The Quiet Contract

A week in Thailand - A kiss

The next morning, Jennie stirred awake, her eyes heavy with the weight of restless sleep. As she reached for her phone on the nightstand, her heart sank at the sight of a message from Lisa. Her fingers hovered over the screen, a mix of dread and anticipation bubbling in her chest.

Lisa:
Good morning, Jennie.
I just wanted to let you know that I need some time to think and cool off. Please don't worry—I'm not mad at you. I've already informed my parents that the engagement photoshoot will be postponed. Don't worry; I didn't tell them about anything.
Let's talk once my project with Diana is finished. I'll be in Thailand for a week for it.
Breakfast is already coordinated with Mina, so you don't need to worry about that either.
Take care, Jennie. Please look after yourself.

Jennie's chest tightened as she read the message. Lisa's words were calm and considerate, but the underlying distance in her tone felt like a punch to Jennie's gut. The reassurance that Lisa wasn't angry only made Jennie feel worse—because it wasn't anger she feared; it was indifference.

Lisa had always been composed, even in the face of Jennie's outbursts and cold demeanor. But this message was different. It wasn't filled with Lisa's usual warmth or persistence. It was measured, almost professional, like Lisa was trying to put a boundary between them.

Jennie's hands trembled as she clutched her phone.

Lisa wasn't giving up on the arrangement—at least, not yet. But the fact that she needed time away made Jennie realize just how much damage her words and actions had caused.

"Thailand for a week," Jennie muttered to herself, her voice barely audible. The thought of Lisa being so far away, with Diana of all people, made her stomach churn.

She sighed deeply and flopped back onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. Memories of the previous night played on a loop in her mind—her desperate pleas outside Lisa's room, the disappointment in Lisa's eyes, and her own inability to articulate what she truly felt.

Jennie placed her hand over her chest, where her heart was pounding painfully. She hated this feeling—the helplessness, the uncertainty, the fear of losing Lisa.

And yet, she couldn't blame anyone but herself.

Lisa had always been kind, even when Jennie didn't deserve it. She had always been patient, giving Jennie space and time to figure things out. And now, Lisa was doing the one thing Jennie had always been too afraid to do: stepping back to protect herself.

Jennie stared at Lisa's message again, her thumb hovering over the reply button. She wanted to say something—anything—to make things better. But no words came.

What could she say? That she was sorry? That she wanted Lisa to stay? That she was finally starting to realize how much Lisa meant to her?

But Jennie knew it wasn't enough. Not yet.

Lisa deserved more than empty apologies and half-hearted promises.

She deserved someone who wasn't afraid to fight for her.

Jennie set her phone down with a shaky breath. She couldn't fix this overnight. But for the first time, she was willing to try.

She had a week to figure herself out. To figure them out.

And when Lisa came back, Jennie vowed she wouldn't let her slip away again.

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