Irene came out of Jennie's guestroom an hour after the woman uninvitedly entered the room. Politeness and empathy weren't present between the two of them when they fell apart. After Lisa left, the Jennie (who's the better half of the twins according to Irene) that Irene took time to accept was indeed her sister, went with Lisa. Now everytime they see each other, Irene feels like Jennie wants to tear her apart. She knows she deserves it. They had a very rough relationship when they were young since they came from two different mothers. It was Lisa who pushed them to fix their relationship until it's too late. Little did they know that the relationship was being held by a bandaid that was Lisa and it was easy to tear it apart.
Jennie was sitting on her dining table, eating breakfast. The helper standing by pulled a chair for Irene, not giving her a chance to decline and just leave.
They ate in silence like they don't have anything to talk about. Jennie and Irene used to share things with each other, small or big. Jennie was the first one to know when Lisa and Irene got together. Jennie was with Lisa when Irene failed to show up on their date for their first anniversary. It was her who also explained to Lisa why Irene failed to come.
When Lisa left, Jennie was on a two-week business trip in the US with her then boyfriend, Eunwoo. She almost shred Irene alive when she came back and Irene wasn't able to answer where Lisa was. Jennie hired a private investigator to trace Lisa's whereabouts and it took a year before she accepted that Lisa doesn't want to be found.
"YOU SHOULD'VE TOLD ME THAT SHE LEFT!" Jennie shouted. "I WOULD'VE COME BACK SOON. NOT AFTER FUCKING TWO WEEKS, IRENE!"
"DON'T ASSUME YOU KNOW BETTER, JENNIE. I WAS HER GIRLFRIEND FOR FUCKS SAKE! IT'S BETWEEN US! I HATE HER! IT'S OVER AND I DON'T WANT HER TO COME B-"
Jennie's right hand flew across Irene's face before she was able to finish her sentence. The slap stunned Irene. It was the first time that Jennie raised her voice at her and became violent.
"DON'T YOU FUCKING DARE SAY THAT." Jennie yelled for the last time and left Irene's apartment.
It was two weeks later when she received two things. The first one was the CCTV footage of Lisa being held up by a man while crying and the second one was a message from Taehyung.
If anything bad happens to Lisa and Jennie,
I'll come after you.
And he's been coming after her for the past 10 years.
Jennie was able to finish first. Irene threw her sister a glance who's hands on the top of the table are shaking. She closed her eyes. It's just a day and she feels like she's 10 years older.
"How's your company?" Irene asked, attempting to be friendly. If Jennie didn't take her in, maybe she'll be out on a dumpster. Or someone's bed.
"The one that Lisa helped me build? It's okay. Thank you for asking." Jennie spat.
Years ago, Jennie had sympathy for Irene. She understood what her sister stood up for. Since they had a healthy relationship with each other, Jennie decided not to be associated with the company that Irene's mom built even if it's their dad who is the CEO. She set up her own company, an electronic publishing house. It was small back then as Jennie initially wanted to write fashion articles but it was hard joining the industry. She spent her early days as an 18 year old talking to independent writers to agree to convert their books into PDFs and Lisa encouraged her to do it.
Lisa was almost 17 then and was already good in programming. She was able to develop a program that prevents a user to screenshot, copy/paste a material and limits the material to be sent and shared in any form. Jennie helped her patent the said program and then in exchange, she allowed Jennie to use the program for free. There are plenty of publishing houses that approached Lisa for a license to use the program but she declined all of them. The reason is, she made the program for Jennie. It was 2 years later when she decided to finally open a real publishing house. That's the exact reason why she flew to the US, she sold her small company to a huge company that is based there and she split the earnings with Lisa. Jennie deposited the check under Lisa's account and maybe it's still accumulating interests there. She was able to confirm that the money was indeed transferred under Lisa's bank account.
Irene looked at Jennie and tried to read her sister's expression but it's still blank. Jennie used to be so carefree and fun around her. Lisa brought out the best from Jennie and it made easy for Irene to accept her. It was Lisa who made Jennie love and enjoy life.
"J-jennie..."
"WHAT?! ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS WHERE IS LISA THEN YOU CAN GO FUCK YOURSELF FOR ALL I FUCKING CARE!" Jennie yelled as she stands up to glare at Irene. Her emotions shifted from being blank to mad. It was like Irene was transported 10 years back. Jennie is shaking and the stand by helper almost approached her but she shook her head.
Irene felt really small. She wanted to leave but knowing Jennie, she'll tell Taehyung and he'll interfere. Irene's so close in losing the company to her half-brother. She's been in competition with all of them since she was born. As much as she wants to blame her fate to her mother, she's gone. It became bearable when she had Lisa but she was driven away too.
"I d-don't know where she is.." Irene said softly. She's trying to de-escalate the situation as she knows she's too fucked up to argue with Jennie. It's been years since she felt the warmth of someone shielding her and she wants to fight for Jennie's small affection but as their conversation about Lisa drags along, it's almost as close to impossible.
Jennie sat and closed her eyes. She's murmuring the same mantra that Lisa taught her when she's angry. 'think with your heart, Jennie.'
"What do you mean you don't know. You came here last night bragging that Lisa's back. How would you know?"
"Where's my b-bag?" Irene asked.
Jennie nodded at her helper who immediately left the dining area and came back seconds later with Irene's Birkin bag. Jennie's eyebrows quirked. It was the same bag that she gave Irene on her 21st birthday.
Irene took out the manila envelop that she's been keeping since yesterday. Her phone has been buzzing continuously inside the bag but she ignored it.
Jennie carefully took out the stack of papers. When she read the header of the document at the top, her eyes widened. She looked at Irene with her eyes again laced with anger and now, pain.
"Sign it."
YOU ARE READING
before | lisrene
Fanfiction"Get out!" Irene yells while pointing at the door. Lisa is slumped on the floor, crying. She slowly stood up and went to the door, not sparing Irene a glance. Years later, Irene realized that will be the last time that she'll see Lisa.. ..or not. No...
