An Unlikely Love Affair

7 - Girl Crush

LISA

I'm waiting in line at a coffee shop after getting stood up by Jennie again. She was supposed to meet me after Leo and Luca's check-up, to help pick out cat beds for my fur babies.

Nini: Lisa, I'm sorry. I can't make it.
Me: Seriously? I've been waiting for you for the past hour and a half, Jennie.
Nini: I know. That's why I'm telling you now so you can go ahead and buy the cat beds with our manager.
Me: I'm alone.
Nini: I'm really sorry, Lisa. I don't know what to tell you. I can't just leave Kai. I promise I'll make it up to you.

But she can leave me? I don't know why I'm even surprised. To be honest, her promises ring hollow as of late. I didn't bother to reply and set out to search for what I went here for.

Now I'm at a coffee shop, enduring the long line per Jisoo's request. She asked me to drop by her favorite cafe to get her coffee and something to eat before I head home. Usually I'd complain since this cafe always had a queue but I figured I could also use a caffeine boost and sweet treats for some much needed good vibes.

As I was making my way back to the car, coffee and pastries in hand, my heart started to race when a familiar figure came into sight. There's no denying that face even with a cap on.

Irene and Yeri were sitting at a table outside an ice cream shop, looking in my direction.

I cursed in my head and walked faster, hoping they wouldn't recognize me.

"Lisa unnie!" Yeri called out.

Great. I stopped and slowly turned to face them. I'm no actor but I tried my best to act surprised, like I didn't see them already. I bowed and was ready to go on my way but then Yeri gestured for me to come over.

"A wave would've been enough, unnie. You don't need to bow to us, you know. Especially me, I'm younger than you." She giggled, finishing off the last bite of her ice cream. Irene was just sitting there, arms and legs crossed, her austere gaze piercing through me.

I don't know how I'm even able to face her after what happened. It's been a week since she slept over. A week since she came home to their dorm sick; too sick that she had to cancel her schedules in the days that followed.

I felt the blood drain from my face the day Jisoo got a call from Seulgi. The latter was asking what Irene might've ingested while at our dorm because she was feeling really sick. As far as I'm aware, she was vomiting and her stomach was hurting so bad, they had to rush her to their company doctor.

Alarmed, I got Irene's number from Jennie to personally check up on her and apologize. She simply told me it was nothing to be concerned about but her voice sounded otherwise.

I was terrified that I might've food poisoned one of SM's biggest stars that I was restless all day. Apart from being concerned about her health, I didn't want to add fuel to the fire of our already competing companies. Jisoo even got really annoyed with me as I kept asking her to find out through Seulgi how Irene was doing.

This is the first time I'm seeing her since the incident.

"Come join us." Yeri said cheerfully, offering the chair beside Irene.

I don't think I'm ready to talk to her, let alone sit beside her. Fortunately, I really can't.

"I'm sorry but Leo and Luca are waiting for me in the car and Jisoo unnie might lose it if I don't arrive with her coffee soon."

"Leo and Luca?" Yeri asked, confused.

"My cats."

"Oh. For a second there I thought you and Jisoo unnie were going on a double date." The youngest Red Velvet laughed. "Well, maybe next time then." She said while glancing at her unnie who still hadn't said a word.