Chapter 28: Chapter 28

Weeks had passed since Lisa had finally stopped running from her feelings for Jennie, and now, the office felt lighter than ever. Seulgi and Irene were cautiously exploring their budding relationship, and Chaeyoung and Jisoo were officially an item—though Lisa would never admit she had a hand in those particular unions (not too loudly, at least). Everything seemed to be falling into place.

But the latest development in Lisa's life wasn’t one she could joke her way out of.

Her father had finally decided it was time to step down from his company, and, as expected, he had chosen Lisa to take over the family business. It wasn’t a surprise. Lisa had always known this day would come, but now that it was staring her in the face, she felt... uncertain. She was the office jester, the one who kept things light, but stepping into her father’s shoes was a whole different game. A serious game.

Still, if there was one thing Lisa knew, it was that she was never truly “serious” for long.

---

One Friday morning, Lisa strolled into the office with a confident smile, but Jennie noticed the faint tension in her shoulders immediately. Lisa had been on edge ever since the conversation with her father. While she hadn’t outwardly shown it, Jennie could see the weight of her future pressing on her.

Jennie didn’t say anything at first, letting Lisa ease into the day. It wasn’t until they found themselves in Jennie’s office later that morning that Jennie decided to push just a little.

“So,” Jennie started, her voice casual but probing, “when’s the big day?”

Lisa blinked, caught off guard. “Big day?”

Jennie smiled, leaning against her desk. “You know—the day. When you take over your father’s company.”

Lisa hesitated, “Oh. That.”

Jennie’s eyes softened as she studied Lisa’s face. “You’re nervous.”

Lisa let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as she sat down across from Jennie. “Nervous? Me? Nah. Just, you know... trying to figure out how to run an entire company without turning it into one giant circus.”

Jennie chuckled, walking around the desk to sit beside Lisa. “You’ll be fine. You’ve been managing this expansion project like a pro. It’s not that different.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow, giving Jennie a playful look. “I don’t know, Jennie. You’ve seen how I run things. Imagine me as a CEO. The entire office would be doing karaoke by lunchtime.”

Jennie smiled, reaching out to take Lisa’s hand. “And honestly? That might not be the worst thing in the world.”

Lisa chuckled, squeezing Jennie’s hand. “Yeah, I’m sure my dad would love that.”

Jennie’s expression softened as she leaned in, her voice gentle. “You’ll find your own way to lead, Lisa. You don’t have to be your father. You just have to be you.”

Lisa looked at Jennie for a long moment, letting the reassurance sink in. Jennie always had a way of calming her, of reminding her that she was more capable than she gave herself credit for.

“I guess,” Lisa said, leaning back in her chair. “But running a company? That’s a whole different ball game.”

Jennie smirked. “True. But you love a challenge, don’t you?”

Lisa sighed, the tension easing from her shoulders as Jennie’s words worked their magic. “Yeah, I do.”

---

That afternoon, Lisa found herself at a lunch meeting with her father. They were sitting in a quiet corner of an upscale restaurant, discussing the transition in more detail. Her father, ever the stern businessman, was going over financial reports, strategic plans, and everything Lisa would need to know as she stepped into the role.

But while her father spoke, Lisa’s mind wandered.

Could she really do this? Could she take over her father’s company and run it the way he expected? The way she wanted to?

As if sensing her distraction, her father paused mid-sentence and looked at her over the rim of his glasses.

“Lisa,” he said, his voice firm but not unkind. “Are you listening?”

Lisa snapped back to attention, giving him a sheepish grin. “Sorry, Dad. Just... processing.”

Her father studied her for a moment, then set the reports aside. “I know this is a big responsibility. But you’ve been preparing for this your whole life.”

Lisa nodded slowly. “Yeah, I know. It’s just... I’m not you, Dad. I don’t run things the way you do.”

Her father’s expression softened—something Lisa rarely saw. “You don’t have to be me, Lisa. I didn’t choose you to take over because I expect you to do things exactly as I would. I chose you because you have something this company needs: creativity, energy, and the ability to connect with people. You’re not a carbon copy of me, and that’s a good thing.”

Lisa blinked, surprised by his words. “Really? I thought you wanted me to follow your footsteps exactly.”

Her father chuckled, shaking his head. “No, Lisa. I built this company my way. Now, it’s your turn to take it forward—your way.”

Lisa felt the knot in her stomach loosen slightly. “So... karaoke by lunchtime isn’t off the table?”

Her father gave her a look, though there was a faint smile on his face. “Maybe ease into that.”

Lisa laughed, the weight of the conversation lifting as her father’s support finally settled in.

---

Later that day, back in the office, Lisa felt lighter. The looming pressure of taking over her father’s company still lingered, but it didn’t feel as suffocating as it had before. She was starting to see how she could make it her own—how she could lead with her unique brand of humor, energy, and, yes, a little bit of chaos.

As she sat at her desk, sorting through some emails, Seulgi and Irene wandered into her office, deep in conversation. Lisa grinned as soon as she saw them.

“Well, well, well,” Lisa said, leaning back in her chair. “Look who it is—my two favorite almost-power couple.”

Seulgi groaned, but Irene just smiled. “Still pushing that narrative, huh?”

Lisa smirked. “Always. But enough about you two—how’s it feel knowing you’re about to work for the new CEO of the Manoban empire?”

Seulgi raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You mean you?”

Lisa nodded dramatically. “Yes, me. Soon, I’ll be running my dad’s company, and when I’m not in the boardroom making million-dollar decisions, I’ll be instating mandatory karaoke Fridays.”

Irene chuckled. “Sounds like a blast.”

Lisa grinned. “Oh, trust me, it will be. But seriously, I’m about to be a CEO. Can you imagine? Me, Lisa, in charge of a whole company? It’s going to be chaos.”

Seulgi shook her head, though there was a smile on her face. “You’ll be fine, Lisa. If anyone can pull off running a company with karaoke and charm, it’s you.”

Lisa pretended to think. “You know what? You’re right. I am going to be an amazing CEO. Maybe I’ll even put a karaoke machine in the break room for emergencies.”

Irene laughed. “Emergencies only, huh?”

Lisa winked. “Exactly. Because sometimes, the only way to solve a business crisis is with a killer rendition of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’”

Seulgi rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide her grin. “Well, when you’re CEO, I expect VIP treatment.”

“Done,” Lisa said with a flourish. “You’ll have your own karaoke mic with your name engraved on it.”

As Seulgi and Irene laughed their way out of the office, Lisa sat back in her chair, feeling more at ease than she had in weeks. Sure, taking over her father’s company was a massive responsibility, but with a little humor—and a lot of determination—she knew she could do it.

.....

The next few weeks flew by in a whirlwind of meetings, training sessions, and endless emails. Lisa was officially transitioning into her new role as CEO of her father’s company, and while the pressure was mounting, she was determined to make the position her own. But, of course, Lisa wasn’t going to let the corporate world stifle her signature style.

Every boardroom meeting? Injected with just the right amount of humor. Every strategy session? A mix of creative ideas and the occasional playful comment. And, true to her promise, she was still Lisa—funny, charming, and more than a little unpredictable.

But beneath the jokes, she was serious about this new chapter of her life. She wanted to make her father proud, but more importantly, she wanted to run the company in her own unique way. Balancing the two wasn’t going to be easy, but since when had Lisa backed down from a challenge?

---

One Tuesday morning, Lisa strolled into her new office at Manoban Enterprises, a far cry from the familiar workspaces she’d grown used to. The sprawling glass windows offered a panoramic view of the city, and the sleek modern design was a reminder of just how far her father’s company had come. But for Lisa, the office was missing one crucial thing.

“Too stuffy,” she muttered to herself, glancing around. “Needs... more me.”

After making a mental note to add some personal flair to the space—perhaps a neon sign that read “Let’s Get Weird” above her desk—Lisa sat down and glanced at her packed schedule. Meetings with the finance team, the operations department, a lunch with investors, and a strategy session for the new product line. It was all very serious, very corporate.

Lisa smirked to herself. They didn’t know what they were in for.

---

Later that morning, as Lisa was preparing for her first major board meeting, she received a text from Jennie.

Jennie: How’s the first day as The Boss?

Lisa grinned, immediately typing back.

Lisa: Boring. Too many suits and not enough fun. I think I’m going to order beanbags for the boardroom.

Jennie: Beanbags?

Lisa: Obviously. Gotta keep things chill. Maybe a popcorn machine, too.

Jennie: Oh, sure. Nothing screams “CEO” like beanbags and popcorn. Very professional.

Lisa: I know, right? It’s called innovation.

Lisa chuckled to herself, feeling a little lighter. Jennie always had a way of grounding her, and though they hadn’t seen each other as much lately due to Lisa’s new responsibilities, their texts kept things playful and easy.

But now wasn’t the time for distractions. The board meeting was about to start, and Lisa needed to put her game face on.

---

The boardroom was everything Lisa had expected: intimidating, formal, and filled with seasoned executives who were all far too serious for her liking. As Lisa walked in, heads turned, and a few of the older board members gave her looks of skepticism. She could practically hear their thoughts: Can she really run this company?

Lisa cleared her throat and flashed her best smile. “Good morning, everyone.”

The room responded with a few mumbled greetings, and Lisa took her seat at the head of the table—her father’s seat. But it was hers now, and she had every intention of owning it.

The meeting kicked off with the CFO diving into the quarterly financials, his voice a monotone drone that made Lisa’s eyelids feel heavy. She glanced at the projected numbers and tried to stay focused, but the corporate lingo and dull presentation were starting to grate on her nerves. She needed to shake things up.

When the CFO finished, Lisa leaned forward, her fingers tapping the table thoughtfully. “Alright, solid numbers,” she said, her voice casual but commanding enough to catch everyone’s attention. “But I want to talk about how we’re presenting this to our teams. People need to be excited about these results, not falling asleep halfway through the presentation.”

A few of the board members exchanged confused glances, but Lisa pressed on, undeterred.

“We need to engage the team,” she continued. “Make them feel like they’re part of something bigger, not just crunching numbers in a vacuum. Maybe we turn these results into an event. Get people involved, share successes, throw in some surprises to boost morale.”

The COO, an older man with a furrowed brow, spoke up. “An event? You mean... like a party?”

Lisa grinned. “Why not? People work better when they’re excited. I’m not saying we throw a rave, but we need to inject some energy into this place.”

A murmur of uncertainty rippled through the room, but one of the younger board members—someone Lisa had met only briefly—spoke up.

“I actually like the idea,” she said, her tone thoughtful. “It’s unconventional, but it could boost engagement.”

Lisa shot her a grateful look. “Exactly. If we want people to put their best into this company, we need to give them something to be excited about. Let’s shake off the dust and start innovating, not just in our products, but in how we manage our people.”

The room fell into silence, the older members clearly unsure about Lisa’s unconventional approach. But Lisa didn’t mind. She wasn’t here to play it safe. She was here to lead in her own way.

---

Later that afternoon, Lisa found herself back in her office, still buzzing from the energy of the board meeting. She knew she’d thrown them for a loop, but that was exactly what she’d intended. If she was going to take over this company, she wasn’t going to do it by sticking to the same old routines.

As she sat at her desk, her phone buzzed with another message from Jennie.

Jennie: How did the board meeting go? Did you pull out the beanbag idea?

Lisa laughed, typing back quickly.

Lisa: Not yet. But I did suggest a party to boost morale. Got some very interesting reactions.

Jennie: I can only imagine. You really know how to shake things up, don’t you?

Lisa: Always. They don’t know what’s coming.

Jennie: I’m proud of you, Lisa. You’re making it your own, just like you said you would.

Lisa smiled at the message, feeling a warmth in her chest. Jennie had been her biggest supporter through all of this, and knowing she was still cheering her on gave Lisa the confidence she needed.

Lisa: Thanks, Jen. I might need you to remind me of that when I’m drowning in spreadsheets later.

Jennie: Anytime. But seriously, you’ve got this.

Lisa leaned back in her chair, staring out the window as she let Jennie’s words sink in. She did have this. It wasn’t going to be easy, and there would definitely be bumps along the way, but she was going to lead this company with her own unique mix of humor, creativity, and a little chaos.

---

A few months had passed since Lisa had officially taken over her father’s company, and though the adjustment had its fair share of ups and downs, she was getting into the groove of things. True to her word, she had injected her own personality into the company, shaking up old habits, making bold decisions, and, of course, adding a little fun to the office environment.

But while Lisa was making waves as CEO, another aspect of her life had taken on new meaning: her relationship with Jennie.

They had been taking things slow, just like they had agreed. It was unspoken, but both Lisa and Jennie were career-driven, focused on their respective paths. Even so, they had found moments of comfort and warmth in each other—late-night conversations, stolen kisses in the office when no one was looking, and quiet nights spent together when their schedules allowed.

Now, however, it seemed like they were at a crossroads, and Lisa could feel the future looming over them, begging the question: What’s next?

---

One evening, after a long day at work, Lisa found herself at Jennie’s apartment, sprawled out on the couch with her feet in Jennie’s lap. Jennie was reading something on her tablet, her face bathed in the soft glow of the screen, while Lisa absentmindedly flipped through channels on the TV.

It was one of those rare quiet moments where neither of them felt the need to fill the space with conversation. They were simply together, existing in the same space, content in each other's company. But as the peacefulness settled around them, Lisa’s mind began to wander.

She glanced over at Jennie, watching her for a moment before speaking. “Hey, Jen?”

Jennie looked up from her tablet, raising an eyebrow. “Yeah?”

Lisa hesitated, feeling the weight of her question before she even voiced it. “Have you... ever thought about what’s next for us?”

Jennie blinked, setting her tablet down and giving Lisa her full attention. “What do you mean?”

Lisa sighed, sitting up a little straighter and folding her legs under her. “I mean, we’ve been doing this whole ‘seeing each other’ thing for a while now, and it’s been great. But... do you ever think about the future? Like, where we’re headed?”

Jennie’s expression softened, and she shifted so she was sitting closer to Lisa. “I have. I’ve been thinking about it a lot, actually.”

Lisa’s heart skipped a beat. “Yeah?”

Jennie nodded, her hand gently resting on Lisa’s knee. “I know we’ve both been really focused on work, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t thought about what comes next. I want... us to be part of each other’s future.”

Lisa felt her chest tighten, a mixture of excitement and nerves bubbling up inside her. “Good. Because I’ve been thinking about that, too.”

Jennie smiled, her eyes filled with warmth. “You have?”

Lisa nodded, her voice quieter now. “Yeah. I mean, I’ve been so wrapped up in taking over my dad’s company, and you’ve been busy with everything at the office, but I can’t stop thinking about what happens next for us. I guess I just didn’t know if you were thinking about it, too.”

Jennie’s hand gently squeezed Lisa’s knee, her voice soft but steady. “Of course I have. I care about you, Lisa. And I want to figure out what our future looks like, together.”

Lisa felt a rush of relief at Jennie’s words. It wasn’t like she had doubted Jennie’s feelings, but hearing it said out loud made everything feel more real, more grounded.

“So,” Lisa said, her voice a little lighter now, “what does that look like, then? Us? The future?”

Jennie tilted her head thoughtfully, her eyes never leaving Lisa’s. “I don’t know exactly. I think we’re still figuring it out. But... I want us to keep growing, both together and individually. I want to support you in everything you’re doing with the company, and I know you’ll support me in my work. But beyond that... I just want us to build something meaningful. Whatever that looks like.”

Lisa smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. “That sounds... perfect.”

Jennie leaned in, brushing a soft kiss against Lisa’s lips. “We don’t have to rush anything. I’m happy with where we are right now.”

Lisa kissed her back, her heart racing as she pulled Jennie a little closer. “I am too. But... I’m also excited to see what’s next.”

Jennie grinned, her forehead resting against Lisa’s. “Me too.”

---

The conversation hung in the air for the next few days. It wasn’t that anything had changed dramatically between them, but there was an unspoken understanding now, a shared sense of purpose about their future together. Lisa wasn’t just thinking about herself anymore—she was thinking about Jennie, too, and how their lives could merge in ways they hadn’t before.

One evening, as they were both lounging in Lisa’s apartment, the topic of long-term plans came up again, but this time, it felt less heavy. Jennie was sitting on the floor with her back against the couch, flipping through some documents for work, while Lisa absentmindedly scrolled through her phone.

“So,” Jennie said, not looking up from her papers, “have you thought about where you want to take the company in the next five years?”

Lisa grinned, tossing her phone aside and leaning forward. “Oh, we’re getting serious now, huh?”

Jennie smirked, glancing up at her. “We can’t talk about the future without talking about your other future, CEO Manoban.”

Lisa sighed dramatically, resting her chin on her hands. “Five years from now? I’ll have revolutionized the industry, obviously. But seriously, I want to do something that shakes up the way we think about business. My dad’s company is solid, but it’s old-school. I want to bring in new energy, new ideas. Make it fun again.”

Jennie smiled, clearly impressed. “That sounds... ambitious.”

Lisa shrugged. “I know. But that’s what I want. And... I want you to be part of it. I mean, not the business part, but, you know, the life part.”

Jennie’s smile softened as she reached up to take Lisa’s hand. “I’m already part of it.”

Lisa felt her heart skip a beat. “Yeah, you are. But I’m talking long-term, Jen. Like... really long-term.”

Jennie raised an eyebrow, her expression playful. “Are you proposing right now?”

Lisa’s eyes widened, her mouth falling open as she scrambled to explain herself. “What? No! I mean—not that I wouldn’t—just—”

Jennie burst out laughing, pulling Lisa down beside her. “Relax, Lisa. I’m just teasing.”

Lisa groaned, hiding her face in Jennie’s shoulder. “I walked right into that one, didn’t I?”

Jennie smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of Lisa’s head. “Yes, but I get what you’re saying. And... I’m on board. For whatever comes next.”

Lisa lifted her head, meeting Jennie’s gaze. “You sure?”

Jennie nodded, her voice steady. “More than sure.”

Lisa grinned, feeling a rush of excitement. “Well, then. I guess we’ve got a future to plan, huh?”

Jennie smiled, resting her head on Lisa’s shoulder. “One step at a time, Lisa.”

Lisa leaned into Jennie, feeling a sense of peace settle over her. The future was still uncertain, but with Jennie by her side, it felt a little less daunting—and a lot more exciting.

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