By My Side [JENLISA FF]

Part 7

Mr. Park was angry when he and Jisoo entered the now well-known office again. Jisoo had insisted on coming with him. She wanted to see her friend.

The problem was he wasn't really sure why he was angry. Was it because Jennie ran away? Because she never called but wrote to Jisoo, obviously trusted her? Because she didn't want to stay with him and Janice? Because she didn't call back immediately? Or because he felt betrayed for all the effort, he'd put into building up a relationship with his stepdaughter? Probably it was a combination of everything mixed with jealousy because this young investigator, a stranger, seemed to gain more of her trust than he.

"Nice office," Jisoo commented beside him. He only shrugged. And then he saw them. The young PI was sitting in the chair as yesterday and Jennie sat opposite to her. They seemed so ... what was the word? he couldn't find it. Then Lisa looked up and recognized them.

"Mr. Park," she greeted the old man.

"Ms. Manoban," Hongjun nodded, his voice sounding cold. He turned to his stepdaughter: "Jennie, my dear." he tried to give his voice more softness now but failed. He was angry.

"Hongjun. It is good to see you," Jennie greeted back, but didn't get up or made a move to hug him. Then she saw a girl beside him: "Jisoo! What a surprise."

Hongjun felt a pang in his heart, when she suddenly smiled and hugged her friend tightly. "I am so glad to see you," she said, and everyone could hear she meant it. Well, Hongjun could hear it and it hurt. He hated himself for feeling that way, so selfish, but he couldn't help it. He knew he should put that aside, she needed his love and support, but it was so difficult. He was behaving like a little boy, he knew, but he couldn't help it either.

"Mr. Park," Lisa's voice pulled him out of his thoughts. "You wanted a meeting here. May I ask why? Frankly there aren't any news I could tell you. I've given you all the information's we have on the phone already."

"I," the older man looked at Jennie and then back: "We do not need your services anymore. I thought this was a matter I'd better take care of personally."

"WHAT?" Jennie shouted and panic rose in her. I don't want to leave her. God, Jennie what are you thinking?

"I am sorry," Lisa said quietly. "Is there a problem, I am not aware of?" Are you crazy, you should say yes and get over with. What are you doing? Just say yes, and let it go.

"Nothing special," Hongjun snapped. "I just think that case is far too complicated for someone so," he paused and looked up and down. *attractive*, he thought, but said: "young".

"Mr. Park. I can assure you, we are perfectly capable of handling this, as a matter of fact, we had bigger..."

The older man stopped her with a wave of her hand: "I am not going to discuss this. I am only telling you." Then he turned round and grabbed his daughter's arm. After all he felt for her like a real father. "Jennie, come, we go." With this he pulled her to the door.

Jisoo who was watching everything with wide eyes gave Lisa an apologetic smile. What the hell was happening here? She was confused. She was about to leave as well, when Jennie, who had been like in shock jerked away from her stepfather.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jennie yelled and moved further away from him. "I am not a little girl anymore. You have no right to drag me away." Her eyes were furious.

God, she looks so beautiful when she is angry Lisa thought. She quickly averted her eyes; afraid someone would see her admiration for this woman. She also felt that she had no right to intervene, but she did not want to leave either, she wanted to be near her, as if her presence could give her strength. And she would need it judging the expression on her stepfather's face.

"Jennie, you are acting irrational and I understand that. But that girl," Mr. Park pointed at Lisa, "isn't working for us anymore. And I want you to come home. You have no idea how your mother is longing for you."

"I am sorry, okay," Jennie's voice was a little bit softer now, but only a tiny little bit. "But I am 22 years old. That means I am an adult, and I am the one to make decisions regarding my life. I know it is my fault, that you have missed six years, but I cannot change that. You have to learn to accept that you cannot control me anymore. And by the way," her voice was rising again, "your constant urge to control was one of the reasons that drove me away from home." You are such a bitch, Jennie, she thought. But he is really behaving like an idiot, he's earned this, another voice said. She shook her head and tried to calm down.

"Jennie," his voice sounded pained. "I only want to help you." Then he looked at Lisa and the anger was back in his words: "But I cannot see her being a great help. But however, I have dismissed her, so she won't work for us anymore."

"Then I will hire her," Jennie replied stubbornly.

"Jennie," Hongjun began, but was cut off by her daughter's voice.

"No, I hire her. Lisa," Jennie addressed the young PI, and Lisa looked up. "Would you work for me too?" She wanted nothing more than to stay near to her.

"Of course," Lisa answered, without looking at Mr. Park. You are completely nuts, she told herself. But she just couldn't let go of her, especially now, when her life was probably in danger.

"See," Jennie told her stepfather triumphantly. "Hongjun, I really don't want to fight with you. I am a bit cranky at the moment, I have to admit that. GD, the jail and all, and it is probably not the right time for this. Please, understand that. It doesn't mean I don't love you and mom. Please." Her voice was pleading now, and she sounded like a little girl again. Lisa's heart went out for her, and she felt anger rising in her chest. How could a father be so ignorant. She was going through hell and all she did was nursing her own pain. Her children would never have to go through something like that, Lisa swore at that moment. When were children part of your imagination, she asked herself.

"I just don't understand you anymore," Hongjun replied, sounding desperate now. "We used to be so close and now ... you ... you seem so cold, so ... distant."

"I know, and it is not your fault," Jennie said, sitting down again. "Life hasn't been a fairytale all the time. And we will talk about this, but please not now."

He nodded: "Alright. But why are you so anxious to be with her?" he pointed at Lisa again.

"I trust her," was her simple answer.

Hongjun felt another pang of jealousy in his heart. She trusted her.

Lisa felt a pang of joy. She trusted me.

Jisoo only stared at the three of them. Why did she come in the first place?

"I see," Hongjun said tightly. "Well, if you are so ... certain about this, I cannot do anything. As you already mentioned, you are an adult. But please call."

"I will," Jennie sighed. "I am sorry. And we will talk about everything. Later."

"Okay," he was sounding quite normal now. "I hear from you."

"You will."

"Jisoo?"

"Uuh. Well, I would like to stay," she looked at Jennie. "But I do not have a car."

"That is no problem," Lisa heard herself say. "I could drive you home later, if that is alright with you."

"Sure. Good. So, I am staying," Jisoo told Mr. Park.

"Fine," his voice was tightly again. "Goodbye then altogether." Then Hongjun left the office as fast as possible. He would find out everything about that Lisa Manoban and then Jennie would realise she wasn't good for her. Be careful, an inner voice said, you already pushed her away once that way. But he did not want to listen to this. He was still angry.