DEAR L

Letters To Jennie

LISA

"Lisa you were so drunk last night. You were breaking down. But you know it's good to really express the pain you have there inside. We're here for you." V told me while crossing his arms on the couch here inside my office.

"But where am I when I know and feel in my heart that Jennie probably need me right now?" I don't know if I am still drunk. My body is full of emotions.

V and RM are so early to visit me here in the office to check my situation. The last thing I could remember from last night is I was really crying like a baby when I had a drink with them and my Dad.

"You even dumped Jessica Bridge over the phone last night, Lisa." RM said.

"Seriously? I'm sorry." I am trying to remember.

Jessica is really expressive that she likes me. But all I can give her is a something related to my business and hers. Nothing else, nothing more. I will never cheat on Jennie.

She had so many attempts to kiss me and for us to go beyond the limit but she never succeeded.

"We know it's still Jennie. But let me ask you again about this woman in Italy. So, it's been years you're sending her letters? And you said last night that it's been two years now that she hasn't replied to you." RM asked.

I just nodded.

I took a piece of paper from my drawer and rested my fingers so I can hold the pen tight.

I am writing my 104rd and last letter for J. She only responded to half of it, and for the rest, she never has written back anymore.

My brother suddenly entered my office while I am folding my very last letter neatly.

"Stop that. For sure that's your more than a hundred letter for her." He said. RM and V were surprised to know the number of letters I sent to this woman.

"I am just hoping that she is Jennie." My illusion is running through their ears.

My brother sat in front of me and took something from his bag.

A familiar envelope. And that smell ignited my blood.

"Mom asked me to bring it here to you. It just arrived this morning when you left the house." He said while sliding it on my desk.

I am so nervous. I don't know if I want to read her words again. I really don't know. But my fingers couldn't stop opening it. Dad entered my office.

"Lisa, I think I know where she is." He spoke to me while he is still having a talk to someone on the phone. But he excused himself and went at the corner and writing something down. Maybe it's something from the person he's talking to over the phone.

I opened the letter, pulled out and read.

Dear L,

I am sorry for not replying back for a long time. I just had to be really careful.

The postman insisted that I should receive your letters. Fifty three unread letters that I did not accept due to a very important reason. I am so sorry.

My husband stopped me. I needed to follow his orders or else, me and my child will be harmed.

And the most important reason is, I really had to stop. I felt like cheating on her.

Her.

I have read on the recent letter you sent that you are from South Korea.

L, can I ask help from you?

If ever there's a chance that you know this person named Lisa Manoban, will you please tell her where I am? My address is at the back of the envelope.

I don't know what she does now. But she was once a famous radio jock in your country. Her father is probably the Vice President now of your nation.

Please?

But if ever you'll find out that she already has a family of her own, do not tell her anymore.

Take care and thank you so much for your time. You really saved my sanity.

Love,
J

Her penmanship tells me that she is so scared.

I am trembling because of the fact that I was right all along.

My tears fell down while absorbing deeply in me that I have been talking to my love.

My Jennie Kim.

My friends and family are just staring at me. I am breaking down again. I am no longer sending this letter to her but rather go and see her right away.

My Dad went beside me and placed this small note on my desk with an address. But before saying anything else, he just embraced me. He gave me the comfort I need right now.

"Let me arrange your flight and your security. That's her address. I am sorry if it took so long for me to help you, Lisa. I also cooperated with the detective you hired and— finally!" Dad's voice is shaking. He felt my pain too.

I flipped the envelope and compared both addresses.

The same.

"I— I have been writing letters to Jennie. It's her. I stayed in Italy but —. God! What if it was really her within my reach that time in Verona?" My voice is mixing with my tears already.

V read his sister's letter and he cried because of happiness and anger. He is angry because he felt that something is not good with her sister's situation.

I finished my work for today. My friends helped me prepare some of my stuff at home. We had a good dinner. Mom is so happy to know that finally I am bringing Jennie back.

We had a few drinks at home to plan for my trip to Italy tomorrow morning. Rosé and Jisoo also came over. They want to come with me to get Jennie out of Italy. But I promised them to bring Jennie home safely. I don't want to risk their lives there too. I just want to be sure. I also needed the detective I hired here. He's surely a big help.

"Lisa, you mentioned to me before that you received a business proposal from this man named Frank Tim." Ranier said and I am trying to recall.

I took my laptop and checked my emails.

Yes. There's one.

"Here. What is it about him?" I asked.

"What does his email say?" V asked.

"He's looking for an investor for his new tire and battery brand." I said after reading the whole proposal.

"Tires are weak and batteries in low quality. And for sure, he is not going to legally register it. Obviously, he did not use his real name for his deal with you." Ranier is thinking in advance.

"Let's play!" My girlfriend's brother is really the businessman here.

"What are you thinking, V?" I asked him.

"You already know what I'm thinking, Lisa." Our eye to eye connection reveals the plan to everyone in the house.

"Then it's a deal." I have decided.

I am sorry, Jennie. I will explain to you everything why I came up with this plan.

I composed an email as a reply to Jason Li who pretends to be this Frank Tim. I let my friends here see if I am saying the right words. And with their approval, I sent it.

When I got inside my room, my eyes dried up. I couldn't shed tears anymore. I took a scissor, cut my hair and looked ta myself in the mirror. I deeply inhaled the air around my room and prayed.

Hold on, Jennie.

I love you, Livi.

See you, Jason Li.