4our

Jennie's POV

A couple of months had passed since the concert in Japan. My life had settled back into its usual rhythm—packed schedules, endless photoshoots, interviews, and rehearsals. To anyone on the outside, I was the same Jennie Kim, the untouchable IT girl of K-pop.

But inside, something was different.

I had convinced myself that the kiss with Lisa meant nothing. It was a fleeting moment, a mistake I had already moved past. That's what I told myself every time her face crept into my thoughts. I'd replayed that night so many times that it felt like a distant memory now, one that I was determined to bury.

Which is why I said yes when Kim Taehyung asked me out.

Taehyung was charming, confident, and one of the biggest names in the industry. We'd known each other for years, always circling around the idea of something more. When he'd casually suggested dinner one evening, I'd agreed without hesitation.

"Great," he'd said, flashing me that signature boxy smile. "I'll pick you up tomorrow."

The next night, I found myself sitting across from him at an exclusive restaurant in Gangnam. Taehyung was easy to talk to, his deep voice soothing as he recounted funny stories from his tours. I laughed at his jokes, sipped my wine, and let myself relax.

But every now and then, my mind wandered.

I caught myself comparing his smile to Lisa's—how Lisa's grin was lopsided, teasing, like she knew something you didn't.

Stop it, Jennie.

Taehyung reached across the table to brush a stray hair from my face. "You seem distracted," he said softly.

"I'm not," I lied, forcing a smile.

The date ended with him walking me to my car. He leaned in, his intentions clear, but I turned my head at the last second, letting his lips graze my cheek instead. He didn't seem offended, just smiled knowingly as if he had all the time in the world.

A week later, it was Kai's turn.

Kai was smoother than Taehyung, his confidence effortless. We met at a private lounge where he had arranged for a chef to prepare a custom menu just for us.

"You deserve the best," he'd said, his hand resting lightly on mine.

The food was incredible, the atmosphere intimate. Kai leaned closer as the night went on, his dark eyes fixed on mine.

"You're beautiful, you know that?" he murmured.

I smiled, but it didn't quite reach my eyes.

Because as much as I tried, I couldn't stop thinking about the kiss... Lisa.

I hated how her name lingered in the corners of my mind, how the memory of her touch still sent shivers down my spine. It wasn't fair. Lisa was gone, out of my life, a nobody who should've stayed that way.

And yet, here I was, unable to truly connect with two of the most eligible men in the industry.

After the date with Kai, I sat alone in my apartment, staring at the city lights outside my window. My phone buzzed with a text from Taehyung, followed by another from Kai. Both were kind, sweet, expressing their interest in seeing me again.

I should've felt flattered.

But all I felt was... hollow.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and leaned back, closing my eyes.

No matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, the truth was glaringly obvious.

I wasn't over Lisa Manoban.

And it was driving me crazy.

Sitting in my penthouse, I found myself staring blankly at my laptop. My schedule for the upcoming week was packed with back-to-back shoots and rehearsals, yet my mind was somewhere else—or rather, with someone else.

Lisa.

I hated this. I hated how she lingered in my thoughts, how her absence felt louder than her presence ever had. It wasn't fair. She was just an ex-assistant—a nobody. So why couldn't I let her go?

I needed a plan.

Something low-key, subtle. Something that wouldn't make it obvious how badly I wanted to see her again.

And then it hit me. Alison.

My most trusted assistant, Alison, was reliable to a fault, always by my side during my shoots and events. If she was "sick," Jisoo might suggest someone else to fill in temporarily. Someone like Lisa.

I picked up my phone and dialed Alison's number.

"Jennie? What's up?" she answered, her voice curious.

"Alison, I need a favor," I said, keeping my tone casual. "But this has to stay between us, okay? No one can know, not even Jisoo."

"Of course, Jennie. What's going on?"

"I need you to call Jisoo and tell her you're sick," I explained. "Just for a week. Say you can't work, but don't worry—I'll pay you for the time off. Consider it a vacation."

There was a brief silence on the other end. "Jennie, I'm not sick," Alison said hesitantly.

"I know, but I need you to pretend," I pressed. "It's important. Trust me on this."

After a moment, Alison sighed. "Okay, if you say so. But this better not blow up in my face."

"It won't," I assured her. "Just make the call. I'll handle the rest."

About thirty minutes later, my phone buzzed.

It was Jisoo.

"Jennie, Alison just called me," Jisoo said, sounding concerned. "She said she's sick and can't work for the next week. Should I take over her duties for now?"

"No, Jisoo," I said quickly. "You're already handling so much. We need someone else to step in."

Jisoo hesitated. "I don't know anyone else who can do Alison's job on such short notice."

This was it. My moment.

"What about Lisa?" I suggested, trying to sound nonchalant. "She's done it before. She knows how things work."

"Lisa?" Jisoo echoed, clearly surprised.

"Yes," I said firmly. "She was good at her job, wasn't she? Call her. See if she's available."

Jisoo paused for a moment before replying, "Okay, I'll give her a call. But are you sure? I mean, after what happened—"

"Jisoo," I interrupted, keeping my tone steady. "Just call her."

"Alright, I'll let you know what she says," Jisoo agreed before hanging up.

I let out a slow breath, my heart racing.

Step one of the plan was in motion. Now, all I could do was wait.

I barely had time to put my phone down before it started buzzing again. Jisoo's name flashed across the screen.

"Hello?" I answered impatiently.

"Jennie," Jisoo began hesitantly, "I called Lisa, but... she said no. She doesn't want the job."

For a second, I thought I'd misheard her. "She said no?"

"Yes," Jisoo replied cautiously. "She said she's too busy and doesn't want to take on extra work right now."

The irritation simmering beneath my skin erupted. "If Lisa doesn't want the job, then maybe you should find another job, Jisoo. Because you better call her back and make her agree. Do it now!" I snapped, hanging up before she could respond.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and paced the room, seething.

How dare she?

I'm Jennie Kim, the Jennie Kim. The IT girl. The face of K-pop. People would give their left arm just to be in the same room as me, and she had the audacity to decline a job that would put her in my orbit every day?

I could feel my blood boiling.

Lisa Manoban. That nobody. That... infuriating, mysterious, too-cool-for-her-own-good assistant-turned-dancer-turned-nuisance. Who did she think she was?

"She's lucky I'm even considering her for this," I muttered aloud, my voice sharp and bitter.

I replayed Jisoo's words in my head. Too busy? Doing what? Hustling through her minimum-wage jobs? She should be grateful I'm even entertaining the idea of her stepping back into my world.

I clenched my fists, my mind a whirlwind of curses.

Damn you, Lisa Manoban. Damn you and your infuriating nonchalance. Damn you for acting like you're above this.

The more I thought about it, the more livid I became. I hated how she made me feel. Hated how her refusal stung in a way it shouldn't.

"No one says no to Jennie Kim," I hissed under my breath. "No one."

And yet, here she was. Lisa. The girl who turned her back on an opportunity to work with me again.

I collapsed onto the couch, running a hand through my hair in frustration.

Fine. If Lisa didn't want to be a part of my world, then I'd make sure she regretted it. One way or another, she wouldn't forget my name—or the fact that I don't take no for an answer.

---

Lisa's POV

The steady rhythm of the bar was comforting in its chaos. Glasses clinked, conversations buzzed, and the faint hum of pop music played in the background. My hands worked quickly, pouring drinks and wiping down the counter, lost in the familiar routine.

"Lisa!"

I turned to see Jisoo sliding onto a barstool at the far end of the counter. Her expression was somewhere between apologetic and determined.

I sighed, already bracing myself for whatever nonsense she'd bring up this time. "What are you doing here, Jisoo?"

"I need to talk to you," she said, leaning forward.

"I'm working," I replied, gesturing to the crowded bar. "Talk later."

"It's important."

I rolled my eyes, finishing a cocktail and sliding it to a waiting customer. "It's always important with you."

"This time, it really is!" Jisoo insisted.

Before I could reply, a group of girls sidled up to the bar, giggling and whispering as they glanced in my direction.

"Hey," one of them said, leaning closer than necessary. "Can we get a couple of mojitos? And maybe your number while you're at it?"

I smirked, grabbing the ingredients for their drinks. "Mojitos, I can do. My number? Sorry, that's off the menu."

They laughed, exchanging glances, while I focused on muddling mint leaves. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jisoo glaring at them.

"Can't you see she's busy?" Jisoo snapped.

The girls gave her an unimpressed once-over but didn't push further. I slid their drinks across the counter, flashing them a polite smile.

"Enjoy."

As they walked away, Jisoo leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "You could've at least pretended to be interested. Might've gotten a bigger tip."

I chuckled. "I'm not that desperate."

"Not yet, anyway," she muttered under her breath, earning a glare from me.

"What do you want, Jisoo?" I asked, pouring another drink.

"It's about Jennie," she began, and I groaned.

"No."

"You don't even know what I'm going to say!"

"I know enough," I shot back. "If it's about being her assistant again, my answer's the same as before. I'm not doing it."

Jisoo huffed, crossing her arms. "Why not? It's just for a week, and the pay's good!"

"I have enough on my plate as it is," I said, gesturing to the bustling bar. "I don't have time to play assistant to a diva."

"She's not—" Jisoo stopped herself, shaking her head. "Okay, fine, maybe she is. But it's easy work. Just follow her around, carry her stuff, and look intimidating. You're good at that."

"Flattering," I said dryly. "But no."

Jisoo groaned dramatically, slumping against the counter. "Come on, Lisa. Please? Jennie's assistant is 'sick,' and she really needs someone. She even suggested you herself."

I paused, a flicker of surprise running through me. "She suggested me?"

"Yes!" Jisoo said eagerly. "That has to mean something, right?"

"It means she's desperate," I muttered, shaking my head. "And so are you, if you came all the way here to beg me."

Jisoo reached across the counter, grabbing my arm. "Lisa, please. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important. You know I'd cover for you if I could, but Jennie insisted I stick to my own job."

I pulled my arm free, giving her a flat look. "I said no, Jisoo. I'm not doing it."

She sighed, dropping her head onto the counter. "You're so stubborn."

"Pot, meet kettle," I retorted, earning a weak laugh from her.

Another group of customers approached, and I turned to serve them, grateful for the temporary distraction. But even as I worked, I could feel Jisoo's eyes on me, her silent plea hanging in the air.

When I finally finished, I leaned back against the counter, arms crossed. "Why do you care so much, anyway?"

"Because I know you could use the money," she said quietly. "And because I don't want to see you struggling any more than you already are."

Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I looked away, focusing on a stain on the counter.

"It's just a week, Lisa," she continued. "You can handle anything for a week. And if it helps you get ahead, even just a little, isn't it worth it?"

I sighed, scrubbing a hand through my hair. "Fine. I'll think about it."

Jisoo's face lit up. "Really?"

"Think about it," I repeated firmly. "No promises."

"That's good enough for me," she said, grinning.

I shook my head, a faint smile tugging at my lips despite myself. Jisoo might be annoying, but she had a way of wearing me down.

As she babbled on about logistics and schedules, I couldn't help but wonder what I was getting myself into. Something told me working for Jennie Kim, even for a week, wouldn't be as simple as Jisoo made it sound.

--

It was nearly 3 a.m. by the time I hung up my apron and stepped out of the bar into the crisp night air. The streets were quiet, the usual chaos of the city dulled by the late hour. To my surprise, Jisoo was still waiting outside, sitting on a bench under a dim streetlamp.

"You're still here?" I asked, walking over to her.

She looked up, her face illuminated by the soft glow. "Of course. I wasn't going to let you walk home alone this late."

I gave her a small smile, touched despite myself. "You're too good to me, you know that?"

"Someone has to be," she teased, standing up and falling into step beside me as we began the walk to my apartment.

The silence between us was comfortable, broken only by the occasional sound of our footsteps on the pavement. The city felt different at this hour—calmer, almost serene.

"So," Jisoo said after a while, "did you think about it?"

I sighed, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets. "Yeah. I did."

"And?"

"And the answer's still no," I said, glancing at her. "I'm sorry, Jisoo."

She stopped walking, turning to face me. "Lisa, come on. It's just a week. You're telling me you really can't do this?"

"It's not that I can't," I said, my voice steady. "I just... don't want to."

"Why not?" she asked, exasperated. "Is it Jennie? Did something happen between you two?"

I hesitated, my mind flashing back to that kiss—the way her lips had felt against mine, the heat of the moment, and the way she'd stormed out afterward.

"No," I said finally. "Nothing happened."

Jisoo studied me, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You're lying."

"I'm not," I insisted, avoiding her gaze. "I just don't think it's a good idea for me to work for her again."

"Lisa," she said softly, her tone shifting. "I know you're struggling. I know you need the money. This could help you, even if it's just a little. Why are you so against it?"

I stopped walking, turning to face her. "Because I don't want her—or anyone else—knowing more about me than they already do. My life is messy, Jisoo. Complicated. I can't have someone like Jennie Kim poking around in it."

Jisoo frowned, her concern evident. "Lisa, she's not going to—"

"She's curious," I interrupted, my voice sharper than I intended. "People like her always are. And curiosity leads to questions, and questions lead to answers I'm not ready to give."

Jisoo was silent for a moment, then she sighed. "You're really set on this, huh?"

"Yeah," I said quietly. "I am."

She nodded, though she looked far from happy. "Alright. I'll let her know."

"Thank you," I said, relief washing over me.

We continued walking in silence, the weight of the conversation hanging between us. When we reached my apartment building, Jisoo stopped and turned to me.

"For what it's worth," she said, "I think you're making a mistake. But I get it. And I'll back you up, no matter what."

I smiled, grateful for her support even when we didn't see eye to eye. "Thanks, Jisoo. That means a lot."

"Yeah, yeah," she said, waving me off. "Go get some sleep. You look like you need it."

I laughed, unlocking the door. "Goodnight, Jisoo."

"Goodnight, Lisa," she called as I disappeared inside.

As I climbed the stairs to my tiny apartment, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. I knew Jisoo was only trying to help, but I had to draw the line somewhere. Working for Jennie again—being that close to her—felt like walking into a trap I wasn't sure I'd escape unscathed.

And I'd already had enough scars to last a lifetime.

I shut the door to my tiny apartment and leaned against it, exhaling deeply. The silence inside was deafening, broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the muffled sounds of the city outside. The night had been exhausting, and I should've been crawling into bed, ready to pass out.

But my mind had other plans.

Jennie Kim.

Her name alone sent a shiver down my spine. It had been months since that night—the night I let my stupidity take the wheel and kissed her like my life depended on it. I'd tried to block it out, to convince myself it wasn't a big deal. But every time I closed my eyes, it came rushing back.

The way her lips felt soft but commanding against mine. The way her body trembled, just a little, before she surrendered to the kiss. The taste of her—a mix of cherry lipstick and something sweeter, something uniquely Jennie.

I groaned, running a hand down my face. "You're an idiot, Lisa."

What was I even thinking that night? I'd known her for less than 48 hours, and somehow, I'd decided it was a good idea to pin her against a wall and kiss her like I'd been starving for years.

Which, honestly, I probably had been—but that wasn't the point.

The point was, I'd crossed a line.

And now, Jennie hated me. That much was clear. Why else would she have fired me on the spot and demanded that I leave? She probably wanted nothing to do with me, and I couldn't blame her.

But then Jisoo had called, asking me to take the job again. Was this her way of getting revenge? Was she planning to humiliate me somehow? Or was she just trying to remind me how far beneath her I was—just a nobody with three part-time jobs and a pile of debt, barely scraping by?

I shook my head, pacing the room. "Stop it, Lisa. You're overthinking."

But I couldn't stop.

The way her waist fit perfectly under my hands haunted me. It wasn't just that it felt right; it was like it had been made for me to hold. And the look in her eyes after I kissed her—it wasn't just anger. There was something else there, something I couldn't quite place.

I sank onto the edge of my bed, burying my face in my hands. "You're crazy," I muttered. "You barely know her, and you're obsessing like she's some great love story."

Maybe she was.

"No," I said aloud, shaking my head. "She's not. She's Jennie Kim, and she's untouchable. End of story."

But it wasn't the end. Not for me.

Because no matter how much I tried to convince myself otherwise, the truth was that Jennie had left a mark on me. A mark that wouldn't fade, no matter how many late-night shifts I worked or how many hours I spent avoiding the memory of her lips on mine.

I sighed, lying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling. I'd made a mistake—one that I couldn't take back.

And now, I had to live with it.

Even if it meant spending the rest of my life wondering what could've been if I hadn't been so stupid that night.