Chapter 1

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Kicking the door of the conference room open, Lisa Manoban walked out with a heavy sigh and a tired look written all over her face. Being stuck in there for the past 2 hours, surrounded by papers, documents and smelly middle-aged men, talking about things that she couldn't give less of a fuck about, definitely wasn't one of the things she enjoyed doing. But being a CEO of the biggest company in Korea usually didn't let her have a chance to protest.

Feeling her headache grow, her desire to go home, sit on the balcony of her huge apartment with a glass of expensive red wine and enjoy the night in silence and peace was growing more and more within herself.

Trailing behind her was her secretary, who didn't miss a single chance to remind her about the early flight Lisa had to take the next morning. Because of her busy working schedule, Lisa had to travel around the world constantly, which made it hard for her to be in her home country for long.

As she walked, the loud clicking of her branded high heels filled the silence of the empty space around her until she reached her office. With her chin high up and spine straightened to perfection, she continued on her way, manoeuvring through the employees and making them tremble in fear with the serious look she had on her face.

She couldn't say she was loved among the people working for her. She was a total bitch with them most of the time, her confidence and straightforwardness never ceased to make them oblige to whatever desire she had. One mistake and you would be immediately fired. Lisa was really strict when it came to work. She needed everything done perfectly and right on time or you are out. Working for her was like hell on earth, but the generous pay they got made them stick to her and work their asses off to make her happy.

When she reached her office, she sat down and massaged her temples as her headache got worse than a few minutes ago. She still had some work to finish, which meant she wouldn't be able to go home in the next hour or so. Groaning, she picked up the phone and called her secretary, asking for a painkiller to ease the pain she felt. She wouldn't be able to concentrate on her work if this kept going like that. Not even 2 minutes later, the middle aged woman came running into the room with a pill and a cup of water in hand.

"Here is what you needed, Ms. Manoban" she said as she bowed down. "Can I help you with anything else?"

"No, that's all. Thank you. You are free to go home" she dissmied the woman and watched as she made her way out of the room.

Susan had been her secretary for years and she was the only person Lisa didn't have complaints about. She was doing her job perfectly and always on time, she kept her updated about her schedule and everything going on in the company. She has been with the Manobans for many years, even before Lisa took the place as the CEO, which meant they had a big trust in her, just like she was very frightful to them through all this time.

Lisa gulped the pill, took off her blazer and rolled up the sleeves of her button up to her elbows. She started working, turning page after page, reading and signing papers one by one. She kept checking her watch. It seemed like the time was dragging in the slowest pace possible. Only 30 minutes have passed since she started. It already felt like hours, but she had to finish all these before her flight tomorrow morning. As she was reading through one of the financial reports, she heard her phone ring on her desk. Without looking at the screen, she picked up and glued it to her ear.

"Hello? Lisa Manoban on the phone" she said as she kept reading.

"Yeah, I know it's you, dummy" she heard the person on the other line laugh. She immediately recognized the annoying voice of her best friend.

"Oh, hi Jisoo" she was surprised from her call at this time.

"Where are you?" the older asked.

"I'm still at the company"

"At this hour?! When are you going home? I want to see my best friend before she leaves again, you know?"

Lisa looked at her watch once again and noticed it already hit 10PM. Everyone in the building must have left already. She sighed. "I still have some paperwork left to finish here. I'm almost done tho. Come by in 30 minutes. I'll meet you at my place"

"OK, see ya, bitch" she heard her best friend say before she hung up the phone.

She quickly finished the rest of the papers and grabbed her things, ready to leave. She was right, the building was almost empty. Only the cleaning ladies were left to make sure everything looked perfect for the next work day. "Good night, Ms. Manoban" one of them bowed as Lisa passed by her. She just nodded in response, cold expression on her face as she made her way toward the exit of the building where her car was already awaiting to drive her home.

20 minutes later, she unlocked the door of her apartment and threw her bag on the couch in the living room, making her way towards her wine storage, which had all different kinds of the drink from all the places Lisa had visited throughout the years. She pulled out a bottle of her favorite French merlot and popped it open. Grabbing a wine glass, she headed towards her big balcony and sat at one of the comfortable lounge chairs that were placed outside. After pouring some of the wine in the glass, she unbuttoned the top of her shirt and stared at the scenery in front of her.

Since she lived at one of the highest storeys of the building, she had an amazing view to the big bright Seoul, full of liveliness even at this late hour. The city didn't sleep. She could still see the people wandering around the street and, going to clubs with friends to get drunk and have fun. She could also see the clear night sky, full of bright little stars, making you wish you could stare at them all night and guess all the different shapes and images they were creating between one another. You could see the passing airplanes full of people waiting to reach their desired destination. You could see the shooting stars falling, giving you the illusion that they will make your wishes come true.

Lisa leaned back on her chair comfortably as she took a sip of her expensive wine. She closed her eyes, ready to relax after the exhausting working day at the company.

"Wassup, bitch!" Lisa was startled as she heard a sudden voice coming from the living room. She turned back to look for the source of it and she noticed Jisoo making her way toward her at the balcony.

"Oh God, Jisoo, you scared me! When did you arrive?" to be completely honest, Lisa forgot about Jisoo's visit at her apartment tonight. That was it for her relaxation time.

"I just got here" she sat at the launge chair on the right side of Lisa, throwing her purse on the ground and grabbing the opened bottle of wine on the small table.

"What are we drinking tonight?" she started inspecting the bottle with curiosity. "Merlot, huh? French, In honor of your trip?" she laughed a little as she poured the drink in the wine glass she brought with herself when she arrived.

"Yeah. I haven't been in Paris for a long time. I have forgotten how it was. I hope I have the time to walk around the city after everything is done"

The last time Lisa was there was many years ago with her family. But now she was a grown up adult with tons of work that needed to be done so the last thing she would think about was Paris.

"What time is your flight?" Jisoo asked as she sipped from the wine.

"7 in the morning. I'll have to get up earlier so I can be there on time. Are you coming to send me off?" Lisa asked.

"Ugh, you know I hate getting up early...but I love you too much to miss it so yeah, I'm there" Jisoo said as she groaned at the idea of getting so early in the morning. She wasn't fond of that idea as she loved to oversleep in the mornings.

Lisa and Jisoo were friends since they were still in the diapers. They practically spent their lives together while their relationship only grew stronger. They were like sisters by soul. Jisoo always successfully brought up the fun and goofy part in Lisa every time they were together, making her forget she was one of the most popular and influential people in Korea and letting her young and carefree side out. Jisoo was always there when Lisa needed her, and the other way around. They were ready to ruin the life of anyone that dared to hurt their best friend. When Lisa was away, she always left the company to Jisoo to handle, making sure the employees know that she had the right to fire whoever she wants if they fuck up their work. They trusted each other with everything.

"Thanks, Chu" she thanked her best friend as they both stayed in silence for a few seconds, sipping from their drinks.

"How much time are you going to spend there?" Jisoo asked.

"About a week. The conference will last for a few days and I will use the rest to relax from all the work" Lisa answered as she took a sip of the wine.

"By relax you mean getting laid?" Jisoo laughed at her friend habits.

"JISOO!" Lisa shouted, wide eyed at her friend's words.

"What? You always have a different girl to 'relax' with every time you are away. I won't be surprised if you find one there also. I just wait for the day you will finally settle for one and have a normal relationship like everyone else"

"I don't have time for a relationship. I have too much work and I always travel. It's easier to just let out the frustration and tiredness in one-night stand and forget about it after. No attachments" Lisa said.

"But you can't go like that forever. Look at me. I also am buried with work but I always have time for Rosie. And we are getting married in 2 months. You can do it only if you want to, but you won't find your soulmate if you don't try at all" Jisoo tried to convince her friend.

"And where exactly am I going to find that 'soulmate'?" Lisa answered, already annoyed.

"She can be anywhere, Lis. Fate will bring you to her, you'll see. Just go with the flow and let it take you to whatever is destined to you" Jisoo said as she patted Lisa's hand lightly.

"Ugh, anyways. Where is your wedding gonna be held at?" Lisa decided to change the topic.

"Just out of town. There is one very beautiful resort that Rosé targeted few months ago and didn't stop saying how she wants to celebrate the whole thing there"

"That's cool. I am invited, right?" Lisa laughed as she teased her friend. She knew that even if Jisoo didn't tell her anything, she would always be welcome to go.

"No, Lisa. No single ladies allowed" Jisoo joked and they laughed.

They both kept talking until late late night and until Jisoo's phone started blowing up with messages and calls from Rosé, asking her where she was at this hour. Eventually she had to leave because her soon-to-be-wife needed her. Lisa was once again left alone on her balcony, staring at the beautiful night sky of October, a day before her life unexpectedly took a swift turn.


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