Jennie's POV

It's been a week since I came home, and it went well despite my mom being annoying the whole day when Lisa accompanied me home. She really likes her and even told my dad that she is my girlfriend.

Flashback.

"She is Jennie's girlfriend." I was cut off from my words when my mom said that, the moment she stood between me and Lisa. She held our arms tightly, as if prompting us to just ride along. I don't know what her plan was or why my mom was doing this, but I rode along.

"Girlfriend?" Dad asked.

"Sir, it's n-"

"Yes, dad. She's m-my girlfriend. Her name is Lisa. Lisa Manoban." I immediately cut Lisa off on her words the moment I went towards her and gently clung to her with our hands intertwined.

"I didn't know you were into girls, Jennie." Dad said blankly while looking at Lisa.

"I can love whoever I want, Dad." I suddenly replied without thinking if my choices of words were correct. Did I just say the word "love"?

"Is that so? Nice to meet you, Lisa." Dad said with a timid smile, holding out his hand for a shake, and Lisa took it gently.

"Nice to meet you too, Mr. Kim." Lisa replied. I can feel she was a bit shaken, but she still managed to greet my dad without stuttering.

"Can I invite you for dinner? I also want to know more about my only daughter's girlfriend." Dad said as he looked at Lisa and then at me.

"Y-yes sure, Mr. Kim. It's a pleasure to have dinner with you." Lisa replied with a nervous smile. Her eyes were on me as if she were saying, "Save me from here."

I chuckled and stuck my tongue out. She cutely bit her lower lip and averted her eyes from me.

Oh god, why do I still find it attractive? What's happening to me?

"Jennie? Hey, are you listening to me?" I woke up from my trance when my dad tapped my hand.

"I'm s-sorry. What was it again, dad?" I asked.

"I'm asking you if you have plans today.. with your girlfriend?" Dad asked while cutting his steak.

"Uh, I think we don't have one today. She's at work today, and I think they are doing a big project, so I guess we'll see each other on weekends." I replied and continued eating.

After dinner with my parents, Lisa actually visited me the next day. Mom was thrilled because Lisa really visited. I don't know if I should be jealous because she likes Lisa more than me or if I should be happy because they really get along.

"Then that's great. You have the time to meet your fiancé." Dad suddenly blurted out

"Wait, what? What do you mean by fiancé?" I asked.

"Hon.." Mom interjected.

"Your fiancé, Kim Taehyung-"

"Dad, I have a girlfriend!" I said loudly.

"I know. But she's just your girlfriend-"

"She's not just my girlfriend, Dad! She's not just a display or a thing." I shouted at him when I got up from my seat. Mom approached me and quietly asked me to sit down, so I obliged. Oh, god, I know we're just pretending, but I don't like where this is going.

"You're invalidating my feelings, Dad." I added. I can feel my breath getting heavy. My mom sat beside me to make me calm.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I don't mean to sound like that, but please, just meet Taehyung. He came all the way here from Japan just to meet you. I won't push you to do something if you don't want to. Just meet him for me, please." Dad explained. I took a deep breath to calm myself. I looked at my mom, who gave me a worried look.

"Can you do it for me, my daughter?" Dad asked pleadingly. I looked at him with an intense stare. I really don't want to meet that Taehyung guy, but if meeting him will make my dad stop nagging about that engagement thing, then fine. I'll meet him.

"Fine." I simply replied with a blank expression. I suddenly lost my appetite because of this topic.

"Great! Thank you, Jennie. I'll set you two with a meet-up today; is that fine with you, or should I schedule it for the next day?" Dad asked with a happy tone.

"Just schedule it for today."

"Alright. Jennie, I'm telling you, Taehyung is a great guy. You will like him for sure." Dad replies with all smiles. I didn't answer back and just gave him a forced smile.

"Ms. Kim, delivery for you," said the maid who was carrying a bouquet of blue roses.

"From whom?" I asked.

"I don't know, ma'am. The delivery man said there's a note inside," she replied.

I took the bouquet of roses, and the maid left after she handed it to me. I searched for the note and took it. The moment I read what was written inside, I automatically smiled widely.

Roses are not red because roses are blue.

I'm not that good with sugary words, but not seeing you for a week will make me go crazy for you.

Can I just spend all the days of my life beside you?

-Lili

PS. Don't laugh. I did try my best. I will pick you up on Saturday morning. I miss you! :)

"From Lisa?" Mom asked happily, and I nodded while showing my gummy smile.

"Oh my god, such a sweetie." Mom said with dreamy eyes as if she were the one who received the flowers.

"I don't know how she managed to know my favorite roses. Did she ask you?" I asked my mom while intently looking at her.

"What? Of course not. Sweetheart, if it's really meant to be, it will be." Mom said with a teasing smile. I bowed my head because that was the only way to hide my smile.

"That's kinda corny, Mom." I quietly replied.

"Corny to the point that it makes you blush? Love is in the air!" Mom teased. I shot her a sharp glare while stopping myself from smiling, and she just chuckled. I could feel the redness of my face!

"Okay, that's enough. Continue eating your breakfast, Jennie." Dad interjected. Great, a party pooper indeed.

"Another delivery for you, Ms. Kim," said the maid. She was carrying another set of bouquets of roses. I smiled; I knew it was from Lisa again. Why does she have to give me so many flowers?

I picked up the bouquet of red roses. Honestly, I don't like red roses because that's what my ex used to give me when we were still together. Red roses kind of remind me of him.

But if these roses are from Lisa, then it's fine.

I took the yellow card and read what was written on it. My wide smile faded as my brows started to turn into a frown.

"What's wrong, sweetheart?" Mom asked.

"It's.. it's not from Lisa." I answered simply.

"Then from whom?" My dad asked.

"From.. Kim Taehyung." I sourly answered. So that explains why I didn't like these roses the moment I saw them: these are not from Lisa.

"Oh, really? I told you, Jennie. Taehyung is a good man. You should give him a chance. Get to know more about each other. Maybe someday you'll learn to like him." Dad said with a wide smile that reached his eyes. I internally rolled my eyes.

I only know this Kim Taehyung by name, so this will be my first time meeting him.

"What was written inside the card?" my mom asked. I don't have the energy to read it, so I gave the card to my mom.

Good morning, Beautiful. How's life buggin' you today? I hope you are doing fine. And oh, by the way,

Can I take you out for a dinner? I'll pick you up at 6 p.m. :)

-Kim Taehyung

--

Lisa's POV

"Lis, can you pass the solder wire? I'll try to connect these cables; let's see if it will work." Seulgi said, and I obliged.

We are here at the company's research laboratory, making an AI-based prototype that we can propose someday for a new product if fate will grant us success with our research.

"Yah, Manofoot! Did you see where my Arduino is? I've been looking for it for an hour now. " Jisoo complained and sat down on the swivel chair.

"What will you do with Arduino?" I asked.

"I'm planning to make a robot with a sensor for my nephew's birthday," Jisoo replied while wiggling her brows, and we chuckled.

"Wait. Lis, how's Jennie? It's been a week since she went back home." Seulgi said.

"Right. How was it? Did it go well?" Jisoo added.

"Yeah, it went well, but something unexpected happened." I answered, which made them look at me in confusion.

"Spill the tea." They said it in unison.

"Uhmwe'regirlfriends," I immediately replied, making their brows raise at me.

"What? I didn't catch what you said." Jisoo asked.

"We're.. girlfriends-"

"Oh, okay—WAIT, WHAT??!!" they asked. Okay, why do people really love to cut me off with my words?

"What the hell, Lisa? How? When?"

"The audacity of this monkey to make Jennie her girlfriend without pursuing-"

"I think a simple make-out will do, Chu." Seulgi replied with a loud laugh.

"Wait, wait! Can you please let me finish first? Aish!" I frustratedly exclaimed. These two are really a pain in the ass, I swear! Gladly, it's just the three of us here inside the lab.

"It's not official, okay? It's fake." I immediately added

"What do you mean by it being fake?" Jisoo asked.

"Her mom was the one who announced to Jennie's dad that we're girlfriends. I'm not even prepared." I explained. Mommy Kim is really something, I swear.

"Then why didn't you tell the truth?" Seulgi asked.

"I was about to, but Jennie cut me off and agreed with her mom that we were dating. She even intertwined our hands in front of her dad." I said.

I know the sudden twist in the situation somehow bothered me that day, but I can't help but smile and feel giddy now. I mean, come on, it's Jennie Kim. Hello? Is anyone there who will stop Jennie from introducing you as her girlfriend? Oh my gosh, I can even say I do without her asking if she wants to marry me.

"You're smiling."

"You're liking it."

"You want it too."

"You freaking lucky monkey!"

"Yah!" I exclaimed to make them stop, but they ended up just laughing. Aish!

"So.. how is her dad? Did he agree to this? I mean, you know, the arranged marriage is still ongoing." Seulgi said I can still see Mr. Kim's reaction when he heard that I'm dating her only daughter.

"Honestly, he let us, but he's not really in our favor." I simply replied with a blank expression.

"Does Jennie know about this?" Jisoo asked, and Seulgi agreed with the question.

"I don't know. Maybe or maybe not." I replied and shrugged.

"What do you mean? I'm confused. Come on, you can share it with us. We're all ears for you, Lisayah." Jisoo said, and I gave her a timid smile.

"Mr. Kim and I talked after having dinner." I said.

Flashback.

"Are you and Jennie really dating?" Mr. Kim asked the moment we reached their garden area.

"Y-yes, Sir." I nervously replied.

"Lisa, I'll be honest with you. It's not that I don't want you for my daughter, but I want her to marry a man. A man who can provide her with a family and make her happy. I hope you understand because I only want the best for my daughter." Mr. Kim explained.

I know we're just pretending, and it's still not sinking in that we're doing this, but I won't deny that his words stab my heart.

I know Jennie won't feel the same way about me, but it's really painful to think that the family of the person you have your eye on is against you. It feels like the whole world is really against both of you.

"I completely understand you, sir." I know I'm not in the place to say this to you, but let your daughter decide, not just with the things that will make her happy, but with what makes her really the happiest, because that's what really matters, rather than forcing her on something that doesn't make her really happy because it's not her idea that she wants. She's already a grown woman who can decide what she really wants in life. Sir, I'm not saying this to offend you or hurt your feelings; I just want you to know that Jennie really loves you, and she's even willing to do anything that you want. But please don't keep her away from her freedom to be genuinely happy." I replied. I know I'm not the one who can make Jennie happy until the end, but at least something inside my head is telling me that at some point, I did something good for Jennie. (A/N: Rapper yarn?)

"I won't be surprised anymore why Jennie likes you. You're a great woman with a great mind and a good heart." Mr. Kim replied with a smile on his face.

"I uh, t-thank you, sir. Hehe." I shyly replied while scratching my nape.

"I will let you two have this kind of relationship, but when the time comes that Jennie decides to go for someone else, please let my daughter go. You deserve more, Lisa. Jennie is not the only woman in the world." Mr. Kim said seriously.

"Are you partly against us, sir?"

"I'm not against you, Lisa. I just want to make it clear to you. I know she's happy with you, but I also know my daughter. She wants to have a fairy tale kind of love story. If you know what I mean." He said. I looked at him for a moment and gave him a timid smile after I nodded.

"I understand, sir."

"So you mean, he's not against you and Jennie, but he still wants his daughter to marry a man someday because he said that Jennie wants some fairy-tale kind of story?" Seulgi asked.

"This also means like a princess and a prince, who marry each other and live happily ever after," Jisoo added.

"I guess?" I simply replied.

"People change, Lisayah. "Preferences do change," Jisoo said, and Seulgi nodded.

"Well, that's not a problem, Lis. You're beautifully handsome. You can be her prince."

"Seul!" I exclaimed.

"What? Hahaha. I'm just stating a fact, Lis. You're even more handsome than Kim Taehyung if you're, you know." Seulgi replied, then shrugged.

"Be careful, Lisa. This situation is kind of confusing to me. If you fall in love with Jennie and you're the only one who falls hard, this situation will only hurt you." Jisoo said. I didn't answer back because I didn't know what to say.

"Did he mention Kim Taehyung?" Jisoo asked.

"No. That was just our conversation because Jennie interrupted us that time." I replied.

Ring.. Ring..

"Oh, the interrupter is calling," Jisoo said the moment she laid her eyes on my phone because she was sitting beside my table.

"Let me guess. The interrupter has a name?" Seulgi teasingly asked.

"Oh, yeah. Her name is Jennie, with a big red heart beside her name." Jisoo said while slowly drawing a big heart in the air using her hands, which made the two of them laugh.

"Stop it." I said and took my phone from the table to answer her call.

"Hello?"

"Hi, Lili! How are you?" Jennie said in a happy tone that makes me automatically smile.

"I'm good, Nini. How about you?" I asked with a smile while taking my seat. The two gave me a teasing look and smile. Shaking my head at what they are doing.

"Oh, I'm fine, Lili. Mom and I are always in the kitchen. I miss cooking with her," she replied.

"Well, that's great." I replied, still plastering a wide smile on my face.

"Thanks, Lili. Anyway, where are Chu and Seul? Are you with them?" she asked.

"Hi, Jen!"

"Hello, Jennie!"

"Wait, Nini. I'll turn on the video." I said as I turned on my camera so that Jennie would see us.

The moment Jennie opened her camera, I thought my world went slow-mo. She's all smiles. Even by the look in her eyes, I can tell that she's happy. I can feel my heart beating madly just by looking at her. Oh, god, I really miss her.

"You're beautiful." I suddenly blurted it out, still mesmerized by her beauty. I saw her cheeks turn crimson red as she looked down to hide her smile.

"Stupid." she quietly uttered, but enough for me to hear it. I chuckled.

"Hi, Jennie! Wow, you're glowing!" Seulgi stood beside me.

"You're really a pretty mandu!" Jisoo added.

"Manoban is really lucky; what do you think, Chu?" Seulgi asked Jisoo.

"Beyond lucky." Jisoo replied and gave Seulgi a high five.

"Hey, stop it. You're teasing us all the time, aren't you tired?" I said to make them stop, but yeah, I failed.

"Why? She's your girlfriend, right?" Jisoo said while wiggling her brows.

"Oh, Jennie! You're blushing! HAHAHAHA-Aw!" Seulgi spoke the moment I elbowed her side.

"You're embarrassing her." I said while looking at her with furrowed brows.

"So you guys knew it already," Jennie said.

"Yes. But don't worry, Jennie. We're also aware that it's just a fa-"

"Are you guys free on Sunday? Visit me here; I already miss you two." Jennie said with a smile.

"Is it really us that you miss, or this monkey beside us?" Seulgi teasingly asked which made Jennie's cheeks blush more.

"We're just kidding, Jennie. Hahahaha! Of course, we'll visit you there on Sunday." Jisoo said. I should thank her later, I guess?

"Really? That's great!" Jennie replied with excitement.

Really adorable.

"See you on Sunday, Jen!"

"Make sure you have chicken there, Jennie Kim!" Jisoo added that, which made Jennie laugh.

Oh god, even the sound of your laughter is like music to my ears.

"Of course, Chu. I will never forget you being obsessed with chickens." Jennie said while laughing.

"Wait, are you guys busy? I'm sorry if I disturb you while working." Jennie added.

"Oh, no, Jennie. It's fine. It's just the three of us here, and it's nearly lunchtime." Seulgi replied.

"And you're not a disturbance to us, most especially to this monkey." Jisoo laughed with Seulgi. Jennie joined them.

"You really love to tease me, huh?" I complained with a sarcastic smile.

"Anyways, Jennie, we'll leave the two of you, okay? I think Lisa still wants to talk to you. See you on Sunday!" Seulgi said and dragged Jisoo out of the lab.

"See you, Jendeuk!" Jisoo yelled before the door got closed.

"Jendeuk?" Jennie confusedly asked.

"I also have no idea what it was." I said and chuckled.

"Lili, I have to tell you something." Jennie said it in a serious tone.

"What is it, Nini?"

"I'm meeting Taehyung later for dinner," she said.

"He asked you out?" I asked, and she nodded.

"Oh.."

"But don't worry, Lili. It's just for my dad that I'm meeting him, and then nothing more. I'll just do this for my dad." She explained while looking straight into my eyes.

"Hey, it's fine, okay? You don't have to inform me because we're just fak-"

"I don't even want to go there, Lili." Jennie said as she looked down, cutting me off with her words.

"Why?" I asked.

"I'd rather be with you than waste time just to meet that