Chapter 55

She walked in with her head held high but only because she didn’t want to look anyone in the eyes. Her heels were clacking against the floor and not that it was loud but it was enough to get the attention of the people on the ground floor. That, and the glitter of her dress. She was a bright contrast against the sea of dark suits of Jennie’s work force. Chaeng didn’t mind at first. Until someone, a short woman with a glum expression and cold eyes behind thick glasses, scanned her from head to toe with a look that said “You don’t belong here!”

Alice had probably foreseen all of it, Chaeng admitted to herself, when she finally had a full view of the intimidating display of power that the colossal executive building of the Kim Group. Because although she had been friends with Lisa for years now, she couldn’t help but feel a little subdued and a little out of place because everything inside Jennie’s empire seemed new to her. It wasn’t even like she wasn’t used to the extravagant display of wealth and power but Jennie’s domain was overwhelming.

From the cold granite floor and up to the plethora of beams and pillars that seemed to hold the dominance of the Kims on high pedestals and the endless array of bars and glasses used that seemed to cover the entire building and down to her employees clad in dark suits, stiff manner and glum expressions on their faces, with their brows knotted on their foreheads and lips sealed tightly like they were made to sworn to secrecy, everything looked cold. She hadn’t seen a friendly face, except the receptionist who accommodated her nicely, which was part of her job, of course, even when she was told repeatedly that “President Kim is busy at the moment.”

Everything inside the building was screaming supremacy – as it should, of course. The mood inside the Jennie’s empire was nothing like what Alice and their dad and the rest of the staff at PARK & PARK’S were indulged at the firm, despite the number of times she complained about trivial stuff in the firm during her random and seldom visits. Which most of the time would only fall to deaf ears, anyway, because she wasn’t technically part of the firm and her dad would subtly remind her that she sold her shares long ago.

But if she’d have to be honest, though. Chaeyoung Park was actually fighting off second thoughts about realizing her objective at the moment. In fact, if it wasn’t for the fact that the receptionist had already rang Jennie’s office, announcing her presence and her desire of seeking Jennie’s audience despite not having an appointment and despite being told that Jennie was busy and might not see anyone inside her office today, she might have turned around and walked away already. Far, far away from this mammoth of a building in Jongno district.

She would’ve gone straight to her apartment and walked straight to her bedroom. She would’ve freed herself already from this platinum dress she chose to wear today of all days, which somewhat made her feel like she was some fish taken out from the water. The tightness of the fabric around her throat was suffocating. The thought reminded her of Joohwangie. She suddenly missed her fish. She should’ve brought with her a backup, a sudden realization came to her. Chahee or A-yeon. Or anyone.

“Can I go up now or do I have to wait for someone to come and take me to Jen — I mean, President Kim’s office?” Chaeng asked the receptionist nicely despite her patience wearing thin. The heels of her boots were killing her and the unnecessary glares thrown at her occasionally by the passing employees who were unabashedly eyeing her silvery dress as though it was offending them, were starting to annoy her. Plus, she had been asked to wait longer than she aimed to.

“Someone will come and take you to the President’s office, Miss Park. In fact, they’re here, ma’am,” the receptionist said amicably, with a smile plastered on her pearly face. The woman nodded towards the coming group of men in dark suits walking briskly towards them. One of them, the leader of the small pack, looked familiar.

“Miss Park,” the man greeted her with a curt bow, whom Chaeng recognized from the hullabaloo at her bar some weeks ago courtesy of Jisoo and from Jennie’s press con earlier. “I shall take you to the President’s office now, ma’am,” the man said.

One of his companion – a tall, younger-looking male with a small face and prominent cheek bones led the way towards a private elevator. The other, the stout one with wide shoulders and a gloomy expression, was walking behind them. A-yeon was right. Security was, indeed, tight.

When they had all stepped in and the doors closed, they were then enveloped with uncomfortable silence. The men positioned around her but not too close enough, which she was silently grateful for because she was never really comfortable around men except with a selected few. The security stood in silence and were all staring ahead. Had their eyes been equipped with laser beams, they’d all have been burning holes on the elevator door, Chaeng humoured herself.

“I have not yet apologized for the inconvenience that my men and I had caused you and your place, Miss Park,” the familiar-looking man, who chose to stand beside her, said while the elevator button was now hitting fifteen.

Chaeng didn’t know exactly how to respond to that because he wasn’t exactly apologizing and it was more like Jisoo’s fault than anybody else, so she chose to just regard him with a quick glance but did not say a word.

“I hope your friend is doing well,” the man spoke again. He was talking about Lisa, or course. His voice was baritone. His manner was calm. As calm as he was when Chaeng saw him for the first time inside the Orange, pulling Lisa and Jennie away from the bedlam that Jisoo created and as calm as he was when he escorted Jennie away from the press earlier. But his jaws were set and his eyes were fixed on a particular spot on the spotless door and Chaeng wasn’t sure what to make of his emotions.

“After what your boss did today? I highly doubt she will be,” Chaeng said with an inadvertent clipped tone before the elevator stopped at the thirty-third floor.

Jennie’s top security man was the only person who joined her in stepping out of the elevator. The other two remained inside. They bowed to them before the door closed yet again and then there was another stretch of silence.

Mr Young led her to a long corridor with an immaculate granite floor and a series of lamps hanging on the ceiling. They walked down to a suite of offices and turned a corner where a wide oak door was waiting. A solitary desk was beside on its left and a woman, Jennie’s secretary, Chaeng presumed, instantly rose from her seat behind it. She greeted them with a courteous bow before throwing a curious look at her. The woman looked like Chaeng’s age. Like the woman on the ground floor who accommodated her, Jennie’s secretary was also a looker. She had a playful smirk hinting on the corner of her mouth as she looked from Mr Young to Chaeng with anticipation.

“Miss Roseanne Park is here to see President Kim,” Mr Young announced.

The secretary nodded before she left her desk to knock on the oak door. She went and reappeared few seconds later. This time, a polite smile was plastered on her face dedicated for Chaeng.

“President Kim is ready to see you, Miss Park,” the secretary told Chaeng before she pushed the door wider for her.

Chaeng was welcomed by a rush of cold air from the air condition system and the penetrating gaze of Jisoo Kim who was sitting on the black-leathered couch. When their eyes met, Jisoo raised her brows to her and offered her a smirk – the same smirk that Jisoo gave the media at the press con – and which Chaeng only responded with a slight movement of her brows. She heard Jisoo huffed faintly on her seat. Her eyes never left the redhead, which Chaeng hated at the moment. She had completely forgotten about the other Kim because her mind was too preoccupied with drafting her speech dedicated for Jennie. Did the woman not have better and more pressing things to do other than hang around Jennie’s side all day? But then again, of course Jisoo should be here. What was she expecting, anyway?

Jennie’s office was a capacious. It was painted in creamy white and lush black and a good amount of luscious red and it somewhat reminded Chaeng of an art gallery, especially with how the lightings were strategically positioned on the beams and on the ceiling. The spacious room housed a few furnishings, a desk where Jennie was sitting behind it, and a shelf that stored books and ledgers and some other things. There were also canvasses and citations hanging on one wall, including a rather large frame with the Kim family on it, painted in oil, and a monochrome photo of Jennie holding a book inside a café.

Behind Jennie’s desk was a wide window made of thick, clear glass dedicated to the enchanting view of Seoul. The sight was impressive. It looked like an infinite maze of multi-colored lines and shapes with a stunning skyline. The Han River was snaking through the maze. On the floor spread a thick, rich carpet with diagonal lines that felt supple against the heels of her boots. The interior of the room looked surprisingly unpretentious. But its vibe, however, was screaming with class. And from the look of it, the whole place had been under a revamp recently.

The President’s office belonged to Jennie’s late father and after Jennie took over the position, she decided to refit the whole place according to her taste and character. Her father’s old office was a little archaic for her liking.

“Chaeng,” Jennie said warmly as she rose regally from the seat she occupied behind her impeccably polished desk, like the head of an empire that she was. “I was wondering who Roseanne Park might be until Chu told me. I wasn’t expecting you to drop by but I’m glad that you did.”

Jennie had a warm smile plastered on her lips as she walked around her table and made her way to greet Chaeng with an embrace. And perhaps, it was exactly how Jennie spoke to her with that mild tone as though she was welcoming a friend on a typical day that ticked Chaeng off. She suddenly felt like she just had a shot of Chahee’s special drink, which she loved and hated, by the way, and which Chahee would only concoct especially for her. All the pent-up rage she didn’t know she had saved specially for Jennie was quickly rising up to her throat and it made her dizzy and searing.

“What was that earlier?” Chaeyoung Park demanded before she could stop herself. There was a tone on her voice that caused Jisoo to flinch on her seat. Chaeng caught it at the corner of her eyes and it gave her the satisfaction. But not Jennie. The heiress remained calm and collected.

“Why don’t you sit down first?” Jennie said coolly, as though she was about to lay out a potentially good business proposition and it only piqued Chaeng even more.

Chaeyoung Park had never felt this rage so strong and ferocious before, it felt like it was burning her throat. It was even nothing compared to what she had felt for Jisoo during their first meeting.

Jisoo, meanwhile, was sitting quietly on the couch. After the little movement she managed involuntarily earlier when Chaeng opened her mouth to speak, Jisoo hadn’t moved at all. She was observing. She was looking from Jennie to Chaeng as though she was watching a pingpong match. Anticipation was on her face but other than that, she made no attempt to do anything else. Why would she? When discreetly, she had been waiting for this moment to happen after the Orange incident – when the redhead was too drunk and jealous over Jennie and Lisa and chose to redirect her ire towards her.

Jisoo had been thinking a lot about it, no matter how she tried to ignore it. There really was nothing in it for her, of course. Except that she would surely be a spectator, which she knew she would never desire but here she was sitting first row. All thanks to Jennie for not kicking her out. And no, she wasn’t trying to get even with the redhead. Chaeng and her had own way of getting even. Besides, she knew Jennie. Her best friend wasn’t pugnacious and therefore Jisoo was confident that she didn’t have to pull one away from the other and calling Mr Young wasn’t necessary. Although, judging from Chaeng’s glares directed at Jennie, she should also prepare herself for the worst scenario.

Jisoo had always been rational. Her loved for books and her exposure to the dirty and politicking ways of the corporate world and her involvement in philanthropic acivities helped in shaping up her perceptions of things. And as cliché as it may sound, she was a firm believer of truth and how it sets everyone free. And today, she was hoping that both women would be liberated from all the things that had been holding them from confronting their own versions of the truth. Chaeng had to release that pent-up rage and Jennie had to confront the paradoxes surrounding Lisa, if that wasn’t too much to ask.

Jennie’s secretary knocked, momentarily breaking the tension. She came in carrying a tray of steaming teapot and a set of cups, each for them. She was all-smile while serving the three women with tea and at one point threw a furtive look on the stunning redhead, which Jisoo caught and it almost made her laugh. Miss Kang, of course, was oblivious of the friction inside the office. Bless her.

Jennie thanked Miss Kang after she placed the last cup on the table and when she was done, Miss Kang retreated her steps towards the door. She bowed and left the executive office.

“Well?” Chaeng said as soon as she heard the door clicked. She folded her arms across her chest. She remained on her spot and her eyes never left Jennie. She was too furious to sit down on the seat Jennie had offered her. And besides, she didn’t want to sit across Jisoo. The woman was smirking at her again. The devil.

“What do you want to hear from me, Chaeng?” she asked is a strained voice when she returned to her chair behind the desk.

“What was that earlier?” Chaeyoung Park reiterated the question, emphasizing each word between gritted teeth.

“The board wanted me to release a statement. Our stocks have been dipping for days now and they thought it was necessary,” Jennie replied as she leaned on her seat. She was looking at Chaeng as though she was seeing the redhead for the first time. Sort of, anyway.

Chaeng looked different now that she had finally claimed who she really was under that red mane and behind that rockstar persona. It was the first time, as far as Jennie can recall, that a Park from the impressive firm, PARK & PARK’s, had paid the Kim Group a visit. Their worlds didn’t have the many opportunities to cross. Of course, Chaeng didn’t drop by to talk about business. But it certainly was a welcoming prospect from Jennie’s point of view as the head of a conglomerate. Chaeng, of course, would think otherwise. The redhead wouldn’t have concealed her being a Park if she wanted to be publicly associated from the influential Parks.

She was like Lisa, Chaeng was, and it was no wonder that the two had been friends all these years, Jennie realized and found it amusing and concerning at the same time. If Lisa was a princess and Chaeng was part of a prominent family, and Jennie’s supposedly ever-reliable intels from the Kim Security Group who, by the way, had been doing a terrific job in profiling their subjects, hadn’t able to uncover the truth about Chaeng and Lisa, then Jennie should address her concern to Jisoo’s father on the next meeting. But for now, she had to deal with Lisa’s raging best friend first. Jennie sighed. She wasn’t particularly thrilled with the idea.

“Was the last part also necessary? Did they tell you do that, too? Because I am disappointed, Jennie. The girls in the Orange are disappointed. And I cannot imagine how Lisa won’t be if she’ll hear about it. It’s funny because I thought you’re better than—,”

“Than who? You or Lisa?” Jennie interjected and shook her head.  “If you’re here to ask me if I’m ecstatic about lying, then the answer is no. I honestly feel worse every passing minute, believe it or not. In fact, before I was told that someone from your father’s firm is in the building and seeking audience, which happened to be you, I was telling Chu that it was never the brightest moment of my life.

“It was my first time appearing on national TV, against my will, of course, and it had to be like that. I’m not proud of it and I’m certainly not proud of what I said about me and Lisa – especially about Lisa. So, yes, Roseanne Park. Go ahead and be disappointed. I’ve already disappointed a lot of people today, myself included. You won’t be the first,” Jennie said with a weary voice.

“Why?” Chaeng muttered. Her lips barely opened. She was shaking from rage and she was trying hard not to explode or she might embarrassed herself and regret it later. Jisoo was staring at her, she knew. She could feel her gaze prickling on her skin but Chaeng paid her no attention.

Jisoo could stare all she want, but Chaeng was there to get to the bottom of things. And by bottom of things, she meant to find out exactly what’s going on between Jennie and Lisa and why Jennie had to lie about everything about Lisa and who the hell is the enemy? She could hate Jennie all she want after today but Chaeng was her father’s daughter. And her father had taught her to give anyone and everyone the benefit of the doubt because “how else would you get to the bottom of things, sweetheart?” her dad would often say.

Jennie shook her head and shrugged. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know why I said that. Maybe I wanted to protect her. Or maybe I wanted to protect me and the company. Does it even matter now, Chaeng? The world must have heard about it by now. There’s no point discussing about it here when we both know Lisa would soon hear about it, too. If she hasn’t yet,” Jennie said bitterly. The thought about Lisa watching her spewing lies after lies earlier today brought immeasurable pain to Jennie’s chest. She could imagine the Thai pacing restlessly inside that ridiculously enormous chamber of hers, probably contemplating how much she hates her and everyone else and plotting inside her head how to get away from her father’s reach. Jennie regretted what she did but she knew she could never take it back. It was too late now to take it all back. She deserved Chaeng’s rage and she deserved whatever unkind words Chaeng would hurl at her. She deserved all of that. But Chaeng’s next words only broke her into pieces.

“She loves you,” Chaeng said matter-of-factly. “And you love her,” Chaeng added, her voice cracked involuntarily when Jennie did not respond. “I know you do, Jennie. That’s why I don’t understand how you can just say it like that. The lies you said about Lisa, I can understand completely. But a fling? That was too much! You didn’t have to hurt her like that!”

“And you think I’m not hurting?” Jennie said with her chest heaving. She was already on her feet. Jisoo was on her feet, too. “You think I’m sitting here with my head on cloud nine after what I did? You have no idea how I feel – what I exactly feel, Miss Park. You have no idea what I went through just so I can still sit here.”

Chaeng snorted. “So that’s it then, isn’t it?” she sneered. “You care more about your position than Lisa? That’s actually a shame because I thought you’d be different. Hell, I thought you are different!”

Jennie huffed as she casually wiped the tears with the back of her hand.

“No. Yeah, you’re right. Maybe I am different. And maybe I was wrong. Maybe it’s not always about freedom and running away isn’t always the answer. Maybe I have to grow up at some point and accept that I cannot run away forever, Chaeng. That goes out to both you and Lisa as well. All these pretensions, the secret life we build and chose to live and the lies that everyone around us had to weave just so we can have a little taste of freedom we crave for...”

“Lisa would do anything for you! But not this, Jennie. This is betrayal!” Chaeng was seething. Of course, she knew what Jennie was talking about. She understood what Jennie was trying to say because there were moments in her life when she and Lisa had talked about the ‘what if’s’. But was that enough to hurt Lisa like that? She would never do that to her. She would never turn her back against Lisa. She might even take bullets for her if need be and it wasn’t even because she used to be head over heels in love with that idiot.

Watching Jennie talking and validating what she did today made Chaeng want to pack her things immediately and be with the Thai as soon as possible. Lisa deserved better.

“Believe it or not, I’m doing her a favor,” Jennie argued.

“By hurting her? I thought you love her?” Chaeng said angrily.

“By trying to help her realize things. And yes, I do, Chaeng. I love her with all of me. She knows that. Lisa knows that. And I believe she’s someone who has a deeper understanding of things. She’s more than just a princess, Chaeng. She’s more than just someone who sees the world through her lens. She’s more than just her father’s daughter. She’s more just than your Lisa and she’s more than just my Lili,” Jennie said.

“I—she’s not my... What do you mean ‘my Lisa’? She’s not ‘my Lisa,’” Chaeng said defensively, her face was now the shade of Jennie’s lipstick.

Jennie smiled for the first time today, despite herself. For some reason, she found it particularly adorable how Chaeng’s face flushed from sheer embarrassment.

“Look, I know you love her,” said Jennie gingerly.

“I—of course, I do. She’s my best friend!” Chaeng indignantly.

“You and I both know that you love her more than that, though,” Jennie said, not breaking eye contacts. This wasn’t how she imagined she and Chaeng would talk about loving the same woman. She had never done this before and she did not expect it to be this awkward.

But instead of responding, the redhead snapped her head towards Jisoo’s direction so quick she might have offended her neck.

“You told her?!” Chaeng glowered at the other Kim.

Jisoo was caught off-guard and it took her a couple of seconds to realize that the redhead was talking to her.

“I did not!” said Jisoo, indignantly denying the accusation.

“Impossible!” Chaeng groaned as she brushed her hand through her hair. It looked more enchanting now that she messed it up for the sheer reason of it. “How else would she know about it?”

“Chu never told me anything,” Jennie quicky said but the redhead wasn’t listening. Nor was Jisoo. Because the two of them were already glaring at each other at the moment, as though they were sizing up the other.

Chaeng looked frustrated. Out of all the scenarios she had considered would happen once she confronted Jennie, admitting to Jennie Kim that she was, once upon a time, in love with Lisa was absolutely not one of them. It wasn’t like she didn’t want to talk about it because she would, if the situation would call for it. But she felt like this wasn’t exactly the proper time to discuss her once-upon-a-time feelings for Lisa.

Jisoo, meanwhile, looked harassed. Her mind was racing. She knew she never told Jennie about it nor did she slip a word. She was just as surprised that Jendeuk knew about it. But then again, why wouldn’t she? Jennie was a smart woman. Of course, she would know. And Chaeng should know better than accuse her and glare at her at the moment like she was guilty of treason or whatever and it was certainly annoying.

“Guys?” Jennie muttered nervously. She was looking from Jisoo to Chaeng. The two were still glowering at each other and it reminded her vividly of the horrific scene in the Orange.

“Can we talk?” Jisoo told the redhead calmly.

“Fine!” Chaeng snapped.

Jennie half-rose from her seat and said, “Do you want me to leave or...?”

“No, no, Jendeuk. Chaeng and I will talk in the lobby,” Jisoo said as she rose from the couch and pulled Chaeng to the door.

“You told her! You promised you wouldn’t!” Chaeng said as soon as they were out of earshot from Jennie’s secretary and as soon as Jisoo dropped her arm.

“I swear I did not. Besides, you heard Jennie. I never told her anything,” said Jisoo.

Chaeng was fuming and never said a word. She ran her fingers through her hair exasperatedly. She wasn’t mad, if she’d have to be honest. She was, however, mortified. Jennie didn’t have to attack her like that. That was a low blow.

“I told you she’s smart, haven’t I?” Jisoo said after a long silence. They were standing facing one another in the deserted corridor. Chaeng was leaning her back against the creamy wall while Jisoo was standing close, with her hands dipped into the pockets of her suit.

“Did you know that she knew?” Chaeng asked after a while. The silence that had passed between them wasn’t as tensed compared to what happened inside Jennie’s office and it somehow receded whatever resentment she was harbouring earlier.

Jisoo shook her head. “No. She haven’t talked about it until before you came in, actually. But I knew she might have caught it at some point. She’s always been sharp. She’s a Kim,” she said proudly.

“I hate you Kims,” Chaeng said bitterly and it only made Jisoo sniggered.

“What are you doing here, by the way?” Jisoo then asked the redhead.

“What do you mean what am I doing here? I’m here to talk to Jennie. What else?” Chaeng replied scornfully.

“Obviously. But what are you doing here, Roseanne Park?” Jisoo asked.

Chaeng huffed. She actually found it ridiculous that Jisoo called her by her name just to emphasize a point. But Jisoo didn’t have to know that.

“Alice was right. I shouldn’t have come here. I didn’t know what I was thinking, really. It’s just...” Chaeng exhaled and brushed her hair with her fingers once again before she went on. “I mean, of course I knew what I was thinking. I didn’t like what she said on TV earlier. Everyone at the bar didn’t like it. And Lisa’s not here, obviously, and since I’m the best friend — what?”

“What?” Jisoo asked innocently with her brows raised.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” the redhead asked warily.

“I wasn’t looking at you like anything,” Jisoo replied.

“You’ve been looking at me funnily since I arrived,” Chaeng said and folded her arms across her chest.

Jisoo let out a soft chuckle at first which progressed into a laughter that echoed across the hallway, even when the redhead was already shooting daggers at her.

“Nothing,” Jisoo said and laughed even more.

“What?” Chaeng reiterated. She looked incensed once again.

“You really prepared for this, didn’t you?” Jisoo said, coughing a little after her mirth. Her fingers pointing at Chaeng’s overall look and lingered at the platinum dress that the redhead was wearing.

“I can’t walk around inside Jennie’s empire looking like a hippie, can I?” Chaeng said defensively, pulling down the hemline of her dress. “As if the security will allow me inside the building.”

“It suits you, actually. But you would have made a stronger impression with a tattered jeans, a leather jacket and your red hair,” Jisoo said with a smirk. “People here are boring. Maybe except Jennie’s secretary because she’s mostly fun when drunk. But the rest of them are mostly impassive. They almost think alike, they move alike, they work alike. It’s the main reason why Jendeuk hates it here but she has no choice. She has to show up and work or else everything that she owns, that her family owns, will be taken away from her just like that.” Jisoo snapped her fingers.

“That bad, huh?” Chaeng said with a snort, looking unconvinced.

“I’m serious! And no, worst,” Jisoo said, looking forlorn. “She’s still not safe, you now? She fired the Vice President for leaking that private photos of her and Lisa before she went and addressed the press today. Mr Tuan is a very competent man. He’s an asset to the company and was a good friend of the late Chairman. If you haven’t noticed, everyone here’s edgy today. I mean, edgier than they normally are. His absence will be a great loss to the company. The board did not approve of her decision, of course. But what can they do? She’s the President and–,”

“Why are you telling me all these?” Chaeng interjected.

Jisoo rolled her eyes. “Because I wish you’d be more considerate, Roseanne Park. She’s been through a lot. It’s not easy leading a conglomerate that practically hates the very idea of you, if you know what I mean. And she hasn’t got much sleep after she left Lisa without saying proper goodb—,”

“Wait! She went to Thailand?” Chaeyoung Park asked in disbelief because she knew Jennie had been watched by the media nonstop after that article was released and there was no news of her leaving the country. She was half impressed and half feeling like an idiot. No wonder Jennie looked tired.

“Yes,” Jisoo nodded. “Lisa’s father asked her and her mom to come over — Chaeng!”

Chaeyoung Park was already sprinting down the hallway and practically slammed herself against the oak door back to Miss Kang’s horror. The secretary immediately rose from her chair to assist the pretty redhead but Chaeng had already admitted herself back inside Jennie’s office, startling Jennie who busied herself with the stack of files on her table.

“How is she?” Chaeng asked breathlessly as soon as she was inside. Miss Kang was already beside her, bowing profusely to Jennie while issuing apologies for not stopping the redhead from barging into the office, unannounced.

Jennie looked up and looked at Chaeng quizzically. She had never let anyone walked in and out of her office without her consent and worse, asked her questions impetuously. But instead of lashing out at her secretary for not doing her job well, Jennie only dismissed Miss Kang kindly.

“Who?” Jennie finally asked right after she heard the door clicked and there was only her and Chaeng inside the room.

“Lisa. You’ve been to Thailand. How is she?” Chaeng asked. Worry and among many other things were etched all over her face which Jennie understood perfectly. She remembered Lisa telling her she hadn’t been in contact with anyone after she left, including Chaeng.

“She...” Jennie started and paused. She let out a sigh as she took of her glasses. “She’s not allowed to go out of the palace,” she said, choosing her words prudently.

Jennie could’ve said more. She should share more. The bigger parts, the broader picture, because Chaeng deserved more than that. But Jennie chose to say the most fundamental because somehow she knew that Chaeng will understand Lisa’s predicament about her suppressed freedom. Because wasn’t that the very reason why Pranpriya decided to live behind that sunny smile and unpretentious life?

“Well, that’s expected,” Chaeng replied. She exhaled. “Her father won’t take this matter lightly. She knows that.”

“And she’s barred from returning here,” Jennie added, studying the redhead’s face.

Chaeng’s jaw dropped but didn’t say a word. Instead, she settled finally on the seat that Jennie offered her earlier, to Jennie’s relief. Chaeng had finally calmed down.

“She probably knew this would happen,” the redhead said after a long silence. “Especially with the news outlets running stupid headlines about you and her. And some of them are even dragging her father in this whole thing. But she had always been careful, even when she’s in Europe or wherever. She had never been...”

“Reckless? I’m partly to blame, though,” Jennie said ruefully.

“She had been asked to return to the kingdom several times, Jennie. She had been ordered to attend to her duties but she was too stubborn. And proud, I should say. You shouldn’t blame yourself. You’ve only been with her for a few months. She’s been asked to go home on special occasions for years,” Chaeng said.

“Someone from the company was behind that article, Chaeng. It was meant to attack my character. Lisa was embroiled in this dirty game they’re trying to engage me with because she’s with me,” said Jennie.

“Yes, Jisoo told me outside. But it’s still not your fault, though,” Chaeng replied. Weird that she was now convincing Jennie that none of it was her fault when barely half an hour ago, she was set to blame everything on Jennie.

“He did that because I refused to marry his son and later on his wife’s nephew,” explained Jennie.

“Is that still even a thing?” Chaeng said in disgust. She could never imagine herself or Alice being paired to anyone whom their parents think they should be with in the future. Alice will surely protest and she will definitely excuse herself from Friday dinners indefinitely.

“My mom thought I needed an ‘intervention’ and I kind of understood why she did what she did despite the number of times I told her to stop. But you know, moms.” Jennie rolled her eyes and continued, “She’s finally come to her senses, I hope. But of course, the implications of both our decisions are what is happening right now and well, I guess we both should make up for it,” said Jennie.

“By leaving Lisa?” Chaeng was at it again. But she was subdued this time. She was here to talk and she promised Alice she wouldn’t pick a fight. She recalled just now.

“I’m...doing her a favor,” Jennie feebly said.

“Do you really believe that?”

“I want to believe that I’m doing the right thing,” Jennie said with a sigh. “We both want what’s best for Lisa, don’t we?”

Chaeng huffed and shook her head. “I’m not sure about that anymore, though,” she said with a chuckle.

“What do you mean?” Jennie asked curiously.

“She seemed like a changed person when she met you. Do you know that she used to hang around outside that old café where you met for the first time because she wanted to give you something?”

Jennie nodded and smiled. “She said she wanted to give me that,” she said, pointing at the monochrome photo on the wall.

“Idiot,” Chaeng said and smiled. “Anyway, she told me how she feels about you and how you make her feel and well, it made me think that maybe I’ve loved her the wrong way. I never told anyone about that. Not even the girls at the bar who was there to carry me home every time I drown myself in alcohol because Lisa left the country again,” said Chaeng and rolled her eyes.

“What did she say about that?” Jennie asked curiously.

“Nothing. She doesn’t have to know the gory details,” Chaeng said jokingly.

Jennie chuckled but never said anything.

“Look, if you want to know if I’m in love with Lisa, yes. I was. I’ve been in love with Lisa for God knows when. I can’t even remember anymore when or how it started. I’ve loved her when she decided to leave the kingdom to try and settle here. Even though my dad thought it wasn’t a wise move and her dad was not exactly okay with it but I was okay with it. I wanted to keep her close.

“I’ve loved her when she burned that egg and almost burned down her place when she tried to cook for the first time after she decided to live alone and I thought it was cute despite the fact that she was struggling. I’ve loved her every time she would leave the country even when I hate it and didn’t even try to convince her that she can do more than that. I’ve settled with the idea of her being Lisa. She’s cool, she’s funny and most of the time carefree when she is Lisa. And I’ve tolerated her caprice. All of it.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Jennie said with a frown. “Like you said, you’ve been there for her all throughout. And you’re here defending her in her absence. That’s loyalty and that’s rare. Besides, isn’t that testament enough? And is there really a proper way to love someone? Shouldn’t we just love them?”

“I don’t know, Jennie. I’ve been only in love with one person and it was a one-way street,” Chaeng said and chuckled. “Look, she loves you. That I know, for sure. She’s never stayed in Korea longer than a week before she met you. She was always on the move. She was always chasing something somewhere around the world with her camera in her hands and that glimmer of innocence in her eyes. And then she met you and she didn’t want to leave just yet. Or maybe not anymore. And then this happened. I cannot imagine the torment Lisa is going through right now.”

“Do you think I’m wrong?” Jennie asked.

“I think she deserves an explanation,” Chaeng replied.

Jennie nodded but kept her silence. And so did Chaeng. They sat there for quite a moment, getting lost on their own train of thoughts until Jennie remembered something that she had been curious about ever since she found out about it.

“Does Lisa know?” Jennie asked.

“I thought she doesn’t but yes, she does. We talked about it before she left. She told me that she knows and that it’s okay and whatever. I told her I’ve already given up the idea of it. And we’re still friends, unfortunately,” she added and jokingly rolled her eyes that made Jennie laugh softly.

“I miss her,” Jennie said.

“So do I. And her cats, too. I hope she’ll call so I’d know what to with her boys. I cannot take Leo’s grumpy arse anymore and Luca has been eyeing my fish obnoxiously ever since I brought them home with me.”

Jisoo, meanwhile, had an ear pressed hard against the oak door outside Jennie’s office. It was, of course, wrong to eavesdrop and judging by the look on Miss Kang’s scandalized face while the secretary was eyeing her curiously, it was outrageous. Especially for someone with Jisoo’s prominence. But she didn’t want to bother the two. Not while they were talking mildly. At least, that’s how it seemed to her, judging from the muffled sound coming from inside Jennie’s office. She couldn’t even hear a thing, actually. Which was great sign. At least nobody was yelling and nobody was throwing something at someone.

“Is there a problem, Miss Kim?” Miss Kang finally mustered the courage to ask the Jisoo. She was now on her feet and looked about ready to reach out to the phone to ask for help if needed.

“Not anymore,” Jisoo said. She offered the secretary a smile before she pushed the door open.

....

“Your Highness?”

Pranpriya breathed out a long sigh. She had been looking outside the window, on the ground where the royal guards had been marching about and a number of people could be seen flocking outside the palace gates.

It wasn’t long since she rose from the bed. She was still wearing her night dress. Her hair was still undone and she still smelled of Jennie’s scent. She wasn’t sure if she liked it or not. Her mind was racing and oddly blank at the same time.

When she woke up, she found the space beside her cold and empty. Of course. Jennie told her last night they’d be leaving early – her and her mom. The chaebol didn’t even bother to wake her up nor did she left a note or anything. Her last hope was her phone. She was expecting a message from Jennie, telling her that they’d landed in Incheon safely and that she missed her terribly. But there was none. There was, however, notifications from news sites, bearing headlines with Jennie’s name on it. Pranpriya hastily opened the first site and immediately wished she didn’t.

“JENNIE KIM DENIES DATING THAILAND PRINCESS” was what she saw and halfway reading it, she understood one thing.

“Your breakfast is ready, Your Highness,” Lek said cautiously and it did not escape from Pranpriya.

“Tell me what you think of it, Lek,” Pranpriya asked the butler without paying him a glance.

“Think of what, Your Highness?” Lek asked.

“There’s no point pretending that you don’t know what I’m talking about. I know you saw it, too,” Pranpriya said.

“I’m in no position to speak about your personal affairs, Your Highness,” Lek replied politely.

Pranpriya nodded. It wasn’t what she wanted to hear from him. She wanted him to tell her that the press was making it up and Jennie would never do such thing. But then again, what did Lek know, anyway? He was never one to meddle, like he said. And besides, he only met Jennie once.

She wanted to scream, honestly. She wanted to cry. But what good would it do to her?

“But I don’t think Miss Jennie Kim meant to hurt you, Your Highness,” Lek said.

Pranpriya only regarded him with a quick glance. “Who are those people?” she asked, nodding her head to the group of people outside the gates.

“Visitors, Your Highness. They’re waiting for the museum to open,” said Lek.

“It’s hot outside. Tell the guards to open the gate and allow them in. Tell them they can wait in the lobby on the south wing. Just make sure that none of them will wander anywhere else in the palace,” Pranpriya said.

“Yes, Ma’am. Would that be all, Your Highness?”

“Where is His Majesty?” Pranpriya asked.

“He left after the Kims, Your Highness. He must be at the royal complex by now,” Lek answered.

“Prepare my car, Lek. I think it’s time I see for myself what I’m supposed to be taking over, once I take over the crown,” Pranpriya said.