Chapter 28
Jisoo tiptoed inside the quietness of the Orange, making sure not to trip on any chairs, so as not to disrupt the redhead behind the piano at the podium. Chaeyoung was repeatedly playing the intro of a classic song, as if she wasn't sure if she got it right the first time.
A single dimly-lit bulb above Chaeyoung's head was the only thing providing light inside the room, making the red mane of Chaeyoung shone somewhat brighter but sadder and giving Jisoo the possibility of an incognito entrance.
She was about to open her mouth and speak when she noticed that Chaeyoung's eyes were closed as her fingers were gracefully dancing above the ebony and ivory keys. So she decided to come closer and stood in front of the redhead, the piano between them, as she was intently watching and listening when Chaeyoung started singing.
When I find myself in times of trouble,Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
It was beautiful, Jisoo thought. When Jennie sent her a video clip of Chaeyoung singing, she thought she was good. But now that she was hearing the redhead's voice live and raw, Jisoo thought she was more than good. Especially with just the piano accompanying her singing.
And in my hour of darkness
She is standing right in front of me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
Jisoo didn't know exactly why she suddenly found the situation funny. Maybe it was because of the fact that she repeatedly told herself she would never, even at gunpoint, ever step inside the Orange again and meet Chaeyoung again. She detested the redhead as much as she dreaded the idea of a second meeting.
But now, she found herself captivated, beyond her liking, by Chaeyoung's melancholic voice. There was pain in it. And loneliness, too. Which wasn't a good combo, Jisoo thought. And whoever believed that it was okay to be lonely on a Valentine's dawn, singing Let It Be as if convincing herself that it was okay to be sad and lonely on a V-Day, was either stupid or just plane sad and lonely.
Let it be, let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom, let it be
And so, Jisoo tried to be funny. Because she wanted it to stop. Not the singing, but the pain in Chaeyoung's voice.
"I'm really sorry to disappoint you but I'm not Mother Mary and I will never tell you to just 'Let It Be', whatever that 'it' was," Jisoo suddenly spoke and with the slight hint of compassion and amusement on her voice.
"Jesus Christ!" Chaeyoung screamed when she opened her eyes and saw the ridiculously stunning Jisoo in a beautiful black dress, grinning at her. Thinking vaguely, despite her extreme annoyance, how the dimly-lit bulb above them made Jisoo looked like an angel with the smile of the devil, before she fell backwards and hit her head on the floor. Her seat toppled backwards.
"Oh my god! I'm so sorry! Are you okay?" Jisoo asked worriedly while she helped Chaeyoung back to her feet. Gone was the devilish, mischievous smile on her face and all that was left there was grave concern and regret.
"Are you trying to kill me?!" Chaeyoung demanded when she found her balance, angrily snatching her arm off Jisoo's clutch and muttered "Ouch!" when she felt the lump at the back of her head.
"I'm really sorry," Jisoo reiterated and picked the toppled chair up and put it back on its place.
"How long were you standing there? And what are you doing here, by the way?" Chaeyoung asked angrily, throwing dagger looks at Jisoo. Her hand was clutching the back of her head. She looked pained and ready to murder the intruder.
"Uhm, long enough? I...I was looking for Jennie. She told me to come," Jisoo said. Okay, that was partly a lie, Jisoo told herself. "I'm really sorry."
"Jennie left with Lisa an hour ago," Chaeyoung answered curtly. "What did you have to do that for, anyway? You could have just tapped me on the shoulder or whatever, if you wanted to ask about Jennie."
