Chapter Text
The lounge room in the entertainment building sat in silence. The monthly maintenance of the area was scheduled for today, two employees were unscrewing god knows what on the 4K TV, and one single employee was running a check on the kitchen appliances. The room was brimming with workers earlier in the morning, but as the evening approached the room became desolate, except for a reclined Lisa on the leather couch playing on her phone.
Back in promotions period, Jisoo eagerly suggested a mobile game to the girls. Lisa scolded her ill-natured dependance on video games, resulting in alternating jibes between the eldest and youngest. The remaining two members silently watched and laughed at the performance in front of them. Jisoo swore that Lisa could never beat her personal high score of 1098, and that challenge alone ignited Lisa’s hot head. She had been pursuing the score for 9 months without rest since then.
The employees began packing their utility boxes and millions of tiny screws, while Lisa rolled in her coach throne, trying to beat the level. The month of April was busy, Lisa was booked with Elle magazine and her 0327 photo book promotion. Jisoo and Jennie had been away from the agency building for a couple weeks now, staying at their own apartments. Lisa was surprisingly okay with the absence of the eldest members. Chaeyoung on the other hand was booked for the entire month of March and April, solely focusing on solo activities. Chaeyoung and Lisa were the only members at the agency, but rarely got to cross paths because of how busy they were.
Lisa paused the game and turned her head to the wall clock sitting across from her. 5PM. Lisa stretched her long limbs, expelling a deep yawn which made the employees turn heads. She practically hurled her phone to the opposite end of the couch, in disbelief that she had spent 3 hours on the same level, let alone a damn game. Jisoo defined it as the post-game-clarity, coined by hers truly.
Lisa escaped from her daze and thought of the only member that should’ve arrived 20 minutes ago. Chaeyoung’s new schedule had definitely obliterated the little time Lisa could spend with her. But the youngest was too stubborn to accept that, making her worried anyway.
Lisa must’ve manifested her thoughts on the spot, because a soft familiar voice came nearing the lounge door.
How was the date, Rosé-sshi?
Oh it was absolutely amazing. And please! I forbid honorifics. Call my name and I’ll answer, okay? You’ve helped me so much with my makeup during promotions, I respect you.
Yes, yes of course. Have a restful evening... Chaeyoung?
An adorable giggle filled the room. The door opened to reveal the main vocalist.
Lisa’s eyes had been peering at the door since her arrival. The distance between the couch and door made it seem impossible to hear any conversation, but years of eavesdropping worked in Lisa’s favor.
Chaeyoung closed the door behind her, a dumb smile plastered on her face. Her stage outfit today showcased her infinite legs with green tweed shorts, along with a matching top and jacket. Chaeyoung took off the jacket, and Lisa stood up to catch her attention.
“Oh- Lisa! You almost gave me a heart attack. You’ve practically mastered camouflaging with the couch at this point.” Chaeyoung stacked her hands above her beating chest and approached Lisa. Her steps halted when she came across the maknae’s face, painted with revulsion.
Chaeyoung attempted to make out her unidentifiable emotions, but ultimately failed.
“Chaeyoung... do you care to explain what I heard just now?” Lisa would’ve broke into a fit if it weren’t for the three stranger men in the same room. It’s a little comical how quietly she asked, like a sick high-school teacher trying to make their voice heard among immature students. She tapped her feet impatiently and looked into the girls eyes, waiting for an answer.
Chaeyoung’s smile dropped. She shifted her face to the right, or whichever side that was best to avoid Lisa’s laser eyes. Chaeyoung scoffed so quietly, but the youngest couldn’t miss it. She brushed off the question and walked to the kitchen counter, checking her phone with no real purpose. Chaeyoung knew how much Lisa despised an unclear confrontation, so her response was basically an insult to Lisa’s character.
“Chaeyoung!” the quiet room was overcome with Lisa’s piercing cry, and a harsh stomp to the ground. The employees concernedly turn their heads to the girl. The men were overcome with anxious expressions, unaware of what to do. Lisa slowly turned her head to them, eyeballing the door and demanding them to get a hint. The fearful men made a beeline to the door and shut it behind them, avoiding the deadly stare. Chaeyoung on the other hand didn’t even flinch at Lisa’s theatrics, and continued scrolling through her phone.
“Chaeyoung...” Lisa walked towards her, leaving 2 steps worth of space between them. She stared into the back of Chaeyoung’s head and eyed her unmoving figure. It’s like she was talking to a brick wall.
“Chaeyoung, are you dating someone?”
Lisa spat the words out like acid, feeling sick from the thought of Chaeyoung with a significant other that she knew nothing of. So many thoughts ran through her mind. Chaeyoung had been promoting on her own for the past month, god knows how many places she visited and people she’s met. Chaeyoung had always been silent on the topic of dating, even with the absence of cameras and company managers. The pain in Lisa stomach grew unbearable. The dude must be the hunk of her dreams. Chaeyoung could pull that off easily. Lisa hated to admit it.
“Yes.” Chaeyoung responded too casually. Her eyes didn’t leave her phone screen and she never turned her back to face the youngest, but somehow she was hyperaware of all of Lisa’s actions. Lisa flinched at the ease of her tone.
Lisa charged towards the vocalist and flipped her shoulder, making them face each other. Lisa’s face was only inches away from the latter, studying the hesitant girl. Chaeyoung lifted her own head to avoid the proximity, constantly switching where to look because Lisa only followed. Chaeyoung attempted an escape, only for Lisa’s arms to extend to the kitchen counter at a painful speed.
Lisa inhaled sharply and tried to keep her delivery coherent. “Why are you telling me this like it’s no one’s business, like I’m some damn nobody?” Her voice raised at the last part. “There’s- rules in this company that you’re well aware of. And you go off giggling this to some hag? The fucking nerve.”
Chaeyoung’s hands slapped against Lisa’s shoulders, shoving her roughly. The youngest propelled backwards, grabbing onto the couch to brake her fall. Lisa looked up to see Chaeyoung, her face twisted with pure disgust towards her.
“That woman is the new makeup artist. Don’t you dare speak about her like that.” Her lips shivered. “And company rules?” Chaeyoung scoffed, developing into a lengthy laughter. Lisa stood up and watched in bewilderment.
“...Like you give a crap about me going against the company. You were the first one to find out about Jennie’s love affairs with Kai then GD, and eager at that. But once I go on a date, here you are preaching rules? Where was this concern when Jennie started dating?”
“It’s different Chaeyoung.”
“Different!? What’s the difference between me and Jennie’s dating life? Tell me now!” Chaeyoung yelled out.
Lisa rummaged through her mind to find a convincing reason to mask her burning possessiveness. There was no difference. At all. The only difference is that Lisa is in love with Chaeyoung and not Jennie.
“Because... dammit.” Lisa looked at everything but Chaeyoung. “Jennie is a woman and is well educated on how to carry herself in these situations. She was able to tackle through 2 dating controversies because of the way she is. You are nothing like her. You are fragile and people will step all over you. I know the way you are Chaeyoung, better than anyone else. Better than you know your own self.” Lisa exhaled deeply, stunned from her own monologue of bullshit.
Chaeyoung responded with her infamous sarcastic laughter, only this time it was clearly full of irritation. The thing is that, Chaeyoung couldn’t rebut the youngest’s statement of her being ‘fragile’. She got everything spot on. But Lisa’s overbearing temper and obvious manipulation sent her to the edge.
“Stop treating me like... a damn feather. Everyone in this damn building. You think I can’t handle heat? Try being ignored by the person you love, because they prefer more exciting things.” Her voice cracked. “You don’t know anything about me Lisa, so stop acting like you do.” Rose’s throat became dry, and tears were well underway.
Lisa tried to feel empathy for the girl and question the last comment, but her concern over her dating was much stronger. Lisa caught Chaeyoung’s thin wrist and wrapped her hand around it. She yanked it so slightly to pull the vocalist towards her. She tried to come up with a clean transition to question her, but she was too irrational right now to even think about details. “Who’s the dude?” Lisa stares down at Chaeyoung’s reddening wrist, asking in a tone much softer and quieter than her previous approaches.
Chaeyoung rolled her eyes. “Who said it was a man?”
Lisa’s heart burned with the new revelation. She felt threatened with the concept of Chaeyoung with any kind of partner, which she thought was some older male idol. But now her mind roams with the possible female idols who are clearly infatuated with the girl. The competition is endless, and Lisa isn’t ready to let her go. Chaeyoung and Lisa were entrapped in their own little bubble, away from the casual idol industry, let alone the outside world. Lisa couldn’t fathom Chaeyoung finding happiness outside of Lisa. It’s not possible.
“Dammit...” Lisa cursed under her breath. “Tell me who she is, Chaeyoung.” The grip on her wrist tightened.
“It’s none of your business.” Chaeyoung uttered with faux confidence, trying to entrap Lisa into the lie that she’s happy without her, which ended up working. She shook the maknae’s deadly grip off and rubbed her assaulted wrist. It was almost addicting for Chaeyoung to see how heartbroken Lisa’s face appeared. Lisa took Chaeyoung for granted, and Chaeyoung was done chasing after a fantasy. The cost of being so in love with Lisa was her own happiness, while getting nothing in return.
Lisa noticed Chaeyoung’s sudden gain in poise, and it was terrifying to Lisa. It was the equivalent of someone losing their training wheels before you. They were the same height, but Chaeyoung seemed to be towering over Lisa now.
“It’s hilarious.” Lisa brought a hand to her forehead and threw her head back, revealing an unsettling smile. “Does she know?”
Chaeyoung was baffled, unable to answer or even question the vagueness of it all. Lisa stepped closer, until they were joined at the hip. Lisa wrapped an arm above her shoulders, and the other arm enclosed around her thin waist. Lisa stroked her fingers along the rise of her shirt, coaxing the exposed skin with sweet strokes. Chaeyoung’s body shivered, still arms by her side.
“Does she know... how much you love this?”Her stroking became wider, reaching the higher part of her back and stretching her bra strap, only for it to slap aggressively on the vocalists pale skin. “She doesn’t know what you want.” Lisa talked into Chaeyoung’s neck, while lowering an enticing hand to her clothed tailbone. “You need me.”
A slap echoed into the room. The distance between them increased, and Lisa held her new scarlet-ridden cheek. She couldn’t even focus on the pain, not when Chaeyoung looked so nonchalant after slapping her.
“You’ve become even more pathetic.” And with those 5 words, Lisa realized that Chaeyoung escaped her grasp, and no longer needed her. Chaeyoung brushed off her clothes, as if Lisa’s embrace was the dust. The youngest watched her, tears finally working down her red cheeks. Usually it was Chaeyoung who cried first.
“I’m dating now.” Chaeyoung concealed the growing trembles in her voice. “She’s patient, caring, funny, and- I love her a lot.” Chaeyoung declared.
Lisa winced. She had been all those things for Chaeyoung. All the times when the vocalist felt miserable, Lisa had always been there for her. Lisa understood her the most, and they both knew that. Her eyes scanned the floor, wondering where she went wrong.
“Did I never have a chance?” Lisa sniffled, glops of snot stretching down to her hoodie. It was embarrassing really, but she couldn’t care less. She swiped her nose messily, dirtying her sweater sleeves. Chaeyoung scrutinized Lisa, who had completely let herself go. Chaeyoung never realized how helpless and desperate Lisa could become.
Was I not the one? Weren’t the two of us enough already? Did my existence not fill you with excitement and passion? The questions floated around Lisa’s head. She wanted to ask her so many things. But she only managed one. “Am I not enough to you?” The youngest raised her arms, then dropping them to her hips. Her eyes glittered with the new set of tears.
“It was never possible, nor did I ever consider it.” Chaeyoung chewed through the harsh words, delivering the final blow. She crossed her arms vulnerably, shifting her head to the side. Lisa begged with her eyes for a change of heart, but Chaeyoung wasn’t aware at all. Lisa felt truly pathetic. It hurt knowing how easy it was for Chaeyoung to reject her, let alone admit to never seeing Lisa that way. Was Lisa the mistaken one?
The youngest cowered in silence, a sight that no one would ever imagine. Her tears and snot traveled faster, without the attempt of wiping the mess. Lisa stared at Chaeyoung’s shoes, praying to revert to a time where Chaeyoung never considered leaving her side. The unmoving feet suddenly paced out of Lisa’s perspective, finding their way to the door.
The sudden buzz of Chaeyoung’s phone on the kitchen counter snapped both the girls out of their daze. Chaeyoung stopped behind the door, and Lisa’s head shot up to the source of the sound. They both detected each other’s awareness, and it turn into a race of who could grab the phone the fastest. They sprinted at full speed towards the phone, but Lisa reigned. The youngest got a hold of Chaeyoung’s phone, using her spare arm to avoid the vocalists punches and protests. Lisa studied the lit up screen and swiped to see a new message.
See you soon Chae~ x
Lisa tried to read the sender’s name, but Chaeyoung’s arm was quicker, snatching her phone back.
“See you soon? Where the hell are you going?” She tried with all her might to turn the vocalist around, who was already grabbing a new jacket and purse from the entrance rack. Lisa yanked and pulled Chaeyoung towards her like a child. The eldest shoved her against the sharp edge of the counter, making Lisa’s spine fill with pain. “I’m going on a date.” Chaeyoung looked over her shoulder coldly, throwing her jacket over her shoulder. She faced towards the door. “I don’t have time for this. Goodbye.”
Lisa heard a hint of sadness in her voice, but she was too late to confirm it because the vocalist was long gone. The door slammed harshly, the sound ringing in Lisa’s ear.