"What's wrong? Is everything okay? What did she say to you?"

"Hmm?" They're walking faster than the usual, or more like Chaeyoung trying catching up with her friend's rushed footsteps. "Oh no, nothing much," Lisa tried to figure out an excuse on how to answer.

"Really? It seemed like a serious conversation?"

"I really need to pee! Here, take these in. And don't finish it, leave one for me!" Lisa dashed off after handing over the sandwiches to Chaeyoung, leaving her in front of their dressing room.

Her heart is beating faster by the minute as she suppressed it all in, and she can feel the tears about to burst any moment now. Thinking fast about how she wasn't going to let herself get caught crying in the restroom by anyone, she took a left turn to the emergency staircase and climbed two floors up. Luck was on her side when she found no one on the floor.

Leaning against the countertop in the restroom, her emotions immediately took over. Her heart rose and fell along with the sobs. She had never felt this way before and now, she can't help but beat herself up. So much about wanting to help, look where it got you now! She's angry. She's angry at Jungkook and she can't help but feel angry at Yeri, but most of all, she's angry at herself. This is no one's fault but yours!

Why did she have to be there that night? Why did the stupid her had to help Jungkook? Why did she even agree to meet him and let him into her life? How could she be so stupid to have fallen for him when all the while, she somehow knew that he's still thinking about his ex? Oh, how embarrassing! Lisa can already imagine how pitiful Yeri must've felt towards her, clinging to her ex-boyfriend in the pretext of 'helping' him!

Her phone buzzed in the pocket of her dress, bringing her back to reality. You're in the restroom, crying by yourself. Stop being pathetic and weak – you have a performance later! Lisa takes a deep breath and looks at the reflection in front of her.

Her cheeks are tear-stained, puffy and pink. There's a slight pink shade on the button of her nose as well. Thankfully, the mascara's water-proof. She'll just lie about an allergy or something later. Nothing that a few dabs won't fix. Come on, Lili. Everything happens for a reason.

She dabbed the tissue across her cheeks, wiping any traces of marked tears. As much as she felt tired keeping everything to herself, she is grateful that no one would ever know about this. It's between the three of them – so she hoped. Cross her fingers but chances are, if Yeri had told her members about it, Lisa would already be facing endless nagging from her own members for keeping the secret and allowing herself to be in between the drama.

Chae:

On stage in twenty, hurry!

The she saw one from Jungkook.

I saw you passing by just now

You look beautiful

I'm already here at the room

I'll wait for you 😊'

How can he be so casually sweet like this to another girl if he plans to get back with his ex? Maybe it's the way he is. That makes more sense! He's just being a good friend, wanting to solve the problems he thought she has with him. The realization dawned on her and Lisa's suddenly overwhelmed with guilt. She had been displaying her emotions carelessly while he probably hadn't thought much over it.

Lisa laughed bitterly to herself in the mirror. Stopdreaming and stop with the crying! Everything's gonna be alright, Lili! It'snot a big deal!

...

After a working day that started at 5am and ended at 8pm, Lisa allowed herself to spend the remaining evening having dinner with one of her oldest friends while the rest of her members went out and about their own plans. She was going to stay in earlier but decided against it when the depressing thoughts began creeping into her mind again.

It had been four days since the event. She saw Jungkook six times throughout the whole night – four of which, had caught them in an eye-contact. Of course, she immediately looked away when that happened. He had texted her a couple of times the night itself, to which she had successfully ignored and left unopened until now.

BTS performed last that night - which she was kind of thankful for as Blackpink always had to leave earlier – so they didn't bump into each other. She avoided looking at him performing on stage and kept her eyes on the screen instead, but she did manage to get a last glimpse of him when she was about to leave.

She still remembers his piercing look as he caught her eyes when he was on stage. He was probably upset that she didn't show up to meet him that night. Try as she might, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. She didn't know how to face him or what to say to him. But when she saw him that last time, Lisa wanted to smile.

She wanted so much to bid goodbye, if it's the last time. She was hurt but she did feel some-what happy for him. She had genuinely liked him as a person. He might not feel the same way about her. He probably never even realized what Lisa really felt for him. So could she even blame him?

Of course it's silly of her to even imagine that the guy would ever feel the same way! Look at Yeri, there's no way that Lisa could even replace her! The girl's so pretty and sweet, and her smile could melt even the thickest of ice!

Lisa only knew then that she had to decide for herself. She needs to be the one that walks away. She wasn't one to be selfish, but it's totally understandable given the circumstances right? Right! Plus, it will be easier for Jungkook and Yeri to patch things up. They should focus on each other, Lisa's not about to let herself be in the middle of such personal matter anymore.

She herself, needs to readjust her focus. It had been an amazing four months, having Jungkook around, keeping Lisa happy and up in the air – but now that he's getting back with Yeri, she needs to get used to the distance.

"Pokpak! Stop dreaming and start eating!" Bambam snapped Lisa out of her thoughts.

"Lisa-ssi, next time come a bit earlier. Chin-Mae's always here early in the evening, he missed you so much!" The owner of the small shop said while placing a glass of water in front of her.

"Ah, okay ahjussi," She bowed her head slightly. "I'm sorry, I missed him too, ahjussi. But my schedule isreally tight. Maybe we can set a date?" She lets out a small laugh.

"Aish, tell the people you're working with to give you some rest! I saw you girls on TV, always going here and there. How to set a date when you can't even sit still?" The man's concerns are shown in a frown.

"Yes, ahjussi...I'll tell them that tomorrow! Let's meet Chin-Mae this Sunday! I'm not going anywhere this Sunday, will he be around say...evening?"

"Yes! I'll tell him, he'd be so happy to see you! I'm telling you - kids nowadays, they don't want to spend much time with old people! I can't run around with him but I want to see him all the time. If he hears your name, he'll want to come here all the time!"

"Aigoo, ahjussi...don't say that! I'm sure he's happy to visit you even if I'm not around,"

"No, no...but I'll tell him! He'll be so happy! Please, eat!" The man nods his head with a big smile before turning to the other table.

"Yahh! Don't make promises you can't keep!" Bambam scolded her before taking a spoonful of ramyeon.

"What do you mean? I always keep my promises," Lisa rolled her eyes and starts eating.

"How's mumsie?" He asked.

Lisa shrugged and nods, updating him on how she had sent Blackpink's pyong bong to her mum to pass it to her cousin, but she liked it so much that she wanted to keep it to herself – regardless of how many times Lisa had mentioned that she had reserved one for her here in Korea for when she come to visit for the next award event! It was a hard battle, thankfully, her mum gets it in the end.

"She's so cute! They're flying in together right?"

"Yeah, thanks to me! If it were up to you, your parents would've been stuck at the airport wondering where the hell are the flight tickets promised!" She laughed.

"Hey, that was one time! It's not like it was on purpose, I had a recording –"

"Pshh please! You had a recording on the day of the supposed flight while I've been reminding you two weeks before!"

"Okay, okay, jeez! No need to bring it up!" Bambam laughed and put his hands up in defeat. "Okay, so, what else is new?"

Lisa shrugged and continue eating.

"What's going on with Jungkook?"

The question caught her off-guard. Bambam had never asked about Jungkook out in the open, although he would sometimes text her with just an 'All good with JK?' or 'is JK behaving himself?' – which earned himself a rolling-eyes emoji most of the time. Lisa shrugged again nonchalantly and look down to her bowl. There a still a few strands of noodles left but not enough distractions. She needs to order more food!

"I'm still hungry. I want grilled beef!" Sheclaps her hand and ready to call her 'ahjussi'.

...

Lisa stopped her tracks to the buzz of her phone.

'Ooo your boyfie's here☺️'

Her heart skipped reading the text message by Chaeyoung. What does she mean? The only 'boyfie' they tease her with is...no way! He's here? In this building? Oh no! Slowly, she pushed the door open and sneaked a peek. No one's around at the corridor. Maybe she should avoid using the main corridors and elevators altogether, in case she might bump into him and his group.

With that in mind, Lisa hurried out to the emergency exit, taking the stairs up instead. It's kind of funny come to think of it, how before four months ago, she'd consider herself BTS' luckiest fan whenever she gets to see them backstage or at events. She would admire them from afar and behind her members, and on a number of times, even thought about asking for their autographs! She didn't, of course - but look at her now, dodging and trying her best to avoid them. Lisa can't help but chuckled by herself, amused at the thought.

Relax, Lili! Even if he's here, what can he do? It'snot like he can just come up and say hello – not with all these people around,and certainly not when her manager is here!

She started to type a reply to Chaeyoung to let her know she's coming back from the restroom, but stopped again when the sound of a door swinging and a very excited voice appeared.

"Kook! There you are!" Jungkook? He's upstairs? "We were looking for you, come on!"

"I told Yoongi hyung I needed to make a phone call, I'll be there soon,"

"You're always making phone calls nowadays, who are you calling?"

"No one," His voice sounds like a growl. He's probably calling Yeri. The pain in her heart upon the thought is creeping up again. How is it even possible that the universe constantly set her up in this kind of situation?! Why are they always bumping into each other at the stairs -

"Hey, you've been weird these past couple of days. You okay?"

Lisa didn't want to hear anymore. The last time she overheard a private conversation had gotten her anxious and now left with a bruise in her heart. So without making a sound, she makes a move to grab the doorknob.

"Is this about Lisa?"

She stopped her tracks.

"They're here right? I thought I saw Jennie just now. Kook, you should talk to us. I know you told Joon hyung that the reason why you started getting in touch with her was cus you felt like you owed her for keeping your secret but come on, it's been how many months! Why are you still even talking to her? Did she threatened you? Is that why –"

"Hyung, just leave me alone!"

After a second there's a sound of the door thudding loudly. Lisa stood still in the silence. Without even realising it, a tear fell across her cheek. Was that the reason? The first message...the first phone call...their first meet at Seonyudo Park...it's because he felt sorry?

She recalled the day at the park, when she sat beside him.

'Because I feel like I owe you that much. Cus you helped me that night,'

Of course! How could she forget that part! He had made it clear all along! She was the one stupid enough to allow this heartbreak! And to hear that...the past few months...everything he did and said, the gift he mentioned...must've been a way for him to redeem himself.

With a heavy heart, she wiped the tears away and calm herself down. Her members are waiting for her. Don't show anything, Lili. This will pass.

...