Lisa leaned back in her chair, sipping her drink, still clad in her full chicken costume. They had made it to a small cafe after the park, and despite the odd glances they were getting from passersby, Lisa was living her best life. Jennie, sitting across from her in her pirate outfit, looked like she had never been more amused in her entire life.
“You know,” Lisa said, tapping her beak thoughtfully, “I think we really set a new standard today. I mean, we’re out here, drinking lattes, dressed like a chicken and a pirate. This is peak adulthood, Jennie. We’ve made it.”
Jennie laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’ve definitely made it to something. Though I’m not sure ‘adulthood’ is the right word.”
Lisa gasped dramatically, placing a feathered hand on her heart. “Ouch. I am deeply hurt. Here I am, trying to introduce a little chaos into your life, and this is the thanks I get?”
Jennie smirked, sipping her drink. “I thought chaos was your default mode.”
“True,” Lisa admitted, grinning. “But I like to think I bring a certain... finesse to it. Like, there’s regular chaos, and then there’s Lisa-level chaos.”
Jennie chuckled, setting her cup down. “And what exactly does ‘Lisa-level chaos’ entail?”
“Oh, you know,” Lisa said, counting on her feathered fingers. “Impromptu karaoke performances, getting kicked out of dodgeball games for being ‘too competitive,’ organizing surprise costume parades... the usual.”
Jennie raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “Surprise costume parades?”
Lisa shrugged. “It was a phase. I called it ‘Operation Distract Everyone,’ and let me tell you, it was a wild success.”
Jennie smiled, her eyes softening in that way that always made Lisa’s heart do a little flip. “Well, Operation Distract Everyone has definitely worked on me.”
Lisa’s grin widened. “Mission accomplished, then. Distraction is my specialty.”
Jennie’s smile faded slightly, and Lisa could see that serious look creeping back into her eyes. “Lisa, I...” She hesitated, looking down at her cup. “There’s something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about.”
Lisa immediately tensed. Here we go again. Another Big Conversation.
But instead of deflecting with a joke, Lisa forced herself to stay calm. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, her tone playful but gentle. “Hey, you know you can tell me anything, right?”
Jennie glanced up, her eyes meeting Lisa’s. “That’s just it. I don’t think you understand how much you’ve... changed things for me.”
Lisa blinked, her heart doing that annoying somersault thing again. “Changed things? In a good way, I hope?”
Jennie smiled, but there was something fragile about it. “In the best way.”
Lisa felt her chest tighten, and for once, she didn’t have a joke ready. She just sat there, staring at Jennie, waiting for her to continue.
Jennie took a deep breath, her fingers tracing the edge of her cup. “Before you came along, I was so used to... controlling everything. Keeping people at a distance. It was easier that way.”
Lisa swallowed, her throat suddenly dry. “And now?”
“And now,” Jennie said softly, her eyes searching Lisa’s face, “I don’t want to keep you at a distance. But... I’m scared.”
Lisa’s heart was practically pounding out of her chest. This was it. This was the real conversation, the one she’d been avoiding for weeks. “Scared of what?”
Jennie hesitated, her gaze dropping to the table again. “Of getting close to you. Of what that might mean.”
Lisa felt like the world had just slowed down. Jennie was right there, on the verge of saying something that could change everything, and Lisa was standing at the edge of an emotional cliff, trying to decide whether to jump or run.
“Jennie,” Lisa said softly, her voice steady for once, “you don’t have to be scared. Not with me.”
Jennie looked up, her eyes filled with uncertainty. “But what if I mess things up? What if—”
“You won’t,” Lisa interrupted, her tone firm but gentle. “You can’t mess this up, Jennie. Not with me.”
Jennie’s expression softened, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to lift. They just sat there, looking at each other, and for once, Lisa didn’t feel the need to fill the silence with jokes or distractions.
Finally, Jennie spoke again, her voice barely above a whisper. “I think I’m falling for you, Lisa.”
Lisa blinked, her brain short-circuiting for a moment. "Did Jennie just say she’s falling for me?" Her heart did a backflip, then a somersault, then probably a chicken dance because why not?
Lisa opened her mouth to respond, but her brain hadn’t caught up yet, so the first thing that came out was, “Is it the chicken suit? Be honest.”
Jennie stared at her for a second, then burst out laughing, covering her mouth with her hand.
Lisa grinned, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. “I knew it. The chicken suit is irresistible.”
Jennie shook her head, still laughing. “You’re impossible.”
“But you love it,” Lisa said, winking.
Jennie’s laughter faded, but her smile remained. “Yeah, I do.”
Lisa’s heart practically exploded. There it was. Jennie had just said she loved it—loved her. Sort of. Close enough. Either way, Lisa was floating.
“I think,” Lisa said, her voice playful but sincere, “I’m falling for you too. You know, in a pirate-chicken-disco-ball kind of way.”
Jennie smiled, her eyes soft. “What does that even mean?”
Lisa shrugged, her grin widening. “It means I like you. A lot. And I want to see where this goes, even if it’s messy and complicated and... full of chicken suits.”
Jennie laughed softly, shaking her head. “You’re one of a kind, Lisa.”
“And you,” Lisa said, leaning forward, “are stuck with me now. So, what do you say? Do we keep going with this pirate-chicken dynamic, or do we mix it up next time? Maybe astronauts?”
Jennie chuckled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I think pirates and chickens are enough for one day.”
Lisa leaned back in her chair, satisfied. “Fair enough. But just know, I’ve got a whole closet full of ridiculous ideas for our future adventures.”
Jennie smiled, her expression soft but genuine. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
They sat there for a while longer, sipping their drinks and talking about everything and nothing. For the first time in weeks, there was no weight hanging over them, no mission, no mafia, no secrets—just two people enjoying each other’s company.
As they left the cafe, Lisa glanced sideways at Jennie, feeling lighter than she had in days. This—this was what she wanted. Not just to be Jennie’s distraction, but to be someone Jennie could trust, someone Jennie could be with, without fear.
“Hey, Jennie?” Lisa said as they walked down the street.
“Yeah?” Jennie replied, looking at her curiously.
Lisa grinned, her heart feeling full. “Thanks for letting me be your chicken.”
Jennie laughed, the sound light and easy. “Thanks for being mine.”
As they walked into the fading sunlight, Lisa couldn’t help but feel like they had just stepped into something new. Something real. Something that wasn’t about distraction or avoiding feelings, but about facing them.
And for the first time, Lisa was ready.
Continue....
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Undercover Affection
HumorLalisa Manoban, a highly trained special officer, is tasked with taking down one of the world's most dangerous mafia lords. To infiltrate his tight-knit circle, Lalisa must get close to his only daughter, Jennie Ruby Jane Kim-a brilliant but icy bus...
