J

The next week seemed to move along quicker. I was starting to feel better physically and spending more time downstairs in the pub was better for me mentally. I didn't realize just how much interacting with people was good for my spirit.

My regular customers were glad to see me again and although many were concerned, some couldn't help but make a few jokes about the accident. I still wore my obnoxious brown cast as a constant reminder.

"Jennie! What are you doing?" Hyunji yelled at me.

"Just filling the coolers," I muttered.

"You're not supposed to be lifting and bending like that! Get away from there!" Hyunji tugged on my arm. "Go, sit. Take it easy. I don't want you getting hurt before your trip."

There was no arguing with Hyunji about the amount of physical labor that I tried to exert, but what she didn't realize was how good it felt for me to move and stretch again.

"Is it okay if I tap a beer?" I kidded with her.

"Fine, but no lifting heavy beer cases." She shook her finger at me.

I was feeling very apprehensive about my upcoming trip to Florida. Lisa was acting… weird, skittish. Since she was always working, our phone conversations had to be coordinated, but lately Lisa was over-the-top with arranging times when it was safe to talk.

Safe… she uttered that word during one of our conversations. Why all of a sudden is she worried about being safe when she talks to me? Was it because Rosé was constantly around her, even when she had spare moments of downtime when she wasn't filming?

Lisa informed me of Mino's annoying presence, almost accusing me of being responsible for Mino being there on occasion. Mino had managed to spend a few days making his presence known on some of the filming locations… that was until Lisa put an end to it.

Lisa told me that she spoke to the head of Mino's company directly and informed him that she wanted Mino removed from the set immediately. Lisa wouldn't tell me what happened, but something definitely went down between the two of them because Lisa was furious.

Mino was to be informed immediately to refrain from contacting me or attempting to see me in any way, shape, or form… permanently. I was sure that Lisa used her "no bullshit" tone with Mino's boss.

I wished there was someone I could call to keep Rosé's lips off of Lisa; someone to order her to stay away from her. I would have loved to use my authority to issue a "cease and desist" order on her.

I tried to constantly remind myself that Lisa was making a movie, that her kissing Rosé was no different from her kissing Mina. Sometimes I tried to swap out Rosé's head with Mina's just to keep my jealousy at bay, but since I had never met Rosé, it was difficult. I didn't know her and therefore I didn't trust her.

Lisa constantly assured me that she loved me, but I couldn't help to think of my failed engagement and all the times Mingyu "assured" me when he covered his infidelities. Some experiences were difficult to shake.

It didn't help that Lisa's demeanor towards me had been different these last few days. She was nervous and weirdly excited that I was coming to Miami. Flight times, arrival times, departure times, all carefully orchestrated.

My friends were behaving differently as well… smiling at me awkwardly all the time, like they knew something I didn't. It sort of reminded me of the ambiguous looks they used to give me when they thought I was too stupid to realize Mingyu was cheating on me.

The day finally arrived that I departed for Florida. This time I was going to make it there safely; Lisa was making sure of that. She hired a driver to get me to the airport and Jamaal, my new bodyguard – who was the size of an NFL linebacker - accompanied me the entire way. I felt better knowing that Lisa wanted me to arrive unscathed, especially since Angelica was still on the loose.

"I thought Florida is supposed to be sunny and warm?" I said to my driver, trying to break the silence. I glowered at the dismal gray skies that darkened the afternoon. The heavy rain was making trails down my window, obscuring my view of the landscape.

"It is, madam," my driver stated with a thick Jamaican accent. "But not today!" He laughed.

"I feel like I should ask for a refund! All this false advertising!" I laughed at my own joke, sensing that he either didn't hear me or he didn't understand.

Downtown Miami was still teeming with life despite the dubious weather. I tried to pay attention to where we were driving while my fingers tapped along with the rhythmic sound of the windshield wipers.

I noticed the marquee on the Regency Hotel as we slowed. It was a relief to know that I finally made it and only a few more minutes separated me from being reunited with my love.

I couldn't wait to wrap my arms around her and put an end to all my worries.

The steel garage door sealed tightly behind my car, shutting out the prying eyes and photographers that surrounded the hotel.

It was difficult not to feel like royalty when I had a hulking bodyguard holding out his hand for me to exit the limousine, my driver was handling my luggage, and hotel security was waiting for my arrival at the private entrance.

Butterflies coated my stomach while I slid the keycard into the lock of Lisa's private suite.

"You can just leave my bags here," I pointed to the floor in the entryway.

"That's okay ma'am, I'll take them to the bedroom for you," the bellboy nervously insisted.

"I can get them," I said. I wanted the bellboy out as soon as possible so that the second I saw Lisa it would be a private, intimate moment. I had been thinking about this reunion for days. I even strategically picked out my outfit – a simple cotton top and her favorite jeans. I was not about to waste a second of our time messing with layers of clothes as we got re-acclimated. Besides, I didn't know if Lisa was lying and waiting naked in the bedroom. At least I hoped she was.

"No! Um, I have to take them!" The young man was adamant, almost shouting out at me. Before I had a chance to say no again, he quickly carried my bags off to the bedroom.

"Here you go," I said with a smile, tipping the bellboy ten dollars. He quickly snatched the money from my fingers and sprang for the door, not even making eye contact. I thought it was rude that he didn't even say 'Thank You.'

Lisa's suite was magnificent, of course! Private bedroom, enormous living room, and a large dining table with a lush fresh flower centerpiece made the room feel like an apartment.

"Lisa?" I called out, wondering why she didn't meet me at the door. I hurried to the master bedroom and opened the double doors. "Are you here?" I wandered around all the rooms but she wasn't in the suite.

Where is she? We had agreed to meet here. I looked at my watch. I had expected her to be waiting for me, figuring she'd scoop me up in her arms and carry me off to the bedroom the moment we saw each other.

I tried her cell number, anxious to let her know I had arrived. My smile turned to a frown when her voicemail answered instead.

I took my thin jacket off, struggling a bit to get the cuff over my cast, and laid it over the back of the silk-clad chair.

Shimmery hues of black, blue, and cream-colored fabric caught my attention. Next to the polished mahogany dining table stood a long metal clothing rack on wheels.

I hesitantly approached, admiring the exquisite evening gowns that hung on padded hangers. I let my fingers feel the silkiness of the different fabrics. One striking dress stood out over the rest – the bustier top was made of buttery soft ivory leather, crisscrossing at the waist. Curiosity made me look. Atelier Versace, I read the garment tag. I felt like I was committing a crime just by touching the dresses.

Stacked up on the floor were dozens of shoeboxes - Jimmy Choo, Christian Louboutin, you name it. Every high-end shoe designer was represented.

Why does Lisa have women's clothing on display? Must be nice to be an actress – look at all the perks that come along with it. Wait, am I in Lisa's room or Rosé's room?

I turned around in confusion then hurried off to the bedroom again, noticing Lisa's suitcases and her Gibson guitar. I double-checked the luggage tags and sighed with relief after reading "Shell-B Enterprises." Okay, I'm in the right room.

I reached for my suitcase and noticed there was an envelope lying next to it on the bed. Hmm, that's weird. Did the bellboy leave a bill for something? I opened the envelope and removed the folded paper. Ah! Lisa did leave a note! My eyes focused on the handwriting... but it wasn't Lisa's.

Morning babe

Sorry I wasn't here when you woke up.

I snuck back to my room so we wouldn't

rise suspicions. I know it's going to be

difficult for you but letting her know it's

over is for the best. I know you don't

want to hurt Jennie's feelings but you've

let this go on long enough. She'll know

why you ended it soon enough. I can't

wait for dinner tonight when we can be

alone again! I love you too with all my heart!

Forever Yours,

Rosé

Are you serious? No, this can't be happening! My brain tried to rationalize what I just read. No, she wouldn't do this to me. Not today. Not on my birthday.

I looked at the note again, trying to read it as it shook in my hand.

There was my name…

Jennie

I felt the weight of the entire world as it collapsed in on me, shattering every bone in my body. My heart was instantly torn to shreds and smashed into dust.

Rosé

… There was her signature, clearly encouraging my girlfriend to leave me. The rumors, the lies, the photographs – could they all be true?

It's Over

… The words jumped off the page like a sharp dagger into my heart.

"No. Damn It! NO!" I cried out. "No! Lisa loves me! Me, not her!"

Did she really fly me down here to break up with me or wasn't I supposed to see this little remnant of her infidelity?

How could she do this to me? Would she really be that coldhearted, leaving this behind for me to read?

Why not? After all, Mingyu did it to me.

No, Lisa is not like that. She is a good person… who is cheating on me.

I started to hyperventilate. A million pictures flashed through my mind... Lisa kissing my hand, her smile that made my heart flutter, hearing her voice say she loves me a thousand times.

No, there has to be a rational explanation for this! There has to be! I staggered slightly, feeling dizzy all of a sudden.

My foot stepped onto something on the floor, right next to where my suitcase was placed. I bent to pick up the shimmery fabric. As I unraveled it, I discovered that in my hands was a pair of black silk women's panties. Like creeping death, more evidence of her infidelity unfolded to me. Visions of her with Rosé, making love to her in this bed right in front of me, snuffed out every one of my joyous memories.

My cell phone shrilled in my pocket, startling me. My pulse quickened and I recoiled back, almost falling over my own feet.

"Hello?" I answered in between sobs.

"Is this Jennie Kim?" the male voice inquired abruptly.

"Yes. Who is this?" I muttered, wiping my cheek on my sleeve.

"It's not important. Write down this address," he ordered. His voice was gruff, muffled.

"What?" I asked, completely confused.

"She is with her right now," the stranger informed. "We're taking pictures of them together. Get a pen."

While I listened to the clicking sounds of a camera, I scrambled to the desk and found a hotel tablet – the same stationary that Rosé used.

"Do you have a pen?" the man yelled.

"Yes, but I don't understand."

"You need to see the truth. Hurry. The hotel will get a taxi for you. Come to 2950 West Palermo Avenue - the restaurant on the corner. Shoot that… she's kissing her again! Ah! she is so busted! 2950 West Palermo."

"Who is this?" I asked. "Hello?"

I tore the paper off the pad and grabbed my purse.

"2950 West Palermo," I read the address to the taxi driver and then shoved the paper back in my pocket. The rain came down in buckets, causing the car headlights to glare off the windshield. The skies were pitch black from the storm blasting Miami. The dark and ominous clouds brought the wind, which caused the rain to blow sideways. Loud thunder started to rumble between the lightning flashes.

I sat on the edge of the back seat, staring wildly out the front window of the taxi. I saw the road sign indicating Palermo Ave. My throat became tight with anticipation.

The taxi driver pulled over to the curb.

"2950 Palermo." The driver pointed at the tall office building. "That'll be fourteen-fifty."

I grabbed a twenty out of my wallet; my hand shook as I handed it to him.

"Do you want a receipt?" he asked in a rough voice.

"No," I said quickly, my hand was already pulling the lever on the door.

I gave the cab door a shove and hurried through the rain towards the shelter of the entrance. Frightening thunder rumbled through the sky; the earsplitting crack made me instinctively duck while it echoed loudly off of the tall buildings. I flinched from the sound; knowing my luck I'd probably get struck by lightning today too.

I looked at the big numbers on the gray stone building… 2950. It was a bank with several floors of offices above it.

I was utterly confused. What the? Was someone playing a cruel joke on me – sending me on some wild goose chase? I pulled the paper back out of my pocket to double check the address, but instead of the address, I was looking at Rosé's note again. The note I held in my hand was definitely not a joke.

Restaurant on corner, my memory informed quickly. I looked up and down the street, unsure of which way to go. I was in the center of the block.

Fueled by the evidence clutched in my hand, I started walking fast down the sidewalk. The rain soaked through my clothes; my wet feet slipped uncomfortably inside my leather boots. My hair that was once nicely done was completely drenched. I shivered from the wind and pulled my purse back up on my shoulder.

I wished I had an umbrella to shield me from the rain. I flipped up the little collar of my shirt just to keep the water from dripping down my back.

Two men were standing near the corner, huddled next to a building, wearing plastic rain jackets. Both of them held cameras with long, white lenses covered by a clear plastic sheath. Their lenses pointed towards the opposite street corner.

I looked across the street to the window. There was the restaurant and there was Lisa, visible from the street. My breath caught from seeing her. Rain dripped from my hair and down my face; my mascara bled and burned my eyes as I tried to focus through the downpour.

I saw Lisa lift Rosé's hand off the table. The two cameras clicked in a rhythmic hum.

Lisa twisted the ring on Rosé's finger.

I felt the tears build in my eyes and unbearable pain cracked into my chest.

Lisa picked Rosé's hand up and wrapped it in her, smiling at her before kissing her fingertips.

Horror and denial swirled through my soul like toxic fumes.

"No," I whispered out in pain.

Then Lisa stood up from her chair, leaned across the table, and pressed her lips to hers. Right there in public… The cameras sounded like the knives that sliced my heart to shreds.

Anger, resentment, and pure hatred welled in me as the last fragment of my heart was torn from my chest. I made it halfway across the street before I was stopped by oncoming traffic.

A car came screeching to a halt, hydroplaning in the rain and missing me by inches. I was frozen in place; my eyes were locked on Lisa's face. No other vision mattered.

The driver honked his horn repeatedly, but I couldn't move. Part of me wished he would just hit me and end the pain once and for all.

Do it! Hit the gas and finish me!

Lightning flashed over my head but I didn't flinch this time. It would take a direct hit by a bolt of electricity to restart my heart.

The driver was impatient; his hand stayed on the horn longer the second time.

"Why?" I sobbed in the street. Losing our unborn child was nothing compared to the excruciating pain I felt now.

Right at that moment, it happened – before my very eyes – my greatest love turned into nothing more than another person I wasn't good enough for.

"Hey lady! Get out of the street!" the driver yelled at me through his open car window, blaring his horn at me again. I glanced in his direction; his viscous tone distracted me.

"What the hell is wrong with you? Are you trying to get yourself killed?" the man continued shouting.

What the hell was wrong with me?

The lights of the oncoming traffic made starbursts in my blurry eyes. I was crying so hard that I forgot where I was for a second. My feet moved unconsciously; I followed the yellow lines, hoping they would lead me to a place where the pain would stop.

My fingers found a door handle in the dark. I dropped Rosé's poison-penned note, leaving it behind on the sidewalk. I didn't need it with me anymore. I had witnessed all the proof I needed with my own eyes.

"Jennie!" my memory called out in a muffled tone, strangely in the sound of Lisa's voice, but I couldn't respond to it. Darkness had already taken me under.

"Where to Miss?" Some man asked me. "Miss?"

"Hu… home," I breathed.

"And where is home?" the man asked.

My lips quivered as I found the will to speak. "Airport."

Desolation and despair enveloped me again, choking my ability to breathe. All my hopes and dreams that involved Lisa were shattered.

My phone chimed that stupid ringtone, reminding me of her biggest lie that crushed my soul... she wasn't mine anymore.

I rolled the car window down and tossed out my cell phone, releasing her song to the wind.

"Jennie?" I heard a man's voice calling my name. My mind must really be playing tricks on me. Now I'm hearing voices. So this is what a nervous breakdown feels like. At least I'm not crying anymore.

"Jennie, wait up."

My legs trudged on their own, instinctively following the rest of the people hurrying around me. If I follow them far enough, maybe the flashing lights will stop?

"Hey! What are you doing in the airport?"

My eyes glanced over to my right; someone was talking to me. That's when I noticed Mino's face.

"Stop taking her picture! Enough guys!" he yelled.

I saw an arm press out in front of me, shielding me.

"Why are you soaking wet?" Mino asked quietly. "Jennie, just keep walking." Something annoying was pushing into my back, forcing me to walk forward faster.

I felt cold and numb and utterly devastated. Creeping death must be inside me now, devouring everything.

Mino glanced around my feet. "Where is your luggage?" he muttered.

I looked down at my hands - they were empty and trembling. The edge of my brown cast stuck out the end of my sleeve; water dripped from the gauze packing.

I couldn't remember if I was supposed to have anything in my hands or not. Instantly my chest tightened and it felt very hard to breathe.

"Hey, hey…" Mino pulled me into his chest. "Calm down. Shh, it will be all right. I'm here."

I tried to block him with my hands. I wanted him to stop touching me. No man would ever touch me again.

He whispered in my ear, "Don't worry, babe. I'll take care of you. Let's get you home."