『JenSoo Short Stories』 - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

"How are you?" The woman asked.
With that simple question, Jisoo suddenly got lost in her thoughts. She couldn't look at Chaeyoung for a moment. She bows her head as tears start to cloud her eyes. The feeling of loneliness starts to fill her body. She may be friends with her cellmates, and she's thankful enough to be in a room full of good people, but that will never erase the fact that she's alone there. That she will spend some years of her life there without her family, friends, or relatives -- without someone she loves.
Jisoo starts crying so hard and loud. She rested her head on her arm on the counter. Chaeyoung worriedly looked at her but she couldn't do anything. As much as she wanted to hug and comfort her, she couldn't.
"Jichu... it's okay." Tears start to escape her eyes looking at the woman she has loved all these years. "I'll be here." She presses her hand on the glass where Jisoo's head is on the other side. Her other hand covers her mouth, trying to suppress her emotions. She wouldn't want Jisoo to see her like this.
They remained in that position with their silent comfort. Jisoo couldn't talk after she calmed down. If the glass is not between them, their faces are probably an inch away from each other. Both their hands are pressed even on the glass.
"I promise to see you again. I'll visit you often." Chaeyoung said. "Don't avoid me, or else I'll tell your dad."
Jisoo tried to show a smile but her eyes were still wet with tears. She nodded.
The clock suddenly beeped.
"Kim, time's up." An officer said.
"I'll see you again. Okay?" Chaeyoung said, smiling so beautifully at her with her puffy eyes, red cheeks, and nose.
"I'll see you Chaeng." Jisoo stood up and waved at her.
As promised, Chaeyoung visits her as frequently as she can whenever she's free. She once had a week-long vacation after filming a movie. So, she was at the center thrice that week. And in between the days, Jisoo would make a phone call to her. Their eight minutes didn't feel too short, unlike the first time. Somehow, it felt enough for both of them. It was enough for Chaeyoung to make Jisoo feel that she's still there and will never leave. That she still loves her. It was enough for Jisoo to not feel the loneliness anymore.
Jisoo was able to get hired at the furniture shop. She gets paid even just for a few bucks. She didn't mind. She's not doing it for money after all. She just really wanted to kill time. She also finished a few more skill courses that were offered during the holidays. She loved that.
It's already been a year and Jisoo seems to enjoy her stay there. She didn't know that her father only had two requests from the heads of the institution. Make her join a cell with less evil inmates, and make sure that no one touches her until she gets out. With that, Jisoo feels like living a normal life inside.
Luck is surely on Jisoo's side but not on Jennie's. After the divorce, she lost her clothing business, for not paying the company's loan amounting to more than six million dollars. She didn't get anything, Jisoo made sure about that. Every property and car they have were named under Jisoo's, so she couldn't use any of them. She lost every single brand sponsorship she had. Financially, she was left with only a few hundred bucks on her account just enough to get herself a small room apartment. She lost her family too. Not one of them helped her when they found out what really happened. Turns out, Jisoo's team leaked the photos and videos of her cheating. And even the people whom she considers her friends also left her. Though, there's only one that remained, Simeez. Her childhood best friend who she almost forgot about after being surrounded by beautiful people. The woman got successful with her real estate company where she got VIP clients, from both the business industry and government. She even handles celebrity accounts now and is getting a lot of attention because of how good she is as a lady boss. She's been featured in a few business and women's magazines already.
Simeez was kind enough to give Jennie a job as her executive assistant. Jennie works so hard to be rightful in her position. She didn't want any issues anymore inside the company. It is more than enough that she went through hell hearing gossip about her every single day just because of their most controversial case.
Simeez offered her apartment to her but she insisted on staying at a student dorm for the time being until she gets to earn just enough to get a new apartment. She never opened herself to dating again. She didn't need that.
It's Jisoo's fifth birthday celebration inside the center. She was forced to join a dance contest a week ago with Momo and Lisa and unexpectedly, they won. They can now enjoy three-day visit transfer perks where they can accept visitations in a special room without a glass in between. They are allowed to touch, hold, or even hug their guest but not too long. They can comfortably sit on a couch or separate accent chairs. A visit transfer carries a fifteen-minute visitation duration. Chaeyoung has visited her twice already. This is their last moment in the special visitation room. It is indeed a happy birthday for Jisoo.
"Waahhh..." Irene shakes her head as she stares at Jisoo. "I really don't get why you look so gorgeous and handsome at the same time."
She had her hair trimmed and she looks so beautiful with her bangs.
Jisoo chuckles in shame scratching her forehead. "Shut up Baetokki."
"Seriously Boss Kim, you are really something!" Lisa compliments as she brushes off some hair dust on Jisoo's uniform.
Momo tied her hair in the back and tinted her lips in matte cool brown shade lipstick.
"Not too much Chu. Officer Ye Jin might notice." Momo then starts popping her lips and Jisoo does the same.
Boss Mina walks towards her after stepping out of the bathroom. The three made their way to her so she could stand in front of Jisoo.
She looked at Jisoo from head to toe then nodded. She twirled her index finger asking for Jisoo to turn and the woman did. She nodded again and put her hands on Jisoo's shoulders.
"Nervous?" She asks.
Jisoo sighed happily then nodded. "Very."
"Don't be. You can do it okay?"
"Yes. Thanks, Boss."
A few loud taps on the window, then slide it open making specks of dust fly to the air. Everyone in the room looks at the window.
"Inmate 1205, Kim Jisoo. You have a visitor." Officer Ye Jin calls.
"Kaja!" Boss Mina said as she pats Jisoo's back.
Jisoo takes a deep breath then walks towards the open door, waiting for her.
"You look good Kim. Happy Birthday." The officer greets happily.
"Thank you very much, officer." Jisoo smiled back.
The walk to the visitation room felt like walking on clouds. Jisoo was surely happy. She already expected that her girlfriend would visit her. Besides, she's the only person she wanted to see on this special day.
She's very nervous but more like excited.
Officer Ye Jin stood by the door with her. Suddenly, another officer came holding a paper bag and a bouquet.
"Officer Ye Jin, Ms. Kim's request."
"Thank you, Officer Lee."
"Happy Birthday, Kim!"
"Thank you, Officer Seulgi." They both smiled at each other then, the officer stepped aside.
"Kim," Officer Ye Jin hands her the bouquet and paper bag. "This is the first time you used your card."
"I really didn't want to, but I need it, officer."
"Well, you deserve it. It's not like every day you ask for favors. You've been good all the while you're here. Good job."
Jisoo smiled at her.
"Let's go now, your woman's waiting for you."
The moment they entered the room, the woman's face glowed in happiness as if she hadn't seen Jisoo for a very long time.
Jisoo bowed to Officer Ye Jin as she closed the door from the inside.
"Officer, can I at least have one picture with her later?" Jisoo whispered to her.
Officer Ye Jin smiled then nodded.
"Thank you."
Jisoo walks towards her woman happily. She handed the bouquet and gave her woman a tight hug.
"Babe. Happy birthday," Chaeyoung whispered. "I've missed you."
They both released the hug but both their arms still cling to each other.
"As if you didn't see me yesterday." Jisoo chuckles.
"Still."
"You like it?" Jisoo looks at the flowers.
"I love it. So beautiful. Why am I the one receiving a gift? It's your birthday."
Jisoo chuckles then strokes her woman's hair. "It's fine Babe. I picked them myself."
"Really? I love them."
They both sat on the couch and started talking about anything. The storytelling of Jisoo continues as if she'll never run out of anything to share with her girlfriend. They talk to each other while holding their hands as if they're the only people inside the room. When their conversation starts to go cheesy and Jisoo leans forward wanting to kiss Chaeyoung, Officer Ye Jin would always clear her throat reminding them that she's still there. The two then look at her then smile in embarrassment.
The fifteen-minute limit somehow felt like a day for the two of them. They both enjoyed their time together, not wasting a single second.
The officer clears her throat. "Kim and Ms. Park, you only have two minutes left."
"It's okay Babe, I can always come back." Chaeyoung said, then kissed the back of Jisoo's hand.
"Uhh... Babe, there's something I wanted to ask." Suddenly, Jisoo starts to feel nervous.
"Sure Babe, anything."
Jisoo gets the paper bag and takes out the black jewelry box inside it. It surprised Chaeyoung but she didn't want to keep her hopes up. She's trying her best to convince herself that it could be just a piece of jewelry.
"Babe..." Jisoo held her hand and looked at her dearly. "You've known me since we were young and with everything that happened to me, you never left. You always choose to stay."
Jisoo kneels in front of her. Tears start to cloud her woman's eyes. Her cheeks and nose start to redden.
"Forgive me for the times that I made the wrong decisions. Please forgive me for everything. Will you stay with me for the rest of my life?" Jisoo opens the box and reveals a diamond ring that sparks like her eyes.
Chaeyoung nods rapidly then smiles. "Yes, Babe. Yes!" She cries with joy.
Jisoo puts the ring on her finger. "I love you Babe. I love you so much." She held the woman's face and pressed her lips on her. "Thank you for always staying with me." Tears suddenly escaped Jisoo's eyes.
"I love you Babe." Chaeyoung cries as she hugs Jisoo tightly.
They both stood up after they released their long and tight hug. Both smile at each other joyfully.
"I'm so sorry Officer Ye Jin, I know we have exceeded the time limit." Jisoo apologizes as she sniffs and wipes her eyes.
"It's fine Kim. I got you. C'mon, let's wrap it up. I'll take a picture of you two."
They both stood there side hugging each other with Chaeyoung raising her hand with a ring near her face. Both smiling so big and beautiful. The officer took a few more photos and promised to send them to Jisoo's assistant.
"Please wait a little longer Babe." Jisoo said, holding both Chaeyoung's hands as they both stood by the door.
"No matter how long." Chaeyoung pressed her lips on Jisoo's and her thumb lightly brushed it off. "I love you Babe, I'll see you soon. Happy birthday!"
"Thanks Babe, I'll see you."
After three years of working as Simeez's executive assistant, Jennie was given a chance to become an agent at the company. Simeez pushed her since she wants her friend to earn more and not only settle doing the job as her assistant. She started at a difficult pace. Most clients would take down her offer once they found out that she's handling it. It's been years yet they still remember her involvement in one of the most controversial cases in the country. It took almost a hundred clients until finally, she got to handle one client then maybe, the universe pitied her and gave her the luck she's been wanting all this time.
This is her second year as an agent and she has just been awarded as The Real Estate Agent of the Year. She was able to handle and close more than a hundred accounts for the whole year. She's been doing well and has already saved more than enough to support her needs. Even with this new career path that she's taking, her family never reached out to her ever since.
The after-party started after she was awarded. They're at their table enjoying their glasses of champagne and wine. Jennie is not into dancing at parties so she stayed there seated with Simeez who didn't have a choice but to join her.
"Jen, c'mon, it's just a dinner date." Simeez is trying to convince her to date the new marketing manager. "Besides, Jongin seems to look nice."
Jennie rolled her eyes then used her phone. "I told you. I am never dating again. It's not for me."
"Are you still scared? It's been five years!"
"I'm not. And I know it's been five years but I just don't want to do it. I don't need it." She sips from her wine glass.
"You're being too hard on yourself. Please Jen, just this one time." Simeez holds her arm.
Jennie shakes her head then sips again from her glass.
She didn't finish the party. She left after seeing Simeez enjoying her time talking to a guy. Besides, she started to feel annoyed with a few guys asking her to dance. Some asked her for her number and others were asking her out.
"Shall I take you home?" A man asked while she's in the lobby of the hotel waiting for her car.
Jennie tried to show a smile and gave a nod, acknowledging his presence. "It's fine Jongin. I can take care of myself. Have a great night." She immediately walks towards the main door then gets in her car.
She had blocked the idea of entertaining a new relationship in her life. Jisoo was right. She will never be free from her. What happened that night caused her a huge trauma. There were times when she couldn't sleep so she had to take pills. She's had nightmares repeatedly from what happened that always wakes her up in fear. Jisoo is everywhere in her world. The image of the woman never left.
She went straight to shower the moment she arrived at her place. Wearing her night purple satin robe, she walks to the kitchen counter and gets a bottle of wine and two wine glasses. And as part of her annual grief, she gets the framed photo from the hanging shelf above the television then sits on the floor by the full glass window. She puts down the glasses and the bottle and stares at the photo as usual. Her thumb strokes the face of the woman whom she used to love and regrets hurting and losing, Jisoo. It was the picture of them when Jisoo asked her to be her girlfriend and she said yes. It's the only thing she was able to keep after every single thing she had from Jisoo's was confiscated after the divorce.
She stands the photo on the floor beside her. She poured the wine on both glasses and clinked them.
"Happy birthday Love. I hope you're happy." She drinks from her glass then hugs both her knees while looking at the night city view outside.
Have you forgiven me? I'm really sorry for everything. She thought.
She usually finishes three to four glasses of wine including the other glass then takes a sleeping pill. Her big room and queen-sized bed may give her comfort but not the memories of the place where she's living now. She was able to buy back the apartment that Jisoo gave her even if it cost her triple the original price. She wanted it so bad. It may look like torture for her but she didn't mind. If Jisoo sold herself in prison and served her punishment, she thought she could do the same by living there -- living in hell.
For two years, she's been sending gifts to Jisoo. Just anything. She always makes sure to give every month. From a simple letter to a bucket of sweet goodies, a box of energy drinks, a set of skin care essentials, gloves, and scarves with Jisoo's name, and a lot more. She never asked if the gifts were received. She just sends them to her.
All the while, Jisoo knows that everything was given by a fan.