Jennie

I sip my coffee, unable to calm my nerves. I'm supposed to pick Mino up today, and rather than being excited, I find myself being anxious.

I jump when Lisa walks into the kitchen and I check my watch, surprised. She should've already been at work by now. I've done my best to avoid Lisa ever since she told me that she regrets letting me go. I've been battling the guilt I feel, because in that moment, all I could see was Lisa. I wasn't even remotely thinking of Mino. Being here has been confusing for me, and I hate it.

"You're done avoiding me," she tells me, and I look up at her in surprise, a small smile on my face. She's so cocky these days. Her entire vibe is different.

"Who said I was avoiding you?"

She crosses her arms over each other, the fabric of her shirt stretching along her muscles. I hate how good she looks in a suit.

"Weren't you? We've had coffee together almost every morning this last month, but you were suddenly nowhere to be found all of last week. Forget what I said, Jennie. It was just being in my old bedroom with you that caused me to overshare. You don't need to act so uncomfortable around me."

I bite down on my lip and look away. If only I was actually uncomfortable. That's how I should be feeling, but it's not. I'm flustered and excited to know that she still has some lingering feelings for me, and that just isn't right.

"I'm picking Mino up today," I murmur, my heart racing.

Lisa locks her jaw and looks away, her hands balling into fists. "I see. I'll get Graham to drive you."

I shake my head and hide my trembling hands. "I can drive. I prefer to go by myself."

Something flashes in Lisa's eyes, and though I can't quite identify it, I know it hurts my heart.

"I see. Which car are you taking?"

"I thought I'd take my dad's."

Lisa pulls a hand through her hair and shakes her head. "Take the Range Rover. It has more space," she says, sounding tired.

I nod, not wanting to argue with her. The entire atmosphere is suddenly so tense. Lisa looks like she's about to speak, but then her phone rings. "I'll see you later, Jennie," she says. She sighs as she walks out, and I somehow feel horrible.

I can't shake that feeling all the way to the airport. My heart is constricting painfully and I'm feeling completely out of it. I try to force myself to smile as I wait for Mino by the exit, but I can't.

I straighten when he walks out, a huge smile on his face. I wave at him, and he drops his luggage, running up to me. I laugh when he lifts me into his arms and twirls me around.

"Jennie," he murmurs, his lips dropping to mine. I stiffen involuntarily, unable to kiss him back.

"Hey," I murmur, pulling away. "How was your flight?"

He sighs and drops his forehead to mine. "I missed you, darling. It's been so long," he murmurs, and I hug him tightly.

"I missed you too," I whisper. This is probably exactly what I need, a reminder of everything I have and everything Mino and I have built, so I can stop focusing on what I lost. "Come on," I say, leading him to the car.

Mino whistles as I open the trunk for him. "Nice car. Your dad has great taste," he says, and I freeze. I should probably tell him that this is one of Lisa's cars, but I don't want to ruin Mino's mood.

"I can't wait to see the home you grew up in," he says. He grins as we drive off and leans into me. "And share your bed," he adds, his hand finding its way to my thigh.

I smile at him, but my heart twists painfully. I've never even shared that bed with Lisa. It seems weird somehow.

"How is your dad? Let's see him first before we do anything else."

I nod and bite down on my lip. I'd been planning on going straight to my old house, but realistically there's no way I can avoid taking Mino to Lisa's house, since that's where Dad is living now. "He has his ups and downs. He's doing quite well for the most part. It's good to be here with him. There's so much of his life I missed out on. So much I didn't know about."

I try to fill him in as best as I can on the drive back but find myself avoiding all mention of Lisa subconsciously. I'm wrecked with guilt, even though I haven't done anything wrong.

I'm nervous as we drive up to Lisa's gate. I remember the first time I saw it, and how imposing it all felt. I can't imagine how Mino might feel. He falls silent as the gate swings open, and he's tense as I park the car.

"This is where my Dad is staying," I say quietly.

He nods stiffly. "So, this is Lisa Manoban's house, huh?"

I nod and get out of the car, wanting to just get this over with already. Graham, Lisa's security guy, walks out and helps Mino with his luggage, and I can tell Mino feels intimidated. I feel bad somehow, and I don't know how to make him feel better.

We're both quiet as I lead him to Dad's treatment room, and Mino and I both freeze when we enter. Lisa is sitting in the seat next to Dad's, the two of them facing each other, both of them seemingly angry. They're glaring at each other, and neither one of their expressions improves when they turn to find Mino and me.

"Hey," I murmur, my eyes finding Lisa's. What is she doing here? Why isn't she at work?

Lisa rises from her seat and Mino straightens. I never realized that Lisa is half a head taller than Mino, and much wider.

"Minho, isn't it?" she says. She sounds polite, but her eyes are flashing dangerously.

Mino nods and shakes Lisa's hand. "Lisa Manoban," he murmurs. "It's an honor, truly."

Lisa nods and steps aside so Mino can greet Dad. I'm surprised to find Dad so lackluster. He's always so excited when Lisa comes home from work, yet Mino flew halfway across the world to visit him, and he acts like he's going to a doctor's visit. I cross my arms over each other and pin Dad down with a stare, and he smiles at Mino unconvincingly.

"What's going on?" I ask, my eyes moving from Dad to Lisa. Both shake their heads, and Dad crosses his arms over each other.

"You must be tired," Dad says, glancing at Mino.

Mino yawns right on cue and nods, looking sheepish. "It's been a fairly long journey," he says.

Dad nods. "Lisa will show you to your room."

I shake my head. "Oh, no, we were planning on staying at the house," I murmur.

Dad looks at me the way he used to when I was a teenager, and I suddenly feel like I'm in trouble.

"No. You'll stay here, with me," he says, his voice brooking no argument.

I glance at Mino and he sighs, nodding slightly. He steps closer to me and brushes my hair out of my face gently. "We're here to spend time with your dad, after all," he murmurs. He wraps his hand around my waist before turning to Lisa, a smile on his face. "Are you sure Jennie and I can stay here?" he asks, and I'm not even sure what I'm hoping for. Am I hoping she'll say yes, or no?

Lisa nods briskly, her eyes lingering on where Mino is touching me. "Of course," she says, her expression blank. "Your room has already been prepared."

I'm filled with so many emotions that I can't even make sense of as I follow Lisa, my eyes on her back. I'm filled with disappointment, anxiety and dread, when I should be excited to finally spend some time with Mino.