𝐎𝐡 𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 ✿

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟕 : 𝑬𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝑫𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒆

Seeing how serious Lisa was, Rosé relented, something caught her eye. “Seriously, you lipstick Lili. How could you manage to smudge it without smooching anyone.” 

Lisa raised her hand in apology, acutely aware of the effort Rosé had put into her makeup. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

“Wait, you’re going to ruin it,” Rosé leaned in closer to inspect. “Excuse me, could we get a napkin, please?” she called out to the bartender, who nodded politely and promptly fulfilled her request.

Once she had the napkin in hand, she set her drink on the table and leaned in just enough to tidy up the smudge. Gingerly, she grasps Lisa’s chin, guiding her to look up. Her eyes focused intently on the plum lips as she delicately dabbed the napkin, attempting to erase the traces of the rogue stain.

“Stay still,” utterance soft as a breeze, as her fingers brushed upon the corners with infirm precision. “Don’t chew your lips so much it’ll bleed.”

Heat crept up Lisa’s cheeks. Park might only be two months her senior, but in moments like these, she seemed to channel all the maternal warmth of a caring elder sister. When Rosé finished, she gently cupped one side of her face. “There, all pretty.”

Barely believing it Lisa shook her head. How could Rosé call her pretty when she was outshone enchantress tonight? She had already caught sight of a good-looking young man with strawberry hair admiring Rosé for quite some time. He was waiting for the right moment to approach her. And yet, here was the girl, blissfully unaware of the attention she garnered.

A strange feeling began to gnaw at the edges of her awareness, but she quickly brushed it away. “Thanks, Miss Park. What would I ever do without you?”

Rosé winked as she let her hand slide from Lisa’s cheek to her shoulder in a slow, lingering motion. “I assure you Miss Manobal, by the end of the night, I’ll find someone so perfect for you that you won’t need me anymore.”

Lisa snorted, rolling her eyes as she caught Rosé’s wrist gently. “Stop acting like Mom. One is enough.”

Rosé laughed softly. “You know how much I enjoy playing matchmaker. It’s my mission tonight. I can feel it in the air—tonight’s the night when we will find the one for you.”

Lisa attempted to join in the lightheartedness, but the prickling sensation at the back of her neck nagged at her. The room suddenly felt colder. “Oh, don’t be ridiculous. If anything, I’d be finding someone for you. Hmm, speaking of,” She gestured subtly toward the man still eyeing Rosé. “ There’s a charmer right over there…”

Rosé glanced in the direction and shrugged nonchalantly. “He’s attractive, sure, but not really my type. He doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who knows anything about art,” she mused. “I want someone who can inspire me… Someone who can be my muse—someone I’d never grow tired of capturing on my canvas. Someone who can be both sensual and sensational without ever being dull.”

A brow arched, smirking, Lisa mocked. “ Wow, and Mom says I’m the picky one. Keep dreaming, Park. I think your perfect muse doesn’t exist anymore due to your expectations.”

“Like your soulmate,” 

Shooting her friend a pointed look Lisa whined. “Must you bring that up every time?”

Abruptly she felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck rise. A deep, unsettling chill snaked down her spine, making her shiver. It was a sudden, eerie sense of being watched. 

Noticing the goosebumps on Lisa’s pale arms, Rosé brows knitting in concern. “Are you cold?” She peeked around, puzzled since the room’s temperature was perfectly comfortable compared to the biting cold outside.