IS IT TIME FOR ME TO GIVE UP?

41

Jennie's POV

I was in a hurry when I heard the sound of a car horn. Peeking outside the window, I saw the taxi I'd booked earlier had arrived. My car had been acting up since last night, so I had to rely on a cab to get to work today.

As I hurried, I noticed Lisa approaching the taxi driver. The cab was blocking the driveway where Lisa's car needed to go. Doubling my speed, I briskly exited the house.

"I'm sorry, Mister, but may I ask who you are waiting for?" I heard Lisa ask the driver. Quickening my pace, I could tell Lisa was in a hurry as well.

"It's me, Lisa. I'm sorry for blocking your way. Let's go, Mister!" I said, but before I could even pull the door open, Lisa spoke from behind.

"Where's your car?" she asked nonchalantly.

"I had trouble with my car since last night, so I took it to the repair shop," I explained, attempting to open the door again. But Lisa walked to the driver, handed him something, and he nodded.

"Mister!" I flinched when the vehicle started moving forward without me inside.

"Get in the car," Lisa said, walking towards her own car. I remained in place as Lisa raised an impatient eyebrow, prompting me to run towards her direction.

While she was driving and focusing on the road, I couldn't help but steal glances at her from the corner of my eye. Lisa's aura implied how wrecked she was inside, her features unreadable. Every time I looked at her, sadness and regret struck me so hard. My musings were interrupted by the sound of my ringtone. I took out my phone and saw my mother's name on the caller ID. Quickly, I picked up and placed it to my ear.

"Mom?" I spoke.

"Jennie, are you busy? May I invite my daughter to have a coffee with me?" My lips twitched upward hearing my mom's affectionate voice again, but the smile quickly disappeared when I noticed Lisa's hand on the steering wheel, devoid of our wedding ring.

Her finger was bare, which made my heart ache. I slowly lifted my gaze until our eyes met, but she quickly averted her gaze and pulled her sleeve to conceal her finger.

"Jennie? You still there?" I gulped, struggling to speak.

"Y-yeah, Mom, s-sure... w-where do you want to m-meet?" I tried to speak naturally, but seeing Lisa's bare finger hurt deeply. I now understood how she felt the day I lost my ring and saw it in Kai's hand. That pain was now mine to bear.

"I'm here at the coffee shop near your company, sweetie, okay?" my mom said on the other line.

"I'll s-see you in a bit, Mom..."

I looked at Lisa's finger again, hoping I was mistaken and our wedding ring was there. But it wasn't. Had she thrown it away? What if she left it somewhere intentionally?

"Where will I drop you?" Lisa asked emotionlessly, pulling her sleeve back again and again as her hand kept showing.

"Drop me over there. I'll just take a cab," I said, even though the meeting place with my mom was quite far. I just wanted to leave, and Lisa seemed uncomfortable too.

"Just tell me where, Jennie."

"I'm okay there—"

"Just tell me, Jen!" Her voice raised, making me jolt slightly in my seat. She noticed and composed herself. "J-Just tell me the exact place," she said, now in a more natural tone.

I told her where my mom and I would meet. I didn't want to argue with Lisa right now. I didn't want to push her to her breaking point again. But still, her finger distracted me, causing sharp pangs in my chest. I decided to look out the window instead. After a while, the car stopped. We had arrived. I looked through the windshield and saw my mom sitting by the window inside the coffee shop, waving at us. I returned a genuine smile.