Ms. Kim wants me!

CHAPTER 40

LISA'S POV

It's been a couple of days since I last saw Jennie.

I was sitting on my bed scrolling through my laptop when a new email notification popped up.

Curiously, I clicked it open, and as soon as I read the first few lines, my eyes widened. A huge smile immediately spread across my face.

I couldn't believe it.

I'm going to NEW YORK!!

The email was from Mr. Castillo himself, offering me a position to work under him. My heart started racing, and I literally jumped up from my bed, spinning around the room in excitement.

This was a dream opportunity, a once-in-a-lifetime chance.

But then, just as quickly, I stopped in my tracks.

New York.

The word echoed in my head like a heavy weight dropping onto my chest. My smile slowly faded as the reality sank in. New York wasn't just a city.

It was far, too far. It meant leaving everything behind. Jisoo. Rosé. Even... Jennie.

My excitement turned into a mix of dread and conflict.

I needed advice.

I grabbed my phone and headed straight to Jisoo's office. Knocking softly on the door, I heard her familiar voice call, "Come in."

I stepped inside, clutching my laptop, and she looked up from her papers.

"Jisoo, I need to talk to you."

She nodded, giving me her full attention.

"I... I got offered to work with Mr. Castillo."

Her eyes widened, and she immediately smiled. "That's amazing for you!!"

I hesitated before finishing my sentence. "...At New York."

Her smile faded instantly.

"W-What?" she asked, her voice laced with shock.

"I want to go," I admitted, "but I don't want to leave you and everyone here."

She sighed, leaning back in her chair. "If you really want to go, then go. Plus... you're still an intern here. This is a real job, Lisa. A huge step forward."

I nodded, biting my lip.

"When are you leaving?" she asked.

"Next Friday." Her jaw dropped.

"What?" I frowned. "Why do you look like that?"

"That's..." she hesitated, her tone turning heavy, "...the day of Jennie and Taehyung's wedding."

My stomach dropped, and I looked down at the floor, suddenly unable to breathe properly.

We still hadn't talked about that kiss. The kiss that replayed in my mind every single night.

"Are you going to tell her?" Jisoo asked softly, her eyes searching mine.

"I'd rather not," I said with a small, forced smile.

"What? Why?!" Jisoo screamed, nearly knocking over her pen.

"Because she won't move on if I do."

She leaned forward, her tone calmer now but piercing. "But deep down inside you, Lisa... do you want her to move on?"

I froze. My throat tightened. My heart knew the answer before my lips could.

"N-No... I don't. I love her."

It was now Tuesday, and the reality of it all hit harder with each passing hour. I had my suitcase open on the bed, carefully folding my clothes and trying to distract myself with packing.

Every shirt I placed in the bag felt like a goodbye.

Suddenly, I heard a loud knock on my door. I sighed, assuming it was Jisoo or maybe Rosé checking in on me.

But when I opened the door, my eyes widened.

It was Jennie.

And she didn't look calm.

She stormed inside without a word, pushing past me, and slammed the door shut.

Before I could react, she pinned me against the wall, her face inches from mine, her chest rising and falling quickly.

"You're going to New York?!" she demanded, her voice trembling with both anger and desperation.

"Who told you that?!" I snapped back, annoyed but also panicked.

"That doesn't matter!" she yelled, her eyes burning into mine. "Are you going?!"

I hesitated. "...Y-Yes."

Her breath hitched. "When?"

"This Friday."

Her lips parted as she stared at me. "...That's my wedding day."

I could only nod.

Her face crumbled as tears welled in her eyes. "Don't leave me again. Please... please, Lisa." Her voice cracked as she cried openly, her hands clutching at my shirt like she was afraid I'd disappear right there.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered, tears stinging my own eyes.

"You can't leave," she begged, her voice breaking. "Please... I can't lose you again."

I shook my head, even though it killed me inside.

"I'm sorry... I have to."

She closed her eyes, breathing shakily, before whispering, "Okay..."

But then, she lifted her head, her gaze locking with mine, filled with a thousand unspoken words.

"One more thing," she whispered, her lips trembling.

"W-What?" I asked nervously.

"This."

Before I could think, Jennie leaned in and pressed her lips against mine.

My heart stopped.

Her kiss was desperate, full of longing and pain, like she was pouring every broken piece of her heart into me.

And without hesitation, I allowed her. I kissed her back, my tears mixing with hers, and for that one moment... nothing else in the world mattered.