Jennie's POV
I knew coming back to Seoul meant facing reality, but I wasn't expecting the reality to hit like this.
The moment Lisa and I stepped out of the arrival gate, we were met with a sea of flashing cameras, microphones thrust in our faces, and the deafening hum of reporters shouting questions over each other. It took me a second to process what was happening. We weren't celebrities. Sure, we were CEOs of top-tier companies in Asia, but we'd always managed to stay relatively private. This... this was something else entirely.
"Miss Kim! Miss Manoban! Is it true that you're in a relationship?"
"Jennie Kim, was your Instagram hacked, or is the post genuine?"
"Lalisa Manoban, what about your rumored relationship with Diana Flipo?"I felt Lisa's hand tighten around mine as the chaos erupted around us. My instinct was to keep walking, to push through the crowd and get to our car as quickly as possible. Lisa seemed to have the same idea, and we moved as one, heading toward the exit with purpose.
But then, one question stopped us in our tracks.
"Miss Kim, are you trying to ruin Miss Diana Flipo and Miss Manoban's relationship by sticking to Lisa?"
Lisa froze. I could feel her entire body tense beside me, and I immediately tugged at her arm, whispering, "Ignore it, Lisa. Let's just go."
But Lisa wasn't moving.
Instead, she turned around slowly, her face a mask of calm determination that I knew all too well. It was the look she wore in boardrooms when she was about to deliver a game-changing decision. The crowd fell silent, sensing the shift in the air.
Lisa let go of my hand and stepped forward, her gaze sweeping over the reporters like a queen surveying her court.
"First of all," Lisa began, her voice steady and commanding, "I would like to address the rumors regarding my relationship with Miss Diana Flipo. There is no relationship. There never was. The pictures circulating online are misleading. The kiss you saw was initiated by her, without my consent. I didn't kiss her back, and we never had a romantic or physical relationship. Diana is an acquaintance, nothing more."
The crowd murmured, but Lisa wasn't finished.
"Secondly," she continued, her tone firm but respectful, "I want to make one thing abundantly clear: Jennie Kim is not 'sticking' to me or trying to ruin anything. Jennie and I are in a committed relationship. She is my partner, my equal, and the only person I have ever truly loved."
My heart swelled at her words, but I could barely process it because Lisa wasn't done.
"I understand the implications of my actions and the scrutiny we are under," Lisa said, her voice unwavering. "But I will not stand by while false narratives are spread. Jennie Kim is a remarkable woman. She's not just the CEO of a globally respected company—she's also kind, intelligent, and someone who has brought light into my life in ways I never thought possible. I love her, and I will continue to stand by her, no matter what challenges we face together."
The crowd erupted in questions, but Lisa raised her hand, silencing them instantly.
"This isn't about business, competition, or media speculation," she said. "This is about two people who love each other and are choosing to build a life together. I ask for your respect and understanding as we navigate this publicly, but let me be clear: Jennie Kim is my one and only. Thank you."
Lisa turned back to me, her eyes softening as she reached for my hand again. "Let's go, honey," she said quietly, and the simple endearment made my chest ache with love.
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The Quiet Contract
FanfictionForced into an arranged marriage to secure their families' alliance, CEO Jennie Kim and introverted businesswoman Lalisa Manoban are strangers bound by duty. While Jennie is unsettled by Lisa's quiet presence and hidden admiration, her cold resolve...