The Quiet Contract

Diana Flipo

Jennie POV

The drive back home was surprisingly subdued. Lisa remained silent for most of the ride, her hands steady on the steering wheel as soft music played in the background. I stole a few glances at her, expecting her usual chatter or some light-hearted teasing, but she seemed lost in her own thoughts.

Her focus on the road gave me time to think—or overthink, really. Her quietness felt out of place, and though I didn't want to admit it, I missed her usual energy.

When we arrived at my house, Lisa got out to open my door. She gave me a polite smile, one that felt oddly distant, and helped me out of the car.

"Thanks for today," she said simply, her tone formal.

"Yeah," I replied, unsure of what else to say.

She waited until I was safely inside before driving away. I stood by the window, watching the taillights disappear into the distance, a strange heaviness settling in my chest.

--

Monday morning came, and like Lisa said, she was busy. I didn't expect to hear from her, but when I arrived at my office, the familiar sight of breakfast greeted me on my desk.

It was neatly prepared, just like always—a thoughtful spread of everything I liked. But something was different this time.

Lisa wasn't there.

Instead, her assistant, Tzuyu, stood by the door, holding a small folder in her hands. She gave me a polite bow when I walked in.

"Good morning, Miss Kim. Miss Manoban asked me to deliver this breakfast to you," Tzuyu said with a composed tone.

I placed my bag down and nodded. "Thanks."

"She also asked me to remind you that she'll be tied up in meetings this week," Tzuyu added.

I could only manage a simple "Alright" before Tzuyu left the room.

I sat down and stared at the food. It was perfect, as always. But there was no handwritten note, no personal touch from Lisa. Just silence.

I told myself it was better this way—no distractions, no unnecessary emotions. But as I picked at the meal, I realized it wasn't just about the food. It was the way Lisa used to smile when she handed it over, the casual jokes, the soft energy she brought with her.

And now, all I had was breakfast and the growing emptiness her absence left behind.

As soon as Jisoo left, I stared at my computer screen, pretending to focus on the spreadsheet in front of me. But the words blurred together, my mind stuck on one thing: Diana Flipo.

I tapped my pen on the desk, the rhythm echoing my growing irritation. Finally, unable to resist, I pulled out my phone.

It's just curiosity, I told myself as I opened Instagram. Pure, harmless curiosity.

I typed her name into the search bar and hit enter. The first account that popped up was verified, with millions of followers. Clicking on it, I was greeted by photos of a stunning woman.

Her feed was a mix of glamorous photoshoots, casual selfies, and candid moments from her travels. She had this effortless beauty about her—warm brown eyes, a radiant smile, and a figure that could make anyone feel self-conscious.