Chapter 40

Jennie had never seen Lisa this quiet before.

And that alone was terrifying.

Usually, her girlfriend was the embodiment of sunshine—confident, charming, effortlessly social. Lisa could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime. But right now?

Lisa sat stiffly beside her in the car, hands clasped tightly on her lap, knees bouncing like she was about to take an exam that determined her entire future.

“Lili…” Jennie glanced at her, trying not to smile. “You okay?”

Lisa turned slowly, eyes wide and serious. “Jennie… be honest with me.”

Uh-oh.

“Is it true your mom once made a CEO cry during dinner?”

Jennie blinked. “What?”

“And that she can tell if someone is lying just by breathing near them?”

“…what?”

“And that she rejected your ex just by staring at her for five seconds?”

Jennie’s lips twitched. Oh.

Oh.

Kim Jisoo and Park Chaeyoung.

“I’m going to kill them,” Jennie muttered under her breath.

Lisa grabbed her arm. “So it’s true?!”

“No, baby, it’s not—”

“And that she expects me to recite my five-year plan, financial status, and intentions with you within the first ten minutes?!”

Jennie finally laughed, unable to hold it in anymore. “Lisa, no—”

“I KNEW I SHOULD’VE PREPARED A PRESENTATION—”

“Lisa!”

Lisa froze.

Jennie gently held her face, soft thumbs brushing her cheeks. “My mom is not scary. She’s… okay, she can be serious sometimes—but she’s really warm. She’s been excited to meet you.”

Lisa’s breathing slowed… slightly.

“…she won’t interrogate me?”

“No.”

“…she won’t test me?”

“No.”

“…she won’t throw me out if I stutter?”

Jennie grinned. “Definitely not.”

Lisa stared at her for a long moment.

“…Jisoo unnie said she once made someone cry over tea.”

Jennie snorted. “That someone spilled tea on her favorite couch.”

“…oh.”

A pause.

“…still scary.”

Jennie laughed again, squeezing her hand. “You’ll be fine. I’ll be right there.”

Lisa nodded, trying to steady herself.

“Okay… okay. I can do this.”

She inhaled deeply.

“Hi, ma’am, I’m Lalisa Manoban, I love your daughter very much and—”

“You sound like you’re proposing.”

“I AM BASICALLY PROPOSING FOR MY LIFE!”

—

The moment they arrived at Jennie’s childhood home, Lisa’s confidence dropped to negative numbers.

The house itself wasn’t intimidating—but in Lisa’s mind, it might as well have been a palace guarded by dragons.

Jennie rang the doorbell.

Lisa immediately grabbed her hand.

“Jennie.”

“Hmm?”

“If I don’t make it out alive—”

“Lisa.”

“—tell my cats I love them.”

Jennie burst out laughing just as the door opened.

And there she was.

Jennie’s mom.

Elegant, poised, and… smiling.

“Jennie, you’re here!”

“Hi, mom.” Jennie stepped forward to hug her.

Lisa stood frozen behind her, posture ramrod straight.

Jennie pulled back. “Mom, this is Lisa.”

Lisa bowed so fast it was almost a reflex. “H-hello, ma’am! I’m Lalisa Manoban! It’s an honor to meet you!”

Jennie’s mom blinked once… then smiled warmly.

“Oh my, no need to be so formal, dear.” She gently took Lisa’s hands. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Lisa’s brain short-circuited.

She’s… smiling.

She’s holding my hands.

She didn’t glare.

This is suspicious.

“You’re even prettier in person,” her mom added kindly.

Lisa’s ears turned red.

“T-thank you…”

Jennie watched, amused, as Lisa stood there like a statue being politely complimented.

“Come in, come in,” her mom said, guiding them inside. “You must be tired.”

Lisa stepped in cautiously, like she expected traps.

Everything felt… normal.

Too normal.

They sat down in the living room.

Jennie’s mom brought out tea and snacks, chatting casually. “So Lisa, Jennie told me you enjoy photography?”

Lisa nodded quickly. “Y-yes, ma’am.”

“Please, call me mom or auntie.”

Lisa froze again.

“…mom?”

Jennie choked on her drink.

Her mom laughed softly. “If you’re comfortable, of course.”

Lisa’s face turned fully red now. “I—I—yes—okay—”

She glanced at Jennie like HELP ME.

Jennie just smiled sweetly. Traitor.

“So, how did you two meet?” her mom asked.

Lisa opened her mouth.

Closed it.

Opened it again.

Words did not come out.

Jennie tilted her head. “Lili?”

Lisa’s vision blurred slightly.

Her hands felt cold.

Her heartbeat sped up.

Too calm.

Too nice.

THIS IS A TRAP.

“She’s testing me,” Lisa whispered.

“…what?”

“She’s being nice to lower my guard—”

“Lisa, she’s literally offering you cookies—”

“I’m not ready—”

“Ready for what—”

“I CAN’T FAIL THIS—”

And then—

Lisa fainted.

Just—

thud.

“LISA?!”

Jennie immediately caught her halfway, panic flashing across her face. “Oh my god—mom!”

Her mom stood up, startled. “Oh dear!”

—

A few minutes later, Lisa slowly regained consciousness.

She blinked.

Ceiling.

Soft couch.

Jennie’s worried face hovering above her.

“Lili? Hey, you’re okay.”

Lisa groaned softly. “…did I die?”

Jennie laughed in relief. “No, but you almost gave me a heart attack.”

Lisa turned her head—

And saw Jennie’s mom sitting beside her, gently fanning her.

“…oh no.”

“I’m so sorry, dear,” her mom said, concern evident. “You must have been very nervous.”

Lisa wanted to disappear.

“I… I fainted in front of you…”

Her mom chuckled softly. “That just means you care a lot.”

Lisa blinked.

“…huh?”

Jennie squeezed her hand. “Told you she’s not scary.”

Lisa looked between them.

Then whispered, dramatically, “Jisoo unnie lied to me.”

Jennie snorted. “And Rosé.”

Her mom tilted her head. “Should I be concerned about these friends of yours?”

“No,” Jennie said immediately. “Just that they’re about to be disowned.”

Lisa weakly raised a hand. “I support that decision…”

They all laughed.

And just like that—

The tension disappeared.

Jennie leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Lisa’s forehead. “Still wanna run away?”

Lisa shook her head, shy but smiling now.

“…no.”

She glanced at Jennie’s mom.

“…hi… mom.”

Her mom’s eyes softened even more.

“Hello, Lisa.”

And somewhere far away—

Jisoo and Rosé both sneezed at the same time.

“Why do I feel like we’re in danger?” Rosé muttered.

Jisoo shrugged.

“…worth it.”