Jennie

The prank Lisa pulled on me in today's meeting still has me smiling to myself. It's been years since I've felt even remotely playful. I forgot how it feels to laugh like that. I kind of want to retaliate. I want to make her laugh the way she made me laugh.

"What are you smiling about, Princess?" Dad asks.

I grin at him and shake my head. Dad is hooked up to his machine, his hand in mine. "Oh, it's nothing. Do you remember that really annoying ring tone everyone was downloading back when I was a kid? It was called Crazy Frog. It was the worst."

Dad laughs and nods. "Yes, I remember. You and the Manoban kids drove me half insane with it."

I giggle. "Well, today Lisa managed to change my phone's ringtone to that song. Then she called me in the middle of a meeting. I had no idea whether I should be mortified or amused," I say, laughing. "I can't believe she's still so childish."

Dad smiles at me indulgently. "She still makes you laugh, huh?"

I nod, thinking back to the two of us sitting in that meeting, both of us laughing. "She's the CEO of such a huge company, yet she still does stuff like that. She really should take herself a little more serious."

Dad grins knowingly. "Oh, she does, Jennie. She does, around anyone that isn't you. You're the only one that gets to see that side of her. The only one that brings it out."

I look up at Dad, startled. I smile tightly and shake my head, but before I can even deny it, Dad interrupts. "I assume you're going to get her back for this?" he says, an amused look in his eyes.

I giggle. "Of course, Daddy. Who do you think I am? I went straight to the little toy store in town and bought myself a set of supplies."

Dad laughs, his entire frame shaking. "That's the spirit, Princess," he says. The way he's looking at me warms my heart. It's like he hasn't seen me in forever, even though I've been with him for weeks now.

My phone buzzes and I glance at it, tensing when I realize it's Mino. "Mino just messaged to say that he's booked his tickets," I tell Dad. He glances at my phone, his expression guarded. I should be eager to see him again, but things haven't been the same between us in a while now. I keep feeling like he doesn't understand me, like he doesn't truly care about what's going on. Everything he says grates on me, and we keep arguing.

"It'll be wonderful to have him here for Thanksgiving and New Year's. But we don't have plans, do we?" I say, trying my best not to let my agitation show.

Dad purses his lips and shakes his head. "I usually spend Thanksgiving with the Manobans and then I come see you for Christmas. Lisa has been hosting Christmas here for years now, but I always spend it with you in London."

My expression falls. How could I have forgotten that he usually spends Thanksgiving at Lisa's house? He rarely talks about it, but he's mentioned their invites before. The last thing I want to do is spend Thanksgiving with Helen, and I doubt she'd even have me. I bet I'm still just a reminder of what happened to Rosé. I bet she still blames me.

I've tried my best not to wonder about Rosé. I know she doesn't live here anymore, or I'd have run into her weeks ago, but she'll probably come back for Thanksgiving, and maybe even Christmas too. Both are huge affairs at the Manobans. I don't want to see her. I might want to avoid Helen, but that doesn't even come close to how badly I want to avoid Rosé. When everything went down with her and I left, I'd just felt hurt. But now? Now I'm mad. I'm angry that I loved both of them so much, yet I was treated like some sort of pariah. I'm mad at them for hurting me the way they did, but I'm even more mad at myself for letting it happen for so long. There were always signs. Little things Rosé would say or do that I'd just ignore.

"So, Mino and you are quite serious, huh?" Dad says cautiously, snapping me out of my thoughts. I look at him and nod. I guess we are.

"Do you think he's the one?"

I stare at Dad in surprise and laugh nervously. "Dad, where is this coming from?"

Dad tightens my grip on my hand and sighs. "Well, you said you two are moving in together. I guess the next step is marriage, isn't it?"

I nod, but the mere thought of that gives me anxiety. I can't imagine getting married. I love Mino, and I love my life back in London, but I just can't imagine it all being so… permanent. The thought of it terrifies me. I feel panicked just thinking about walking down the aisle and finding Mino waiting for me.

I bite down on my lip and shake my head. "We haven't even moved in together yet, Daddy," I murmur. "I do like the idea of you walking me down the aisle, though."

Dad finally smiles and nods. "I'll be there to do that, Jennie."

I tighten my grip on his hand and nod. I really need to go to the clinic to discuss a paired donation, and any other options, but I've been avoiding going back in to see Layla. I can't even look at her, knowing she's had everything that used to be mine.

"I never asked you, Dad, but what do you think of Mino?"

Dad sighs. "He's a nice man, Jennie. He's well educated, and from what I can see, he treats you very well."

"Why do I feel like there's a but there?"

Dad looks at me, his eyes filled with sorrow. "Because there is, Princess. I might like him, but he doesn't make you come alive. Maybe I'm biased, because I only spent three weeks with you last year, and I met him only a handful of times… but I can tell, Jennie. I want you to be so happy that it radiates around you, and with Mino, you just appear to be content. I want more for you than that, no matter how good of a guy he might be."

"No, Daddy," I say, trying my best to reassure him. "I love Mino. He does make me come alive. I guess I might have just been busy with work the last time you visited. He'll be here soon, and you'll understand then."

Dad nods, but it doesn't look like he believes me at all. I never knew. I had no idea that Dad was thinking any of this. I don't want him worrying about me. When Mino gets here, I'd better make sure that he sees just how good we are together. I never really consciously thought of it, but I guess Mino most likely is the guy I'll end up marrying. I want Dad to like him. It might be hard due to the distance, but I'd really like for Dad and Mino to develop some sort of bond. I'm my dad's only family, so whoever I marry will definitely have to be good to Dad too. I know Mino will be great with Dad, but I'm starting to wonder if he and I are just too far away from Dad. I'm not sure I can bare to leave Dad behind to return to work in London, and I don't know what that means for Mino and me.