Chapter 27

"Nooo! I don't want to go home yet!" Lisa groaned and pouted like a baby.

She was sitting in one of the cushioned chairs. Jennie was sitting beside her and Chaeyoung was hovering over them like a mother goose. Her hands were on her hips. It was already half past midnight. The crowd have already dispersed. The Orange was empty, except Chaeyoung's staff and crew who were trying to clean up the afterparty mess but was unsuccessful because they were all just obviously dragging themselves to function. Valentine's Day was already upon them. But nobody seemed to mind at all.

"The party's over, Lis. And it's already two in the morning, honestly!" Chaeyoung rolled her eyes and said sternly. She had been patiently convincing and persuading Lisa to go home for the last thirty minutes already and it hadn't been easy, what with Lisa being stubborn and unyielding.

"I know the party's over, Chipmunk. I can see that. I'm not that drunk, you know? I mean, I just want to lend a hand with whatever," Lisa reasoned out with a smirk and proceeded to hum along with Moon River that was playing on the jukebox.

Her red suit was carelessly hanging on her left shoulder. Her hair was all mess up and wiry, her fringe sticking on the skin of her forehead, showing a portion of it, due to extreme perspiration from all the dancing and moving around she had done last night. Her long, slender legs have been propped up above the table. Lisa was sitting like a boss in red trousers and soft, white camisole.

"Thank you, Shutterbag. But you've done more than enough already and I can never thank you enough for that. What I really want you to do right now is to go home and get some sleep, Lalisa. Chahee said you've been up since 4 AM yesterday," Chaeyoung told Lisa as gently as she could, like she was talking and pacifying a toddler throwing tantrums. They had been on the same conversation for the nth time.

"No!" Lisa said stubbornly.

So, Chaeng, now desperate and frustrated by Lisa's resolute attitude, turned her attention towards Jennie, who was quietly sitting beside Lisa.  Jennie looked exhausted and worn-out, but was still looking all glamourous and pretty, that it made Chaeyoung vaguely wonder if ugly was ever part of Jennie's vocabulary.

"Hey, Jennie? Can you take this idiot to her place, please?"

"Me?" Jennie asked, sounding disoriented, pointing herself and staring at Chaeyoung with eyes half-open. She was actually pondering with herself how she could even drive on her own when all she ever wanted to do at the moment was to jump right on her bed, or any bed for that matter, and doze off. But she couldn't leave Lisa just yet. She didn't want to.

Chaeyoung nodded. She was the only person in the room, probably, whose sobreity was still in place. The only person left standing on an afterparty with a clear mind for decision-making. She felt the need to take over, now that her mind was clearer than the previous days.

"Yes, Jennie. I mean, I can drive and drop the both of you home, Lisa's place and yours--where do you live, again?"

"Gangnam," Jennie provided an answer on her sleepy stupor. "And I can drive myself home, Chaeyoungie. Or I can call someone to come and pick me up. There's no need to worry about me."

"Yes, you should do that. Anyway, I can't leave my crew here. I seriously can't overwork them any more than I already did," Chaeyoung explained apologetically.

"So, let me get this straight: I'll drive Lisa to her place and then I'll drive myself home. Yep, got it!" Jennie said and let out a big yawn that made Chaeyoung smile and eventually chuckled despite herself.

Chaeyoung found it annoyingly cute how Jennie was so smitten with her bestfriend under a not suitable circumstances and despite Jennie's obvious sleepiness and exhaustion. It, in fact, made it all the pain and resentment she had about Lisa liking somebody else already bearable, at least. Well, kind of.

"I'm so sorry if you have to babysit this humongous child right now, Jennie. I know you're tired and everything," Chaeyoung said, jerking her head towards Lisa, who was now sleeping silently beside Jennie. "I'd do it if I just can," she told Jennie gently.

"No, it's okay. I can't let her drive when she's in this kind of state, anyway. Besides, my car's parked outside her place. So..." Jennie said, glancing at Lisa and started to put her stilletos back on before she rose from her seat. "I'm just curious, though. Who takes her home whenever she's, well, like this? I'm sure this isn't the first time that this kind of thing happened, right?"

"No, this isn't. And she would mostly just crash in my place because it's closer from here or she would usually sleep in the office," Chaeyoung answered and quickly added, "alone. She loves that couch in there."

"That's because I bought it, Chipmunk," Lisa interjected,mumbling on her stupor.

"Yes, you did, Shutterbug. You remind me about it every time. Thank you very much," Chaeyoung said curtly but chuckled and shook her head.

"So, why can't she do it now? I mean, what change? I'm sure this is all normal?" Jennie asked.

"Because I don't want to clean up her puke in the carpet when I wake up later," Chaeyoung answered and made a face to convince Jennie that she was resolute about what she have just said. "And I'm thinking of sleeping in the office after we're done here. Besides, you came here with her, Jennie. I think it's only fitting that you leave here with her, too?" she continued.

"Will you be okay, though? I can, maybe, help you, guys, in whatever way I can so we could all go home after?" Jennie offered.

The concern on Jennie's voice took Chaeyoung by surprise. She was expecting something else. Something other than gentle concern at this hour, that it took every ounce of Chaeyoung's being not to melt and hug the petite chaebol out of pure gratitude. Chaeyoung was genuinely touched by Jennie's thoughtfulness, despite the fact that Jennie obviously looked like she was about to fall asleep already, by the state that she was showing. No wonder Lisa liked her, Chaeyoung thought bitterly.

"You sound like Lisa already," Chaeyoung chuckled "Thank you. But it's okay, really. We can manage. It's not like this is the first time that this happened, like you said," Chaeyoung said.

"Are you sure?"

"Two hundred percent sure. So, please take this drunken master to her place before she'd start spraying puke all over," Chaeyoung told Jennie.

"Okay, if you're sure," Jennie shrugged and nudged Lisa on the shoulder. "Lili, hey? Wake up," she said gently, but Lisa wasn't budging. Jennie brought her hands on Lisa's both cheeks and tapped the softness of it. "Lisa? Let's go. Let's take you home."

"Wake up, Shutterbug! Give Jennie the keys now so you both could go home already," Chaeyoung participated and nudge Lisa's foot, using her own foot.

"You'll drive?" Lisa asked when she finally budged with her eyes still shut.

"Yes, Lili. So, hand me the key now, please?" Jennie said.

"Okay, great! But Nini, there's something you need to know about my car..."

"What is it?" asked Jennie.

"It transforms! Like--," Lisa made weird noises and moved her arms robotically and then she started laughing so loud that it caught the attention of Chaeyoung's crew and the all stopped and watched at Lisa. They've always liked the tall blond and her weird but funny antics.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, Lalisa! Stop spewing nonsense and just give Jennie the keys already!" Chaeyoung was already beside herself.

Lisa sprung up from her seat all of a sudden. She spread both arms widely, piroutted once like an awkward-looking ballerina and smiled a sloppy drunken smile to Jennie.

"Search me, babe," Lisa mumbled playfully and chuckled. Her eyes were half-shut and stood there like a scarecrow.

Chaeyoung rolled her eyes while shaking her head at Lisa's ridiculousness. No, she wasn't jealous over the fact that Lisa have been calling her a lot of petnames before, but never "babe" or anything closer to it. Well, maybe she's feeling a little jealous, more than she could handle. But she found it hilariously cute with how Jennie was reacting subtly to it by swallowing hard on her spit and how unable Jennie was from wiping that smile off her face, despite her trying. And despite her presence. She felt like the third-wheel already. Which she would never allow to happen. Lisa and Jennie could both go on dates or whatever if they wanted to. But she could not allow them, in any way, to make her THE third wheel. It's enough that she had to endure the jealousy and resentment that was eating her from the inside. It's another thing to witness the unbearable love story unfolding before her eyes.

"Go ahead, Jennie. She usually puts it on the right pocket," Chaeyoung prodded Jennie and pointed her finger at Lisa's right side pocket, where a small bulge was visible. She wanted this matter to be done and get over with. Never had she ever wanted so badly for Lisa to leave after a drinking spree at the Orange.

"What? Oh, yes. The key. Yeah, okay. I'll, uhm--," Jennie was mumbling nervously and awkwardly as she dug her hand deeper on Lisa's pocket. Where her trembling fingers finally touched the set of cold keys at the bottom and felt the warmth that was emitting from the skin of Lisa's thigh against the thin fabric of the trousers' deep pocket.

"That actually tickles," Lisa whispered in between giggles on Jennie's ear, spraying hot breaths on Jennie's delicate earlobes.

"Sorry," Jennie whispered nervously as she raised her hand up back to the surface as quickly as she could. The slight, delicate connection that her fingers made with Lisa's thigh, despite the thin fabric in between was burning the soft tissues of her fingertips.

Lisa grinned widely, showing Jennie her beautiful set of teeth. Her round eyes, still a little droopy, were staring a little too intently at Jennie's mouth, making Jennie anxious and almost breathless.

"What?" Jennie asked nervously.

"You're really pretty tonight," Lisa said and smiled.

Chaeyoung had to look away and distanced herself from the two. She decided to stare at a solitary balloon on the floor. She was actually torn between cringing at Lisa's flirtatious behaviour and feeling jealous over the fact that it wasn't her who Lisa was flirting with. But then again, she could never imagine Lisa flirting with her.

She was deep on her own thoughts when she felt Lisa's arms wrapping around her from the back. It caught Chaeyoung by surprise.

"Happy Valentine's, Chipmunk," said Lisa sweetly and planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Chaeyoung's cheek.

Chaeyoung, no matter how hard she was trying to resist the urge all night, ultimately melted into Lisa's arms. She turned around and hugged Lisa back. Tighter, like she didn't want to let the Shuterbug go. She had been wishing for this for years now. Lisa, hugging her and greeting her a Happy Valentine's in person. It had been quite a while since Lisa have spent the V-Day in Korea. It all suddenly felt like a dream that she half-wished she'd never wake up from.

Chaeng wrapped her arms tightly around Lisa's midsection, before she realized that she was falling yet again into her own bobby trap, and saw Jennie, standing a few feet away from them, who was looking over them. No hint of jealousy. No hint of whatever negativity that would have made it easier for Chaeyoung to hate her.

Chaeyoung offered a smile to Jennie and pulled back subtly away from Lisa, forcing herself to laugh. "Say it to me again later when you're sober, Shutterbug," she told Lisa.

"But I am sob--" Lisa replied and let out a hiccup. "ber!"

Chaeyoung crinkled her nose playfully and pulled herself even farther away from Lisa, deliberately putting up an invicible wall between them. She shouldn't cross the line from now on. For her own good.

"No, you're not. You smell like puke, already," she joked and looked over Lisa's shoulder and spoke directly at Jennie. "Hey, Jennie! Are you still sure you want to keep this idiot?" she asked and chuckled, pulling Lisa towards where Jennie was standing.

"I've always been an idiot but you still love me, anyway," Lisa said.

"That's only because I don't have a choice," Chaeyoung replied that made Lisa laugh. That deep laughter of hers that Chaeyoung loved to hear a lot.

She'd miss that from now on. And the thought of not hearing it as often as before anymore made Chaeyoung emotional inside. She could already feel the hot liquid forming on the corner of her eyes. Sure, Jennie would never deny Lisa from her, from them. She was sure if it, because Jennie's a nice person. But, Chaeyoung had a feeling that everything was going to change after tonight.

"You two should get going now," Chaeyoung told Lisa and Jennie, hiding her sob as she looked at the digital clock on the wall that hit 01:00 AM.

"Are you sure you don't want us to stay and lend a hand?" Jennie asked for the second time.

If only Jennie would be such a bitch that she could hate and repulse at. Then maybe she'd have all the more reasons to fight for whatever she feels for Lisa, Chaeyoung thought.

Chaeyoung shook her head and said, "No, no. It's okay, really. But thanks, Jennie. I really appreciate it."

"But who's going to walk you home later, Chipmunk?" Lisa asked as though something just hit on her.

"I can walk home by myself, Shutterbug. I'm a grownup and I'm not drunk. You should be more worried about yourself," Chaeyoung replied jokingly, trying her hardest not to choke up and break down. "Good thing that Jennie agreed to take you to your place. I'm honestly more worried about her than about you--,"

"Whoa! Just hold it right there! What?" Lisa demanded.

"That's because you're a handful when you're drunk. Anyway, enough talking already," Chaeyoung said and shoved the two women towards the exit of her bar. "Hey, wear the suit back. It's cold outside. I'm serious," she told Lisa. "You, too, Jennie."

"Alrighty! We'll get going, then? Text me when you arrive home, okay? I'll read it when I wake up later. Promise me!" Lisa told Chaeng.

"Aigoo! I told to you stop worrying about me, Lisa. Off you go now, you two. And hey, uhm, Jennie? Don't let this idiot fall asleep on your way to her place, alright? It's a lot harder to wake her up by then. But if she does, don't ever try to carry her up the stairs. She's heavier than she looks and it's dangerous," Chaeyoung said.

"What am I suppose to do with her, then?" Jennie asked, out of curiosity.

"Oh, you know? Just dump her in front of her studio or leave her inside the car," Chaeyoung replied nonchalantly and laughed at the betrayed look on Lisa's face. "No, I'm just kidding. Just do what you think is the right. But please--for the love of God!--don't carry her up the stairs when she's only half-awake. I don't want the both of you to get hurt," she reiterated.

"Got it! Bye, Chaeyoungie! Happy Valentine's!" Jennie said and waved her hand to Chaeng.

"Thanks, Jennie! Happy Valentine's to you, as well. Please drive carefully, will you?"

"Of course, I will," Jennie replied. She was standing beside the door, waiting for Lisa, as Lisa turned to Chaeyoung and hugged the redhead once again.

"See you later, Chipmunk! Love ya!" Lisa said in her drunken manner.

"Shut up and do what Jennie says," Chaeyoung said sternly but still kissed Lisa on the cheek.

She saw the two out, watching as Lisa took Jennie's hand and twirl the petite beauty once before they wrapped each other's arms around each other, laughing as they did so, as they walked towards the Impala.

She stood there, bracing the cold and waited until Lisa's car's tail lights would disappear as it made a turn on the next block, until there was nothing for her there than the nagging of her heavy heart and a long sigh. Her warm breath and misty eyes were fogging her view.

"Are you okay?" Chahee asked, standing beside her with a cup of hot coffee on her hand, which she handed to Chaeyoung.

"Yeah. Of course," Chaeyoung answered as she took the cup without looking.

"You do know that you're not a good liar, right?" replied Chahee.

"No, I don't. And fine. No, I'm not okay, Chahee-ssi. It still stings, right here," Chaeng said, pointing a finger directly to where her heart should be.

Chahee put an arm around her and gently said, "I know. Let it out, Chaeng."

"They look so happy and good together. When I look at them looking into each other's eyes, it's like I'm watching a beautiful sunrise. There's no way I'll ever stop them from being one. I can't be the worst bestfriend in the universe," Chaeyoung continued. "Thanks for this, by the way," she added after she took a sip from it.

"You're welcome. I put a little brandy in it. In case you need something stronger," Chahee said and wrap her arms around her friend.

"For when I decide to break down, you mean?" Chaeyoung inquired and scoffed. She took another sip from the cup. "I almost did a while ago, actually. God! Why does she have to be so nice and sweet and...and genuine? Did you hear the concern on her voice when she offered to help? I can never, ever hate Jennie. And she calls me Chaeyoungie now. I think that's what's still nagging me. There's this pent up rage and jealousy inside me that I'm sure would be a whole lot easier to just let it all out if she's just another--,"

"Bitch?" Chahee concluded Chaeyoung's thought. "But she's not. And you're not that kind of person, Chaeng. You would never hate her. Or anyone. Unless her name is Jisoo," Chahee said and hastily added "What?" when she saw the look that Chaeyoung was giving her.

"You really won't let that go, do you?" Chaeyoung asked in disbelief.

"Nope. Unless she'd kneel down in front of you and apologize. With me as a witness, of course," Chahee answered.

"And then you'd let it go?" asked Chaeyoung.

"Still no. But it'll be a start. We'll get there someday. Who knows?" Chahee said and shrugged, which made Chaeyoung laugh.

"I still can't believe Lisa's in love," Chaeyoung sighed after and took a gulp on her cup.

"I still can't believe she's not in love with you," said Chahee. "But I guess that's what's falling in love is all about. You can never choose who to fall with. That sucks."

"Yep," Chaeyoung said and sighed. "Oh well. At least Lisa's fallen in love with someone like Jennie. That's kind of comforting. Anyway, come on. Let's get back to work," Chaeyoung said and wrapped her arm around Chahee's shoulder.

"I actually thought I heard you telling Jennie you don't want to overwork us? Or did I get that wrong?"

"The others, no. But you and I have still got a lot of work to do," said Chaeyoung as she led Chahee back inside the warm recluse of the Orange. "So, you were eavesdropping, huh?"

"If you say so, boss!" Chahee said, putting an emphasis on the last word because she knew that Chaeng hated it. "And no, I did not. Well, maybe a little. Sorry. But you said it loudly, though. Everyone heard you."

"Really?" Chaeng asked, sounding and looking shocked.

"Uh-huh. So, you have to send them home already, Chaeng. Or they won't take you seriously anymore," Chahee said.

"Sure they will. I'm still the boss," Chaeng responded with a laugh.