𝑴𝒀 𝑯𝑶𝑴𝑶𝑷𝑯𝑶𝑩𝑰𝑪 𝑪𝑬𝑶 (𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑺𝑰𝑶𝑵)

1

The air hung heavy with unspoken tension as Lalisa, a woman radiating both strength and vulnerability, sat across from Mr. Kim. The warmth of the restaurant's lighting couldn't quite mask the shadows of her past, a past intertwined with the man who now offered her a dream job.

"Thank you for accepting my offer, Lalisa," Mr. Kim said, his voice laced with a fatherly pride. "Look at you, look at what you've become. A successful woman, with countless opportunities at your fingertips. I'm truly honored you chose Chanel."

Lalisa's smile, a beacon of resilience, held a hint of melancholy. "Yah, uncle, I told you, once I achieved my goals, I'd work for your company. It was my last dream, to work alongside you."

A flicker of concern crossed Mr. Kim's face, his smile fading. "Are you sure you can handle this, Lalisa? You know..." He paused, his voice laced with worry.

Lalisa cut him off, her voice firm, "Do I look weak to you? I'm stronger than anyone else here." She gestured towards the bustling restaurant, her eyes sparkling with defiance.

"You haven't changed, Lalisa," Mr. Kim chuckled softly, a fondness evident in his tone. "I'm sure your parents would be proud of you."

"I'm glad to hear that," Lalisa replied, a touch of sadness in her voice.

A moment of silence settled between them, before Lalisa continued, "Mr. Kim, can we keep my...condition...a secret? Especially from Jennie?"

Mr. Kim's brow furrowed. "Why, Lalisa? They should know. What if something happens to you?"

"I've been living my life to the fullest, uncle. Even with this...condition... I want to enjoy my life. I don't want everyone to feel sorry for me. Please, uncle, I don't want pity."

Mr. Kim sighed, his heart heavy with understanding. He nodded, his eyes filled with compassion.

"Thank you, Mr. Kim," Lalisa said, her voice choked with emotion. "You're the best." She threw her arms around him, a hug filled with gratitude and a hint of desperation.

"By the way, would you like to come by the mansion? My wife would love to see you," Mr. Kim offered, but Lalisa shook her head.

"Next time, Mr. Kim. I'm sure your homophobic daughter will be there. She's despised me since day one," she chuckled, a hint of bitterness lacing her words.

"Don't mind her," Mr. Kim said, trying to lighten the mood. "After all, you two will be working together. Remember, she's the new CEO, so you'll have to get used to it. Maybe she's forgotten how much she despises you." He laughed, but Lalisa only shrugged.

"I hope so," she murmured, her voice a whisper.

"But if she gives you a hard time, tell me right away. You shouldn't be exhausted because of your..." Mr. Kim started, but Lalisa cut him off.

"Yah, uncle, I told you, I'll be okay. I have a long way to go. The doctor said I have at least a year," she said, her voice firm, but her eyes held a flicker of fear.

Mr. Kim sighed, his heart aching for the woman who had become like a daughter to him.

 ---------

CHANEL

Jennie Kim, a woman of power and privilege, stood in the heart of her empire, the Chanel studio. Her sharp gaze swept over the room, her dissatisfaction palpable.

"Where are the new models?!" she snapped, her voice sharp and commanding. She had arrived thirty minutes early, yet her impatience was already simmering.

"Calm down, Jennie," Jisoo, the president and her best friend, said, her voice calm and steady. "You're early, and you're complaining about the models not being here. What's wrong with you?"

"I despise being late, Jisoo. You're the president, you should know that," Jennie retorted, her voice laced with a hint of arrogance.

"I know, but you're wrong this time. The models are still preparing. Calm the fuck down," Jisoo replied, her voice unwavering.

Jennie glared at her, her eyes blazing with anger. "You don't get to tell me what to do. I'm the CEO..."

"And let me remind you, I'm the president here. So I have every right to tell you what I want, especially when you're wrong. Shut up and wait a few more minutes, Ms. CEO," Jisoo cut her off, her voice firm and commanding.

After a tense thirty minutes, the models finally arrived. Jennie and Jisoo scrutinized them, their eyes searching for the perfect candidates for their summer campaign. The models were all beautiful, their features captivating, but only a select few could be chosen.

An hour later, the CEO and the president had selected two models for their new product. Jisoo congratulated the models, her smile genuine, but Jennie remained silent, her expression unreadable.

As she turned to leave, her eyes caught on one of the models.

"Stop," she commanded, her voice sharp and cold.

Everyone in the studio froze, their gazes fixed on the CEO. Jennie walked towards the model, her steps purposeful, her eyes unwavering.

"You," she said, her voice a low growl.

The model gulped, her face pale. "M-Ms. Kim?"

"What are you?" Jennie asked, her voice devoid of emotion.

"W-what?" the model stammered, her eyes wide with confusion.

"Jennie," Jisoo called out, her voice laced with concern. She knew exactly what Jennie was doing.

"I said, what are you? Straight or gay?" Jennie pressed, her eyes piercing the model's soul.

"...G-gay, Ms. Kim," the model whispered, her voice trembling, "but I believe my personal life shouldn't affect my work. I can do this job properly."

Jennie turned her back on the model and began to walk away, her face a mask of disdain.

"Replace her. Find another. I don't need her in my company," she instructed, her voice cold and dismissive.

"Jennie, what are you doing?!" Jisoo exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

"You heard her, Jisoo. She's gay, and I don't need her kind in my company," Jennie replied, her voice laced with venom.

"I want you out of my company," she said, her eyes fixed on the model, her voice dripping with contempt.

"Jennie!" Jisoo yelled, her voice filled with frustration.

"You can't just fire someone because they're gay," Jisoo said, her voice firm, her eyes blazing with anger.

"My company, my rules," Jennie retorted, her voice cold and arrogant.

"Have some respect for Pete's sake! You're a fucking homophobic! Stop disrespecting them, they're also human!" Jisoo yelled, her voice filled with righteous anger. She couldn't believe Jennie's blatant prejudice.

"Get out," Jennie commanded, her voice cold and hard.

But no one moved. They stood frozen, their eyes fixed on the CEO.

"I SAID GET OUT! LEAVE!" she screamed, her voice echoing through the studio. Everyone flinched, their faces pale with fear.

Jennie and Jisoo were left alone in the studio.

"How dare you humiliate me!" Jennie screamed, her face contorted with rage.

Jisoo remained unfazed. "You deserve it, Jennie. When are you going to change?"

"You fucking don't understand me, Jisoo..." Jennie began, her voice laced with bitterness.

"I do, Jennie! I fucking understand how your ex-boyfriend cheated on you! How he replaced you with a man! But please, not every gay person is at fault for what happened to you!" Jisoo cut her off, her voice filled with frustration. She couldn't take Jennie's immaturity anymore.