Chapter 34

Jennie's POV

"Our flight's leaving in an hour," I told Lisa as we walked hand in hand around the airport. "You leave for Thailand tomorrow morning, yeah?"

She tightened her grasp around my hand and nodded. "Call me when you get there. Are you sharing a room with Seulgi and Irene, and your friend ?

"Yeah but Seulgi and Irene will be out most of the time." I said. "She told her that they need to take advantage of the free trip"

Lisa gave me another nod, but she didn't look like she was paying attention. She looked rather apprehensive.

"Lisa Manoban, are you jealous?" I teased.

"No I'm not," she defensively replied.

"Okay," I pursed my lips. "If you say so."

Lisa sighed and rolled her eyes. "Alright, maybe a little bit."

"You know Irene before me, and Taemin is a good guy who happens to have a girlfriend," I assured her. Her cheeks were beat red and she kept looking away from me in embarrassment. "There's absolutely no reason to be jealous."

"Well, that makes me feel at ease," Lisa gave me a sheepish grin. "Just try not to get drunk or party too hard. Save that for next time when you're with me."

"Lisa, I don't even party too hard," I laughed, tossing my head back. "You've got a good girl here."

"Okay I trust you," she smiled, leaning in for a kiss. There were lots of people in the airport but whenever I was with Lisa, I felt like we were the only ones there.

"Ooooh lovers in paradise," Seulgi's loud cheeky voice interrupted our moment. "Well, in the airport, not really paradise."

I immediately broke the kiss when I saw Seulgi walking towards us, along with Irene and Taemin.

Lisa wiped her mouth and tucked her hand inside her back pocket. "Hey guys," she awkwardly smiled.

"Oh, so you're Lisa," Taemin cleared his throat.

"You must be Taemin," Lisa gave him a polite nod.

I bit my lip as I tried to ignore the tension. I knew Tae wasn't such a huge supporter of me and Lisa since he knows how much Lisa's existence in my dreams broke his best friend's heart.

"What a great night!" Seulgi spread her arms wide, breaking the tension. "Have you guys had dinner? Have you had dinner babe?"

Irene nodded. "Yes, I have. I totally wouldn't mind some dessert though."

"You actually look familiar Lisa," Taemin went on. "Not so sure where I've seen you before."

"Maybe in the news." Irene mumbled that caught Taemin.

"What was that?" Taemin asked.

"Nothing,"she grinned. "Shall we have some ice cream?"

The last few minutes I had with Lisa in the airport wasn't so awkward anymore thanks to Seulgi's natural ability to ease things up among everyone. When we were about to board our plane, Lisa pulled me back and gave me a tight hug.

"I'll see you when we both get back," she whispered to my ear..

"I'll miss you," I murmured, giving her lips a quick kiss.

"I think I'll miss you more," she sighed.

"You need this time to work on your story though," I reminded her. "You know you have to finish that as soon as possible so we can make it published, I'll look on to it."

"Yes, ma'am," she nodded, before kissing my forehead. "Now go on. I don't want you to miss your flight because of me."

For some reason, I felt a slight mix of gloom and nostalgia in my heart when I remembered the last time I was at this airport.

Kai hesitantly let go of my arms and bent down to pick up his hand-carry bag. "You never know when we might end up bumping into each other one day."

"Until we randomly bump into each other in the future then," I smiled.

As he walked almost backwards, his eyes never leaving mine, he gave me another smile and mouthed, "Good-bye."

"Bye," I waved.

"Jennie," he called one last time before heading out the door. "I love you."

My heart broke in front of him and I'm sure it was very visible in my eyes.

"I love you, Kai," I said to him.

"Jennie, we need to go," Seulgi's voice interrupted my thoughts.

I blinked and released myself from Lisa's grip. "I guess I have to go now. Bye, Lisa." I gave her one last hug before finally letting go.

"Bye baby," She gave me a small wave as I slowly followed Irene and Seulgi.

Lisa's figure started to disappear in my eyes as I got in the plane. As much as I wanted to be with Lisa all weekend and I knew that I was going to miss her like crazy, I couldn't help but think about Kai.

Everything was only sinking in just now.

I was actually going to see him again for the first time since we both said goodbye in this exact same place nearly three months ago.

* *

.

"Jennie, wake up!" Seulgi's voice started to enter my dreams.

I blinked a couple of times only to realize that I fell asleep in our hotel room. I barely had any sleep during our fifteen-hour flight to New York, probably because of the anxiety.

"We're leaving in an hour for the exhibit," Seulgi said. She was sitting on the other side of the bed, peeking over the pillows. "I'm sure you'll need a lot of time to prepare."

"Wow, how long have I been asleep?" I yawned while stretching my arms.

"A couple hours," Seulgi answered. "You already missed one football match."

The moment we arrived here early this morning, the first thing that Seulgi did was turn on the television. I wouldn't be surprised if she glued her eyes to the show instead of explore the city with her girlfriend.

"Where's Irene and Tae?" I asked.

"Irenes taking a shower and Taemin went to see Kai."

I tossed my head back against the pillow and covered my face with the duvet. "Oh shit. Seul, I'm not so sure if I'm ready to face Kai again."

"Jennie, you just flew all the way to New York. You can't possibly chicken out this time."

"I know, I know," I grunted, forcing myself out of the bed.

I marched up to my suitcase and pulled out a white cocktail dress I neatly folded inside. I stood in front of the full-length mirror and cocked my head to the side. "I won't look so bad in this, right Seul?"

"Yeah, that looks good," she answered as she browsed through the television channels.

"Would it be okay to wear this?" I raised my eyebrow as I held up a red bikini in front of me.

"Totally," Seulgi mumbled while munching on hotel crisps.

"You weren't even looking!" I groaned, throwing the two-piece bathing suit at her.

Seulgu flinched as she picked up the bikini that landed on her head. "What??"

"Ugh, nevermind. You are completely useless," I rolled my eyes. "I'll wait for unnie to come out of the shower."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Seulgi groaned, holding up her hand in front of her. "If you're talking about that white dress hanging by the dresser, then yes, you'll look beautiful in it."

I pursed my lips and did a little curtsy. "thank you, Seul."

"Why are you being so restless anyway?" Seulgi asked. "You've got quite a golden-haired charmer waiting for you back home anyway. Kai is just Kai. He ain't nuthin' but an ex-boyfriend."

"I am very much aware of that, Kang," I plopped myself back on the bed, slouching my shoulders helplessly. "As much as I believe that Lisa is that perfect one I've been waiting for all my life, I spent a great amount of my life with Kai. We were together for years and at some point I did think that we were meant to be and now in just a span of three months he has achieved so much, and the least I could do to make myself feel better is to look pretty because right now I do not have the amount of success that he has and he might just laugh at my face and . .. ."

"Hold your horses, Jen!" Seulgu interrupted me, looking flabbergasted. "I don't know whether I should be surprised that you're this nervous or that you were able to say all of those words in one breath!"

"I'm a mess." I groaned.

"Yes, you actually are," Seulgi admitted. "Either that or you still have a teensy weensy bit of lingering feelings for Kai."

"I do not!" I objected, quickly rising up from my lazy position. "I, Jennie Kim, do not have lingering feelings for Kim Jongij anymore – not even a bit."

"Who doesn't have feelings for who?" Irene asked as she came out of the bathroom wearing a pink bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her hair.

Seulgi's jaw dropped at the sight of her. Her eye darted from her head to foot and then went back up. "Uh, w-we were just talking about Jennie's controversial love life with the oh so very significant and renowned chap we're seeing tonight."

"What do i expect." Irene grinned. "Now if you don't mind, I'm going to change so you might have to leave first?"

"What? I've already seen that! Why so conservative all of a sudden?!" Seulgi protested.

"Shut up and leave!" Irene squealed made her stood up and walks away.

"Such a dork," I rolled my eyes when she finally left the room.

I grabbed my bathrobe and titled my head towards the bathroom. "I'll just take a shower then."

**

Our taxi parked in front of the Metropolitan Museum of Art – the illustrious and historical building where Kai worked. It was massive. In fact, it looked even larger than the White House from afar, not that I've ever been there.

"Hey " Seulgi opened the taxi door and allowed us to step out.

"I can't believe Kai's having his exhibit here," I gaped at the colossal building before me.

"You better believe it," Taemin popped out from behind. Apparently, he was in the taxi following us.

"How is he?" I asked. "You had a quick drink with him earlier, right?"

Taemin fixed his collar and brushed his hair to the side with his small, pocket comb. "He's changed a lot in just a span of three months. And by change I mean physically. I almost didn't recognize him at first."

"Really? Uh, what does he look like?" I wondered out loud.

"You'll see later," Taemin smirked. "Shall we go inside?"

Seulgi and Irene walk hand in hand. I didn't have any plans on holding Taemin' arm so I just walked up the steps side by side with him. After checking our names on the guest list, the security opened the front doors for us and gave us directions to the exhibit area.

There were lots of other events going on at the same time, however, it seemed like as if Kai's was the much-waited one since he had banners hanging from the pillars.

"Wow..." I breathed out loud as I stared at Kai's face blown up in pictures. His hair was a lot longer now, and he's also grown manly. I had to admit he looked even better than the last time I saw him.

"You're here to see Sir. Kim?" one of the guards said as we made our way to the entrance.

"Sir. Kim?" I squeaked under my breath.

Seulgi nudged my ribs and gave the guard a polite nod. "Yes, we are."

I could feel my hands starting to get really sweaty as we entered the room. The sound of my heart pounding could probably be heard from a distance.

"This place looks breathtaking," Irene mused as her eyes wandered around.

I felt like crying when I saw Kai's works on display. I can't believe he has made in this far in just a few months. I remember him being so proud whenever he'd finish one painting, and he'd always rush to the room and show me. Now everyone else in New York City will have the privilege to see his magnificent works of art.

"Oh look, there's a buffet table!" Seulgi exclaimed, immediately dragging Irene behind her.

"I'll just go look for a restroom," Taemin leaned forward and whispered in my ear. "My freaking tie has been inverted this whole fucking time."

I chuckled and made my way to the bigger displays in the middle of the room. I couldn't help but admire the fact that Kai still painted super heroes and comic book characters despite being so well-known in New York already. He never forgot about his true passion.

As I walked further, my eyes immediately darted towards a massive painting , probably the biggest of them all, sitting on a huge easel stand in the middle of the room.

It was a painting of a girl with sad looking brown eyes. She had a pretty smile, and she was looking up at the sky like as if she was thinking about something.

It took me a while to realize that the girl was me. 

"I managed to capture that look you'd always give me before. Do you like it?" a soft, familiar voice murmured behind me.

I froze, feeling my heartbeat stop all of a sudden.

* * *

Lisa's POV

I sat comfortably on my old bed as I waited for my Aunt to prepare lunch. I missed the smell of my old room and the nostalgic feeling it gave me. Life was a lot more simple back when we still lived here until i was ten, not as exciting as it is now though. I couldn't help but miss SoKor and everything about it, including the people.

I unlocked my phone and sent Jennie a text.

Me: Home sweet home! How are you over there? Enjoying the Big Apple?

Jennie: Haven't done much sight seeing yet. I'm dead tired and I already miss you.

Me: Aww, I miss you too. I'm sure you'll have a great time there though. I've only been to NY once when I was a kid and I barely remember any of it.

Jennie: Well, it's my first time here so I'm quite anxious.

Me: Anxious about what?

Jennie: Idk, just anxious about everything. How's your nan doing?

Me: She's actually still very strong and healthy for a ninety-five year old. My aunt got her an iPod for her birthday and she was listening to Why don't We when I arrived.

Jennie: That's actually hilarious and amazing at the same time. You've got a cool nan!

Me: Ah, what can I say. We're a pretty cool family, myself not included. I just wish my parents are with us.

     Oh, I forgot to ask you, who exactly is this person who's having an exhibit later?

Jennie: He's an old friend of mine and Taemin.

Me: Ohhh. He's quite a generous, ain't he?

Jennie: Yeah, he is. I can't believe he paid for our flights and hotel accommodation. Btw, if this will make you feel any better, we got two hotel rooms and Taemin stays at the latter. Haha.

I let out a sigh of relief as I did a little victory dance on my bed. 

Me: That definitely made me feel a lot better. That Taemin friend of yours is making me feel quite uneasy. Does he hate me or something?

Jennie: No, he's just weird. Don't mind him. Anyway, I need to charge my phone and charge myself. Haven't had a wink of sleep since we left. Wish your nan a happy birthday from me! I literally cannot wait to see you again on Monday.

Me: Alright. Have a good rest; you need it. Always thinking of you.

Jennie: Thinking of you every minute.

I shoved my phone back inside my pocket and leaned against the wall, placing my feet up on the side table.

"Feet down," my grandma ordered the moment she entered my room. "And at least take your shoes off."

Suddenly a memory vividly plays inside my head made me sad, my parents, i miss them..

"I see things haven't changed," I sigh.

"Well, your hair sure has changed," she teased, wrapping her arms around me for another hug.

"How are you doing? Have you made any new friends? I heard from Rosé that you recovered quickly."

I felt a little spark shoot up my spine upon hearing her question. "Oh yes, as a matter of fact, I have met some new and old friends. I'd love to tell you about them over lunch."