Memoirs

Chapter 21: Come Back, Be Here Part 2

Many weeks have passed. Lisa never missed going to South Korea to see Jennie on weekends until one day...

Lisa: Hi, honey! How's my love doing there? I miss you so much! (trying to sound firm, though deep inside, her body is still in pain.)

Jennie: Awwww! Honey! I miss you so much more! I cannot wait for Sunday to come. (though it was just a phone call, Lisa could feel Jennie's excitement to see her)

Lisa: Uh. I cannot wait to see you, too, honey! (Sunday is four days from now, and she's not even sure if she can recover. She got shot in the leg while trying to run after one of the gang members. Jennie did not know that until now.)

Jennie: Have you eaten any meals today? Is Xo with you? Where are you now? (Jennie looked at the wall clock and checked that it was past 6 PM already in Thailand. It's two hours behind her time.)

Lisa: Yes, honey. Xo is here with me. She is just outside cooking. Where in the h.... house. It's a new safe place in case we get followed or something. (She almost said the word hospital but declined because she knew she'd worry about her once Jennie found out.)

Jennie: Aww. What is she cooking? Can we do a video call right now? Please?

Lisa: Honey, I am sorry. For our protection, we cannot do a VC right now. We do not know who can tap this call, and once we do VC, they might track you and me both. You know this stuff, honey. Just as much as I want to see you, I cannot right now. (It was a good thing she was quick to make that excuse. She cannot let Jennie know she's in the hospital. Meanwhile, Xo was outside, still talking to the investigator about what happened and waiting for the updates.)

Jennie: Really? Sigh. Yeah. I remember. Anything is possible on the internet right now. I get it, honey. Hearing your voice, for now, is enough anyway.

Lisa: By the way, honey, you mentioned that you are back in the office. How's work? What have you been up to lately aside from loving me? Hehe (She decided to change the topic because the doctor will come in a few minutes from now to check up on her.)

Jennie: Yes, hon. I am busy dealing with some new clients from the US. I have a meeting tomorrow morning near your flat. Do you want me to check it? Sometimes your best friend Rosie and I meet so maybe if she is free tomorrow, I will ask her to come with me.

Lisa: I asked her to check on you, honey. Good thing she's not failing me. Hehe. It's good that you're back in the business. Do not worry about me that much, okay? Rosie will also take care of you. All is going well according to plan. Just sit there and relax. Please wait for me. I have to go now, honey. I love you!!!!!! (It's not how she planned o end the conversation with her, but Lisa just saw the doctor enter her room. She needed to drop the call before Jennie could even hear.)

Jennie: Okay, honey. I love you more! Call me again when you can! (And before she could even end her sentence, the line was already beeping.) That was quick. Did she even hear me saying I love her? Sigh.

TWO DAYS AGO...

Lisa: Rosie! It's me. (She was rushed to the hospital and decided to call Rosie immediately. The encounter with the gang happened in the middle of the night, and it's now 3:43 AM in Thailand.)

Roseanne: Hey! What happened to you? (The ring from her phone woke her up, and she got up right away when she heard Lisa's unusual tone on the phone.)

Lisa: We were very close to finding the person who killed Jennie's father, but something happened. I got caught in a crossfire. Now I am in the hospital. There is nothing severe except a shot in my leg.

Ms. XOXO: Nothing so severe, but she lost a lot of blood! I am sorry for butting in. Your best friend right here is so hard-headed!!!! (She's busy fixing the bed where Lisa will be transferred. The operation of removing a bullet in Lisa's leg was successful. She just needed to stay for a few more days to recover.)

Rosie: Is that XO? My gosh, Lisayaaah! You better be careful! What happened to your bodyguards? (She thought of the people they hired to protect and help Lisa.)

Lisa: It was a crossfire, Rosie. Anything can happen in cases like that. I am sure they will report to you soon, but please. Do not even mention to Jennie what happened to me. For my peace of mind, come with her again later. Invite her and do something? Please? I will call her at night. Could you buy me some time? Please?

Rosie: Fine! But you have to call her later tonight. I will make excuses for you, sure. But this is just for now. She needs to know what's happening to you. You have to tell her ASAP about it. Anyway, my schedule is free. I will go and visit her in her office.

Lisa: I will tell her once I feel better, alright? I promise. Just keep an eye on Jennie and try to be with her as much as possible. Okay? Double your guards, too. Please do it. Thanks, Rosie! I owe you this!

Rosie: Just come home alive when you are done. We all want you to go home alive and in complete pieces. Araseo??

Lisa: Yes, I promise. I need to go now. The medication has subsided, and I am currently in pain. I need to sleep so I would not feel this. You take care, too.

Lisa hung up the phone. She is worried about herself, but she is more concerned about Jennie. Four days will come by quickly. She does not want Jennie to see her in this state. She needs to recover as fast as she can so she will be allowed to fly to South Korea. It's the best thing she can do as she promised they would meet every weekend. She does not want to break that.

Ms. XOXO: There you go! The doctor will come in anytime soon. I will leave you here for a moment and go to the precinct, okay? I have already asked some of my men to look after you. Just take a good rest. I am glad you're alive.

Lisa: Thanks, Xo. You are a great friend.

Ms. XOXO: Stop with the drama. The government pays me anyway to do this shit. Hahahaha!

Lisa: Ugh! Bastard! Leave! Hahahaha

FOUR DAYS LATER...

Lisa: Honey?

Jennie: What the....????

...to be continued...