Ms. Kim wants me!

CHAPTER 27

JENNIE'S POV

It's been a couple of days, and I've done nothing but lock myself inside my office, drowning in work that I couldn't even focus on.

I tried so hard to forget Lisa, but no matter what I did, nothing worked.

She was my first love. She is the love of my life. And now she's gone.

I was sitting in my office, my head resting against my desk, when suddenly my phone started ringing. My heart raced, and for a split second, I panicked.

I thought it was Lisa. I grabbed my phone immediately, desperate, only to see the name Amanda flashing on the screen. My shoulders dropped in disappointment.

Still, I answered it. "Hello?" I said quietly.

"Did you do it? Taehyung needs you," she said bluntly. Her tone was sharp, and I bit my lip hard, trying not to cry.

"Y-Yeah..." I whispered weakly, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

"Amazing! You're a hero! I'll tell Taehyung right now!" she shouted cheerfully, then hung up without giving me a chance to respond.

I sighed, my whole body trembling as I stared at the empty screen. My future without Lisa stretched out before me like a dark, endless tunnel.

"THIS IS ALL MY FAULT!!" I screamed, slamming my fists on the desk so hard it rattled everything on top of it. Papers scattered, pens rolled off the edge, but I didn't care.

The guilt was eating me alive.

Lisa had been telling the truth when she said she was quitting as an intern. Her resignation letter was still sitting untouched on my desk, haunting me every time I glanced at it.

I hadn't had the courage to open it.

I couldn't.

But her ring... her ring still rested on my finger, shining faintly under the office light. I twisted it, holding it tightly as though it was the only thing keeping me alive.

Finally, with shaking hands, I grabbed the resignation letter. I tore open the envelope slowly, terrified of what I would see inside.

There it was. Her resignation letter. But... there was something else. Another folded piece of paper tucked behind it.

My brows furrowed. I set the resignation letter aside and picked up the other paper. It was folded in half, neat and delicate, as if she had placed it there with so much care.

On the front, written in her handwriting, was one word.

Nini.

My breath hitched. My hands trembled as I opened the paper fully.

And then I read it.

To the love of my life, my Nini, my baby, my everything,

You might be wondering why I put this letter in my resignation envelope, and honestly, I don't even know why myself. Maybe it's because I couldn't say these words to your face. Maybe it's because I was too weak.

You were right though. Taehyung needs you more than me, baby. That's why I'm letting you go.

It was an amazing time with you. I loved it whenever you got mad at me for not giving you kisses or hugs. You were always so cute when you pouted, and I couldn't resist teasing you. I remember waking up in the mornings beside you, those moments when your hair was messy, your eyes still sleepy, and you'd smile at me... my heart would always flutter.

You lit up every dark space inside my heart, Nini. Every single one.

I remember the first time I saw you. I remember the exact moment my heart fluttered for the first time. I remember when you asked me out, and how nervous you were even though you tried so hard to act confident.

We may not be together right now, but please... let me go. I know you're struggling without me, and I know this hurts more than anything. But please, let me go so you can do great things in life. You're meant for so much more, Jennie. Don't waste yourself on me.

Please keep the ring. And don't you dare lose it, because if you do, I'll come and get you myself.

I love you, always.

From: Your Lili, Lisa

My hands shook violently as I clutched the letter. My tears blurred the words, but I had already memorized them the moment my eyes read them.

I broke down. I cried and hugged the letter against my chest like it was Lisa herself.

"Please forgive me, Lisa," I sobbed into the empty room. "I'm so sorry it had to end this way..."

The walls of my office felt like they were caving in. Her words echoed in my head over and over again. Her smile, her laugh, her warmth, everything.

Eventually, drained and broken, I stopped crying and forced myself to go home. But the letter never left my hands. I kept it with me, holding it like a lifeline.

When I lay down in bed that night, the letter still clutched tightly against my chest, the tears came again.

I cried myself to sleep.

And even in my dreams, she was there.