The Quiet Contract

Kim's and Manoban Talk - Lisoo

Lisa POV

In the quiet of my room, I stared at my phone, Jennie's message still glowing on the screen. My thumb hovered over the reply I'd sent, re-reading it for the tenth time.

Lisa: Understood. I'll see you tomorrow.

She'd convinced me so quickly, like I didn't even have a will of my own. I flopped onto my bed, pressing the phone against my chest as I tried to sort out the rush of emotions swirling in my head. Was I scared? Or... was there something else?

I let out a long sigh, staring up at the ceiling. "What are you doing, Lisa?" I muttered to myself. "You're agreeing to this... to marry someone who probably doesn't even like you."

But then there was that tiny, stupid part of me—hopeful and naive—that couldn't stop replaying her words. She's going along with it. She didn't say no.

"Stop it," I whispered, shaking my head. "This isn't about feelings. She's doing this for her family, for the company. Nothing more."

Yet, despite my self-scolding, the thought of being married to her made my stomach flip in ways I didn't fully understand. I'd liked Jennie for so long, in secret, from afar. I'd memorized the way she carried herself at events, the way her sharp gaze could command a room. She was intimidating and beautiful, the kind of person who seemed untouchable.

And now? She was within reach—but only on paper, only by name.

I sat up, burying my face in my hands. "This is bad," I muttered. "Really bad."

It wasn't just the fear of Jennie hating me that was clawing at my chest anymore. It was the realization that I might actually... want this. Not just the marriage. Her.

"Ugh, get a grip, Lisa!" I groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "She doesn't like you. She made that very clear at the restaurant."

Still, I couldn't stop myself from thinking about tomorrow, from wondering what it would feel like to sit across from her again, to talk about us. Even if it was just a contract, even if she kept looking at me with those cold, dismissive eyes... it was still her. And, somehow, that was enough to make my heart race.

I rolled onto my side, hugging a pillow tightly. "Don't get your hopes up," I mumbled into the fabric. "Just do what she says, Lisa. Don't ruin this."

But deep down, I knew I was already in too deep.

-

Hours passed as I buried myself in work, flipping through project reports and tweaking proposals. It was my way of coping—focusing on numbers and strategies instead of the whirlwind of thoughts Jennie had left me with. Every now and then, my mind would wander back to our meeting tomorrow. I'd shake my head and force myself to focus again, but it was no use. Her voice, her expression, even her cold demeanor—it all lingered.

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "Just get through the projects, Lisa," I whispered to myself. "One thing at a time."

But before I could even think of finishing, my phone buzzed on the desk. It wasn't a message—it was a call. I glanced at the screen. Dad.

Taking a deep breath, I picked up. "Hello?"

"Lisa, come downstairs," his voice was calm but firm. "We're heading to the Kim house for dinner. Be ready in thirty minutes."

I froze. Dinner? With the Kims?

"I—uh—what? Tonight?" I stammered, feeling my stomach tighten.