
She did what he told her. Undoing the pink knot, she lifted the lid of the box. Gasping at the object inside, she whipped her head back up to look at the man.
"I hope you like it," Taehyung told her, propping his elbow on the table and placed his chin on his palms.
"Wh-why would you give me something like this?" Was what she could only say. Looking back at the camera, she touched it. "This is expensive too, Oppa."
"Well, I was shopping for new cameras last week. You said before that you love photography, so I got you one. Don't worry, I got Jungkook's permission to get you one. Don't want him to get jealous or anything." Taehyung explained.
Lisa looked at Jungkook, who's no longer confused when he saw what was inside the box. Jungkook nodded at her, giving her a small smile of assurance.
"Go ahead, use it." Taehyung encouraged her.
"I... I couldn't accept this, Oppa," Lisa let out, feeling like she's gonna cry. She can't have this. She just can't.
"Why? Don't worry, I used JK's card. Technically, it's from your husband. I want to buy it for you but this fella right here wouldn't let me if I don't use his card or if he's not the one paying," He rolled his eyes. "But I chose it. So you may think it's from me."
"Do you not like it?" Jungkook asked when he noticed the girl's silence. Lisa was just staring at the camera, unshed tears pooled in her eyes.
She blinked them away before turning to him. "You both didn't have to. I can't have this."
"Oh come on Mara, I'm hurt. I put a lot of thought in that gift I got you," Taehyung pouted, now trying to guilt-trip her into accepting the gift. "Pretty please, accept it? For me? I'll be over the moon if you do."
Biting her bottom lip, she's torn. She likes it. She does. She loves it even. It's the camera that she's been wanting to buy for some time now. Way before she's entangled in this mess. She wanted this camera. Now that it's here right in front of her, it didn't feel right. Not when it's technically for Mara. This means that if she accepts it now, as Mara, she'll have to give it to the real Mara later on. And that's the hard part.
It doesn't feel right to accept it because it's her hobby and not Mara. Photography was her thing, ever since they were kids. She takes the photos, Mara would pose for her.
Accepting an object that is a huge part of her would mean getting attached.
And...
"I don't want to fall in love with something that I know is temporary."
No.
Thankfully the food arrived, distracting the two men from waiting for her answer. She quickly put the lid back on the box, setting it aside.
"Let's eat,"
~*~
The rest of the day, Lisa couldn't concentrate. The box that has the camera inside lies by her working desk. She really didn't want to take it. But Jungkook and Taehyung insisted. And if she refused furthermore, they might think of it as something else.
Staying away from Jungkook would be a hard thing to do, for a fact that she's staying in the same house as him. Last night when they arrived home, he asked her something that also worries her now.
"You're still staying in the guest room?"
Was he implying that she should move to the master's bedroom? It seems so.
Will she do it? Of course not.
Did she regret breaking the wall between them before? Yes.
Because now she had to build another.
Gripping at the ends of her hair, she closed her eyes as she lay on the couch in the office. Office hours were over and yet she didn't make a move to go back to Jungkook's home.
"Kook, please don't make this any harder for me," she whispered as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Miss,"
Lisa immediately sat up, hearing another voice in the four walls of her office. Seeing the familiar woman, her expression changed.
"Your mother is waiting for you in her office. If you please follow me," Secretary Ahn informed her.
Her mother.
She had no choice but to follow. Of course. Her mother did say they have to talk as soon as she's back in Seoul.
And now sitting in that same spot in her mother's red couch, her head was hanging low as she waits for Olivia to speak.
"How have you been, my dear?" Olivia asked before placing the cup of tea on the coffee table.
Lisa felt her mouth dry, her voice was almost gone.
"I... I'm fine, mother," she answered, as she raised her head to hold her mother's gaze. "How have you been?"
"I've been well, my dear." She said. "Please, help yourself with the blueberry cupcakes. I've had them delivered just for you. I know you love them."
Used to love them.
"Thank you," Lisa nodded but made no move to touch the cupcakes in front of her. She can't seem to stomach anything because of her nerves.
Plus her mother's being nice. The woman she used to know before the accident. That made her remember how she was a caring mother to them. She was very strict too and not very showy, but cared.
It only changed when everything wrong happened.
"How is Jungkook treating you?"
It took Lisa a few seconds to answer.
"He's treating me well," she said.
"You can be honest with me," Olivia said. "Jungkook was never kind to Mara. You don't have to hide how he's treating you."
"He's... alright. I'm fine with the way he treats me, mother," Lisa said. Olivia has her teacup back in her hold, now stirring the tea a little.
"He's treating you well?" She asked her before sipping from the tea.
"He's not... as hard as he used to," Lisa uttered, trying to remain unfazed or show anything.
Olivia shifted her eyes back to the young woman in front of her. Her eyes scanned the girl. Seeing the stoic expression on Lisa's face, a mysterious glint in her eyes appeared.
"That's... good to hear," Olivia hummed. "I heard he picked you up earlier to have lunch together."
"A lunch meeting with CGV Studios," Lisa corrected.
"Right, I heard," Her mother said. "Was he not being suspicious or anything?"
"I don't think so," she answered.
"That's good then."
"How's Mara? Is there any movement?" It was her turn to ask.
"Unfortunately, no movements have been made by her yet," Olivia told her. "But she's doing well. Her injuries are healing up fast. Thankfully."
No movements. That automatically means she has to play her sister a little longer.
"Jisoo will be gone for two weeks,"
"What? Why, mother?"
"I'll be sending her on a business trip in the US," the woman said. "I'm sure she's thought you quite well. You'll manage for a couple of weeks. If there's anything you don't know, don't hesitate to ask Secretary Ahn. Also I—"
"Can you send me instead?" Lisa couldn't help but blurt out. Hearing about the business trip, she can't help but think of it as her chance to get away from him. Even just for a little while. Seeing how Olivia raised her perfectly arched eyebrow, she decided to add, "or maybe accompany Jisoo. Can I go with her?"
"Why?" Olivia asked, intrigued that she wanted to go.
"I'd like to be of help to LSA too, mother," Lisa licked her bottom lip.
"Oh sweetie, you can do that here," Olivia chuckled. "Jisoo can handle the business trip. You're doing your share of work for LSA... by being in your sister's shoe in the meantime."
"But—"
"No buts. Just do what I told you to do." Suddenly the stern look of her mother arises, which made her protest to die down. "Your job is to be Mara. It's not that hard of a job. No need to bother yourself with Jisoo's work."
Lisa could only look down on her lap, "Okay, mother."
"That's all. Let's talk again some other time. You should go home." Olivia dismissed her, looking away and sipping on her tea.
Lisa stood up, nodding her head. "Alright. Good night, mother." With that said, she bowed before turning around to leave.
Olivia shifted her gaze, now fixated on the back of the retreating girl. The moment the door closed, she called Secretary Ahn in.
"Yes, madam?" Secretary Ahn asked.
Olivia didn't speak immediately. She was in deep thought as she sips on her tea. As she weighs her thoughts together, Secretary Ahn waits patiently.
"Have someone secretly keep an eye on her." She suddenly instructed her Secretary. "I want to see how Jeon Jungkook is really treating her."
"Right away, madam," Secretary Ahn bowed before leaving.
Jeon Jungkook changing? For her daughter? That's something she finds hard to believe. Unless he saw something in Lisa that he didn't with Mara. Nonetheless, she wanted to know.
Her phone suddenly rang, the ringtone resonating inside the whole office. She picked it up. Seeing the familiar name, she accepted the call.
"Hello," she said. "Do you have any news?"
She listened carefully to what the person on the other line was saying. She placed the now empty teacup on the coffee table before leaning back on the couch. What she heard last made her gaze hardened.
"He knows something?"
—
"I don't want to fall in love with something that I know is temporary."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Big thanks to Kakimiirika , Sattisarah66gmail , and jenniesuniverse for helping me in translating the quote to French! Super grateful!