YOUNG LOVE || 𝐉𝐄𝐍𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐀 ✔︎

one

"You want to open up a store in your hometown? In Daegu? I think that's great," Seulgi said as she handed Lisa a glass of red wine.

Lisa nodded her thanks. "The location is all Bambam's idea. But it'll give us a chance to be with our mother while we're getting it up and running. And then allow us to check in on her more often if we've got a store located there."

"So you're not going to move her into the assisted living facility after all?" Irene asked as she joined them on the patio.

"That was the original plan, but if we've got a store there, we'll be around more than we are now. She certainly wasn't thrilled with that option," Lisa said.

"Bambam's been going down there once a week as it is. The cancer is still in remission, but it really took its toll on her the second time. She's fatigued. There's so much she can't do anymore." She took a sip of wine and put the glass on the table.
"While we're getting the store up and going, I'll stay with her. That'll give me a chance to see how she's really doing. I keep telling myself that seventy isn't old."

But they needed to make some kind of decision. Her brother had taken on the role of caregiver for the last couple of years. Not that Lisa had refused to. It's just that she didn't dare spend more than one day there at a time for fear she'd run into Jennie.

Seulgi stared at her for a moment, and Lisa wondered if she was slipping into her role as psychologist. "You've been very vague as to why you rarely go to take care of her," Seulgi said.

Lisa smiled at her. "Are you intending to put me on your couch, Dr. Kang?"

Seulgi shook her head. "No. I promised I would never do that to you." She grinned. "Although you would make an excellent study. But I was simply curious if it was something keeping you here or if there was a particular reason you avoided going there."

"What is it you're fishing for, Doctor?"

Seulgi laughed. "Irene and I have known you for six years now, Lisa. Yet you remain a mystery."

"I'm not a mystery," she insisted. Not intentionally, at least.

"Why didn't you bring Nayeon?" Irene asked. "You are still dating, aren't you?"

Lisa reached for the wine bottle, adding a bit more to her glass before answering. She hadn't seen Nayeon in two weeks and hadn't spoken to her in at least six or seven days. Were they still dating?

"I've been busy," she said evasively.

Seulgi gave her slow smile that said she knew she was lying. "And yet another one slips away."

Lisa shrugged. "It wasn't serious, as you know."

"They never are, are they?"

"We like her," Irene said.

"Only because she and Seulgi can talk doctor stuff." Lisa raised an eyebrow.
"Have I really known you guys for six years?"

"Six years and countless dinners, yes," Seulgi said. "But we still know so very little about you."

Lisa paused, her glance going between her two closest friends. "What more do you want to know?"

"Why do you avoid going home? Why is it your brother insisting you open a store there and not you?"

Lisa leaned back, wondering why she'd never told them about Jennie. Truth was, she hadn't told anyone about Jennie.
"I avoid going back home for fear I'll run into Jennie. Jennie Kim." Saying the name out loud brought back a rush of memories.

"An old lover?" Irene guessed.

"Yes."

Seulgi relaxed in her chair too, a slight smile on her face. "Tell us your story."