Jennie Kim is the fierce, untouchable CEO of a beauty empire, ruling the business world with power and elegance. Lalisa Manoban is a low-profile tech billionaire who thrives in the shadows, keeping her success hidden from the spotlight. When their w...
The plane ride to Seulgi's family ski resort felt quick, though the anticipation made every minute seem longer. Sitting in the back of Lisa's private jet, I was glad she'd fallen asleep halfway through the flight. I had spent most of the time looking out the window, watching the clouds pass by, stealing occasional glances at her.
Lisa looked peaceful when she slept, the usual sharp lines of her expression softening as her head rested against the seat. Her long lashes cast faint shadows across her cheeks, and for a moment, it was easy to forget about the complicated mess of feelings swirling inside me. I couldn't help but wonder how she felt—whether the tension between us was something only I noticed. Something had been changing between us for months now, and I wasn't sure how much longer I could pretend everything was fine.
But there was also a sense of comfort with her. When she was around, things felt... right. Even in the silence of the flight, just knowing she was there next to me had eased some of the anxious thoughts gnawing at the edges of my mind.
I shifted in my seat, careful not to disturb her, and sighed softly as I pulled my jacket closer. Part of me was relieved she'd fallen asleep; it gave me time to think—time to sort out the confusing tangle of emotions that had been building inside me. But it also left me more aware of how being around her was becoming increasingly difficult to navigate.
Lisa stirred slightly in her seat as the pilot announced we'd be landing soon. Her eyes fluttered open, and for a brief second, they met mine, sleepy but warm.
"Are we there yet?" she murmured, her voice groggy.
"Almost," I replied, offering her a small smile.
She stretched, looking out the window as the plane began its descent. I tried to ignore the butterflies in my stomach, but they were impossible to quell. There was something about being this close to her—alone in the quiet intimacy of the jet—that made everything feel more intense.
"Good. I need to stretch my legs," she said with a yawn, completely unaware of the effect she had on me.
Once we landed and made our way to the car waiting for us, the ride to Seulgi's family resort was quiet. The stunning view of snow-capped mountains and thick forest took my breath away. The Japanese Alps stretched out endlessly in front of us, creating a perfect winter wonderland backdrop. The conversation was light, but I was distracted, lost in the beauty of the scenery.
And, of course, the undeniable presence of Lisa sitting next to me.
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By the time we arrived at Seulgi's family's exclusive ski resort, the anticipation in my chest had grown heavier. The resort was breathtaking—an expansive lodge nestled in the heart of the mountains, with snow dusting the trees and blanketing the ground in pristine white.
I stepped out of the car, the cold air hitting my face, a welcome contrast to the warmth of the interior. My boots crunched softly against the freshly fallen snow as I glanced around. Everything about this place felt serene, almost dreamlike. But as beautiful as it was, my thoughts kept drifting back to Lisa. How were we going to get through this trip with the tension hanging between us?
