"Ms. Lisa, are you still listening?" Aiko's voice cut through Lisa's daze, pulling her back to the present. Lisa blinked, trying to ground herself. She forced a quick nod, hoping it would mask the flood of emotions threatening to break through. "Ye-yeah, of course," she stammered, her voice barely steady.
Aiko continued, oblivious to Lisa's inner turmoil. "I'll introduce you to them later since they haven't met you in person yet."
But Lisa felt her pulse quicken at the thought of meeting Jennie face-to-face. The last thing she wanted was to dredge up the past or confront emotions she'd long buried. "Actually, Ms. Aiko," Lisa said, her voice softer, "I think I won't stay long today... I can just take a few pictures from here, with the background and scenery."
Aiko looked at her, slightly concerned. "Are you feeling alright?"
Lisa nodded quickly, though her heart ached. "I'm not feeling well. It might be the travel catching up with me." She managed a faint smile to reassure Aiko, who nodded sympathetically.
"Alright, Lisa," Aiko said, her professional tone softening. "I'll explain them later about you. Let me know if you need anything, and I'll update them if they ask." She left, glancing back once more before heading towards the couple.
Alone, Lisa took a shaky breath, raising her phone to capture the scene from afar. She zoomed in on the lush greenery framing Jennie and Yoki, but her gaze inevitably gravitated back to Jennie. Seeing her ex here, with someone else, stirred a bittersweet ache deep within, somehow.
Lisa took a steadying breath, nodding in gratitude to Aiko before making her way out of the photoshoot venue. She moved quickly, her heartbeat loud in her ears as she tried to process everything. Once outside, she glanced around, waiting for a taxi to appear. Her heart still raced, and with every passing moment, the ache in her chest grew heavier.
Finally, a taxi pulled up, and she slipped inside, barely holding herself together. But as soon as the door closed, the emotions she'd been holding back poured out, tears slipping down her face in a quiet rush. The driver glanced back, his brow furrowed in concern, but he said nothing at first, letting her have a moment.
After a few moments, though, he cleared his throat, needing to know her destination. "Miss, where are you headed?" he asked gently.
Lisa took a shuddering breath, quickly wiping her cheeks as she replied, "Could you take me to the nearest shore?"
The driver nodded in understanding, giving her a comforting, wordless glance before starting the car. The gentle hum of the engine and the quietness inside the taxi allowed Lisa to reflect as she gazed out the window, her heart heavy but feeling a small comfort knowing the ocean would be there soon, a place to finally let herself breathe.
The taxi rolled to a stop, and Lisa looked out, catching her breath as she took in the view. The shore stretched out before her, golden sand melting into the gentle waves. The water shimmered under the sunlight, its rhythmic motion a quiet invitation to come closer.
The driver turned in his seat, giving her a kind smile. "This is Seaside Cove," he said softly, as if not wanting to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere. "It's a favorite for quiet moments."
Lisa nodded, feeling a grateful warmth. She handed him the fare and bowed her head politely. "Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
He returned the gesture with a nod before driving away, leaving her alone with the ocean's calming presence. Lisa took a few steps forward, her feet sinking into the soft sand as she neared the shore. The waves lapped gently at the edge, and for the first time that day, she felt her heart start to settle, matching the sea's steady rhythm. She closed her eyes, letting the breeze wash over her, carrying away some of the ache and turmoil she'd been holding onto.
