Jennie and Lisa, both reeling from fresh breakups, find themselves alone in a dimly lit bar one evening. The weight of their heartbreaks brings them together as they share their stories over drinks. As the night goes on, they find unexpected comfort...
It’s been a month since I returned to Seoul, and things have been moving fast. I’ve managed to secure a few new projects, mostly small clients needing designs for their condos. The work has kept me busy, and I’ve thrown myself into it, focusing on bringing fresh ideas to life. It’s good to stay occupied—it keeps my mind from wandering too much.
Today was no different. I was deep into sketching out some new concepts when my phone rang. Glancing at the screen, I saw Seulgi’s name pop up. I hadn’t expected to hear from her; we’d only met once in Paris when she was visiting Irene. Curious, I picked up.
"Hey, Jennie! It’s Seulgi," she said, her voice as warm as I remembered. "How’s everything going?"
"Hey, Seulgi," I replied, leaning back in my chair. "Things are good, just busy with work. How about you?"
"Same here," she laughed. "Actually, I was calling to discuss a potential project with you. We’re looking for an interior designer for a new apartelle we’re building.
It’s a four-floor property with about 30 rooms, primarily for renting. The project got delayed because the previous designer couldn’t follow through, so we’re hoping you might be interested."
I considered her words for a moment. A project like that was exactly what I needed—a chance to work on something substantial and challenging. Plus, it felt good that she thought of me for the job.
"That sounds like a great opportunity," I said, my excitement building. "I’d definitely be interested. When would you like to meet?"
"How about tomorrow evening?" Seulgi suggested. "We could meet at a quiet restaurant nearby to go over the details."
"Tomorrow works for me," I agreed. "Thanks for thinking of me for this, Seulgi. I’m looking forward to it."
"Awesome! I’ll text you the details later," she said. “And Jennie, I’m really glad you’re back in Seoul. I think you’ll be perfect for this project.”
The next day, I woke up with a mixture of nerves and excitement buzzing in my chest.
Today was the meeting with Seulgi’s team, and I wanted to make sure I was fully prepared. I spent the morning going over the designs I had put together, making sure everything was polished and ready to present. Seulgi had sent me the details of the project last night, so I had a clear idea of what they were looking for.
After getting dressed, I found Kaleb playing with his toys in the living room. I knelt down next to him, brushing a strand of hair away from his face.
"Mommy has to go to a meeting tonight, Kaleb," I said softly, even though I knew he couldn’t fully understand.
"You’ll stay with Aunt Ahyeon, okay? Be good."
He looked up at me with those big, curious eyes of his and gave a small nod, followed by a bright smile that made my heart melt. I kissed his forehead, feeling a familiar tug of emotion. It wasn’t easy leaving him, even for a few hours, but I knew he was in good hands.
Later that afternoon, Kurt stopped by. He’s been visiting more often lately, always checking in and offering to help out whenever he could.
Today was no different.
"I’ll drive you to the restaurant." he insisted as we sat in the kitchen, his tone leaving no room for argument.
"Kurt, it’s really not necessary. I can manage," I tried to argue, but he just shook his head with a grin.
"I know you can manage, but let me help anyway," he said. "Besides, it’s not far, and I have nothing better to do."
Eventually, I gave in, knowing that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. I let Mom know that if the meeting ran late, I’d stay in my place in the city instead of driving back. She assured me that she and Dad would take care of Kaleb, so I left feeling a little more at ease.
When we arrived at the restaurant, I thanked Kurt for the ride and stepped out of the car. The place was cosy and intimate, perfect for a business meeting. I walked in and found a table near the back, away from the noise. I was a bit early, so I took a moment to collect myself.
My phone buzzed, and I saw a text from Seulgi:
"Hey Jennie, I’m so sorry, but I won’t be able to make it tonight. Something came up with the suppliers. But don’t worry, my boss will be there to meet you."
I frowned a little, feeling a slight pang of disappointment. I had been looking forward to catching up with her. But I quickly pushed the feeling aside. This was business, after all, and I was here to make a good impression. Whoever her boss was, I’d make sure they left the meeting feeling confident about hiring me.
I sat at the table, fidgeting slightly with the edge of my notebook. The restaurant was warm and inviting, but I couldn’t shake the slight unease that settled in my chest. It had been four years since I’d last seen Lisa, and though I’d tried to push her out of my mind, her memory still lingered in the quiet moments. Little did I know that tonight would bring those memories rushing back.
As I waited for Seulgi’s boss to arrive, I found myself glancing around the restaurant, watching the door out of habit. My thoughts drifted to Kaleb, wondering if he was doing okay with Mom and Dad, when suddenly, the door opened, and someone stepped inside. I didn’t pay much attention at first, but something about the person’s silhouette caught my eye. I froze.
The figure approached their walk, their posture… it was so familiar that it made my heart skip a beat. And then she turned slightly, just enough for the light to catch her face, and my breath caught in my throat.
Lisa.
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