Today I Met The Girl I'm Going To M... - Chapter 43: Chapter 43

I have no idea how much time has passed since Jennie left.
Nothing seems to matter anymore.
Nothing.
The pain I feel consumes me.
I feel like I'm being swallowed by it.
I hug my knees to my chest as the tears pour out.
It hurts all over.
Every inch of me hurts.
I can't believe what Jennie said.
Or the way she looked at me.
Like I wasn't somebody she wanted to be around.
Hell, I can't even believe I ruined the best thing in my life by sleeping with Irene.
Stupid doesn't even begin to cover what I am.
I just want to curl up into a ball and pretend the last three days never happened.
I close my eyes and try to remember what it felt like to have Jennie hold me while we watched fireworks together at Disneyland.
How amazing it felt to be in her arms.
How it felt like I was right where I was meant to be.
But I can't get that feeling back.
The warmth that Jennie gave me is gone.
All I feel is cold.
Ice cold.
And alone.
Eventually I crawl over to my couch and cry until I have no more tears left.
Then I just lie on my back, with my eyes open as I try to figure out where it all went so very, very wrong.
I can't understand how Jennie and I went from such good times to the awful, horrific way things ended when she surprised me this morning.
What a terrible surprise.
It doesn't help matters that I can't stop thinking about all the possible reasons she came over.
Maybe she came to talk and I ruined everything.
"Jisoo, are you decent?" Rosé asks as she knocks on my front door.
I forgot she was coming over.
I don't want to see her.
I don't want to see anyone.
"I know you're in there," Rosé shouts. "And I have a key, so either you open up or I'm coming in."
Damn.
I guess I can't hide forever anyways.
I trudge my wary body over to the door and open it even though I'd rather not.
"Oh my god!" Rosé exclaims when she sees me. "What the hell happened? You look just awful."
Gee.
Now I feel so much better.
Thanks for the ego boost.
"I don't want to talk about it," I mumble on the way back to my couch.
Of course Rosé will have none of that.
She follows me and even though I try to avoid this conversation she won't allow me to.
Rosé pulls me up so I'm facing her. "What's wrong?"
Everything.
Every fucking thing.
I don't want to tell her.
I know what she's going to say.
She's going to ream me for being so stupid.
That's what I've been doing for god knows how long now.
My bottom lips quivers as I look into the worried eyes of Rosé.
I guess I do have some tears left after all.
I throw my arms around Rosé's neck as I lose it once again.
She holds me so tightly.
While I sob on her shoulder.
Rosé doesn't question me, she just lets me get it all out.
"I'm sure it's not that bad," Rosé says as she pulls back a bit.
She couldn't be more wrong.
It's beyond bad.
Rosé holds the side of my face in the palm of her hand while I try to clean myself up a bit. I blow my nose into the Kleenex she hands me as I work up the courage to explain what happened last night and this morning.
Once I'm done speaking I brace for her response.
"I knew I shouldn't have left you alone," is the first thing Rosé utters. "I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," I reply after I let out a big sigh. "It's not your job to stop me from acting like a first class heel."
"Hey," Rosé starts bringing my eyes back to hers. "Don't put yourself down like that."
"You're not mad at me?" I ask cautiously. I told her everything, well everything except the identity of my one nightstand.
She doesn't know about Irene's new found lesbianism, besides, I didn't even know about that until after I had sex with her.
I can't even imagine what Rosé reaction would be.
"Why would I be mad?" Rosé inquires, her voice is so soft and caring. "I'm your friend, Jisoo, that doesn't change just because you made a mistake."
A mistake?
A mistake?
That's putting it mildly, don't you think?
"Jennie didn't feel that way," I moan.
She never wants to see or speak to me again.
Ugh.
I better stop before the floodgates open.
"I don't think you're going to like what I have to say," Rosé announces making me cringe. "And I know you're in love with Jennie."
Wait.
What?
How does she know that?
I never said a word to her.
I bite my tongue though because she's not done.
"But if you ask me she was completely out of line both times you guys fought," Rosé finishes much to my surprise.
"She was upset," I say in Jennie defense.
"So what?" Rosé voice has changed from caring to ticked off. "Even if she was upset that doesn't give her the right to be so mean, and she's lucky I wasn't here because I would have punched her out for hurting you."
Despite my anguish I chuckle. "You would have?"
"Absolutely," Rosé confirms. "You're my best friend and I don't ever want to see anyone hurt you."
"Thanks," I whisper as I embrace Rosé . She may not be the person I'm in love with, but she can still make me feel better in even my worst moments.
Rosé runs her fingers through my hair and it's several moments before she speaks. "You have to talk to her, Jisoo." I open my mouth to tell her I can't but apparently she has other ideas. "I know you're upset, I know she hurt you and I know what she said, but you have try. You'll regret it if you don't."
"What if she turns me away?" I ask as I bury my face in her neck.
That's a very distinct possibility.
Not to mention I could get my heart stomped on for a third time.
"You'll have to keep trying." Rosé removes me from the comfort of her body. "You need to find out why she yelled at you because it's not normal for someone who is just a friend to get as worked up as she did."
I never thought of it that way.
After Rosé and I broke up, I didn't get jealous once when she was seeing someone new.
Not once.
Because I didn't have feelings for her that went beyond friendship.
She does have a point.
"At the very least, Jennie owes you an apology," Rosé says as takes hold of my hand. "And next time, when you're that distraught, don't attempt to handle things on your own because clearly you make shitty ass decisions." I smile despite myself. "There we go, there's that smile that I love."
"Believe me, I won't make that mistake again," I assure her. My days of reacting instead of taking a step back to think are over.
Hopefully.
"Speaking of last night, did anything happen with you and your girl?" I ask as Rosé and I move back to our own separate spots on the couch.
I need a bit of distraction right now as I contemplate Rosé's pearls of wisdom.
"I wish," Rosé replies sadly. "I thought we really hit it off but when I came back to where she said she was going to be, she was gone."
"That's her loss," I say to make her feel better. Rosé snorts but I can tell she appreciates my sentiments. "I'm serious, she must have gotten amnesia or she never would have left."
"I guess it just wasn't meant to be," Rosé sighs.
"Did you get her name at least?" I ask.
Maybe we can play Nancy Drew and locate her.
"No," Rosé groans. "The club was so loud, she told me but all I heard her say was Irene something or other."
Uh oh.
Double uh oh.
It can't be!
There's no way the universe is cruel enough that it would let Rosé's mystery girl be the same one I slept with.
I'm sure it's someone else.
It has to be.
Although, the way the universe has been treating me lately, I'm starting to think it can be that cruel.
Fuck!
If it was Irene, did she really like Rosé or did she know that Rosé and I are friends?
I flash back to the girl I saw Rosé pointing out and what Irene was wearing last night.
Fuck!
It was her!
Maybe Rosé wasn't looking at the same person I was.
That has to be it.
I start chewing on my fingernails nervously. "Uhm, describe her for me."
Rosé's description of Irene is spot on.
Fuck!
If she didn't judge me before, I bet she will be now.
I can't hold this information to myself though, that's not fair to Rosé.
"That girl, uhm, I know her," I start rather cryptically. Rosé looks at me curiously and I feel so bad. "It's uhm...that girl is Irene."
Rosé laughs. "You're crazy." She knows all about Irene's history with Bobby and me, she just hadn't met her. Until last night. "She was really into me and from what you've told me Irene would never be into girls."
I squint my eyes. "Trust me, it was Irene." Oh god, she's going to freak out. "And she's the one I brought home."
Rosé's jaw opens widely but no words come out.
"I'm really sorry, I had no idea they were the same person," I say sincerely. I hope Rosé realizes that I would never intentionally hurt her. "But I'm not lying or mistaken."
"So let me get this straight." Interesting way to put it. "The same Irene that terrorized you and Bobby in high school is the same person you had sex with?"
"Uhm...yes," I squeak out.
"And she's also the same person I thought was coming on to me?" Rosé asks despite what I just told her. "You slept with Irene!"
I nod my head because I honestly don't know what to say.
"Holy shit!" Rosé squeals. "That is so messed up." Tell me something I don't know. "Irene? Really?"
I know what I promised Irene but I also have an obligation to my friend.
Plus, Rosé is very trustworthy, she won't repeat what I'm about to tell her.
"Apparently she's had feelings for me since high school," I explain with some level of embarrassment.
Rosé laughs rather hard. "Holy shit, Irene has a big old lesbian crush on you."
"It's not funny," I say as I try to suppress my own giggles.
"Oh, but it is," Rosé smirks. "That's the funniest thing I've ever heard."
I look away from Rosé but when I look back at her we both lose it completely. We laugh and laugh until I can't really breathe.
It sure beats crying.
"Jisoo, Jisoo, Jisoo," Rosé tussles my hair like I'm five. "You really know how to get yourself in a jam."
"Yeah, I do," I agree as I rest my head on her shoulder. "I'm sorry about her leaving you high and dry."
"It's not your fault. I think I need to go home and take a shower now," Rosé jokes.
"How do you think I feel!" I don't think a shower will be enough to scrub off my shame.
"Was the sex good at least?" Rosé asks.
"Yeah, it was," I confess. But it was just sex and I don't want just sex anymore. "Really good."
"Damn it, looks like I missed out," Rosé replies and I'm not sure if she's fooling around or being serious.
I snuggle into her side as the seriousness of my situation with Jennie comes back to the front of my mind. "Do you think I'll be able to work this out with her?"
"I don't know, Jisoo, I really don't know." Rosé wraps her arm protectively around me. "But what I do know is that you can't give up."
Later that night and after an afternoon spent with Rosé, I find myself outside Jennie's door ready to face whatever is coming.
That's actually partially true, I'm scared and full of nerves, but I'm going to do what Rosé told me to do.
I'm not giving up.
Not on Jennie.
And not on us.
There's too much at stake for me to let her walk away.
We have something.
Jennie might not be able to admit it but it's true.
And Rosé was right about Jennie owing me an apology as well. I never set out to hurt her intentionally even though I did, but her words cut through me like a knife.
Both of us made mistakes.
But we have to find a way to work through this.
If we do, we'll be stronger for it.
And if we don't...
I can't think about that now or I'll freak myself out.
I ring the doorbell and try not to throw up while I wait for Jennie to answer.
My face falls when the door opens.
"Jisoo," Hanbin says with an expression on his face that I can't read. "What are you doing here?"
Damn.
I forgot he lived here.
Well, not forgot exactly, more like pretended he didn't exist.
I've come this far, I won't be deterred.
"Is Jennie home?" I ask as I stick my hands in the back pocket of my jeans.
Hanbin studies me and I almost wilt under his stare. I'm not sure if I could handle any more drama.
"Sure, come on in," Hanbin replies after what feels like years. "She's in the living room."
I nod as my stomach does somersaults.
I don't think I've ever been this nervous before and with Hanbin here it makes it even harder.
How am I supposed to have this heart-to-heart discussion with her when Hanbin could be listening in?
I'll have to figure out a way because I'm not leaving until we talk.
Hanbin stops at the entrance to the den and I do as well.
Jennie is sitting on the couch with her back to us.
It takes everything for me not to turn around and flee.
But I stay.
Like I know I have to.
"Jisoo's here," Hanbin announces without going in. Jennie flinches and I try not to get discouraged by her reaction. "I'm going to head out for a bit. I'll be back later."
If Hanbin wasn't Hanbin I might hug him for leaving.
Once I hear the front door close I take a step forward. " Jennie, I..."
"Please go," Jennie says before I can finish. "Please."
That's it!
I was going to give her a chance to speak her mind but she doesn't even want to try.
If Jennie doesn't want to talk she'll have to listen because I'm not going until she does.
I march over to the couch and I admit I'm a bit miffed.
I'm almost beside her when I begin my rant. "Look, I know you're upset, but that doesn't give you the..."
Oh my god!
Once I get a good look at Jennie my heart stops.
She's hunched over and tears are streaming down her face.
Oh my god!
This is all my fault.
She has her arms wrapped around her stomach and she won't look at me.
"Jisoo, please," Jennie cries out as she shakes her head from side to side.
I fall to the ground in front of her. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I repeat over and over again.
My hands are on her knees, but I restrain myself from taking Jennie in my arms.
I don't want to upset her further.
"Don't," Jennie replies making me confused. "Don't say that."
"But I am, I never meant to hurt you," I assure her and that makes her cry even more.
I feel my own eyes begin to water because the sight of Jennie like this is incredibly painful.
"You don't understand," Jennie finally makes eye contact with me and it only fuels my own sorrow for what I've done. "You shouldn't even be here."
"What are you talking about?" I ask as I grip her legs.
"You shouldn't be apologizing; I'm the one who's sorry," Jennie explains before she looks away again.
I don't really know what to do right now.
I've never seen Jennie look so fragile.
"Just go, you'll be better off," Jennie says as she pulls back from my touch.
"I'm not leaving," I reply. I can't, not now, and not when she's like this.
"I'm so sorry, Jisoo, you don't deserve any of the horrible things I said to you." It's getting harder to understand Jennie because she's sobbing so much.
"Please talk to me," I plead as I latch onto her hands. "We can make this right."
Jennie shakes her head. "No, we can't, I messed up and I pushed you away."
"I'm right here." I sit up straighter so I'm gazing directly into Jennie eyes. "I'm here, Jen, talk to me."
Something tells me that whatever is bugging Jennie isn't all about me.
I wonder if Hanbin did something to her.
I will murder him if he did.
Me jumping to conclusions will not help matters, so I force myself not to.
"I'm so sorry, nothing was your fault, it was all me, it's always me," Jennie utters so despondently.
She's not making any sense and I'm starting to get really worried.
I rest my forehead against Jennie as I implore her with my eyes not to shut down. "Please, Jen," I try again. "You're scaring me. I'm not going anywhere."
"Why? Why are you even here after what I did?" Jennie asks as my own tears begin to fall.
Because I love you.
And when you love someone you have to push aside your own feelings when they're in as much pain as Jennie seems to be in.
I'm not forgetting what she or I did, but what is happening now, trumps all that for the time being.
I cup her face with both my hands. "Because you are so incredibly important to me and the thought of not having you in my life frightens me more than you can possibly know."
"Oh god, oh god, oh god," Jennie rambles. "I'm so sorry."
This is getting us nowhere. "Tell me what's wrong." I hold her chin up so she has to look at me. "Please, just tell me."
She appears so broken.
"It's been seven years today," Jennie starts and she has my complete attention. "Seven years since my dad died."
The room is silent except for the sound of her voice.
"I know that's a long time ago but every year around this time I get upset," Jennie continues.
"That's understandable," I say sympathetically.
Jennie doesn't want any sympathy though. "Nothing justifies the way I've been behaving towards you. It's just..."
"It's just what?" I ask when her voice trails off.
My heart is literally aching for how sad she is.
"It's just when my dad died I felt like he left me all alone." Jennie's crying intensifies. "And this year all those feelings have come back."
"You're not alone, Jennie, you have Hanbin," I reply. I'm not that selfish that I won't say his name, even if it feels weird saying it.
A strangled cry comes out of Jennie's mouth and her body is trembling. "I don't have anybody."
"You have me," I pledge because she does.
"No, I don't." Jennie shakes her head like she doesn't believe or me, or she doesn't want to. "Everybody I care about leaves."
I hold her face so she has no choice but to keep her eyes connected with mine. "You do have me, Jennie. I'm not going anywhere." Not now and not ever. "I will always be here for you."
Jennie throws herself at me and she hits my body so forcefully I almost fall over. I regain my balance and grip onto Jennie as hard as I can. "Always," I whisper in her ear in case she still had some doubts.
I can feel my shoulder getting damp from Jennie's tears. I move us both to the couch as I keep a firm hold of Jennie's sobbing body.
We still need to talk, I know, but in this moment the only thing that matters is calming Jennie down and getting her to realize that she isn't alone.
I whisper words of comfort to her as a part of me wonders if she'll ever stop crying.
I wake up in a darkened room and it takes me a second to realize where I am.
Jennie and I must have fallen asleep on the couch because that's where I'm lying and she's lying on top of me.
As my mind clears I notice that there's a pillow under my head and a blanket covering Jennie and me.
Hanbin must have returned and found us together on the couch.
He didn't wake us up, he just let us be.
I look down at Jennie's sleeping face. She seems so at peace despite how upset I know she still is.
Her hand is clutching my shirt like she's afraid I'll get up if she doesn't.
I close my eyes and listen to the sound of Jennie steady breathing.
Jennie has nothing to worry about.
I adjust my body as I pull her closer to me.
For as long as Jennie wants me, I'll be here.
Just like I promised her I would.
And that, is a promise I have absolutely no intention of breaking.
Ever.
**
I hear someone saying my name quietly and it pulls me out of the best dream.
In my dream, Jennie and I were skipping down the street and holding hands.
Yes, I know how cheesy that sounds but we both had the goofiest grins on our faces.
We were happy.
And the recent drama that we'd been through didn't exist.
Plus, right when I was woken up, Jennie had just pushed me against a wall in preparation for a hot and heavy kissing session.
Sigh.
Back to reality I guess.
My eyes take some time to catch up to my brain, but when they open, I'm staring right into Jennie's brown ones.
"Morning," she whispers.
It feels early.
Really early and I have to say I'm disappointed that we didn't wake up together, with Jennie lying on top of me.
Jennie is crouched down in front of me and even though her eyes are puffy from last night, she's still the most beautiful girl I've ever laid my eyes on. "I wasn't sure what time you had to get up to go to work."
Oh work.
The bane of my existence.
Not to mention the meeting I have first thing that I can't get out of.
Otherwise I'd be taking a sick day.
I know, I know, my work ethic is just stupendous.
"That's ok," I tell Jennie as I stretch the kinks out of my body. I throw the blanket that was covering me over to the side and sit up. "What time is it?"
Jennie joins me on the couch and when she hands me a steaming cup of coffee, I smile.
She really does know what I like.
"Six-thirty," she answers.
Damn.
That is way earlier than I normally get up.
Especially on a Monday.
I'm very aware that I'm avoiding the actual topic I should be thinking about.
I'm just not quite sure how to handle this morning after.
I sip on my coffee as I contemplate what to do.
I'm over analyzing things.
I really need to get that under control.
"Are you ok?" she asks before I get a chance to say anything.
I turn to Jennie after I set my mug down on her coffee table.
"Yeah," I reply despite the uncertainty lingering in the air. "Are you?"
Jennie sits back as her fingers thread themselves through her brown locks. "Last night was rough." That's putting it mildly; she came completely undone in my arms. I hope I was able to put her back together. "But you came over to see me." She states the obvious but her voice rises at the end of her sentence like she still can't believe that I did.
"Was there an option?" I joke hoping some of the tension from last night and from this moment will dissipate.
"Yeah, you could do what most people do around me." Jennie drops her head and my heart follows suit. "Leave."
I see Jennie needs some convincing because she doesn't seem to remember what I promised her.
"No way," I say as I lift her chin up so her eyes meet mine. "That is never going to happen, you're stuck with me."
It must be hard to grow up with no sense of family or belonging.
I wish I had the power to take that pain away from her.
Jennie attempts a smile but it comes out rather flat. "You say that now but wait until..."
"There is no until," I assure her. "Every word I said to you last night, I meant. I'm not going anywhere unless you want me to."
An incredibly long silence follows my statement.
One that has my palms sweating and sends my pulse racing.
"I don't want you to," Jennie replies softly.
Thank god!
She still looks scared though.
And fragile.
I put my hand on Jennie's knee before I reach for my mug.
We sit in silence again as I finish my coffee but this silence is a welcome one.
A lot of damage has been inflicted over the last few days and it's not going to be magically repaired because we apologized to each other.
Life doesn't work that way.
It would be easier if it did, but it just doesn't.
I know that talking to Jennie about my feelings and hers is not something that should be avoided. At the same time, telling Jennie I'm in love with her right now is not the best course of action either.
I'm not using her state of mind as an excuse but I have to take it into consideration.
Confessing my undying love could push Jennie over the edge again and I just got her back.
She's not a hundred percent herself yet and I'm not sure how long it will take for that to happen.
I accepted that pursuing Jennie would take patience on my part.
I accepted that things weren't going to come easy.
I forgot those two items when I panicked the other night and I won't do that again.
We will have that conversation when I'm convinced Jennie can handle it.
After what we've been through, I know I can.
That's a start.
Right?
We need some time to heal and some time for the hurtful words that were uttered carelessly to lose their sting.
I'm not saying that Jennie and I are back at the beginning, because we aren't.
I almost believed that we might have been at the end and that was such an awful place to be.
I'm willing to wait for the right time even though I'm almost desperate for her to realize where my heart is at.
But pushing Jennie now would be a mistake and I think I've made enough of those already.
And when the time comes, I won't hold anything back.
Not one thing or item or feeling.
Jennie will know exactly how much I love her.
My one hope is that the love I feel for her is returned the way I want and need it to be.
"I have to go," I tell Jennie after I check the time. "Are you going to be all right?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine, don't worry about me," Jennie replies as we both stand up.
I slip my hand into hers despite not knowing where Hanbin is. After last night, I'm not convinced he's the problem I've made him out to be.
I think whatever is preventing Jennie from dealing with her feelings is Jennie herself and not an outside influence.
I haven't decided if that's going to make the road to us being together more treacherous or simpler.
"I do worry about you," I say as I pull Jennie close. "Don't you get that by now?"
Jennie looks pleased by my response. "Yeah, I do."
I resume our walk to the door with Jennie's hand still in mine. "Good, because it's absolutely true."
"I know," Jennie whispers. "I will be ok though, I promise."
"Call me later?" I ask as we stand at her front door.
Jennie nods before she wraps her arms around me.
We hug for longer than necessary as our actions begin the healing process that both of us need.
I pull back and even though I really want to kiss Jennie properly, I settle for a gentle press of my lips against her forehead. "If you don't call, I will come here and hunt you down."
Jennie chuckles softly. "That won't be necessary."
We embrace one more time before I get in my car and drive home.
I really have to step on it if I'm going to make my meeting.
I leave Jennie's feeling better about us.
Maybe I shouldn't because nothing really got resolved, but I do.
We may not be where I want us to be but we're headed in the right direction.
And that is enough.
For now.
I'm barely back in my office after my early morning meeting when Bobby barges in. He shuts the door and drags me over to my couch.
"You slept with Irene!" Bobby squeals with a look of horror on his face.
Roseanne!
You weren't supposed to say anything!
Gah!
"I can't believe Rosé told you," I exclaim as I shake my head. "I made her..."
"Rosé didn't tell me," Bobby replies. "But I can't believe she knew and didn't. That girl is in some serious trouble."
I'm puzzled.
How in the world did he find out?
"Irene stopped by to see me yesterday," Bobby explains before I get a chance to question him.
Uhm.
Ok.
She stopped by his place to tell him we had sex.
That's disturbing.
I knew she hadn't changed!
"Why have you gone mute?" Bobby inquires because I'm just staring at him. "Anyway, Marcel Marceau, she apologized to me."
Huh?
My poor over thinking brain can't handle guessing games so I'm just going to let Bobby get his story out.
"For being such a bitch," Bobby finishes with a smirk.
"She did?" I am completely floored.
"Yeah, weird isn't it, but that's what happened." Bobby starts chewing on his nails so I smack his hand out of his mouth. "Jisoo!" He whines but I ignore him and do it again. "And apparently Irene has a big old lesbian crush on you."
I roll my eyes while Bobby howls with laughter.
My brother and Rosé spend way too much time together.
"She told you that?" I ask because frankly I was sure Irene coming out would be something that happened in the future.
Bobby nods as he jumps up and down like a child. "Yes, she did. I always had a feeling about her but her supreme bitchiness must have jammed my gaydar so I couldn't be sure."
"And she apologized to you?" I know what I heard but I still don't believe it.
Bobby flicks my forehead. "What are you hard of hearing all of a sudden?"
I flick him back because he's annoying me. "Don't be an ass, I'm just surprised."
"We had a great talk actually, and she's even letting me take her out for her first shopping spree as a gay woman," Bobby squeals with excitement. "We're going to have so much fun."
I ponder asking him exactly what is involved in a coming-out shopping spree but I'm not sure I care enough to ask.
I will give my brother credit for being nice to Irene after what she did to him.
That's just like Bobby though, he has a really big heart and he's always willing to forget as well as forgive.
Even if he can be a tool at times, he's a pretty great guy.
"But baby sis, the bigger issue is why would you of all people sleep with Irene," Bobby says once he's stopped bouncing around. "I thought you were all about a certain brunette. Did you have an Operation Jensoo meeting without me?" Bobby holds his hand to his chest like I've wounded him deeply.
"No, that's not it," I reply without disclosing anything else.
Bobby's face turns very serious. "Jokes aside, you know you can tell me anything, right?"
"Yeah, I know," I audibly sigh. "Jennie and I had a huge fight and I was upset."
"I'll say, if you slept with Irene," Bobby teases, but then I glare at him. "Sorry, sorry, that was a reflex. Look, Jis, I'm not sure exactly what is going on with you and Jennie but whatever it is, I have your back and you can come to me for help."
"I thought you were already helping me," I say as I punch his arm.
Affectionately, of course.
"Not with plans or wooing," Bobby clarifies. "I meant advice or an ear to listen."
He's being extra nice today.
I wonder why.
"Do you want something from me?" I ask and I'm not joking.
Bobby dramatically gasps. "No, and I'm offended that you would say such a thing."
"I'm sorry, oh brother of mine, but you're acting funny, even for you." I know, I bet he's still running a fever. "How are you feeling?"
Bobby frowns. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
"Because you were sick on Saturday," I explain.
"Oh, right, right, I totally forgot about that. I'm totally fine now," Bobby then emits such a fake laugh I'm afraid he'll hurt himself. "I've got to head back to work, you just remember what I said. I'm here if you need me."
"Thanks," I reply as my curiosity for his weird behavior peaks. "I think."
Bobby rushes out of my office like it's on fire.
I don't have time to try and figure out what his deal is because I get called into an emergency meeting.
Some celebrities just don't understand the meaning of the word underwear.
Two days have passed since I last saw Jennie.
But, we've been talking a lot.
On the phone, mostly at night and it's been great.
She's told me stories about her dad and what kind of guy he was and I think it's helping her.
I feel like we're rebuilding, whatever we are, and I'm really looking forward to seeing her.
I'm just not sure when that will be exactly.
She's been working really hard to finish her first album and surprisingly I've been hard at work too.
"Jisoo Kim speaking," I say after I pick up the phone.
It's almost quitting time and I'm hoping that tonight I get another chance to speak with Jennie.
I miss her.
"Hi, Jisoo, this is Tony," a man replies.
Tony.
Tony.
Why do I know that name?
"From Jennie's record company," he continues.
Oh yeah.
That's it.
"I want to schedule a meeting so we can discuss the launch of her album," he finishes.
"That sounds great," I tell him enthusiastically. "When is good for you?"
I can't wait for Jennie career to take off, it means so much to her.
"How about Friday at nine?" Tony suggests.
"Works for me." I enter the appointment into my calendar even though I know I won't forget.
"Perfect. We have some big plans for her and I think you're going to like them," Tony says before he hangs up.
I don't know why, but I get a funny feeling in my stomach once I put my phone down.
My ability to analyze why I feel that way is interrupted by the best reason possible.
Jennie, in my office, with a huge grin on her face.
Nose crinkle!
It's so good to have you back!
"Hey, Jen, what brings you by?" I ask with an equally big smile on my face.
"My album is done!" Jennie exclaims with so much enthusiasm. "I just finished a couple of hours ago and I still can't believe it."
"That's awesome," I reply as I jump out of my chair.
I give Jennie a huge hug and she laughs.
"I can't really breathe," she squeaks out under the force of my embrace.
Oops.
I'm just really happy to see her and to hear such wonderful news.
"Sorry, sorry," I say after I let her go. "You must be thrilled."
"That's putting it mildly," Jennie jokes. "I wanted you to be the first to know."
Wow!
The first!
That's like the sweetest thing ever!
"You did?" I ask shyly.
I've also missed how amazing and special Jennie makes me feel.
Jennie nods as she bites her bottom lip. "I did."
"This calls for a celebration," I say as I leave her side for a second to grab my things. "How does painting the town red sound?"
"Not bad, but if you don't mind, I'd rather spend the night just with you," Jennie replies making me swoon like only she can. "Maybe we can rent a couple of movies or something."
"I like your idea way better," I say as I link my arm together with hers. "Let's blow this popsicle stand."
Jennie laughs at my lame joke as we make our way to the elevator and my weird feeling from my conversation with Tony is replaced by a much better one.
A feeling that comes only from the gorgeous brunette beside me.
And one I pray I get to feel for the rest of my life.