Enthralled || Liskook

Chapter 42

One year later Airport, Terminal 

Lisa heaved her suitcase onto the nearest unoccupied seat, the one pressed against the window. Unlike the others scattered around the arrival hall, their chatter and laughter trailing behind them like confetti, she'd just disembarked. A glance at her phone confirmed it was still early. The wait stretched before her, heavy and empty. 

The frustration of the flight with no internet gnawed at her. How long had Jungkook been on the ground already? She yearned to track his flight path, anything to bridge the agonizing wait. 

Jeon Jungkook. He was finally returning home. 

A wave of contestants flooded out of the exit next, pulling their luggage behind them. 

Unlike Lisa, most hadn't bothered to change out of their flamboyant stage attire. 

Makeup, flamboyant hairpieces, and even a few club logos emblazoned on suitcases, all drew curious stares from passersby. 

Finally, the referees emerged, shedding their official uniforms like tired actors. 

Jisoo, the head referee, walked to the front. Fresh from a year-long recovery from surgery, this was her first time officiating an entire event since her return. 

Jisoo quickly saw Lisa in the corner. This is a rookie king who has risen rapidly in the domestic nine-ball, eight-ball, and world-fancy nine-ball rankings after only one year of debut. 

Her eyes are very large, but because she lowered her head, she was blocked by the bangs that slid in front of her. 

She was wearing a pea-pink hoodie and white jeans, her legs were crossed, and she sat obediently on the chair, holding her phone and staring at the screen. 

Jisoo guessed that she was distracted and knew that she was waiting for someone. In 

the next few hours, there will be many people arriving at this airport, coming to this exit, and picking up the same person. 

"I haven't said hello yet," 

Lisa raised her eyes and smiled at her: "We met in Daegu." 

How could the boss of the referee team not know each other? 

"It's different," Jisoo smiled, "I'm Park Jisoo from Busan Club, who grew up with Jeon Jungkook.” Lisa smiled and shook hands with the other party. 

It felt like Jisoo's grip was quite strong. It was the kind of close handshake that seemed to meet family members. The relationship between the two seemed to be drawn closer. 

Concern flickered across Lisa’s face. "I heard about your surgery. Coming back for such a big tournament right away, are you sure you're up to it?" 

Jisoo chuckled, a hint of fatigue in her eyes. "I'm managing. Honestly, I'd love another month off, but this Open is a big deal, and apparently, rest is a luxury right now.” 

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the murmur of the crowd. 

Then, a playful glint sparked in Jisoo's eyes. Leaning in conspiratorially, she whispered, "Tell me honestly, did Jungkook fall into some loan shark trouble in America? He's been on a tear lately!" 

Lisa's lips twitched in amusement. She understood perfectly. Jungkook’s meteoric rise in the rankings, coupled with his seemingly endless stream of bonus wins, had tongues wagging. 

Rumors swirled that his combined prize money from major events, a hefty sum in both pounds and dollars, had already surpassed two million. 

A South Korean expat player exploded onto the international scene last year. He tackled major events across disciplines, from snooker to nine-ball and eight-ball, his schedule is a whirlwind of competition.