Lisa
Hae-in's already gotten us a table at Anga for lunch. I slide into the booth opposite him and immediately reach for the menu. I notice two beer bottles, one still full, sitting on the table.
"What's this?" I ask incredulously.
"Uh, Budweiser. What the fuck does it look like?" he asks, regarding me warily, as if I'm crazy.
"I'm working, Hae-in. I can't drink beer."
"You're the boss. You can do whatever the fuck you want."
"It doesn't work that way."
"Sure it does. Otherwise, what's the point?"
The waitress sees me arrive and comes over to inquire about our orders. I immediately order water, and Hae-in rolls his eyes as she saunters away.
"Dude, no one's ever gotten drunk off of one little beer," he protests.
"Yeah, well." I don't offer more than that. He grabs the bottle from my side of the table and takes a huge swig, downing half its contents. The waitress returns with my water just as he takes a low burp - one from deep in the belly. It's disgusting. The waitress frowns at him and takes a little step back, probably afraid it's going to come flying back out at her.
Hae-in recovers and sets the bottle down. "Sorry," he says, remembering his manners. He doesn't look embarrassed. That fucker never does.
"Um, that's okay," says the waitress, flushing red enough for the three of us. It immediately reminds me of Jennie, and I smile a little at the thought. "Are you ready to order?"
We both nod; when we're done she hurries away again, making no show of lingering around our table. Another server delivers our bread, and Hae-in rips off a large piece, eyeing me thoughtfully as he chews.
I'm the first to speak again. "So how are things with you and Jisoo?"
His eyes light up just at the mention of her name. Hae-in's been known to have a girlfriend or two, but never has he moved so quickly before. They usually go out once or twice before he even mentions her to anyone.
"Things are great!" he boasts. "We went out to dinner Monday night, after work, and actually had a real good time."
"Are you surprised?"
He furrows his brow as he debates my question, both elbows propped on the table as he takes another pull from his beer.
"No, not exactly. It's just a bit... strange, I guess. Because usually the girls I meet are either tigers in the bedroom with no substance - no intellect - or else they're great conversationalists, and very smart, but it's like having sex with Blow Up Betty."
I snort. "Because you would know that."
He waves a hand dismissively. "Whatever, dude. You know what I mean. Jisoo is the first girl I've met in years who's the full package. Seriously, I think I'm in love."
"You haven't gotten down on one knee yet, have you?" I ask, cocking an eyebrow inquisitively.
"Fuck no. I'm not Nicholas-fucking-Cage for Christ's sake. Hell, I need at least a week."
I nearly choke on my bread. "You're thinking about it, then?" He's only known this girl for four days or so... the same amount of time I've known Jennie. I can't even fathom being married right now. Another dismissive hand wave. "You'll know when I know."
But he's not denying it. That's definitely something. But it's not like Hae-in has ever been one to run from commitments - no, he's better than that.
He shifts the attention to me. "So what about you and Jennie?" he asks, looking up from his bread curiously. He's eagerly awaiting my response, his amber eyes dancing with their own little joke. I don't understand the change in mood, but I keep my curiosity to myself.
I shrug indifferently. "What about us?"
"What's going on with you two?"
"Nothing..."
"Bullshit. This is the most amount of time I've ever seen you spend with a girl. You finally settling down or something?"
"No." My answer is quipped and blunt.
"What is it then? She not putting out?" It seems he's trying to suppress a smile. Why does that fucker find this so amusing?
"No, it's not that," I mumble, growing slightly uncomfortable. "And I've only known her for four days..."
"Do you know her name?" he interrupts. I'm bewildered at the question.
"Of course. It's Jennie."
"Then you know more about her than most girls you sleep with."
I'm a little shocked at the accusation, but before I can respond, our server interrupts by placing our food in front of us. She leaves to get Hae-in another beer. He immediately digs in like the whole conversation never took place.
"What is that supposed to mean exactly?" I quickly ask. He looks up from his food cluelessly.
"What?"
"That I don't remember girl's names. I remember names." This is partially a lie. I remember some names - but quite frankly, there are some names I don't think I ever learned to begin with. Do those girls even remember my name?
Everything we do, the girl wants just as badly as I do. I don't pressure them. Usually, I don't even initiate things. I'm not the only guilty party.
"Whose name do you remember?" he asks curiously.
I immediately blurt out, "Irene."
Apparently, this answer isn't good enough. "That's only because you've fucked her more than once."
"So?"
"So she doesn't count."
The waitress returns with Hae-in's beer. When she's gone again I huff with agitation, "Whatever you say."
"Why are you getting so defensive?" Hae-in asks defiantly. "You've never cared before."
I sigh loudly. The answer to that question is actually lost on me. But talking to Jennie - the whole "trust" conversation - really made me see what an asshole I'm being to her. Other girls want it as much as I do. But she wants more. She's not out for a quick lay, and she didn't approach me. She's the victim; I'm the predator.
This is just another way Kai has royally fucked up my life. If I lose the bet, I'm fucked. If I win, then I've fucked Jennie - literally and rhetorically.
Part of this is Hae-in's fault. If he wouldn't have dragged me to the club then this would've never happened. If he hadn't pounded the first four shots of whiskey down my throat, maybe I would have had one God damn rational thought that night. I glare at him, the clueless motherfucker that he is.
I want to tell him about the bet, to get another person's insight on things. But he's got a mouth like a foghorn and would tell Jisoo all about it before the day was over. And Jisoo would be crazy if she didn't tell Jennie.
Perhaps I should just break things off with Jennie now. Maybe letting Kai win wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.... well, that's not true, seeing as how I would probably spend the next twenty years in prison for murder. Just the thought of him winning puts a bad taste in my mouth. But the thought of him losing, and what it could mean for Rosé, makes me warm with relief. I've never felt so conflicted.
