Beyond Friendship: Hidden bonds

Reunion and Revelations

Author's pov

Four years had passed, and life had moved fast. Lisa was now CEO of her family's company in Thailand, an accomplishment that came with an overwhelming load of responsibility and long hours. She poured her all into the business, building it up as her father had envisioned. Days stretched into weeks, and weeks into months, and as she got busier, her connection with Jennie began to fade—not intentionally, but slowly and inevitably.

Jennie, too, had been caught up in her studies. Law school demanded her focus and commitment, and before she knew it, her free time was reduced to a luxury. She missed Lisa, of course, but between their schedules and the growing distance, reconnecting seemed harder than ever.

But today was different. Today was Jennie’s graduation day, and Lisa had secretly planned to fly back to New York City to surprise her. She’d even brought Rosé, her childhood friend and now her personal assistant, along for the celebration. Rosé was like a breath of fresh air—charismatic, fun, and easygoing. Born in Korea, she’d moved to New Zealand for her studies before reconnecting with Lisa in Thailand, where they quickly fell into a comfortable, supportive friendship.

Lisa kept everything under wraps, coordinating with Seulgi to ensure the plan went smoothly. She wanted the reunion to be a surprise, something Jennie would never forget.

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At the Graduation Ceremony

The ceremony hall buzzed with excitement as students lined up in their caps and gowns, waiting for their names to be called. Jennie stood in the middle of the crowd, her eyes scanning the audience hopefully. Part of her wished Lisa could somehow be there, despite knowing how tied up she was with work.

Just as she was about to shake off the thought, Jennie felt a familiar gaze on her. She looked up, her heart stopping as she spotted a figure in the back of the room. Lisa stood there, tall and graceful, with Rosé by her side, a bright smile lighting up her face. Next to her were Seulgi, Nayeon, Tzuyu, and Mina, all cheering Jennie on.

Jennie blinked, hardly able to believe it. Lisa had actually come. She felt a rush of warmth, a sense of relief and joy she hadn’t realized she’d been holding back for so long. She quickly looked away, trying to hide her tears of happiness.

After the ceremony, the group gathered outside, where Lisa held Jennie in a tight hug. “Surprise!” Lisa grinned, pulling back to look at her. “I couldn’t miss your graduation.”

“You idiot,” Jennie laughed, brushing her tears away. “I didn’t think you’d come. I know how busy you are.”

“Some things are more important than work,” Lisa replied, her gaze warm.

Jennie’s eyes softened, but then flicked to Rosé, who stood beside them, smiling politely. Lisa turned, introducing her to everyone. “By the way, this is Rosé, my childhood best friend and now my personal assistant. She helps keep me sane back in Thailand.”

Everyone welcomed Rosé, charmed by her friendly, down-to-earth vibe. Seulgi couldn’t help but admire her, nudging Jennie and whispering, “She’s gorgeous, isn’t she?” Jennie forced a small smile, nodding. Rosé’s easy laugh and bright energy seemed to capture everyone’s attention, and for some reason, it made Jennie uncomfortable.

Lisa, meanwhile, seemed oblivious to Jennie’s growing unease, completely at ease with Rosé’s presence. She looked genuinely happy to have her there, and each shared glance between them stirred something unspoken in Jennie’s heart.

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Later at Jennie’s Mansion

To celebrate, Jennie invited everyone back to her family’s mansion for a sleepover. The house felt alive again, filled with laughter and chatter. After some snacks, they gathered in Jennie’s living room, laughing and sharing memories. Seulgi recounted stories from her first year of work, while Nayeon and Tzuyu shared funny moments from college.

Someone suggested a group photoshoot, so they each took turns posing, snapping shots in silly and serious poses alike. When Lisa wrapped an arm around Jennie, pulling her close for a picture, Jennie’s heart skipped. The closeness felt familiar, comforting—yet there was a lingering doubt she couldn’t shake.

As they continued, Rosé joined in, quickly blending into the group’s energy. She stood beside Lisa in the photos, laughing as they joked about Lisa’s old dance moves and her awkward phase in high school. Watching them together, Jennie felt a pang of jealousy. It wasn’t just Rosé’s undeniable beauty; it was the easy way she and Lisa seemed to fit, as if they shared a world Jennie couldn’t touch.

“Alright, one more!” Mina cheered, pulling everyone together for a final shot.

Lisa wrapped her arms around Jennie and Rosé, laughing as they tried to squeeze everyone into the frame. The flash went off, capturing the moment, but Jennie’s smile was tinged with something bittersweet.

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That Evening

As night settled in, the group lounged in the living room, sipping drinks and winding down. Eventually, one by one, everyone started to doze off, leaving Lisa and Jennie on the balcony, alone under the stars. The familiar quiet wrapped around them, bringing back memories of nights they’d shared just like this.

Jennie finally spoke, her voice soft. “So… Rosé’s been helping you out in Thailand?”

Lisa nodded, a gentle smile on her face. “Yeah, she’s incredible. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. She takes care of everything, even the smallest details. I can trust her with anything.”

Jennie tried to keep her voice steady. “She seems… really close to you.”

Lisa raised an eyebrow, sensing something in Jennie’s tone. “She’s been a great friend, like family. And she was there when I really needed support.”

Jennie hesitated, the words catching in her throat. She wanted to ask if Rosé was more than that, if Lisa’s heart had wandered to someone new. But she was afraid of the answer.

As if reading her thoughts, Lisa reached over, placing a hand on Jennie’s. “You know, Nini, no one could ever take your place. Not in my life, not in my heart. It’s just… things got hard. I missed you so much, but I didn’t know if I was still a part of your world.”

Jennie looked up, her eyes filled with unshed tears. “You never stopped being part of my world, Lisa. But it felt like… like maybe I’d lost my place in yours.”

Lisa sighed, squeezing her hand. “Jennie, you’ll always be the most important person to me. Rosé’s a friend, but you’re... you’re my home. Even when I’m far away, my heart is here with you.”

Jennie finally allowed herself to smile, her heart lightening with each word. “Promise?”

“Promise,” Lisa whispered, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Jennie’s forehead. The tension melted, replaced by a quiet, comforting closeness.

In that moment, all the years and miles between them seemed to fade. They stayed like that, sitting together under the stars, feeling the unspoken bond that time and distance could never sever.
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To be continued ~~