𝐎𝐡 𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 ✿

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟒 : 𝑳𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒕 𝑳𝒐𝒘

“Fudge!” Lisa cursed in struggle to catch her breath as she raced down the street to the imposing KimTech Media & Industries building. Her lungs burned from the sudden sprint, and a glance at her wristwatch made her heart drop—10:40 a.m. Absolutely late. Panic bubbled up inside her. She nearly let out a distressed squeal, knowing full well that her boss, Jennie Kim, would already be in the office by now.

There was no time for usual morning greetings, she darted through the doors of the gleaming glass structure and ran into the modern lobby. Her heels clicked rapidly against the floor as she hurried past the reception desk without so much as a courteous nod to the familiar faces. 

As she approached the elevator, her heart skipped a beat at the sight of the doors beginning to close. She sped forward, quickening her steps. Just as she was about to stop it, an expensive black purse slipped into the narrowing gap. The person inside pressed the button to reopen the doors.

Her eyebrows frowned, glancing around she noticed a group of staff gathered on the other side, none of them making any attempts to get to the elevator. Why wasn’t anyone getting in? Her curiosity grew as she looked back to the open doors. Then it hit her. The reason became painfully clear as her gaze set on the figure within. 

The Dragon Lady herself was standing inside. Dressed impeccably in a white v-neck wrap top tucked into a sleek black skirt, paired with Chanel heels and delicate pearl earrings, over her broad shoulder was a tailored double-breasted black coat. The brunette tresses waving down her back. Black sunglasses perched atop her nose bridge. In her left hand, the very Chanel purse that had wedged the door open still dangled unbothered. 

No wonder why all the employees were terrified waiting for the next ride to hell. No one in their right mind would willingly share a space with Jennie Kim unless they were in a death situation. Which is apparently the same as Lisa. 

The moment she saw the glint of the slender ring-adorned finger pressing the button, she knew what the woman wanted. Jennie wanted her inside. With a fate-accepting sigh, she looked at the group of employees, who stared back at her with wide eyes and faces that almost seemed to say, ‘How could you do that?’

There was no way out of it. Forcing a warm smile, before she could realize her legs had begun to work, she stepped in with a polite greeting. “Good morning, Ma—”

“You’re late.” Jennie’s voice was acutely sharp through Lisa’s greeting, cold as ever. The sunglasses obscured those feline eyes, making it impossible to gauge whether there was disappointment in brown gaze or simply indifference.

Swallowing hard, the nerves began to gnaw at her. “The subway was late.” It was true—the end of November had brought relentless winter delays, but that wasn’t the only reason. Since her boss had fired Ms. Suzy yesterday, Lisa had been pulling last night. While it wasn’t part of her job description as an assistant, she had been given the extra responsibility of the critical sales reports, feeling obligated to ensure everything ran smoothly.

But the woman wasn’t interested in explanations.

“Excuses don’t make a difference. Results do,” Jennie intruded, still facing forward. “Learn to wake up early.”

Her tone was final, making it clear the conversation was over before it even began. 

Lisa bit down her lip, her fingers tightening around the strap of the sling handbag. “S-Sorry, Ma’am,” she murmured, standing stiffly beside her boss. To distract her mind she started counting the remaining floors. After all, she was aware to hold her tongue because the last thing Jennie Kim wanted to hear from anyone— especially in the morning — was gibbering.