I built this Home for me, for you

Chapter 4

"Ma! Let's go," Seolhyun impatiently said, scowling as she looked at Lisa, who was sat at the bar in the kitchen, a brooding look on her face as she stared at the kitchen counter.

Jennie walked in, putting a pair of diamond earrings in and trying to stop her purse from slipping from where she had it awkwardly clamped under one arm. Dropping it onto the counter, she opened it up and pulled out a lipstick, touching up her bright red lips, before she put it back in and smiled at the Lisa and Seolhyun. "Everyone ready?"

"Yeah, mama's just completely blanking on me," Seolhyun huffed, turning to look at Jennie with a small crease between her eyebrows.

Realising that Seolhyun was right, and Lisa hadn't so much as acknowledged her since walking into the room, which was very unlike Lisa, who always made a point to comment on how beautiful Jennie looked, whether she was in sweatpants or an expensive dress like the one she was wearing. Reaching out to tuck Seolhyun's hair behind her ear, Jennie smoothed her hair down and gave her a small smile, "go and fetch your sister. We'll be leaving in a minute." She waited until she heard Seolhyun's footsteps disappear, before she whirled around and rushed over to Lisa, slowing as she approached her. "Lisa? Are you okay?" Jennie slowly asked, reaching out to gently touch Lisa on the shoulder.

Jumping slightly at the contact, Lisa rapidly blinked, letting out an uneven breath as she came back to her surroundings. Her face split into a wide smile as she looked Jennie up and down. "Sorry, I was just daydreaming. You look fantastic," she said, her eyes sparkling as she drew Jennie close, "give me a kiss."

Leaning down to place a soft kiss to her lips, Jennie drew back, cupping Lisa's cheek in her hand as she ran a thumb over her cheekbone. She'd been brooding and distracted all week, and Jennie didn't have to guess why, but she hated that Lisa wouldn't admit that her memories were bothering her. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"No," Lisa curtly replied, slipping off the stool and fixing her dress, before trailing her fingers along Jennie's shoulder as she brushed past her.

"Lisa," Jennie quietly called after her, "Seolhyun was talking to you and you completely ignored her. You can't just keep it inside and expect the girls not to notice. I know you don't like talking about it, but-"

"You're right; I don't," Lisa firmly said, "and don't worry, it's not like I'm relapsing again. It's been a while; I'm over it."

Jennie huffed in frustration, pulling her close by her hand and giving her an exasperated look, "Lisa, come on. You know that you're not over it; it's not something you just get over, no matter how long it's been. I know seeing Taehyun was a shock for you, and you've been thinking about it all week – no, don't even deny it, it's been written all over you face. If you won't talk to me, then maybe you should go back to therapy."

"Jennie, I've been out of therapy for years," Lisa quietly laughed, even though there was no humour in it, "I don't need to go back. I don't need to talk about it. I just... I need to focus on the girls, and you, and us. All of us. It's all fine, I promise you. You know I always keep my promises."

She gave Jennie a charming smile, but it didn't make Jennie waver like it usually did, and she pursed her lips as she gave Lisa a disapproving look. "Not always in the way I would like," Jennie replied in a clipped tone.

"What're you two arguing about?" a voice from the doorway asked, and both of them whirled around to face their daughter's, almost looking like they'd been caught doing something wrong as they sheepishly smiled at them.