Regrets [COMPLETED]

Chapter 36

JENNIE POV.

The day had been dragging on endlessly. My desk was buried under a mountain of paperwork that needed my immediate attention, and every document demanded my meticulous review. Despite Joy's best efforts to help streamline the process, I insisted on going through everything myself. It wasn't that I doubted her capabilities, I just couldn't afford any mistakes in my company.

My phone buzzed on the edge of my desk. I glanced at it, hoping it was Lisa, but it was just another notification. Lisa was in Jeju handling an emergency at site, and although she promised to be back tonight, the hours felt like days without her presence.

Sighing, I picked up my phone and dialed her number, listening to it ring endlessly before going to voicemail.

After, I call my secretary. "Joy, can you hold all my calls and tell anyone who asks that I'm in a meeting? I can't afford any interruptions right now."

"Of course, Ms. Kim. I'll take care of it," she replied efficiently.

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my arms above my head, trying to ease the tension in my muscles. My eyes flicked back to my phone, still no message from Lisa. I left her another message: "Hope everything's okay there. Please call me when you can. Love you."

Determined to make a dent in the paperwork, I picked up the first document and began my review. Minutes turned into hours, and I was lost in the sea of contracts and proposals when my phone rang. My heart skipped a beat, thinking it was Lisa, but it was my secretary.

"Ms. Kim, I’m so sorry to disturb you, but there's someone here to see you. His name is Mr. Victor Soo."

"Alright, let him in," I said, frustration evident in my voice.

As I waited for Victor to enter, I stood by the large window, staring out at the city skyline. The door opened, and Victor stepped in, looking slightly apprehensive.

"Good afternoon, Ms. Kim," he greeted.

"Get to the point, Victor. I don’t have much time.”

“Sorry, Ms. Kim, but she still hasn’t signed the papers.”

I turned to him, forcing a smile. “You can leave now, Victor.”

“Thank you, Ms. Kim,” he said, bowing slightly before leaving.

I returned to my desk, barely sitting down before my phone rang again. It was my secretary again, and I took a deep breath to calm myself before answering.

"Yes, Joy?"

"Ms. Kim, I'm really sorry, but someone insists on speaking with you. She says it’s urgent."

"Did she give a name?" I asked, feeling my patience wear thin.

"No, ma'am. She refused to provide any details."

I sighed heavily. "Fine. Let her in."

A sudden knock on the door echoed through the quiet room. I rose from my chair, curious and slightly apprehensive. As the door creaked open, a woman stepped in, her face both familiar and foreign, like a distant memory trying to resurface.

She was striking, dressed elegantly, her attire exuding a confidence that commanded respect. It was clear she was no ordinary visitor, there was a grace in her movements that hinted at a life of poise and discipline.

"Hi, Ms. Kim," she greeted, extending a hand.

I took it, still puzzled. "Hi, have we met before?" I asked, struggling to place her.

"Maybe, but I think this is our first formal meeting," she replied with a cryptic smile. Her English had a peculiar accent that I couldn't quite place, adding to her air of mystery.

"So, what brings you here?" I inquired, trying to cut through the fog of uncertainty.

"We can discuss that over dinner," she suggested.

I laughed, more out of confusion than amusement. "I'm sorry, miss, but I'm busy right now. Besides, I don't even know you." I returned to my desk, attempting to regain some normalcy.

"I'm Han Soo Hee. Lisa's friend," she stated confidently.

The mention of Lisa made my heart skip a beat. "Lisa?" I echoed, suddenly nervous.

"Yes, Lisa. She thought it would be good for us to meet," she explained, her demeanor calm and composed.

Despite my reservations, I found myself sitting across from her at a quaint restaurant. The atmosphere was intimate, the low hum of conversation blending with soft music. I observed her closely, trying to gauge her intentions.

"Thank you for accepting my invitation, Ms. Kim. I know your busy." she said, her smile warm but her eyes sharp.

"It's fine. So, how did you meet Lisa?" I asked directly, eager to understand her connection.

She chuckled softly. "It's too early to delve into that, don't you think? Surely, you're not just here to probe about Lisa."

I met her gaze evenly. "If I'm honest, yes. Lisa's the reason I'm here."

Our food arrived, interrupting the tension. We ate in silence for a while, the only sound the clinking of cutlery. Suddenly, she broke the quiet.

"I love the ambiance here. It has a soothing effect, doesn't it? And the food is exquisite, especially the Korean dishes," she remarked, her eyes roaming the room.

"Yes, it's quite rare to find such a mix in an Italian restaurant," I replied, dabbing at my mouth with a napkin.

"It's been a long time since I've had Korean food," she said wistfully.

"Why's that? Where have you been?" I asked, slicing into my beef braciole.

"Well, I went to New York for a job in the modeling industry. After my contract ended, I decided to come home. There's something about your hometown—it feels different, right?" She smiled at me, but her eyes seemed to hold something.

"Of course," I responded, though my curiosity remained unsatisfied. Her presence was both intriguing and unsettling.

As we continued our meal, I noticed a ring on her left hand. A sudden sense of relief washed over me. "Are you married?" I asked, glancing at her finger before looking back at her.

A wistful smile played on her lips. "Yes," she said, her eyes fixated on the ring. "I got married four years ago, but things didn't turn out as I expected. The perfect marriage... it was anything but."

A pang of empathy hit me as I listened. There was a hint of regret in her eyes, now glistening with unshed tears.

"I'm sorry to hear that," I said, reaching out to touch her hand in a gesture of comfort. It felt awkward trying to console someone I barely knew.

"Thank you, Jennie," she said softly. Then she noticed my ring and her curiosity was piqued. "But you wear a ring like mine. Are you married too?"

I glanced at my left hand, resting on top of hers. The rings were indeed similar. I quickly pulled my hand back. "Yes, I am," I replied, feeling a sudden need to protect my personal life from this enigmatic woman.

Before the conversation could continue, my phone rang. Lisa's name lit up the screen. "Excuse me," I said, stepping away to take the call.

"Where are you, Jennie? It's late! I went to your office, but you weren't there," Lisa's voice was sharp with concern.

I glanced at my watch—10:19 PM. "I'm sorry, hon. I'm at a restaurant. I'll give you the address."

I returned to the table, trying to mask my urgency. "I'm sorry Han Soo Hee, but I have to go. Lisa's on her way to pick me up."

"Is that so? Well, it was nice meeting you, Jennie. Be careful," she said, her tone carrying an undercurrent of something I couldn't quite identify.

As I left, her parting words echoed in my mind. Something about this encounter felt deeply unsettling. I stepped into the cool night air, feeling the weight of our conversation pressing down on me. Lisa would be here soon, and I needed to make sense of what had just transpired.