Jenlisa Oneshots

Family Rivalry

"It was so-so, although I appreciate you going out of your way to invite us to your... mansion."

This was the response my mother had provided after being asked by the Manoban's about the quality of the food they had had, I'm guessing, no less than twenty people fussing over since dawn. She had also went out of her way to eye the Manoban's mansion between her pause, a subtle yet obvious jab at their pride.

Arthur Manoban cleared his throat before he spoke in a calm voice, "I am glad to hear. I do hope you have some sort of standing in regards to our proposal, so let's hear it."

I couldn't help but stiffen up just the slightest, the figure in my peripheral appearing as cool as a cucumber. How could she be so relaxed about something like this? When I chanced a look at her, I realized her blue eyes had been intently set on me this whole time. I swallowed, holding her gaze for a second before looking away. I could only hope I hadn't come off as rude. Not that I was the one staring like that at myself. She hadn't even put much effort into hiding it.

"This is an abrupt offer. A business proposal is conceivable, but a marriage..." My father trailed off, tilting his head down in observance of the dessert on his plate. This chocolate self-saucing pudding was phenomenal. I had to refrain from gobbling it all up. But I digress.

"I understand. It's a huge step. A huge step ahead, I hope. I'm aware we have been rivals for the past twenty years but the situation has arisen for us to join hands. A joint business venture is necessary, but how would I know you are not going to join hands with the Im's? How would you know this is not just a ploy for me to lead your business to its demise?"

Everyone in the room shifted. I had had an idea about this. It seemed I had hit the exact mark. So my marriage to his daughter, Lisa Manoban, would be a guarantee of sorts to ensure none of the two parties went against their word and joined hands with the Im's. That was terrible yet brilliant.

"I see what you mean. However, are there not other things to cons-"

"The only thing that matters to us right now is the survival of our business. If any of us were to go back on our words, it would incur much less loss than the Im's company taking over the corporate world we've been dominating for twenty years. Besides, I don't see a better suitor for my daughter than Jennie." Linda Manoban's gaze sweeped over me as she interrupted my mother. Lisa had definitely inherited her light-colored eyes and the intensity in them from Linda.

My father sighed heavily, thumb rubbing his chin.

"I suppose you're right."

"If the both of you have any objections, please let us know now." Linda Manoban demanded, gaze set hard on me.

I sucked in a quiet breath, stopping short of voicing my thoughts. My eyes automatically gravitated towards my parents' serious faces, then Lisa's unreadable one. She still looked as poised as before, not a muscle in her face betraying her to give away what's on her mind. She only shook her head, her eyes trained on me and then did a sort of half shrug at her parents.

I believe I had frozen up, prompting Lisa's father to speak up, "Seunghyun, please lead Jennie and my daughter to the garden."

I could only stand up, being led by a middle-aged, formally dressed, exceptionally tall man that was the Manoban's butler. Lisa walked beside me, the tapping of our shoes on the beautiful marble floor being the only sound until we reached the garden.

"I must take my leave. Please, enjoy your time." With a slight bow of his head, the butler left us at the entrance of the garden.

Upon looking around, I noted the artificial lighting that made it easier to see the garden in all its glory even at night. In the distance, I could make out shapes and shades of dahlia right beside a small fountain that was lit up with white light against an indigo surface that made it look absolutely stunning.

"I hope you don't mind." Came Lisa's airy voice, elbow jutted outwards and fist loosely clenched.

I could hear my heartbeat drum in my ears as my palm draped over the cashmere fabric of her power suit. I walked closer by her side due to this new position, and she led me with slow yet certain steps into their garden.

"I take it you aren't completely on board with the idea of marrying me." She said.

"It isn't like that. It's just I got invited to dinner only a few days ago by my family's long-run business rivals and the next thing I know, they're asking me to marry their daughter." I explained. There was something about her that demanded honesty, and I wasn't going to be the one to resist in a situation like this. It's like she oozed the essence of laid-back while remaining dignified.

This made Lisa smile, doe eyes shimmering in the garden light, "I see. Would it have been easier to stomach if it were my brother instead of me?"

I tilted my head in thought, "Not really. Leaving the rivalry aside for a second, I quite trust Linda's judgement. I hear she's the one to pass all business decisions around the company."

A trail of sunflowers followed ahead of us. I wished I could view them in the morning sun.

"Oh, yes. There are still instances where her strategy is flawed. That's where dad comes in. Besides... Her strong opinions about you being best suited for me had to have been influenced by me, if even by a little."

I looked away from the green path with blotches of fine color and regarded her for a second, "I'm not sure I follow."

"Well, it's a bit embarrassing, I suppose," Lisa stopped walking, effectively halting my movements too, "I've liked you for a while now." It seemed the Manoban's were keen on dropping bomb after massive bomb tonight.

I stared at her dumbly, "A while, as in how long exactly?"

Lisa hummed as if thinking hard, "Long enough to want to marry you."

So she wasn't going to divulge the exact timeframe. I wondered how long could be long enough for her to feel embarrassed about it. Damn her and her coolness.

Her chuckle pulled me out of my reverie, "I guess my answer was not sufficient. If you must know, it's been a little over six years."

Gosh, to think I'd had a bit of a thing for her around that same time. Well, who am I kidding? I swoon for her everytime we're at the same party.

"Are we just... going to get married?" My question wasn't articulate, but if Lisa was going to be my wife, she'd have to deal with this flaw.

"I will court you. No, I would love to court you. If that's what you want. If you want me to pop the question later on I'm more than fine with that too. Or if you want to ask me, I have no objections." It was endearing to know Lisa had this eager side to her too. Looking into her eyes, pupils wider in the little darkness of the garden, I made my decision.

"I don't want you- us... to treat this like some business deal. I want a real marriage. I don't intend on having any ongoing affairs during this and I'll be expecting the same from you. If you're fine with those terms..."

"You talk about it like it's a business deal, Jennie." Lisa pointed out, looking amused, "But I'll take you up on it. I don't think you've noticed but I haven't been looking anywhere else but at you."

The distance between us only shrinking, the soft brush of her lips against mine had the butterflies in my stomach fluttering wildly in the midst of the garden.