Eternal Devotion of Manifest/Chaennie

Chapter 21

The cold, early morning air bit at their faces as they reached back at the hotel. Snow blanketed the ground, muffling their footsteps and adding an ethereal glow to the dim pre-dawn light. The sun had yet to rise, casting a bluish hue over the snowy landscape. The hotel loomed ahead, its warm lights promising a respite from the freezing temperatures.

"What is she doing here?" Lisa withered, pivoting to Rosie as they approached the entrance. There, waiting for them, was Jisoo, her expression one of anxious anticipation.

Rosie mirrored Lisa's reaction, her eyes narrowing briefly before softening into a smile. Her heart quickened at the sight of Jisoo. Despite the turmoil in her mind, the bond she felt with Jisoo was unequivocal. It pulled her away from thoughts of Jennie, away from the feelings she refused to acknowledge.

"Jimin must've told her everything. We should too," Rosie shrugged, strolling past Lisa. This movement caught Jisoo's attention, who widened her eyes and waved her hand in apprehension.

Rosie felt an almost a pull towards Jisoo, ready to envelop her in a pacifying embrace where she could feel at home. But just as she was about to reach out, Jisoo ran past her, straight to Lisa.

Rosie froze a pang of jealousy and hurt jolting through her chest. She watched as Jisoo's concern was entirely focused on Lisa, who looked equally surprised but grateful for the attention. The sight of Jisoo fussing over Lisa, their childhood bond apparent, was a stark reminder of the distance between her and Jisoo.

"You didn't tell me? How could you hide something like this from me and your dad?" Jisoo's voice trembled with worry as she cupped Lisa's face, scanning for any sign of a wound. "What if something had happened to you? Do you even know how worried I was when I heard the news? You're a princess, not a spy!"

Lisa gently held Jisoo's hands on her cheeks, her own eyes softening. "We weren't supposed to tell you or involve you. It's not your responsibility, Jisoo."

Rosie observed the interaction, her heart clenching as Jisoo saw the red string of fate connecting her and Lisa. The closer they got, the more it sparkled, casting a luminous light on their bond. Jisoo's gaze was fixed solely on Lisa, her soulmate. In this life, she might have had feelings for Rosie, but her heart undeniably belonged to Lisa.

Rosie turned away, her expression a mix of resignation and determination. She couldn't deny the pull she felt towards Jennie, the emotions she was desperately attempting to subdue. 

"It's not your responsibility either! You could've hired professional spies for this work. You're not allowed to do all this stupid work," Jisoo snapped, discreetly stealing Lisa's golden yellow gun from her jacket. "It's mine now."

"Soo! Please, no," Lisa whined, reaching out for her.

Jisoo glared at Lisa, causing her to stop in her tracks. "You both were planning all of this behind my back. Am I not your friend?" She crossed her arms, her eyes focused solely on Lisa, ignoring Rosie.

"Am I not your friend?" Rosie repeated, stepping closer to Jisoo. Despair for Jisoo shone in her eyes, a plea unspoken.

Jisoo glanced at Rosie's red string of fate, now a dark red hue, indicating Jennie's absence. She couldn't see any regret on Rosie's face as she pivoted her questioning gaze to her. In this lifetime, Jisoo had hoped Rosie and Jennie would be together without obstructions, but Jennie's illicit activities complicated their fate.

"You were playing with Jennie's feelings?" She couldn't hide the anger behind her despair for Jennie. Even though Jennie wasn't her sister, Jisoo felt responsible for her happiness and heartbreak.