Fire Lodge ( jenlisa )

Part 6

When Jennie and Chaeyoung welcomed Jihyo, Tzuyu, and Dahyun in the lobby of Fire Lodge, it was more like a group of friends getting back together than a business owner welcoming customers, because in a lot of ways that's what it was.

"It's so good to see you again!" said Jennie. "But where's Chaeyoung?" She looked around for the expected fourth guest.

Jihyo got panicked look on her face, miming for Jennie not to bring up that topic and mouthing "Later."

"She decided other things were more important than this trip," Dahyun said, "and I'm better off without her anyway." Dahyun and Chaeyoung had an on again/off again relationship. When they were together, you've never seen a more loving couple. And then they were apart, they could barely stand to be in the same room. Jennie made a mental note to call Chaeyoung and see if she wanted to reschedule for another weekend, hoping and praying she wouldn't want a refund.

"I see some new faces here," Tzuyu said.

Jennie startled, "Oh, yes. Sorry. This is Jisoo, Park Chaeyoung's new assistant. And this is Lisa, my assistant manager in training." Greetings were exchanged and soon Lisa and Jisoo were as much a part of the conversation as if they'd been around for years.

Jennie mentally ran through the preparations she'd made for the weekend's guests. She knew what Jihyo and Tzuyu would want: Skiing from dawn to dusk, then dinner, then to retreat to their room for a night of romantic escapades - Jennie had deliberately put them at the far end of the hall, so they didn't have to worry about disturbing anyone else. But she didn't know about Dahyun. Usually Dayhun and Chaeyoung would keep each other entertained, but by herself, Jennie was afraid she'd either be a third wheel to Jihyo and Tzuyu or else she'd just hang around the lodge being bored. Jennie had to arrange something better than that for her.

As soon as she got a chance, Jennie drew Dahyun off into a side conversation. "So..." she began, "obviously your plans for the weekend are going to be a little different from last time you were here. Is there anything you want me to arrange for you?"

"I never had a chance of learn snowshoeing before, because some people didn't want to. I think I'd like to give that a shot. Can you recommend someone in the Valley who could give me the basic lessons and then guide me on a hike?"

"Someone in the Valley?" Jennie laughed. "I can do better than that - I've got someone on staff who can do that for you, so long as you don't mind that she's still learning Korean." As soon as Dahyun nodded her agreement to this, Jennie called Lisa over. "Lisa, how'd you like to go snowshoeing on company time?"

Lisa nodded. "Sure, what's going on?"

Jennie instantly switched to manager mode and started firing off instructions. "You'll be giving Dahyun basic snowshoeing lessons and then guiding her on a hike. Make sure her snowshoes fit properly and the bindings are on right. Take the route you took Tuesday, but be mindful of cross trails in case you need to cut the hike short to have her back in time for dinner." Jennie switched her attention from Lisa to the other side of the room. "Jisoo! I need two box lunches with hot coffee packed for hiking."

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Jisoo was about to say yes and get to work when she heard Chaeyoung pop up from an animated conversation with Tzuyu and call back. "No way, boss-lady! You don't order my people around! You order me around and then I order my people around. If you want me to be your executive chef, you've got to treat me like it. For all you know, I could need Jisoo to spend all afternoon browning celery for tonight's dinner." Chaeyoung winked at Jisoo, who smiled and blushed at the private joke.

Jisoo heard Jennie make an aside to Dahyun "You see what I have to put up with?" before she called back "Fine! Chaeyoung. I need two box lunches with hot coffee packed for hiking!"