J
Well, this has been one craptastic day from start to finish. I'd love to blame Lisa and Nayeon, but it was my reaction to them that set the tone for the day. I still can't believe I saw Lisa with her, and that she demanded I talk to her. She's lost her ever-loving mind if she thinks I owe her anything after the way she's treated me.
Yes, I want her healthy and well. I would never wish her any ill will, but how dare she talk to me like I owe her an answer. I've tried speaking to her. Even Mino has told me to stay away. And I have. Then to see Lisa with a woman. Actually, the woman normally wouldn't have mattered. I've seen her parade around with women nonstop, but it wasn't any woman. It was the one I considered my closest friend through high school. The one who dropped me as soon as we graduated.
Let's not forget the interview I went on. It could have gone worse, but it could have gone a hell of a lot better. I tried putting my best smile on and being happy and upbeat for my interview; however, I couldn't get the image of Lisa with Nay out of my head. The whole time I was being talked to, my mind kept drifting. Somehow, and I'm not sure how, I answered questions and didn't fumble once. But it wasn't my best performance, not even close. Anything else I probably would have been able to push out of my mind, but it was Lisa. She has made this space in my head since high school, and she's never left.
Back then, it was how awful she was to me. How arrogant and pretentious she was. She rode my last nerve every day. If there was a way I could have been homeschooled, I would have been. My parents wouldn't bite. They said being in a public school was good for me, and I needed to socialize. I couldn't help it that I had minimal friends and liked being home better than out with others.
When my parents up and moved, and I ended up working for her mom, I'd see her often. New day, new flavor on her arm. But then I remember the look on her face as she pressed the gun to her head, and I saw someone so broken, so utterly tired of the pain. It changed how I saw her. It changed everything.
From that point on, there was no turning back for me. She doesn't feel the same. If she did, she wouldn't be freezing me out. Why can't I let this thing, whatever it is, go? I know she's been in my life for a long time, though most of it in a bad way. Is that why she won't leave my fucking head? I want her happy, healthy, and safe, but I have a feeling the longer I let her reside inside of me, the more likely I'll be hurt again. She's not only occupying space in my head but a part of my heart as well.
After my mediocre interview, I ran into Mino at the gas station. Truth be told, the more I get to know him, the more I like him. Strictly in a friendly way. He cares about Lisa. He also seems to care about me.
He asked me how I was doing, and I sarcastically told him how wonderful my day was going. Next thing I know, I'm bitching about Lisa and Nayeon and how awful it was seeing them together. Mino must have seen right through me. He must know I feel something for Lisa, even if I'm not sure what that is. Mino tried to tell me Lisa hasn't been seeing anyone since she went to stay with him. I laughed without feeling it and told him I didn't need him covering for Lisa. In fact, I had zero right to know anything about her. Then I finished pumping my gas and left. I had nothing more to say. Poor Mino got the brunt of my frustration. God, I bet he went back and told Lisa. Poor, pathetic, Jennie was at the gas station, going on and on about how she saw her ex-best friend with a woman she doesn't even talk to. Yup, I bet I came off really good in that story.
I throw my purse on the couch and go into my bedroom to change. I want out of this suit and into a pair of sweatpants and a comfy t-shirt. I have no one to impress. Just me, myself, and I, like always.
Once I grab a yogurt from the refrigerator, I throw myself down onto the couch and put on a show. I'm not really watching it. I'm trying to think of how I'm going to keep paying my bills. Or what will happen if I can't find a job. I don't want to move to Florida, which I will have to do if I don't find a job.
My phone chimes inside my purse. Using my foot, I lift my bag and drop it in my hands. Digging my phone out, I see it's a text from Mino.
Mino: Has your day gotten any better?
Me: Nope.
Mino: No job offer yet?
Me: That's funny.
Mino: You never know, Jennie. Maybe the perfect job is right around the corner.
Me: What do you know?
Mino: Nothing...
Me: If you were here, I'd throw this phone at you.
Mino: Lol! Enjoy your day!
I reply with the middle finger emoticon.
Ten minutes later my phone rings. "Hello?"
"Jennie Kim?" The voice on the other end is feminine.
"Yes."
"My name is Kim Jisoo, and I received your resume from a friend of yours." Ummm...holy shit. Kim Jisoo graduated eight years before I did and went on to become a hugely famous author. Her books have hit all the major bestseller lists. And she's local. She lives on the ritzy side of town where Risa does. Wait, which friend would have sent her my resume? Mino!
"Hi, Jisoo. Sorry, you just surprised me a little."
"No worries. I'm impressed with your background. You have your degree and have, until recently, worked for Clarissa Manoban." Shit. What do I say about why I no longer work for her? Well, you see, she's a fucking cunt, and I had to quit.
"Yes, we parted ways."
"Mino didn't tell me the reason for your departure, only that it was a very personal decision and that ethically, you couldn't work for her anymore. He assured me you know how to do your job well. I've known Mino for years and trust him. His father also helps me out whenever I need him. They are a great family."
"I had no idea."
"Not many people do. I try to keep my private life just that––private. Anyway, I'm in desperate need of someone to help me. I've tried having virtual assistants, but they never worked out, and people who are local just want to work for me because they are fans of my books. I want someone professional who can focus on the business side of my career and keep me organized. I travel often, my house looks like a tornado tore through it most of the time, and my office has boxes and boxes of books piled up. I need help, Jennie."
"It sounds like it. I can certainly help get everything in order, but I'm looking for something long-term. Is this a position you see lasting for a few years, at least?"
"Yes, definitely. I love writing and want to keep doing it. Without the right person by my side, I'm afraid I'll just continue to get buried in all the work and not be able to write."
"I'm very interested. I would love to find out more about the position."
"Great! Can you come by tomorrow around noon? We can have lunch, I'll show you around my office, give you an overview of what I need help with. I will say this isn't going to be a typical nine-to-five job. There will be some nights I'll need you to work, but not normally early in the morning. There's also some work you can do virtually from home. Not all of it can be done from there, though."
"Sounds good."
She tells me her address, and I notice it's only a few houses over from the Manoban's. Luckily, the houses are spaced apart, so I shouldn't have to see them at all, unless I pass them on the street.
My day has taken an unexpected turn. I owe Mino huge for this.
Me: Thank you for the job reference.
Mino: Anytime. I was happy to do it. You didn't deserve to lose your job after what happened with Lisa.
Me: Yeah, but I wasn't fired. I quit.
Mino: Doesn't matter. You did the right thing by helping her and by no longer working for her. Now you won't have to worry about where you'll get money from.
Me: Well, I don't have the job yet.
Mino: I know you can't see me, Jennie, but I just rolled my eyes. You're really good at what you do. If you weren't, Lisa's mom wouldn't have kept you for as long as she did.
Me: I guess. I'm meeting with Jisoo tomorrow.
Mino: You got this.
Me: Thanks, Mino. I really appreciate it.
Mino: You're welcome.
Today was one of those days where I wanted to do nothing but bury myself in bed under all the blankets and not come back out for a while. Then Mino did something amazing for me, and I now have hope I'll have a job and be able to pay my bills.
Kim Jisoo. I still can't believe she called me about working for her. I've read all her books. She's a huge romance author. It's surreal.
My phone chimes with a new text.
Mino: Have dinner with me tonight to celebrate.
Me: I don't have the job yet.
Mino: Please. It's as good as yours.
I ignore his comment and go back to dinner.
Me: I don't think dinner is a good idea.
Mino: Not as a date. Just two friends getting out of our homes for a meal together.
Me: Okay.
It's not like I have anything better to do, plus I owe him for helping me with the job.
Mino: Great! I'll pick you up at seven.
What the hell is going on? It's like I've entered some parallel universe where I have friends. Or a friend, for that matter. This isn't any normal friend either. It's Mino. Lisa's best friend. Why would he want to have dinner with me? Unless he has something important to tell me about Lisa and didn't want to do so over the phone. I doubt it has anything to do with the job. Great, now I'm going to worry until he picks me up and I find out what's going on.
I have no idea what to wear to dinner since Mino didn't tell me where we were going. I throw on a pair of nice jeans and a sleeveless shirt. Screw it. I don't do fancy anyway.
He shows up at seven on the dot and drives us to a small pizza place. I'm thankful it's nothing more. My stomach has been in a knot since he asked me to dinner. I don't think I'll relax until I know why he asked me.
We sit in a corner booth and decide to split a plain pizza. There's no way I can eat four slices, but he can take any leftover pieces home with him.
"Okay, are you going to tell me why we're here?" I ask. I tried asking in the car, but he blew me off.
He smiles as his green eyes crinkle a little at the corners. "I can't ask you to dinner for no reason?"
I scoff. "No. We weren't exactly friends before this whole thing with Lisa. You were a dick to me in high school and still pretty much an asshole when I was working for Risa."
He holds his hand over his heart and gasps. "Yeah, you're right." I crumple up a napkin and throw it at him. "Yes, I was a prick in high school, but shit has changed."
"That's no excuse for how you behaved a month ago."
"No, but haven't you ever realized you fucked up?" I nod. "Well, I fucked up where you're concerned, and I'm sorry. I'm trying to make amends."
I raise an eyebrow. "With pizza?"
"Hey, it's the thought that counts."
I smile. He's trying. I'll give him that. Although, I'm still waiting for something to happen or for him to drop some bomb on me. "Fine. I forgive you."
"Hooray!" he shouts, and everyone in the restaurant turns toward us. Good Lord, why did he do that? I sink a little lower in the booth in an attempt to hide. "Why, Jennie, do I embarrass you?"
I throw another napkin at him. "Shut up."
The waitress comes over with our drinks and says our pizza will be out in a few minutes. We make small talk. Nothing substantial. He brings up Jisoo and I thank him again for giving her my name.
Just as the pizza arrives, so does Lisa. She comes through the door of the pizza place like a pissed off bull. She scans the restaurant and finds us, her eyes settling on me. I can't look away from her. The way her gaze holds mine has me feeling like I'm caught in a snare. Mino must notice, because I see him turn to face Lisa out of the corner of my eye.
Lisa walks over to our table, stopping next to Mino. "Something we can help you with, Manoban?" Mino asks her. "We have enough pizza for three if you'd like to join us."
"Move over," Lisa tells him with a frown.
Mino doesn't hesitate to slide over so Lisa can wedge her frame into the booth. Sitting next to each other, I take in their differences. Lisa leans her elbows on the table, not taking her eyes off me.
"To what do we owe the pleasure?" Mino asks. Lisa nudges him with her shoulder, but doesn't say anything. Mino laughs and grabs a slice of pizza.
"Aren't you going to eat, Jennie?" Mino asks me.
"I'm not hungry anymore." The knot I had when I walked in has become a rock sitting in my stomach. No way can I eat with Lisa sitting across from me, watching me so intensely.