THE HAPPIEST GIRL | JENLISA

Chapter 62

Jennie

During the concert, I feel someone grab my wrist in a tight hold, and I turn around to see Hyun-suk, with his face in full blown anger. "Let's go!" he yells over the noise of the crowd. He drags me backstage to Lisa's dressing room, closing the door behind us. His back is to me, hands on the door, bracing himself. "I've warned you." His voice is dangerously low.

When he slowly turns around, I almost gasp seeing the amount of rage in his eyes. Instinctively, I take a few steps back.

"I've warned you to keep it professional, but you didn't listen!" he growls. "I've let this go on for too long. I told you the consequences, and now you have to face them. In three days, you're gone. I've already called and arranged for a new assistant."

"Wh... what?" My voice wavers, trying to work past the lump in my throat and the ice in my veins.

"You're fired!"

"Why?"

"Because you're ruining her!" he roars. "Ever since you showed up she's been different! She's been distracted and you're nothing but trouble! She's..."

"Not acting like your puppet anymore?" I say boldly, gaining some nerve. I realise that I have nothing to lose at this point.

He grits his teeth, with fists clenching at his sides. "I've worked too hard to get her to where she is today. She's at the height of her career right now, and I'll be damned if some girl comes in and ruins everything!"

"So this is all about you and not her, huh?" I challenge.

His eyes flare up and he strides towards me until he's inches away. "You seriously think she wants someone like you!?" he spits, voicing out my biggest insecurity. "You're just convenient. You're just the new, young assistant she thinks she can relate to. Wait until the next model, singer, or actress comes along, and she'll drop you like that." He snaps his fingers. "Believe me, sweetie, I'm only saving you from an inevitable heartbreak sooner rather than later."

I feel the last bit of courage and confidence I mustered up crumble, and I realise that he's right. Although I do believe that Lisa loves me, I know I'm not what she wants or needs in the long run. Lisa needs someone that understands her and can keep up with her lifestyle. Someone that's successful, smart, confident, and beautiful. Someone that's not afraid to be thrusted into the spotlight, covering tabloids and walking red carpets. Not someone that's building their whole career to hide behind the scenes.

"I've already booked your flight. You're leaving on our second day in Amsterdam, first thing in the morning. Not a word is to be spoken about this to anyone."

"Why?"

"Because I know Lisa will put up a fight to keep you, and I can't have that commotion."

"So what, I'm just supposed to leave without a word to anyone!?"

"It'll be easier that way." He shrugs.

"And what if I say something?" I challenge.

The rage flares back up in his eyes. "You say a word to anyone and I'll destroy your career before it even begins. Do you know how much power I have in this industry!? I'll be sure no one ever hires you, or even reads past your first name on a resume."

I feel my face pale knowing that my dream can be so easily ripped away from me.

"So say one word to anyone and you'll never work in this industry again. If you say anything, not only will you be hurting yourself, you'll be hurting Lisa, too. If you stay, she'll only continue to be distracted and her dream, everything she's worked for, will go down the drain. The kid is on top of the world right now, a once in a life time opportunity, and she doesn't need anything standing in the way. Even if you were to remain in a relationship with her, do you honestly think you could handle the pressure? Everyone will be looking at you and criticising you. Do you think she'll have as many fans once they realise that she's off the market? Trust me, you'll only be hurting her and yourself if you keep this up."

As much as I don't want to believe him, I know that he's right. I'll never be able to handle the spotlight and all that comes with it. It's one thing to put myself in jeopardy, but I can't be selfish and drag Lisa down too.

"So, slowly get your bags packed and I'll see you off to the airport in a few days." He hands me a one-way plane ticket from Amsterdam to Nashville. "And remember, not a word!" he reiterates before walking out of the dressing room, leaving me by myself.

My chest constrict and I feel like everything in caving in around me. I choke in a breath, willing myself to breathe, and more sobs follow. Tears flow from my eyes to the point where I wouldn't be surprised to find a puddle on the floor.

I hear the crowd roar, echoing through the halls, and I know that the show is over. Quickly, I will myself to stop crying and run to the bathroom to wipe my eyes and blow my nose. When I look up in the mirror, I look like utter hell and there's nothing more I can do.

"Babe?" Lisa calls out, coming into the dressing room while running a towel over her sweaty face and hair.

"There you are, I was wondering where you went. I feel like I looked away for five minutes and you were gone." she chuckles, coming into the bathroom.

"Whoa, what's wrong?" she asks, coming up behind me, with her concerned face looking at mine through the mirror.

"Oh, I guess I'm coming down with a case of allergies or something. I don't know, I just started sneezing up a storm and that's why I ran back here." I lie with a small convincing laugh.

She grabs my hips to spin me around to face her. Her concerned, piercing blue eyes stare back into my bloodshot ones from crying so hard.

"Are you sure you're ok?" she asks, cupping my cheek in her hand, and I instinctively lean into her touch.

"Yep. I just took some medicine so I should be good in a couple of hours." Another lie.

"Alright." she says hesitantly. "I'm going to take a shower and how about we go cuddle up on the back of the bus and watch Friends afterwards?"

"Sounds perfect." I say with a small smile, and she kisses my forehead before going into the bathroom. When I hear the shower turn on, I can't help but let a few more tears fall, with my heart cracking.