Chapter 1

Jennie almost had a break down on the way to the ICU of Samsung Medical Center. She was there because her father had a heart attack. It was so sudden and her mother called her right away. Mrs. Kim haven't told her about the reason why he had a sudden heart attack yet.

"J-Jennie?" It was her mother's voice who just went out of the ICU room.

"Mom? How is he?"

Mrs. Kim Shiyeon led her to an empty bench.

"The doctor said that he's stable for now. And they will transfer him to a private room."

She should've been feeling relieve but by looking at her mother's face she knew that she still have something to tell her.

"M-Mom, what is it? What did the doctor said?" she ask nervously. Ever since she's a daddy's little girl. Of course she loves her mother but she was more closer to her father.

"Your father's attack was fatal. It's a miracle that he survived. But the doctor said that they couldn't predict what will be the effect of that attack on him. His brain is normal, but they can't tell for sure since he still haven't regained consciousness. They said he can be paralyzed!"

Her face turned pale. But she tried to hide her fear as her mother was looking at her. It wouldn't be good for the both of them to be weak at this point of time.

"Mom, that was just what the doctors had said. They're also not sure about it, right?"

Mrs. Kim broke down. "I...I'm sorry, baby. I should be strong for you. B-But I just can't help it. I'm so scared for your father."

She also couldn't manage to speak as her emotions overcome her.

Jennie knew how much her mother loves her father Mr. Kim Dongwan. Since she was a little Mrs. Kim always tells her a story about how her father was her mother's soulmate. And that she knew he was her other half even before she met him personally. There was no extraordinary in her parents love story. Her Daddy was a mechanical engineer in Japan. While her mother is a teacher here in Korea. They became pen pals through a common friend. Her Daddy courted her Mom with his letters. And her mother said yes to him through her letters as well. The two became couples even though they've only seen each other with the photos they sent to each other. The two got married when Kim Dongwan returned to Korea.

"D-Don't worry, Mom. Everything will be all right. L-Let's pray to God that he'll be fine."

She embraced her mother tightly and prayed that everything will be all right with her father. The two women stayed there in silence while praying.

"What happened, Mom. Why did Daddy had an attack?"

For two weeks, she had been living with her cousin Nayeon because she was planning to build her own Montessori school and she was looking for a good location for it. And it just happen that their other cousin Ye-eun who traveled from Jeju also came. So it became their bonding moment since it's been awhile when they last saw each other.

She was about to leave her cousin's house to meet with her friend when she received a call from her mother. She hurriedly went back to Incheon.

"I...I don't really know, Jennie. He was so mad when he went back home last night. He says someone deceived him. It's the first time I saw him like that. He even yelled at me when I asked him." Mrs. Kim shook her head. "I don't know what his problem is. And that's what's bothering me more."

The younger Kim held her hand. "Don't worry, Mom. Whatever it is, we will face it together."

She wanted to believe that they could surpass the problem as a family. But the fear was still present in her heart.

Jennie grew up with everything secured. Among her cousins she grew up living in the higher ups than them. They were not filthy rich but they could afford luxuries because their restaurant business was very progressive. And her parents manage to established a two storey townhouse on a three hundred square meters lot in a exclusive subdivision in Namdong District.

Her parents had been very protective of her especially her father since she's an only child. She's not naive on how life works, but she never once experienced hard life eversince. Every thing is sailing smoothly for her because they shielded her in any problem possible. If ever she had problems before it's as superficial as what to wear in a party or how to remove a growing pimple on her forehead overnight.

Even though she was overprotected  she did not grew up as a wimp. She had a freedom to do whatever she wants. But she was not a risk taker like her cousin Nayeon. But she was also strong willed. If her Mommy was right on what she told her about her father, then this is the very first time that she will face a hard problem.

Jennie took a deep breath. She didn't know what will happen tomorrow.

"Dude!"  Jisoo immediately pulled the curtains closed on one of the cubicle inside the emergency room where Lisa currently is. "We're doomed. Your grandmother is coming here."

"What?" Lisa winced in pain when she tried to get up. Even the nurse who was putting a gauze on her wound got surprised with her sudden movement. "How did she know? I thought no one saw us there?"

Jisoo scratched the back of her head. "I also have no idea."

She spit a cursed.

"Miss, I haven't finished putting the bandage on your wound please stay put." says the nurse who was obviously flirting with her. She cursed again before lying down on the bed. She won't be able to avoid her grandmother's wrath. Might as well have her wound covered before she sees the huge cut on her waist which needed twenty five stitches.

Her head was throbbing due to consuming a lot of alcoholic drinks. And she's just enduring the pain on her wound since the anaesthesia didn't seem to work on her with the spirit of the alcohol still present in her system. She refused to take the pain reliever the doctor gave her.

"Halmeonim, will surely kill us." says Jisoo before slumping down the chair near the bed. "It's your fault. Did you really have to step in the line and fight with that idiot?"

"Don't blame me. That jerk was bullying his girlfriend!"

"And you have to come to rescue her like a knight in shining armor!" Jisoo replied sarcastically. "Great! And all you've got is a nice cut on your side and the impending wrath of Queen Elizabeth herself!" she continued which made Lisa laugh.

"But I got her number." Lisa said while grinning. The woman who was sitting almost jumped out from the chair.

"Heol. Jinjja?! Daebak! You really had it in you, Dude!" Jisoo commented while shaking her head.

"Well... you just don't trust me with these stuffs."

Finally, the nurse finished putting the bandage on Lisa's sides. The nurse was sporting a flirtatious smile when she stares at her. Lisa smiled back at her which made the nurse giggle.

"Lalisa Manoban!"

The three women turn their heads towards the voice coming from the parted curtains of the cubicle. Mrs. Davika Manoban went inside angrily. The old woman was known as the matriarch of Manoban family, a high class socialite, the strict and no-nonsense CEO of Manoban Group of Companies, and unfortunately, her grandmother! Lisa groaned. With the age of seventy one she's still look strong. The old woman's face was like a smoking fire dragon. The nurse even excused herself from fear. Even Jisoo got up from the chair, standing straight and looking like she's waiting for the general's command.

"What kind of a mess did you get yourself into again, Lisa?"

"Ah... uh, Halmeonim, I-It's just.."

Davika just stared at her granddaughter's friend. And she already look like a little child who got scolded. She winced then looked at Lisa hesitantly.

"Leave us!"

Jisoo just motioned at her before she went out of the cubicle in a hurry along with the two thugs who happen to be her grandmother's bodyguard.

She sat up from the bed not minding the stinging pain from her wound.

"It's just a small fight, Halmeoni."

"A small fight? You call that a small fight? You almost got yourself stabbed!" Davika shouted. "I talk to the doctor and she said that if the knife went deeper it would've hit your kidney!"

"I didn't started it. I just helped. Jisoo unnie can attest to that. And besides, that guy is already inside the jail!"

"I don't know what to do with you anymore. When will you grow up, Lisa?"

There was irritation with the widow's tone. Lisa wanted to roll her eyes upward. If ever her grandmother was worried about her, the irritation is much higher because she interrupted the old woman's time with her mess. And even if she didn't want to, she felt that familiar ache in her heart.

"Halmeoni, I'm twenty four years old. I'm already a grown up. And besides, it's only natural that I'm involved with brawl sometimes."

"Sometimes? My God, Lisa! I wouldn't be in hysteria like this if what you're saying is true. Why don't you just try and stop being a playgirl some time, huh? Then maybe you wouldn't be in this situation!"

She gave a sarcastic laugh. "Will you just stop it, nothing bad has happened to me. And don't act as if you care because you really don't! At least, not for me."

Though she didn't want to she still sounded like resentful with her last words.

"How could you say that!"

She stared at her grandmother.

"Why? It's the truth, isn't it? You're just like Mom. You care about your empire, your business, but never about me. I can't even understand why you have to waste your time coming here."

She saw the old woman's face turn red and gasps. But like the other times Davika quickly got back to her composure. She smiled bitterly.

Her grandmother was a cold and callous woman. She's just like her parents. She took care of her when she was ten years old, when her mother left her just a few days after her father's death. Maybe she was just forced to take her. Just like what her mother did, the old woman always leave her on the hands of the babysitter.

Atleast, she didn't treat her bad. Davika showered her with all the wealth and luxuries money can afford. It's just that a ten years old her didn't need any of those. She needed love and guidance. And she needed answers. With all the questions why she's living a life like that. Why no one wanted to spend some time with her. She wanted to know what was wrong with her. Why her family doesn't like her.

But as she grew older still no one gave her answers. Until she got tired of hoping. If they don't like her, then she doesn't need any one of them.

Lisa grew up as rebel without a cause. Even she didn't know what she wanted to accomplish by being like that. She just happen to like living that way. She enjoys the company of other people. She found solace in noisy bars. And she craved for the attention that other people gives her.

"What do you want me to do, Lisa? What do you really want? Why do you always do these things?"

She remained silent. Even if she tells her she wouldn't understand. They would end up having a much longer discussion.

"Lalisa.... Lisa." The old woman went to her and held her arm. "I'm old. And you are the only heiress who would inherit all of our properties and businesses. You need to get your acts straight! It's embarrassing that people might..."

Lisa sneered. See what really concerns her grandmother more about. She finally spoke about her real intentions.

"I don't need your money. Find someone else who's interested!"

"Lalisa!" She ignored her grandmother. She lie down again. Slightly winced when her wound ached. "Whatever you say, you can't deny your birthright, Lisa! You're a Manoban! Remember that."

She cursed inwardly. "Okay, fine!" She answered languidly.

She should be happy. The Manoban fortune is no joke. And since her Dad is an only child, and she is an only child, all of the billions's of their family will go to her.

"I don't really want to do this, Lisa. But this time I don't have any other choice but to restrain you."

"If you want to my block my bank accounts and all of my credit cards, go ahead! Do what you want to do!"

The older woman scoffed. "You need someone to look after you. I'll find someone to do that."

Like always, she will pass the responsibility of taking care of her to other people.

"Oh, come on, Halmeoni! I'm already twenty four years old!"

"Then start acting like one!" Davika shouted in frustration.

Lisa chose not to react. She may not like her grandmother, but she still has a respect for her as an elder. And another thing is that, it's tiring to have arguments with her. Well, at least, for now.

They both have that stubborn streak like two rocks bumping against each other. But for now she will let her win.

"Okay, fine. You do whatever you want to do!" she answered in a bored manner.

"You should rest. We'll talk about this again when you get discharged. I'm going." she turns to the way out.

"You're not going to stay and watch over me?"

For a moment, Davika stilled but did not turn to face her.

"I brought one of our housekeepers here, she's outside and she will watch over you. I've already arranged a private suite for you."

Lisa gritted her teeth. She felt daggers slicing her. Why does she have keep on hoping that someday her grandmother would make her feel important. She will only end up feeling disappointed.

Feeling angry, she just shuts her eyes closed tightly.

______

Hello, I'm back with a new story. Hope you'll like it