/JENNIE/

I slumped heavily on top of Lisa's chest, feeling undeniably tired of all the things we'd been doing ever since we got home earlier.

Lisa reached for my head and ran her fingers through my hair, also planting a kiss on my forehead.

"That was... wow," Lisa chuckled, holding me close as I was still catching my breath and recovering.

"Where did that come from?"

I blushed and buried my face on the crook of Lisa's neck, groaned when she laughed at me.

"Told you I'm pissed,"

"Should I make you pissed more, or—"

"Shut up,"

Lisa laughed loudly, her chest vibrating with the sound she's emitting.

Silence fell between us and I changed my position to get more comfortable on top of Lisa.

I've been honest and voiced my thoughts at Lisa, and I'm glad she took it without any complications nor anger.

I told her that I'm fine with her being jealous and protective, what I'm not content about was she completely shutting my voice out and forced me to listen to hers and hers only. Because didn't matter how hot that was, this relationship isn't all about sex and pleasure, it's also about understanding and respecting each other. We're not some horny teenagers who's getting in a relationship just for the sexual activity, we've admitted our feelings for each other were way more than that and I needed us to live by our words, too.

"A kiss for your thoughts?" Lisa murmured, her nails now caressing my back lightly.

I faced her, pouting out my lips and Lisa smiled before cupping my face and planted a soft, light kiss with her lips.

I sighed out contentedly after she pulled back, using my palm to support my chin. "Just thinking about us,"

"What about us?"

"Just about what I told you earlier,"

Lisa stayed silent.

I studied her face, from her thick, black eyebrows and eyelashes, her mesmerizing orbs of gold, the button nose, her smooth skin, and finally her lips which I could kiss for hours.

She was still deep in thoughts.

"A kiss for your thoughts?" I smiled, caressing her cheek with my thumb. I didn't wait for her response as I leaned down, captured her lips in a brief, persistent kiss.

"Nothing," I pulled back and prepared to listen. "I just realized I actually miss having someone holding me back."

"I was always the one who gets the highest expectation from everyone. From my family, my friends, teachers, everyone. Therefore, I always try my best to give my all in every aspect. But I didn't realize it also made me... selfish. It had always been me and my self all along, almost no one beside me to give me a second opinion and additional perspective," Lisa sighed lightly.

"But that time, I still had my mother with me. She was always giving me advice, making me think over my choices twice. Even though I wasn't with her all the time, I could always run to her whenever I needed her. But ever since she passed away, I... I'd been completely on my own. And then I slowly got used to making decisions all by myself, with no one telling me what to and not do, giving orders and having others obeyed me."

I hummed, then leaned forward to kiss her cheek. "You have me now,"

"I know," Lisa smiled. "And I'm grateful for it."

A part of me felt sorry for her while the other felt amazed by her strength. She's so used to being on her own, leading and carrying everyone else's expectations and weight on her shoulders. But I was glad she trusted me enough to actually listen to me, taking me seriously.

"How about your dad? Or Jace and Chaeng?"

"I'm practically a younger dad. He was just as lost as I was. Just imagine losing your person who'd been by your side ever since you were teenagers. He had a hard time getting used to her absence, he distanced himself away from us, his children, even. He became a workaholic, work was his escape," Lisa stared at the ceiling all the time she was talking while I listened to every word she was saying, her pain became mine.

"Jace was away, too. He was still studying abroad, he wanted to fulfill his promise to mom that he'd be a Neurosurgeon. And he did, I'm sure mom is proud of him," Lisa paused, a little smile appeared on her face as she probably reminisced the memories of her mother. "Chaeyoung... she was still fifteen when mom passed away. With all the responsibilities I had, I didn't have the heart to... I don't know, burden her with my problems. She's the youngest of us three and she's the closest to my parents. With mom's death and dad distancing himself away, she was broken, too. She might not tell me, but I knew. I just tried to be there for her without giving her more problems to think and worry about."

After a long silence, I kissed her on the mouth—slow, sensual with a hint of admiration and appreciation.

"You might think you're selfish," I said after I pulled back. "But to me, you are nothing but selfless. You put others before yourself. You care about them while making sure they won't be worried about you. You strengthen yourself to be strong for everyone else. You stand tall to be the anchor keeping everyone else on their places, you became the shoulder to lean on. And I admire you for that, even though somewhere on the way you get confused, you still want the best for others."

"I sense a but coming," Lisa said, smiling lazily at me while her nails were drawing a circular pattern on my bare back.

"But," I smiled at her. "You don't have to be strong all the time. You're allowed to rest. You're allowed to care for yourself just how you do others. You're allowed to lean on others, too."

I sat on her thighs, pulling her hands so she got up and sat up, too. She frowned, but I cupped her jaw and placed a kiss on her forehead. The kiss trailed down to her eyebrows, the bridge of her nose, cheek, and I finally stopped in front of her plump, swollen lips.

"You're allowed to lean on me, Lisa," I smiled when I saw her pupils dilated, her eyes softened. "We can lean on each other. We can be strong for each other."

Lisa brought her hands up from my waist, back, shoulders, and finally rested them on my jaw. She pulled me down and sealed my lips with a kiss. A kiss that spoke volumes—she kissed me with such tenderness with still a hint of her possessiveness. A kiss that was so Lisa.

"God, Jennie," Lisa sighed, resting our foreheads together. "Have I told you today that I love you?"

"Hm, I can't recall," I grinned, bit my lip when I heard her throaty chuckle.

"I love you so much," Lisa pulled me closer to her that my belly was pressed against hers. "I don't know how I get so lucky being loved by you. This is the greatest gift life has given me. You are."

I felt my heart fluttered at the genuine gratitude written all over her face. Her eyes... they were screaming so much love that I had to look away before I surprised both of us by crying suddenly.

"I love you, too, honey," I hugged her close, her head resting on my shoulder, face buried on my neck. "Words will never be enough, not even close."

Lisa kissed my neck and I tilted my head to give her better access. Her nails continued to scratch my back softly, and my body hummed in pleasure at the act. Lisa just knew where to touch me, she loved not only by words but mostly, by her actions.

I was suddenly thinking about how it would hurt so bad if I by chance should let her go. After having her love me like this, I could never imagine anyone else loving me more than her. She wasn't as perfect as she seemed, she had flaws and imperfections that I didn't mind to complete, but she loved me and it's all that mattered to me. Because as though it's such a cliché phrase, love really is the greatest power of all.

With her love, I was able to grow. She loved me enough just like the sun which shines to give life to flowers—she loved me enough to help me bloom by myself. She's strong enough to be an anchor for me, a safe haven for me to come home to.

She's everything I could describe 'love' as.

"Hey, why are you crying?"

"What?"

I pulled back to meet her worried face, even managed to fail to notice that I had tears on my cheeks. She used her thumbs to wipe off my tears, yet it made me cry harder.

"What is it?" She asked.

"I don't know," I murmured, pulling her forward to hug her again.

"What's on your mind, baby girl?"

She pulled back and looked at me intently as if she was trying to read me.

And she did.

"Something is bothering you. What is it?"

I pursed my lips as they started to quiver. "I don't know, I just love you so much it's starting to hurt," I answered. "Couldn't help but think how much it would hurt even more if you leave me."

"Hey," Lisa said softly. "I'm not leaving you, okay?"

"You're saying that because now, nothing is gonna separate us. But who knows what tomorrow has for us?"

"You're doubting me again," Lisa clenched her jaw, her eyes hardened.

"No, no, no. I'm not doubting you. I promised I would never doubt you, remember?"

"Then what's this? One second you love me then the next one you're being like this. Just tell me, Jen, what makes you think about such things? Don't you trust me, Jen?"

"It's not that I don't trust you. I do, believe me. God, I trust you more than I trust myself," I inhaled. "I don't want to be a naïve, Lisa. Your world... it's—you don't have to tell me, I know it's dangerous. If it's not, you wouldn't even bring me here in the first place. And being with you, I—"

"I'll always keep you safe," Lisa cut in, her frown growing deeper.

"I know, I know, but let me finish. Being with you is complicated, I'll be honest. But I love you, and I believe in you. That's why I'm not running away, not now, not ever," I felt my eyes burned with tears which I tried my best to hold back. "But... some things are just beyond our control. You, even with all the power you have, you need to admit that you can't keep me safe forever. You can't protect me every time."

"Where are you going with this?" Lisa looked utterly confused and frustrated. It was clear that she didn't like this, but I had spilled half my heart out so why not spill it all?

"I'm saying that maybe... maybe there would be a time where you would have to... leave. Or let me go. For whatever unavoidable reasons there is. You and I both know it's possible, right?"

Lisa nodded, and I could hear my heart breaking. I was half-hoping she would deny, that she would throw away my insecurities out of the window by telling me there's no such thing. By telling me nothing was strong enough to separate us.

But I guess the most hurtful thing is the truth—but that's still better than a sugarcoated lie.

"I'm just... I'm asking you to promise me this," I breathed out a shaky sigh.

Lisa just stared at me, waiting patiently.

"Promise me to always be honest with me. If you fall out of love, tell me. If you think we aren't going to work out anymore, tell me. If you have to let me go, tell me. Just... don't leave me without saying anything. Don't leave me wondering why you ever have to walk out of my life after giving me all of you," I let the tears fall because I was stripped bare at this moment—I was being honest both to myself and Lisa, showing my vulnerable side and my deepest insecurities.

"I promise, baby," Lisa said with much a softer voice than before. There was the tender, understanding Lisa I loved most.

"One more thing..." I cupped her face once more, staring at my favorite pair of eyes, the most beautiful shade of gold I'd ever seen in my life.

"Promise that if, if one day you really have to leave, leaving me and all that we have together behind... if you still love me, promise me you'll come home to me. Because I can't imagine having to let you go and never have you back in my arms," I pleaded. "Promise me, Lisa."

"I promise," Lisa said without hesitation, staring right through my eyes, her eyes glinted with such sincerity and reassurance.

"Okay,"

"Okay?"

"Yeah, okay," I smiled at her, leaning forward to feel her lips on mine once again.

The kiss started slowly at first, her mouth only moving and parting slightly. She never stopped caressing my waist and back, she held me so dearly I thought I could melt right at the moment. And then her tongue came out to play, licking my lower lip before she bit it softly and pulled back.

"I'm still confused why you're suddenly emotional like this,"

"I don't know either. I just feel like being honest with you. I'm sorry if I'm being complicated and confusing—"

"Shh, don't be sorry, babe. Your feelings are valid, okay? I love you, and by that, I mean all of you. Your insecurities, your flaws, your perfections, your past—all that make you who you are. Don't be afraid to open up to me."

I only nodded, but she continued. "Jen, I care about you. Promise me if anything goes wrong, if you're feeling not okay, if your mind is fucking up your day, I'll be the first to know."

I exhaled heavily as the feeling of safety finally washed over me. I could only nod, fearing if I open my mouth I'd turn out choking my words out and embarrass myself.

Lisa smiled and leaned forward to kiss me again, but we were interrupted by the sudden ringtone of Lisa's phone. Lisa pressed her lips on mine briefly before reaching out to answer the call. When she had her phone in her hand, she looked surprised for a second before the expression turned into a frown as she answered.

"Manoban speaking," Lisa said, her voice turned deeper and her tone serious.

I watched as my hands were massaging her shoulders, they were suddenly tense and I knew this wasn't a good sign.

"What do you mean?" Lisa's frown grew deeper.

I didn't know what the person she's speaking to said, but her frown disappeared in an instant. Her face was expressionless, her eyes distant as she kept listening to whatever the person was saying.

Finally, she spoke. But her voice was low and it came out a little louder than a whisper.

"I'll be there in five,"

She tossed her phone and looked at me, "I have to go,"

At the tone of her voice, I immediately knew it was about her other world. "Okay," I said, getting off her lap and watched silently as she stormed inside the walk-in closet. I also put on my panties and her t-shirt that was laying on the floor.

Less than a minute later, she came out wearing an all-black outfit, starting from the t-shirt, trousers, boots, and her leather jacket. Her eyes caught mine and she walked my way.

"I'm going to the Northern Embassy. If anyone asks, don't say anything. Tell them I'm gone while you were sleeping, okay?" Lisa stood tall, towering over me. My heart hammered wildly against my chest at her serious tone.

"Okay,"

She didn't say anything but pulled me by the neck and pressed her lips on mine. Her kiss was different this time. As she was kissing me, I could also feel how fast her heart was beating, how her mind was running a hundred per second. I rested my hands on her waist, clutching her jacket as I felt the need to feel her closer one last time. I didn't want to assume things, but the last time she ran off in a sudden like this, she disappeared for four whole days.

We both pulled back and stared at each other's eyes. I could feel Lisa hesitating—like she didn't want to leave me but at the same time, she had to leave.

I broke our eye contact and hugged her tightly, my cheek resting against her collarbone. She wrapped her arms around my shoulders, her lips placed a light kiss on my head.

It was true, her heartbeat was abnormally fast, and it was unusual for Lisa to be this nervous.

We held each other briefly before she murmured, "I have to go now. Don't wait up for me, okay?"

"When are you gonna come home?" I asked, couldn't help but feel like it was a goodbye.

Lisa seemed sad, sighing. "I don't know. But I'll be back as soon as possible,"

I nodded, reassured that this time, she wouldn't disappear. At least I knew where she was going. Although I didn't know why she had to go, who she's going to be with, nor where she's gonna come home.

It's okay.

I trust her.

Lisa pulled back and offered a small smile, walking towards the enormous glass window with me following behind. She opened the window and I shivered as the cold wind blew. Lisa was already sitting on the window, preparing to jump outside when I caught her hand.

"Take care. Please, be safe," I said, trying hard not to sound weak and not to cry my heart out. Lisa's hard features softened for a moment before she brought my hand to her lips and kissed the back of it.

"I will. I love you,"

That was the last thing coming out of her mouth before finally, she jumped out of the window and got lost in the dark, speeding off to the Northern Embassy as she said.

And leaving me in her room that started to feel less warm and silent all in a sudden. I sighed, "I love you, too."

I closed the window and walked towards the king-sized bed, hugging myself as I slipped inside the comforter, seeking warmth now that Lisa wasn't here.

Only then I realized, Lisa didn't bring her phone with her. God, how am I supposed to communicate with her now?

I took her phone and three text messages showed up on its lockscreen. Five minutes ago. They were all from the same contact named Bambam. Maybe because Lisa wasn't answering the texts, he decided to call her instead.

Oh, I remembered him. He's one of Lisa's closest friend, she told me several times about him. I couldn't help but read the texts Bambam sent Lisa, not knowing I would regret it as soon as I read the last text sent.

BAMBAM
Today, 9.24 PM

Lis, you need to come
here right now
Received

Today, 9.24 PM

It's urgent, you need to know this.
We were wrong, it's fucked up and I
had just realized it now
Received

Today, 9.25 PM

It's about Tzuyu
Received

—

TRIGGER WARNING!!!
(Rape and kidnapping content ahead, skip if you're uncomfortable. I warned you)

/MINA/

The feeling was amazing.

I admitted I have fantasized about how it feels to have Lisa in bed with me, but this was above my expectations. She really was a sex god.

The way she touched me, kissed me, held me, fucked me... it's safe to say she'd just set the highest bar of sex to me. Yet I don't think anyone would ever come close to how she felt.

My eyes were still closed, but I frowned when I realized I wasn't lying on a soft mattress.

Wait.

Where the hell am I?

I fluttered my eyes open only to be greeted by complete darkness. And a freezing temperature. Shit. I wanted to move, but I couldn't. Something was holding me back.

I began to panic as I realized my hands were cuffed behind my back.

My breath became uncontrollable, and I started to try to free myself from the cold metal holding me captive.

Shit.

It won't budge.

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

Where's Lisa?

Fuck, what's happening?!

I felt my eyes burned as tears started to pool in them. That's when I realized the place wasn't