Enthralled || Liskook

Chapter 67

Lisa shoved open the door, her hand still clamped to her throbbing knuckles. The memory of her mother's words still stung, a bitter aftertaste in her mouth. 

"Forget what my mother said,” she blurted, her voice tight. "It doesn't define me.” 

Her voice softened as she added, her gaze dropping to the floor, “I've chosen you for life." 

A shadow flickered across her face, a momentary glimpse of fear. Their last encounter with her mother was the only real fight they'd ever had. 

The memory of Jungkook's quiet dignity in the face of her condescension, his barely concealed loneliness, still pricked at her conscience. 

Despite knowing her mother had relented and. her cousin remained by her side, a sliver of apprehension remained. 

Now, she stood at the precipice, flinging open the door to bring them face to face. 

Jungkook's eyes widened in surprise. The unexpected declaration, delivered outside his study door on such an ordinary evening, left him speechless. A kaleidoscope of emotions swirled within him, defiance tinged with relief, hope battling uncertainty. 

Amid complexity, she gripped her hand tightly and spoke the most softening words... 

Jungkook, in turn, took her hand, a silent exchange passing between them. 

Without a word, he pushed open the study door. 

Inside, her mom sat on the single sofa beside the coffee table, Yoongi occupying the study chair. Lisa felt a silent pressure to share the couch with Jungkook. 

Before settling down, she tugged discreetly at his shirt, a silent plea for him to sit on the outside. This way, she could sit between him and her mother, acting as a buffer. 

"What's this?” her mom, ever perceptive, saw through her plan. "Let Jungkook sit here, beside me.” 

Lisa pursed her lips, feigning a playful pout towards her mother. 

Mom chuckled at her daughter's antics. 

Jungkook stepped inside and took the offered seat. Lisa, with limited options, followed suit. 

She pushed the fruit plate onto the coffee table, announcing, "He cut it all himself.” 

A beat of silence followed her words. She then added, seemingly as an afterthought, "Is that alright?” 

The scene crackled with tension. Yoongi choked back a laugh over Lisa's question, the absurdity of it coloring his face red. 

Lisa, on the other hand, felt like a cornered cat, her fur bristling despite her forced composure. 

Inside, she was a mama bear protecting her cub, yet her words just now came out clumsy, like a kitten clutching a toy and asking, "Isn't my baby adorable?" 

Yoongi stole a glance at Jungkook, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "That scared my sister,” he remarked lightly. 

Jungkook's lips quirked up in a smile. "Cute," he murmured. 

Lisa's mother, a woman who didn't mince words, cut through the charade. "Lili, why are you so nervous?" she asked with a knowing smile. 

“I'm not!" Lisa protested, but her voice lacked conviction. 

Her mother chuckled. “Relax, dear. I won't bite him. Let's just have a chat.” 

Lisa offered a strained smile and speared a piece of mango, the clink of the toothpick against the plate a nervous counterpoint to the silence, ‘This is just great,’ she thought, the more she tried to control the situation, the more chaotic it became.