Chapter 6

It had been a solid two weeks since Lisa’s last major blunder, and she was starting to feel like maybe, just maybe, she was finally mastering the art of working for Jennie Kim. Sure, there were still minor hiccups like that time she almost printed the agenda upside down for a client meeting but nothing catastrophic had happened, and Lisa was proud of herself for keeping things under control.

Her mornings had developed a rhythm: arrive early, go over her tasks for the day, avoid spilling anything, and keep her interactions with Jennie smooth and professional. The latter was becoming easier not because Jennie was getting any warmer, but because Lisa was getting better at reading her boss’s micro-expressions, which ranged from mild disapproval to extreme indifference. It was like learning a new language.

Lisa strolled into the office, coffee in hand, ready for another calm, collected day. She had made a habit of arriving fifteen minutes early Jennie time. It was like dog years but measured in professionalism. Fifteen minutes early in Jennie’s world was considered just on time.

As she took a sip of her coffee, her phone buzzed. It was Jennie, of course.

Ms. Manoban, I need you in my office for a briefing on the new client acquisition strategy at 9 AM. Be prepared.

Lisa checked the time. 8:45. Perfect. She had time to grab the necessary files and mentally prepare herself for whatever new business lecture Jennie had in store.

"Be prepared," Lisa muttered to herself, mimicking Jennie’s calm, no-nonsense tone. "Always so dramatic."

---

At 8:58, Lisa knocked lightly on Jennie’s door and stepped inside. Jennie was, as usual, seated at her desk, completely focused on her laptop. Lisa had always wondered if Jennie ever got distracted like, did she ever lose focus and start thinking about completely unrelated things? Somehow, she doubted it.

“Good morning, Ms. Kim,” Lisa greeted, taking her usual seat across from Jennie’s desk.

Jennie glanced up briefly, acknowledging her with a curt nod. “Morning. Let’s get started.”

For the next half-hour, Jennie went over the new client acquisition strategy in painstaking detail. It was, in typical Jennie fashion, thorough and flawless. Lisa took notes, nodding along as Jennie explained market trends, target demographics, and strategic partnerships.

It wasn’t that Lisa didn’t understand the strategy she did, mostly it was just that Jennie’s ability to talk about numbers and business for such long stretches of time was both impressive and exhausting.

“So,” Jennie concluded, “the goal is to onboard the new clients by the end of Q3, with a focus on long-term retention rather than short-term gains. You’ll be assisting with the communication and scheduling.”

Lisa smiled, her brain still processing the last twenty minutes of business talk. “Got it. I’ll make sure everything’s on track for Q3. No problem.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. “You seem... distracted.”

Lisa blinked. “What? No, I’m not distracted. I’m just... thinking about everything you just said. I mean, it’s a lot. But in a good way. You know lots to digest.”

Jennie’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than usual, as if she were trying to decide whether or not to believe her. Finally, she spoke, her tone as even as ever. “You’re handling more responsibility lately.”

Lisa straightened in her chair, not expecting that. “Oh. Yeah, I guess I have been.”

Jennie closed her laptop, folding her hands neatly on the desk.

“That’s not a compliment, Ms. Manoban. It’s an observation.”

Lisa’s smile wavered, but she quickly recovered. “Right. Well, I’m trying my best. And, you know, learning from the best.”

Jennie didn’t react to the praise, which was typical. But then, after a brief pause, she added, “You’re improving.”

Lisa nearly fell out of her chair. Was that... another compliment? From Jennie Kim, the CEO Ice Queen? Twice in one week?

“Well, thanks! I’m really trying to...” Lisa trailed off, unsure of how to respond without sounding like she was about to throw herself a party. She decided to go for a safe route. “I guess I’ve been learning a lot from you. Even if you, uh, terrify me most of the time.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow. “Terrify you?”

Lisa chuckled nervously. “I mean, not in a bad way. You’re just... you know. You have that ‘I expect perfection and will destroy you with a glance’ thing going on. It keeps me on my toes.”

Jennie didn’t respond immediately, but there was a brief pause just long enough for Lisa to notice. “It’s not my job to make people comfortable,” Jennie said, her voice cold but not harsh. “It’s my job to ensure this company runs efficiently.”

Lisa smiled, nodding. “And you’re really good at it. Like, scary good. I’ve never met anyone as focused as you.”

Jennie’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were evaluating Lisa, but she didn’t respond to the comment. Instead, she glanced at her watch. “We’re finished here. Make sure the scheduling is handled by the end of the day.”

Lisa stood up, giving a quick, mock salute. “Aye aye, Captain Kim.”

Jennie didn’t acknowledge the joke, but as Lisa walked out of the office, she couldn’t shake the feeling that maybe....just maybe  Jennie didn’t hate her chaotic style as much as she used to. She was still cold, still impossibly precise, but there was something in the way Jennie spoke to her now that felt... less sharp. Slightly.

---

Later that afternoon, as Lisa worked on scheduling client calls, her mind drifted back to her conversation with Jennie. You’re handling more responsibility lately. That wasn’t a bad thing. In fact, it was exactly what Lisa had been hoping for. More responsibility meant more trust, right? Maybe Jennie was actually starting to see her as more than just a disaster-prone assistant.

Her phone buzzed, and she checked the message. It was from her father.

Lalisa, I just had a meeting with the board. They’re asking when you’ll be ready to step into your role. Have you given any more thought to our conversation?

Lisa stared at the message, her stomach tightening. The Question. It always came back to The Question.

She glanced at her screen, then at the pile of client scheduling documents on her desk. Am I ready for that?

Her father had been patient so far, and she knew he wasn’t trying to rush her into anything she wasn’t ready for, but the pressure was always there, lingering in the background. The family business was waiting for her, and at some point, she’d have to make a decision.

Lisa typed out a quick reply: I’m still thinking about it, Dad. I want to make sure I’m fully prepared before I take on something that big.

She hit send, feeling a little guilty for not giving him more of an answer. But it was the truth. She wasn’t ready yet. There were still things she needed to learn things she felt like she was only just beginning to grasp while working under Jennie.

As the afternoon wore on, Lisa found herself staring out the window, lost in thought. She couldn’t deny that the idea of taking over the family business was daunting. But then again, wasn’t that what Jennie had been pushing her toward all along? Jennie didn’t even know about Lisa’s background, but everything she said about focus, about not letting indecision hold her back seemed to hit home every time.

Lisa shook her head, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. One thing at a time. For now, she had client schedules to finalize, and Jennie Kim waiting for an update by the end of the day. There would be time to think about the future later.

---

At 5:30, Lisa sent the final client schedule to Jennie and let out a sigh of relief. Another day down, another minor victory. She grabbed her things, ready to head out for the evening, when her phone buzzed again.

It was Jennie this time: Good work today. The schedules are acceptable.

Lisa grinned to herself. “Acceptable” was basically a glowing review in Jennie’s world. I’ll take it.

As she walked out of the office, Lisa couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of progress. Things weren’t perfect far from it but she was learning, growing, and maybe even earning a little respect from the most intimidating boss in the business world.

---

Back at her apartment that evening, Lisa sat on her couch, scrolling through her phone. Her father’s message from earlier still lingered in her thoughts, but for now, she decided to push it aside.

The future could wait. For now, she was focused on the present. And surviving another day at Kim Industries, under the icy but strangely motivating watch of Jennie Kim, was a victory in itself.

Besides, she thought with a smirk, if I can survive working for Jennie, I can handle anything.

....

It was Friday, and Lisa was determined to finish the week strong. She’d been on a roll no major disasters, steady improvements at work, and even a decent text exchange with her dad about the family business. Life was starting to feel... manageable, which for Lisa was a rare and treasured feeling.

As she sat at her desk, sipping her (non-spilled) coffee, her phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced down to see a message from her dad.

Lalisa, we’re hosting a family dinner this Sunday at 7 PM. Some board members will be there. I think it’d be a good time for you to reconnect with them. Nothing serious, just a casual dinner. Let me know if you can make it.

Lisa felt her stomach twist slightly. Casual dinner with board members? Her dad always did this trying to ease her into situations where "nothing serious" was code for “this is a big deal, but I won’t say it outright.”

She sighed, tapping out a quick response: Sure, I’ll be there.

Before she could even process what she had just committed to, another notification popped up, this time from Jennie: Ms. Manoban, I’ll need you to accompany me to the client dinner tomorrow night. 8 PM. Formal attire required.

Lisa stared at her phone, her mind spinning. Two dinners? One with intimidating family board members, and the other with Jennie Kim and clients? This was shaping up to be a very social and very stressful weekend.

---

The rest of the workday went by in a blur as Lisa prepared for the client dinner. She spent the afternoon reviewing the client details, double-checking the reservations, and making sure everything was perfectly planned. Jennie, of course, expected nothing less.

By the time 5 PM rolled around, Lisa was mentally exhausted but feeling relatively confident. She hadn’t spilled anything, missed any decimal points, or caused any major catastrophes. A successful day, by all accounts.

As she packed up her things to leave, Jennie’s voice called out from her office door. “Ms. Manoban, a word before you go.”

Lisa straightened up, mentally running through every task she’d completed that day. Everything’s fine. You didn’t mess up.

She walked over to Jennie’s office, trying to look casual. “Yes, Ms. Kim?”

Jennie, as usual, was seated behind her desk, perfectly composed, as if she hadn’t just worked a full day of grueling meetings. “I want to go over the details of tomorrow’s dinner,” Jennie said, her tone calm and direct. “You’ve confirmed everything?”

Lisa nodded quickly. “Yep! The reservation is set, the client details are finalized, and I’ve already made sure the restaurant is prepared for anything we might need.”

Jennie’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if she were searching for any potential flaws in Lisa’s plan. “Good. And you understand the importance of this dinner, correct?”

Lisa swallowed nervously, nodding again. “Of course. No pressure or anything.”

Jennie didn’t respond immediately, her gaze lingering on Lisa in that way that always made Lisa feel like she was being x-rayed. Finally, Jennie spoke, her tone softening just a fraction. “This client is one of our largest international partners. It’s critical that everything goes smoothly.”

Lisa smiled, trying to ease the tension. “Don’t worry, Ms. Kim. I’ll be on my best behaviour. I promise no accidental cat pictures or spilled coffee.”

Jennie’s expression didn’t change, but Lisa thought she saw the faintest flicker of something in Jennie’s eyes maybe amusement? Maybe not.

“I expect professionalism, Ms. Manoban,” Jennie said, her voice cold but not harsh. “Not your usual... antics.”

Lisa grinned, saluting mock-seriously. “Aye aye, Captain Kim. All professionalism, no antics.”

Jennie’s lips twitched, but she quickly masked it by glancing back at her computer screen. “That will be all. I’ll see you tomorrow at 8.”

Lisa turned to leave, but before she could step out of the office, Jennie added, “And make sure you’re not late.”

Lisa flashed a grin over her shoulder. “I’d never dream of it.”

---

The next evening, Lisa found herself standing outside the restaurant, nervously adjusting the hem of her formal dress. She had done everything right arrived fifteen minutes early, double-checked the reservation with the hostess, and even made sure the table was perfectly set. Now all that was left was to survive a dinner with Jennie and some Very Important Clients.

As she waited for Jennie to arrive, Lisa took a deep breath and mentally repeated her mantra: No disasters. No disasters. You’ve got this.

A few minutes later, Jennie arrived, looking as flawless as ever in a sleek black dress that radiated authority. Lisa couldn’t help but admire how Jennie managed to be both intimidating and effortlessly stylish at the same time.

“Good evening, Ms. Kim,” Lisa greeted with a smile. “Everything’s ready. We’re all set.”

Jennie gave her a curt nod. “Good. Let’s make sure we maintain that.”

Lisa chuckled nervously, falling into step beside Jennie as they made their way to the private dining room where the clients were waiting. “You know, I think this is the first time we’ve ever been in a non-work setting together. It’s kind of surreal.”

Jennie’s expression didn’t change. “This is still a work setting, Ms. Manoban.”

“Right. Totally. Just with fancy food instead of spreadsheets,” Lisa muttered under her breath.

Jennie shot her a quick glance, but said nothing, leading the way into the dining room where the clients were already seated. The dinner began smoothly, with Jennie expertly guiding the conversation through business discussions, market trends, and future partnerships. Lisa mostly stayed quiet, nodding along and chiming in when appropriate.

As the night went on, Lisa found herself watching Jennie more closely than usual. It was fascinating, really how Jennie could be so controlled, so in command of every word she said, while still managing to charm the clients without ever seeming fake or overly friendly. It was like watching a masterclass in professionalism.

At one point, during a lull in the conversation, one of the clients turned to Lisa with a friendly smile. “And how do you find working with Ms. Kim?”

Lisa blinked, caught off guard by the question. She glanced at Jennie, who remained silent, waiting to see how she would respond.

“Oh, it’s... an adventure,” Lisa said with a grin, trying to keep things light. “She’s the best in the business. Tough, but in a way that makes you want to step up your game.”

The client chuckled, clearly amused. “I can imagine. Ms. Kim is known for her high standards.”

Jennie’s eyes flicked toward Lisa, and for a brief moment, their gazes met. Lisa wasn’t sure what Jennie was thinking, but the moment passed quickly as Jennie shifted the conversation back to business.

By the time the dinner wrapped up, Lisa was mentally exhausted but relieved that everything had gone off without a hitch. No spilled drinks, no awkward moments just smooth sailing.

As they left the restaurant, Jennie turned to Lisa. “You handled yourself well tonight, Ms. Manoban.”

Lisa’s eyes widened in surprise. “Wait... was that... a compliment?”

Jennie raised an eyebrow. “Don’t get used to it.”

Lisa grinned. “I’ll take what I can get.”

---

Sunday evening rolled around, and Lisa found herself standing outside her family’s estate, feeling a different kind of nervousness settle in. This dinner was far more personal, and while it wasn’t a client dinner like the night before, it somehow felt more intense.

As she stepped inside, her father greeted her with a warm smile. “Lalisa! I’m glad you made it.”

Lisa gave him a quick hug, trying to mask her nerves. “Of course, Dad. Wouldn’t miss it.”

The dinner began, and as Lisa had predicted, the board members were there, asking casual but pointed questions about her future with the family business. Lisa answered as best she could, giving them updates on her work at Kim Industries and her plans to continue gaining experience before stepping into a leadership role.

Her father, thankfully, kept the pressure light, though she could see the hope in his eyes. He wanted her to take the reins, and sooner rather than later. But Lisa still wasn’t sure if she was ready.

As the evening wore on, Lisa found herself thinking back to Jennie. How did Jennie handle this level of responsibility day in and day out? How did she manage to stay so composed, even when the pressure was on?

By the time the dinner ended, Lisa felt mentally drained but more certain of one thing: She wasn’t ready to take over the family business just yet, but she was getting closer. Working with Jennie had taught her a lot, and she wasn’t done learning.

One step at a time, she reminded herself as she left the estate, heading home.

The future was still uncertain, but for now, she was content with where she was. And with Jennie Kim as her mentor whether Jennie knew it or not Lisa knew she was on the right track.

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