Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 | intertwined

Book 1, Chapter 4
Intertwined

JISU FOUND herself lost, her thoughts meandering through a maze of confusion and wonder. The classroom around her buzzed with the idle chatter of her classmates, enjoying the unexpected freedom of a substitute teacher's absence. Yet, Jisu was miles away, her mind replaying the events of the previous night, over and over, like a scene from a movie stuck on repeat.

Her trance was abruptly broken by the sharp, familiar voice of Chaeryeong, “Jisu eonni!” The sudden call to reality took a moment too long for Jisu to process. She blinked rapidly, as if emerging from a deep sleep, and straightened her posture.

“I'm sorry, what did you say?” Jisu responded, her voice tinged with confusion and a bit of fluster.

Chaeryeong's annoyance was palpable, even as she tried to mask it. With a roll of her eyes and a huff of frustration, she dismissed the conversation, “It's nothing. Forget I mentioned anything,” and turned away to engage with another classmate, leaving Jisu stewing in a mix of guilt and regret.

The absence of their professor had left the class unusually idle, a rarity that would normally be welcomed with open arms. Yet, Jisu found herself unable to partake in the casual camaraderie. Her mind was ensnared by the mysterious woman she had encountered the night before, a woman who claimed to be Shin Ryujin, the enigmatic heiress of the Shin empire, whose true identity had been the subject of speculation and rumor for years.

“How could it be her?” Jisu pondered, her curiosity battling with skepticism. The idea that she had stumbled upon the real Shin Ryujin, among all people, was both thrilling and terrifying. The gravity of the revelation weighed heavily on her, distracting her from the present and pushing her towards a decision to escape her spiraling thoughts. Grabbing her backpack, Jisu hastily exited the classroom, seeking the solace of the campus grounds to clear her mind.

As she walked, the morning sun cast a warm glow over the campus, its beauty lost on Jisu as her mind continued to wrestle with the events of the previous night. The air was crisp, filled with the sounds of laughter and conversation, a stark contrast to the turmoil within Jisu.

Approaching her favorite coffee vendor, Jisu was greeted with a familiar and cheerful, “Good morning, Jisu-yah!” The vendor's infectious energy momentarily lifted the clouds from Jisu's thoughts. She smiled back, ordering her usual bicerin coffee, a small comfort in the midst of her internal chaos.

“Coming right up!” The vendor's voice was a beacon of normalcy, pulling Jisu back from the edge of her worries, if only for a moment.

Coffee in hand, Jisu found herself drawn to the very spot where she had met the mysterious woman. The unease returned, stronger now, mingling with a nervous anticipation that she couldn't shake. It was then that her thoughts were interrupted by a campus-wide announcement, calling her to the President's Office immediately.

With a heavy heart, Jisu made her way to the office, her mind racing with possibilities. What could the President possibly want with me? The thought of facing President Shin, a figure of immense authority and influence, filled Jisu with anxiety.

Knocking softly before entering, Jisu was met with the sight of President Shin reviewing documents, her expression unreadable. “Good morning, President Shin,” Jisu greeted, bowing slightly, her voice barely hiding the nervousness that gripped her.

“Ah, Miss Choi, please have a seat. I've been meaning to discussing your recent project. It was quite impressive,” President Shin began, her formal tone gradually warming as she spoke.

Before Jisu could muster a response, the door creaked open once more. The smooth, familiar voice that followed sent Jisu's heart into a flutter, “Apologies for my tardiness, I was detained by another matter.”

Jisu's anxiety peaked as President Shin introduced her daughter, confirming the identity of the woman from the night before. Shin Ryujin stepped forward, her gaze locking with Jisu's. The initial coolness in her eyes dissolved into a warmth as she smiled, a stark contrast to the persona she had encountered previously.

“It seems fate has brought us together again, Miss Choi Jisu,” Ryujin said, her voice laced with a hint of amusement and curiosity.

Caught between shock and awe, Jisu managed a shaky smile, “It appears so, Miss Shin. It's an honor to meet you again.”

The room was charged with an unspoken tension, a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. President Shin observed the exchange with a keen eye.

Jisu struggled to compose herself, the revelation that she had indeed met Shin Ryujin, the elusive heiress, sending her thoughts into a whirlwind. The implications were vast, and the potential for this encounter to change the course of her life was not lost on her.

As the conversation progressed, Jisu found herself gradually relaxing, drawn in by Ryujin's charisma and the genuine interest she showed in Jisu's work. The initial awkwardness gave way to a budding sense of closeness, an unexpected turn of events that Jisu would never have anticipated.

Leaving the President's Office, Jisu felt a mix of relief and excitement. The encounter had opened up new possibilities, setting her on a path she had never imagined. The campus grounds, once a place of escape, now felt like the backdrop to a new beginning.

As she made her way back to class, Jisu couldn't help but smile, her steps lighter than before. The chance meeting with Shin Ryujin, a figure shrouded in mystery and speculation, had turned into an opportunity, a door opening to a world she had only ever dreamed of.

──⇌••⇋──

In the days that followed, Jisu and Ryujin would find themselves drawn together, their paths intertwining in ways neither could have predicted. The bond that began in a moment of serendipity would grow, tested by challenges and strengthened by shared experiences.

The story of Jisu and Ryujin, a tale of unexpected connections and the power of destiny, had only just begun.