Roses and Thorns (Jinlia)

𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘆-𝗼𝗻𝗲 | the second month

Book 1, Chapter 21
𝖳𝗁𝖾 𝖲𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗇𝖽 𝖬𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗁

Jisu was drowning in a sea of assignments, the weight of her junior year pressing heavily as the semester neared its end. Deadlines loomed, her workload relentless, but amidst the chaos, a bright spot emergedㅡan invitation from Ryujin. Tonight, they would celebrate their two-month anniversary with a private dinner at Ryujin’s mansion.

Adding to the significance of the evening, Ryujin had mentioned she wanted Jisu to meet her mother officially as her girlfriend, though it remained uncertain if her mother’s schedule would allow it.

Jisu had spent extra care in her preparations. She chose a strapless blue dress, simple yet elegant, paired with black pumps that gave her a polished, sophisticated look. Now, she waited, nerves mingling with excitement as the minutes ticked by.

Her phone buzzed, and her heart leaped when Ryujin’s name lit up the screen. She answered instantly, her anticipation clear in her tone.

“Hold on just a bit longer, Jisu-yah,” Ryujin’s voice came through, soft and apologetic.

“I can wait,” Jisu replied warmly, her lips curving into a smile. “Just keep your eyes on the road, okay? Drive safe.”

Ryujin’s chuckle was soft, reassuring. “Don’t worry, I’m almost there.”

Almost on cue, the faint sound of an engine outside reached Jisu’s ears, and Ryujin announced, “I’m here.”

Anticipation bubbled within her as Jisu ended the call. She grabbed her clutch, gave herself one last glance in the mirror, and headed out, ready for the evening that awaited her.

──⇌••⇋──

As Ryujin’s car approached, the grand gates of the Shin mansion parted smoothly, their motion almost effortless, as if welcoming them with silent elegance.

The mansion loomed ahead, bathed in the glow of carefully placed lights, but the stillness surrounding it was striking. There was an eerie, almost ghostly calm about the place. No bustling staff, no visible signs of activity. Yet, in its solitude, there was undeniable beauty. The gardens were a masterpieceㅡmeticulously tended, alive with vibrant flowers and petite ornamental trees, their fragrance mingling with the cool evening air.

“This driveway feels like it goes on forever,” Jisu remarked, breaking the silence as she took in the expanse of the grounds.

“My dad valued privacy,” Ryujin replied, her eyes steady on the road ahead. “He made sure the house was set far enough back from the gates to keep it that way.”

Jisu’s gaze flicked toward Ryujin, her mind lingering on a question she had often wondered about: Why does she choose to stay here, in a place tied so closely to her pain? But she bit her tongue, sensing this wasn’t the time to broach such a sensitive subject.

The car glided to a stop as Ryujin expertly parked in the spacious garage. Before Ryujin could make a move, Jisu took the initiative, stepping out and closing the door behind her.

They walked together toward the house, and without hesitation, Jisu looped her arm through Ryujin’s. She wasn’t sure if it was the vastness of the estate or her own nerves, but she knew one thingㅡwandering alone in this mansion felt like an invitation to get hopelessly lost.

The massive double doors opened, and the receiving area of the mansion came into view. Jisu felt her breath catch. The space was breathtaking, its grandeur almost overwhelming. High ceilings, intricate chandeliers casting warm light, and polished floors so pristine they reflected the room like a mirror. Every detail spoke of wealth and taste, yet there was an unmistakable air of loneliness lingering in the luxurious surroundings.