game of deception | jenlisa

xxiv.

Jennie looks at Lisa one more time as they entered Aphrodite's mansion. Lisa's hands were a bit cold, it was obvious that she's nervous. Jennie is nervous as well, she just happens to hide it better.

After all, one of the lessons she was always taught is to never show any signs of weakness.

When they got in, Aphrodite was already waiting by the living room. Jennie looks around and she sees her father looking around like he owns the place as well. It is a bit unsettling to think of the possibility that this isn't his first time here with the goddess.

Lisa quickly lets go of Jennie's hand when Aphrodite's gaze lingers on them a bit longer. Jennie sighs, Lisa might say that she doesn't care about Aphrodite and all but she does. Jennie can feel that. She is still her mother after all, a part of her will always yearn for her affection.

Lisa takes a seat at the couch across the goddess and Jennie follows. Jennie kept her distance this time because the last thing she wants is one more scrutinizing glare from the goddess.

"How are your tasks, Lisa?" Aphrodite asks.

"I'm coping up well." Lisa answers.

"I've heard that there were complications during your training with the daughter of Ares the other day."

"Her name is Jennie." Lisa scoffs. "And I've had complications with a son of Zeus. Jennie had things under control in the end."

Jennie gives Lisa a worried glance. She doesn't want the other to fight with her mother again. It badly affected her last time.

"May I know why you're still here despite it being so late?... and with Jennie too." Aphrodite asks.

"We were with Aunt Persephone and Seulgi." Lisa replies.

Jennie could easily detect the jealousy on Aphrodite's eyes when Lisa addressed Persephone with so much fondness.

"Why would you take Jennie to meet with them though?" Ares intervenes.

"They're like a family to me, why wouldn't I introduce Jennie to them?" Lisa retorts.

Ares sighs and looks away while Aphrodite purses her lips. "I would have properly introduced her to you too... mother." Lisa smiles bitterly. "But you wouldn't want that."

Jennie feels her heart breaking at that. She wants to assure Lisa that it will all be okay. She wants to tell her that it's fine if Aphrodite dislikes her.

"I have my reasons, Lisa." The goddess frowns.

"Reasons that I'll never be able to understand." Lisa says. "But it doesn't look like you're in bad terms with him now, does it?" she looks at Ares.

This time it's their parents that look unsettled. Jennie straightens on her seat. This is something she wants answers to as well.

"How much did you two hear?" Ares asks.

"Enough." Jennie answers.

"We have been... seeing each other more often, if that's what you want to know." Aphrodite answers.

"Okay," Lisa nods. "So have we." she points towards Jennie.

Jennie looks at Lisa in disbelief. Provoking the goddess might be a bad idea right now but she doesn't want to stop Lisa from speaking her thoughts either. She knows that Lisa wouldn't confront Aphrodite alone so now is her chance.

"She already told you to stay away from her, right?" This time it was Ares that spoke to Jennie.

"Haven't you told me that we shouldn't interfere between Lisa and Madame Aphro?" Jennie asks. "So why?"