Sitting in my office, I scanned the stack of papers in front of me, willing the day to pass without the reminder of what waited for me. The pen felt heavier than usual in my hand, my focus slipping as I considered the looming "meeting" I had no choice but to attend.
Why does it have to be her?
Just as I was slipping into frustration, the door opened, and in strolled Jisoo, her grin already teasing.
"Big day, Miss Kim," she smirked, settling herself across from me like she owned the place. "Ready for the date with your... charming fiancée?"
I glared at her, leaning back in my chair. "It's not a date. It's a forced formality, and trust me, I'm not looking forward to it."
"Oh, come on," she teased, tilting her head. "Don't you want to see if the 'quiet Manoban' has some hidden charm? For all you know, she could be your type."
"Please," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "If I wanted some socially awkward recluse with... issues, I'd just stay in my office and wait for the interns."
Jisoo tried to stifle a laugh. "Alright, alright, but for all the complaining, you might find yourself charmed, Jen. People say she's not bad-looking, and if you gave her a chance—"
"She's a weirdo," I cut in, my tone sharper than I intended. "She doesn't even socialize with anyone. Just... brooding in her corner and keeping to herself. Probably thinks she's too good for everyone."
Jisoo gave me a look, amused yet disapproving. "Harsh, aren't we? Look, you don't have to marry her today. Just meet the girl."
I scoffed, looking back down at the papers. "I'd rather cancel and deal with it alone."
"Just relax, Jennie," Jisoo said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "She's just another person, not the end of the world. Who knows? Maybe she'll surprise you."
"Doubt it," I muttered, signing the last paper and pushing it away with a frustrated sigh.
Jisoo leaned back in her chair, a knowing smirk spreading across her face. "You know," she began, crossing her arms, "almost everyone on my team who's met Lisa said she's... well, kind of amazing. Attractive and really smart too, actually."
I shot her a glare. "Yeah? Guess I must be the only one immune to her so-called 'charms.' I don't see what's so amazing about some shut-in who barely talks to anyone. That doesn't exactly scream 'CEO material' to me."
Jisoo shrugged, feigning innocence. "All I'm saying is she's made an impression on other people. Maybe if you looked past your own assumptions—"
"Please," I interrupted, rolling my eyes. "You know what this is, right? She's probably just putting on some quiet, mysterious act to seem interesting, like one of those moody types. Probably can't even hold a conversation without hiding behind her awkwardness."
Jisoo raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you've already decided she's the worst thing to walk the planet."
"Well, if I'm being forced into some ridiculous agreement with a stranger," I snapped, "then, yeah, I'm allowed to be annoyed. Especially if that stranger is Lisa Manoban, who thinks she can just swoop into my life like this."
Jisoo just laughed, amused by my irritation. "Who knew you'd have such strong feelings for someone you haven't even met?"
I shot her a warning look. "Watch it, Jisoo."
She shrugged, still grinning. "Fine, fine. Just saying—you might end up eating your words later."
I folded my arms, my irritation simmering as Jisoo kept that smug grin on her face.
"Honestly, Jisoo," I snapped, "Lisa is the last person I'd ever go for. She's practically allergic to people. I need someone who can handle being in crowded places, someone who actually enjoys a good party. You know... a real guy, someone who doesn't just hide in a corner."
Jisoo raised an eyebrow, clearly trying not to laugh. "So, someone who can handle all that attention you love? The same attention you complain about every time we go out?"
I scowled. "That's not the point. I want someone who can keep up with me. Someone who has confidence, someone who's actually fun, not some brooding wallflower with social issues."
"Wow, Jen," Jisoo said, biting back a laugh. "Way to be open-minded. Just because she's quiet doesn't mean she's boring. I've heard she's actually pretty interesting—people say she has a ton of talent, too."
I let out a derisive snort. "Oh, yeah? What kind of talent? Sitting in the background and pretending not to notice everyone?"
Jisoo shook her head. "I don't know, maybe you'd find out if you gave her a chance. Or are you that scared of being surprised?"
"Scared? Please," I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I just don't see the appeal in someone like her. She's... she's nothing like the type of person I need in my life. She'd probably get uncomfortable if I even suggested going to a club or a networking event. How am I supposed to drag her to social gatherings if she'd rather sit alone in silence?"
Jisoo grinned, clearly enjoying my frustration. "Maybe you'd be good for each other. You'd pull her out of her shell, and she'd... make you less of a snob?"
I shot her a glare. "You're not funny."
"Oh, come on, Jennie," Jisoo teased. "So you like the 'life of the party' type. That doesn't mean someone quieter can't surprise you. You've had your fair share of loud, charming guys, and none of them exactly... measured up, did they?"
"Those were different," I said defensively, heat rising in my cheeks. "I don't need some silent loner who can't keep up with me. Lisa's... she's just not it."
Jisoo just shrugged, the gleam in her eye growing. "Well, you'll get to tell her all of this tomorrow. Face to face. I'm sure she'll love hearing how not her type you are."
"Ugh," I groaned, rolling my eyes. "Don't remind me."
But Jisoo just smiled, her teasing grin widening as she leaned back, watching me stew in my frustration.
Jisoo leaned in, a mischievous sparkle in her eyes that made me instantly regret sitting through this conversation.
"You know, Jennie," she started, drawing out her words in that infuriatingly teasing way, "I heard something interesting from the business circle the other day."
I raised an eyebrow, narrowing my gaze. "And? What gossip is it now?"
"Oh, just that Lisa Manoban," she leaned in closer, "is apparently... well, quite good in bed."
My face twisted in pure disgust. "Jisoo, are you serious? I don't want to hear about that."
She laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. "What? It's just what people are saying. And, you know, just because she's intersex doesn't mean—"
"Don't even go there," I snapped, feeling a mix of disgust and irritation bubbling up. "The last thing I need is to think about that. I can't believe people even talk about her like that. It's disturbing."
Jisoo shrugged, smirking as she continued. "I don't know, Jen. They say she's a great catch. Smart, attractive, and, well... apparently knows what she's doing."
I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. "Please. I wouldn't touch her if she was the last person alive. The whole intersex thing just... I don't get it. How could anyone be okay with that? I need someone normal, not some—"
"Wow," Jisoo interrupted, giving me a look that was equal parts amused and exasperated. "You're being unbelievably harsh. You know she didn't exactly choose that, right?"
"I know, okay?" I shot back defensively, feeling my face heat up. "I just... I can't see myself with someone who has so much baggage. She's a walking red flag in every sense, and I don't need that in my life."
Jisoo just shook her head, chuckling. "Well, I guess you'll get to see for yourself if all those rumors are true. Maybe you'll end up more curious than you think."
"Don't hold your breath," I muttered, crossing my arms defiantly. "The last thing I want is to be involved with someone like her. I'll go to this stupid meeting, but don't expect any miracles."
Jisoo just laughed, sitting back with that same irritating grin. "We'll see, Jennie. We'll see."
--
The clock struck 7 p.m., its chime echoing through my office like a taunting reminder of the nightmare waiting for me. I glanced at the time on my phone again, my heart sinking a little deeper with every passing second.
This is it, I thought bitterly. No getting out of this.
With a sigh, I grabbed my coat and bag, leaving behind the comforting walls of my office and stepping into the crisp evening air. The drive to the restaurant was tense, every streetlight and stop sign adding to the tight knot in my stomach. My mind raced, replaying every reason I had to hate this arrangement.
How am I supposed to sit through dinner with her? I thought, a grimace pulling at my mouth. The thought of Lisa's quiet, awkward presence across from me was already irritating. Just imagining her uncomfortable silences, those unreadable expressions... it grated at me, setting my nerves on edge.
When I arrived, I gave the valet my keys and took a steadying breath before stepping into the restaurant. The place was elegant, the kind of upscale spot where people came to discuss business over meals that cost as much as a week's salary. My parents had chosen it specifically, of course, to "set the tone" for this forced interaction.
As I scanned the dimly lit room, I spotted her at a corner table by the window, sitting with her back straight, hands neatly folded in her lap. Lisa looked exactly as I'd imagined: quiet, tense, her eyes flicking down to the table as if she were too shy to even look up. She was dressed in a well-fitted suit, looking surprisingly polished, though it did little to change the feeling of annoyance growing in my chest.
Great, I thought. She's probably just as miserable about this as I am.
Steeling myself, I walked over, determined to make it clear this wasn't some romantic meeting. She looked up when I approached, her expression unreadable but... almost hopeful? I dismissed it, giving her a polite but detached nod as I sat down across from her.
"Lisa," I said curtly, barely meeting her gaze.
"Jennie," she replied softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
There was a silence, thick and awkward. I could feel her eyes on me, as if she was waiting for me to say something, to set the tone. But I wasn't about to play along.
"So," I started, folding my hands on the table and looking her square in the eye, "I'm assuming you know why we're here."
Lisa sat up a bit straighter, her gaze darting around nervously before settling back on me. Then, in the most earnest, almost endearingly clumsy way and bow in 360 degrees, she started her introduction.
"Hi," she said, her voice barely above a whisper, and then she cleared her throat. "I... um, I'm Lisa Manoban. I'm 27 years old, and I..." She took a deep breath. "I'm also a CEO—well, I mean, you already know that, but, uh... I thought I'd mention it anyway."
I blinked, momentarily at a loss. This was how she was introducing herself? Like a kid at a grade school presentation?
"And... um, my favorite food is Korean BBQ," she continued, managing a shy smile, like she was sharing some secret. "And, uh, my favorite color is yellow." She looked at me expectantly, her eyes practically twinkling as if she'd shared the most fascinating piece of information.
Yellow? I thought, feeling a pang of irritation. Of all colors, yellow? The one color I absolutely despised—the bright, loud kind that hurt your eyes. Somehow, it was fitting.
"And..." she went on, fidgeting slightly with her sleeves, "I like... reading, I guess. And photography, sometimes. I know it sounds boring, but I like finding small things, like, you know... details. The ones people don't notice."
I just sat there, stunned into silence. I had expected... I don't know, a detached business conversation, maybe a few cold pleasantries. But here she was, looking at me with a strange, sincere openness, practically telling me her life story.
She finished her spiel with an awkward little smile, clearly waiting for some kind of response, but I just stared at her, feeling my mind draw a complete blank.
This is the woman my parents want me to marry? I thought, dumbfounded.
--
I was laughing writing this chapter HAHAHA