BLISSFUL ENCOUNTER [Jenlisa FF]

Part 1

It was one of those evenings. One of those evenings where you would've preferred to stay at home with a good glass of wine, a book or just munching something very unhealthy in front of the TV. Instead, you were forced to dress up, paint your face, and appear in public. For job reasons. To show your face. To get promoted if it came up.

And it was boring as hell.

The people around her were laughing, false, overly happy laughs. They were showing their teeth, but their eyes were telling a completely different story. Some of them were crying "I want out", others were dull with too much wine or champagne, the rest was checking out the other sex. Trying to estimate if there was maybe a possibility for some hot sex in the back room or maybe in a hotel - after the show was over.

It was disgusting.

With a sigh Jennie Kim leaned her back against the wall and closed her eyes for a moment, blocking everything out. The glass of champagne felt cool and smooth in her palm, the voices around her blurred into some unintelligible noise. For a moment she even considered to just leave, but then the rational part of her brain kicked in and she knew there was no chance for her to go. Her boss would never forgive her and then 'Kim Jongin', the guy in the office next to her would get the promotion she wanted so badly.

As on cue, she heard a laugh nearby and opening her eyes they fell on the tall dark-haired man, a full-bosomed brunette draped over his arm, who was talking to Jeffrey, their boss. Slimy weasel, Jennie thought. He was trying to make points with Jeffrey and from the way their boss was looking into the derriere of the brunette, he was obviously succeeding.

God, what a scumbag. He was actually offering his girlfriend, who - disgustingly - obviously didn't mind. Maybe she should've considered something like that, Jennie thought for a quick moment, then in disgust, dismissed the thought. No way she would sleep her way up the ladder. NO WAY! She was good at her job, and she would show them. And she would ignore all the lusty looks Jeffrey was constantly giving her.

"Look at those sharks."

Jennie turned around and saw Bae Joohyun standing beside her. Irene was her secretary of six years, about her own age, and the two women genuinely liked each other, had even become some sort of friends over the years.

"Yeah," Jennie agreed, sipping from her glass. "And Jongin is the worst of them."

Irene clinked her own glass with Jennie's and nodded, "He thinks he's wonderful." She snorted, "What a jerk."

"I was just thinking about leaving," the blond sighed, leaned back against the wall.

"Uh-huh," the brunette sipped from her drink, "Boyfriend out of town?"

Sighing for the second time, Jennie nodded, "Yeah. Business trip to Busan. He'll be gone for two weeks."

"A real bummer for your love life."

"Not that I really have a lot of it to begin with," the blond remarked sarcastically.

Irene raised a brow, sipped again, "Don't tell me there's nothing going on anymore. I thought it was, how did you call it 'the real thing'? And besides, he's a real hunk. In a boring sort of way, of course."

"Irene," Jennie scolded gently, giving her friend and secretary a stern look. "I can't believe you said that." But inwardly she had to admit that Irene was dead right. Kim Taehyung, her boyfriend, was a good guy. He was a successful financial consultant, and earning more money she could count. And he was good looking. Every mother-in-law's dream. Tall, Dark and Handsome.

Jennie had been drawn to him almost instantly. He came from a wealthy background, was born with the literal golden spoon in his mouth, had breeding, education, and an air or world around him. And she'd thought to have finally found her prince charming. But now, after having been with him for three years, she knew there was a lot of show, and not a lot behind it.

Sure, he would be good husband material. And they would probably have a bunch of pretty children, if Taehyung would find the time in his busy schedule to produce them. And her mother would be so thrilled. She was still nagging her about grandkids, pointing out that her biological clock was running out soon. But God, Taehyung was so ... unromantic.

It wasn't really that bad. She knew him by now, knew his limitation. At least she wouldn't have to worry about becoming disappointed with him in twenty years down the road.

Because he was already so disappointing.

Jesus, her life was a mess. She wasn't getting the job she wanted because Kim Jongin was licking their boss' ass and her love life hadn't been exciting for a long time. Either Taehyung was too busy, or too tired, or he wasn't even there to actually do anything with her. It was embarrassing for a woman of her age, but she honestly couldn't remember the last time she'd sex. She sighed. And her mother was worrying about grandchildren. What a joke.

Jennie brought her glass to her lips and then almost choked on it when Irene suddenly nudged her in the ribs. "What the-"

"Oh my," the brunette was fanning herself with her hand, then put it on her chest, "look at that."

"Wha-" The word died in Jennie's mouth that suddenly felt dry as the desert. 'Oh, my indeed,' she thought.

"Maybe the night isn't as boring as we thought," Irene grinned at her friend.

"What are they doing here?" Jennie asked in a whisper. "Do they actually belong on this party?"

Irene put her glass down on a nearby table, then straightening her dress, she shot Jennie another grin, "I really don't know. But whatever brought them here, the left is mine."