The Manobans

Chapter 3

CHAPTER 3

Lisa stares at the back of Jennie's head as she pushes the cart behind her. The two of them went to Trader Joe's to pick up additional groceries for her mother, who originally assigned the task to Jisoo. Before the professor could even rant in protest, Lisa suddenly volunteered, to everyone's surprise. The lawyer barely caught a glimpse of her sister raising a questioning eyebrow at her, as she dragged Jennie back to the car.

The ash blonde did apologize for not even asking if Jennie wanted to go. But the brunette said that she had to buy some things anyway, so that's okay.

It has been a quiet ride, but surprisingly comfortable. They exchanged a few smiles as well. And now Lisa is smiling again for no reason at all.

The ash blonde shakes her head out of it and internally castigates herself for acting like a creep.

"How old are you?" Lisa blurts out.

She mentally facepalms. There's no time to save herself from her nonsense questions as the doctor stops midway from picking up a pack of strawberries from the fresh produce aisle.

For a moment, she just looks at Lisa in confusion. All Lisa could do is shrug in an attempt to act nonchalant.

"That's so random."

Lisa feels the warmth that spread on her cheeks, and by the look of amusement on Jennie's face, she could only guess that she's as red as those strawberries right now.

"You do know that it's rude to ask a lady about her age, right?" Feline eyes playfully narrow at the obviously embarrassed lawyer.

Lisa laughs and raises both hands in surrender.

"I'm sorry."

Jennie takes time, but answers anyway.

"I'm turning 28 in January." She finally reaches for the pack of strawberries. She examines it, then places it on the cart.

"I honestly thought I'm older than you." Lisa is surprised at the revelation. Jennie looks younger than her actual age.

"How old are you?" She moves forward with Lisa trailing behind.

"It's rude to ask a lady about her age, Jennie." The ash blonde tries to hold her laugh after echoing the other woman's own words.

"Whatever." Jennie rolls her eyes, then laughs.

"I'll be 27 on March."

"Oh, you're young."

Lisa chuckles. She watch for a while as Jennie pulls out the grocery list that her mother hastily handed to Jennie on their way out of the house.

"You're barely a year older, Jennie."

Jennie leads again, browsing the aisle for some items on the list. She then picks up some kale.

"You skipped a few levels, didn't you?"

That surprised Lisa.

"How did you know?"

"Well, you're 26 and already a junior partner at one of the best law firms in New York City. Most people would be finishing law school right around that time. You're way ahead."

In normal days, Lisa would have been creeped out by someone analyzing her. Today, she just feels self-conscious. And intrigued. Because that means she has been in Jennie Kim's thoughts today. Against her judgment, Lisa's lips turns up in to a huge, bashful smile.