Enigmatic Eyes | JENLISA

Chapter 16 [M]

"Ah, you must be Jennie." Ye-Jin spoke in a sing-song voice, embracing the flushed brunette the second she stepped through the front door. "I can finally say it is a pleasure to meet you, child. I have heard many wonderful things about you!"

Jennie chuckled nervously. She had heard of Ye-Jin, sure. But being here, back in the mansion where everything began, seemed slightly surreal to her. Especially taking into consideration that their first encounter had been under less-than-friendly conditions. "It's, um, really nice to meet you, too! Officially! Lisa speaks very highly of you."

"Oh, I like you already!" Ye-Jin laughed, ushering Jennie further into the house's interior. Jisoo and the gang had already crossed to the back yard, where the grill was being managed and decorations were being put in place. Haruto had volunteered to keep Lisa away from the house until all was in order, probably sending the poor girl down an endless, pointless goose chase. "Now, I could use your help in the kitchen. Lisa mentions you're a very skilled cook?"

Jennie blushed again, feeling incredibly pressured to meet standards. "Er, absolutely. I'd be more than happy to help."

Ye-Jin led her to the kitchen, quickly explaining the meal she was trying to prepare, and giving Jennie a tour around the cabinets for familiarity purposes. Once they were situated, they worked in relative silence, exchanging conversation when the situation called for it.

"So... I suppose I have you to thank for Lisa's sudden will to graduate." Ye-Jin finally managed to dive into the heart of the topic she was itching to bring up; her reason for even having Jennie help her in the first place. Plus, getting to know the girl Lisa professed her love to had peaked her curiosity. Sensing Jennie's hesitation, she presented the shy girl with a warm smile. "You know... I have been trying with that girl for years now, and she would just not give me the time of day. But here she is, a college graduate. No longer interested in leading a meaningless, intoxicated life. She even spoke about possibly reclaiming the family business!" Ye-Jin kept her gaze low, watching the knife she wielded slice effortlessly into the tomato she currently mutilated. "All of this, because you inspired her to."

Jennie swallowed heavily, unsure how to approach the subject. "I think... I just gave Lisa a motive. Completely unintentional, if I'm being honest. Truth be told, she accomplished all of this on her own. I had nothing to do with it, Miss Ye-Jin. I didn't even want anything to do with her at first." Jennie chuckled, shaking her head at the baffling realization of how much had changed in such little time.

"At first?" Ye-Jin questioned, zoning into the one part of her statement that incriminated her to the point of no return. Jennie's throat felt parched.

"Ah, yes, er – um... See, I... I sorta asked Lisa to date me. Officially. Exclusively, you know... I mean, maybe I should have asked you? I-I, wow, um that's silly... Lisa is an adult, I know. But, well, see, I'm sure you would have liked to know. Or at least have met me first!" The babbling was just pouring out. "I assure you, I'm not a weirdo, or creep, or... trying to take advantage of her in any way, I promise. I would never! Lisa- she's good. She's special. And I don't mean special in the, you know... no, I mean like, her heart is special. A-and I sorta like her. well, no, not sorta... sheesh, bad word choice there. I do like her. A lot."

She snapped her jaw shut once the incoherent nonsense had all but spilled out. She avoided Ye-Jin's gaze, which she felt resting right at the side of her head, and she steeled herself for the blow that was to come. Prepared herself for the worst.

"Well, it's about damn time, girl!" Ye-Jin spoke, shooting casual glances over to Jennie as she resumed her vegetable chopping. Jennie was left speechless, lifting her eyes to Ye-Jin's only to find warmth and acceptance there. "You nearly drove that child mad! Drove me mad with her constant babbling about you! Jennie this... Jennie that..." Ye-Jin chuckled. "I don't know what you did to make my Pranpriya so smitten so quickly but, whatever it was... thank you, Jennie... for bringing her back to me."