Chapter 16

Lisa sat across from Jennie, still processing the weight of their conversation. Jennie wasn’t one to talk about feelings easily, and for her to openly say she wanted this...them to work meant everything. But as much as the words warmed Lisa, they also carried a certain gravity. They were both so used to being in control, but this was new territory. Navigating a relationship while balancing their professional ambitions would be tricky.

“Then we’ll figure it out,” Lisa echoed, her voice soft yet steady, as if saying it aloud would make the challenge feel less daunting.

Jennie nodded, her eyes lingering on Lisa’s for a moment longer before she leaned back in her chair. “I’m not good at this,” Jennie admitted, her tone clipped but not cold. “But I’ll try.”

Lisa smiled, her heart swelling at Jennie’s admission. “That’s all we can do, right? Try.”

They sat in a comfortable silence after that, the conversation easing back into their usual rhythm of work talk and shared observations about the people around them. But underneath it all, there was a shared understanding now. They were stepping into something unknown, together, and they were both willing to try.

---

The next few weeks passed in a blur of meetings, strategy sessions, and the constant hum of work. Lisa was juggling the expansion project with Jisoo’s sustainable tech venture, both of which were picking up speed. But now, no matter how busy her days got, there was a steady undercurrent of excitement. She and Jennie were seeing each other regularly dinners, coffee breaks, even the occasional stolen moment during the workday when Jennie would message her with something like,  Free for five minutes? It was as if their relationship had slipped quietly into her life, becoming as much a part of her routine as the work she loved.

But there was always the looming question of how long they could balance the personal with the professional. Jennie was intense, focused, and her expectations of herself were high. Lisa had always admired that about her—but now that intensity came with a new weight. It wasn’t just about Jennie being her demanding boss anymore. It was about them, figuring out what they meant to each other while still trying to keep their respective worlds from crashing into one another.

---

One evening, after a long day at the office, Lisa found herself sitting on her couch, sipping tea, and scrolling through emails. Her phone buzzed with a message from Jennie.

Are you free?

Lisa grinned, typing back quickly.

Always for you. What’s up?

Can I come over? I need to talk.

Lisa’s heart skipped a beat. Jennie rarely asked for things like this. Their relationship, while evolving, had still mostly existed in the professional world they were both so used to. Jennie was guarded, and for her to want to come over, it had to be important.

Of course. Door’s open.

Lisa set her phone down, trying to calm the sudden rush of nerves. What did Jennie need to talk about? Was it about their relationship? About work? Lisa hated that the two seemed to blur so often now, but she knew it was inevitable. She and Jennie were too intertwined personally and professionally.

A knock on the door pulled Lisa from her thoughts. She stood quickly, her heart racing as she opened the door to find Jennie standing there, looking slightly disheveled, her usual composed exterior cracked.

“Hey,” Lisa said softly, stepping aside to let Jennie in. “What’s going on?”

Jennie didn’t speak right away. Instead, she stepped inside, her movements slow, as if she were carefully considering her next steps. Lisa could feel the tension radiating off of her, and it made her stomach twist.

“I’ve been thinking,” Jennie said finally, her voice quiet but firm, “about us. About this.”

Lisa swallowed, closing the door behind her. She tried to keep her tone light, even though she could sense the weight of what Jennie was about to say. “Okay. What’s on your mind?”

Jennie turned to face her, her eyes serious, almost searching Lisa’s face for something. “I’m used to control, Lisa. I like things to be predictable, manageable. But this... us... it’s not like that. It’s not something I can just fit into my schedule or my plans.”

Lisa’s heart clenched. She could sense where this conversation was headed, and she wasn’t sure she liked it. “Jennie, I know it’s not easy. But we don’t have to have all the answers right now. We’re just... figuring it out as we go, right?”

Jennie shook her head, her expression tightening. “But that’s the problem. I don’t know how to do that. I don’t know how to not plan for things. And when it comes to you... when it comes to us, it feels like I’m losing control.”

Lisa’s chest tightened as Jennie’s words sank in. Jennie had always been methodical, precise, someone who lived by strategy and careful planning. But love whatever it was that was building between them wasn’t something you could control. It wasn’t something you could plan for.

“And that scares you,” Lisa said softly, stepping closer.

Jennie’s gaze softened, her walls briefly lowering. “Yes. It does.”

Lisa exhaled, reaching out to gently touch Jennie’s arm. “Jennie, I’m not asking you to change who you are. I’m not asking you to stop being the person who plans and strategizes everything. But when it comes to us, maybe we can take a different approach. Maybe we don’t need to control everything.”

Jennie was silent for a moment, her eyes searching Lisa’s. “And what if I can’t do that?”

Lisa smiled gently. “Then we take it slow. One step at a time. Together.”

There was a long pause, and for a moment, Lisa thought Jennie might pull away, retreat back into her shell. But then Jennie’s hand reached out, her fingers lightly brushing against Lisa’s. “I’m trying,” she admitted quietly. “I don’t know if I’m good at this, but I’m trying.”

Lisa’s heart swelled, and she closed the distance between them, her hand gently squeezing Jennie’s. “That’s all I need.”

For a moment, they stood in the quiet of Lisa’s apartment, the tension between them slowly dissolving into something softer, something real. Jennie wasn’t used to this, and Lisa knew it would take time for her to let go of the control she held so tightly. But the fact that Jennie was willing to try that she was here, opening up meant more than Lisa could express.

Slowly, Jennie leaned in, her forehead resting gently against Lisa’s, their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them. It was a tender, vulnerable moment, and Lisa could feel the weight of Jennie’s emotions in the way she clung to her, as if she were afraid to let go.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Jennie whispered, her voice barely audible.

“You won’t,” Lisa whispered back, her heart aching at the rawness in Jennie’s voice. “We’ll figure this out. Together.”

Jennie closed her eyes, her grip on Lisa tightening slightly as if to steady herself. And for the first time in a long time, Lisa saw the cracks in Jennie’s armor the parts of her that were scared, unsure, and vulnerable. It made Lisa love her even more.

---

They spent the rest of the evening together, the conversation shifting to lighter topics as Jennie relaxed into the comfort of Lisa’s apartment. There were no more intense discussions about their relationship, no more pressing questions about what would happen next. They were just... together, sharing quiet moments that felt more intimate than any grand gesture could.

When it was time for Jennie to leave, she stood at the door, her hand lingering in Lisa’s.

“I’ll see you tomorrow?” Jennie asked, her voice softer than usual.

Lisa smiled, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Jennie’s lips. “Of course.”

As Jennie left, Lisa felt a deep sense of contentment settle over her. It wasn’t perfect, and there would still be challenges ahead, but they were navigating it. Together.

The next morning, Lisa arrived at her office with a renewed sense of purpose. The night with Jennie had left her feeling grounded, even though she knew they still had a lot to figure out. She was ready to dive back into the expansion project, especially now that the market competition had intensified. It was crunch time, and there was no room for mistakes.

Her phone buzzed with a new message, and Lisa glanced down to see a text from Jennie.

Lunch today?

Lisa’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly typed back: Wouldn’t miss it. 12?

12 works.

Lisa smiled to herself as she set her phone aside. Even in the midst of all the chaos of work, she and Jennie were finding ways to be together, carving out moments that belonged just to them.

---

By the time noon rolled around, Lisa was seated at their usual restaurant, going over some notes on her phone as she waited for Jennie to arrive. She glanced up when she heard the familiar click of Jennie’s heels approaching, her heart doing that now-familiar flutter at the sight of her.

“Ms. Kim,” Lisa greeted with a teasing smile.

“Ms. Manoban,” Jennie replied, her tone equally light as she sat down across from her. But even in their playful exchange, there was an unspoken connection between them, a warmth that hadn’t been there before.

As they ordered their food, the conversation turned naturally to work. Jennie asked about the latest updates on the expansion, and Lisa filled her in on the progress they were making, feeling more confident than ever about the project’s success.

“We’re ahead of schedule,” Lisa said, leaning back in her chair. “If we keep this pace, we’ll beat the competition.”

Jennie nodded, her eyes thoughtful. “Good. You’re handling it well.”

Lisa smiled, feeling a familiar warmth at Jennie’s quiet praise. But as the conversation moved on, Lisa couldn’t help but notice the way Jennie’s gaze lingered on her, the way her hand brushed against Lisa’s ever so slightly as she reached for her drink. It was subtle, but it was there proof that things between them had shifted, even if they were still trying to keep it professional.

As the lunch came to an end, Jennie leaned in slightly, her voice low. “Tonight. My place?”

Lisa’s heart skipped a beat, and she smiled, trying to keep her tone casual. “I’ll be there.”

Jennie’s lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile before she stood, her usual cool demeanor slipping back into place. “Good.”

As Lisa watched Jennie walk away, she felt a thrill rush through her. They were navigating this new territory slowly, carefully, but with a shared understanding of what was at stake.

---

That evening, Lisa arrived at Jennie’s apartment, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. This wasn’t like the quiet nights they had spent together before. This felt different more charged, more real.

Jennie greeted her at the door, her expression softening as she stepped aside to let Lisa in. There was no pretense tonight, no need for small talk or avoidance of the obvious. They both knew why Lisa was here.

As the door closed behind them, Jennie turned to face Lisa, her eyes searching hers. “I’m still not good at this,” Jennie admitted softly, her voice carrying the weight of her vulnerability.

Lisa smiled, stepping closer. “We don’t have to be perfect, Jennie.”

Jennie’s lips twitched in the faintest hint of a smile, and then before Lisa could say another word Jennie’s hands gently cupped her face, pulling her into a slow, deliberate kiss. It was a kiss filled with all the things they hadn’t said yet, with all the emotions they had been carefully tiptoeing around for weeks.

Lisa’s hands found Jennie’s waist, pulling her closer as the kiss deepened, and for the first time, they allowed themselves to stop thinking, stop analyzing, and just feel.

The night passed in a blur of soft touches, whispered confessions, and moments that left them both breathless. There was no more hiding behind professionalism, no more pretending that they weren’t falling into something deeper. They were in it now, fully and undeniably.

And as they lay together in the quiet of Jennie’s apartment, their hands intertwined, Lisa knew that whatever came next whatever challenges they would face they would figure it out.

The morning light filtered softly through the curtains of Jennie’s apartment, casting a warm glow over the room. Lisa stirred, still wrapped in the comfort of the night they had shared. For the first time in weeks, she felt truly at peace, no anxiety about the project, no second-guessing her choices. It was just her and Jennie, together in a way they had never allowed themselves to be before.

Lisa turned slightly, her eyes falling on Jennie, who was still asleep beside her. There was something disarming about seeing Jennie like this....her usual guarded expression replaced with a softness that Lisa rarely got to witness. Jennie was always in control, always composed. But here, in the quiet intimacy of the morning, Lisa saw a different side of her ... a side that wasn’t defined by work or expectations.

As if sensing Lisa’s gaze, Jennie stirred, her eyes fluttering open. She blinked a few times before turning her head to meet Lisa’s gaze. For a moment, they just looked at each other, the reality of the night sinking in.

“Morning,” Jennie said softly, her voice husky from sleep.

“Morning,” Lisa replied, her heart doing that familiar flutter it always seemed to do around Jennie.

There was a long pause, but it wasn’t awkward. It was the kind of silence that spoke volumes, the kind that didn’t need to be filled with words. Last night had been a turning point for both of them an unspoken agreement that whatever this was between them, they were both in it now. Fully.

Jennie shifted slightly, propping herself up on one elbow as she looked down at Lisa, her expression thoughtful. “How are you feeling?”

Lisa smiled, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair out of Jennie’s face. “Good. Better than good, actually.”

Jennie’s lips quirked in the faintest hint of a smile. “Me too.”

For a while, they stayed like that enjoying the quiet, the simplicity of being together without the weight of the world pressing down on them. But eventually, reality started to creep back in. The expansion project, the competition, their professional lives it was all still there, waiting for them.

Lisa sighed, knowing they couldn’t stay in this bubble forever. “We should probably get up. We both have work.”

Jennie nodded, though she didn’t seem particularly eager to move either. “Yeah. But I wouldn’t mind staying here a bit longer.”

Lisa laughed softly, her heart warming at Jennie’s rare moment of vulnerability. “Me neither.”

They eventually untangled themselves from each other and began getting ready for the day. As Lisa pulled on her clothes, she couldn’t help but feel a subtle shift in the air between them. Last night had brought them closer, yes, but it also came with new challenges. Now that they had crossed a line, they would have to figure out how to navigate this new dynamic while still maintaining their professional lives.

Jennie, ever the composed one, seemed to be thinking the same thing. As they stood by the door, ready to leave, she turned to Lisa, her expression serious but not cold.

“This doesn’t change anything at work,” Jennie said, her tone firm but gentle. “We have to keep things separate.”

Lisa nodded, understanding completely. They were both ambitious, driven, and they couldn’t let their personal relationship interfere with the projects they were working on. It was already complicated enough.

“I know,” Lisa replied. “We’ll keep it professional.”

Jennie’s eyes softened slightly. “But this... us, outside of work it’s real.”

Lisa smiled, feeling the weight of Jennie’s words. “It is.”

With that, Jennie leaned in for a quick, lingering kiss before they stepped out into the world, ready to face whatever challenges the day would bring.

---

The rest of the day passed in a blur of meetings and deadlines, but Lisa couldn’t help but feel a little lighter, a little more grounded. She and Jennie were figuring things out, taking it one step at a time, and that was enough for now.

The expansion project continued to move forward at a rapid pace. Lisa’s team had made significant progress, and they were well on track to beat the competition to market. But there were still hurdles to overcome logistical issues, negotiations with local partners, and, of course, the ever-present pressure from Jennie to maintain the high standard she expected.

But for the first time, Lisa didn’t feel overwhelmed by it. Jennie’s expectations had always pushed her to be better, but now, knowing that they were on the same page personally, it didn’t feel like pressure. It felt like support.

---

Later that week, as Lisa was wrapping up a late-night meeting with her team, her phone buzzed with a message from Jennie.

My place. Tonight?

Lisa smiled, her heart racing slightly.

On my way.

By the time Lisa arrived at Jennie’s apartment, it was late, and the city was quiet. Jennie greeted her at the door, looking as composed as ever, but there was a softness in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“Long day?” Jennie asked, stepping aside to let Lisa in.

“Yeah,” Lisa replied, kicking off her shoes and sinking into the couch. “But we’re making progress. The expansion’s going well.”

Jennie sat beside her, nodding. “I’ve seen the reports. You’re doing an excellent job.”

Lisa grinned, leaning her head back against the couch. “Is that a compliment?”

Jennie’s lips twitched in a rare, small smile. “Yes. Don’t get used to it.”

Lisa laughed, feeling the familiar warmth that came with Jennie’s dry humor. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, the weight of the day slowly melting away as they relaxed in each other’s presence.

Eventually, Jennie turned to her, her expression more serious. “I’ve been thinking.”

“About?” Lisa asked, turning to face her.

Jennie hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering away before meeting Lisa’s again. “About how we’re going to manage this. Our personal lives... and work.”

Lisa’s heart tightened slightly. She had known this conversation would come, but it still made her nervous. “What do you mean?”

Jennie’s expression softened, her usual sharpness giving way to something more vulnerable. “I don’t want what’s happening between us to get in the way of your career. Or mine. I need to know we can handle this....both of us.”

Lisa nodded, understanding where Jennie was coming from. They were both ambitious, both driven, and the last thing either of them wanted was for their relationship to jeopardize the work they had worked so hard for.

“I get it,” Lisa said softly. “And we can handle it. We just have to be careful. Keep things separate when we need to.”

Jennie’s eyes held hers for a long moment, and then she nodded, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “Okay.”

They didn’t need to say much more after that. The understanding between them was clear...they were both committed to making this work, but they knew it wouldn’t be easy. They would have to navigate the lines between personal and professional carefully, but if anyone could do it, it was them.

As the night wore on, Lisa and Jennie fell into a comfortable rhythm, talking about everything and nothing, sharing quiet moments that felt more intimate than any grand gesture could. And when Lisa finally left Jennie’s apartment later that night, she felt more confident than ever that they were on the right path.

---

The next few weeks were a blur of work, meetings, and late nights, but the relationship between Lisa and Jennie continued to evolve in quiet, meaningful ways. They kept their personal lives separate from work as much as they could, but there were always stolen moments quick glances in the office, texts in the middle of the day, and, of course, the nights they spent together.

It wasn’t perfect, and there were still challenges ahead, but they were navigating it. And that was enough.

Continue....