Chapter 13: Chapter 13

That evening, after the long day of meetings and negotiations, Lisa found herself sitting alone in her hotel room, staring out the window at the Berlin skyline.

The city lights twinkled in the distance, and the cool night air seeped in through a crack in the window, making her feel grounded and reflective.

She had come so far.

When she first started at Kim Industries, Lisa had been unsure of herself, fumbling her way through the chaos of corporate life, unsure if she’d ever find her footing.

But now? Now she was leading major projects, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the industry, and holding her own in rooms full of powerful people.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced down and saw a message from her dad.

Proud of you, Lisa. You’ve earned this. Looking forward to hearing all about Berlin.

Lisa smiled softly. Her dad had always been supportive, but it meant a lot more now, knowing she was truly stepping into her own.

She typed out a quick reply:  Thanks, Dad. Can’t wait to catch up.

As she set her phone down, Lisa leaned back on the bed, her mind drifting back to Jennie. It was funny despite how intimidating Jennie had been in the beginning, despite the way she had pushed Lisa to the brink of her confidence, Lisa couldn’t imagine having learned from anyone else.

Jennie had been tough, yes. But she had been right. And now, because of Jennie’s relentless drive for perfection, Lisa was stronger, more capable, and more confident than she had ever been.

There was a knock on the door, interrupting her thoughts. Lisa sat up, confused. She wasn’t expecting anyone.

She opened the door and was surprised to find Chaeyoung standing there, holding up two tickets to a local concert.

“Surprise! I heard you were in Berlin, so I flew in! Thought you could use a break.”

Lisa burst out laughing, pulling her friend into a hug. “You’re insane, you know that?”

Chaeyoung grinned. “I know. But you deserve a little fun. Come on, let’s go celebrate your first international deal.”

Lisa hesitated for a second, her mind flashing back to Jennie’s words: Stay focused.

But then she smiled. Jennie’s advice was always helpful, but there was also something to be said for balance.

“Alright,” Lisa said, grabbing her jacket. “Let’s go. I think I’ve earned it.”

---

The concert was loud, wild, and exactly what Lisa needed. For a few hours, she let herself get lost in the music, the energy of the crowd, and the thrill of being in a new city with one of her best friends. It was a rare break from the constant pressure of work, and Lisa soaked it all in.

After the concert, Lisa and Chaeyoung sat outside a small café, sipping on hot chocolates and chatting about everything and nothing.

“So,” Chaeyoung said, leaning back in her chair, “how does it feel? You’re basically running the show now.”

Lisa smiled, staring into her cup.

“It feels... good. Really good, actually. I never thought I’d get here, but now that I’m here, I feel like I can do anything.”

Chaeyoung nodded, a proud smile on her face. “And Jennie? How was it seeing her again?”

Lisa laughed. “Jennie’s the same as always. Cold, composed, terrifying. But I think she’s proud of me, in her own Jennie way.”

Chaeyoung grinned. “Of course she is. She’d never admit it, but you know she is.”

Lisa looked out at the quiet Berlin street, feeling a deep sense of contentment. She had come a long way, but there was still so much ahead of her. And for the first time in a long time, she wasn’t afraid of what was next.

Because no matter how tough things got, she knew she could handle it.

....

The next morning, after the concert and an evening filled with laughter and music, Lisa was back in work mode. The collaboration with Kim Industries on the European expansion had been solidified, but today, there was another unexpected meeting on her agenda one that hadn’t been part of the original plan.

She was going to meet Jisoo Kim, Jennie’s older sister.

Lisa had heard about Jisoo in passing but had never crossed paths with her before. Jisoo was rumored to be a powerhouse in her own right, running a successful venture capital firm that specialized in tech startups. She was known for being sharp, strategic, and charming in a way that was completely different from Jennie’s cold, calculated demeanor. While Jennie exuded a frosty perfectionism, Jisoo was more approachable or so Lisa had heard.

Still, that didn’t make Lisa any less nervous.

As Lisa entered the sleek, modern café where the meeting was scheduled, she immediately spotted Jisoo at a corner table.

Unlike Jennie, who always seemed to be in tailored business attire, Jisoo was dressed more casually, wearing a stylish leather jacket over a simple turtleneck, her long dark hair falling effortlessly around her shoulders.

Jisoo looked up from her phone and smiled warmly as Lisa approached, which immediately put her at ease. There was something about Jisoo’s demeanor that felt less intense than Jennie’s, but still, Lisa knew not to underestimate her.

“Lisa, right?” Jisoo said, standing to greet her. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow, surprised. “You have?”

Jisoo chuckled as they sat down. “Jennie may not be the most talkative person, but when she does bring someone up, it’s usually because they’re impressive.”

Lisa smiled, feeling a strange mix of pride and embarrassment. “I don’t know if Jennie would call me ‘impressive.’”

Jisoo tilted her head, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “Trust me, in Jennie’s world, if you’ve earned even a hint of her respect, you’ve done something right.”

Lisa laughed softly, trying to shake off the nerves that had been building up. “I guess that’s true. It’s hard to tell sometimes with her.

Jisoo smiled. “She’s always been that way. She’s all about results, not emotions. But that’s what makes her one of the best in the business.”

The waiter arrived, and they ordered coffees before diving into the reason for their meeting.

Lisa was curious about why Jisoo had reached out after all, she didn’t have much direct involvement with Kim Industries, and Lisa wasn’t in the startup space. But Jisoo had insisted on meeting, and now that they were face-to-face, Lisa couldn’t help but wonder what was coming next.

“So,” Jisoo began, stirring her coffee, “I hear you’re leading the Southeast Asia expansion. Congratulations, by the way. That’s a huge step.”

Lisa smiled, feeling more relaxed now. “Thanks. It’s been a lot, but I’m really excited about where it’s heading. We’ve made some great progress so far.”

Jisoo nodded thoughtfully. “That’s actually why I wanted to meet with you. I’ve been looking for someone to partner with on a new venture, and Jennie mentioned that you might be the perfect fit.”

Lisa blinked in surprise, her coffee cup pausing mid-air. “Wait....Jennie recommended me?”

Jisoo grinned. “Yeah, I was surprised too. But she said you were sharp, quick to adapt, and that you understand both the local and international markets in a way a lot of people don’t.”

Lisa felt a wave of disbelief wash over her. Jennie Kim, the same person who had barely given her more than a nod of approval after months of work, had recommended her for something? It didn’t seem possible. But then again, Jennie had a way of pushing people without ever giving them a full picture of how much she believed in them.

“What kind of venture are we talking about?” Lisa asked, leaning forward, now fully engaged.

Jisoo smiled, a little twinkle of excitement in her eyes.

“I’m working on a sustainable tech fund. We’re looking to invest in early-stage startups that focus on environmental impact, especially in emerging markets. Given your experience in Southeast Asia and your background in tech, I thought this could be a great opportunity for us to collaborate.”

Lisa’s mind raced. A venture capital project focused on sustainable tech? This was huge. She had been leading her family’s expansion project with a similar goal, but this would take things to an entirely new level. It wasn’t just about growing a business anymore...it was about investing in the future, shaping industries, and making a real impact.

“That sounds... incredible,” Lisa said, trying to process the opportunity in front of her.

“But how exactly would I fit into this? I’ve never done venture capital.”

Jisoo smiled, clearly anticipating the question.

“You wouldn’t be on the finance side that’s what my team handles. What I need is someone who understands the markets, who can identify the right startups, and who has the connections to get those projects off the ground. You’ve already proven you can do that with your work in Southeast Asia. I need someone who can bridge the gap between investment and execution.”

Lisa’s heart pounded in her chest. This wasn’t just a casual offer...it was a chance to build something from the ground up, to take her knowledge and use it in a whole new way. And the fact that Jennie had put her name forward? That made the offer even more surreal.

“I don’t even know what to say,” Lisa admitted, her voice a little shaky from the excitement. “This is... huge.”

Jisoo smiled warmly. “Take your time to think about it. I’m not asking for an answer right now. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate with the expansion, but if you’re interested, I’d love to explore this together.”

Lisa nodded, trying to remain calm despite the flood of emotions running through her. “I’ll definitely think about it. I mean, it’s an amazing opportunity. I’m just... processing.”

Jisoo leaned back in her chair, taking a sip of her coffee. “I understand. No pressure. But I have a feeling you’d be perfect for this.”

They continued chatting for a while longer, with Jisoo asking Lisa more about her work in Southeast Asia and the challenges she’d faced so far. The conversation flowed easily, and Lisa found herself enjoying Jisoo’s company. Jisoo was sharp, but there was a warmth to her that was completely different from Jennie’s intensity.

As they wrapped up the meeting, Jisoo stood and extended her hand. “It was great meeting you, Lisa. I hope we can work together soon.”

Lisa shook her hand, smiling. “I hope so too. Thanks for reaching out.”

Jisoo gave her one last nod before heading out of the café, leaving Lisa standing there, her mind still spinning from the offer.

---

That evening, Lisa found herself back in her hotel room, staring at the city lights outside her window. The day had been full of surprises, but the conversation with Jisoo had left her with a lot to think about.

A venture capital project? Partnering with Jisoo Kim to invest in sustainable tech startups? It felt like a dream ...something she never would have imagined herself doing just a year ago. But here she was, being offered a seat at the table.

Her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Jennie.

Heard you met with Jisoo today. How did it go?

Lisa smiled, quickly typing out a reply: It went really well. I’m still processing everything, but it’s an amazing opportunity.

Jennie’s response was short, but in typical Jennie fashion, it carried weight: Good. Don’t overthink it. You’re ready for this.

Lisa stared at the message for a moment, feeling the truth of Jennie’s words settle over her. She was ready. She had been preparing for this moment for a long time, even if she hadn’t realized it.

She took a deep breath, feeling the excitement and nervous energy blend into one.

Tomorrow, she’d dive back into the expansion project, focusing on her immediate responsibilities. But the idea of working with Jisoo of building something new, something impactful stayed with her.

The future was full of possibilities, and for the first time, Lisa felt like she could see the path clearly ahead of her.

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