『JenSoo Short Stories』 - Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Jennie had just closed another deal for a new apartment building. And even though her co-workers were happy for her and teasing her to treat them to dinner, she just laughed it off and gave the team leader her card so they could eat out. She's not joining them. She never did unless Simeez was there too.
"Jen, are you sure you're not coming with them? I mean, you need some time to enjoy." Simeez said as she stood beside Jennie who's busy cleaning up her table.
"I'm fine. You know I'm never interested in that. Dinner together instead?" She asked as she put the folders in her drawer and locked it.
"Sure! That's why I'm here. I was about to ask you. Hurry up."
They both went to their usual go-to dinner restaurant. An Italian restaurant just near the office, which was the same place that Jisoo and she both visited often in the past.
Their plates are now empty but their glasses are still filled with white wine.
"Someone already bought it."
"Bought what?"
"Your property. The building where you supposed to have the new office for B&E."
Three years ago, Jisoo's lawyer met with Jennie. She was perplexed reviewing the document that the lawyer gave her. Jisoo had put the property under her name. She didn't know why her ex-wife made that sudden decision. They never really had the chance to talk after her first and last visit. She knows how much Jisoo hated her. Her ex-wife even told her to never come back because she didn't want to see her again.
So, why?
In the end, she wasn't able to do anything since Jisoo's team was too insisting. She signed the papers and waited until everything was legally settled. It took her three years to finally decide to sell it.
"Jisoo's Enterprise bought it." Simeez said in a straight face.
Jennie's eyes widened with her mouth half open hearing what Simeez said. "J--Jisoo?"
Simeez hummed in response as she took a sip from her glass.
"Seriously?"
Simeez gave a nod and it gave her chills. Her heart starts beating so fast, her hands start to feel numb.
"Simeez why didn't... Why didn't you tell me? I mean, why now?" Jennie starts to panic.
Simeez then lets out a laugh. "Sorry Jen, I'm just... I'm just... messing with you." She laughed again. "It's Jisoo Hong. Not your Jisoo."
Jennie heaved a sigh of relief then rolled her eyes. "I could kill you, you know?"
"Sorry Jen! Love you! They're settling the payment tomorrow. I'll let you know."
Jennie nodded. "Thank you. But I still hate you. Damn Sim!"
Simeez couldn't stop laughing until Jennie joined her too.
"Don't you ever want to see her again?" Simeez asked after she requested the bill.
Jennie sighed. "Of course I do. But she didn't want to see me for sure. Besides, she looks happy and she's engaged."
"But we all know that it's not gonna work for so long. You know that in the end, it's still going to be you guys. You know that because you can never change that."
Jennie didn't answer. As much as she wanted to believe that, it doesn't change the fact that Jisoo loves someone else now. And sooner or later she'll spend her life with that person, and that's not her. She knows that she can only force herself to her ex-wife again if the odds open for them.
"Do you still love her?"
A heavy sigh was released. She nodded with tight lips.
"If there'll be a chance for us to meet again then, I'll figure it out. But for now, I don't have any plans to force it. It's enough that I see her in the news and social media." She sips from her glass then looks outside the window.
Her best friend felt her grief just by talking about Jisoo. Simeez doesn't usually ask about her. It just happens on some occasions like this. And she knows that Jennie hasn't fully moved on from her. She feels deeply sorry for Jennie but she can't do anything about it. No matter how many times she encouraged her to let go of everything, Jennie doesn't seem to change her mind. She's paying for her punishment the way she thinks she should and Simeez can only stay by her side to support her.
To lighten up the mood, Simeez asked her to go on a quick shopping trip. This could somehow help her let go of her thoughts about Jisoo for a moment.
"Babe, are you sure you'll start working tomorrow?" Chaeyoung asked while sitting on a chair watching Jisoo prepare her outfit in the walk-in closet. "I mean, it's only been a week. Min and your team can handle that without you."
Jisoo hung her coat then went to Chaeyoung. "Babe," She kneels in front of her. "it's fine. Besides, this is my business. I want to make sure I am there from day one."
Chaeyoung sighed.
"Are you worried about me?" Jisoo starts caressing her face.
Nothing worries Chaeyoung more than Jisoo being exposed to the public again. A week is not yet enough for Jisoo to adjust to her new life outside. She's still everywhere on the news. Her fans haven't been pacified yet from the adrenalin rush since her release. And every single article that was released since she got out, Jennie is always mentioned and linked to Jisoo. She is thankful though because Jisoo hasn't gained access to any of her social media accounts. Of course, she can never change the past. But she hopes for Jisoo to at least let the time pass before making herself accessible to the public again, especially the media.
"Yes. I mean, You haven't enjoyed your free time and now you're working already. I am not worried that you won't do great because I know you. You've always been the best. But I don't know."
"Well, I know I'll be fine because you'll be with me tomorrow right? So, I don't have to worry about anything. Just please trust me." She held both of Chaeyoung's hands. "I just need to get this done and I promise you, we'll have a short vacation to anywhere you want. Okay?.
Chaeyoung smiled then nodded. She held Jisoo's face and planted a kiss on the forehead then hugged her. She trusts Jisoo all her life. Nothing can question that. But she doesn't trust the people around them enough. And sometimes, herself. No one knows what can happen. She's starting to hate herself for overthinking. Yes, what scares her is the chance for Jisoo and Jennie to meet again. Just thinking about the idea already makes her feel like something's choking her to death. Preparing herself for that matter will never come in time. The thought always brings her back to the time when she witnessed how drawn Jisoo is to her ex-wife. How Jisoo almost gave up everything for her. How weak Jisoo was to that woman. How Jisoo loved her so much.
Jisoo killed someone for her.
No one can ever do that.
And all because she loved her that much.
But more than anything else, she knows that if the two had met, it's the end for her and Jisoo.
She can only hold on to her thoughts and sigh in defeat when that day comes.
The day that she fears the most.
Jisoo woke up just in time to do her routine. Half an hour of workout and cook then breakfast. Chaeyoung noticed how excited Jisoo is starting the day. She asks Minjeong about the meeting and some things that need discussion. Folders and papers were flipped repeatedly as Jisoo double checked everything. From the restaurant's floor plan, profiles of the interested chefs and staff, to a branding proposal. Her first day is definitely a serious work mode for her.
New Message - Simeez
Hey Jen! I'll let you know if the meeting will finish early. I'll pick you up at the office after lunch then we'll go to the mall. I need to buy something for a wedding gift.
Jennie shakes her head after seeing the message, holding a cup of coffee. Sometimes she wouldn't want to believe that Simeez is actually a hard-working woman and a good boss. But what can she do? Her boss is her best friend. Otherwise, it'll be easier for her to turn down her offer.
Okay. Just so you know, I'm supposed to finish my report today and check the deck for the presentation next week but here you are asking me to cut my working time to go shopping. Really nice. See you later!
She then prepares her bath and clothes, getting ready for her usual routine before going to work. And part of that daily routine is to look at the picture and leave a kiss on Jisoo's face.
"I'll get going now, Love. I hope you'll have a great day." She mumbled then left her apartment.
Making sure to present herself properly, Jisoo even tried a few more sets of clothes but Chaeyoung stopped her and chose the outfit she chose last night.
"You look fine Babe. No need to worry." Chaeyoung says, back hugging Jisoo while both in front of a full-length mirror. They're both wearing the same pieces from the coat and trousers, a low-neck satin undershirt, and a pair of boots. It's just that, Jisoo's in an all-black outfit, and Chaeyoung is in white.
Jisoo took a deep breath and smiled at her through the glass. "Okay, let's go."
"Unnie," Minjeong calls her from behind, just before they reach the front yard. "Siwon will take you to Dad's new office. I forgot to tell you last night that we changed the venue for the pitch. Sorry."
Jisoo smiled and gave her a light pat on her shoulder. "It's fine Min. Are they preparing our lunch?"
"They're working on it, Unnie. Snacks will be given to everyone during the presentation then after, we'll go straight to Mom's restaurant."
"Alright. Thanks, Min. We'll meet you there. See you!"
The couple entered their car and Minjeong walked to the other car just behind them.
The car just stopped by the traffic light and Jisoo looks at the ice cream shop on the side of her view. It was the ice cream shop where she used to take Jennie. She stares at it for a moment and shrugs the thought of her ex-wife which starts to fill her mind.
That was the first time in years.
"Babe, ice cream?" She asks, rubbing her thumb on Chaeyoung's.
"I would love to. But, aren't we gonna be late?"
Jisoo looked at her watch then smiled. "Nope. We have time. I'll call Min and tell her."
The couple stepped out of the car and entered the shop. The staff and owner of the shop were respectful enough to not mention Jennie. Instead, they happily welcomed and served the couple their orders and had them sign a display, and took a group picture. The couple gladly interacted with them before they left and went back to business.
Jisoo stopped by the main entrance of the building with a strange look on her face.
"Babe, what's wrong?"
Jisoo took a deep sniff on Chaeyoung's head then down to her neck. It was unusual. It bothered Chaeyoung.
"Babe?" She calls again holding Jisoo's face until their eyes meet.
"Sorry, Babe. It's just, something smells different." She then sniffs both Chaeyoung's back of her palms and wrists.
"You took your suppressant, right?" Jisoo asked, still not feeling at ease.
"Yes, Babe. You?"
Jisoo nodded then sighed. Shrugging off the thought, she holds Chaeyoung's hand then starts walking towards the elevator. The uncomfortable feeling continued as she took another deep breath inside the lift.
This can't be. She thought.
The air now felt familiar.
A scent of someone, she was sure it was from someone, starts to make her mind go crazy, drooling over who owns that sweet scent.
As they reached the floor, the scent became stronger the moment the elevator door opened. And at the end of the floor, they saw Minjeong in a bad state. They were sure she was scolding her assistant, as they started to hear her voice.
"How can you not know about this?!" Minjeong was furious. "Didn't you even make a proper background check? Seriously?"
Yeri, on the other hand, has kept her head low and quickly wipes off her tears.
"Min," Jisoo calls the moment they got near them.
"I'm so sorry Unnie. But the presentation is canceled."
"Canceled?! Why?" It was confusing and it gave Jisoo a sense of curiosity too.
"It was a mistake. Don't worry Unnie. I'll take it from here. We got the wrong company."
"What?! Min, you can't just cancel this. We're already here. Let's face them and let's talk through everything."
Minjeong shakes her head with both her hands on her waist. "No, Unnie. We just really need to go."
"I'm-- I'm so sorry." Yeri might be scared but she tried to somehow speak for herself. "I'm really sorry Ms. Kim, Ms. Park. This is all my fault. I should have done my job properly. I didn't do enough research about the company. I'm really sorry."
Jisoo sighed then lightly patted her shoulder. "Yeri, it's fine. Let's talk it over inside the room. We can't stay like this. This is very unprofession---"
The strong smell of the scent again stopped her, and this time, her hand immediately reached for the doorknob of the room next to them. Without hesitation, Jisoo opens it, feeling anxious.
"No! Unnie!" Minjeong yelled the moment Jisoo opened the door. She and Chaeyoung ran after her and there, they all saw the woman who's liable for Jisoo's sudden weird reactions.
"Jennie..." Chaeyoung mumbled as she tightly held Jisoo's arm.
"Unnie please, we can just go. We'll look for another company for your property." Minjeong tried to pull Jisoo's arm but she was too strong, standing still. Her gaze at Jennie was undisturbed.
Chaeyoung looked at her and she was sure, the way Jisoo looked at her ex-wife was without resentment. She was sure that Jisoo's eyes were longing.
They were with love.
"We--we're really sorry for the misunderstanding. Ms. Kim was not supposed to be here but my assistant ju-just had an emergency... I'm so--sorr.. we're really sorry." Simeez nervously explains as she folds her laptop.
She looks at her best friend who's catching her ex-wife's stare.
She was in tears.
Suddenly, Jennie's hand reached for the bite mark on her neck that felt burning. Her body was chilling inside and she couldn't do any move to somehow avoid it.
"Babe!" Chaeyoung yelled, feeling surprised when Jisoo abruptly loses her balance and starts to breathe heavily. Sweat is starting to form on her forehead as she grips her chest tight.
"Min! call an ambulance!" Everyone in the room was in complete shock. Jennie was near running after Jisoo but Simeez stopped her.
"Jisoo..." She mumbled with tears.
"Ahhhhh!!!" Jisoo screamed in pain as she reached for the table and gripped the corner as tight as she could, making the tips of her fingers turn white.
"Babe!" Chaeyoung tries to help her stand but Jisoo can't help herself either.
Siwon arrived and took Jisoo's arm and wrapped it on her shoulder to help her but she was frozen. She was too heavy to move.
"Can you please leave now?" Chaeyoung asked Simeez. "I'm sorry, but please just leave!"
Simeez quickly gets her things and Jennie's bag. She holds her best friend's arm then pulls her straight to the door.
But, just before Jennie reached the door, Jisoo quickly grabbed her hand as they both received each other's stares.
Both of them were in tears.
"Don't--don't go." Jisoo pleaded as she fell on her knees.
Jennie immediately came to her, kneeling, holding her face with both hands.
"I won't."
Chaeyoung couldn't even begin to react to the tragic memory right in front of her that she's unintentionally engraving in her mind. She couldn't utter a word as the scenario caught her off guard. This is even more painful than the moment she watched Jisoo walk down the aisle with Jennie.
She feels like dying anytime.
Her mom was right after all.
"Chaeyoung, I know that whatever you and Jisoo have now is real. I saw that and I will never ever question that. But you have to understand that not until her ex-wife is marked by a new alpha, she will always hold Jisoo's claim. Even if years have passed already, if she's not getting any treatments to let her mark fade or have it removed, she is Jisoo's.
After years of not seeing each other, the suppressants will be useless when they both meet in one room. I know that Jisoo's cycle became unstable when she entered the institution and all because she's enduring the struggles of not having Jennie around.
I don't want you to get hurt. So, make sure that they won't see each other until after your wedding and marking. Or else, it's the end for you both because they will forever hold each other captive."