This Is How You Get Her Back (Jenlisa)

CHAPTER 16

[Jisoo]: talk 2 me please
[Jisoo]: i can make u happier
[Jisoo]: if she rly loved u, she wouldn't treat u like shit. js.
[Jisoo]: damn it Jen pls
[Jisoo]: its been 10 days. i miss u

With an annoyed groan, I toss my phone on the table.

"Guai in Paradiso?" Trouble in paradise? my male model asks me as we both get our makeup done on our chairs.

One quick glance at him and I can already tell he's definitely aesthetically blessed: dark brown eyes outlined by enviably long lashes; masterfully chiselled cheekbones and a jawline with just the right amount of facial hair to exude class; and a perfectly built body that isn't too intimidating nor too lanky.

"Più simile a un inferno," More like hell, I reply with a sigh.

"I'm just going to pretend that you said inferno as a Dante reference after I said paradiso," he says with a dimpled smile, a hint of his Italian accent showing.

"Don't get me started with Dante because I am in love with literature and I will not stop once I start," I reply, my eyes lighting up for the first time in days.

"Bilingual and educated, huh?"

"I speak French and Spanish, too, but hey, no biggie. Pretty similar languages." I realize it's nice to finally distract myself from everything for a while.

"Four languages, and a literature chick. It's official, I'm in love," he says with a chuckle.

I laugh lightly, and it's an incredible feeling after not having done it in a while. "Sorry to break it to you, bud, but I got a girl and I don't swing that way."

"Well, she's a lucky girl."

I shake my head. "Other way around. I'm much luckier."

He flashes a friendly smile. "I'm Kai."

"Jennie."

"Beautiful smile, mind, and name. I guess God does have His favorites."

"You use that on every girl you meet?"

"There aren't a lot of beautiful multilingual literature-loving women around, so no. I don't think so."

I smile. "Thanks anyway," I say politely.

"Are you going anywhere after the shoot?" he asks.

"Why?"

"Maybe we could get coffee or lunch or something? There's a great Italian restaurant a few blocks away. My treat."

"You know, there's a saying that there's no such thing as a free lunch. What's the catch?" I tease.

"Nothing. This is purely friendly, I swear," he says sincerely. "Come on, we can talk Dante to Homer to whoever writer you want?"

I smile to myself, remembering a moment with Lisa a few years back.

"What're you reading there, cute stuff?" Lisa once asked as she crawled into my arms as I lay in bed while reading Mitch Albom's the Magic Strings of Frankie Presto.

I held the book with my left hand and pulled her closer to me with my right arm. "Mitch Albom. This guy is just... wow." I glanced at her and she was looking at me like I was everything. A blush easily found its way to my cheeks.

"He sounds like you, then. You know, wow. Except you're probably hotter," she said.

"Probably?" I asked, followed by a chuckle.

"Ehh, you're okay," she teased. "Tell me about this Mitch Albom."

"His writing style is just incredible, Lis. The whole concept of the book, the plot, the style, the musical references... just everything, you know? I've read a few of his other books and they're so well-written, and wow, he is so talented."

"I've never been so jealous of an old guy in my life."

"Aww," I said with a laugh as I kissed the top of her head. "You're a strong second in my heart. It's okay, babe."

She playfully rolled her eyes. "What's the book about?" she asked, genuinely interested.

"I don't want to bore you with details."

"If you like it, I'm sure it's great since you have incredible taste. I mean, you picked me, didn't you?"

"Okay, okay," I conceded with a laugh. "I'm still halfway, but so far it's about this guy named Frankie Presto. It's really cool because it's told through the point of view of music..." I started.

I rambled for at least 10 minutes, completely lost in my little summary. She never took her eyes off me. She asked a bunch of questions when I paused, never interrupting me mid-sentence, showing me she was honestly interested. It was an incredible feeling to have someone actually listen to me when I talked about books because it's rare to find someone who prefers these over shallow gossip.

"I love how your eyes light up when you talk about your nerdy stuff," she told me when I finished.

I feign insult. "Nerdy? Have you seen yourself when you talk philosophy or economics or physics or-"

"Shush, I'm just passionate!" she defends herself with a laugh. "But for real though. I kind of maybe fall in love with you more when you talk about the nerdy things you love."

"You should see me when I talk about you."

"I'm not a nerdy thing, but okay," she tried to act nonchalant, but the blush on her face gave her away.

"I don't know though. I suddenly want to play the guitar again because of this," I said.

"You know, I've never heard you play."

"You'd probably combust though. I'm kind of hot, if you haven't noticed," I said.

She smiled proudly. "You're starting to talk like me with the arrogance and all that. I love it."

"And I love you."

"What's got you smiling there, beautiful?" Kai asks, bringing me back to the present.

"Oh. Yeah. Yeah, uhh... lunch," I stuttered.

"Awesome."

-

"I'll walk you home," Kai insists after paying for our meal.

"It's all right. I live literally 2 blocks away," I say with an amused smile as we walk to the exit.

"I insist," he says, flashing me a warm smile before he opens the door for me. He still thinks he has a chance? Poor guy.

"All right, then."

"What's your girl like?" he asks as we cross the street.

I find myself smiling at the thought of Lisa, but I'm crushed when I remember how bad everything is right now. "She's... everything," is all I could say. "Enough about me," I change the topic. "Why is a decent guy like you single?"

He brushes a hand through his hair. "Commitment issues, I guess? And I've only ever met one girl who gives me such an incredible vibe that feels right, but she's gay and taken."

Curious, I ask, "Aww, who's the girl?"

He just shakes his head with a laugh.

Together, we walk to my building and ride up the lift while talking about anything and everything, from literature to dating to modelling.

When we finally reach my place, he flashes a sad smile. "It was really nice meeting you," he says.

"You too. We should hang out again sometime," I reply.

"Can I maybe get your number?"

"Yeah, sure."