BEWITCHED SHIP (JenLisa) [EDITING]

Chapter 25: His Friends

JENNIE

"Please come home now, Jen... I need you here."

Lisa's words stunned me, catching me completely off guard.

"What?" I managed to ask, unsure of what else to say.

"When are you coming back to Korea?" she asked instead.

"Probably next week. It's already our last task. Why? Are you not enjoying yourself there?" I teased lightly, though the weariness in her voice lingered.

"Ani (No). I just... miss you," she said softly, and I couldn't help but smile.

"Why all of a sudden?" I asked, slowly pacing around the room.

"Are you uncomfortable with me saying that?" she countered instead of answering, catching me off guard again.

"No, why would I be?" I replied quickly.

"Exactly. You shouldn't be. I mean, we've already kissed, so..." Her teasing tone broke through, followed by her giggles.

"Are you going to bring that up every time we call each other?" I tried to sound annoyed, but my wide grin gave me away.

"Of course! I kissed the person who caught my eye—and also dumped me, by the way."

"Hajima (Stop it)," I said, trying to keep from smiling too hard because my cheeks were starting to hurt.

"You're not used to hearing cheesy lines, are you?" she teased again.

"Shut up. It's not like that," I muttered, still smiling.

She hummed in response.

"You sound tired. What did you do today?" I asked, steering the conversation to something else.

"Hmm... how should I put it? Ah, maja! I exposed myself too much today—so many people saw my beautiful face. Smiling too much from all their compliments left my cheeks hurting. Aigoo," she said dramatically, and I let out a playful groan.

"Is that a joke?" I mocked, and her laughter filled the line. There it was—the sound I'd wanted to hear all along.

"Why can't you just agree with me? We both know it's true—and that's why you initiated our second kiss."

"Oh my gosh, Lisa, stop mentioning the kiss!" I scolded teasingly.

"If it makes you uncomfortable, then be my girlfriend."

"Very smooth, Manoban," I said dryly, though my smile hadn't faded.

"Ah, so you really are avoiding that question every time I bring it up," she quipped.

"You didn't ask me anything. You just stated it," I shot back.

"Arasso, (fine). You win this time—only because I'm letting you," she conceded with a playful sigh. This time, I laughed.

"Don't underestimate me, Captain," I replied.

"I wouldn't dare," she said simply, and the warmth in her voice left me smiling.

A pause stretched between us.

"Tell me, Lisa-ya, why do you need me there?" I asked directly. 

The line stayed silent. Did she fall asleep?

"..."

"My heart told me so."

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.