The Gang In High Heels | BLACKPINK AU

18: Tipping Point

The elevator opened silently and Jisoo stepped out first. Jisoo remembered the layout of the floor from the short time the group had spent here during Sylvia's tour and Jisoo quickly headed for the stairs across the square. As she made her way through the crowded training floor, Jisoo caught a glimpse of the dormitory. Where Lisa had kissed her. And now Lisa probably hated her. If not for rejecting her moments after the kiss, then for seemingly betraying the group by capturing Jennie and siding with YG. 

Jisoo could feel herself wavering mentally and fought to suppress her emotions as she began climbing up the stairs. I can't be distracted right now. Jisoo was aware that any weakness in her mother's presence would be disastrous but she was so very tired. She had been tired for years but it was all coming to a peak now. Maybe YG had also grown tired of half measures. First Lisa and now Jennie. I can only hope Mother hasn't had something awful done to Rosie.

I'm tired of letting her bring the worst out of me. I'm tired of being manipulated and having to lie to the people I care about the most.

"Ah, Jis-, Miss Jisoo!" As usual, Ophelia interrupted Jisoo's inner rant, this time Ophelia was staring up at Jisoo the first step of the stairs. She seemed reluctant to follow. "Madame may still be holding an audience." She covered her mouth as she tittered. "After all, I haven't seen the elevator sent back down yet. I thought that was obvious."

"And I'm tired of all the elevators in this place!" Jisoo's thoughts leaked into the conversation and her words came out as a mixture of the two as she whirled around.

"W-what?" Ophelia stepped back in surprise and mild confusion. "Our elevators concern you?"

"No! Well, yes sort of. You have to admit, such a reliance on elevators is weird... But that's not important right now!" Jisoo lowered her voice but her steely resolve remained. "I did what my mother asked and if I'm to become a great leader, I won't get there by sitting around waiting for others to finish their business." Jisoo spun around and continued ascending.

Ophelia paused for a moment, internally debating with herself, before following Jisoo up the stairs. "We can take the stairs more often if you'd like, Miss Jisoo!"

Jisoo paused as she reached the top of the stairs. With the 50th floor serving as a sort of waiting room, the stairs led directly to the throne room, albeit from the side. Anyone coming from the waiting room would have to walk across the empty chamber before being in YG's line of sight from her throne.

Jisoo could see that YG did still have an audience but was too far to make out their faces. There were five people in a line in front of YG, all were standing and looking up at the throne directly. Jisoo couldn't imagine YG dispelling with her strict rules for respect unless an equally powerful company was in play. This combined with brightly colored outfits and varying heights allowed Jisoo to make a safe guess as to the identity of the group.

The woman in the middle of the group seemed to be speaking and after a brief pause, she gently brushed her hair over her shoulder and covered her mouth as she laughed. Her laughter was loud and clear, a clear contrast to her size and demeanor.

Yup, that's her alright. This could be trouble.

Jisoo heard Ophelia approaching from below and quickly stepped into the throne room proper. A gust of cold air blew past her. Jisoo moved quickly at first until she was halfway into the room, unwilling to give the guard a chance to catch up and try to talk her out of it again. As she drew closer, Jisoo shifted the weight on her feet to clicking her heels against the stone floor. YG's voice drifted over in the silence.

"Ah, perfect timing. Ladies, I'm sure you know my daughter, Jisoo." YG waved a hand to the side and the group in front of her turned as one to watch Jisoo approach from behind the throne.