The Walls

Chapter 15

Lisa sipped her iced caramel latte, savoring the sweet, creamy flavor as it cooled her on this warm Saturday afternoon. It was a rare occasion when all her friends managed to find the same date in their busy schedules. Ever since Minnicha and Niki graduated three years ago, and Jihyo and she continued to slog through school, their lives had spiraled into a whirlwind of work stress, financial juggling, and the relentless pressure to meet their parents' expectations. Burnout had become their unofficial club membership, and finding time together felt like trying to find a needle in a haystack.

But today was different. Today, they were determined to reclaim their girl time, diving headfirst into the festivities for Minnicha's upcoming 26th birthday. Three weeks away, but Minnie had already marked it as urgent in their group chat, practically begging for ideas like a kid at a candy store. Hence why they were here at Niki's café, the air thick with the aroma of coffee and pastries. Niki and Jihyo were at the counter, engaged in a playful battle over dessert options—chocolate mousse or Basque cheesecake—while Lisa settled into their usual seat, too drained to join the debate. She took another sip of her latte, the caramel sweetness invigorating her as she waited for Nicha, who had a talent for being fashionably late.

"¡Ay, vaya!" Niki exclaimed, balancing a tray piled high with sweets. "¡Lisa, esa se volvió loca!" she complained, pointing at Jihyo, who was right behind her with a tray of her own. They had somehow ended up ordering every single dessert on the menu, it was all because of Jihyo's indecisiveness who now sporting a child-like grin.

"Let her foot the bill!" Lisa joked, picking up a fork and diving into the chocolate mousse. The flavors burst in her mouth, rich and creamy, and she almost moaned in delight. "Heaven!"

"¡Ya estoy aquí, chicas!" The trio turned to the door just in time to see Nicha striding in, her overall jumper a vibrant pop of color. With paper bags in hand and a beaming smile, she was clearly making a grand entrance, although she might have been a bit too loud, much to Niki's dismay, who was trying to keep the vibe chill for her few seated customers.

"Oh, she loves a grand entrance, doesn't she?" Jihyo raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in her eyes. "Though she's not winning any awards for that choice of clothing—"

Before she could finish, Jihyo was smacked playfully on the arm. "Ouchy!" she exclaimed, rubbing her arm in mock pain.

"I heard you, bitch," Nicha retorted, rolling her eyes as she slid into the booth beside Lisa, setting her paper bags on the table with a flourish.

"What's with all the bags?" Lisa asked, curiously pointing at the colorful assortment.

"Oh, these are from my Tia!" Nicha replied, her eyes sparkling. "The one I told you that owns a Tablao and performs flamenco? So, on our family dinner last night, she gave me a few dresses she can no longer wear. She's having her second child."

"No way! She didn't!" Jihyo exclaimed, her hands slamming onto the table as she jumped up, snatching one of the bags. Her eyes sparkled as she pulled out a stunning red dress adorned with fringes, and she let out a small squeal. "Please tell me we're going to get the chance to wear this!"

"That's exactly why I brought them with me, chica!" Nicha replied, a playful glint in her eyes.

"Wait, don't tell me you're planning a flamenco-themed birthday party?" Niki interjected, her interest piqued.

"Oh my gosh?! Really???" Jihyo squealed, practically bouncing on her toes.

Lisa couldn't help but laugh, soaking in the electric energy of her friends. "Okay, spill the tea! Tell us your plan before Jihyo blacks out."

"Well, I convinced my Tia to let us borrow her Tablao on the 23rd!" Nicha announced, and the café erupted in a chorus of squeals, each one amplifying the excitement in the air.

"There it's a wrap." Nicha cracked her knuckles like a boss, slamming her MacBook closed as she reached for her soy milk latte. They had just wrapped up the party planning for her birthday, and as always, she was going all out. After all, with a family as big and loaded as hers, anything less than extravagant would simply not do. She might not win any fashion awards, but when it came to planning parties, she's the perfect person to run to.

Lisa glanced at her phone, groaning internally. "I have to go too."

"Oh, why so soon?" Nicha turned to her best friend, eyes wide with faux innocence.

Jihyo leaned forward, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "This is the downside of always being late—you missed the chance to see that Lisa here was actually driven by her boyfriend! And to think Niki didn't even flinch! Bet she knew all along!"

"Hey! That's not true!" Niki exclaimed, hands flying up defensively. "I was just playing it cool because I didn't want him to feel awkward. Unlike you, who practically drooled all over him!"

"You can't blame me! It was my first time seeing him in person!" Jihyo shot back, crossing her arms.

Nicha rolled her eyes, trying to tune out their bickering as she focused on Lisa instead. "What's going on? I thought you were avoiding him?"

Lisa sighed, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. "We kinda... made up? I can't avoid him forever."

Nicha, reading the unspoken truth in her friend's eyes, nodded with understanding. "I'll be here." The absence of judgment warmed Lisa's heart, and she pulled Nicha into a hug, patting her head affectionately.

It's almost funny for Lisa how they have different personalities but always have each other's back, and that was priceless. What's ahead of her is uncertain, her feelings are all over the place, but she knew she could count on them. Even Niki and Jihyo had paused their bickering to share a moment of solidarity. "Oh wait, how about we invite them to your party, Nicha?" Jihyo suggested, a gleam of mischief in her eyes.

"You just want to see Jaehyun!" Niki teased, grinning widely.

"That's exactly the point, chica!" Jihyo shot back, feigning an exaggerated eye roll.

"Eomma!!!"

"Did I just hear someone yell in Korean?" Jihyo asked, eyes darting around.

At just the right moment, Lisa stood up from the sofa, waving her hand. The three turned their heads and saw a young girl dashing toward them, pigtails bouncing with each step. "Eomma! Eomma! Eomma!" Eunseo giggled, arms outstretched, a gesture of pure joy as she reached for Lisa, who half-ran to meet her halfway.

Their three friends exchanged wide-eyed glances, clearly surprised by the kid's enthusiasm. "That kid sounds like she has some serious mommy issues," Jihyo remarked, trying to suppress a laugh.

"Dios mio, watch your mouth!" Niki scolded, slapping Jihyo's arm, while Nicha giggled uncontrollably.

"Well, I sighted the father. Incoming!" Nicha announced dramatically, fixing her posture and attempting to blend into the background as they all peered over discreetly. Niki pretended to flip through the menu while Jihyo sipped her drink, their eyes glued to the scene unfolding in front of them.

"I will never get tired of saying this, but damn, that's one big daddy," Jihyo whispered, stifling her laughter as the other two nodded in agreement.

Mingyu approached with deliberate slowness, taking in the sight of Lisa lifting Eunseo into her arms. He couldn't help but watch the easy camaraderie they shared, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was interrupting something special. "Don't mind them," Lisa said, catching his glance at their friends, brushing it off with a smile.

"Shall we?" Mingyu asked, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Sure, let's bid goodbye to them first," she replied, her heart fluttering slightly at his casual charm. With the way things are heading, she's become an expert at brushing her feelings aside.

"Okay," he nodded, as they approached the table.

The trio immediately panicked, unsure how to act now―surely that they'd been caught staring. But behind the nerves, they managed to appear nonchalant as the two reached their table.

"Oh, hi! We met again!" Nicha chirped, her smile bright but her voice slightly higher than usual.

"Hello, ladies," Mingyu greeted, a charming smile gracing his lips as he slightly bowed his head. Lisa almost rolled her eyes. There he is again, trying to be sweetly polite to everyone he meets, but he was so indifferent toward her when they first met.

"Mingyu! Nicha here was just saying we should invite you and your friends to her party!" Jihyo blurted out, pointing at Nicha, who shot her a dagger-like glare while attempting to maintain her composure. Why did Jihyo have to be so shameless?

"Really?" Mingyu raised an eyebrow, turning to Nicha.

The girl laughed awkwardly, caught off guard. Niki leaned back in her seat, sipping her drink, finding this exchange to be the perfect popcorn-worthy moment. Nicha cleared her throat, scrambling for a smooth response. "I mean, you all helped take care of me last time. It would be nice to invite you to my party! It's on the 23rd, Saturday night at El Tablao de Pasión."

"Great! I'll mention it to them," Mingyu replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"That'd be nice, thank you!" Nicha beamed, her earlier nerves melting away.

"We should go now," Lisa suggested, glancing at Eunseo, who had begun to fidget in her arms.

"Oh yeah, sure!" Nicha agreed, nodding.

"Get home safe, guys!" Niki called, waving her hand casually.

"It's nice meeting you again," Jihyo added sweetly, her voice warm.

"Eunseo, say 'bye' to the pretty eonnies," Lisa said, caressing the child's back. Eunseo withdrew her hands from around Lisa's neck and turned to the three ladies, who beamed back at her.

"Bye-bye," she shyly waved, her small hand moving in a sweet little gesture that melted their hearts.

Lisa giggled as Eunseo quickly hid her face back in her neck, then looked back at her friends, bidding them farewell as they turned to leave.

"Damn, they look like a real family," Jihyo said as the café door swung shut behind them. "She's playing with fire, right?"

"At this rate, I don't even know what to say to her. It looks like there's some mutual understanding, even if they're stuck in this gray area," Niki replied thoughtfully.

"What's keeping him from pursuing her anyway? It's so obvious she likes him," Nicha mused.

Jihyo shrugged, casually sipping the last of her drink. "Whatever it is, it better be reasonable enough. Because even if he's like the Korean version of Thor, I'll chase him out to Spain and kick him back to Korea."

"Bitch, you're being racist to your own kind!" Niki shot back, laughter bubbling up.

"I'm fucking Asian; it's in our culture to roast our own!" Jihyo retorted, raising an eyebrow.

As they returned to the apartment, the sky had already turned dark, and the evening air clung to them, mingling with the faint scent of jasmine from the flowers Mingyu had kept in a vase on the counter. The moment they stepped inside, Eunseo darted toward the living room, her pigtails bouncing with every excited step. "Can we watch a movie, Papa? Please?"

"Sure, how about that Pixar one you love?" Mingyu replied, ruffling her hair as he set down the bag of groceries he'd brought home.

"Yay!" Eunseo cheered, plopping onto the couch and bouncing with anticipation.

Lisa smiled at the sight, a warmth blooming in her chest as she joined Eunseo on the couch. "I'll make some popcorn," she said, glancing back at Mingyu, who was already pulling ingredients from the fridge.

"I'll make us some dinner quickly. You can have popcorn after!" Mingyu called, throwing her a playful grin.

While Mingyu worked in the kitchen, Lisa and Eunseo settled into a cozy spot on the couch, the screen illuminating their faces with bright colors and laughter. The characters danced across the screen, filling the room with their adventurous spirit. Eunseo giggled, her small hands covering her mouth at the silly antics.

As the aroma of Mingyu's cooking wafted through the air, Lisa's curiosity piqued. "It smells amazing! What are you making?" she asked, glancing toward the kitchen.

"Just a little stir-fry. Nothing fancy," Mingyu replied, focusing intently on the stove. Lisa couldn't help but admire the way the sleeve of his black button-down shirt was folded up to his elbows, revealing strong forearms. He looked so effortlessly handsome, and she quickly looked away, fighting back the warmth creeping into her cheeks.

Not long after, Mingyu called them to dinner, and the three of them enjoyed a lively meal at the small dining table. Laughter echoed as they exchanged playful banter, with Eunseo animatedly recounting her favorite scenes from the movie. Lisa watched the father-daughter duo with a smile, feeling enveloped by their warmth, a bittersweet ache tugging at her heart. She couldn't shake the thought that this precious moment might not last forever, but she pushed it aside, choosing to savor the present instead.

After dinner, they moved back to the couch, where Eunseo's eyelids began to droop, her head resting against Lisa's shoulder. They played a few rounds of a game, but soon enough, the little girl was fighting to keep her eyes open.

"Looks like someone is tired," Lisa whispered, brushing a few strands of hair from Eunseo's face.

"I'm not sleepy!" Eunseo protested with a yawn, her small hands rubbing her eyes.

Mingyu chuckled softly. "Let's get you to bed, Eunseo-ya."

With gentle hands, he scooped Eunseo into his arms, and she immediately snuggled into his chest, letting out a content sigh. Lisa followed closely behind as Mingyu carried her to her room, the soft glow of a nightlight illuminating the walls adorned with colorful drawings.

"Goodnight, princess," Mingyu murmured, tucking the blanket around her. He leaned down to kiss her forehead, and Lisa felt a swell of affection watching the tender exchange. The same bittersweet sensation surged within her. This is terrible.

"Goodnight, Papa! Goodnight, Wawisa eonnie!" Eunseo mumbled, her voice fading as sleep finally took hold.

As they tiptoed out of the room, Mingyu turned to Lisa, a smile lingering on his lips. "I'll do the dishes. You can relax."

Lisa shook her head, smiling back. "I can help. I don't mind washing up."

They moved into the kitchen, the soft clatter of dishes punctuating the silence between them. Lisa took the lead, rinsing the plates and placing them into the drying rack. Mingyu stepped beside her, drying the dishes with a towel.

"You really didn't have to cook," she said, glancing up at him. "You're making me feel guilty for doing so little."

"I wanted to," Mingyu replied, a hint of vulnerability in his tone. "I enjoy it."

"Well, it was delicious," Lisa said, her eyes sparkling. "You really should cook more often."

"It's not for free," he shot back, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk.

"Yah! That's so mean," she whined, bumping her shoulder against his.

Mingyu chuckled, the sound warm and genuine, and the atmosphere shifted subtly. They stood close, their bodies almost brushing against each other as they worked side by side.

"Why do you keep pretending you're okay with how things are?" Mingyu asked suddenly, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "You don't have to hide it."

Lisa paused, the plate she was washing slipping slightly in her hands. "I'm not hiding anything," she replied, defensiveness creeping into her voice.

"Yes, you are." Mingyu turned to face her, their eyes locking. "You care about Eunseo. You care about me. Why not admit it?"

Lisa swallowed, feeling her heart race. "Should I admit it? If so, will you let me in as well? Will you let me break those walls—"

"Lisa... do you really want that?" he pressed, taking a step closer, the air between them thickening. "Because if you do? I'll tell you, it's not gonna be easy. You'll think it's not worth the trouble associating with a man like me. I'm damaged goods, Lisa."

"Why do you think that way?" she protested, her voice rising. "Don't be so hard on yourself."

Mingyu's gaze softened, his expression shifting from pain to understanding. "Then should we let the walls down?"

Lisa's breath caught in her throat as he reached out, brushing his fingers against her arm, sending a shiver down her spine. She felt a rush of emotions flooding through her—confusion, longing, and an undeniable connection that had been simmering beneath the surface for too long.

Before she could respond, the moment hung between them, fragile and electric, as if they were teetering on the edge of something profound.

"Let's take it one step at a time," he finally murmured, his voice low, almost a whisper.

"Okay," she breathed, her heart racing as they stood close, the world around them fading into an intimate blur. In that moment, all the uncertainties of the future—the doubts and fears—were eclipsed by the words exchanged between them.

For once, neither of them backed away; they stood there, lost in each other's gaze, the orange glow of the lights wrapping around them like a soft blanket. The stillness of the night felt overwhelming, urging her to break the silence. Lisa glanced up at him through her lashes, the height difference somehow endearing, making Mingyu almost smile. But the grin quickly faded as she crumpled the fabric of his sleeves, pulling him closer.

"Should we seal that agreement?" she asked shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"What kind?" he replied, his curiosity piqued.

"I dunno..." This time, Lisa avoided his gaze, her cheeks blossoming into a deep shade of crimson.

"What if we made a pinky promise, since we're friends?" Mingyu suggested, his smirk deepening as he leaned in, his voice laced with playful provocation.

At his words, Lisa's eyes flared, and before she could stop herself, she shoved him hard, creating space between them. Her heart raced, but not just from anger. "Friends? We are not friends!" she shot back, her voice shaking with frustration and something else she wasn't ready to name. "I don't want to be your friend! You don't even like me as a friend!"

Mingyu, unfazed, pressed his lips together, barely concealing his amusement. He cocked his head slightly, pretending to mull over her outburst before nodding slowly. "True. You're annoying, and you do act like a child sometimes."

Lisa's mouth fell open, a gasp of disbelief escaping her. The sharpness of his words hit, but it was the way he looked at her-eyes dark with amusement, almost daring her to react-that sent a jolt of heat through her. She knew what he was doing, and yet, she couldn't help but play into it. "I do not! I hate you!" she blurted, her face flushing with more than just anger.
"I knew it-you're obnoxious and mean! Who would want to be your friend?!"

Mingyu's jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing as he watched her animatedly list off his flaws, her voice dripping with irritation. She looked furious, but the way she bit her lower lip only fueled the fire inside him.

Without warning, he closed the distance in one swift movement, his hand sliding up to cradle her face. The air between them was charged, her breath hitching as his thumb brushed along her cheek, their lips now dangerously close. His voice dropped to a husky whisper, "You're right. Let's just stay like this."

Lisa froze, her heart racing as she felt the heat of his breath against her skin, his body pressing closer. His gaze locked onto hers, dark and unreadable, his smirk turning wicked.

He leaned in, his lips hovering just above hers. "Maybe you do hate me, maybe i feel the same, but that's not stopping us from wanting this, is it?"

Her breath hitched, her pulse quickening as his words sent a jolt of desire straight through her. Her protests died on her lips as he closed the gap, capturing her mouth in a hard, searing kiss. His hands gripped her waist, pulling her closer, and the frustration that had been simmering between them suddenly ignited into something much more dangerous.

Lisa's fingers tangled in his hair, a soft moan escaping her as their bodies pressed together. She knew there was no turning back now—friends? Not a chance.

"Gyu... Eunseo's here, she'll wake up..." she managed to whisper between kisses, the clatter of freshly washed dishes echoing as her back pressed against the cold sink. But he didn't stop. He deepened the kiss, his tongue exploring, teasing, igniting a fire that made it impossible to think of anything else.

"I locked the door," he murmured against her lips, his voice low and rough, the words brushing seductively against her mouth.

Lisa's heart raced, the heat of his breath sending a shiver down her spine. "Okay..." she exhaled, her voice barely a whisper, already lost in the sensation of his lips traveling down to her neck, each kiss slower and more deliberate than the last.

Her body reacted to every touch, every graze of his mouth on her skin, a soft moan escaping her as his hands roamed over her curves. She arched slightly into him, her mind consumed by the heady mix of desire and the faint thrill of being caught.

"This seals the deal, right?" he murmured against her skin, his teeth grazing the sensitive spot on her neck before soothing it with a warm, lingering kiss. Lisa's breath hitched, her mind swirling in a haze of desire as all she could do was nod.

His hand slid up her body, fingers brushing over her chest while the other braced him firmly against the sink. Lisa's hand tangled in his hair, tugging slightly, her other hand pressing his to her skin, as if craving more. Mingyu's fingers moved expertly, unbuttoning her blouse one by one, until the fabric slipped open, revealing the delicate beige lace of her bra.

It was simple, almost modest, but somehow, on her, it felt dangerously seductive. He paused, staring with a mix of fascination and disbelief. How could she make something so ordinary seem so captivating?

"Stop staring," Lisa whispered, her voice trembling, heat flooding her cheeks as her eyelids fluttered with want.

Mingyu's lips curled into a smirk. "You're right. Friends wouldn't do this," he said, his voice low and teasing before he lowered his head, lips brushing over the exposed lace, teasing the soft skin underneath. Lisa gasped, her body responding instinctively, her hands unsure of where to cling—

"Appa, nappeun saram iya! Wae Eunseo uyu humchyeogayo?"

Both adults froze like deer in headlights before Lisa pushed Mingyu away so hard he crashed into the kitchen counter with an ungraceful thud. She spun around, frantically trying to fix her clothes.

"Eunseo-yah, why are you awake?" Mingyu asked, his voice an octave higher than usual, betraying his panic.

"Appa, nappa!" Eunseo repeated, looking very unimpressed with her father's behavior.

"Eunseo uyu humchineun geo aniya," Mingyu stammered, desperately trying to recover. "Geunyang... uh... matman boneun geoya."

Lisa shot him a look that could only be described as 'What in the actual hell are you saying?' as she fumbled to button her blouse.

Mingyu's wide eyes screamed back, 'What else am I supposed to say?!'

Rolling her eyes so hard it was a wonder they didn't get stuck, Lisa turned to Eunseo with the kind of fake calm only a pro could manage. "Don't worry, sweetie, I'll make sure no one steals your milk. I'll give Papa a good talking to later, okay?" she cooed, her voice sickly sweet.

Eunseo nodded sleepily, rubbing her eyes, still half in dreamland.

As they started toward Eunseo's room, Lisa threw one last murderous glance over her shoulder at Mingyu. "You told me you locked the door!" she hissed through gritted teeth.

Left standing in the kitchen, Mingyu groaned internally—not the type of frustration he'd been hoping for tonight. He ran a hand through his hair, muttering under his breath, "Damn it. Why don't they have bedroom locks here?!"